Speakers

Rocket Fiber, founded in 2014 as part of the Rock Ventures and Quicken Loans Family of Companies, is a Detroit-based internet service provider dedicated to bringing affordable gigabit internet and an industry-leading, personalized client experience to residents and businesses in Detroit. Rocket Fiber’s newly-built fiber backbone is designed to transform the way Rocket Fiber clients create, collaborate and communicate.

Recent news from Rocket Fiber:

June 21, 2018

Marc Hudson, CEO of Rocket Fiber, accepted the prestigious Chairman’s Award from the Fiber Broadband Association at the 2018 National Fiber Connect Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.  The award singles out an individual or company that has shown tremendous effort to promote, educate, or accelerate fiber-to-the-home (FTTH). The award was presented by Scott Jackson, National Business Development Manager of Graybar and FBA Chairman, as well as Heather Burnett Gold, FBA President and CEO.The Chairman's award was a pleasant surprise to the Rocket Fiber team, since it was just a few short years ago that the Fiber Broadband Association served as a first exemplar of what it meant to create a great fiber company.

For more information please go to Rocketfiber.com 

Johann Finkelmeier serves on the Board of Directors for the Automotive Hall of Fame. Finkelmeier is the Vice President and General Manager of Original Equipment Tires for North America at The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. He has more than 25 years of experience in the automotive industry. Prior to Goodyear, Johann served at Akebono North America as Executive Vice President, Global Strategy & Business Development OE/OES Sales. Prior to his post at Farmington Hills, Michigan-based Akebono, Finkelmeier was President of ThyssenKrupp Steel North America in Detroit. He also worked in various positions at Kloeckner & Company, an international multi-metal distribution firm, and served as President of Northern Group of KloecknerNamasco Corporation in Roseville, Michigan. Finkelmeier holds an MBA from the University of Essen in Germany.

The Automotive Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was held July 19th, 2018 at the MGM Grand Detroit.  Information about the 2018 inductees can be found here:

http://www.automotivehalloffame.org/ceremony/2018-induction-ceremony/

Bob Cannon is the Supervisor of Clinton Township, Michigan.  Clinton Township is the largest township in the state with over 100,000 residents.  Cannon is serving as Chair of the 16th Annual Gratiot Cruise this year on Sunday, August 5th, 2018.  There are many pre-cruise events that lead up to this annual event.

The Clinton Township Gratiot Cruise is the biggest and best event on Gratiot Avenue. This summertime tradition is an opportunity to showcase our community to neighboring residents, and visitors from across the state and midwest. With almost 250,000 in attendance the cruise has continually increased each year in attendance, classic cars, family activities, and business involvement year after year.  The Clinton Township Gratiot Cruise leads the way for Cruisers in Macomb County.  Our cruise is one of the summer’s best car events in the Motor City, which include other events such as the Detroit Grand Prix, Concours d’Elegance, and the Woodward Dream Cruise. Our cruise has become known across the country as one of the best family cruise events in Michigan.   Check out the NEW website for 2018 which has all the information you need to enjoy this great event!  Check it out at ctgratiotcruise.com

Advancing Macomb is a business and community leadership group representing 20 leading employers, three principal business organizations and the largest higher educational institution in Macomb County, an area encompassing approximately 900,000 residents and 18,000 businesses. Our organization is committed to enhancing local communities by leveraging a unified civic leadership voice throughout the Detroit region.

Advancing Macomb Executive Director

Melissa Roy leads Advancing Macomb with a focus on unified economic and community development for Macomb County. She sees greater success for Macomb and the greater Detroit Region by building on, investing in and marketing local economic, community and natural resource assets. With a career centered on public policy and economic development throughout the Detroit area, Ms. Roy’s current work on growing Macomb locally is also met with a charge to provide a greater intra-regional connection with the city of Detroit and surrounding communities. Connecting Macomb’s strong manufacturing, production, agriculture sectors and Macomb’s waterways and community assets into the metropolitan economy, creates a more vibrant Detroit Region.

For questions, please contact Melissa Roy at melissa@advancingmacomb.com

Phil began working part-time with The Art Center as Grant Coordinator in 2009. He studied photography and ceramics, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Northern Michigan University in 2005, and a Master of Public Administration from Wayne State University in 2013. He has exhibited in more than two-dozen shows and served in leadership roles in the Mount Clemens Art Association. As Grant Coordinator, Phil developed funding proposals to support operations and programming at The Anton Art Center, and administered the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs Minigrant Program for Macomb and Oakland counties. Phil began his new role as Executive Director in October 2015.

