Blues to Alter Small-Firm Rates

20090803-NEWS--0001-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 7/31/2009 5:37 PM Page 1

www.crainsdetroit.com Vol. 25, No. 30 AUGUST 3 – 9, 2009 $2 a copy; $59 a year

would be Higher claims may mean higher premiums charged higher rates under the BY JAY GREENE pricing system, several health ben- director with Troy-based McGraw new program CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS efit experts said companies with Wentworth, said another option she than would be Oshkosh’s M-ATV contract employees who have chronic con- will suggest to her clients is to self- charged lower win changes the playing field Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan ditions or high claims will face insure their health benefits. rates. has received state approval to be- tough choices at policy renewal “Groups with higher claim expe- “Blue Cross gin on Oct. 1 charging small-busi- time. rience would have some rate im- wants to set the John Bailey & Associates ness customers that have 51 to 99 The small groups either will pay pacts and groups with lower rates more ap- employees group insurance premi- higher premiums, go shopping for claims experience would have low- McLaughlan propriately,” sells to Grand Rapids firm ums based on factors that include a lower-cost policy with another er rates,” McLaughlan said. McLaughlan their health claims experience. insurer, choose a health mainte- However, McLaughlan said be- said. “They have lost money in While Blue Cross officials said nance organization or cancel their cause Blue Cross insures groups that segment of their business.” Inside customers asked the nonprofit health insurance. with sicker and costlier work- health insurer to develop the new Rebecca McLaughlan, managing forces, she believes more groups See Blues, Page 21 Detroit retirement department’s plan to build on riverfront draws fire, Page 4 DPS breathes Council of CEOs meets life into idle to advance East-West cooperation, The Greektown turnaround team foundation; Page 6 from The Fine Point Group (left to right): CEO This Just In Randall Fine; donors ready Amanda Totaro, Residential Home Health senior vice president, brand buys Illinois care agency marketing; and Last step: Hire Chris Colwell, Residential Home Health, a senior vice Madison Heights-based president, CEO to operate home health company, has gaming acquired Edward Home Care, a operations. BY RYAN BEENE home health agency owned NATHAN SKID/CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS by Edward Hospital in CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Naperville, Ill., for an undis- Work is under way at the Detroit closed amount. Public Schools to transform the De- The purchase is part of a troit Public Schools Foundation, a new strategic growth plan Greektown bets on ‘value’ 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has sat for Residential, said David idle since its 2003 formation, into Curtis, its president. a university-style endowment and “This Edward transaction Market share rises with focused marketing development office for the dis- is a model for us. We are ac- trict. tively looking for other simi- The foundation would manage BY DANIEL DUGGAN MacKenzie & Dunleavy, the casi- lar agencies owned by hospi- an endowment funded by money CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS no’s lead restructuring adviser. tals in Michigan and the GROWING MARKET SHARE raised from alumni, corporate, in- Midwest,” said Curtis. One month after entering Greektown Casino has taken a stitutional and individual donors By acquiring Edward bankruptcy protection, Greek- growing share of the casino Finding a niche to pay for such Home Care, Curtis said Resi- market in Detroit this year: efforts as dis- town Casino Hotel finished June Fine Point CEO Randall Fine dential beat 14 other compa- trict athletics, 2008 with revenue down 18 per- GreektownMotorCity MGM Grand said the strategy has four points: nies, including such in- fine arts or cent from June 2007 and captured branding, leadership with em- vestor-owned companies as Jan 22.8% 34.4% 42.8% specific non- an all-time low 21.1 percent of the ployees, a focus on public rela- Nashville-based HCA Inc. Ed- recurring pro- gaming market share in Detroit. Mar 25.0% 34.7% 40.3% tions and use of an advanced ward Home Care has 40 em- jects, such as One year later, the casino con- database marketing program. ployees and 150 patients, he Jun 26.4% 33.7% 40.0% providing elec- tinues to operate in bankruptcy Branding the property meant said. tronic black- but has shown a 24 percent in- Source: Michigan Gaming Control Board establishing a niche, he said, Edward Hospital will re- boards for crease in revenue over June 2008 honing in on the idea of a “value tain a minority stake in Resi- every class- and market share that has in- than one-third of the gaming mar- proposition” for people to have room in the Bobb creased to 26.4 percent. ket and has restructuring costs fun at a reasonable price. See This Just In, Page 2 district, DPS’ emergency finan- While the casino still has less eating up most of its profit, the lat- “The message in the past was cial manager, Robert Bobb, told est chapter of the Greektown tale ‘we’re a nice place too,’ or ‘we Crain’s. is becoming a turnaround story. have nice restaurants too,’ ” Additional funding would be Behind the numbers has been Fine said. “You know what? The crucial for the district, which an aggressive marketing and nicest casino in Detroit is one faces a $259 million budget deficit repositioning process led by the mile away, it’s not this one. and shrinking state funding. Las Vegas-based casino consult- We’re not going to try to compete “Many public schools don’t ing firm The Fine Point Group, on MGM’s playing field. A value function as if they’re a university, which took over in January after for regular folks is what we’re so in essence we’re a public it was hired by Birmingham- going after.” NEWSPAPER based turnaround firm Conway, See Greektown, Page 20 See Foundation, Page 20 20090803-NEWS--0002-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 7/31/2009 5:13 PM Page 1

Page 2 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS August 3, 2009

about 10 percent of Soave’s over- al SBT taxes and interest under Office supply firms form co-op Taubman Centers Inc. in February THIS JUST IN all beer volume moving about 2.2 protest and filed a lawsuit. to form Julie Fielder Retail Consult- million cases per year supplying Treasury filed an appeal after A group of independently ing Services L.L.C. ■ From Page 1 AB InBev products to Kalama- the Court of Claims found the owned office supply companies In the one-year Birmingham zoo, Branch, St. Joseph and parts firm was entitled to full restitu- that serve metro Detroit have cre- contract, she will be seeking new dential’s Illinois operations. of Allegan and Van Buren coun- tion, and the firm filed its own ap- ated a co-op to encourage local retailers to add to the mix of busi- buying by office managers. Residential, which employs 450 ties. peal since the lower court did not nesses in the shopping district. The co-op, Independent Dealer workers in Michigan, plans to Both Kalamazoo Beer Distrib- address interest, costs or fees “I’ll be showcasing Birming- Marketing Group, created the Web hire another 100 workers in uting and West Side Beer are ex- owed since the 2005 audit. The ap- ham to the national retail com- site www.littleguyssupplies.com. Michigan and Chicago over the clusive Anheuser-Busch InBev peals court Friday sided with the The site offers online ordering of munity,” she said. “We want to next several months, said Mike distributors. firm and ordered the case re- more than 40,000 items and touts bring well-capitalized retailers to Lewis, its chairman and CEO. — Nathan Skid turned to the lower court to com- free next-day delivery as well. augment what’s there today.” Residential has licenses to op- pute interest on top of Honig- “The inspiration for Little — Daniel Duggan erate in 34 Michigan counties and man’s refund. State appeals court sides with Guys Supplies was to let busy of- serves about 10,000 home health — Chad Halcom fice managers know that there patients, said Joe Mooney, its exec- Crain’s adds to marketing staff Honigman over Treasury are genuine, local alternatives to utive vice president of sales and Detroit-based Honigman Miller the national office supply retail- Kim Winkler has been named marketing. Metaldyne pension goes to PBGC Schwartz and Cohn L.L.P. learned ers,” said Greg Newton, executive marketing coordinator for — Jay Greene The pension plan covering Friday it will receive a judgment director of the Independent Deal- Crain’s Detroit Business. 10,770 employees of bankrupt of interest on top of a $114,628 reer Marketing Group. Winkler, 24, has a bachelor’s auto supplier Metaldyne Corp. has Soave sells beer distributor fund the law firm is owed on the Independent Dealer Marketing degree in organizational commu- been taken over by the federal state’s former Single Business Group consists of Westland-based nication from Detroit-based Soave Enterprises government, the Pension Benefit Tax, following an unsuccessful Office Star L.L.C., Madison Western Michi- Inc. has agreed to sell one of its Guaranty Corp. announced Friday. appeal by the Michigan Department Heights’ LB Office Suppliers Inc., gan University distributors, Kalamazoo Beer Dis- of Treasury. The Plymouth-based company, Port Huron’s Kerr-Albert Office Sup- and a minor in tributing, to Grand Rapids-based which reported revenue of $1.57 ply Inc. (multiple locations), West Side Beer Distributing Co., but The Michigan Court of Appeals in graphics de- a unanimous decision Friday de- billion last year, filed for Chapter Troy’s Office Express Inc. (multiple sign. She has the transaction awaits regulato- Ar- nied Treasury’s appeal of a lower 11 bankruptcy protection in May locations) and Detroit-based worked as a ry and supplier approvals. in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the row Office Supply Co. (multiple lo- Terms were not disclosed. court ruling, involving Honig- Crain’s intern Southern District of New York. cations). The deal would turn West Side man’s practice of paying SBT since 2008 and Metaldyne’s pension plan was — Dustin Walsh Beer into one of Anheuser-Busch In- only on hours of legal services has handled 53 percent funded at the time of Bev’s top 10 distributors. billed to its Michigan clients. projects such Winkler the takeover, with liabilities of The distributor moves an esti- A 2005 Treasury audit found Birmingham hires recruiter as designing $334 million and assets of mated 15 million cases of AB In- that Honigman apportioned legal The city of Birmingham’s Prin- sales proposals and marketing e- $177 million. The PBGC, a federal Bev products per year to Michi- services to clients outside Michi- cipal Shopping District has hired a mails, and assisting in the coordi- program that insures company C gan’s Kent, Montcalm, Ionia and gan to the states where those ser- retail consultant to recruit new nation of major events and recog- Barry counties. The company em- vices were performed — general- pension plans in case of failure, retailers for the downtown area. nition programs. She has held ■ ploys about 65 full- and part-time ly 3.5 percent to 4 percent of all will foot the bill for $153 million Julie Fielder left her position of previous positions in bookkeep- employees. billable hours for Honigman in of the $157 million shortfall. 25 years as a leasing representa- ing, design and special events ■ Kalamazoo Beer represented 1999-2001. The firm paid addition- — Gabe Nelson tive for Bloomfield Hills-based planning.

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August 3, 2009 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 3 Bailey-Lambert deal Focus: Going Green creates $6M PR firm

