Chris Holman speaks with Bob Riney, from Media Row, at the Grand Hotel, while at the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference.

Chris Holman of the Michigan Business Network interviews Bob Riney, CEO of Henry Ford Health, at the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce's Mackinac Policy Conference at the Grand Hotel. Riney, serving as chair of the conference, chose the theme "A Quest for Common Ground," emphasizing the need for civil dialogue in Michigan's politically divided landscape. He highlighted the strong clinical quality of healthcare in Michigan while noting ongoing efforts to integrate technology, reduce costs, and shift the industry's focus from reactive treatment to preventative, personalized care. Riney also addressed the challenge of attracting and retaining healthcare talent in Michigan, stressing the need to better "sell" the state to young professionals. On the policy front, he cautioned against knee-jerk cuts to healthcare payments, instead advocating for coordinated conversations among insurers, policymakers, and healthcare providers to improve the system holistically.

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Chris Holman speaks with David Lewis, from Media Row, at the Grand Hotel, while at the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference.

David Lewis, President of AT&T Michigan, spoke with host Chris Holman at the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce's annual policy conference on Mackinac Island, highlighting the company's aggressive fiber expansion across the state, with roughly 840,000 fiber connections already in place and nearly one million expected by year's end. He noted that AT&T has invested $2.7 billion in Michigan infrastructure from 2021 to 2025, with a goal of fully transitioning off copper to fiber by the end of 2029, emphasizing that fiber is more reliable, more affordable, and future-proof. Lewis also spoke about AT&T's FirstNet network, which provides priority connectivity to first responders, state police, and medical personnel in both urban and rural areas. On the talent front, he described AT&T's Connected Learning Centers in Detroit, Grand Rapids, and soon Flint, which offer free computers, Wi-Fi, and fiber to help community members retool their skills, bridge the digital divide, and access job training and educational resources.

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Chris Holman speaks with Jose L. Flores, from Media Row, at the Grand Hotel, while at the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference.

Jose Flores, who took over Ancor Automotive nearly five years ago, spoke with host Chris Holman at the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce's annual policy conference on Mackinac Island, describing how the nearly 50-year-old company has evolved from a data management and labeling firm into a full technology company with divisions spanning regulated industries, automotive, and innovation solutions. He highlighted Anker's focus on helping companies modernize by replacing legacy systems with AI-driven traceability and accountability tools that deliver real operational efficiency. On the talent front, Flores emphasized that a strong culture and a clear shared vision are essential to attracting and retaining people, and that his leadership philosophy centers on servant leadership — keeping employees informed, involved, and inspired so they feel empowered to make decisions and move quickly. Looking ahead, he stressed the urgency of bridging the gap between fast-moving policy and manufacturers still running on outdated systems, arguing that calling something "advanced manufacturing" while operating on 1990s infrastructure is simply not sustainable.

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Chris Holman speaks with David Jurcak, from Media Row, at the Grand Hotel, while at the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference.

Grand Hotel President and CEO David Jurcak spoke with host Chris Holman at the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce's annual policy conference on Mackinac Island, discussing the hotel's ongoing transformation under owner KSO Capital, which has invested $120 million since acquiring the property. He emphasized that the goal is not dramatic change but rather enhancing and preserving what already makes the 140-year-old landmark special, with much of the spending going toward invisible infrastructure improvements. Jurcak also addressed workforce challenges, explaining that the hotel relies heavily on the H2B visa program, recruiting seasonal workers from 34 countries who fill critical gaps and return home after six months. Looking ahead, he outlined plans to renovate all guest rooms, update air conditioning, and complete a full property overhaul in time for the hotel's 150th anniversary.

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Chris Holman speaks with Dr. Robert McMahan, from Media Row, at the Grand Hotel, while at the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference.

Kettering University President Bob McMahan spoke with host Chris Holman at the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce's annual policy conference on Mackinac Island, highlighting Kettering's strong outcomes: near-perfect graduate employment, top starting salaries, and growing enrollment that bucks national trends affecting mid-sized institutions. He explained that Kettering's co-op model alternates 12-week campus terms with 12-week industry rotations, giving students two to three years of hands-on experience and earnings of $75,000–$100,000 before they graduate. McMahan also shared that the university predates its well-known GMI era, having been founded independently by Flint-area industry partners before General Motors absorbed it. His main concern is that families and policymakers tend to view all universities as interchangeable, overlooking how specialized institutions like Kettering deliver outsized value relative to their size.

