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Workgroups

The Council has been charged with preparing and submitting a report to the governor, the Michigan House of Representatives, and the Michigan Senate on the following categories: jobs, talent and people; infrastructure and places; preK-12 education; and higher education. The Council will rely on research, data, and recommendations from four workgroups that may include Council members, representatives of state departments or agencies and members of the public.

Read the governor’s selections for workgroups.

1

Jobs, Talent, and People

This workgroup is given the charge to propose a specific population goal for 2050 based on comprehensive economic development strategies.

 

This workgroup will:

Develop policy recommendations to drive concrete, equitable investments that reflect the state’s growth in communities of color; and ensure domestic and international migration to Michigan

Give direction on how to leverage Michigan’s rich natural resources and expected climate migration from other states

Identify potential future workforce shortages and create targeted programs to attract the talent to fill these gaps

2

Infrastructure and Places

This workgroup is given the charge to propose long-term, sustainable, and equitable funding solutions for Michigan’s multi-modal transportation systems and aging water infrastructure network.

 

This workgroup will:

Consider the need for sustainable investment as more fuel-efficient vehicles emerge

Develop ways to include an unprecedented influx of one-time federal money

Propose solutions on how to create attainable housing options for every income bracket

Give recommendations on creating investment-ready sites across the state

3

PreK-12 Education

This workgroup is given the charge to propose statewide goals and policy recommendations on how Michigan can improve student outcomes to help every student reach their full potential, strengthen accountability to meet shared goals, and attract people and businesses to our state.

 

This workgroup will:

Benchmark Michigan’s statewide performance against top performing states and countries

Develop specific initiatives that guarantee every child realizes their full potential that allows them to be a lifelong Michigan resident

4

Higher Education

This workgroup is given the charge to propose long-term, sustainable, and equitable funding solutions for Michigan’s postsecondary education system, including student financial aid.

 

This workgroup will:

Consider the need to improve college access and success, lower costs, and provide education and training that meets the demands of the state’s economy.

Consider and build on the existing efforts within the Office of Sixty by 30 and make recommendations to achieve and exceed this goal.

Workgroup Members

Jobs, Talent, and People

Portia Roberson (Chair)
CEO, Focus: Hope

Marty Fitante (Chair)
CEO, InvestUP

Jeannette Bradshaw
Recording Secretary, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 58

Guillermo Cisneros
President & CEO, West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Dr. Alaina Jackson
Managing Director, Global Detroit

Ahmad Nassar
CEO & Creative Director, Detroit 75 Kitchen

Ken Horn
Executive Vice President of Strategic Development, Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance

Randy Thelen
President & CEO, The Right Place, Inc.

Chad Bassett
COO, BAMF Health

Stacie Bytwork
President & CEO, Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce

John VanFossen
Vice President of Government Affairs, Meijer

Ahmad Ezzeddine
Vice President of Academic Student Affairs and Global Engagement, Wayne State University

Kevin Prokop
Managing Partner, Rockbridge Growth Equity, LLC

Eva Garza Dewaelsche
President & CEO, SER Metro-Detroit

James Avery
Director of Talent Development, Flint & Genesee Group

Adam Finkel
Partner, Orfin Ventures

Abigail Baudry
Michigan’s Creative Coast Project Manager and Communications & Strategic Projects Coordinator, Traverse Connect

Infrastructure & Place

Terri Lynn Land (Chair)
Governor, Wayne State University

Regine Beauboeuf (Chair)
Senior Vice President and Director of Infrastructure and Mobility Equity, HNTB Corporation

Rachel Gray
Executive Director, Hello West Michigan

Ron Brenke
Executive Director, American Council of Engineering Companies of Michigan

Herasanna Richards
Legislative Associate for State & Federal Affairs, Michigan Municipal League

Melvin Henley
Policy Manager, Community Economic Development Association of Michigan

Emily Thompson
Director of Economic and Community Development, Techtown Detroit/WSU

S. Evan Weiner
President & CEO, Edw. C. Levy Co.

John Proos
CEO, JP4 Government Solutions

Michael Alaimo
Director of Environmental & Energy Affairs, Michigan Chamber of Commerce

Larry Filson
Assistant Vice President for Design & Sustainability, Walbridge

Lottie Ferguson
Vice President of Development & Donor Services, Community Foundation of Greater Flint

Ron Hall
President & CEO, Bridgewater Interiors, LLC

James Hammill
Retired Wildlife Biologist, Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Kerry Duggan
CEO, SustainabiliD

Rian English
Vice President of Government and Community Affairs, Olympia Development of Michigan

Aidan Sova
Product Solutions Consultant, Google

PreK-12 Education

Karen McPhee (Chair)
Education Leadership Consultant

Chandra Madafferi (Chair)
President, Michigan Education Association

Imani Harris
Communications Lead, 482 Forward

Kevin Polston
Superintendent, Kentwood Public Schools

Ja’Nel Jamerson
Vice President of Policy and P20 Partnerships and Executive Director of the Flint Center for Educational Excellence, Community Foundation of Greater Flint

Donna Lasinski
Vice President, Michigan Future, Inc.

Angelique Power
CEO, The Skillman Foundation

Dr. Tina Kerr
Executive Director, Michigan Association of Superintendents & Administrators

Patrick Anderson
Principal & CEO, Anderson Economic Group, LLC

Nancy Danhof
Former Executive Director, Todd Martin Development Fund

Scott Koenigsknecht
Superintendent, Clinton County Regional Educational Service Agency

Andy Johnston
Senior Vice President of Advocacy and Strategic Engagement, Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce

Terrence Martin, Sr.
President, American Federation of Teachers

Armen Hratchian
Executive Director, Teach for America

Amber Arellano
Executive Director, The Education Trust-Midwest

Beth Correa
Director of Corporate Responsibility, Flagstar Bank

Alice Thompson
CEO, BFDI Educational Services

Stephen Kircher
President & CEO, Boyne Resorts

Higher Education

Dr. Bill Pink (Chair)
President, Ferris State University

Russ Kavalhuna (Chair)
President, Henry Ford College

Bryan Barnhill II
Board of Governors, Wayne State University

Kirsten Herold
President, U of M Lecturers Employee Organization and Secretary-Treasurer, American Federation of Teachers

Khary Turner
Executive Director, The Coleman A. Young Foundation

Doug Ross
Partner, Diploma Equity Project

Dr. Edward Montgomery
President, Western Michigan University

Carla Bailo
President & CEO, ECOS Consulting, LLC and Vice Chairman, Kettering University

David Nyberg
Executive Director of Business Engagement and Economic Development, Northern Michigan University

Dr. Jim Sawyer
President, Macomb Community College

Dr. Richard Koubek
President, Michigan Technological University

David Egner
President & CEO, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation

John Walsh
President & CEO, Michigan Manufacturers Association

Ryan Fewins-Bliss
Executive Director, Michigan College Access Network

Kevin Stotts
President, TalentFirst

Fatima Salman
President, National Association of Social Workers

Emily Hoyumpa
President, Associated Students of Michigan State University

Alex Zhang
Partner, Zhang Financial

Dr. Curtis Ivery
Chancellor, Wayne County Community College District