The Michigan Opportunity

Deep in Copper Country, advanced manufacturing company Calumet Electronics engineers and develops microchip circuit boards for a broad list of industries.

Hear from Todd Brassard, Vice President/Chief Operations Officer, and Dr. Meredith LaBeau, Chief Technology Officer, about the company’s award-winning research, design, engineering, and manufacturing specializing in high-quality printed circuit boards. The organization fuels collaboration with distinguished suppliers and customers to advance production of leading-edge electronics in the United States. Calumet is recognized for industry thought-leadership and the rapid advancement and commercialization of ground-breaking engineering and manufacturing processes, including advanced HDI and HDBU, RF & microwave, and IC substrates. Calumet Electronics is 100% American owned and operated with zero offshoring or outsourcing. It is America’s only HUBZone certified PCB supplier.

SEEL is a nationally certified minority business enterprise (MBE) service-disabled, veteran-owned (DVBE) energy efficiency program implementation contractor that offers a suite of energy solutions. SEEL is also a Top 20 Fastest Growing Women-Owned/Led companies in the country.

Listen to Dr. E’Lois Thomas, PHD, President of SEEL, LLC talk about the nationally ranked logistics solutions company.  Through a comprehensive suite of energy solutions, SEEL delivers turnkey services with a seasoned team dedicated to achieving program objectives. Renowned for its agility, SEEL collaborates closely with partner utilities and clients to adapt program designs swiftly and deliver high-quality services expediently. By prioritizing innovation and efficiency, SEEL plays a vital role in driving sustainable energy practices and advancing program effectiveness in the industry.

Detroit Lift is part of Manufacturing USA, a national network of 17 institutes for advanced manufacturing.

Hear from Joe Steele, Vice President of Communications and Legislative Affairs, explain how LIFT, a Detroit-based public-private partnership, is designed to help develop and deploy advanced lightweight metal manufacturing technologies and implementing education and training programs to better prepare the workforce today and in the future. Manufacturing USA is a national network manufacturing innovation institutes created to secure the United State’s global leadership in advanced manufacturing through large-scale public-private collaboration on technology, supply chain, and education and workforce development.

Michigan-based SkySpecs achieves a global reach through office that span 6 continents, a team of 275 and over 200,000 precision wind turbine inspections with the company’s cutting-edge drone technology.

Danny Ellis stands at the helm of SkySpecs, a trailblazer in the realm of wind energy technology. Established in 2012, SkySpecs has redefined the landscape of renewable energy asset management, providing tailored technologies and services that elevate industry standards in productivity, efficiency, and returns. Nestled in the heart of Ann Arbor, Michigan, SkySpecs operates on a global scale, with strategic offices spanning Austria, Denmark, India, Ireland, and the Netherlands, fostering a dynamic team of 275 dedicated professionals.

The MSU Visiting International Professional Program has 315 international participants from 58 countries and five continents and offers programs in more than 10 different U.S. cities.

Listen to Xinyu Wu, Director of Visiting International Professional Program; Director of the Office of China Program; and Executive Director of Michigan Council of Citizen Diplomacy, as she discusses with Ed this unique program. The Visiting International Professional Program provides cutting-edge professional training and exchange programs for international organizations, professionals, and emerging leaders in a variety of fields for the purpose of enhancing the institution and human capacity and forging long lasting relationships that could become a powerful tool for addressing some of the biggest global challenges. They achieve this by leveraging the academic excellence of Michigan State University as well as the expertise of local, regional, and national organizations in both public and private sectors.

Inspired by the soul of Detroit, 313 Presents produces more than 350 concerts, theatrical productions, sporting events and family shows a year. With 2 million attendees annually, the entertainment powerhouse works with six world-class venues across southeastern Michigan, including Little Caesars Pizza Arena, The Fox Theatre, Comerica Park, Pine Knob Music Theatre, Meadowbrook Amphitheatre, Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre and Sound Board at Motor City Casino. 

Howard N. Handler, President of 313 Presents, is responsible for leading the company’s vision and strategy as well as guiding operations, partnerships and long-term growth. Howard is an entertainment and sports industry innovator with a track record of success across a range of world class companies including Major League Soccer, Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp., Virgin Mobile, The National Football League, MTV and VH1 Digital and Saturday Night Network Live.

National Geographic, Netflix, History Channel, BBC, HGTV, Lifetime, TLC, OWN, Discovery +, Disney +, E!, FOX, ABC, and NBC have worked with Ms. MacIntosh,  a Detroit Homecoming Hollywood boomerang entrepreneur.

Join our high-energy guest Katie Macintosh, Founder of Mac Worldwide, as she explains to Ed her fascinating career in Hollywood, and around the world in the genre of true docuseries and reality television shows. As a highly sought-after development partner, she has teamed up with several renown producers and production companies to deliver original concepts and stimulating casts. She has served on several industry panels and is an active member of The Television Academy, The Academy Museum and Film Independent.

The future of engineering at Michigan State University

The future of engineering at Michigan State University (MSU) is rich with diverse opportunities, boasting a comprehensive range of majors that cater to a wide array of interests and career paths. Under the leadership of Dean Leo C. Kempel, the Dennis P. Nyquist Endowed Professor of Electromagnetics and the ninth dean of the MSU College of Engineering, students can explore at least 10 distinct majors, including: Applied Engineering Sciences, Biosystems Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Electrical & Mechanical Engineering, and more. The focus on continuous education emerges as a key element to keep Michigan at the forefront of advancements in the diversity of engineering fields. 

Dan Wyant, Chairman and President at Edward Lowe Foundation, and Rodney Parkkonen, Small Business Consultant at MEDC, discuss their unique and dynamic partnership that assists small businesses to thrive in Michigan. Dan also has experience with many previous leadership roles in state government and policy. 

Ed and Darlene Lowe established the Edward Lowe Foundation in 1985 to leverage entrepreneurship as a strategy for economic growth and community development. In contrast to most U.S. foundations, which are grant-giving entities, they are an operating foundation that funds its own programs. Their entrepreneurship initiatives are focused on second-stage companies — growth-oriented firms that have moved beyond startup but haven’t yet reached maturity.

Unlocking the Earth's Secrets: SME Engineering has 50+ years of excellence behind iconic projects, from Notre Dame Stadium to clean energy initiatives, Hudson/Bedrock Development, Jimmy John's Field, and the Gordie Howe Bridge. 

Hear Mark Kramer, President and CEO of SME, describe some unique and iconic projects, as well as the infrastructure under our feet! Geotechnical Engineering and Environmental Engineering related to large site development and redevelopment for retail, commercial, institutional and infrastructure type projects. Specialties include: Site Development reviews and consulting, risk reviews, contract negotiation, litigation support and strategic planning.