Twenty-eight professionals from across the state have been accepted into the 2009 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 20 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, 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 Dow Corning facility.

  Members of the 2009 Leadership Michigan class are (photos available):

  --  Laurie Baumer, President & CEO, Ele's Place
  --  Dan Bishop, Public Information Director, Consumers Energy
  --  Dave Brandt, Chief Financial Officer, E&A Credit Union
  --  Anita Cooney, Senior Environmental Scientist, Barr Engineering Company
  --  Steve Cooper, Vice President of Claim & TPA, Accident Fund Insurance
      Company of America
  --  Doug Darland, Director of Provider Contracting, Blue Cross Blue Shield
      of Michigan
  --  Jim DeKimpe, Director of Planning and Design, DTE Energy
  --  Lynette Dowler, Chief of Staff, DTE Energy - MichCon
  --  Lena Epstein, General Manager of Marketing, Vesco Oil Corporation
  --  Sherrie Fritze-Harris, Operations Manager, Hemlock Semiconductor
      Corporation
  --  Tom Hathaway, Attorney, Clark Hill PLC
  --  Sue Jenkins, Principal Counsel, Federal Programs Practice Group, Blue
      Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
  --  Matt Kenny, Sales Executive, Village Press, Inc
  --  Dave Mocny, Account Manager, Stevens Worldwide Van Lines
  --  Beth Morrison, President & CEO, HAVEN
  --  Tim O'Brien, President, O'Brien Construction Co., Inc.
  --  Scott Ray, Director of External Relations, Central Michigan University
      - Center for Charter Schools
  --  Cindy Schumacher, Deputy Dir. of Administration, Central Michigan
      University - Center for Charter Schools
  --  Diane Sheldon-Ku, National Sales Manager, ProQuest
  --  Laura Smith, Manufacturing Engineer, Dow Corning Corporation
  --  Ted Smith, VP, Human Resources & Administrative Services, Accident
      Fund Insurance Company of America
  --  Chuck Thomas, Site Logistics Leader, Dow Chemical
  --  Jo Anna "JT" Trierweiler, Senior Facilitator, Project Innovations, Inc
  --  Nancy Turner, Program Director, Citizens for Better Care
  --  Dave VanHouten, President, HWC-HomeWorksCorp
  --  Jim Watry, Executive Director, The MORE Program
  --  Rod Williamson, Energy Development Manager - Americas, Dow Corning
      Corporation
  --  Deb Withrow, Vice President of Strategic Relationships, Health
      Alliance Plan

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

SOURCE: Michigan Chamber Foundation

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