Valerie Brader named to lead MEDC energy efforts

Energy recommendations for the state

Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) President and CEO Michael A. Finney today named attorney Valerie J.M. Brader the organization’s new energy policy officer effective September 12. 

“Valerie brings fresh perspective, experience and a unique skill set to MEDC and the state of Michigan’s energy needs,” Finney said. “Energy concerns are at the center of our economic future, whether we are talking about its cost and availability or job creation and new business potential in green energy manufacturing. We look forward to Valerie’s leadership of our energy team as we move Michigan toward an economic turnaround.” 

As Energy Officer for the MEDC, Brader will work closely with the Governor’s office, the Michigan Energy Office, and MEDC business development, and entrepreneur services groups to make energy policy recommendations for the state. 

Since April 2007, Brader has specialized in corporate and environmental law at Bodman PLC, one of Michigan’s leading business law firms with 140 lawyers and five offices. She represented clients involved in a variety of matters including incentives and tax credits for Brownfield and other redevelopment projects, environmental compliance, and corporate organization (including certification as a woman- or minority-owned business). During her tenure, she was the youngest person in the nation to serve as a special master to the federal court. 

Before joining Bodman, Brader clerked for the Hon. John Feikens, U.S. District Court. She also served as a senior environmental consultant for Booz Allen Hamilton, and she was on the staff for Governor Phil Batt of Idaho on environmental and natural resource issues (including hydropower and endangered species). She also worked at the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality on water quality regulation development. 

Brader is secretary of the Board of Directors of the Women's Caring Program, and the past president of the Harvard Club of Eastern Michigan. She is a Rhodes Scholar (Keble and Idaho 1998), a recipient of the Harvard College Women's Leadership Award, and was a winner in the Pacific Legal Foundation's writing competition. 

Brader is a graduate of Harvard University and Radcliffe College, the University of Oxford, and Georgetown Law School. 

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.