BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE 2 0 1 3 a n n u a l r e p o r t DECEMBER 4, 2013 Committee Members

Stephanie Bergeron, Co-Chair Levi Smith Vicki Frame, Support Staff Eric Wilson Michael Holzschu Walsh College Principal Associates – TCN Oakland County Wilson Wilson PC Holzschu, Jordan, Schiff & Associates Joseph Welch, Co-Chair Camilo Suero Daniel Hunter, Support Staff Ted Wilson ITC Holdings Corp. MI Hispanic Chamber of Oakland County Core Partners Linda Jolicoeur Commerce One World Business Finance Matthew Gibb, Support Staff Dan Riley, Support Staff JoAnn Browning, Support Staff Oakland County Andrey Tomkiw Oakland County Oakland County Lisa Renee Kujawa Tomkiw Enwright, PLC Lawrence Tech University Irene Spanos, Support Staff Craig Bryson, Support Staff Oakland County Peter H. Webster TRANSPORTATION Road Commission for Thomas Landry Dickinson Wright PLLC Oakland County Landry Consulting, LLC Steve Huber, Support Staff Alan Kiriluk, Chair Oakland County Daniel Hunter, Support Staff Kirco Development Charlotte Burckhardt, Support Susanne Levine Oakland County Corporation Staff, Oakland County Greater West Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce Walter H. Alix, Vice Chair ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Dave Schreiber, Support Staff David Evancoe, Support Staff Oakland County Hubbell, Roth & Clark, Inc. Road Commission for Michael Lewis Mike Cooper, Chair Oakland County Residential Home Health, LLC Steven Brown Harley Ellis Devereaux SMART QUALITY OF LIFE Jonathan Liebman Russ Shelton, Vice-Chair WORKFORCE & EDUCATION Specs Howard School of Jean Chamberlain Shelton Pontiac, Buick, GMC Jennifer Radcliff, Chair Media Arts JNC Consulting Terence Adderley, Chair Preservation Advantage Bruce Babiarz Kelly Services, Inc. Jeff Love Adam Cheslin Synergy/BAB Associates Jerry Dettloff, Vice-Chair Baker College of Auburn Hills Merrill Lynch David Hay, Vice-Chair Downtown Management Doug Brown Kelly Services, Inc. Tanya Markos-Vanno Strategies Marie Donigan ASTI Environmental Southfield Area Chamber Gregory Adams Greg Blass of Commerce Jim Fetzer iLearn Systems Mark Brucki Blass Group of Companies Lawrence Tech University SMART Holbert Maxey Paul Agosta Ron Borngesser Maxey & Maxey Laurene Funk Applied Technology Systems James Clarke Oakland Livingston Human Robertson Brothers Company Flagstar Bank Sharon Miller Service Agency Denise Asker Oakland Community College Robert E. Hagedorn Auburn Hills Chamber Matt Farrell Robin Danto LE Borden Lang Fastener of Commerce Victor Naidu Core Partners LLC Michigan State University Ramsoft Systems, Inc. Extension Violet Gintsis Herb Hipple Mary Kaye Aukee Level One Bank Oakland Schools Executive David O’Donnell Gerald Fisher Greg Jamian DPM Consulting Services Thomas M. Cooley Law Vincent Gotko Americare Medical David Banchiu Schools, Auburn Hills Campus Fenner Melstrom & Dooling, PLC EdEn, Inc Hriday Prasad John Jamian Global MicroBio Products Krista Q.Huber Sheri Heiney Detroit Wayne County Donald R. Blum Oakland Unversity Rochester Regional Chamber Port Authority Blum & Associates, LLC F. Timothy Richards Consulting Services William Langdon Laura Hirschhorn Dennis Kolar Jackie Bracken Langdon Capital Mgmt JP Morgan Road Commission for Richard Romano Karen Borski Oakland County Realtime Technologies, Inc. Donald Kegley, Jr. Suzanne Levine St. John Providence Cunningham-Limp Company Greater West Bloomfield Joe Mercurio Health System Peter Rosenkrands Chamber of Commerce General Motors A.B. Heller Thomas Kemp Alaina Campbell Kemp Building & Development Jim McGuire Bob Morris Orion Area Chamber David Shields Area Agency on Aging 1-B SEMCOG of Commerce Walsh College Don Lee Clark Hill PLC James Meenahan Chuck Moss John Carlos Terri Spencer Environmental & Energy Greening Detroit.com Oakland Schools James Page Paul Marcus Consultant Marcus Consulting Joseph Cool Sarah Serra-Prucha David Potts Peggy Miller Cool & Associates, Inc. Independent Contractor/ David W. Potts, J.D. Vickie Markavitch The Dragun Corporation YMCA Board Oakland Schools Terri Engstrom Dennis Richardson Jon Noyes Fifth Third Bank Glen Shilling DDR Wealth Advisors Phil McKenna Oakland County Parks and Detroit Country Day School McKenna Associates Kevin Finn Recreation Lori Richardson Lawrence Tech University Alice Swanger Oakland Schools Dan Raubinger Kenneth Peterson Alimar Ltd. Automation Alley Samuel Flam The Peterson Group Jim Santilli The Hunter Boulevard Shelley Goodman Taub Traffic Improvement James Ralph Kent Roberts Group Morgan Stanley Oakland County Association James Ralph & Assoc. National Civility Center at Board of Commissioners Larry Fobes Olivet College Jay Shah Frank Rewold Wayne Thibodeau Jay Shah Associates Alysia Green Frank Rewold & Son, Inc. Chip Roeder Oakland University Automation Alley Couzens Lansky Barry Stulberg Sid Rubin Anthony Thornton Stulberg Development John Hancock Innovative Vending Services Jackie Smiertka Lighthouse of Oakland County Consultants Butzel Long Quality of Life Center Jim Runestad Richard Turner John Swatosh Art Holdsworth Runestad Financial Gary Warner Metro Welding Supply SMART Oakland County Excel Technologies Fredrick Seeley Facilities Management John Almstadt, Support Staff J. David VanderVeen Colliers International Donna Zalewski Oakland County Oakland County ITC Holdings L. Brooks Patterson