COURTESY OF OSHKOSH CORP. Winning a defense contract for its M-ATV was a John Bailey to maintain leadership role ‘game-changer’ for Oshkosh. Can Motown get to BY BILL SHEA Lambert Edwards, established in 1998, has CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS 90 clients in 20 states, including 5-Hour Energy Greentown? Page 10 and Georgia Pacific, and its primary practice ar- Oshkosh’s M-ATV Metro Detroit public-relations veteran John eas are consumer, business and financial com- Bailey has sold his Troy-based agency to a munications, health care and technology. Grand Rapids competitor for an undisclosed Its investor relations capabilities will be amount, creating one of Michigan’s largest PR added to John Bailey’s offerings while Lam- win changes firms. bert Edwards gets access to Lambert, Edwards & Associ- Bailey’s established public Company index ates has been in an acquisi- policy and automotive work. tion mode for several years Bailey said he signed a These organizations appear in this week’s Crain’s playing field as it expands locally and na- long-term deal to remain as Detroit Business: tionally, and bought John Bai- chairman of the office he es- AGIS ...... 21 Askar Brands ...... 6 ley & Associates Inc. Public Re- tablished and will work in a BY CHAD HALCOM lations to establish a BAE Systems ...... 21 senior advisory and leader- Bearclaw Coffee ...... 6 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS presence in Detroit and ship role. Bieri ...... 4 specifically in the automo- A recent “game-changer” for the business His transition out of day- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan ...... 1 tive PR market, said Jeffrey outlook of Oshkosh Corp. and its defense divi- to-day management began Campbell-Ewald ...... 3 Bailey Lambert, president and Locricchio sion could create more competition than new in 2007 when he hired for- City Connect Detroit ...... 7 managing partner. CMS Energy ...... 6 jobs in the local defense industry. mer Chrysler L.L.C. communi- Terms of the deal, which Conway, MacKenzie & Dunleavy ...... 1 The Wisconsin-based maker of commercial cations manager Sam was signed Wednesday, Detroit Public Schools Foundation ...... 1 and emergency service trucks saw recent up- Locricchio, whom he pro- were not announced. Detroit Renaissance Inc...... 6 grades in its earnings projections and analyst moted to president of the The combined firms will Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice . . . . . 11 recommendations after its Oshkosh Defense agency in September. DTE Energy ...... 6 retain their names, all 40 division won a $1.05 billion bid June 30 on the Locricchio now becomes EBusiness Strategies ...... 7 employees and have com- Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All Ter- managing director and Flame Heating, Cooling and Electrical ...... 7 bined revenue of $6 million. rain Vehicle. group head for the global au- Gabriel Roeder Smith ...... 4 Bailey will stay on, too. The contract could swell to more than $3 tomotive practice, and he’ll General Dynamics Land Systems ...... 21 Bailey, a member of the General Motors ...... 19 billion based on projected future orders as continue to be in charge of Detroit chapter of the Public Palsrok General Retirement System ...... 4 well as future component replacements and Lambert the Detroit office. Relations Society of America’s hall of fame, creat- Great Dane Heating & Air Conditioning ...... 7 upgrades. Emily Gerkin Palsrok, a John Bailey senior ed his agency in 1996. Its client list, which Greektown Casino Hotel ...... 1 But Oshkosh executives say M-ATV is just vice president, becomes managing director Lambert characterized as “blue chip,” in- Green Task Force ...... 10 one of many major systems in the coming and head of the public affairs practice in Lans- Hamilton Anderson Associates ...... 4 cludes the North American International Auto years where it intends to grow through the ing. John Bailey & Associates ...... 3 Show, R.L. Polk & Co., National City Bank and Blue U.S. Army Tacom Life Cycle Management Com- Discussion about buying Bailey began about Lafontaine Automotive Group ...... 10 Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. mand in Warren. The company estimates six months ago, Lambert said. “Acquisition is McGraw Wentworth ...... 1 “We had an opportunity to come together, more than $275 million of its revenue comes part of our strategic plans.” He said further ac- McLaren Health Care ...... 6 and it worked out,” Bailey said, noting that his McLaren Performance Technologies ...... 17 from Tacom contracts annually, but job quisitions will happen as opportunities arise. agency had previously looked into the Grand McVety & Associates ...... 6 See Oshkosh, Page 21 Rapids market. See Bailey, Page 19 MGM Grand Detroit ...... 20 Michigan Business Roundtable ...... 6 Michigan Dept. of Transportation ...... 6 Michigan Office of Financial Insurance Regulation 21 MotorCity Casino ...... 20 Mr. Pita Sandwiches ...... 6 Mt. Clemens Regional Medical Center ...... 6 Pressure mounts for Campbell-Ewald over Chevy work Office of Energy and Sustainability ...... 10 Papa Romano’s Pizza ...... 6 Police and Fire Retirement System ...... 4 Will it lose the lucrative account or see an increase? Public Sector Consultants ...... 6 Skillman Foundation ...... 20 Signature Associates ...... 4 BY BILL SHEA “Campbell-Ewald has a long his- to an unnamed source familiar Small Business Association of Michigan ...... 21 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS tory with Chevrolet and has done a with the meeting, he “crapped all Southeast Michigan Sustainable Business Forum . 10 lot of good work over the years, but over the advertising,” Advertising The unfolding post-General Mo- Strategic Properties ...... 6 this is either the first inning of a Age reported. Synergy Group ...... 4 tors Co. bankruptcy environment whole new ballgame or the bottom The trade magazine also quoted Tanner Friedman Strategic Communications . . . . . 19 for the automaker’s oldest and of the ninth in Lutz’s webcast commentary from U.S. Army TARDEC ...... 17 biggest advertising agency is filled an old one and before the meeting: “I think you Villages Community Development ...... 4 with uncertainty and optimism. even an occa- will very quickly see a drastic Walsh Construction ...... 17 There’s hope that Warren-based sional failure is- change in the tone and content of Warm Training Center ...... 11 Campbell-Ewald, which has handled n’t an option,” our advertising. And if you don’t, White Construction ...... 4 GM’s Chevrolet work since 1922, said Bud it will mean that I have failed.” eventually could see an increased Liebler, former So, the pressure is on. budget because the automaker has senior vice pres- “Agencies need to be concerned. shed Pontiac, Saturn, Saab and ident of market- I don’t think it is automatic the Department index Hummer so that it can focus on its ing and commu- current agency roster at GM will remaining brands. nications at survive intact,” said Peter De- BANKRUPTCIES ...... 18 Liebler But there’s angst after new mar- Chrysler Group Lorenzo, creator and publisher of COURTESY OF CAMPBELL-EWALD BUSINESS DIARY ...... 16 GM and Campbell-Ewald launched the keting and advertising Vice Presi- L.L.C. and president of Detroit- AutoExtremist.com, a popular auto CALENDAR ...... 16 dent Bob Lutz reportedly gathered new campaign for the 2010 Chevy based Liebler Group Strategic Com- industry blog. “They have to prove Equinox (above) while amid the CAPITOL BRIEFINGS...... 6 the brands and their agencies for a munications. to Lutz they belong.” bankruptcy process. A campaign for CAREERWORKS ...... 14 criticism session recently and Lutz met with GM’s brand teams And recent history shows noth- the Chevy Cruze, set for mid-2010, CLASSIFIED ADS ...... 16 plans on being more hands-on as on July 14 for short critiques of the will be the first full post-bankruptcy he seeks new creative work. current campaigns, and according See Campbell-Ewald, Page 19 campaign. KEITH CRAIN...... 8 LETTERS...... 8 OPINION ...... 8 OTHER VOICES ...... 9 Follow the primary election, find out about candidates Stay in the know THIS WEEK @ Voters will trim the Detroit City Council candidates down to 18 on Tuesday. We’ll Sign up for Crain’s e-mails PEOPLE ...... 15 have complete coverage of the primary. Not sure who deserves your vote? Go to at www.crainsdetroit RUMBLINGS ...... 22 WWW CRAINSDETROIT COM www.crainsdetroit.com/election for information on all the candidates. .com/getemail . . WEEK ON THE WEB ...... 22 20090803-NEWS--0004-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 7/31/2009 4:35 PM Page 1

Page 4 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS August 3, 2009 World Famous Trademark- WorldClassOpportunity Detroit retirement group’s plans Ever Dream of Owning your own business? for riverfront building draw fire The 7-Eleven Franchise System* offers individuals to operate their own ready-to- BY NANCY KAFFER strong showing at a Planning Com- operate neighborhood convenience store CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Van Dyke St. mission hearing Wednesday. under the auspice of a world famous “Right now it’s an overgrown lot trademark. We take an active role in the E. Vernor Hwy. Construction on a new head- E. Grand Blvd. that’s fenced in, so I don’t know franchisee’s business because our quarters for the city of Detroit’s re- success is predicated on their success. why you wouldn’t want a new de- tirement system could begin this Mt. Elliott St. velopment,” Stampor said. “It will fall, although residents in nearby be one of these LEED constructions, Contact us today neighborhoods say the project is so it’s a green project and it should to see if you qualify: not the best use of the chosen site. be pleasant to the eye. It should look The division’s roughly 55 em- better than what’s there now.” Call 630-366-3328 ployees currently are housed on LEED, or Leadership in Energy the ninth floor of the Coleman A. 7850 E. Jefferson Or visit us at and Environmental Design, is a Young Municipal Center. E. Lafayette St. designation granted by the U.S. www.7-Eleven.com In January 2008, the PFRS/GRS Green Building Council to structures Jefferson Avenue Corp. — a joint ven- that meet high environmental con- ture of the General Retirement Sys- E. Jefferson Ave. struction and design standards. tem and the Police and Fire Retire- Architect for the project is De- * Moderate financial resources and business experience are required to franchise a store ment System — acquired 4.81 acres Belle Isle troit-based Hamilton Anderson Asso- on the Detroit River at 7850 E. Jef- ciates, Stampor said, with con- ferson Blvd. for $1.8 million, ac- struction by White/Synergy JV, a cording to city tax records, with a joint venture of Bloomfield Hills- state equalized value of $338,542. zoning change. based Synergy Group Inc. and De- Plans call for a 30,000-square- The parcel is marked for high- troit-based White Construction. foot, three-story office building, rise residential development. The Royal Oak-based Milestone Real said Walter Stampor, executive boards have requested the parcel be Estate Services Inc. is the project co- secretary of the city’s General Re- rezoned for planned development — ordinator. tirement System, at an estimated a move opposed by some residents The pension boards have come cost of $7.2 million. of nearby neighborhoods. under fire in recent months for Stampor said the department has “We feel that it’s not the highest questionable investments and ex- grown as the complexity of pension and best use for the land,” said pensive trips abroad for pension benefits has deepened and as the Kimberly Ross Clayson, president board trustees. ranks of city retirees have swelled. of the Villages Community Develop- Residents also have questioned “Every time we’ve tried to do any ment Corp., which encompasses the the project’s cost, but Chris Man- type of expansion, we’re at the dis- neighborhoods Indian Village, Is- sour, an associate broker with cretion of the (Detroit-Wayne Joint) landview and English Village, Southfield-based Signature Associ- Building Authority,” he said. “Right West Village, East Village, the ates, and Jim Bieri, president and now, there’s no way to expand un- Gold Coast and the Berry Sub. CEO of the Detroit-based Bieri Co., less we move to a different floor.” “It’s a very low-density purpose, say there’s nothing out of line A plan for the exterior of the and even though the housing mar- about the price tag for the land or new building hasn’t been finalized, ket right now is not that strong, it’s the construction. Stampor said. bound to come back at some point. At $8.59 per square foot, the land “We’re still in the design stage,” We would hate to mar prominent was a fair purchase for January he said. “The boards have a sub- high-density residential opportuni- 2008, Monsour said. committee going through it on a ties for a development that doesn’t “A year ago, in the minds of sell- regular basis, and they’re meeting fit into the neighborhood or that ers and buyers (the idea was), next week to maybe come up with part of the neighborhood.” ‘Things are bad, but things will get the final design.” Clayson said residents also are a little better,’ ” he said. “I think The boards will split the cost of concerned about access to the wa- that price was pretty fair. … If you the building equally, according to terfront. look, $8.59 is still in the upper meeting minutes. “We’re interested in providing range. It wasn’t a steal, it’s more “If everything falls in place, access and better integration with a into the higher range of what that there’s a possibility construction pedestrian-friendly community,” land would sell for, but you would could start late this fall,” Stampor she said. “There’s talk of the expan- not get that price today.” said. “But if there are delays … sion of the river walk. Right now Bieri said that $240 per square even though we’re the city, we still it’s not pedestrian friendly, but foot for a three-story office build- have to deal with the city.” that’s one of our goals as an organi- out and finish isn’t exorbitant. One piece that must fall into zation.” Nancy Kaffer: (313) 446-0412, place before work could begin is a Clayson said her group plans a [email protected].

Police-fire pension board sues city over $45M

BY NANCY KAFFER said that the system’s ratio of recognized assets to ac- CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS crued liabilities was a healthy 106 percent as of June 30, 2008 — but noted that due to market conditions, Detroit’s Police and Fire Retirement System has filed a the board should expect to see that ratio decline at the lawsuit to compel a $45 million required city contri- end of the 2008-09 fiscal year. bution it says is delinquent. However, Jones wrote, “Benefits are fully secure The board voted on June 25 to authorize legal ac- provided that required city contributions are made to tion if the payment wasn’t made by June 30, according the system on a timely basis in future years.” to minutes from the June 25 meeting. A government body’s failure to make payments to The city missed that deadline, said Walter Stampor, its pension fund can trigger a financial review by the executive secretary of the city’s General Retirement Sys- Michigan Department of Treasury, the first step toward tem, and the lawsuit was filed two weeks ago in Wayne appointment of an emergency financial manager. County Circuit Court. The case is before Chief Judge Vir- For a review to occur, a trustee, actuary or at least 10 gil Smith. percent of a local government pension fund’s beneficia- Stampor said Friday that the city and the retire- ries must notify the state treasurer in writing that the ment system haven’t reached a payment agreement. local government hasn’t made a timely deposit of its Stampor said that the general system has voted to minimum obligation payment, according to Michigan’s follow suit, but that no action had yet been taken. Local Government Fiscal Responsibility Act. An April 22 letter to the police and fire retirement Edward Cardenas, press secretary for Detroit Mayor system’s board of trustees from actuary Norman Dave Bing, declined to comment on pending litigation. Jones, of Southfield-based Gabriel Roeder Smith and Co., Nancy Kaffer: (313) 446-0412, [email protected] DBpageAD.qxd 7/8/2009 9:17 AM Page 1

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Page 6 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS August 3, 2009 Council of CEOs meets on East-West agendas

