The Michigan Opportunity Radio Show

The Michigan Opportunity Radio Show ~ June 5, 2025

June 4, 2025 ~ In this episode of the Michigan Opportunity, host Ed Clemente is joined by Jessica McConnell, Director of Design Strategy at Whirlpool Corporation, to discuss the human-centered approach to design and the importance of understanding cultural differences in product development. Then, Martha MacFarlane-Faes, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, joins the show to explore the role of historic preservation in economic development and community building, which includes connecting with the past while accommodating new growth.

May 28, 2025 ~ In this episode of The Michigan Opportunity, host Ed Clemente is joined by Dwight Ferrell, General Manager of Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART), to discuss the challenges and opportunities in regional transportation. Dwight touches on the need for sustainable funding and integrated transit systems to drive economic development. Then, Glenn Stevens, Executive Director of MichAuto, stops by to share insights on Michigan’s automotive and mobility industry. Glen highlights the state’s unique assets, talent development, and strategies for retaining its position as a global leader in automotive innovation and diversification.

May 17, 2025 ~ Host Ed Clemente is joined by Michigan Political Leadership Program Co-Directors Tonya Schuitmaker and Rudy Hobbs, along with Michigan Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II, to discuss bipartisan leadership, civic engagement, and strategies for inclusive economic growth. Together, they explore how cross-partisan collaboration and public policy innovation can help position Michigan for long-term success in a rapidly evolving economy.

May 10, 2025 ~ In this episode of The Michigan Opportunity, host Ed Clemente speaks with Christina Marbury, Marketing Director at Taste the Local Difference, and Dean Angott, President of C.F. Burger Creamery and Twin Pines Farm Dairy. The discussion highlights Michigan’s robust local food ecosystem, the role of strategic marketing in supporting small food businesses, and the legacy and innovation behind Detroit’s last remaining dairy. Both guests underscore the importance of regional partnerships and sustainable practices in driving economic and agricultural growth across the state.

May 3, 2025 ~ Guests include: Pure Michigan Vice President, Kelly Wolgamott; Visit Detroit President and CEO, Claude Molinari; The Henry Ford Museum Senior Director of Sales & Earned Revenue, Amy Cox; Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association MRLA President and CEO, Justin Winslow The Pure Michigan Governor's Conference on Tourism is an annual event hosted in Michigan for tourism and hospitality professionals. The three-day conference focuses on education, networking, and collaboration opportunities to advance the state's tourism industry. The Michigan Opportunity talks with tourism and hospitality leaders about current trends in the travel industry, the economic impact of travel and tourism on Michigan’s economy, an...

April 26, 2025 ~ Michigan’s Innovation Engine: MEDC, Research, and Tech Transfer Spotlighted on WJR 760 AM! Dr. Britany Affolter-Caine-Caine, Executive Director, Michigan's Michigan's University Research Corridor Robert S. Li, Co-Founder and Owner, University.fm & Professors.fm

The Michigan Opportunity Radio Show ~ April 19, 2025

April 12, 2025 ~ International Trade Archived: Listen to the Midwest Detroit-based consuls from Canada and Mexico! Colin Bird, Consul General for Canada in Detroit Eight percent of the annual trade between the US and Canada comes through one of the world’s busiest international border crossing. Colin Bird is at the heart of it in downtown Detroit. Roberto Nicolas Vazquez, Mexican Consul in Detroit

April 5, 2025 ~ International Trade Archived: Listen to the Midwest Detroit-based consuls from Canada and Mexico! Colin Bird, Consul General for Canada in Detroit Eight percent of the annual trade between the US and Canada comes through one of the world’s busiest international border crossing. Colin Bird is at the heart of it in downtown Detroit. Roberto Nicolas Vazquez, Mexican Consul in Detroit

March 29, 2025 ~ From Futurama & The Simpsons to UNESCO City of Design & Design Core Detroit: A Fascinating Dichotomy of Art with 2 Distinguished Guests! Bill Morrison, Illustrator and Art Director at Atomic Battery Studios Kiana Wenzell, Co-Executive Director, Design Core Detroit, College for Creative Studies

March 22, 2025 ~ 2 of the leading Michigan Prep schools in the US, for Arts, STEM, critical thinking and much more at Cranbrook Schools & Interlochen Center for the Arts! Pascale Bauer, Dean of International Enrollment of Cranbrook Schools Trey Devey, President, Interlochen Center for the Arts

March 15, 2025 ~ Explore the vital role of Great Lakes shipping with Jim Weakley, president of the Lake Carriers Association, and uncover the secrets of Thunder Bay's shipwrecks with Jeff Gray, superintendent of Thunder Bay Marine Sanctuary. Learn how these experts navigate the challenges of preserving and utilizing these crucial waterways, offering insights into North American manufacturing and marine conservation.