Oakland County Executive

Welcome to the 2013 Oakland County Business from the , where he was Roundtable Annual Meeting and breakfast and president and chief operating officer. He has led congratulations on our 21st year. executive operations with NHL, NFL and franchises during his 32 years This all-volunteer group of more than 150 in major league sports. Dennis is a graduate of business, education and community leaders the University of Massachusetts, married and the devotes its time, experience and talents to this father of five children. I am profoundly grateful important effort. This report is a compilation of he is joining us today. committee recommendations how the county might better serve its 42,000 businesses and I extend my sincere gratitude to the committee 1.2 million residents. chairs and Co-Chair Joseph Welch for his work on behalf of the county and welcome Walsh My sincere thanks go to members of the four College President Stephanie Bergeron as the Business Roundtable committees – Economic new co-chair. Special thanks go to Dr. Gary Development, Quality of Life, Transportation and Russi, the former president of Oakland University, Workforce and Education – for their continued for his years of service as co-chair, and Deputy commitment to improving Oakland County. A County Executive Matthew Gibb for overseeing special welcome goes to members of the Elite the Roundtable. 40 under 40 classes of 2012 and 2013, some of whom have been invited to join the Roundtable. Thanks also go to Fifth Third Bank and its President and CEO David Girodat who continue to sponsor If today is your first time with us, I’m pleased the Roundtable breakfast. Their support, now you’re here and urge you to contact us about in its sixth consecutive year, makes it possible becoming a member of one of our committees. for News/Talk 760 WJR and morning host Today’s guest speaker is Dennis Mannion, Paul W. Smith to originate their broadcast from president and CEO of Palace Sports & our meeting. Entertainment and the Detroit Pistons. Now I am encouraged about our future. With your in his third year, Dennis oversees all aspects continued help, we are moving forward to of the organization’s business operations, ensure Oakland County remains a premier which include The Palace of Auburn Hills, DTE place to live, work and raise a family. Energy Music Theatre and Meadow Brook Music Festival. Dennis, 54, came to Michigan Event Sponsor

Jeff Tischler Senior Vice President Senior Commercial Banker Fifth Third Bank (Eastern Michigan)

At Fifth Third Bank it is our pleasure to sponsor the corps of excellence that county government and Oakland County Business Roundtable. It gives us county businesses aspire to live up to. The Business great pride to support a process that serves as a Roundtable process firmly places Oakland County model for how private and public enterprise works as not only the leading government entity in the together to create opportunity, prosperity and a state of Michigan but one of the premier county quality of life for citizens and businesses in a county. governments across the nation.