LANSING – When a Michigan chairman of Detroit Renaissance A leading Democratic bill sponsor, how- that utilities must achieve by 2012 under CEO survey recently emerged, and chairman and CEO of Domino’s ever, says the measures proposed last week current law. sponsored by Detroit Renaissance Capitol Pizza Inc. by House Democrats are needed to encour- Len Singer, senior specialist, external Inc. and a group called the Michi- Briefings Rothwell said one benefit of the age alternative-energy businesses to come communications at DTE Energy Co., said the gan Business Leadership Council, council could be seen in the recent to Michigan. 2008 legislation “contains significant targets the question arose: Who’s the CEO survey, which produced Rep. Pam Byrnes, D-Chelsea, said she has for renewable energy and energy efficiency” council? “more of a statewide feel for how talked with a wind-energy related company, and “thoughtfully addresses the energy The answer: A group of high- people saw the economy.” which she declined to identify, that is inter- needs of the state while ensuring that utility powered CEOs that is somewhat As reported on ested in Washtenaw County but is also look- bills remain affordable for Michigan’s resi- a reincarnated version of the for- crainsdetroit.com, the survey found ing at other states because they have more dents and businesses.” mer Michigan Business Roundtable, CEOs pessimistic about Michigan’s stringent requirements for use of renewable He said that with DTE and other state util- an effort joining chief executives economy in the coming months but energy. ities just beginning to enact the 2008 provi- from the East and West sides of believing the national economy will Last September, Michigan passed new en- Amy Lane sions, “before moving forward with next Michigan. hit bottom and begin to improve. ergy regulations that included a mandate steps, we need to allow some time to evalu- The council, which meets a The survey of 60 Michigan chief that 10 percent of utilities’ electricity come ate how the current changes play out.” couple of times a year, contains CEOs from executives found approximately 90 percent from renewable sources by 2015. The legisla- Byrnes said that in terms of the cost of leading corporations throughout Michigan forecasting the same or lower employment tion currently being drafted and expected to higher standards, “obviously we need to and provides opportunity for discussion, and Michigan capital investment over the be sponsored by Byrnes and Dan Scripps, D- look at that,” but increasing energy efficien- east-west understanding and shared agen- next six months. Leland, would require a 30 percent renew- cy also produces cost savings. Holyfield, das, said Doug Rothwell, president of De- able portfolio standard by 2025. however, said that energy-efficiency gains troit Renaissance and the leadership coun- “It’s aggressive, but let’s start there,” depend on customers’ acceptance and use of cil. Utilities cool to energy bills Byrnes said. “The legislation we passed be- “There are a lot of the same issues that A package of bills that would raise Michi- fore was a really good step, a first step, but measures. we’re all facing in the state today,” such as gan requirements for renewable energy and now we need to improve on that, and that’s Byrnes said she would like the RPS bill to struggles over the state budget and taxes, he energy efficiency is getting a cool reception what we’re asking.” be introduced by September but doesn’t an- said. A chief council goal is to make Michi- from utilities, who say the state’s 2008 ener- Democrats’ legislation, which is support- ticipate hearings until after lawmakers gan a more competitive place to do business. gy laws need to be given time to work. ed by environmental groups and other inter- complete work on the budget for fiscal 2010, Bill Rustem, president and CEO of non- “Our position is, let those standards that ests, comes as utilities prepare to start which starts Oct. 1. partisan think tank Public Sector Consultants were established after a year and a half of charging customers for renewable-energy Other pieces of House Democrats’ agenda, Inc., said that the idea of bringing together very detailed discussion by the Legislature plans to meet current state requirements. some of which are already in play in the Leg- business leaders and bridging divides be- and administration … let those take effect, Separate charges for utility energy-efficien- islature, include tax incentives for solar en- tween the state’s east and west sides is a see how customers react to the energy-effi- cy programs, also prompted by 2008 law, re- ergy companies, personal property tax ex- good move. ciency aspect of that, see how the market- cently began. emptions for wind energy systems and “If there’s one thing about Michigan, we place reacts to the building of new renew- House Democrats’ proposal would require property, and revising building codes to in- like to fight with ourselves too much,” he able energy sources,” said Jeff Holyfield, utilities to work with customers to decrease crease energy efficiency. said. director of news and information at Con- electricity usage by 2 percent annually, com- Amy Lane: (517) 371-5355, Chairing the council is David Brandon, sumers Energy Co. and CMS Energy Corp. pared to the 1 percent annual reductions [email protected] Bearclaw Coffee, Askar Brands M-53 exit ramps could drive hope co-branding will jolt sales life science office park plans BY NATHAN SKID lease that being busy during more hours of BY CHAD HALCOM Mile Road, as well as a proposed water line CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS the day generates more cash flow and a higher return on investment. CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS extension into a portion of Bruce Town- Two Michigan companies are joining According to Oakbrook, Ill.-based restau- ship through the Detroit Water and Sewerage forces in an effort to drive down costs while A $4 million public investment in a set of Department. rant magazine Chain Leader, Askar Brands exit ramps in northern Macomb County raising volume and sales. generated about $44 million in sales for 2008 If all goes well, Racz said, he would Chelsea-based Bearclaw Coffee Co. and could literally pave the way for a life sci- “love to begin” sometime next year on and operates about 100 units in seven states. ence-oriented office park development Commerce Township-based Askar Brands, Last year, Bearclaw generated about $5.5 construction of the more than 150,000- parent company of Mr. Pita Sandwiches, Stuc- north of Romeo valued from $75 million to square-foot development and include se- million in revenue and has 20 locations in $80 million, according to a developer and chi’s Ice Cream, Papa Romano’s Pizza and CJ’s Michigan, two in Kentucky and four mobile nior living space and offices for medical Brewing Co., hope a co-branding agreement several local officials. device manufacturing companies. He has units. Developer Darryl Racz, president of will give franchisees more leverage in the Founder Debi Scroggins said same-store been in talks with several health care and marketplace by expanding product offer- Rochester Hills-based Strategic Properties life science companies, he said, although sales were about $275,000 per store, and the L.L.C. and Mark Ohalla, CEO of Mt. Clemens ings and boosting sales in what were the coffee company is expecting the co-brand- no discussions are as far along as the slow periods of the day. Regional Medical Center Inc., have held talks McLaren talks. ing effort to triple systemwide revenue about leasing medical office space in a pro- Jerry McVety, president of Farmington through increased franchise fees and addi- “There is pent-up demand for health Hills-based restaurant posed development along 33 Mile Road east care services, senior assisted and indepen- tional royalties. of M-53, Racz and the hospital’s owners consulting firm McVety & “Now that we have a stable of brands, we dent living, medical devices and life sci- Associates L.L.C. said co- confirmed. ence space, and once all the infrastructure can give potential franchisees choices,” Kevin Tompkins, vice branding arraignments Scroggins said. “We can let them choose improvements are here, this will be a can be beneficial as long president of marketing prime location,” he said. which pairing work best for them while let- at Flint-based McLaren as the brands balance ting each brand continue to develop their Macomb County Commissioner Don Health Care Corp., said each other relative to day expertise.” Brown said MDOT previously indicated it Mt. Clemens Regional parts, or brackets of time Franchisees will have to file separate was against the exit ramp proposal at 33 has an interest in leas- relative to breakfast, franchise disclosure agreements, but Raab Mile, but that he and fellow county offi- ing space at the 98-acre lunch and dinner. said the paperwork has been simplified to cials, such as Treasurer Ted Wahby, and development site but “In our industry we expedite the process. state Rep. Pete Lund, R-Shelby Township, McVety hasn’t settled on the see strength in numbers She also said the cost of adding a brand are continuing to negotiate with the scope of its role in that and are beginning to find smaller, regional and housing it under the same roof will be agency. Another round of discussions is ex- project and which ser- food service operations with complemen- significantly cheaper than building new. Tompkins pected in the second week of August, he vices it could house. tary product offerings joining forces,” “If a Mr. Pita adds a Bearclaw Coffee, it said. McVety said. “They almost have to do this will be a different price than if a Bearclaw “There is an interest, but it’s very pre- Bruce Township also is expected to hold in order to stay competitive with the big Coffee adds a Mr. Pita,” Raab said. “But ei- liminary,” Tompkins said. “It’s along a cor- a public hearing on the water line exten- players who have much deeper pockets.” ther way, it will be a lot cheaper than start- ridor of growth where we would at least be sion within a month. Mary Jean Raab, board member and co- ing from scratch.” interested in placing primary care facili- “The area could become a destination owner of a Bearclaw franchise in Ann Ar- The first Bearclaw Coffee slated to under- ties and physician office space. But a real for medical device companies and ad- bor, said about 40 percent of specialty cof- go the transformation is the Brooklyn loca- definitive issue is the development of an vanced manufacturing,” Brown said. “Ad- fee sales are made before 9 a.m. tion followed by one in Ann Arbor. exit to have access from M-53. That’s the vanced manufacturing is one of the indus- “By adding, say, a Mr. Pita to a Bearclaw The first Mr. Pita/Papa Romano’s to of- game changer.” try areas where Macomb County in location we could extend our sales opportu- fer Bearclaw products will be the Campus Racz said he is waiting on the outcome of particular is growing its specialization, as nities,” she said. Martius location. discussions between county elected offi- an area of the new economy.” Gary McCausland, chief development of- Nate Skid: (313) 446-1654, cials and the Michigan Department of Trans- Chad Halcom: (313) 446-6796, ficer for Askar Brands, said in a press re- [email protected] portation about installing exit ramps at 33 [email protected] 20090803-NEWS--0007-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 7/31/2009 4:39 PM Page 1

August 3, 2009 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 7 Flame Heating seeks to build business through mergers

BY SHERRI BEGIN WELCH be just 50 percent of June’s sales. cial maintenance business for companies specialize in different make up revenue declines associ- CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS The company will go from doing Flame, Marowske said. geographical, equipment and ser- ated with the cooler summer and 40 to 60 service calls a day during Flame had annual sales of about vice areas, said Josh Bigelow, deferred maintenance and repairs Flame Heating, Cooling and Electri- normal off times to about 150 ser- $9 million in 2008, reflecting 14 per- president and owner of Clinton associated with the economy, cal in Warren is leading an effort to vice calls a day booked out for four cent growth year over year and its Township-based Great Dane Heating Bigelow said. consolidate a fragmented industry. to six days once the first cold second year of revenue increases, & Air Conditioning. “Our market has been so volatile Following the merger of two weather hits in the fall, he said. he said. Great Dane this year is on pace to over the past 10 years, that there are much smaller competitors into Combining operations with other He projects that with the addition increase its 2008 sales of $2.1 mil- a lot of people that have decided to Flame, President Gary Marowske heating and cooling companies in- of Roseville Heating & Cooling, lion, he said. High-efficiency fur- merge because of weather patterns recently sent letters to about 20 oth- creases the total number of service Flame, which now employs 65 peo- nace and air-conditioning system and financial reasons,” he said. er companies in the industry to see calls to be made during off-peak ple in Warren, Fraser and a sales of- installations sparked by the govern- “When you are able to merge if they’d also be interested in com- times and increases the sales poten- fice in Riverview, will see sales in- ment stimulus tax credits and man- with a solid secure company like bining operations. tial for fee-based maintenance ser- crease another 9 percent this year. ufacturer rebates, are helping to off- Flame, there’s a lot of security for “So far, I’ve got three or four re- vice, as well, Marowske said. There is ample room for consoli- set slower seasonal demand caused the merging employees.” sponses we’re following up on,” Fraser-based Roseville Heating & dation in the heating and cooling by the cooler summer. Sherri Begin Welch: (313) 446- Marowske said. Cooling combined with Flame in services business because so many Not all companies are able to 1694, [email protected] “If we can increase our revenue, June, bringing about $900,000 in we can offer more things to our cus- revenue, former owner Larry tomers and more security to our Potvin and four other employees employees,” he said. “We’re a very to Flame, along with a customer seasonal business.” base established over 40 years. When the hot weather first set in The deal followed the merger of Engineer a Brighter Future a month or so ago, Flame “went ba- Lussenden Mechanical, a Warren- nanas” with service calls on air con- based business in operation since ditioning units, Marowske said. 1950, into Flame last year, bring- Lawrence Technological University But until the cold weather sets ing about $600,000 in revenue and is leading the way toward a more in, the company expects its busi- two employees. sustainable world with alternative ness to be way down. Marowske Lussenden owner Rocco Cin- energy education, research, and projects Flame’s August sales will queranelli now oversees commer- practice. From earth-friendly transportation to energy-efficient homes, Lawrence Tech students are committed to using cutting- edge technology to create a 12 businesses join youth brighter future. Visit ltu.edu/applyfree summer jobs program to have your application fee waived! Explore over 20 master’s and doctoral programs in architecture, business BY NANCY KAFFER based on age. administration, communication, computer science, information systems, interior design, and engineering, as well as 20 accelerated graduate certificate programs CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Most of the 3,300 youths placed in growing fields, including bioinformatics, defense, energy, and urban design. through the program thus far are V. Lonnie Peek’s Detroit-based working at nonprofit organizations eBusiness Strategies is one of 12 or government workplaces, as in Lawrence Technological University 21000 West Ten Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48075-1058 800.CALL.LTU [email protected] ltu.edu businesses that have partnered years past, Williams said. with the federally funded Detroit “What’s new and different this Summer Youth Employment Program. year … is that we have a high prior- “I can’t wait,” said Peek, whose ity on private sector jobs and partic- five-employee company offers cus- ularly those jobs that can expose tomer service-related project man- young people to the new economy agement, and will take 50 youths — health jobs, green jobs, energy through the program. “I have indi- jobs, creative jobs,” she said. “This viduals who will do clerical, some is really not only new for us in De- will be working on computers, troit, it’s just new generally. There some doing stuff like filing, others typically have not been those kinds who will be doing general work.” of experiences and opportunities Coordinated by Detroit-based for young people.” City Connect Detroit, the $11 million It’s also an opportunity for busi- program aims to place 7,000 Detroi- nesses, Williams said. ters ages 14 to 24 in summer jobs “This gives a chance for employ- through Sept. 30, at no cost to busi- ers to train and develop potential ness owners. new employees at no cost to them- Participants must be low-income selves,” she said. and meet other at-risk criteria. Seventeen percent of employers City Connect vets employers, as- who participated in a Youth Devel- sesses youths’ skills and provides opment Commission pilot pro- worker orientation to explain ex- gram last year kept youth workers pectations and workplace behavior. on after the end of the funded pro- One day a week, City Connect rein- gram, Williams said. forces that training and provides CVS/Pharmacy is placing 90 other tools, such youth workers in 39 stores around as financial liter- the metro area, said Lena Barkley, acy classes, said CVS Caremark workforce initia- Geneva tive manager for Michigan and In- Williams, CEO diana — and she has high hopes and president of that the crop will yield long-term the organization. CVS employees. “For many “It is taking the opportunity to young people, let our stores take a look at them, this might be the let them work in the environment,” first time they Barkley said. “Hopefully they will get a check,” Williams stay with us. These are our future Williams said. managers and pharmacists.” In past years, the program has Interested businesses should placed about 3,000 youths. This call City Connect’s innovation year’s expanded capacity is funded partnerships specialist at (313) 887- by the American Recovery and 6517, Williams said. Reinvestment Act. Workers earn Nancy Kaffer: (313) 446-0412, between $7.50 and $11 an hour, [email protected] 20090803-NEWS--0008-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 7/31/2009 5:14 PM Page 1