March 8, 2025 ~ "From the Motor City to Copper Country: Exploring Microchips, Microgrids, Hydrogen, and the Future of Energy & Tech!" Jim Saber, President & CEO Next Energy Detroit Todd Brassard, Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, Calumet Electronics Corporation and Dr. Meredith LaBeau, Chief Technology Officer, Calumet Electronics Corporation

The Michigan Opportunity Radio Show ~ March 1, 2025

March 8, 2025 ~ ARDISANA LIZABETH A, CEO - ASG Renaissance Ernestine Lyons, Global Entrepreneur In Residence Program Manager, Global Detroit "Michigan: Attracting Top Talent for Key Industries—Locally & Globally!"

The Michigan Opportunity Radio Show ~ Feb. 15, 2025

Feb. 8, 2025 ~ From Historic Battlefields to Trendy Detroit: Meet Two Experts Putting Michigan on the Global Map!! Jeanette Pierce, Founder & President, City Institute and Scott J. Bentley, Superintendent of the River Raisin National Battlefield Park

The Michigan Opportunity Radio Show ~ Feb. 1, 2025

Jan. 25, 2025 ~ Two Experts, Two Sectors: Navigating International Trade and Supply Chains with a Focus on India as a Major Trading Partner! Chetan Koradia, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Transphere Inc. and Pranadia Koradia, Chief Operating Officer and Owner, Transphere Inc. Michael Schreuder, Deputy Principal Officer, U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai, India

Jan. 18, 2025 ~ Energy & Civil Engineering: Two Experts Driving the Planning and Resources That Keep the Economy & Society Running! Lauren Youngdahl Snyder, VP of Customer Experience for Consumers Energy Mark Kramer, PE, President and CEO, SME

Jan. 11, 2025 ~ 2 Experts, 1 Vision: Building a Sustainable Future Through Energy and Civil Planning – Creating Better Places for People! Dr. E’Lois Thomas, President, Solutions for Energy Efficient Logistics (SEEL) Jon Kramer, President and CEO, OHM Advisors

Jan. 4, 2025 ~ Michigan: Home to World-Leading Mobility Experts – Hear from Two Visionaries Today! Justine Johnson, Senior Vice President & Chief Mobility Officer, Office of Future Mobility and Electrification Michael Robinet, Executive Director & Consulting, S&P Global

Dec. 28, 2024 ~ Michigan’s Third Largest Industry: Discover How Food and Beverage Giants Make Pure Michigan a Great Place to Live, Work, and Play! Justin Winslow, President and CEO, Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association & Emily Daunt, Vice President Communications & Brand Strategy, Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association Spencer Nevins, President, Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, and MBWWA Services, Inc.

Dec. 21, 2024 ~ Shaping the Future: How Metro Detroit and Grand Rapids Are Driving Positive Change Through Health and Livable Spaces! Dr. Norman Beauchamp, Executive Vice President for Health Sciences MSU & Marc Corriveau, VP & Chief Government Relations Officer at Henry Ford Health System. Jennifer Gonzalez, Chief Talent Officer, Windquest Group

Dec. 14, 2024 ~ Join our host Ed Clemente as he speaks with key figures at Michigan Tech Week. Guests include Chris Nolte of Bloom, Crystal Brown of CircNova, Kellie Crawford of Taste of Tech, and Rishi Moudgil of Michigan Founders Fund. Michigan Tech Week is a week-long event that brings together Michigan's tech industry, entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators to discuss, connect, and build relationships.