Oakland County created four distinct strategic Fifth Third Bank is proud to play a role in this process pillars that business and thought leaders from and even more proud to be a business citizen of across the county lead in collaborative ideation to Oakland County. Congratulations to the fine team develop initiatives for improvement and visions for at the county and to the outstanding leaders who the future. Collectively these strategic pillars impact drive the Oakland County Business Roundtable. everyone in Oakland County and the region. This strategic approach establishes an esprit de Guest Speaker

Dennis Mannion President and CEO Palace Sports & Entertainment and Detroit Pistons

Detroit Pistons and Palace Sports & Entertainment After nearly a decade with the Ravens, Mannion President & CEO Dennis Mannion has a moved to the west coast as president & CEO reputation as one of the brightest and most of the Los Angeles Dodgers. His innovative creative minds in the sports industry. With over 30 thinking led to the development of the Dodgers years of experience, he holds the rare distinction Sports Lab, an in-house production facility that of having led business operations for teams in all integrated marketing, merchandising and four major league sports. media while creating a new telemarketing center and fan hospitality program. That His career includes 14 postseason runs, two World marketing guidance helped the 2009 Dodgers Series appearances, a Major League All-Star lead Major League Baseball in paid attendance Game, two National League Championships, for the first time since 1986. He also initiated an NHL Conference Championship and Stanley the team’s season-long celebration of its 50th Cup Finals, and a Super Bowl Championship. anniversary and transitioned the organization He cut his teeth in the sports business as a ticket from its long-time Vero Beach spring training sales rep for the in 1982 home to a beautiful new facility in Glendale, and worked his way to vice president of sales Arizona. and marketing in 16 seasons. After two World Today, Mannion is charged with transitioning Series runs and an MLB All-Star game in Philly, the Pistons into a new era of basketball and Mannion moved to to serve as the chief entertainment. He has brought dramatic operating officer for Ascent Sports, owners of the changes to the company’s organizational and . He structure with increased communication, supervised each club’s transition into the newly- collaboration and innovation between built Pepsi Center. departments. He’s overseen nearly $35 million Mannion next moved to the NFL with the in improvements and renovations to The Palace, Baltimore Ravens who won the Super Bowl during maintaining its reputation as one of the top his first year there. He pioneered the Ravens’ venues in sports and entertainment. Finally, efforts to converge its external programming, ticket holder and corporate partner experience media assets and brand-generating properties has been elevated at all three PS&E properties and represented the team during the sale of its and championship-contending basketball will stadium naming rights to M&T Bank. re-emerge with one goal in mind – to bring sports and entertainment fans together and thrill them. Co-Chair

Stephanie Bergeron President, Chief Executive Officer Walsh College

Walsh College is helping set the course for the At Walsh, students combine online coursework with lives of nearly 4,200 students who live primarily in on-campus sessions of highly engaging, interactive Oakland County, students who soon will become learning. They can capitalize on a new Finance business leaders in Southeast Michigan and across Lab with workstations that feature industry-leading the state. This is why the participation of Walsh in financial software and analytics. Walsh faculty the Oakland County Business Roundtable is both an members also are teaching custom-designed exceptional honor and a significant responsibility. entrepreneurship courses for students at Detroit’s College for Creative Studies. Above all, Walsh values its role in creating the near-future stewards of our region’s quality of life Another program that is important to the business and economic vitality for the benefit of citizens, community is our participation with the Emerging communities, and businesses. In the past year Sectors Educational Consortium (a group of alone, the college has granted 862 bachelor’s and community colleges, four-year public and private master’s degrees, reflecting the sense of purpose institutions and Oakland County Schools). Using the and commitment of its students. An extraordinary Skills Needs Assessment Project (SNAP) the Walsh faculty of more than 180 scholars and successful Institute (a division of Walsh College) developed business professionals bring the institution’s three workshops available at no charge for programs to life—and to lives. our students, alumni, and staff to improve their personal image and branding strategies, Our goal is to provide students with a business interpersonal interaction and communication, the education that integrates application and theory types of soft skills employers have identified as core to prepare them for successful careers. The intent competencies they are seeking. Elements from the is that they later invest those newly acquired or SNAP report have also been integrated into Walsh enhanced skillsets back into the communities College’s curriculum in our capstone courses. where they reside and into their places of work. Walsh students can be found at many leading Walsh College has been a part of Oakland County Oakland County employers, including Chrysler, since 1970 and is grateful for the opportunity Beaumont Health System, Flagstar Bank, Kelly to integrate that heritage with its approach to Services, Meritor, and Plante & Moran, among today’s Business Roundtable, helping to define the others. path for Michigan’s next business leaders. Co-Chair

