Leadership Michigan, a program of the Michigan Chamber Foundation, is pleased to announce its 2008 Distinguished Leadership Award recipient, Jim Barrett. He will be honored at the Annual Leadership Dinner on October 16, 2008 at the MGM Grand in Detroit.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080903/CLW099 )

The Michigan Chamber Foundation's Leadership Michigan program established the Distinguished Leadership Award in 2005 to honor individuals who have demonstrated excellence in leadership and exemplify the goals and aspirations of Leadership Michigan. Leadership Michigan has graduated nearly 500 professionals since its start in 1988. Past recipients of the award include: Jim Epolito (2005), Patrick L. Anderson (2006) and J. Paul Austin (2007).

Barrett was selected because of his exceptional leadership qualities; his achievement in both professional and civic activities; his ability to create and articulate a vision and effect change; and his significant contribution to the development of future leaders. He is a graduate of the 1988 Leadership Michigan class.

Barrett retired from the Michigan Chamber of Commerce in June of this year. He began his career with the Chamber in 1971 and was named President and Chief Executive Officer in 1976. Just 32 years old at the time, Barrett became one of the youngest persons ever selected to head a state chamber of commerce in the United States. Now, 32 years later, Barrett holds the distinction of serving as the longest-running president & CEO of a state chamber in the country.

In the mid 1980s, Barrett recognized the need to identify future leaders of all kinds, bring them together and expose them to a frank assessment of Michigan's assets, challenges and opportunities. Under his leadership, the Michigan Chamber Foundation was instituted and the Leadership Michigan program was formed. Early on, Barrett recognized the need for long-term investment in statewide leadership and continues to be a big supporter of the Leadership Michigan program.

During his 37-year career at the Michigan Chamber, Barrett provided leadership to several community organizations. He also received many appointments and served on numerous boards of directors, including:

  -- Treasurer, Michigan Chamber Political Action Committee
  -- Member and Past Chairman, Michigan Chamber of Commerce Executives
     Association
  -- Member and Past Chairman, Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100, U.S.
     Chamber of Commerce
  -- Member and Past Chairman, Council of State Chambers of Commerce
  -- Member and Past Chairman, Michigan Society of Association Executives
  -- Member and Past Chairman, American Chamber of Commerce Executives
     Association
  -- Chairman, Board of Trustees, Ingham Regional Medical Center
  -- Member, Board of Trustees, Ingham Regional Healthcare Foundation
  -- Director and Secretary, McLaren Health Care Corporation
  -- Member, Board of Advisors, Amy Foundation
  -- Member and Past President, Rotary Club of Lansing
  -- Member, Steering Committee, Michigan Prayer Breakfast
  -- Member and Past President, Capitol Club
  -- Chairman, Advisory Board, Michigan United Conservation Club Institute
     for Conservation Education

"We are very excited to recognize Jim's outstanding achievement in leadership and to provide an example of what excellence in leadership means," said Aimee Bahs, Director of the Leadership Michigan program. "I have no doubt that he is worthy of this award and deserves to be recognized as a first-class leader."

The crystal award will be presented to Jim Barrett at the Annual Leadership Dinner on Thursday, October 16, 2008 at the MGM Grand in Detroit from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Please visit www.michamber.com/mx/leadershipmi for details on the Annual Leadership Dinner and to register.

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Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080903/CLW099
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

SOURCE: Michigan Chamber Foundation

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

Web site: http://www.michamber.com/mx/leadershipmi