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GreeningDetroit.com pursues the attraction of leaders and experts from each sector of our website to collaborate on uniting the region.

With the wealth of regional information that GreeningDetroit.com harvests on an ongoing basis, we share this knowledge annually by facilitating our Synergy Leaders Meeting.

These handpicked experts and leaders work together, share ideas, find Synergies, and create opportunities out of various communication tools and discussions. Many of our members know each other, but it takes a short introduction of projects that they are working on to spark common ground discussions.

Our intended purpose is to proactively create larger systemic changes to our region by utilizing different sectors and collaborations. In this way, we can strengthen our communities and our regional resources.

Awareness is the first accomplishment!

 


Photos from our Fourth Meeting 06/06/2014

GreeningDetroit.com
Photo Credit: Jim Jacek
 

Photos from our Third Meeting 12/06/2013

Synergy Leaders

 

Photos from our Second Meeting 7/26/2013

 

 

Photos from our First Meeting & 3rd Anniversary 2/15/2013

 

 



John Carlos Executive Director and Founder of GreeningDetroit.com
Benefactor of Synergies, Former Liaison of the South Eastern Michigan, Power Plant Engineering Society SEMPPES Mr. John Carlos’s back ground has been best described as a Resource of Combined Elements and Techniques Working Together – Defined as Synergies. John’s visionary thoughts of gathering resources throughout the geographic region, concentrating on the synergies of these resources, and through the means of providing information and resources has helped consumers make smart, environmentally conscious decisions about their environments – either in their businesses or homes, manufacturing facilities or community centers. He has extensive experience in Reduction of Consumption, the Green Industry, as well as in sales and marketing, management and communications. He also is a frequent speaker at seminars and conventions as well as on various media/radio programs.

Mr. Carlos can be reached at (248) 388-2828 or via e-mail at: JCarlos@GreeningDetroit.com



Cathleen Francois CHt. – Assistant Executive Director of GreeningDetroit.com
Cathleen Francois 2015 Benefactor of Synergies, For over 30 years, Cathleen has worked with business and health professionals as well as students, helping them build their dreams, accelerate their results, and create richer, more fulfilling lives.
As a much sought after life coach, wellness trainer, and professional speaker. A consultant of many alternative modalities, workshop facilitator, writer and motivational speaker, her energetic style and diverse background , she conducts workshops and lectures in various self-empowerment modalities with classes are available throughout the country. Cathleen’s studies in natural and alternative methods of health, the bodies electro-magnetic field and chakra energy, and historic philosophies has been an ongoing source for her inspirational and transformational seminars and speaking engagements. After extensive travel, living and studying throughout the country, Cathleen has returned to her home state of Michigan to share her experiences and integrate her knowledge with the professional community in the Detroit region.

Cathleen can be reached at Cathleen@GreeningDetroit.com, 248-818-4252



Larry L. Fobes Co-Founder at Learning With Leaders, LLC
8069000 Larry L. Fobes is the founder of Learning From Leaders, LLC. He is a co-founder, with partners associated with Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, of Learning With Leaders, LLC.

He created, hosted, and co-produced, with Detroit Public Television, the Emmy award winning television series, “Leaders on Leadership”. His CEO interviews were broadcast in the US, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and coast-to-coast Canada. This series ran for 8 seasons, and created approximately 150, 30-minute episodes.

He is a frequent speaker, moderator, and trainer on a wide range of business topics, often incorporating video from the television series into a highly interactive discussion format. He contributed to a multi-media leadership etextbook currently being used in Duke University’s Global Executive MBA.

His corporate experience includes 30 years with Ford Motor Company in product design, scientific research, government liaison, operational finance, and global business strategy. Larry built and led a globally dispersed team supporting over 150 national markets on 5 continents for 8 Ford corporate brands.

He was also the founding Director of the Wayne State University, School of Business Administration’s Institute for Organizational & Industrial Competitiveness.

His university studies include the Global Executive MBA from Duke University; The Executive Program at the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan; and an engineering graduate degree from Wayne State University.