Joseph Welch Chairman, President and CEO ITC Holdings Corporation

For 20 years, the Oakland County Business to these fundamental principles in a uniform way Roundtable has worked to enrich the quality across the country. The business community will of life of those who live, work and find leisure in be even more inclined to support and collaborate these great communities. Now, as we look to the with schools operating under a consistent set of decades ahead, an emerging issue will challenge requirements. the Roundtable’s efforts – and all of us – around workforce and education development. Use more technology: In an age of rapidly advancing technology, educators and students There is a widening gap between the skills of should ride this wave to help transform the way they graduating students and the needs of companies teach and learn. Tools including computer-based today. The education system is producing too few learning, which many schools are embracing, students with the basic skills necessary to enter enable more individualized and collaborative training programs for 21st century jobs. Among instruction inside and outside the classroom. Aided 15-year-olds in 34 developed countries, the U.S. by technology, students work toward common ranks 17th in science and 25th in math. Sixty-nine standards at a pace tailored to their abilities. percent of American high school graduates are Teachers continue in their critical roles with less not prepared for college-level science. lecturing and more interaction with students.

It’s clear that we need to reinvent our nation’s Reenergize the skilled trades: From construction educational system. trades to health care, our country is in need of skilled technical workers. Good-paying jobs and careers The current model of education may have met are available through vocational and technical the needs of earlier industrial America, but it’s training programs without a traditional college not suited to positioning our young people to degree, but high school graduates still need strong compete successfully in today’s global economy. academic competencies to succeed in these We need to move the discussion toward solutions programs. In my industry, a field technician needs that produce the results necessary to meet the a solid math and science foundation in order to demands of the 21st century. train on increasingly complex electric equipment that carries strict compliance requirements. Embrace Common Core academic standards: We need a common standard of what a high For the sake of our children, this county, our state school diploma means that can be internationally and country, let’s advance the discussion on benchmarked. Common Core standards are these and other ideas toward modernizing our centered on the knowledge and skills that students education system. need to succeed. We need to expose all students Economic Development Committee