Page 8 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS August 3, 2009 OPINION LETTERS Cockrel’s eco-efforts State funding for colleges vital Editor: have spent $1.954 billion on higher Crain’s Detroit Business Keith Crain has joined the list of education last year. Adjusted for welcomes letters to the editor. those who seem to have given up the influx of students that Michi- All letters will be considered for deserve city support on the vision of Michigan as a publication, provided they are gan universities have encouraged, great state and is ready to accept signed and do not defame and state funding should be well our current second-rate status. individuals or organizations. over $2 billion today, and tuition etroit’s going green — or at least it’s making its best That can be the only explana- would be significantly lower. effort. Letters may be edited for length tion for his recent column calling and clarity. State funding cuts have left pub- As Jay Greene reports on Page 10, a green task for cutbacks at our state’s most im- lic universities with two choices. D Write: Editor, Crain’s Detroit portant economic development en- They can become mediocre and force created and led by City Council President Ken Cockrel Business, 1155 Gratiot Ave., Jr. issued a report that made a number of recommendations gine, our public universities. Detroit, MI 48207-2997. lose the luster that has kept our Tuition increases at our univer- best and brightest here and at- E-mail: [email protected] intended to help Detroit become environmentally friendly. sities this decade have been driven tracted the best minds in the world Many of the suggestions are common sense — the beginning by reductions in state support — to our state. Or they can cut as of a long-overdue curbside recycling pilot project, retrofitting of reductions created by tax cuts put In fiscal year 2001, the state much as they can but raise tuition buildings and expansion of bike and walking paths — but we’re in place in the late 1990s. Those tax spent $1.615 billion on Michigan’s as needed to keep their high quali- also glad to see some a bit more out of the box, such as large-scale cuts have not created the econom- public universities. In fiscal year ty, painful as that may be for some ic prosperity promised, but have 2008, that figure was $1.581 billion. students. urban farming. Detroit is awash in vacant and underused land; been the major driver of this If we had just adjusted the 2001 fig- proposals to use it more effectively are welcome. decade’s state fiscal crisis. ure for inflation, the state would See Letters, Page 9 Cockrel deserves respect for his consistent attention to this issue; let’s hope he gets the support he needs, both from council and the mayor’s office, to make real improvements. DPS endowment plan a good one TALK ON THE WEB From www.crainsdetroit.com Our hat, once again, is off to Robert Bobb for his work as changed; it was done by creative emergency financial manager for Detroit Public Schools. Re: Mayor Dave Bing: ‘We are broke’: Reader responses to stories and advertising. Here’s an idea: Since Kwame blogs that appeared on Crain’s As reporter Ryan Beene reports on Page 1, the latest devel- Anonymous Kilpatrick can afford a trip by pri- Web site. Comments may be opment is resurrection of a 501(c)(3) public school foundation Dumping Pontiac was a huge vate jet for a job interview, $3,000 edited for length and clarity. created in 2003 that had been sitting idle because potential per month rent for a house, an mistake. GM will have to scramble donors did not have confidence their conributions would $80,000 Escalade and huge attor- to keep the “excitement” buyers in achieve their intended purpose. neys’ fees, go back to court and ob- Barat Child & Family Services. the GM fold. It may be too late to get Bobb’s plan: Recruit a respected high-level fundraiser to tain a court order for larger She always acted with great in- the average Buick buyer age down to Pontiac’s level, although they are run the foundation as a university-style endowment and devel- restitution. tegrity and high standards. I can- Peter Rockwell not believe she acted in any way she trying with this ad. opment office. Donors have pledged several million dollars to thought inappropriate. Anonymous fund such an effort. Re: Brewer vs. business, Round 1: David Sanders Foundation money will represent a very small portion of Re: MEGA OKs $290M in tax breaks: If the Michigan Democratic Par- the DPS budget, but will be able to serve as a source of funding ty is for helping people in tough Re: OU passes 9% tuition hike: The fact that MEGA and the for things like athletics, fine arts and some special projects, all economic times, Brewer should Schools need to learn that de- state have to offer tax breaks to of which provide a better educational experience for students. consider not trying to destroy the very mand for their product is both price- keep or acquire these jobs and companies is further proof that businesses that provide jobs and pay sensitive and elastic. These are busi- taxes need to be lowered for all busi- taxes to keep the state running. nesses, subject to market Anonymous nesses to thrive. East-West council: So far, so good conditions, and should be run as Anonymous Brewer needs to put his name on such. East and West Michigan are once again making attempts to the front of a check, not the back of Anonymous one. Re: Celani plans to buy Greektown: meet in a recently formed Michigan Business Leadership Anonymous Re: Attacks on Buick ad: Plenty of experience with Tom. Council. Detroit Renaissance President Inc. Doug Rothwell You need someone with passion for serves as president. Re: Friends rally around Waterstone: The ad content seems to have no Detroit as well. I like this and hope Initial council members represent a range of high-profile connection with cars. Besides, in it goes his way. Judge Waterstone did not act for these perilous times, a trendy pool business names on both sides of the state (see www.michigan- Gregory Bockart personal gain. She was interested party as subject matter could be With what experience do the businessleadership.com), which is a good early sign. These in preventing another crime, the perceived to be on the decadent kind of efforts require special commitment, however, because group of investors have in running killing of the police informant. The side and a distraction from the in- a casino? With what experience of the geography involved. A similar effort, the Michigan Busi- charges should be withdrawn. tended message. Maybe not. does Celani have in running a casi- ness Roundtable, foundered a few years back when meeting Bob Cosgrove Milton Alexander no? Bids should have gone out to dates couldn’t be scheduled. For more on the council, see I knew Mary through her work I thought the ad was great. Think some Vegas casino operators. ... “Capitol Briefings” on Page 6. for abused and neglected girls at of how Cadillac’s image has Gman KEITH CRAIN: Voting in city election no easy task this week I have little doubt that Dave of the most qualified and qualifications. voters need to put on themselves to the candidates running for office. Bing will be the runaway winner candidates will be able The city, its citizens make sure they pick the best can- When the citizens don’t have of the primary for mayor of De- to survive until the sec- and the mayor deserve didates. any interest, it is easy for politi- troit. I don’t really know who ond round. the best that is avail- The best and quickest way to cians to be tempted to make all the might come in second, but it will This has to fly in the able from the communi- eliminate political corruption in wrong decisions, and that leads all be a very small percentage and it face of all we have ty. It is simply too easy our community is to have a well- too often to corruption. would appear that our interim learned about democra- to check off candidates educated and informed electorate. The primary election is impor- mayor will not have any road- cy, but it sure seems to who have familiar- If our citizens demanded honesty tant as a beginning of the process to blocks for a full four-year term. me that if you don’t sounding names. as the No. 1 criteria for their sup- elect a new Detroit City Council. But the election of runoff candi- know the candidates, It is often said that port, it won’t take long before we Our mayor will deserve members of dates for Detroit City Council is then just don’t vote. democracy depends on see a radical change in the attitude City Council who can help him do another kettle of fish. This election is far an informed and edu- of our elected officials. one of the toughest jobs in the state. With well over a hundred candi- too important for the se- cated electorate. This It simply makes good govern- There is a great deal of informa- dates, we can only hope that name lection of 18 candidates week’s election is a per- ment and good business to demand tion out there about the candi- recognition doesn’t play a big part based on some familiar-sounding fect example of that requirement. that before you mark your ballot, dates. Let’s hope the citizens of De- in the selection process and some names without any regard to skills It is certainly the requirement that you have an informed opinion of troit take advantage of it. 20090803-NEWS--0009-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 7/31/2009 10:41 AM Page 1

August 3, 2009 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 9 OTHER VOICES: Teacher health care needs an overhaul

The education communi- ucation Association). It is boards of education to honestly programs to pay for increasing in- tics ultimately resulted in labor ty is abuzz at state House between little Johnny and ask that question, steel them- surance and retirement costs. If we costs that made their product over- Speaker Andy Dillon’s re- his beloved teacher. selves to do what is right, and act don’t lower those costs, Johnny will priced for the market. The MEA’s cent proposal to overhaul The real discussion accordingly. be the big loser. Where Johnny story is similar, and unless its health care for teachers. that needs to occur in The 2004 Cherry Commission goes, so goes Michigan. membership accedes that labor Former state superinten- every state school district Report indicated the need to in- The parallels between the MEA costs have become unbearably dent Tom Watkins raised should be about the nexus crease the number of college grad- and the UAW are frightening. When high, the K-12 system could be- the red flags five years ago between adequacy of fi- uates to re-energize Michigan’s the Public Employees Relations Act come educationally bankrupt. in his report “Structural Is- nancial support for in- economy by providing a highly was enacted in 1965, Michigan Teachers, we still love you, but sues Surrounding Michi- struction and the appro- skilled and technologically profi- teachers were poorly paid and over- it’s time the MEA did a reality gan School Funding in the William Coale priate level of salary and cient workforce. That won’t hap- worked. Today, they are well paid, check. Do it for Johnny, and for 21st Century.” Watkins indicated benefits for school employees. pen if we continue to siphon off but are still overworked. Michigan. that “escalating labor costs — pri- The key question should be, “How money to pay for increasing retire- It’s not that we don’t value William Coale is a retired super- marily health care, pensions and much can and should we take ment and health care costs for teachers highly, but times have intendent who holds an education- minimal inflation-related salary in- away from the classroom to pay school employees. changed. When my father partici- al specialist degree from Wayne creases — exacerbate the financial for health insurance and retire- Something must be done to rein pated in the 1936 UAW Sit-Down State University and a Doctor of situations of local districts.” ment benefits?” In the interest of in health care and retirement costs. Strike in Flint, it was to gain a fair Philosophy degree from Oakland Since 2004, the problem has been local control, I charge our local Currently, schools are forced to cut wage. The UAW’s negotiation tac- University. compounded by a crumbling state economy and shrinking K-12 school aid budget. The battle is not just between David (aka Joe Taxpayer) and Go- liath (aka the Michigan Education Special Services Association, the insurance arm of the Michigan Ed-

LETTERS CONTINUED ■ From Page 8

Our university boards of directors and their management teams have decided it is more important Capacity. You’ll do exactly to maintain excellence and prepare Michigan’s workforce for the what you’ve prepared to do. coming economic recovery — which will be driven by workers with four-year degrees — than to That’s one of the things the take the politically popular route of dismantling higher education. military taught me, and it’s Our state highway system, once highly regarded, tells us what happens when we stop paying for engrained in the Oshkosh what we want. Public universities are even more vital to our state’s mindset. We’ve got the space economic transition than our freeways. Just as Crain’s Detroit and people to build vehicles – Business has supported new taxes for roads, it should be supporting additional investment for higher simple as that. And they’ll be education — from any source possible. on time and to spec, too. Michael Boulus Executive Director Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan Our vehicles will be ready

Historic buildings for the Warfighters when also engineering marvels they need them. Editor: I really enjoyed reporter Nancy Kaffer’s article on Detroit’s historic structures. One aspect, however, that seems to be forgotten or reported on to a lesser degree is Detroit and Michi- gan’s engineering history. When historic buildings are demolished, so also are the “engineering DEFENSE hearts” of those buildings. The great architect Louis Sulli- van had the dictate that “form fol- lows function.” So when a great www.oshkoshdefense.com historic auto plant or manufacturing plant bites the dust, so do the engineering marvels that were designed into those buildings to Scott, Assembler, 4 years make their respective products. Engineers need to forge a greater alliance with historic building preservationists to help save both the buildings (form) and the engi-

neering heritage created within ©2009 OSHKOSH CORPORATION Oshkosh and the Oshkosh logo are registered trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation, Oshkosh, WI, USA those buildings (function). 7KHYLHZVH[SUHVVHGLQWKLVDGYHUWLVHPHQWDUHVROHO\WKHYLHZVRIWKHHPSOR\HHDQGGRQRWLPSO\HQGRUVHPHQWRUDSSURYDOE\WKH'HSDUWPHQWRI'HIHQVH Joe Neussendorfer American Society of Civil Engineers Livonia 20090803-NEWS--0010-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 7/31/2009 10:42 AM Page 1

Page 10 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS August 3, 2009

REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK

Jay Greene writes CRAIN’S LIST: LARGEST ENVIRONMENTAL COMPANIES about health care, insurance and the Some firms find new revenue streams in consulting, environment. Call waste management, Page 12 (313) 446-0325 or write jgreene @crain.com Going Green Jay Greene Auto suppliers join eco-efforts A group of Ford Motor Co. suppliers, including several of Detroit’s big supplier names, are working on sustainable business practices, such as recycling materials or using less energy. Through the Aligned Business Framework Suppliers, several dozen companies have pledged to 22 different commitments to improve the environment through sustainable business practices. Some of the Detroit-area companies in ABFS include The Bing Group, Lear Corp., Delphi Corp. and Dakkota Integrated Systems. In June, Ford released its latest report on its sustainability efforts that highlighted work it is doing with suppliers to recycle materials, reduce waste and cut costs out of its supply NATHAN SKID/CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS chain, said Monique Oxender, Ford’s Pedestrians and bicyclists use Detroit’s Dequindre Cut, one example of a new emphasis on trails and green spaces in the city. global manager for supply chain sustainability. “This has wide impact to the region because hundreds of companies are being hugely impacted by the loss of auto company revenue,” said Bill Stough, executive director of the Southeast Michigan Sustainable Getting from Business Forum. “If you are going to be an auto manufacturer, you need a strong and committed supply chain to be able to go through tough times.” Despite the economic downturn, suppliers have not backed away from their commitments to reduce greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, control waste water and Motown reduce electricity costs, Oxender said. NATHAN SKID/CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS “It has become even more to A recycling truck’s robotic arm picks up refuse important to pursue the plan as near West McNichols and Five Points on Detroit’s stated because it can reduce costs,” west side. It’s part of a pilot program of curbside Oxender said. “You can’t be a recycling. preferred supplier without having a robust environmental management program in place.” Oxender said Ford works Growtown individually with suppliers to help them understand requirements. also could allow commercial bee farms. A The 22 ABF elements include public hearing on the issue is expected to agreements by suppliers to assure Plan to narrow Detroit’s ‘green gap’ be scheduled in September. proper working conditions, Ⅲ responsible environmental An $8.9 million federal grant applica- management of their supply chain, tion was submitted in late June that could internal awareness training and the allow the city to retrofit several of its development of compliance includes recycling, urban farming buildings to make them more energy effi- processes supporting their code. cient. They also must extend these BY JAY GREENE Ⅲ In July, a pilot curbside recycling Ⅲ Plans to expand biking and walking expectations to their subtier CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS paths are under way. suppliers. project began in two sections of Detroit with some 30,000 homes eligible for pick- Cockrel said he views environmental General Motors Co. has a similar etroit City Council President Ken protection and conservation as an eco- sustainable business practice model up. The areas include Rosedale Park and Cockrel Jr., who has been leading ef- East English Village. nomic development opportunity for the that it is encouraging its suppliers to city that can have a positive long-term im- follow. D forts the past several years to promote Ⅲ The Detroit Planning Commission may the city as a destination for green-minded revise codes to allow for large-scale agri- pact on business. Earlier this year, Lafontaine “We need to promote green jobs and en- Automotive Group opened a new businesses and eco-friendly people, ac- culture farms in the city. The new codes $15 million GM dealership in knowledges that Detroit is behind cities courage green companies to locate down- Highland Township. It is expected to such as Chicago, Seattle and Boston in the town,” Cockrel said. “This is just as much receive a gold LEED-certification for municipal green movement. This is just as much an an economic-development issue as it is an its building. But a roadmap exists for closing the gap “ environmental issue.” “They said they were so innovative in making Detroit an environmentally economic- Last year, Cockrel, when he was interim and far ahead of the curve that their friendly city. It is outlined in a June report mayor, also created the Office of Energy and decision helped keep them off the by the Detroit City Council’s Green Task development Sustainability to implement initiatives (closure) list,” Stough said. “GM told Force, which Cockrel chairs and helped identified by the Green Task Force. them they are one of the templates create through a city resolution. The office was designed to work within for the future.” issue as it is an The Green Task Force was formed in the city as well with local businesses, non- Said Oxender: “We want suppliers profits and other organizations in metro to take a leadership role on materials March 2007 to advise the City Council on environmental green principles and practices. Detroit to promote energy savings, he management instead of waiting on said. It continues as a City Council office; legislation that will ban or restrict Here are a few of the task force’s recom- issue. materials.” mendations that have been implemented ” Mayor Dave Bing discontinued it as a or are under study: Ken Cockrel Jr., Detroit City Council See Green, Page 11 20090803-NEWS--0011-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 7/31/2009 10:44 AM Page 1