The Anton Art Center presents full exhibition seasons annually and introduces many youngsters to what it means to make something—the joys and frustrations, responsibilities and rewards of creating and craftsmanship. In the Art in Public Places program, five significant sculptures that have been installed in downtown Mount Clemens are already a local “tradition”, because they carry with them a sense of place and pride in “ownership.”   

The Art Center brings to the people of Macomb County arts experiences and opportunities, which would otherwise be unavailable to them. The loyalty of 400 plus Center members attests to this.  Moreover, the Center’s work has been recognized by support from The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, The Community Foundation of Southeastern Michigan, The Kresge Foundation and other benefactors, in both the community and private sectors, whose support is universally recognized as a seal of quality.

MCREST History:  2018 - Celebrating 30 years!  

Early in 1988 nine founders assembled with the idea of a homeless day camp. As a result of that meeting at Trinity Lutheran Church in Clinton Township, the organization now known as MCREST was born.

With the success of the day camp venture, the founders evolved into overnight emergency shelters. Twelve original churches were signed up to provide meals and lodging in the Fall & Winter season of 1988. Before the first season ended around Easter 1989, another 9 congregations came on board.

In May of 1989 an official 501c3 application for nonprofit status was granted to MCREST. The first President of the MCREST Board was elected in May and the founding Board went on to develop guidelines, organize volunteers and plan for the first full year of services beginning later in 1989. MCREST has grown from those original 21 churches to almost 90 today representing many denominations across Macomb County.

Today, MCREST provides meals, lodging, life-skills training, housing assistance, job readiness training, and emergency shelter 365 days each year to Macomb County’s homeless population.

For more information, please visit: www.mcrest.org

MEET COMMODORE SEAN SCHOTTHOEFER
Serving as the Commodore of the GPYC is a great honor and privilege. There is no better place to enjoy time with family and friends. The Club’s number one goal is to create an experience like no other from the moment you come through the front gate. Our standards are high, and it shows. From providing unique food offerings and impressive wine selections to creating the perfect atmosphere for relaxation by the pool or in the harbor, the Club provides top-notch service to its members and guests. We invite you to discover all that the GPYC has to offer.

MEET GENERAL MANAGER AARON WAGNER
GPYC is truly a place like no other. The historic Clubhouse with its majestic bell tower is an awe-inspiring and well-known landmark. Our grounds and harbor are exceptional. While we continually strive to give our members an unparalleled experience in every facet of the Club, the most important offering to them is the gift of memories. Whether it’s a wedding, Mother’s Day Brunch, bowling birthday party or just another gorgeous day relaxing at the pool, we love that many of life’s greatest and simplest moments can be made right here at the Club. We are honored to be a part of your memories in the making.

A CLUBHOUSE BRIMMING WITH HISTORY
Every club has a clubhouse, that’s expected. What sets GPYC apart is that our clubhouse is not only the second largest clubhouse in the country, but it resides on a nationally recognized piece of history. Lake St. Clair boaters of yore looked to the lighthouse for guidance that our clubhouse now occupies. Beyond doubling as a historic landmark, our clubhouse is outfitted to the brim with activities like paddle tennis, bowling, and swimming at our Olympic-sized pool. If you’re looking to relax, there’s plenty space to enjoy your day gazing at the Lake St. Clair horizon. GPYC’s clubhouse is all about accommodation, regardless of your mood.

Photo and copy courtesy Grosse Pointe Yacht Club.  For more information visit www.gpyc.org

Jeffrey Huebner is Chair of the Grosse Pointe Farms Foundation & Dan Hughes is the "mastermind" behind the Concours d'Elegance that is held at the Pier Park on September 30th!  

Paul Sincock joined the Plymouth Rotary Club in 1981 and is a second generation Rotarian, following in the footsteps of his late father, Robert, who also was a Plymouth Rotarian and Past Club President.  Paul’s “Rotary Life” began early, attending many Plymouth Rotary Club and District events with his parents.  Paul has incredible memories of working the serving line at the famous Plymouth Rotary Chicken Bar-be-que and attending many District Conferences with members of the Plymouth Rotary Club through his teen years.