Larry Fobes serves as Chair of the Board of Directors for The YES Foundation. He is the former Treasurer of the Board of Governors for the Michigan Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. He is a member of the Oakland County (Michigan) Business Roundtable and the External Advisory Board of Labor@Wayne at Wayne State University

He served multiple terms in non-partisan elected office in his home town.



David E. Nathan State Representative – 8th District
State Representative David E. Nathan is serving his third term in the Michigan House of Representatives. He represents the 8th District, which is composed of portions of Detroit. He is the Democratic vice chairman of the House Financial Services Committee and also serves on the Regulatory Reform and Energy and Technology committees.Nathan has been a champion for education in Detroit. He worked closely with House leadership to enact major education reforms to make sure our kids get the top-notch education they deserve. In February 2010, Nathan was appointed as Chair of the House Subcommittee on Academic Emergencies, which was formed with the purpose of reforming the laws surrounding Emergency Financial Managers appointed to public school districts.Before becoming a State Representative, Nathan worked in customer service and management. His sincere concern for his community led him to become more involved and politically active. He has served as: Precinct delegate; vice-president of Grandmont Community Association; Detroit Public Schools parent volunteer; Police Cadet; and Little League coach. Nathan has also been active in the Metropolitan Youth Foundation and achieved one of the highest honors in the Boy Scouts of America by earning the rank of Eagle Scout.Nathan continues his commitment to serving his community. In November 2009, he launched “David E. Nathan’s Community Network,” which partners with churches and community organizations to open five computer labs in Detroit. Nathan also hosted the “Bless a Family with a Turkey” program during the 2009 and 2010 holiday seasons. Nathan hand-delivered more than 200 turkeys to Detroit families who have been hit the hardest by Michigan’s economic crisis.He and his wife, Leslie, are lifelong residents of Detroit and own a Detroit-based business, Nathan’s Choice Realty. The couple are the proud parents of four children: Davonta, David, Jasmine and Nigel.


Vince Brown Legislative Director of Policy
Vince Brown serves as Legislative Director of Policy for State Representative David E. Nathan. He has had a great deal of legislative experience over the last four years in Lansing, working both in the public and private sectors. Vince managed internships in Lansing while enrolled in college and kept politically active.Vince also has a great deal of campaign knowledge after leading a campaign walk team of 4 individuals across the state. Vince gained immense experience through this opportunity to interact and engage constituents from all backgrounds. Thus, providing him with insight to numerous situations constituents are faced with around the state.Vince grew up in Royal Oak and earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Legal Studies from Central Michigan University.Vince credits all of his accomplishments to his parents Dennis and Cynthia Brown, as well as his brother Alex.


Janice Means P.E., LEED AP
Associate Professor, Lawrence Technological UniversityMs. Means has organized and spoken at numerous seminars and conferences since the 1980’s related to sustainability, energy conservation and solar energy. She was a contributing author to the 2008 ASHRAE HVAC Systems and Equipment Handbook and has presented papers for national and international conferences.Professor Means earned her MSE, Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, a B.S., General Engineering and a B.A, in Secondary Education with a Physics Minor from Oakland University. A registered engineer for nearly 30 years, Ms. Means has diverse industry experience in HVAC, solar energy, facility O&M, and the writing and interpretation of codes and standards. Currently, she is a tenured Associate Professor in the College of Architecture & Design at Lawrence Technological University. Ms. Means has held leadership positions including ASHRAE Detroit Chapter President (2007-2008), Engineering Society of Detroit Affiliate Council Chair (2010-2011), Michigan Solar Energy Association Board Member, Lawrence Tech Senate Vice-Chair and, currently, is ASHRAE’s Technical Committee 6.7-Solar Energy Utilization Chair and one of three editors for the 4th edition of the ASHRAE GreenGuide under Technical Committee 2.8-Sustainability in Buildings.