August 3, 2009 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 11 Focus: Going Green Green: Sustainable Lighting From Motown to Growtown + ■ From Page 10 Professional Design mayoral office. said. “The recommendations were Darchelle Strickland Love, a good first step toward suggesting group executive for health and hu- A greener, changes we need to make to im- = man services with the Bing admin- “ prove efficiencies.” istration, said the mayor has in- cleaner city can Bowers said additional funding ROI stead created a special office on job is required to do a more complete creation and business develop- bring us out of the energy audit that would include ment that incorporates some of the additional recommendations on objectives of the Office of Energy ashes and make us a reducing electricity costs. and Sustainability. “This has great potential for the “We know the environment and national model. city to save a lot of money on elec- New lighting methods can improve energy conservation has a great ” tricity,” Cockrel said. visibility and reduce your costs. potential for bringing jobs to the Donele Wilkins, Detroiters Working And in July, the pilot curbside See our Sustainable Lighting Video and city,” she said. “We are taking ad- for Environmental Justice recycling project began in two sec- other lighting education programs. vantage of funds available from “We are rewriting the code to al- tions of Detroit comprising about the Recovery Act to” improve the low for urban agriculture, which 30,000 homes. The $3.8 million pro- www.illuminart.net environment. exists and is thriving at the com- ject will run for 12 months. The $7 billion American Recov- munity level,” Bowers said. “Com- “In our budget last year we set ery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 mercial agriculture is ready to ex- aside dollars to finance the recy- offers state and local governments plode but is not allowed now.” cling project,” Cockrel said. “We money for environmental protec- Strickland Love said Bing sup- don’t know if we will transition to A MICHIGAN-BASED GLOBAL COMPANY SUPPORTING THE LOCAL ECONOMY tion and infrastructure improve- ports the concept of urban agricul- full curbside pickup in the city. We ments to improve wastewater and ture but has not taken a position will find out if the city is culturally drinking water technologies. on rezoning city land for commer- and emotionally ready for curb- Michigan has been allocated cial agriculture. side recycling program.” $7 million in Recovery Act funds, Cockrel said Detroit is far behind but only has been awarded $4 mil- other cities in curbside recycling. lion, with $1 million actually paid Green city “There is a strong feeling of many out. Another change the City Coun- on the council, with JoAnn Watson Rick Bowers Jr., who heads up cil has on its agenda is to amend leading, that we need to move for- Cockrel’s sustainability office, its purchasing ordinances that ward with curbside,” Cockrel said. said a green agenda has huge po- would allow for slightly higher- Bowers said the pilot project tential. cost supplies to be purchased if will help determine whether the “If it were in the mayor’s office, they are safer for the environment. city has the guts to expand curb- this green agenda could be pushed Currently, the city is required to side recycling. along more quickly, but it can be purchase the lowest-cost supplies, “Chicago started a program (in just as effective from the City Bowers said. 2002) and it cost them tens of mil- Council standpoint,” Bowers said. For example, the ordinance lions of dollars because they made a “The ultimate future will be deter- change would allow city employ- mistake: only 20 percent of the pop- mined by whoever is mayor and ees to purchase cleaning supplies ulation participates,” Bowers said. whether they will adopt it. The val- that do not contain phosphates and “Detroit has 120 square miles. ue of it is not only helping the envi- are less harmful to the environ- We need to look at participation ronment, but helping the image of ment, Chapman said. rates before we move forward with the city that is in need of repair In late June, Cockrel completed citywide recycling,” Bowers said. FlinXccjZfd\èî\\e% and rejuvenation.” an application for an $8.9 million Detroit also is still formulating a Donele Wilkins, executive direc- Energy Efficiency and Conserva- pilot project to deconstruct aban- Precast Edge-to-Edge insulated wall panel s&REE$ESIGN!SSISTANCE tor of Detroiters Working for Environ- tion Block Grant. The federal doned houses to recycle building systems are an energy efficient green alternative s4HERMOGRAPIC)MAGING mental Justice, a nonprofit advoca- materials, including shingles, win- to steel and masonry, providing a durable wall funding would help the city make s%NERGY3AVING!NALYSIS cy group, said a reputation for changes in its buildings to make dows and piping. and eliminating the need for perimeter columns. s0AYBACK!NALYSIS green investment can be part of a them more energy efficient. “The council should have a plan better city. “A greener, cleaner Strickland Love said Bing has on that in September,” Bowers city can bring us out of the ashes submitted the application to the said. “There is a federal require- and make us a national model,” U.S. Department of Energy. ment under economic stimulus she said. dollars that we use funds for de- “I don’t know when we will get LWWWKERKSTRACOM the funds,” she said. “This is the construction.” Zoning codes first time the federal government has released these types of funds.” Greenways Bowers said several companies Cockrel said, “We have a better want to locate downtown but can’t than 75 percent chance to access In 2001, the Community Founda- because they “can’t get bank loans” those funds.” tion for Southeast Michigan created due to restrictive city ordinances. Bowers said the grant is impor- the GreenWays Initiative to connect For example, Detroit business- tant because it can be used as a Southeast Michigan communities GEOTECHNICAL man John Hantz, CEO of the Hantz “report card for government agen- and create green infrastructure Group, Southfield, wants to open a cies to judge how well cities have a such as biking and hiking paths, ENVIRONMENTAL commercial farm to provide city plan to create jobs.” conservation corridors, and habi- WE HELP TURN residents and businesses with Bob Chapman, executive direc- tats. The initiative has invested CONSTRUCTION fresh vegetables. Current city zon- tor of the Detroit-based Warm Train- $75 million in the project. ENGINEERING ing ordinances prohibit commer- ing Center, whose organization op- There are 10 greenways either cial farming. erates an energy demonstration built or currently under construc- BROWNFIELDS Detroit already has a number of center at 4835 Michigan Ave., said tion, such as the Conner Creek successful small community gar- the grant could also be used as an greenway, the Dequindre Cut and den programs that harvest herbs advertisement to promote sustain- the Detroit RiverWalk. The Mid- and vegetables. able business development. town Loop is under construction. TO GREEN Cockrel wants to expand this ef- The Warm Training Center edu- To support this effort, the city fort to encourage commercial ur- cates people and businesses on en- approved in 2008 the Non-Motor- ban agriculture. ergy-efficient housing. Its demon- ized Master Plan, which advocates G2's engineers and environmental consultants have the expertise A recent study by a student at stration center also focuses on creating hundreds of miles of bike and experience required to move your project from a possibility to Michigan State University indicates green building products such as lanes and other greenways. It also occupancy. that Detroit has enough vacant waterless urinals, cork floors and is encouraging the Detroit Depart- land to grow 76 percent of the veg- solar and wind power technology. ment of Transportation to purchase etables and 42 percent of the fruits Last year, the city hired a con- energy efficient hybrid buses. Troy, MI: 248.680.0400 consumed by city residents. tractor to conduct initial energy au- “Detroit has a reputation as be- Brighton, MI: 810.224.4330 Bowers said a work group with- dits on seven city buildings, including one of heaviest cities with the Chicago, IL: 847.353.8740 in the planning commission is ing the police department, the J.W. obesity rate, and this creates a www.g2consultinggroup.com looking at revising city codes to al- Williams Center and three other safer environment for people to low for large scale farms. community recreation centers. walk or ride and get exercise,” A public hearing on the issue “Most of the buildings didn’t re- Cockrel said. could be scheduled in September, port out as badly as we assumed Jay Greene: (313) 446-0325, UNEARTHING POSSIBILITIES he said. they would, being so old,” Bowers [email protected] 20090803-NEWS--0012-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 7/31/2009 10:45 AM Page 1

Page 12 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS August 3, 2009 Focus: Going Green

CRAIN'S LIST: LARGEST ENVIRONMENTAL COMPANIES Ranked by 2008 revenue Companies

Company Revenue Address ($000,000) branch out Rank Phone; Web site 2008/2007 Services offered Despite economic challenges, Waste Management Inc. Denise Gretz $296.0 B Collection of solid waste, operation and construction of landfills, waste some of Detroit’s environmental 1. 48797 Alpha Drive, Suite 100, Wixom 48393 general manager, Michigan market $294.0 B processing and disposal companies are finding new busi- area (248) 596-3500; www.wm.com ness by expanding alternative EQ-The Environmental Quality Co. David Lusk 240.0 Environmental management services energy or waste reduction ser- 2. 36255 Michigan Ave., Wayne 48184 president and CEO 220.0 (734) 329-8000; www.eqonline.com vices. Other growth areas include James Wigginton 150.0 Industrial cleaning and maintenance; cleanup of hazardous and non- Inland Industrial Services Group L.L.C. environmental site assessments 2021 S. Schaefer Highway, Detroit 48217 chairman and CEO 132.0 hazardous waste from soil and water, plant and landfill closures; lagoon 3. (313) 841-5800; www.inlandwaters.com dewatering and sediment removal; select demolition projects; for purchased or leased proper- underground storage tank removal and fuel system installations; comprehensive remediation services; sewer cleaning and rehabilitation ties and bank foreclosures, wet- land management and air pollu- Inland Pipe Rehabilitation Joe Cutillo 110.0 Underground construction and rehabilitation; green underground 4. 4086 Michigan Ave., Detroit 48210 president and CEO 78.0 solutions provider tion emission control. (313) 899-3014; inlandpiperehab.com “We have seen developers URS Corp. Ronald Henry 49.2 Environmental consulting and remediation and businesses that are looking 5. 27777 Franklin Road, Suite 2000, Southfield 48034 vice president, managing principal 45.9 at alternative energy either (248) 204-5900; www.urscorp.com through solar or wind power,” NTH Consultants Ltd. Keith Swaffar 48.0 Infrastructure engineering and environmental services said Bill Henderson, vice presi- 6. 480 Ford Field, 2000 Brush St., Detroit 48226 president and CEO 49.8 dent of environmental and natur- (313) 237-3900; www.nthconsultants.com al resources for Ann Arbor-based MPS Group Inc. Charlie Williams 44.9 Environmental program management, industrial cleaning, site Atwell-Hicks. 7. 2920 Scotten, Detroit 48210 president and CEO 49.4 assessments, facility management, commercial flooring, scrap (313) 841-7588; www.mpsgrp.com management services, paint shop cleaning URS Corp., with divisional offices in Southfield and Detroit, is Wade Trim Douglas Watson 33.7 Consulting engineering and planning services 8. 500 Griswold Ave., Suite 2500, Detroit 48226 CEO 39.9 projecting growth tied to environ- (313) 961-3650; www.wadetrim.com mental cleanup, said Ronald Hen- Disposal Management L.L.C. Robert Ryan 26.9 Full-service environmental company, recycling and waste disposal, ry, its vice president and general 9. 570 Kirts Blvd., Suite 211, Troy 48084 owner 23.7 ferros and nonferros metal processing manager. (248) 203-2900; disposalmgt.com For example, state and federal Soil and Materials Engineers Inc. Mark Kramer 25.3 Brownfield redevelopment, environmental consulting related to regulations require environmental 10. 43980 Plymouth Oaks Blvd., Plymouth 48170 president 26.5 hazardous materials consulting and industrial hygiene for renovation/ site analysis to determine the ex- (734) 454-9900; www.sme-usa.com rehabilitation projects tent of contamination on brown- This list of leading environmental companies includes those that offer consulting, assessments, engineering, contracting and waste-hauling services. It is not a complete listing but an approximate compilation of the field sites. largest companies in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw and Livingston counties. No. 8 on last year's list, Design Systems Inc., which Crain's believes would make the list, did not provide figures, and a reliable — Jay Greene estimate could not be made. B Crain's estimate. For the full version of this LIST RESEARCHED BY ANNE MARKS story, see www.crainsdetroit .com/focus. For an extended list of the largest environmental companies, visit www.crainsdetroit.com/lists.

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Page 14 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS August 3, 2009

CareerWorks online Visit www.crainsdetroit.com /careerworks to search for jobs, post a résumé or find talent.

