Ken Rogers, executive director of Automation Alley, Michigan’s largest technology business association, has been appointed to the Honorary Committee for the 2014 World Congress on Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), taking place this year in Detroit from Sept. 7-11.
The ITS World Congress is the world’s largest transportation technology exhibition and brings 10,000 national, regional and local leaders together with global transportation innovators to discuss high-tech solutions for transportation safety, efficiency, sustainability and connectivity.
In addition to Rogers, the ITS Word Congress Honorary Committee features several state and local elected officials and industry leaders, including Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, who will serve as Chair; Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan; Ford Motor Company Executive Chairman Bill Ford; Chrysler Group Chairman and CEO Sergio Marchionne; Penske Corporation Chairman Roger Penske; and Quicken Loans Chairman Dan Gilbert; among others.
“I’m honored to be included among this list of local industry leaders to serve on the ITS World Congress Honorary Committee. As the birthplace of America’s auto industry, Detroit is the ideal location to host this international event,” said Rogers, who also serves as deputy county executive for Oakland County in addition to his role at Automation Alley. “This is an important opportunity for the region to showcase our advanced transportation technologies to the world. Intelligent transportation is smart transportation. It is the wave of the future. Hundreds of smart, autonomous vehicles will soon populate Michigan’s highways as this technology continues to develop. What better place to have this happen than the automotive capital of the world?”
The ITS World Congress will draw delegates from more than 65 countries, including numerous transport ministers. The event includes interactive technology showcases on Belle Isle; more than 250 panels, roundtables, and interactive town hall sessions; a 350,000 square-foot exhibition in the newly refurbished Cobo Center; and numerous networking and media events with industry leaders from around the world.
As executive director of Automation Alley for the past 15 years, Rogers is responsible for all strategic planning and financial matters related to the organization, which has grown to include nearly 1,000 member organizations across Southeast Michigan, with offices in Troy, Sterling Heights and, most recently, Detroit.
Prior to his current position, Rogers was director of Oakland County Community and Economic Development. He was also one of the founders of Oakland County’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and held a seat on the state’s Strategic Economic Investment Commercialization Board from 2006 to 2010. Rogers is a past president of the Oakland County Chamber of Commerce and was the co-owner of a real estate and development company in the Clarkston area for 20 years. In 2007, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation honored Rogers with the Michigan Diversification Celebration’s Outstanding Diversification Achievement Award and in 2008 with the CEO Award of Excellence in Economic Development.
Rogers earned a Bachelor of Science degree in public administration and an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from Central Michigan University.
Source: Automation Alley
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