Ms. Means can be reached at her office (A-217) at Lawrence Technological University or by email at jmeans@ltu.edu



Jim Nash Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner
Former Oakland County Commissioner District #15 Mr. Nash has concentrated on sustainable policies since first running for office in 2002. He introduced green building to the Board of Commissioners in 2005 and worked to pass resolutions supporting it in Oakland County. He also helped organize the Regional Partnership for Sustainability, a cooperative committee between Oakland, Macomb, Wayne Counties. Jim has been a member of the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments since 2005, working on sustainable policies. Over the last several years Jim has served on the R-Path committee, a regional bi-partisan committee representing five Southeast Michigan counties and Detroit, in support of legislation creating a regional mass transit authority.

Mr. Nash can be reached at Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office (248) 858-0968 or via e-mail at: NashJ@OakGov.com



Kenneth Cockrel Jr. Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity
Kenneth Cockrel Jr. Former Mayor of Detroit, Former President of Detroit City Council Kenneth V. Cockrel Jr. is the executive director of the Detroit Future City (DFC) Implementation Office. In this role, Ken leads a dynamic team of experts to implement the DFC Strategic Framework, the guide to decision-making and investment in Detroit. He also directs all partnerships, project initiatives, investments and funding opportunities for the DFC Implementation Office.

Ken joins the DFC Implementation Office after an illustrious political career, serving on the Detroit City Council for 16 years, including one term as City Council president, and after serving four terms on the Wayne County Commission. He also served as Mayor of Detroit in 2008-09, following Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick’s resignation.

As a Detroit city council member, Ken passed several very important pieces of legislation including: ordinances to prevent the over-concentration of liquor stores, pawn shops, and other disruptive businesses in residential neighborhoods; to designate the areas around public libraries, schools, parks, recreation centers, and public pools as drug free zones – stiffening the penalties for those who are found to be trafficking illegal narcotics in these areas. He also established a Green Taskforce to educate the Detroit community on green principles and encourage the implementation of green practices in new construction, existing buildings, neighborhood revitalization and government operations.

Prior to Ken’s political career, he was a reporter for three major newspapers across the Midwest, including the Detroit Free Press. He is a graduate of the inaugural class of the Michigan Political Leadership Program at Michigan State University as well as the Program for State and Local Government Officials at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.



. Michelle Selzer Senior Environmental Quality Analyst – Michigan Office of the Great Lakes
Ms. Michelle Selzer has over 15 years of experience working in the natural resources management field, including working seven years with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.In her current capacity, Michelle serves as a Lake Coordinator, overseeing the implementation of protection and restoration efforts in the Lake Huron, St. Clair-Detroit System, and Lake Erie basins. Michelle also worked for the Dept. as an Area of Concern Coordinator in Southeast Michigan. Her responsibilities included the development of Remedial Action Plans, implementing on-the-ground restoration projects and building successful partnerships under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Prior to working for the State of Michigan, Michelle worked in the private industry as an environmental consultant. As a staff biologist/botanist, she specialized in compensatory wetland mitigation, threatened and endangered species surveys and other natural resource-based projects.

Ms. Selzer can be reached at the Office of the Great Lakes (517) 241-3731 or via e-mail at: selzerm@michigan.gov



Jim Newman Owner/Managing Partner of Newman Consulting Group,
Chair of BOMA Metro Detroit, Sustainability 4 Savings Task ForceJim Newman is one of the country’s most experienced energy efficiency and green building experts. Known as the “Dean of Green,” Jim regularly speaks to professionals, student groups and the media about sustainability and green technology.Jim is a member of the Energy and Environment Committee of BOMA International (Building Owners and Managers Association), a past Board Member of the U.S. Green Building Council – Detroit Regional Chapter (DRC) and of the ASHRAE local chapter. Past Co-Chair of the Public Policy Committee of USGBC-DRC, a member of the Green Schools Advocacy Committee and teaches municipalities how to Green their cities and attract Green development.Jim Newman is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM), a Certified Sustainable Development Professional (CSDP), a LEED Accredited Professional, an ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer (DL), Operations and Performance Management Professional (OPMP), a Building Energy Assessment Professional (BEAP) and a Fellow of the Engineering Society of Detroit (FESD). In 2012, he was named a Green Leader by Corp! Magazine and the Detroit Free Press.

