Twenty-three professionals from across the state have been accepted into the 2010 class of Leadership Michigan, a program of the Michigan Chamber Foundation.

Leadership Michigan was instituted in 1988 by the Michigan Chamber Foundation, the non-profit arm of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. Now with over 500 graduates, this leadership development program is designed for current and future leaders to encounter first-hand the critical issues facing Michigan.

"It's inspiring to see the collective desire of this year's class to promote positive change for Michigan," said Aimee Bahs, Director of the Leadership Michigan Program. "Our job now is to inform them about the challenges and opportunities facing our state and to encourage solutions and collaboration. We hope they will be inspired to become active in organization, community, or statewide efforts that make Michigan a better place to work and live."

The program will visit the six regions of the state throughout the lower and upper peninsulas from April through October. Participants will delve into such issues as the state budget, health care, environment, tourism, agriculture and manufacturing and will take part in rare experiences such as a tour of the state prison in Jackson, iron ore mine in Marquette and Hemlock Semiconductor facility. "They will be challenged to increase their awareness about themselves and their state and to maximize their leadership potential," said Bahs. "In addition, they will have ample opportunity to meet a variety of individuals and gain an inclusive network of colleagues and resources."

  Members of the 2010 Leadership Michigan class are (photos available):
  --  Andy Ault, Operations Area Leader, Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation,
      Hemlock
  --  Dan Brady, Consumer Marketing Manager, NuStep Inc., Ann Arbor
  --  Wendy Brightman, Managing Director, Ele's Place, Ann Arbor
  --  Dwight Brown, General Manager, DTE Energy, Detroit
  --  Jeb Burns, Chief Investment Officer, Municipal Employees Retirement
      System of Michigan, Lansing
  --  Connie Cessante, Member/Attorney, Clark Hill PLC, Detroit
  --  Gary Gavin, VP, Key & Large Group Sales, Blue Cross Blue Shield of
      Michigan, Southfield
  --  Sharon Lynn Heath, Director, Blue Care Network, Ann Arbor
  --  Art Jeannot, Owner, AJ & MJ Investments LLC, Honor
  --  Mike Johnson, Director, Real Estate and Planning, Priority Health,
      Grand Rapids
  --  Ed Melton, Vice President, Marketing, Stevens Worldwide Van Lines,
      Saginaw
  --  Dale Morrison, Regional Manager, Strategic Relationships, Health
      Alliance Plan of Michigan, Detroit
  --  Corey Northrop, Director for Fiscal Performance and Accountability,
      The Center for Charter Schools/Central Michigan University, Mount
      Pleasant
  --  Holly Peoples, Director of Business Services, Michigan Works! The Job
      Force Board, Escanaba
  --  Ulli Raak, Chief Financial Officer, Volunteers of America Michigan,
      Inc., Southfield
  --  Lisa Riddle, Vice President, Claim Operations, Accident Fund Insurance
      Company of America, Lansing
  --  Lori Stratton, Communications Consultant, Consumers Energy, Jackson
  --  Tim Sullivan, Director of Medical Informatics, Priority Health,
      Farmington Hills
  --  Rob Vallentine, Director, Public Affairs, The Dow Chemical Company,
      Midland
  --  Jenny Wang, Director - Strategy & Planning, DTE Energy, Detroit
  --  Laurie Wesolowicz, Director - Pharmacy Services Clinical, Blue Cross
      Blue Shield of Michigan, Southfield
  --  Mike Woody, Executive Director, Midland Community Tennis Center,
      Midland
  --  Lauren Youngdahl, Regulatory Affairs Leader, Consumers Energy, Jackson

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SOURCE: Michigan Chamber Foundation

CONTACT: Aimee L. Bahs, Director, Leadership Michigan, +1-517-371-7679,
abahs@michamber.com

Web Site: http://www.michamber.com/