Thirty-two professionals from across the state have been accepted into the 2008 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 celebrating 22 years with nearly 500 graduates, the leadership development program is designed for current and future leaders to encounter first-hand the critical issues facing Michigan.

"We look for the motivated person with a desire to promote positive change for Michigan," said Aimee Bahs, Director of the Leadership Michigan Program. "Then we provide the learning opportunities, unique experiences, and statewide contacts so they can take that next step."

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, 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 Dow Chemical facility.

  Members of the 2008 Leadership Michigan class are (photos available):

  -- Jeffrey Abraham, Corporate Account Executive, Stevens Worldwide Van
     Lines, Waterford
  -- David Brandt, Team Leader, HSC Polysilicon Finishing Area, Hemlock
     Semiconductor, Hemlock
  -- Darren Cammin, Phenyl Supply Chain Leader, Dow Corning Corporation,
     Midland
  -- Brian Cavanaugh, Attorney -- Shareholder, Butzel Long, Lansing
  -- John Cocciolone, President/CEO, Easter Seals -- Michigan, Inc.,
     Waterford
  -- Alisha Cottrell, Director, Government and Community Affairs, Michigan
     International Speedway, Brooklyn
  -- Darrell Debenham, Director, Human Resources/Labor Relations, Dow
     Chemical, Midland
  -- Paul Fessler, General Director, DTE Energy, Detroit
  -- Ann Forster, Director of Human Resources, SEMCO Energy, Inc., Port
     Huron
  -- Brian Gasiorowski, Regional Environmental Manager, Lafarge North
     America, Bingham Farms
  -- Alan Gileczek, Vice President, Accident Fund Insurance Company, Lansing
  -- Gavin Goetz, Director, External Affairs, AT&T, Saginaw
  -- Jennifer Greenburg, Government Policy Director, Telecommunications
     Association of Michigan, Lansing
  -- Joseph Hassell, Vice President, Property Management, MAVDevelopment
     Company, Ann Arbor
  -- Kevin Hoppe, Chairman and Chief Financial Officer, NTH Consultants,
     Ltd., Detroit
  -- Julie Karkosak, Vice President and General Counsel, Michigan Economic
     Development Corporation, Lansing
  -- Connie Learman, Manager, Market Relations, Priority Health, Holland
  -- Sammie Lukaskiewicz, Director of Communications, Michigan International
     Speedway, Brooklyn
  -- Laura Marble, Vice President, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan,
     Southfield
  -- Harmony Nowlin, Community Services Area Manager, Consumers Energy, Alma
  -- Nikki Outhier, Development Director, Michigan Community Blood Centers,
     Grand Rapids
  -- Laurine Parmely, Principal Counsel, Health Care Value Enhancement, Blue
     Cross Blue Shield Michigan, Detroit
  -- Jason Paulateer, Vice President, National City CDC, Grand Rapids
  -- Patricia Poggi, Professional Development Administrator, Grand Rapids
     Public Schools, Grand Rapids
  -- Thea Reigler, Associate Vice President, Human Resources, Priority
     Health, Grand Rapids
  -- John T. Reurink, Publisher, Michigan Information & Research Service
     (MIRS), Lansing
  -- Rachel Roe, Attorney, Business & Employment Law, Smith Haughey Rice &
     Roegge, Traverse City
  -- Michael Rowley, Chief Financial Officer/Chief Information Officer,
     Rowley Brothers, Inc., Bay City
  -- Michael Sekoni, Vice President & General Auditor, Accident Fund
     Insurance Company, Lansing
  -- Mark Stiers, Vice President, Gas Sales & Supply, DTE Energy - MichCon,
     Detroit
  -- Gretchen Swanson, Human Resources Manager, Crystal Mountain,
     Thompsonville
  -- David Zyble, Assistant Vice President, Jackson National Life Insurance
     Company, Lansing

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SOURCE: Michigan Chamber Foundation

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

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