Mr. Newman can be reached at the Office of Newman Consulting Group (248) 626-4910 or via e-mail at: JimN@NewmanConsultingGroup.US



Debra Rowe President of the U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development
PH.D. Professor of OaklandCommunity College, Director of the Detroit Area Green Sector AllianceDr. Debra Rowe has been a pioneering voice and leading advocate in sustainability education and initiatives for over 30 years. She is President of the U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development, which convenes members of the business, education, communities, government, and faith sectors of the U.S. and catalyzes sustainability initiatives. At Oakland Community College, Dr. Rowe is a professor of energy management, renewable energy technology and psychology, focusing on harnessing energy from renewable sources in order to have a sustainable environment that will meet our present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.

Dr. Rowe can be reached at The Oakland Community College Office (248) 246-2553 or via e-mail at: DGRowe@OaklandCC.EDU



Jack Brusewitz President & CEO at Great Lakes Capital Markets, LLC
Former Board of Trustees for the Michigan Municipal Bond Authority (MMBA)At Great Lakes Capital Markets, Mr. Brusewitz leads the focus on developing and expanding our region’s Public Finance and Investments for municipals and businesses of all types. Furthermore, he works closely with estate planning teams, and with Retirement Plan Specialists on all types of corporate and municipal retirement plans.In April of 2009, Jack was appointed to the Michigan Municipal Bond Authority (MMBA), Board of Trustees by then Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm. The MMBA was established to provide an alternative source of financing for infrastructure projects and low cost access to the public finance market for Michigan local units of governments. On March 4, 2010 Governor Granholm issued Executive Order, to further improve efficiency in state government by consolidating 10 public finance authorities into one Michigan Finance Authority. The new authority became an autonomous entity within the Department of Treasury. Executive Order took effect on May 30, 2010.

Mr. Brusewitz can be reached at The Great Lakes Capital Markets Office (248) 952-5858 or via e-mail at: JackBrusewitz@Comcast.Net



John Sarver Executive Director at Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association
Former Manager Michigan Energy Office for the State of Michigan, Technical Assistance and Consumer Education (Retired State Employee)Mr. Sarver leads the efforts for the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association (GLREA), the statewide non-profit that promotes and facilitates the use of renewable energy in Michigan. GLREA is involved in a variety of outreach, education, and training activities including the Michigan Energy Fair which is held in Ludington, Michigan.John is best known for his contribution and leadership as the program manager for energy efficiency programs that has assisted so many in the residential, institutional, commercial, and industrial sectors. His expertise includes the promotion of solar and wind energy throughout Michigan and programs which include marketing and outreach, consumer education, technical training, financial incentives, technology demonstrations, and public/private partnerships.

Mr. Sarver can be reached at The Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association Office (517) 646-6269 or via e-mail at: JohnSarver3@GMail.com



Alan B. Havis Principal at the Law Office of Alan B. Havis, ESQ
Leading General Liability Defense Attorney for Michigan Public AirportsMr. Havis began his career litigating a wide range of tort matters on behalf of Wayne County Michigan for six years, the last two years defending Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport in the capacity of Assistant Airport Counsel.In 1990, Alan moved to Washington, D.C. to join the country’s leading aviation defense firm, Katten Muchin Zavis and Dombroff, where he defended litigation ranging from airport premise liability to complex aviation disasters, including the airfield collision between two Northwest Aircraft at Metro Airport on December 3, 1990.In 1994, The Law Office of Alan B. Havis and its sister company ABH Claims Services, Inc. was launched. ABH Claims Services, Inc., has since gone on to provide a range of services to its clients including the management and handling of all injury claims and litigation involving the general liability and OCIP policies at Detroit Metro Airport and the handling of various claims on behalf of a variety of other airports and airport insurers.The Law Office of Alan B. Havis, Esq. litigates primarily in the area of Michigan Public Airport General Liability, and has established a solid expertise in Michigan governmental immunity and indemnification issues. The office typically handles matters ranging from standard slip and fall cases to high exposure complex premise and aviation litigation.