Paul has served in many leadership positions of his club, Plymouth Rotary Foundation Board Member and President, and served as Club Board Member and served as President of the Rotary Club of Plymouth in 2001 – 02.

Besides his love for the City of Plymouth, where he serves as City Manager, Paul’s passion is the Rotary Youth Exchange program.  With his firm belief that the Youth Exchange Program promotes Peace and Understanding around the world, Paul currently serves as the District 6400 Rotary Youth Exchange Committee Chair.  Paul and his wife Traci, a member of the Northville Rotary Club have hosted numerous exchange students from around the world.  As Chair of the Youth Exchange Committee, he has been instrumental in the transition that converted paper files to electronic files, which now allows easy club access to records and on-line applications for future students, club volunteers and host families.   For his work with Youth Exchange, Paul was presented with a District COG Award in 2010 – 11.

Paul is a Paul Harris Fellow, a regular presenter on Customer Service issues and Youth Exchange, and has served on numerous District Conference Committees.  He also can be seen as a volunteer airport ambassador at Detroit Metropolitan Airport and serves as chair of the Emergent Health Partners Quality Review Committee.

Paul and Traci, along with their beloved Labrador, Luke, look forward to serving District 6400 Rotarians.

Rotarians, save the date!  

A Masquerade for the Stacks is the fall fundraiser for the Grosse Pointe Library Foundation.  It will be October 6, 2018 from  7:00-11:00pm at the Country Club of Detroit featuring cocktails, strolling hors d’oeuvres, silent auction, seated dinner & entertainment. 

The Grosse Pointe Library Foundation is a nonprofit organization that advocates, fundraises, and provides critical support for the Grosse Pointe Public Library. We provide the community with opportunities to invest in the success of the Library by contributing to the Annual Fund, Gift Book Program and Library Endowment, and by participating in special events throughout the year. We raise money and we raise our voices to ensure a first-class public library for Grosse Pointe.

From our dedicated staff to our committed Board of Directors, from our enthusiastic patrons to our generous donors, to the thousands of people who benefit from the programs we provide and support, we are what our name implies: a collection of committed, caring individuals who share a common vision of providing the foundation for a superior free public library accessible by all.

Tina Lavinio-Mattinen is the Director of Turning Point Macomb: Serves to End Domestic and Sexual Violence 

OUR MISSION

Turning Point’s mission is to provide programs and resources that enable victims/survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault to regain control of their lives.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

Our philosophy is to work toward ending the use of violence as a means of oppressing and controlling others, and endorses the concept of helping people assume power over their lives.

Turning Point serves the community by educating about the dynamics of domestic violence and sexual assault, and as a voice advocating for the people we serve. Turning Point is dedicated to the development and promotion of model programs that address the root causes of violence, and to the enhancement of the quality of life for present and future generations.

For more information please visit www.turningpointmacomb.org

About the Clinton River Watershed Council

The Clinton River Watershed Council (CRWC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting, enhancing and celebrating the Clinton River, its watershed and Lake St. Clair. The Clinton River Watershed Council provides programs and services in the areas of stewardship, watershed management and stormwater education, including:

Stream Leaders
Keeping It Clean
Adopt-A-Stream
Stormwater Education
Clinton River Coldwater Conservation Project (CRCCP)

History
The council was formed in 1972 as an association of local governments under the authority of the Michigan Local Rivers Management Act of 1964. For more than 45 years, CRWC has served to coordinate the efforts of local governments, businesses, community groups and individuals in improving water quality, promoting innovative watershed management techniques, and celebrating the river as a natural and recreational resource.

In 1994, the council reorganized as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, which allows CRWC to obtain funding from grants and private donors. Today, we are supported by local and county government membership dues, business sponsorships, state, federal and private grants, and individual contributions.

About Executive Director Anne Braise

Anne joined the CRWC in late 2017. She has worked in nonprofit management, marketing and fundraising for water quality and land protection organizations for more than twenty years, including positions at The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay, the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy and The Nature Conservancy. She has a BA in Economics from the University of Michigan and an MBA in Marketing from DePaul University.

As Executive Director, Anne is responsible for the overseeing day-to-day operations, supporting staff in their work, managing external relationships with partner agencies, community organizations, local and regional governments, financial management and long-term planning for CRWC. Anne recently moved from the Traverse City area and is enjoying getting to know her new Southeast Michigan home.

