MEDIA ADVISORY Ford, Tier 1 suppliers panel at NAIAS to discuss increasing growth opportunities for small- and medium-sized Michigan businesses

Media representatives are invited to attend the Autoline Supplier Symposium Panel on Thursday, January 17, 2013 in the Chrysler exhibit at the North American International Auto Show.

LANSING – Media representatives are invited to attend the Autoline Supplier Symposium Panel on Thursday, January 17, 2013 in the Chrysler exhibit at the North American International Auto Show.   

The panel will be hosted by John McElroy, host of Autoline Daily and Autoline this Week. Michigan Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Michael A. Finney will participate on the panel, along with the following company representatives: 

• Ford: Burt Jordan, executive director, Global Vehicle and Powertrain Purchasing; 
• Johnson Controls: Jim Bos, vice president, Purchasing; 
• Schuler: Alex Nitsche, chief financial officer;  
• General Dynamics Land Systems: Sonya Sepahban, senior vice president, Engineering, Development and Technology.  

The panel will discuss how larger Michigan companies are opening their doors to small- and medium-sized businesses and minority-, women-, and veteran-owned Michigan businesses by hosting Connection Points matchmaking events in 2013. All panelists will be available for one-on-one interviews following the discussion. 

EVENT:                     Autoline Supplier Symposium Panel    

DATE:                       Thursday, January 17, 2013    

TIME:                        2:30-3:00 p.m.    

LOCATION:             Chrysler Exhibit 

                                    North American International Auto Show 

                                    Cobo Center, Detroit 

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.