Mr. Havis is admitted to the State Bar Michigan, the Federal District Court of Michigan, and the Federal Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Mr. Havis can be reached at his office (248) 353-3690 or via e-mail at: AHavis@AirportDefender.com



Amy Butler Executive Director at OaklandUniversityOUInc.
Former Director, Bureau of Energy Systems (Retired State Employee), State of Michigan Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic GrowthAmy Butler has over 32 years of experience in state government developing state programs. Her tenure includes working closely with industry, utilities, businesses involved in the development of next generation advanced manufacturing technologies, energy and process assessments and implementation of energy efficiency projects; student internships, workforce training, and development of innovative financing mechanisms to encourage deep implementation of energy efficiency projects.Prior to moving to OUInc., Amy Butler was the Director of the Bureau of Energy Systems, for the Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth for the State of Michigan. In this role, she aligned Michigan’s energy sector initiatives, promoted economic growth, and job creation for Michigan’s transition to the energy economy. She directed policy and program development; legislation; and coordinated agencies and stakeholders including building local public private partnerships. She facilitated the cross-functional public/private initiative: Economic Development and Growth through Energy Efficiency (EDGE2) Initiative. She has provided program design and implementation in the areas of bankruptcy, oil and gas, and brownfield development, climate action, and urban land use planning and redevelopment.She continues to serve on the Board of the National Association of State Energy Offices (NASEO) as a Regional Coordinator and co-chair for the Buildings Committee and Energy Star Task Force. She was recently elected to the national board of the Energy Services Coalition and has served nationally on the ANSI-ASQ Registry Accreditation Board.

Mrs. Butler can be reached at her office (248) 648-4800 or via e-mail at: AAButler@Oakland.EDU



Art Holdsworth Oakland County Director of Facilities Management
Mr. Holdsworth joined the Executive Administration of Oakland County in 2003. Since 2008, he has served as the Director of the County’s Facilities Management Department, overseeing the efforts of nearly 200, maintenance, custodial, engineering, and planning staff. His department is responsible for the infrastructure, grounds, utilities, and security for 45, county buildings (nearly two million square feet of floor space). Recently, Mr. Holdsworth has led the county’s OakGreen efforts to foster energy efficiency initiatives both in-house and across the county.Before becoming Director of Facilities Management, Mr. Holdsworth served as the Deputy Director, Department of Management and Budget. He managed the implementation of a PeopleSoft financial/supply chain management information system, bringing it in on-time and under budget. Mr. Holdsworth has also authored various articles and white papers on a variety of topics, chaired a committee of the MGFOA on Intergovernmental Cooperation (IGC), and managed the County’s business continuity planning initiative.Prior to joining the Executive Administration of Oakland County, Mr. Holdsworth was a management consultant for Plante Moran, LLC, between 1988 and 2003.He served as a Manager in the firm’s Technology Consulting & Solutions Group where he developed information systems plans, conducted financial system selections, managed ERP implementations, performed operations reviews, and negotiated technology contracts for local governments and small businesses.Mr. Holdsworth’s educational background includes a B.S. in Systems Engineering from Oakland University (1984) and a M.B.A. from Michigan State University (1988). He is a Certified Production and Inventory Manager (CPIM) and a Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO).

Bob Mattler Senior News Correspondent, representing GreeningDetroit.com
Green Agent ManAssociate Broker, Attorney and LEED AP BD+C, Director of Green Brokerage at Armada Real Estate ServicesMr. Mattler speaks and writes about emerging green real estate issues in Michigan and elsewhere. Bob is the Director of Green Brokerage at Armada Real Estate Services in West Bloomfield, Michigan. He is actively involved in the green building and sustainability movement in Michigan, speaking, writing and spreading this message to developers, owners, investors, attorneys, brokers, builders, students and all other interested parties.Building on 25 years as a licensed Michigan attorney and real estate broker, Bob has continued to specialize in green buildings and sustainable practices by becoming a LEED AP, BD&C (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional, Building Design and Construction), certified by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). He is also a certified instructor of the GREEN designation through the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Bob is currently on the Board of Directors of the local chapter of the USGBC. He has spoken and written widely on green development, retrofits, sustainability and green building for numerous universities, non-profit organizations, trade, business and industry groups.

