Director
• Appointed by the Governor to oversee the Department of Talent & Economic Development (TED) to administer, coordinate and develop Michigan’s economic, housing and talent programs, managing 3,000+ employees and $1 billion budget.• Drove groundbreaking change in education and talent policies, legislation, and practices to improve student access to career exploration and training by forming the Michigan Career Pathways Alliance – an unprecedented partnership between TED, Department of… Show more • Appointed by the Governor to oversee the Department of Talent & Economic Development (TED) to administer, coordinate and develop Michigan’s economic, housing and talent programs, managing 3,000+ employees and $1 billion budget.• Drove groundbreaking change in education and talent policies, legislation, and practices to improve student access to career exploration and training by forming the Michigan Career Pathways Alliance – an unprecedented partnership between TED, Department of Education, and a 100+ member coalition of schools, labor, community associations and employers.• Spearheaded development, legislative approval, and implementation of the revolutionary $100 MM Marshall Plan for Talent to better prepare students for post-secondary pathways.• Convener that successfully unified unparalleled consortiums of higher education, K-12 education, non-profits, and businesses to build unique programs for their communities.• Supervised economic and job creation loan and grant programs, growing private investment $15.3B and creating +91,000 jobs in Michigan 2017-2018.• Transformed Michigan Land Bank (MLB) from a disregarded agency to vibrant community revitalization tool, returning +1,000 properties to active use in 2 years and piloting a collaborative program with local LBs, using MLB funds to build new homes on vacant land.• Oversaw Michigan Travel achieving increased legislative funding for award-winning Pure Michigan campaign that grew state visitation 4.6 % and visitor spending by 8.4% over three years.• Directed successful creation and execution of multimillion-dollar communications & marketing campaigns, including publicity/advertising and web site development for: Choose Michigan, Michigan’s 1st ever talent attraction and retention effort; Going Pro, a campaign that changed perceptions of technical careers; Experience Sooner, a campaign that raised awareness of apprenticeships; and Rising Tide, a program that aided and empowered small/rural communities. Show less