Twenty-nine professionals from across the state have been accepted into the 2007 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. The leadership development program is designed for current and future leaders to encounter first-hand the critical issues facing Michigan.

"We look for the determined person with a true desire to take a more active leadership role in their organization, their community, and their state," said Aimee Bahs, Director of the Leadership Michigan Program. "Then we provide the information, experiences, and contacts so they can take that next step."

The program will visit the six regions of the state (central, south central, southeast, southwest, northern and Upper Peninsula) from April through October. Participants will delve into such issues as the state budget, environment, tourism, agriculture and manufacturing and will take part in unique experiences such as a tour of the state prison in Jackson, iron ore mine in Marquette and facility tour of Dow Chemical.

  Members of the 2007 Leadership Michigan class are (photos available):

  -- Keith D. Adkins - Vice President, Regional Operations, Accident Fund
     Insurance Company of America, Lansing
  -- Ann L. Andrews - Partner, Honigman, Miller, Schwartz and Cohn, Lansing
  -- Renee A. Beethem - President, Compliance Resources and Technologies,
     Inc., Metamora
  -- Stacie R. Behler - Vice President, Corporate Communications/Public
     Affairs, Meijer, Inc., Grand Rapids
  -- Mary Lou Benecke - State Government Affairs Manager, Dow Corning
     Corporation, Midland
  -- Joseph A. Biskner - Chief Operating Officer, Stevens Worldwide Van
     Lines, Inc., Saginaw
  -- Simon P. Bisson - Senior Vice President & Chief Development Officer,
     Starr Commonwealth, Albion
  -- Rosalynn C. Bliss - Program Director, KidsFirst Program, St. John's
     Home, Grand Rapids
  -- Gerald C. Bradford - AVP, Network Development and Performance,
     Priority Health Managed Benefits, Grand Rapids
  -- Greg G. Cochran - Director, Michigan Dioxin Initiative, Dow Chemical
     Company, Midland
  -- Jacob W. Davison - Account Executive, The Rossman Group, Lansing
  -- Jennifer L. Dolbee - Employee Services Specialist, Recruitment &
     Selection, Accident Fund Insurance Company, Lansing
  -- John J. Dunn - Vice President and Corporate Actuary, Blue Cross Blue
     Shield of Michigan, Detroit
  -- Christine M. Estereicher - Manager, State Relations, External Affairs
     & Public Policy, DaimlerChrysler, Auburn Hills
  -- Bryan Harrison - Public Policy Advocate, Alticor Inc., Ada
  -- Patricia L. Herndon - Government Affairs Specialist, State Farm
     Insurance Company, Livonia
  -- Kevin J. Klobucar - Vice President & Greater Michigan Regional
     Executive, Blue Care Network of Michigan, Lansing
  -- Marjorie D. Longcore - Education Programs Manager, Consumers Energy,
     Jackson
  -- Julie B. May - President, Integrated Tax Strategies, LLC, Southfield
  -- Catherine M. Meuwissen - Senior Environmental Consultant, Barr
     Engineering Company, Ann Arbor
  -- Karen Mitchell - Director, Major Account Services, DTE Energy, Detroit
  -- Kellianne M. Nagy - Director of Business Development, Ryan & Company,
     Royal Oak
  -- Dwayne A. Parker - Supervisor, Buena Vista Charter Township & Health
     Care Administrator, Hurley Medical Center, Saginaw
  -- Kathryn R. Ross - Environmental Planner, Consumers Energy, Jackson
  -- Amy E. Shalley - Michigan Legislative Liaison, State Farm Insurance
     Companies, Portage
  -- Jennell K. Taylor - Business Development Manager, Genesee Regional
     Chamber of Commerce, Flint
  -- James Tompkins - General Auditor, DTE Energy, Detroit
  -- Jenee L. Velasquez - Executive Director, Herbert H. & Grace A. Dow
     Foundation, Midland
  -- Scott D. Watkins - Director of Marketing and Administration, Anderson
     Economic Group, LLC, East Lansing

SOURCE: Michigan Chamber of Commerce

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

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