He can be reached at Armada Real Estate (248) 855-1221 or via e-mail at: BMattler@ArmadaRealEstate.com or Mattler@GreeningDetroit.com



Annette Compo Real Estate Broker and Radio Personality for Real Estate 411 on WJR 760AM
With over twenty five years in the business, Annette has always been regarded as a top sales performer and has consistently been list in the top 10% for sales among all Michigan Realtors. Annette is also known for being an Industry Expert in Real Estate and has spoken at numerous seminars and conferences. When it comes to her career, Annette has worked tirelessly to achieve her goals and further her development as one of the country’s leading women in the real estate industry.Annette is a graduate with a Bachelor degree of Business Management, and emphasis in International Global Business. Her goal is to utilize her diverse knowledge in business and real estate to assist families become more educated on living, maintaining and investing more economical and energy efficient with regards to their largest investment; their home. Annette has helped 1000’s of families maintain their home-ownership by avoiding foreclosure with offering free resources as well as educate them on making better decisions. Driving through three different types of real estate cycles, she has learned different ways to adapt to the business and recreate herself and her business to always perform at the top of list. She in not only diverse in the foreclosure market but also has taken a stand in creating an upward swing to increase market value of homes in the State of Michigan.

Annette Compo can be reached at (877) ANNNETTE or 248-640-9803 annette@realestate411now.com



Stephen Sadler Author, Entrepreneur, Engineer, and Inventor
Mr. Sadler currently holds the position of President/CEO of Buz.fm and Chairman of Scate Technologies, Inc. and is a Media Partner of GreeningDetroit.com. Steve is the registered inventor for various technology patents in vehicle engineering, image compression, automotive vision analysis, digital marketing, media broadcast presentation, e-learning, and sports video statistics. As an entrepreneur and a left handed engineer, Steve combines his unique skill-set and experience to help develop and incubate successful technology silos, and strategic business relationships. Steve recently published the book “Exposure to Closure”, which explains how to successfully start, grow, and market a technology business even during the most trying of times. The book can be found at Amazon.com located here https://buz.tw/rlJV Steve worked for many years as Director of Engineering and Automotive Design Engineer for a large automotive components manufacturer where he also programmed CAD (CATIA) and robotic welding lines.

Specialties: Entrepreneurship, engineering, BIW manufacturing, vehicle design, web technology, broadcast and narrowcast technologies, robotic automation & welding, software development (i.e. desktop, web, mobile), social media technology, web marketing, elearning, search engine optimization (SEO), product commercialization, business strategies, patents & operations, cloud computing, TCP/IP, Linux, UNIX, PHP, Python, Perl, .NET, Java, AJAX, MySQL, LAMP, Extreme, Agile, Animation.



Michael Goldberg CPA, representing GreeningDetroit.com
Michael Goldberg specializes in taxes, real estate and investments. He has lectured on these topics and also has published several articles on tax and real estate, some of which have appeared in National Public Accountant and TAXES – The Tax Magazine. Michael is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Michigan Association of CPAs and has served on the boards of various real estate committees. He holds a B.B.A. in accounting from Eastern Michigan University.


Gary Wozniak President and CEO, RecoveryPark
Gary Wozniak has spent his entire adult career in the financial arena. With close to 30 years of hands on consulting, training and leadership experience he has helped hundreds of companies achieve economic success. In addition, Gary has owned several business ventures from restaurants to the health care arena. He has a unique ability to analyze a client’s financial condition and make recommendations regarding strengths/weaknesses, stability and the potential for capacity building. As the lead author of the RecoveryPark project in Detroit, Gary has brought together a coalition of 100+ government, education, non-profit and for-profit entities to vision a 2,400 acre community development and large-scale metropolitan agriculture project. Over 4 years in the making, RecoveryPark is poised to define what “triple bottom line” urban projects will model themselves after in the coming years. This project offers insight into financially self-sustainable models offering lifestyle options that end population losses in core city neighborhoods while attracting employment opportunities that will eventually fuel further development ideas.