Dec. 7, 2024 ~ Michigan Tech Showdown: East Coast & West Coast—Hear from Black Tech Saturdays’ Co-Founder and a Microsoft AI MVP on the Future of Innovation! Charles Elwood, Microsoft AI MVP | TEDx Speaker & SolisMatica Johnnie Turnage, Co-Founder, Black Tech Saturdays

Nov. 30, 2024 ~ Everything about future mobility, under one Michigan Central Train roof, in Visit Detroit! Michigan Mobility Conference, Hosted by Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Held at Ford Motor Company built Newlab in Michigan Central Campus, in Corktown, City of Detroit Hear from the experts: Allison Bowman, Tubular Network; Timothy Papandreou, ETA Advisors, and Vincent Keenan of the City of Detroit.

Nov. 23, 2024 ~ Everything about future mobility, under one Michigan Central Train roof, in Visit Detroit! Michigan Mobility Conference, Hosted by Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Held at Ford Motor Company built Newlab in Michigan Central Campus, in Corktown, City of Detroit Guests include Justine Johnson Chief Mobility Officer. MEDC Camille Hoisington, Director of Ecosystem Development, Traverse Connect Kameale C. Terry CEO, ChargerHelp Josh Naramore, Senior Program Director for Policy, NACTO (National Association of City Transportation Officials)

Nov. 16, 2024 ~ Listen to the 2 Experts: Community Economic Development & Sustainability and Energy Efficiency! Carla Walker-Miller, Founder and CEO of Walker-Miller Energy Services Amy (Joseph) Hovey, CEO and Executive Director, Michigan State Housing Development Authority

Nov. 9, 2024 ~ From the thrilling exhibits at the Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Center , to the classic rides at the Gilmore Car Museum, and the timeless charm of Historic Charlton Park, Kalamazoo is a hub of discovery for everyone. Listen to these experts former Mayor of City of Kalamazoo and the head of Discover Kalamazoo Plus the home of Derek Jeter!

Nov. 2, 2024 ~ Here, Not There! Detroit UNESCO City of Design – Creating Vibrant New Communities Join us for an insightful session on how Detroit is blending its historic charm with forward-thinking design to create vibrant, thriving communities. As a UNESCO City of Design, Detroit is a leader in urban revitalization, merging the "old and the new" to shape its neighborhoods and future.

Oct. 26, 2024 ~ Michigan is a Defense and Aerospace Powerhouse: With 4,000 defense and 900 aerospace businesses, these industries contribute over 166,000 jobs and $30 billion to Michigan's economy. Listen to these 2 Michigan experts in #Defense, #Aerospace and #AdvancedManufacturing.

Oct. 19, 2024 ~ Chernobyl & South Sudan, with an International Michigan Twist! A Must-Listen Conversation with Two Experts: An Ambassador and an Honorary Ambassador!

Oct. 12, 2024 ~ 2 Presidents from Higher Education (Eastern Michigan University & Walsh College) Address the Challenge of Connecting Students with Future Career Opportunities! "Bridging the gap between education and the evolving job market is critical to preparing students for success in the modern workforce."

Oct. 5, 2024 ~ Listen to these futuristic leaders in the mobility field, and how it bodes well for Michigan! Lisa Lunsford, Co-Founder and CEO of GS3 Global and Don Hillebrand, Deputy Associate Laboratory Director, Argonne National Laboratory.

Sept. 28, 2024 ~ Listen to experts about the future of private sector from the New Economy Initiative and Accenture! Dan Garrison & Wafa Dinaro.

Sept. 21, 2024 ~ World Geopolitical Issues with a Michigan Twist? Tune in to Hear Insights from International Experts from U.S. Global Leadership Coalition & Capital Group. Explore how global events shape Michigan's industries and economy with guests bringing firsthand experience from the field. Don’t miss this week’s episode!

Sept. 14, 2024 ~ Discover the latest initiatives at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) as Quentin Messer discusses how Michigan is positioning itself in the arenas of talent, mobility, economic growth, defense, aerospace, innovation, and more. In the latter half of the show, Quentin turns the tables on host Ed Clemente, diving into the podcast's 4-year journey, exploring the value of long-form listening, public value, emerging trends, unique guests, and much more.

The Michigan Opportunity Radio Show ~ Sept. 7, 2024