John McElroy is an influential thought leader in the automotive industry. He is a journalist, lecturer, commentator and entrepreneur. He created “Autoline Daily,” the first industry webcast of industry news and analysis. He is also the host of the television program “Autoline This Week,” an Emmy Award-winning, weekly half-hour discussion program featuring top automotive executives and journalists. And he co-hosts “Autoline After Hours,” a weekly live webcast that focuses on new cars and technology. The show can be seen online at www.Autoline.tv

McElroy also broadcasts three radio segments daily on WWJ Newsradio 950, the CBS affiliate in Detroit. He writes a blog for Autoblog.com and a monthly op-ed article for Ward’s Auto World.

John McElroy brings an extensive background to covering the auto industry. He took his first plant tour when he was only six years old. As he got older, he read any and every book about cars he could get his hands on, which led to an understanding of automotive engineering principles. As his enthusiasm for cars grew, he successfully—though briefly—ventured into amateur road racing. He also gained valuable insight to the industry working as an hourly UAW employee in various automotive manufacturing plants while working his way through college.

As a journalist, McElroy put his automotive background to good use. His past experience includes five years at Detroit Editor for Road & Track, and as the American correspondent for World Cars, published by the Automotive Club of Italy. He was also invited to write the annual automotive entry for the Encyclopedia Britannica Yearbook. He spent most of his career at the trade magazine Automotive Industries where he ultimately rose to Editorial Director.

McElroy has appeared as an automotive expert on ABC World News Tonight, CBS News, and NBC Nightly News. He is often interviewed by CNN, NPR, and CBC in Canada. He is frequently asked to speak to automakers, suppliers and industry organizations. He is a member of the jury of the North American Car and Truck of the Year, and has won numerous awards for editorial excellence.

John McElroy is the president of Blue Sky Productions, Inc., which produces television, radio, and digital content, including video production.

President of Baker College, Patty Kaufman (And Mt. Clemens Rotarian) joins Dr. Karen Bratus, D.D.S and as she gives a presentation on Baker College's Dental Program.

Ms. Owens coordinates and oversees all of TRU’s advocacy, education, fundraising, and engagement, always maintaining focus on the goal of improved transit. She is TRU’s lead spokesperson and a frequent source for local and national media. She led TRU’s work advocating the creation of the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) and continues to watchdog their work.

She is also on the Executive Committee of the RTA’s Citizens’ Advisory Committee and Chairs the Oakland County Public Transit Authority, which oversees SMART bus service in Oakland County. Dedicated to ongoing learning, she completed fellowships with Detroit Regional Chamber’s Leadership Detroit, the Michigan Nonprofit Association’s Executive Leadership Fellowship and the Center for Progressive Leadership.

Previously, Ms. Owens spent six years with PIRGIM (the Public Interest Research Group in Michigan) leading the passage of state identity theft laws and advocating a reduction air pollution from coal-burning power plants. She has also worked on several political campaigns and taught environmental education in the Michigan State Parks.

A nearly lifelong Michigan resident, she graduated from the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and the Environment where she co-lead the nation’s largest voter registration drive and promoted community service. She currently lives in Hazel Park with her husband and daughters and enjoys traveling, baking, video games, and Detroit’s wonderful festivals.

About TRU
Transportation Riders United is a nonprofit organization that has been working since 1999 to improve public transit in greater Detroit through education, engagement, and advocacy.Based in downtown Detroit, our mission is to improve and promote transit in greater Detroit in order to restore urban vitality, insure transportation equity, and improve quality of life.

Our volunteer Board of Directors sets our mission and priorities, ensures sufficient resources, and oversees our activities. Our small but active staff lead and manage TRU’s daily activities, which include research, education, engagement, outreach, and advocacy.

Our plans and priorities are laid out in their entirety in our 3-year Strategic Plan. Each year, we evaluate the current transit situation and our ability to make an impact in order to update that plan and create an Annual Plan. Our current priorities include:

1. Build majority support for regional transit and dedicated funding.
2. Maintain and improve Detroit bus service.
3. Develop tools and systems to effectively share our knowledge and positions
4. Strengthen TRU structure, decision-making, and board leadership
5. Expand our annual Regional Transit Awards fundraising dinner