Rick Bowers for Detroit City Council: District 2
Richard J. Bowers, Jr. is committed to service and making a difference in the lives of others. He has was born and raised in the South and attended Tulane University in New Orleans. Always focused on helping others, he started an organization in his hometown after college that gave professional clothing to welfare recipients for job interviews and still continues today.After graduating from Tulane with a major in English, he moved to Michigan to attend Thomas Cooley Law School and upon graduation, became licensed to practice law in Michigan and Tennessee, and he chose to stay in Michigan and live in The City of Detroit where he has been for over 10 years. Rick has been very active in the community serving as a Board member of the Green Acres/Woodward Civic Association and as a volunteer in many projects. Rick also was a co-chair for the Musical Feasts for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to help preserve the DSO, as well as hosting several fundraisers for the Michigan Opera Theater. Rick is also a volunteer at Matrix Human Services Organization, a member of the Detroit Bar Association, and a graduate of Leadership Detroit.Rick was the Attorney for Detroit City Council President Kenneth V. Cockrel, Jr. for many years, becoming his point person and facilitator of the Green Task Force, a City Council task force that promotes green initiatives and business opportunities in the city and the region. Rick followed President Cockrel to the Mayor’s office when Mayor Kilpatrick resigned, and went on to become the Director of the Office of Energy and Sustainability under Mayor Cockrel; meeting with dozens of companies a week that wanted to begin green projects in the City of Detroit. He facilitated the process and helped the companies combine resources. Rick then went on to work for Council member Brenda Jones doing policy work and then Council member James Tate as his Chief of Policy. Rick is now a Hearing Officer for the Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department deciding zoning issues and business license cases.Having worked for three Council members, a mayor, a city department, and having vast legal experience as an attorney licensed to practice in two states, Rick Bowers is the most experienced candidate for City Council. His passion for Detroiters becoming and staying prosperous is unparalled. Now is the time for a candidate like Rick Bowers for Detroit City Council District 2.

Rick Bowers can be reached at 313-366-2324 or www.Bowers4Detroit.com



Gavin Brown Executive Director Michigan Aerospace Manufacturers Association
Gavin Brown is recognized as the leading driving force for converting Michigan based companies from automotive to aerospace and providing aerospace companies alternative sourcing for their part procurement in commercial, general aviation, rotor and defense.In 2007, the Michigan Aerospace Manufacturers Association (MAMA) was officially put into place by becoming a fully fledged association with an active membership. The initial membership consisted of 13 Michigan based manufacturing companies.Since then, Gavin Brown, as the executive director, has worked to promote Michigan based manufactures and procured contracts to members diversifying into aerospace. The growth of MAMA to over 30 companies continues to increase MAMA presence as an international aerospace component supplier. OEMs, primes and sub component aerospace suppliers are all receiving parts manufactured in Michigan by MAMA members.


Dr. Nandi MD FACP
Partha Nandi, MD FACP is a practicing gastroenterologist in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan. He is Clinical Assistant Professor at Oakland University, William Beaumont School of Medicine. Partha has a diverse background. Born in Calcutta India, he immigrated to the United States as a child.at the age of 16, he completed his high school education in Columbus, Ohio where he was awarded a full academic scholarship to The Ohio State University and University of Notre Dame. Partha graduated summa cum laude (Top 1% of the class), a member of Phi Beta Kappa honor society, with a Bachelors degree in chemistry and a minor in classical Greek civilization from Ohio State. Partha also served as the Rhoades scholarship representative from the university and was voted the Homecoming King, amongst 55,000 students enrolled at the time. He then traveled to Detroit, Michigan to obtain his medical degree at Wayne State University. At Wayne State, he was a member of Alpha Omega Alpha honor society and graduated in the top 10% of the class. He also completed his internal medicine training at Wayne State University, where he was the intern of the year. He completed his gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Dr. Nandi practices gastroenterology in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan.He is the host of the National medical talk show Ask Dr. Nandi and author of several publications in peer reviewed journals. He is a national speaker, educating physicians on various topics within medicine. He is a patient advocate, emphasizing empathy in patient care and treatment of the entire patient, both body and mind.


