Subscribe to eMacomb Newsletter
eMacomb - Department News, Summer 2015
Staff Happenings
The first half of 2015 was a busy one for our staff! The following is a brief summary of the many ways we were out and about in the community to represent the services of our department:
Michael Connors, program manager for economic development, traveled with the Michigan delegation to a business attraction event in Washington D.C. during late March. The event focused on Select USA, a U.S. Department of Commerce initiative designed to attract foreign investment. More than 2,700 people from around the world attended, as well as economic development officials from across the nation. President Obama opened the conference and Secretary of State John Kerry delivered the keynote address. While there, Mike met individually with a dozen companies from Chile, India, Turkey, France, Italy, Singapore and Switzerland to extol the virtues of all that Macomb County has to offer a growing company.
Macomb County's Deputy Director for Planning and Economic Development, Vicky Rad, and Senior Economic Development Specialist, Alyssa Tracey, attended the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Global Force Symposium in Huntsville, Alabama from March 29-April 2, in an effort to highlight Macomb County's thriving defense industry. The Macomb County team, joined by Vicki Selva, of the Michigan Defense Center, met with national and international companies to discuss the benefits of locating within Michigan's Defense Corridor. The theme for this year's event highlighted the Army Operating Concept "Win in a Complex World," and featured professional development forums with topics such as: army warfighting challenges, the rate of innovation, Force 2025 and Beyond Maneuvers, science and technology, systems engineering, the cyber challenge, and sustaining army readiness.
Jack Johns, Senior Economic Development Specialist, represented Macomb County at the FoodLab event held in Detroit. He was on the panel to discuss the pros and cons of using co-packers, and to answer any food business questions. FoodLab is a community of food entrepreneurs committed to making the possibility of good food business in Detroit a sustainable reality. They design, build, and maintain systems to grow a diverse ecosystem of triple-bottom-line food businesses, as part of a good food movement that is accountable to all Detroiters.
Two members of our staff also received promotions!
Amanda Minaudo was promoted from Associate Planner within Land & Water Resources to Senior Planner within Planning & GIS Services. She fosters coordination between local communities by enhancing and advocating for sound planning practices. Within Planning & GIS Services, she works to assist local governments in developing their community master plan or parks and recreation plan. She also works to assist local communities on projects that will improve the quality of life of their residents and protect the natural environment.
Nick Posavetz was promoted from Associate Planner to Senior Planner in the Communications and Outreach program area. He handles digital media and conducts research for internal and external clients.
The department also received a National Association of Counties “Achievement Award” for its role in coordinating a countywide celebration of national Manufacturing Day. Titled “Coordinated Effort Introduces a New Generation to Manufacturing Careers,” the award recognizes the department’s efforts to support 33 manufacturers who opened their doors to more than 1,200 high school students last year.