Mike Cooper Russ Shelton Harley Ellis Devereaux Shelton Pontiac, Buick, GMC

Creating The Coolest Corridor style options than can be found in most regions. In addition, efforts already exist to develop and Introduction promote the Woodward Corridor including the Woodward Area Action Association and the world- Woodward Avenue offers a unique opportunity to famous Woodward Dream Cruise. Woodward become the “Coolest Corridor” in the nation. If Avenue does not stop at the boundary of Oakland this happens it will result in enhanced economic County, providing an opportunity to connect with vitality for the region, help reverse the brain drain, edgy communities within Detroit. highlight a hidden gem in our region, accelerate the revitalization of Pontiac and better connect The Vision some of the region’s edgy communities that are so attractive to the tech community. The Coolest Corridor initiative would promote a vibrant mix of social gathering where commerce, What does a successful “edgy community” look like culture, recreation, entertainment, education and and what does it take to become successful? An inspiration meet. example of such a community is the Midtown area of Detroit. After 20+ years this area has developed Recommendation workable solutions to issues such as providing a safe environment and opportunities for residents The Coolest Corridor concept would require and visitors to connect. the development of a strategy to incorporate elements that impact every Business Roundtable Oakland County has a number of communities committee. We recommended the county along the Woodward Corridor that are or have executive appoint a Super Business Roundtable the potential to be edgy including Pontiac, Royal Task Force with representation from each of the Oak and Ferndale. The county has many other four committees. communities that provide a greater range of life The task force would determine how Oakland • Developing a fund for demolition or County can support existing trends and efforts redevelopment to develop a nationally recognized “Coolest Corridor” that would attract and retain the tech The Task Force anticipates developing some community. Key elements of this strategy would specific recommendations regarding this include: challenging issue in 2014. • Support the redevelopment of Pontiac and Broadband Task Force other communities in the corridor The Broadband Task Force has been meeting with • Support the development of transportation local broadband service providers to develop options to better connect residents and visitors methods for ensuring that all businesses seeking to the corridor broadband service can obtain it quickly and at a • Ensure and promote the safety of competitive cost. Meetings with several service communities within the corridor providers this year, most notably Comcast and • Extend the corridor from Pontiac to Downtown AT&T, have led to an enhanced working relationship Detroit between the providers and the Oakland County Business Development Team. • Promote the Woodward Corridor brand In 2014, information on service provider contacts Other Committee Activities will be added to AdvantageOakland.com to assist Obsolete Property Task Force businesses in their identification of broadband availability to specific business addresses. This will The Obsolete Property Task Force is exploring help property owners and developers obtain vital the issue of functional industrial and commercial infrastructure information. properties obsolescence. These properties are holding down appraisals for nearby properties Regional Business Forum within their respective communities in Oakland The Regional Business Forum, which this committee County. If these types of properties were recommended in 2012, highlighted the fact that repurposed or redeveloped the market would while regional collaboration is an issue of critical improve, it would reduce neighborhood blight relevance, there is no group approaching this from and improve business and resident safety. a business perspective. This year, at the request One option to get these properties off the market is of the county executive, the committee has been to either demolish or redevelop them. The question working with the Economic Growth Alliance (EGA) is how you make the economics work for either of to explore the potential of their communities those options. to support development of a regional business forum. They asked for a number of changes and Government, working with property owners, could clarifications to the original 2012 recommendation. play a proactive role by: These changes have been incorporated into a short concept paper. As the Governor’s Regional • Turning around tax delinquent properties Prosperity Initiative may have an impact on quicker regional alliances, the EGA decided to wait until • Speeding up approvals for demolition or 2014 to make a final decision regarding supporting redevelopment a regional business forum. Quality of Life Committee

Jennifer Radcliff Jerry Dettloff Preservation Advantage Downtown Management Strategies

The Quality of Life Committee explores innovative wealth belongs to the 55+ age group, and 92 ways to make Oakland County a better place to percent of the monthly income is spent in the live, work, and play. month received. This represents an opportunity for economic growth in our local economies, Oakland County Marketing Strategies particularly in our downtowns.

Our objective is to communicate the elements The Age-Friendly subcommittee has been working of the outstanding quality of life within Oakland to create a pilot project in Clawson. The project County to the age demographic between 25 and has completed its market study and participation 35. This should be done in a manner that convinces benchmarking through surveys of businesses and them that Oakland County is an attractive patrons, and focus groups. What has been shown destination in which to live, work and play. is that downtown businesses have many amenities, products and services that are often unknown As a result of exploratory work in 2013, a plan is among the older resident population and the underway to engage a marketing intern to work larger county market. Promotion of these assets with the county economic development staff and is the core of a strategy to boost the economic our committee for 10 weeks, beginning in January, impact of senior dollars in our Main Streets and 2014. We will evaluate this approach for possible throughout the county. use by other Business Roundtable committees.