Help for EMPLOYMENT CALENDAR Career development workshop For more information and to www.communityhouse.com, call 27777 Schoolcraft Road, Livonia. apply, go to The Community House at (248) The “Putting Americans Back to LTI Information Technology is of- www.bus.msu.edu/wmba. 644-5832, or e-mail Kathien@com- Work” job fair will be held from 9 job seekers fering to the public its staff de- munityhouse.com. a.m.-1:30 p.m. Participating em- velopment workshop on career Learn to promote yourself ployers will seek to fill positions areerWorks is a weekly development. Goals of the free ‘Back to Work’ job fair ranging from entry-level to man- collection of advertis- workshop are to help partici- The Community House, 380 S. agement and they represent indus- C ing, news and informa- pants get a clear vision of where Bates St., Birmingham, is host- Fox 2 News and Employment- tries such as health care, customer tion geared toward readers in they want to be in their career or ing a series of four seminars ti- Guide.com have combined efforts service, finance, sales and security. one they are considering, map to bring together job seekers with To preregister, go to www.em- career transition or looking tled “Successful Job Strategies,” out milestones and create action- companies who seek their talents ploymentguide.com, click on Job for new jobs. which kicks off Aug. 18. able items to help them get start- Jim Craft, vice president-con- Aug. 19 at the Burton Manor, Fairs, then click on the event. Included in our coverage: ed and keep them on course. sultant in the Detroit office of Lee “CareerTransition,” high- The workshop is set for 2:30- Hecht Harrison, a career-manage- lighting a person who has 4:30 p.m. Aug. 19 at the Ann Ar- ment firm, will speak on “New made a successful leap from bor Chamber of Commerce, 115 Strategies for Promoting Yourself one profession to another; a W. Huron, Ann Arbor. Held on in this Competitive Job Market.” CareerTransition calendar of job- and training- the third floor. Contact: Debra The session runs 6:30-8 p.m., related events; and news sto- Christein, (734) 929-1400. Register concluding with an hour of net- Name: Ed Wozniak, 36. Education: A bachelor’s degree in manufac- ries affecting the job market. at [email protected]. working among attendees until 9 p.m. Light refreshments and a turing and industrial engineering from Wayne CareerWorks is also online. State University and a bachelor’s degree in nurs- On our Web site, at MSU opens Weekend MBA cash bar will be available. Cost is $5. For more information, go to ing from Oakland University. www.crainsdetroit.com/ program in Troy Past career: More than 15 years in the auto in- careerworks, you can post an dustry with Chrysler Corp./ DaimlerChrysler AG, anonymous résumé and at- Michigan State University is ex- CAREER CALENDAR GUIDELINES Ford Motor Co. and Visteon Corp. After starting tract employers. You can panding its business classes by his career as a toolmaker at Chrysler’s Sterling opening a new Weekend MBA scan the newest jobs from our Hosting a job fair, holding a Stamping Plant in Sterling Heights, the engineer program in Troy. seminar on starting a business landed a position supervising tradesmen at the area or all of Michigan. You Classes in the 19-month pro- can set up e-mail alerts so or résumé writing, or helping job former Ford Utica Trim Plant. He kept that posi- gram will be held on Saturdays seekers in some other way? E- Ed Wozniak tion after the facility became part of Visteon. whenever a job that interests and taught by MSU professors. mail announcements to Gary Former career: New career: A registered nurse in the surgical you is posted, you’ll know The entering class starts in Au- Piatek at [email protected] or Engineer intensive care unit at Beaumont Hospital in Roy- about it. gust and graduates in March Jeff Johnston at New career: al Oak. Wozniak started the job, his first as a Employers can post jobs or 2011. [email protected]. Events should be focused on helping a Registered nurse nurse, in January. search résumés for talent Classes will be held at the Why he decided to change careers: As Wozni- MSU Management Education job seeker find employment and they seek. be open to the public or to ak’s coworkers at Visteon started losing their Center, 811 W. Square Lake alumni of a college. jobs, he started looking for a career that would Road. offer more job security. “It was getting pretty ugly there,” he said. Watching as his father-in- law fell into poor health prompted him to pursue health care. “When you make a difference in people’s lives, you get a better feeling than CAREER MOVES you do building a car,” he said. How he made the transition: Wozniak started taking prerequisite science courses for nurs- HEALTHCARE ing school in 2005 while still working at Vis- Internal Medicine Physician needed in teon. After being accepted into Oakland’s ac- Detroit, MI. Send resume to Academic Internal Medicine Specialists, 28411 NW Hwy, celerated nursing program, he received a Suite 1050, Southfield MI 48034 buyout offer. Wozniak had intended to pursue nursing school regardless, so the buyout pack- Call Us For Personalized age was “a little icing on the cake,” he said. He took the offer in December 2007 and started the Service: (313) 446-6068 yearlong nursing program the next month. He received $5,000 in funding from the state’s No CLOSING TIMES: Monday 3 p.m., Worker Left Behind Program, paying about one week prior to publication date. one-third of his total tuition in the program. Ul- Please call us for holiday closing times. timately, Wozniak had little trouble finding a FAX: (313) 446-1757 job in health care. After doing one of his clini- cal rotations at Beaumont, Wozniak applied for E-MAIL: [email protected] an open nursing position. He had the job lined INTERNET: up before he graduated, he said. www.crainsdetroit.com/section/classifieds Obstacles overcome: Wozniak took morning Confidential Reply Boxes Available classes before heading to the night shift at Vis- teon, cutting into the time he could spend with PAYMENT: All classified ads must be his wife and two children. Once his wife be- prepaid. Checks, money order or came the sole breadwinner, the family had to Crain’s credit approval accepted. cut back on luxuries and major purchases. Credit cards accepted. Making that problem worse, Wozniak didn’t discover No Worker Left Behind funding until See he had nearly finished the nursing program, so Crainsdetroit.com/Section/Classifieds he missed out on an additional $5,000. “That for more classified advertisements would have helped out,” he said. Advice for others: “Changing careers is rough, and there are going to be ups and downs,” Woz- CRAIN’S CAREER MOVES niak said. “Keep the goal in sight and make the WORK! sacrifices, because in the end, it will pay off.” If you have made a similar change in your ca- To Place Your Ad Call reer, or know someone who has made an inter- (313) 446-6068 esting career transition, contact Andy Chapelle, or managing editor at Crain’s Detroit Business at Fax (313) 446-1757 [email protected]. 20090803-NEWS--0015-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 7/31/2009 10:46 AM Page 1

August 3, 2009 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 15

PEOPLE ENGINEERING Michael Labadie to senior project IN THE SPOTLIGHT manager, Professional Engineering The Ferndale-based Michigan AIDS Associates Inc., Troy, from principal, Coalition has Wells + Associates, Novi. named Helen PACK YOUR BAGS. Kozlowski- FINANCE Hicks as its Derrick Livingston to assistant vice first CEO. president and branch manager, Citi- Hicks, 53, had zens Bank, Ann Arbor, from assis- been executive THE PROMISE OF AWARD tant vice president of business development, Comerica Bank, director of the Birmingham. Furniture Bank of Southeastern TRAVEL HAS RETURNED. HEALTH CARE Michigan. The coalition Martin Reznek to vice president of Kozlowski-Hicks was formed quality and patient safety, Detroit Re- ceiving Hospital and University Health from the merger of the Michigan Center, Detroit, from associate vice AIDS Fund and Midwest AIDS president of medical affairs. Prevention Project. Craig Covey, who was founder and INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY executive director of MAPP for 20 years before the merger, served as Thomas Doke, retired executive vice president and CFO, Dematic Corp., interim CEO during the merger over Grand Rapids, appointed to board of the past year and a half. He is now directors audit committee, Syntel Inc., COO of the Michigan AIDS Coalition. Troy. Prior to joining the Furniture Bank, Hicks held numerous nonprofit LAW executive positions, including John Bryant to executive director of Detroit-based president, Dean & advocacy nonprofit Citizens for Fulkerson P.C., Better Care, vice president of fund Troy, from execu- development for Big Brothers Big tive vice presi- Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit and If it’s been a while since award travel has lived up to your expectations, you’ll welcome this new dent. director of the former Food Bank of Joseph McGlynn Oakland County, which merged with arrival. 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SUPPLIERS NONPROFITS Kevin Nowlan to treasurer, ArvinMeri- Kenneth Myers to chief curator, De- tor Inc., Troy, from assistant treasur- troit Institute of Arts, Detroit, from cu- er, and remaining vice president. rator of American Art and head of American Art department. EOPLE GUIDELINES 1 20,000 FlexPoints qualifies for up to a $400 ticket value. P U.S. Bank FlexPerks Travel Rewards Visa Signature card is issued by U.S. Bank National Association ND. REAL ESTATE Announcements are limited to The FlexPerks Visa® program is not affiliated with, sponsored or endorsed by Northwest Airlines,® management positions. Nonprofit Delta Air Lines or the WorldPerks® program. Tom Kotzian to team leader, Keller and industry group board Williams Realty Lakeside Market Cen- appointments can be found at ter, Shelby Township, from sales man- www.crainsdetroit.com. Send ager, Century 21 Town & Country, submissions to Departments, Birmingham. Crain’s Detroit Business, 1155 Marc Brandt to director of real estate Gratiot Ave., Detroit, MI 48207- workouts and finance, Kenneth J. Dal- 2997, or send e-mail to to Associates Inc., Farmington Hills, [email protected]. from real estate consultant. Releases must contain the person’s name, new title, company, city in SERVICES which the person will work, former Ronald Johnston to manager of energy title, former company (if not solutions consulting group, CKGP/PW promoted from within) and former & Associates Inc., Troy, from vice city in which the person worked. president of energy and power, Walk- Photos are welcome, but we cannot er-Miller Energy Services L.L.C., De- guarantee they will be used. troit. 20090803-NEWS--0016-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 7/31/2009 10:47 AM Page 1

