Mi Business Matters

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion of an intended and irresponsible lawsuit from Attorney General Dana Nessel that has the potential to harm Michigan and the infrastructure that keeps our homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses running.

Joining him in that discussion are:

• Mark Griffin, President of the Michigan Petroleum Association and Michigan Association of Convenience Stores
• Mike Alaimo, Director Environmental and Energy Affairs at the Michigan Chamber

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion of Michigan’s first statewide competition of the National Civics Bee and take a look at what’s next for the 2025 bee – and why it matters so much! Joining him in the discussion are:

• Stacy Bailey, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction for Okemos Public Schools
• Geoff Bontrager, Superintendent for Northwest Community Schools in Jackson
• Simon Reed from West Middle School in Plymouth, state finalist and ended up taking 2nd place in this year’s statewide competition

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion of water usage and management practices in the Great Lakes State. Joining him are:

• Emily Finnell, Great Lakes Senior Advisor and Strategist in the Michigan Dept of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
• Ron Burke, President & CEO of the Alliance for Water Efficiency 
• Mike Alaimo, Director of Environmental and Energy Affairs for the Michigan Chamber

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion into Michigan elections – an issue that’s front and center in a presidential election year like 2024, especially in a battleground state like ours – and a unique, in-demand way to get involved in our communities by being an election poll worker. We’re going to learn more about how to be part of helping run smooth, secure and accessible elections

Joining him in this discussion are a team member and two leading authorities in the state of Michigan:

• Melanie Ryska, City Clerk for the City of Sterling Heights, plus the current president of the Michigan Assn of Municipal Clerks
• Adam Wit, Township Clerk for Harrison Township and past president of the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks
• Becky Burtka, VP of member engagement for the Michigan Chamber

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber, is joined by Greg McNeilly, CEO and President of the The Windquest Group and Author of "Red, White & Verse", to discuss the American spirit and outlook!

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, is joined by Heather Grondin, the chief relations officer for the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, to discuss one of the largest infrastructure projects in the country right now – the new Gordie Howe International Bridge crossing at our Ontario/Michigan border in Detroit!

Becky Burtka of the Michigan Chamber/Michigan Chamber Foundation is joined by a couple of inspiring female entrepreneurs – Carrie Rathbun Hawks, president and owner of Rathbun Public Relations, and Michelle Gilbert, chief engine officer at Purple Engine Coaching & Consulting – to take a closer look at women’s leadership and the upcoming Michigan ATHENA 2024 Leadership Summit.

Jim Holcomb - President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber, is joined by Neil Bradley - Executive Vice President, Chief Policy Officer and Lead for Strategic Advocacy for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, to discuss free enterprise, the threats it faces, and what the business community can and must do about it!

Our Capital City landed on the "Judicial Hellholes" list this year for the first time ever. 

Wendy Block, Senior VP of Business Advocacy for the Michigan Chamber, is joined by Lauren Sheets Jarrell, VP and General Counsel for The American Tort Reform Association to discuss why Lansing was put on the list and what we need to do to make sure it never happens again. She’s the lead analysist and author of the group’s annual Judicial Hellholes report and where our state’s ranking came from.

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber, is joined by Hilary Crow, the VP for Civics at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, to discuss civic engagement and the business case for supporting it - a very important issue as our country struggles with fundamental civics knowledge and we enter a fast and furious election year.