Age-Friendly Communities In collaboration with the Quality Communities subcommittee, several strategies have been More than 250,000 Oakland County residents are explored and set the course for the further age 60 or older and the group increases by 8,500 development of the initiative. Each community each year. About three-fourths of the nation’s in the county can benefit from the results of the Clawson project, and should be assisted in the Business Ambassador Program Update initial discovery and planning phase by the county economic development team, Main Begun in 2009, the Quality of Life Business Street Oakland County and the Quality of Life Ambassador program shares positive information Committee. about Oakland County’s quality of life attributes and business development services. Committee Recommendations members make presentations to business groups • Support implementation of an economic on an ongoing basis throughout the county. The development action plan to promote greater members carry special business cards for use in awareness of the assets found in our local one-on-one B2B meetings throughout the year. downtown districts, using strategies piloted in In 2013 presentations focused on the Oakland Clawson and the unique ideas and sense of Chamber Network Board of Directors and local place of each community. chambers boards as well as other business • Elevate Oakland County as a retirement organizations. destination of choice, as a strategy to retain current residents and attract new retirees In 2014, the Business Ambassadors will develop a and their economic power. Promote that LinkedIn group to include many of the business concept throughout our growing international ambassador teams within local chambers. Training population, senior centers, recreational outlets will include information on the One Stop Ready and medical groups. program and other business-focused services offered by the county economic development • Partner with the tourism industry, current department. Other Business Roundtable county programs in Parks and Recreation, committees will be trained as ambassadors and Main Street Oakland County, Oakland County assist in identifying business groups or associations Historical Commission and others to take that might benefit from such presentations. advantage of Oakland County’s heritage Finally, participants will be surveyed after each tourism potential. presentation to gain valuable input on the needs of the business community and effectiveness of the program. Transportation Committee

Alan Kiriluk Walter Alix Kirco Development Corp. Hubbell, Roth & Clark, Inc.

Michigan needs to invest in its infrastructure in The committee took the next step by meeting with order to remain competitive in attracting residents, state legislators to address this issue. On May 15, businesses, industries and jobs. However, since seven Transportation Committee members met 1964 Michigan has ranked from 43rd place to 49th in Lansing with as many legislators as possible. (1992) to 42nd (2008) place among the 50 states in Committee members did not advocate for a per capita state and local expenditures on roads. specific funding proposal but rather the need for Investing in our roads, aeronautics and public legislative action. As a follow up to these one- transportation will strengthen our competitive on-one meetings, the entire Oakland County position and our ability to attract economic legislative delegation was invited to the May 20 development, provide jobs and improve the Transportation Committee meeting. Two senators quality of life in Oakland County and Michigan. and two representatives attended. Legislators said they need to hear from people in their district Action Steps that this is a crucial issue; constituent support is important since some of these funding proposals Last year, the committee developed a brochure would require a public vote. Because voters have that explains Michigan’s Road Funding Dilemma. not been pressing their legislators on road funding, Oakland County printed this brochure and action has not been forthcoming. The committee distributed it at various functions, including the decided that a public relations campaign should 2012 Business Roundtable Annual Meeting. This is be the next step in moving this issue towards action. a first step in helping the public understand why The campaign goal is to educate the public about roads in Michigan are getting worse. Our consistent our road funding dilemma so they acknowledge underfunding has led to the current situation there is a problem that requires a legislative solution of inadequate roads, highways and bridges. which includes funding. Part of this campaign is Compounding this is that increased fuel economy explaining how an investment in infrastructure is has led to reduced fuel tax being collected. truly an investment in the future of Michigan and will increase our competitive advantage to attract • Review of how the leading per capita states jobs to the state and improve our day-to-day fund their roads quality of life. Publicity strategies could include: Recommendation 1: County Executive L. Brooks • Newspaper articles, ads, billboards and social Patterson should spearhead a public awareness media campaign to ensure that Oakland County residents understand the current state of transportation • County Executive hosted breakfast with select funding and its impact on the future of Michigan. groups and larger audiences An outcome of the campaign would be for • Meetings with editorial boards residents to contact their legislators for action. A • Television and cable interviews focused message must be crafted, which could include: • Partner with the County Road Association of Michigan and the Michigan Infrastructure and • Personal impact of poor roads on the individual Transportation Association driver and on businesses; currently the impact is $3,014 per household. If nothing is done, by Recommendation 2: The county executive should 2022 the cost will be $3,649 per household. If support continued investment in aeronautics. we can fix the roads, we could reduce that Aviation contributes more than $20 billion cost to $1,745 per household according to TRIP, annually to Michigan’s economy. Good airport a national transportation research group. infrastructure, both for commercial and general • Objective assessment of current road aviation, is critical to business, industry and residents conditions in the county and state. in this global economy. • Research from universities or other prominent Recommendation 3: The county executive organizations that project road improvement should support continued investment in public costs if we keep funding at its current transportation, which is widely recognized as inadequate level. It is far more expensive to critical for workforce mobility, quality of life and as bring a poor road up to good condition than an efficient generator of private investment. New to bring a fair road up to good condition. investment in existing bus transportation as well as mass transit initiatives on Woodward Avenue and Part of the message should include an explanation other corridors is critical to regional success. of Michigan’s spending priorities and funding methods such as: Other Accomplishments: • Our per capita status among the other 49 The Transportation Committee has been actively states engaged with the other Business Roundtable • Gas tax and vehicle registration fees are major Committees this year by sending committee sources for road funding; neither sales tax on members as liaisons to attend the other gas and diesel nor property tax go towards committees’ meetings. This has allowed our road funding committee to gain a better understanding of the • The reduction of gas tax collected as the issues being discussed by other committees and Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ) an opportunity for increased synergies between standards increase in the future the committees. Workforce & Education Committee