Page 16 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS August 3, 2009

BUSINESS DIARY CALENDAR

ACQUISITIONS motive Center, Warren, and is sup- troit Tigers that will provide MACPA NEW PRODUCTS ported by the Federal Transit Admin- members with exclusive pricing for TUESDAY , former partner, McNally and Associates Inc., Ply- Darryl Chimko istration, Washington, D.C. Azure Dy- tickets and help fund scholarships mouth, an authorized distributor for AUG. 4 Chimko Dzialo and Associates P.C., for college seniors majoring in ac- namics partnered with bus-body National Recognition Products, Rochester Hills, has purchased Weik builder StarTrans Bus, a division of counting. Community Conversations. 2:30-4:30 and Associates P.C., a bankruptcy law Mankato, Minn., has a new addition p.m. Leadership Oakland; The Center Supreme Operations Inc., Goshen, Plus 3 Solutions L.L.C., West Bloom- firm in Royal Oak. The new company to its line of graduation products, the for Michigan. These conversations Ind., on the bid. field Township, has become a certi- eco-friendly Green Weaver gradua- is now known as Weik Chimko and As- are a part of the Michigan’s Defining Qualitech, Bingham Farms, a tech- fied affiliate of Resource Associates tion cap and gown from Oak Hall. sociates. Moment Public Engagement Cam- nology integrator and software re- Corp., Wyomissing, Pa., an interna- Telephone: (866) 799-4677. paign, which is an effort to heighten seller, was selected by the Law Of- tional network of senior-level busi- CONTRACTS Hiller’s Markets, Southfield, has new public awareness of the significant fices of Joumana Kayrouz P.L.L.C., ness and executive development affili- custom ChicoBags, reusable bags challenges and opportunities Michi- Gale, Farmington Hills, and K12 Inc., Southfield, to install a computer net- ates. made of 99 percent recycled content. gan faces and tighten the focus of Herndon, Va., reached an agreement work and telephone system with an Domino’s Pizza, Ann Arbor, Jewish Web site: www.hillersmarkets.com. statewide leaders. Automation Alley, Intel Xeon Windows 2008 server, to develop and distribute a new line of Vocational Services, Southfield, and The University of Michigan, Ann Ar- Troy. Free, preregistration is request- workstations, a Zenith hard disk world language-learning products to Auburn Hills Senior Center are partici- bor, and Amazon.com Inc., Seattle, ed. Contact: (248) 952-6880. backup and recovery solution, and libraries. Power-Glide Language pating in Rochester-based Medical now offer reprints of 400,000 rare and Courses Inc., a subsidiary of K12, will the Altigen computerized telephone out-of-print books from the UM li- Network One’s new Choosing Healthi- develop Web-based language courses, system. brary that no longer are under copy- er Attitudes, Nutrition, Goals and Ex- which Gale will distribute exclusively The Detroit Medical Center has en- right, through Amazon.com’s Book- ercise onsite wellness program. Tele- THURSDAY to the library market. tered into an agreement with My One Surge unit. Web site: www. phone: (248) 475-4721. booksurge.com. AUG. 6 Energy 1 Corp., Detroit, has signed a Health Information Exchange, Bing- letter of intent with Montreal-based ham Farms, to make DMC hospitals Intrinsys, Milton Keynes, England, a Servant Systems, Ann Arbor, a fran- Team SBA Financing Roundtable. 9 Aviron Institute of Technology to pro- and affiliated physicians part of a product lifecycle management ser- chise software development special- a.m.-noon. Oakland County Business vide research and development assis- network of electronically connected vice provider, has joined the Hyper- ist, has released its latest franchise Center. A loan orientation conducted tance to Energy 1 and provide up to health care professionals across Works channel partner program of management software for the Molly by a business banker, a business con- $1 million in research and develop- Southeast Michigan. Altair Engineering Inc., Troy, to re- Maid residential home cleaning ser- sultant from the Small Business Ad- ment credits and grants. Autoliv, Stockholm, Sweden, an auto- sell Altair’s CATIA V5 integrated op- vice. Web site: www.servantsystems. ministration’s network of Small Busi- timization technology, HyperShape, com. Brendy Barr Communications L.L.C., motive safety systems provider, has ness Development Centers, and an to the UK design and engineering SBA representative. You’ll learn how Oakland Township, has been chosen selected Southfield-based Schreiner community. NEW SERVICES the lending process works and what to handle Detroit-area public relations ProTech’s new noise-control labeling is expected of you. Executive Office for Hudsonville Ice Cream, Holland. system for automotive seatbelt buck- General Dynamics Land Systems, a Kerr Russell and Weber P.L.C., De- les they produce. business unit of General Dynamics, Building, Waterford Township. Free. , Oak Park, a detroit, has launched its new Web site at Azure Dynamics Corp. Sterling Heights, has been awarded a Contact: (248) 858-0783. veloper of green technologies for the Marygrove College, Detroit, and Oak- www.krwlaw.com. Telephone: (313) contract by the U.S. Army Tank Auto- 961-0200. commercial transportation industry, land University, Rochester, entered a motive Command, Warren, to reset has been awarded a 16-vehicle con- partnership to enroll students in an Great Expressions Dental Centers 330 Stryker infantry combat vehicles. tract from the Hybrid Truck Users Fo- accelerated second-degree nursing Inc., Bloomfield Hills, and Dental COMING EVENTS rum Small Hybrid Bus Working Group. program. Telephone: (313) 927-1579. Near Perfect Media L.L.C., Farming- Health Group, Bloomfield Hills, are of- The group is a joint program between The Michigan Association of Certi- ton Hills, has been named public-re- fering free membership in the Great Starting a New Company–Resources Calstart, Pasadena, Calif., and the fied Public Accountants, Troy, has lations agency of record for Gourmet Expressions Smile Protection Pro- for Entrepreneurs. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. U.S. Army TARDEC’s National Auto- entered into an alliance with the De- Everyday Delivery, Huntington gram to all individuals and families Aug. 12. Lunch Ann Arbor Market- Woods. that have lost their dental benefits. ing. With Amy Cell, vice president of Royal Roofing Co. Inc., Orion Town- Phone: (888) 764-5380. Web site: talent enhancement and entrepre- ship, a commercial roofing and sheet www.greatexpressions.com. neurial education, Ann Arbor Spark. metal firm, has been awarded the con- Formcode Design Studio, Troy, a Conor O’Neill’s, Ann Arbor. Free. tract to remove and replace the roof of graphic design company, has de- Lunch is discounted to $10 for LA2M. MARKET PLACE the food court at Fairlane Town signed and launched a new Web site Contact: (734) 272-4698. Center, Dearborn, by Taubman Cen- for MarketPlace Homes, a Novi-based ters Inc., Bloomfield Hills. real estate company. Web site: How To Become a Government Con- BUSINESSES FOR SALE www.marketplacehomes.com. ANNOUNCEMENTS & Patti Engineering Inc., Auburn Hills, tractor. 9 a.m.-noon. Aug. 13. Find out SERVICES has been awarded the material han- MBC Global, Rochester Hills, has in- what it takes to sell your goods and Machine Tool Distributor for Sale dling control system contract for a troduced Sell Michigan, a new pro- services to the federal government Detroit, MI Attention: DHB/DBB/MBE/WBE Sale may be inventory only or company. Inquire to tuxedo processing facility in Bakers- gram to connect Michigan businesses and the state of Michigan. In addi- Subcontractors & Suppliers [email protected]. Ref. #10054 field, Calif., for Men’s Wearhouse, with new customers in the internation, learn about the services and con- Ric-Man Detroit, Inc. is soliciting bids/prices Houston, Texas. tional marketplace. Web site: tinuous support the Procurement from Detroit DHB/DBB/MBE/WBE Heavy sheet metal stamping plant located www.sellmi.mbcglobal.org. Technical Assistance Center has Subcontractors and Suppliers for the City of , Southfield in SW Detroit. 50 presses, up to 500 tons. Neuman Anderson P.C. available to help your company with Detroit Project PCS-80 DWSD Bids due In-house tool and die build and repair. has retained the services of Bingham ADR North America, Ann Arbor, has August 6, 2009 Interested Subcontractors In business 84 years. Call 248.348.2829 launched the ADR Academy, an on- the contracting process. Schoolcraft and Suppliers should contact us at: Farms-based Identity Marketing and College, Livonia. $40. Contact: (734) Public Relations to provide public-re- line resource for professional devel- Ric-Man Detroit, Inc. BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES opment at www.adracademy.com, de- 462-4438. 1001 Woodward Avenue lations support and counsel. Suite 400 veloped by Logic Solutions Inc., Ann Preh Inc., Novi, a supplier of automo- Detroit, MI 48226 Already Wealthy? Arbor. Tools to Help You Stay in the Game in It’s not how much money you make that tive driver controls, sensors and elec- Phone: (313) 833-2242 Stratum Global, Chicago, and Dynam- a Tough Economy Workshop Series: Fax: (313) 964-8356 matters, it’s how much you keep! Learn to tronic control units, has been award- operate a mini-office outlet from home, online, ic Computer Corp., Farmington Hills, Lead Your Downtown from Brown to The work consists of the following items: ed the contract with Ford Motor Co., Construction of approximately 14,782 linear training provided. www.live4yourdreams.net partnered with the St. Clair County Green. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Aug. 14. Dearborn, to develop and produce the feet of 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 36, 54, and Community College Workforce Train- Main Street Oakland County Michi- rear climate control system and the 60 inch combined sewer, approximately 2,520 INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES ing Institute to develop a radio fre- gan; Michigan State Housing Devel- linear feet of Catch Basin Leads, Seventy two remote climate control module for the quency identification technology lab opment Authority; Oakland County (72) standard manholes (size), two (2) drop 2010 Lincoln MKT. manholes, Nine (9) 54" x 48" tee manholes, Need expansion financing 3 year Michigan and curriculum to be offered at St. Michigan Planning and Economic De- One (1) 60" x 48" tee manhole, One hundred tech company with solid existing revenue Joe Cornell Entertainment, Southfield, Clair County Community College, Port velopment Services; and others. Fea- sixteen (116) Catch Basins, One (1) 10’ x 10’ stream. New contracts signed and ready to has retained Your People L.L.C., a install. 13% secured Note. Call 847-530-2318 Huron, and Mott Community College, tures seven sessions that can help Junction Chamber in the City of Detroit, Southfield-based marketing and pub- Flint. Telephone: (810) 989-5541. business owners, municipal officials, Michigan. Those interested in providing any Private Money Needed lic-relations firm, to promote its of the services needs to contact Ric-Man Earn 15% Bright House Networks, Livonia, now architects and planners lead down- Detroit, Inc., as soon as possible, but no later Secured by Residential Real Estate, 65%LTV max. youth dance and party entertainment offers Caller ID on PC on its home towns from brownfields to green. than August 3rd. www.invest-securely.com or (800) 229-0714 services. phone products in the Detroit area. Oakland County Executive Office Web site: www.brighthouse.com. Conference Center, Waterford Town- DELIVERY SERVICES EQUIPMENT & EXPANSIONS ship. $75 each; $25 each for Main MERCHANDISE OPENINGS Street community representatives BorgWarner Inc., Auburn Hills, and college students with current stu- TIME AUTO TRANSPORT opened its new turbocharger produc- Jumps restaurant has reopened at 63 dent ID. Contact: (248) 452-2166. 800-624-2021 OFFICE FURNITURE tion facility in Rzeszow, Poland. Web Kercheval Ave., Suite 105, Grosse site: www.borgwarner.com. Pointe Farms. Telephone: (313) 882- Special Back Haul Rates Off Lease MUST SELL, OFFICE CLOSED Production Modeling Corp., Dearborn, 9555. Internet Auction Sales Desks $99, Chairs $39, Files $49, Partitions $50, CALENDAR GUIDELINES Lateral Files $99, Cubicles, Office Phone Systems an international engineering consult- If you want to ensure listing online 33 Years Service/Ship Cars Worldwide Call (248) 548-6404 or (248) 474-3375. ing firm has opened a regional office STARTUPS $100,000 Insured Per Car and be considered for print in Seattle, Wash. Web site: www. Amerit IT Consulting L.L.C., Milford, a Call Us For Personalized pmcorp.com. publication in Crain’s Detroit management consulting company. Business, please use the online BUSINESS & Service: (313) 446-6068 FEV Inc., Auburn Hills, a global devel- Telephone: (248) 685-1570. Web site: calendar listings section of oper of advanced powertrain and ve- amerit-itllc.com. www.crainsdetroit.com. Here’s INVESTMENTS hicle technologies, has opened a new CLOSING TIMES: Monday 3 p.m., how to submit your events: one week prior to publication date. technical center in Pune, India. Web- BUSINESSES FOR SALE Please call us for holiday closing times. site: www.fev.com. DIARY GUIDELINES From the Crain’s home page, click FAX: (313) 446-1757 Third-party logistics provider Evans “Detroit Events” in the red bar Successful 35 year Resale Shop for sale. Send news releases for Business near the top of the page. Then, Loyal customers & consignees, etched E-MAIL: [email protected] Distribution Systems, Melvindale, between West Bloomfield & Bloomfield Hills Diary to Departments, Crain’s click “Submit Your Entries” from INTERNET: opened a facility in Romulus for the Detroit Business, 1155 Gratiot off Busy Orchard Lk Rd. Owners retiring. warehousing and transportation the drop-down menu that will Call 248-681-5424 or 248-909-9325 www.crainsdetroit.com/section/classifieds Ave., Detroit, MI 48207-2997 or needs of businesses using Detroit Met- appear and you’ll be taken to our Confidential Reply Boxes Available send e-mail to cdbdepartments@ ropolitan Airport for shipping cargo. online submission form. Fill out Prototype and Short Run PAYMENT: All classified ads must be crain.com. Use any Business Diary the form as instructed, and then Stamping Company For Sale prepaid. Checks, money order or MOVES item as a model for your release, click the “Submit event” button at 30 Years in Business. Clinton Twp. Business Crain’s credit approval accepted. and look for the appropriate the bottom of the page. That’s all with building and all necessary equipment to Credit cards accepted. Rave Computer Association Inc. head- category. Without complete there is to it. make prototype and small quantity stampings. quarters from 36960 Metro Court to See information, your item will not run. More Calendar items can be Automotive and non-automotive. Owner 7171 Sterling Ponds Court, Sterling Photos are welcome, but we would like to retire. Call for all details. Crainsdetroit.com/Section/Classifieds Heights. Telephone: (800) 966-7283. found on the Web at NO BROKERS. CALL 586-463-4000. cannot guarantee they will be used. for more classified advertisements Website: www.rave.com. www.crainsdetroit.com. 20090803-NEWS--0017-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 7/31/2009 4:38 PM Page 1

August 3, 2009 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 17 Army tank center in Warren to add testing lab

BY CHAD HALCOM TARDEC will host a ceremonial cussion topic of TARDEC needs to CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS groundbreaking on the site Aug. expand and modernize some of its 17, and formal construction should (The new building) provides ... the testing facilities in 2002. A ceremonial groundbreaking is begin by the end of August, said “ When complete, the building will scheduled in two weeks and formal Geza Szakacs, deputy associate di- ability to test ... power generation and replace a retention pond and a for- construction could begin by rector of test evaluation and as- mer underwater testing area locat- month’s end on a new $40.3 million sessment. energy storage systems. ... ed on the northern part of the De- Ground Systems Power and Ener- The 30,000-square-foot building ” troit arsenal grounds. Much of the gy Laboratory for the U.S. Army with eight internal laboratories Geza Szakacs, TARDEC research will be devoted to fuel effi- Tank-Automotive Research Develop- for testing military ground vehi- bility to effectively test, optimize Fisher Building in Detroit, was the ciency and better energy use in mil- ment and Engineering Center in War- cles should be complete by Septem- and integrate all current and alter- winner among three companies itary ground vehicles, Szakacs said. ren. ber 2011 and will house 70 people, native vehicles power generation bidding on the laboratory project, Also on Aug. 17, TARDEC offi- The U.S. Army Corps of Engi- including 35 in newly created jobs. and energy storage systems as well Szakacs said. San Antonio, Texas- cials hope to dedicate and unveil a neers awarded the contract in late The rest of its staff will be trans- as power management and control based Southwest Research Institute “Hall of Innovation,” which is cur- July to Walsh Construction, a divi- ferred from other TARDEC labs into current and emerging classes also was hired as a consultant on rently being remodeled and updat- sion of Chicago-based The Walsh and offices in Warren. of vehicles,” Szakacs said. needs assessment and design re- ed at a cost of under $100,000. Group, for $17.3 million in construc- “It (the new building) provides a Walsh, which maintains a quirements of the new building. Chad Halcom: (313) 446-6796, tion and $23 million in equipment. centralized facility with the capa- Michigan regional office inside the The project originated as a dis- [email protected]

McLaren REAL ESTATE AUCTIONS COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