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Chris Holman speaks with David Washburn, from Media Row, at the Grand Hotel, while at the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference.

Dave Washburn, head of the MSU Research Foundation, described the 54-year-old nonprofit's mission to commercialize university research through tech transfer, licensing, startup incubation, and venture investing — all funded by an endowment built largely from royalties generated by the cancer drugs cisplatin and carboplatin, developed at MSU decades ago. The foundation has invested in 280 companies, created 2,500 jobs, and manages about $60 million, making it the most active early-stage investor in Michigan. A major current initiative is "Pitch Me," a statewide business plan competition run in partnership with the MEDC that offers a $1 million investment as its top prize, with regional competitions planned across Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Detroit, and Marquette covering sectors like AI, advanced manufacturing, and life sciences. The foundation also recently announced a new $10 million innovation fund in partnership with MSU and Henry Ford Health, focused on discoveries emerging from their joint research collaboration.

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Chris Holman speaks with Tony Stamas, from Media Row, at the Grand Hotel, while at the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference.

Tony Stamas, head of the Midland Business Alliance, discussed how the organization has evolved over the past decade into a regional collaborative, working closely with chamber and economic development partners across the Great Lakes Bay region on shared challenges like housing, childcare, and broadband connectivity. Midland's economy has remained strong following Dow's corporate restructuring, with spinoff companies like Corteva and DuPont continuing to invest heavily in the area, alongside anchors like Hemlock Semiconductor and Corning. Key priorities include expanding workforce housing through the "Housing Forward" initiative and closing broadband gaps in rural townships, with federal funding expected to accelerate progress in the coming years. Stamas also noted growing community interest in potential data center development, emphasizing the need for informed, fact-based public discussion before any decisions are made.

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Chris Holman speaks with J.D. Collins, from Media Row, at the Grand Hotel, while at the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference.

The Michigan SBDC (Small Business Development Center), led by J.D. Collins, as CEO and Executive Director, serves entrepreneurs and small businesses across all 83 Michigan counties at no cost, supported by the MEDC, the state, and 10 university hosts. The organization employs about 115 experienced professionals in their second or third careers and served over 9,700 businesses last year, with data showing that SBDC-engaged businesses are more likely to survive past five years and achieve greater growth. The SBDC works closely with the SBA, which funds SBDCs nationally while also providing loan programs, giving the state roughly a 2x return on every dollar invested in the organization. Currently, the SBDC is observing a cautious "wait and see" attitude among small businesses, along with a growing trend of young entrepreneurs arriving with AI-generated business plans that consultants must help them critically evaluate.

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Chris Holman speaks with Ed Siaje, from Media Row, at the Grand Hotel, while at the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference.

In this interview from the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce's annual policy conference at the Grand Hotel, Chris Holman speaks with Ed Siaje, president of Bank of America, about the bank's priorities for Michigan businesses. Siaje highlights three main focus areas: supporting small businesses (which Bank of America defines as under $5 million in revenue), workforce development, and employee benefits such as 401(k) plans and HSAs. He notes that manufacturing, technology, and healthcare face the largest workforce gaps in Michigan, with roughly 23,000 open healthcare positions statewide, and that the bank is partnering with community colleges, high schools, and major health systems to build pipelines for those roles. Siaje also emphasizes the bank's commitment to financial education through programs like Better Money Habits, which helps both consumers and small business owners better understand budgeting, credit, and retirement planning.

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Chris Holman speaks with Warren Call, from Media Row, at the Grand Hotel, while at the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference.

Chris Holman interviews Warren Call, President & CEO of Traverse Connect, at the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce's annual policy conference on Mackinac Island. Call highlights an exciting season ahead for the Grand Traverse region, including the 100th anniversary of the Cherry Festival and a major airport expansion that benefits both tourism and local businesses. He emphasizes Traverse Connect's focus on economic diversification over the past several years, pointing to key developments like a new Freshwater Research and Innovation Center and a growing drone technology sector anchored by Camp Grayling's national designation as a drone test site. Practical drone applications are already being explored in agriculture, utility inspection, and medical supply delivery across Northern Michigan. Looking ahead, Call mentions an upcoming roundtable with Senator Slotkin on drone technology and a push to ensure policymakers understand Northern Michigan's increasingly diversified economy.

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