Terence Adderley David Hay Kelly Services, Inc. Kelly Services, Inc.

The Workforce & Education Committee examines Develop Partnerships with Business issues that involve students of all ages, job seekers, those who need retraining and those who may be Oakland County Michigan Works! partnered with entering the workforce. the Beaumont Health System to receive a Skills Trades Training Grant that will train 128 incumbent Recommendations: From 2001 through 2013, workers at Beaumont. Similar grant partnerships the Workforce & Education Committee made are under way. five recommendations that continue to be implemented. These recommendations and their The committee recommends the county continue status follow: to promote internships to support business needs and provide real work experience for students and Market Oakland County’s Workforce adults. Development and Education Programs Retain, Train, Retrain, and Recruit Workers for Oakland County launched MiTradeSchool. Oakland County’s High Demand Jobs org, which describes skilled trades jobs and their educational requirements, median salaries, future Oakland County Michigan Works! trained more openings and training options. than 700 customers for high demand jobs in health care, engineering and information technology. The committee recommends Oakland County continue to market workforce development The committee recommends Oakland County programs and services, including student continue to provide training and resources for internships, to job seekers and employers. information technology, advanced manufacturing and health care jobs. Bridge the Skills Gap 4. What additional resources are needed and how can they be developed and/or The Troy Michigan Works! Service Center obtained? developed summer engineering internships at Rigaku Innovative Technologies and the Oak Park 5. What partnerships with employers, education and Pontiac JobLink Centers and developed and economic/workforce development can health care internships at the Beaumont Health be expanded and/or developed? System and McLaren-Oakland Hospital. 6. What other strategies can be implemented? This recommendation and recommendation number 5 should be combined to create a new As these questions are addressed, the efforts and recommendation. research of other organizations such as Michigan’s Workforce Development Agency, the Michigan Train Oakland County’s Workforce for Jobs in Economic Development Corporation, the Oakland Emerging Business, Health Care and Advanced Education Advisory Group and the Workforce Manufacturing Industry Sectors Intelligence Network should be accessed and studied. County Executive L. Brooks Patterson issued a report on a Skills Needs Assessment Project Committee Highlights for 2013: survey which was completed by 150 advanced manufacturers in southeast Michigan. The report, The Committee: which is available in hard copy or online at • Heard presentations from several speakers, AdvantageOakland.com, identifies 14 high- including County Executive L. Brooks demand jobs that go unfilled because employers Patterson and Doug Smith, the Michigan cannot find qualified workers to fill the position. The Economic Development Corporation’s senior report also identified the skills needed to obtain the vice president for Government Affairs and jobs. Strategic Partnerships.

New Recommendation: • Held a meeting at and toured Terence E. Adderley’s garage, which houses more than Oakland County’s Skills Needs Assessment Project 40 restored cars from his classic collection. report verified that gaps between the skills • Completed satisfaction and issues surveys. employers seek and the skills job seekers have still exist. The Workforce & Education Committee A more detailed version of this annual report is recommends that these skills gaps be bridged by available at AdvantageOakland.com. addressing several key questions:

1. Why are skills gaps not being bridged?

2. What resources are available?

3. How can training programs such as Oakland County Michigan Works! and MiTradeSchool.org be used more effectively? HOW CAN SOMEONE HAVE ALL YOUR ANSWERS BEFORE THEY ASK ANY QUESTIONS?

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