Frank Russell Author, Entrepreneur, Publisher, Counselor
Since 2001 Frank Russell has served as board member and now Chairperson of the Oakland County Employment Diversity Council (OCEDC) a non-profit group that is dedicated to the fair inclusion of all people in the American Dream. The OCEDC under his leadership has grown from 5 members to over 350 members and has sponsored and hosted Diversity Conferences, Diversity Forums, Women In Leadership Summits and Career/Job Fairs that have reached over 14,000 Pontiac and Oakland County area businesses, organizations, agencies and residents.He is employed at Oakland County Human Resources Department as Human Resources Analyst. He has assisted hundreds of Pontiac area residents secure internships, student co-op, part-time, summer and full-time employment since 1985. A resident of the City of Pontiac for 55 years! Frank was with the Pontiac Police Department for 5 years as a juvenile counselor. Frank played professional basketball with the Chicago Bulls of the NBA. He was the Co-Founder Oakland County All-star Basketball Clinic 1969-78. A non-profit youth organization that assisted hundreds of Pontiac area youth with educational, employment and career opportunities!He founded The Youth Development Institute, non-profit youth agency that has provided over 4,000 young people and their parents throughout America with educational, employment and career/job opportunities, in operation since 1984. Frank is the Author and Publisher of 2 Books, The Student and The Parent Success Kits and the Owner/Publisher/Editor of The Pontiac News since 2007. Furthermore, in 1985 and in 2010 Frank was awarded the Frederick Douglass Award and was 2006 champion of the Race Relations Task Force Diversity Championship.


Kathy Ossian Attorney, Counselor at law, representing GreeningDetroit.com
_ Kathy Ossian is one of GreeningDetroit.com’s attorneys and counselors at law. Kathy is Founder and CEO of Ossian Law, P.C., a firm focused exclusively on Information Technology Law. Kathy is a former Senior Principal at Miller Canfield where she headed up the firm’s Information Technology & Cyberlaw Section. Kathy has almost 30 years of legal experience and over 16 years of Information Technology law expertise.Kathy is an Advanced Certified Faculty Member at University of Phoenix where she teaches graduate and undergraduate business law courses. A long time Best Lawyer in America and Michigan Super Lawyer in information technology law, Kathy is a frequent author and speaker on the information technology law topics of the day.


Michael Csapo General Manager of The Resource Recovery and Recycling Authority of Southwest Oakland County
Mike Csapo has been the General Manager of RRRASOC since 1994. Prior to working with RRRASOC, he was a planner at the municipal and regional levels, served in the U.S. Army, and worked in the newspaper industry. Mike holds a Master of Public Administration degree, a Master of Arts in Economics, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He is a member of the American Public Works Association, the Solid Waste Association of North America, and the Michigan Recycling Coalition. Mike serves on the Michigan Recycling Coalition Board of Directors, for which he is Chairman of the Policy Committee. Mike also serves on the Executive Committee of the National Council for Public Private Partnerships.


Henry Yanez State Representative – 25th District
State Representative Henry Yanez is serving his second term representing Michigan’s 25th House District,which comprises the cities of Sterling Heights and Warren in Macomb County.

Before serving in the Legislature, Yanez worked as a Sterling Heights firefighter and paramedic since 1995. He is a member of the International Association of Firefighters, Local 1557, and previously served as a member on the Board of Health and Safety Compliance and Appeals since 2010. Henry graduated from Oakland Community College with a degree in fire science.

Mr. Yanez can be reached via e-mail at: Hyanez@house.mi.gov



Janet Snyder Research/ Office Manager
Newman Consulting Group, LLC Janet has over 35 years of business experience including 22 years at Daimler/Chrysler where she spent 8 years supporting the Board of Management and Executive Level Committees. Janet was acting Manager of Logistics leading teams supporting high level meetings including coordinating travel, translation, equipment, etc…Since 2006 Janet has worked for the Engineering Society of Detroit & Newman Consulting Group (NCG). In both positions Janet expanded her knowledge of the Renewable Energy field and the importance of the work being done in this field.Janet has a Master’s Degree in International Business.


 

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