Leadership Michigan -- a program of the Michigan Chamber Foundation, the non-profit affiliate of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce -- announced today the selection of 23 Michigan representatives to participate in the Leadership Michigan Class of 2003, a statewide leadership development program designed to address the critical issues facing Michigan.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000320/DEM039 )

"We are very excited about the distinction of this year's participants," said Bob Thomas, Interim Director of Leadership Michigan. "These individuals are prime examples of the leadership that our state needs to meet Michigan's varied challenges."

The class will spend two days per month traveling to eight cities to address statewide public policy topics such as the economy, education, health care, and the environment. From Marquette to Detroit, the class will encounter a variety of issues and be challenged to find solutions toward tackling the obstacles facing the state. Each leader is then expected to take the knowledge they learn and apply it to their community or organization.

Since 1988, over 350 Leadership Michigan participants have left the program with a broad-based view of Michigan's interwoven challenges and opportunities, a diverse network of colleagues, and a new set of leadership skills and resources.

  The Leadership Michigan Class of 2003 includes:

  Mr. Walt Arnold
  Land Transactions Manager
  International Paper
  Norway

  Mr. Richard Bailey
  Fatherhood Program Coordinator
  Community Action Agency of South Central Michigan
  Battle Creek

  Ms. Maura Cook
  Senior Manager, Government Affairs
  DaimlerChrysler
  Auburn Hills

  Mr. Matt Cutler
  Director of Corporate Relations
  Two Men & A Truck, International
  Lansing

  Ms. Barb Dawson
  President & COO
  Strategic Advantage
  Mason

  Ms. Sandy Ennis
  Director, Communication Planning
  DTE Energy
  Detroit

  Ms. Christine Hammond, Ph.D.
  Executive Director, Planning & Administration
  Michigan State University-Detroit College of Law
  East Lansing

  Mr. David B. Johnson
  Regional Underwriting Officer
  Citizens Insurance Company of America
  Howell

  Ms. Terri Johnson
  Public Affairs Leader Michigan Operations
  Dow Chemical Company
  Midland

  Mr. Josh Lerner
  Partner
  Cohen, Lerner & Rabinovitz, P.C.
  Royal Oak

  Lt. Col. Tom Magness
  District Engineer/District Commander
  U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District
  Detroit

  Mr. Bob Metzger
  Corporate Learning Officer
  Accident Fund Insurance Company of America
  Lansing

  Mr. John Michrina
  Chief of Police
  Monroe Police Department
  Monroe

  Mr. Andor Reiber, Ph.D.
  Vice President, Organization Consulting
  Right Management Consultants
  Southfield

  Mr. Steve Reynolds
  Vice President, Innovation & Planning
  Accident Fund Insurance Company of America
  Lansing

  Ms. Susan Samuel
  Director, BASE Camp Challenge Center
  Flint Community Schools
  Flint

  Ms. Michelle Skedgell
  Executive Director
  Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
  Hastings

  Mr. Chris Velasquez
  Global Supply Chain Reengineering Leader
  Dow Corning Corporation
  Midland

  Mr. Doug Verellen
  Area Manager
  Protective
  Traverse City

  Mr. Tom Wackerman
  President
  Applied Science & Technology Inc.
  Brighton

  Mr. Steve Whitney
  President/CEO
  Albert Kahn Associates, Inc.
  Detroit

  Mr. John Witherell
  Manager, Southeast Distribution Planning
  DTE Energy
  Detroit

  Mr. Ron Wood
  Director, Michigan Underwriting
  Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
  Southfield

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce is a statewide business organization representing approximately 7,000 employers, trade associations and local chambers of commerce. The Michigan Chamber of Commerce was established in 1959 to be an advocate for Michigan job providers in the legislative, political and legal process.

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SOURCE: Michigan Chamber of Commerce

CONTACT: Bob Thomas, Assistant to the President of Michigan Chamber of
Commerce, +1-517-371-7639

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