Mi Business Matters

Jim Holcomb, President and CEO of the Michigan Chamber, takes a closer look at the close of the chaotic 2024 legislative session and previewing what’s on deck for 2025. Joining him in the discussion are:

• Zach Gorchow, President of Gongwer News Service - one of our capitol’s go to resources.
• Mike Alaimo, Director of Environmental and Energy Affairs - who was right in the thick of the action. 

Becky Burtka, VP of Member Engagement for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on unleashing courage for women leaders. Joining her are a couple of special leaders who have forged their own unique paths. They are:

• Shaquila Myers, Chief of Staff to Michigan House Speaker Joe Tate - shepherding public policy issues for one of the top elected official positions in the state.
• Tiffany Dowling, President & CEO of M3 Group - a full service marketing agency she started more than 20 years ago and publisher of 517 Magazine.

Amanda Toy, VP of membership and partnerships for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on the state of Michigan’s talent and workforce. Is it still shrinking and tighter than ever? Getting better? Evolving in different ways? Joining her in the discussion are two leaders at the forefront of the latest trends and best practices on this important issue that affects virtually every employer across industries. They are:

• Scott Ryan, Vice President, General Counsel and Sustainability Officer, @
• David Weeks, the Market Director for Southeast Michigan, Kelly Services

Wendy Block, Senior VP of Business Advocacy for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on something called carbon capture – or decarbonization – what it really is, how it works and why it’s a fast-growing part of our environmental and energy future. Joining her are are three folks at the forefront of this work:

• Rich Bowman, Director of policy for The Nature Conservancy in Michigan
• Ben Grove, the Senior Manager of Carbon Storage for the Clean Air Task Force
• Mike Alaimo, the Michigan Chamber’s Director of Environmental and Energy Affairs

Wendy Block, Senior VP of Business Advocacy for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on the 2024 election landscape and the intrinsic tie races, candidates and politics have in shaping and influencing our country and state’s economic sentiment and 2025 outlook. Joining her are two key policy and politics observers:

• Dave Eggert, the policy and politics reporter for Crain’s Detroit Business - our state’s largest business publication
• Jenell Leonard, Owner of Marketing Resource Group (MRG) - a full-service strategic communications firm

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on an issue many of us don’t spend a lot of time thinking about but that effects our daily lives in so many ways without us even realizing it - and that’s innovation, intellectual property, and patents. 

Joining him in this discussion are:

• Brad Watts, Vice President for Patents and Innovation Policy at the U.S. Chamber’s Global Innovation Policy Center

• Leah Robinson, Director of Legislative Affairs for the Michigan Chamber

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, is joined by Sarah Messa, the River Rouge Plant Manager for U.S. Gypsum and Sara Kaltunas – the director of environmental operations for the Packaging Corporation of America as we celebrate National Manufacturing Month and National STEM Day!

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on a monumental decision from the Michigan Supreme Court this summer on a paid sick leave and minimum wage case that has Michigan employers and so many workers alike reeling. We’re going to explore what happened, the numerous negative implications and uncertainty, and the efforts underway urging a bipartisan solution to soften the impact.

Joining him in this discussion are:

• Josh Lunger, Vice President of Government Affairs for the Grand Rapids Chamber
• Kelli Saunders, Vice President of Policy & Engagement at the Small Business Association of Michigan
• Wendy Block, Senior Vice President of Business Advocacy for the Michigan Chamber

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion of some troubling signs on the horizon for Michigan’s insurance industry and for our state’s consumers, communities and businesses. Joining him the discussion are:

• Erin McDonough, Executive Director of the Insurance Alliance of Michigan
• Mike Puerner, Senior VP and Chief Legal Officer for Hastings Insurance
• Wendy Block, Senior VP of Business Advocacy for the Michigan Chamber

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on affordable housing - one of the key barriers Michigan employers, communities and families alike are facing right now. Joining him in the discussion are:

• Jon Blazic, Manager of United States Gypsum Alabaster, Mich, plant.
• Dawn Crandall, Executive Vice President of the Home Builders Association of Michigan
• Mike Alaimo, Director of our Environmental and Energy Affairs for the Michigan Chamber