“Special” DOWNTOWN “Fifty Cents” Troy- 67,000 sq. ft. Mfg. or Warehouse OPEN HOUSES: 3300 E. Jefferson, Detroit (behind Chase Bank) Three truckwells. Bus duct. Air lines. Performance 27,000 SF. Commercial/Warehouse Seller Financing Available. Priced right. July 26th and August 2nd from 12-3PM Price: $0.50 PSF, NNN, First Year Owner/broker 248-705-0835 Auction ## Irish Hills - ## Call: Chris Monsour 248-948-0107 AVAILABLE NOW # Evans Lake # APARTMENT BUILDINGS expands HQ Sunday August 9th at 1PM # # 4,000 to 100,000 sq. ft. # 1205 Lemm Lane # Also 10,000 & 25,000 sq. ft. Preview & Registration at Noon # Tipton, Michigan # BY RYAN BEENE FOR SALE Free Standing Bldgs w/truckwells. CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Hey! We're Going to the Lake! Village Square Apartments 1 Mile from Metro Airport McLaren Performance Technolo- REA CONSTRUCTION gies Inc. last Thursday opened an (734) 946-8730 expansion of its Livonia headquar- Also Heavy Industrial ters to support its growing work in Land Available the design and engineering of driv- www.reaconstruction.net eline components. 17150 Meyers Rd • Detroit, MI The 40-year-old company, best •Lender Sale RETAIL SPACE known for its focus on motor •190 Units sports and high-performance vehi- Swim and Fish in your own backyard. Spectacular newly built home. 3500 +/- sq ft. Once •$2,660,000 or $14,000 Per Unit cles, added 10,000 square feet and in a rare while will a truly magnificent home such as this to be available for auction. Built •67% Occupied Great Retail Opportunity is investing $8.5 million in the fa- without compromise. Gourmet Kitchen w/red birch cabinets and granite counters, 2-story •Property Being Sold “As Is” in the most sought after cility and new equipment for the vaulted Great Room with fireplace overlooking Lake. Elegant Master suite and bath, private •All Available Due Diligence Provided retail destination in Metro Detroit! expansion. The growth was living space above garage with 2 beds and bath for guest, 4 car garage, generator, 3/4 acre Prior to Bid Deadline - Expand your customer base - spurred after its parent company, For More Info Please Contact: lot built in 2005. A home to be experienced in, an investment in yourself. Rich Deptula 248.324.2000 share this spacious building with Canada-based driveline compo- ROSE AUCTION GROUP, LLC [email protected] Michigan’s Premier Rug Retailer nent supplier Linamar Corp., won BETH ROSE, CAI AUCTIONEER Barry Swatsenbarg 34975 W Twelve Mile Rd contracts earlier this year to sup- [email protected] Farmington Hills, MI 48331 FOR LEASE 2009 Michigan State Auctioneer's Champion www.friedmanrealestate.com ply parts for two new, high-volume 877.696.7653 www.RoseAuctionGroup.com 43235 Twelve Mile, Novi global vehicles, said Phil Guys, (12 Oaks Mall perimeter) INVESTMENT PROPERTY vice president of engineering at 9,000 Sq Ft available AUCTIONS AUCTIONS McLaren. INVESTMENT GRADE REAL ESTATE Brokers protected Guys declined to name the cus- PRICES SLASHED tomers. AUCTION CANTON Linamar posted $2.1 billion in • 50 AC. PRICED AT $22,000. /AC. SOLD North IN 2004 TO PULTE FOR $75,000. /AC. global OEM parts sales during its PRICED AT 29% OF ORIGINAL SALES 2008 fiscal year, according to Auto- Park Place PRICE. motive News. Condos • 70 AC. DEVELOPED CONDO SITES @ $15,000. /PER SITE. YES DEVELOPED. McLaren has become Linamar’s 16400 N. Park Place Drive Southfield, Michigan Contact Ed at engineering and product develop- VAN BUREN/BELLEVILLE Online Registration, • 70 80X120 DEVELOPED LOTS @ (248) 763-0305 ment center since it was acquired Complete Due $16,500. /PER LOT. THESE SAME by the Canadian supplier in 2003. Diligence Package and LOTS WERE SOLD FOR $90,000. PER WATERFRONT PROPERTY Until that point, Linamar essen- Flyer with Auction Terms and Conditions Available LOT A FEW YEARS BACK. at: www.signatureassociates.com/NPP • 70 80X120 UNDEVELOPED LOTS tially had been a machining com- @ $3000. PER LOT SPECTACULAR CANADIAN pany making products using its Wednesday, September 2nd • 80 DEVELOPED CONDO SITES @ $10,000. customers’ designs, Guy said. at 5:00 PM ON-SITE PROPERTY ON LAKE SUPERIOR McLaren designs and engineers OTHER PARCELS AVAILABLE PLEASE OPEN HOUSE held on CALL JOE VAN ESLEY @ 734-459-7570 all of Linamar’s products, like 8/4 & 8/18 from 9 AM - 12 PM power transfer units, transmis- ** 79 Units Offered Individually or Combined ** INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY sion assemblies, and other power- For more information, contact Auctioneer: train and driveline products. Craig Herschel - [email protected] Now, Guy said, McLaren is look- Pontiac, Michigan THE TEAM No Signature. No Results. ing to grow into new markets such 888.708.7070 Warehouse Space for Lease Imagine the possibility of this 75 acre, one and a as recreational vehicles, con- half mile waterfront property on Lake Superior and sumer products and alternative Almost free! the Chippewa River. Just 30 minutes North of Sault energy, using its expertise in en- • Rates as low as 17¢ a month gross Ste. Marie, Ontario. This is an exceptional retreat or development property. Some of Canada’s best fishing gine performance and components • Warehousing or Manufacturing and abundant wildlife. Totally fenced and gated. as a base for growth. • 5,000 to 200,000 sq.ft. for lease Can be bought in three individual parcels starting at The question, Guy said, is “how • Interior Truck wells and grade level doors $300,000 or all three parcels can bought for • Sprinklered and heated building $975,000. One parcel has a “new” two bedroom can we take our know-how and de- guest house, complete with large garage. velop full engine solutions for • Short term leases for temporary storage Miles of roads and trails. Well, electricity and phone. niche markets.” 313-835-2485 Land Contract available to qualified buyers. Ryan Beene: (313) 446-0315, By Owner, call [email protected] Best deal in town! 231-537-0017 20090803-NEWS--0018-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 7/31/2009 4:33 PM Page 1

Page 18 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS August 3, 2009

BRIEFLY Saline Lectronics gets $1 million To use the program, companies Rights Department, Department of must be eligible for tax credits Public Works, and the Detroit Water from state to diversify from the Michigan Economic Growth and Sewerage Department. Saline Lectronics Inc., a Saline- Authority. The forum will be held at the based auto supplier specializing in — Gabe Nelson Northwest Activities Center, 18100 circuit boards, has secured nearly Meyers, and will open with regis- $1 million in state financing to New Web site to promote tration and continental breakfast help the company diversify into from 7:30-8:30 a.m. The event will the aeronautics and medical de- development for Lake St. Clair end at 1 p.m. Those interested in attending vice industries. A nonprofit organization in Ma- The Michigan Economic Develop- should register online at comb County expects to launch a www.thinkdetroitfirst.com by ment Corp. announced Thursday it Web site within weeks to help fos- will disburse $998,000 from the Aug. 13 or call the Office of Target- ter tourism businesses and eco- ed Business Development at (313) Michigan Supplier Diversification nomic development for Lake St. What if They Threw Fund for use as collateral on a loan 628-6823 for more information. Clair, one of its organizers and di- Nancy Kaffer from Dallas-based Comerica Bank. rectors said. Saline Lectronics plans to bor- Harrison Township-based Lake a Traffic Jam . . . row $2 million from the bank to St. Clair Initiative Inc., a 501(c)(6) Rochester Hills biz to add jobs purchase the building in which the business organization also known company currently rents space. Rochester Hills-based tire repair as The Lake St. Clair Tourism Ini- tool kit vendor Active Tools USA will “Without the state’s involve- tiative, hopes to have the Web site ment, this project would not be add a handful of new jobs in the active by mid-to-late August, said city after relocating and expand- moving forward,” Mario Sciber- Stephen Remias, a founder and ras, the company’s president, said ing into a 17,000- square-foot loca- board member of the initiative and tion near M-59 and Crooks Road. in a statement. president of MacRay Harbor Inc. AND NOBODY CAME? The company currently uses The U.S. subsidiary of Hong Remias and Eric Foster, owner Kong-based Active Tools Internation- 40,000 of the 110,000 square feet in of rival marina company Belle its building on Maple Road in al Ltd. signed a lease on the office- Maer Harbor in Harrison Township, warehousing property in July and Saline. It will need more space as it are both directors on the initiative expands, said Sandra Jacobs, the should move into the new space by board. September, said Mark Shaftner, di- company’s marketing director. Other directors include repre- Jacobs said the company has al- rector of sales and marketing at sentatives of the Macomb County De- the company. ready started pursuing work in the partment of Planning and Economic aeronautics and medical device in- Active Tools leases about 3,000 Development and the Michigan Boat- square feet of office space less than Vanpooling dustries, but hopes to add 53 new ing Industries Association. employees within the next three to a mile from the new site. The move The Lake St. Clair Initiative, in- will allow the company to add Green. Simple. Sustainable. five years. The company currently corporated last October, hopes to has 92 employees. some warehousing and packaging use the Web site along with promo- functions to its U.S. operation, and The Michigan Supplier Diversi- tional events and other programs fication Fund, created in May, expand its current staff of six to to foster business development on more than 10 by year’s end. aims to remedy the lack of financ- or near the lake. No URL address ing available for the state’s strug- The company relocation is one 1.800.Van.Ride is selected as yet for the new site, of 14 business-attraction or expan- gling auto suppliers. The fund of- Remias said. www.MichiVan.com/GREEN fers money toward loans for sion deals within Rochester Hills “But even if you Google local since January according to a state- suppliers, reducing the cost of ser- boat companies, or places to rent a vicing the loans. ment from Mayor Bryan Barnett. Jet Ski- style watercraft, you can’t — Chad Halcom always find them,” Remias said. Remias said the initiative will try to foster both tourist attraction Pentastar adds jet to fleet and related businesses on the lake, Pentastar Aviation L.L.C., which such as personal watercraft and caters to upscale corporate avia- parasailing operations, and recre- tion at Oakland County International ational boating. Later, some gener- Airport, has added a leased small- al business development will fol- cabin jet to its fleet. low in communities along the lake. The jet, which carries six passen- — Chad Halcom gers, was leased because corporate customers are asking for scaled- Business forum in Detroit Aug. 27 down options, Pentastar said. The Premier 1A business jet Detroit’s Office of Targeted Busi- from Wichita, Kan.-based aircraft ness Development will hold on Aug. manufacturer Hawker Beechcraft 27 its fourth annual Business Con- Corp. is in the process of being cer- nection Forum, which will offer tified for charter use, Pentastar Detroit-based businesses the said in a news release. chance to learn about business de- Pentastar, owned by Edsel Ford velopment in the city. II, provides aircraft management The day will include sessions on services, maintenance, crews and growth and development, network- hangar storage. ing opportunities and an introduc- The Premier 1A has a range of tion to representatives from the 1,500 miles and travels at 517 mph. city’s Purchasing Division, Human — Bill Shea

BANKRUPTCIES The following businesses filed for Drive, Farmington Hills, voluntary Chapter 7 or 11 protection in U.S. Chapter 7. Assets and liabilities not Bankruptcy Court in Detroit July 24- available. 30. Under Chapter 11, a company files Howard Pingston Co., 13645 Haggerty for reorganization. Chapter 7 involves Road, Dearborn, voluntary Chapter 7. total liquidation. Assets and liabilities not available. Beel Automotive L.L.C., 5255 Tillman Premier Investment Group, 34701 E. St., Detroit, voluntary Chapter 7. As- Wilma Court, Chesterfield Township, sets: $0; liabilities: $146,961. voluntary Chapter 11. Assets: $555,100; Executive Quick Serve Inc., dba EQS liabilities: $735,200. Logistics, 36778 Kenmore Drive, Farmington Hills, voluntary Chapter Romeo Montessori School Associa- 7. Assets and liabilities not available. tion Inc., 275 E. Gates St., Romeo, voluntary Chapter 7. Assets and liabili- Freedom Transportation Group Inc., ties not available. dba Freedom Brokerage & Logistics, Revolution Transport, 36778 Kenmore — Dustin Walsh 20090803-NEWS--0019-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 7/31/2009 4:36 PM Page 1

August 3, 2009 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 19 Lutz pushes for product-driven, viral marketing Bailey:

BY JAMIE LAREAU Chris Preuss, head of public rela- lighting. clear direction for all campaigns. PR firm CRAIN NEWS SERVICE tions; Betsy Lazar, GM’s executive “That is so unprofessional,” he And if after months an agency still director of advertising and media said. “I say: ‘Who the hell did the fails to deliver memorable adver- Six months from now, Bob Lutz operations; and a top finance exec- visual on this ad?’ I’m told: ‘Well, it tising, he said, he will put the ac- acquired says, “If GM ads look the same as utive. had to be fast, and we had to use count up for review. they did six months ago, then Mark LaNeve had been GM’s stuff off the shelf.’ The agencies are not talking. ■ From Page 3 somebody really needs to ask, marketing chief since 2005 as vice “Ed Welburn’s guys can do com- “That is not something we’ll be ‘Why is Lutz here?’ ” president of vehicle sales, service puter graphic photographs where willing to comment on because of Word of the deal had been The 77-year-old vice chairman and marketing. LaNeve retains re- every vehicle is at the same angle, our relationship with GM,” said percolating recently, and it wants to “recapture the attention sponsibility for GM’s U.S. sales. on the same plane, at the right Mark Benner, spokesman for drew praise on Friday from of the American public” and said “We have to move fast, and we scale. That’s not rocket science.” Campbell-Ewald, which handles some local PR insiders. ad agencies that don’t come have to move powerfully because In GM’s product-development Chevrolet advertising. “John’s always been a class through will be put up for review. we’re coming from behind,” Lutz culture, Lutz empowered design. Lutz has big ideas for viral ad- act, and it sounds like a good Lutz said he has begun a “major said. “We have this obstacle to Now he is pushing the vehicle styl- vertising, which uses social net- move for the revamp” since July 10, when he re- overcome called negative percep- ists into new frontiers. works to boost brand awareness. organiza- versed plans to retire and instead tion.” “Designers are going to have “We will be doing a whole lot tion,” said took charge General Motors Co.’s After leading GM’s global prod- their fingers in everything,” he more with the social media and Don Tanner, marketing and communications. uct-development effort for eight said. “Ed has been one of the with Web page stuff,” he said, “in- co-founder of GM will: years, Lutz is back where he start- sharpest critics on how our vehi- cluding clever YouTube stuff Farmington Ⅲ Change the way it works with ed 40 years ago at Opel in Germany cles are presented in ads.” that’s good enough to where it gets Hills-based its agencies. Lutz will take an ear- — in the world of ads and brand The weekly strategy meetings passed on.” Tanner Fried- ly and active role in dictating the management. He is bringing with will aim at reaching consensus on Lutz cited a GM video that fea- man Strategic creative work. him his passion for product de- GM’s message and deciding the tures the Corvette ZR1 at Ger- Communica- Ⅲ Shift to more product-driven sign. best way to get it out. many’s famous Nürburgring race tions. Tanner advertising. Also sitting in on Lutz’s weekly “Getting that message out would track. A camera is mounted in the “There’s great name and brand Ⅲ Give vehicle designers a pow- “advertising and communications take $350 million if we try to do it car’s cockpit as the ZR1 zips equity in John Bailey. Their ap- erful influence over the look of strategy meeting” will be Bryan through paid advertising,” Lutz around the track at well over 100 proach to this transaction is the GM’s advertising. Nesbitt. Nesbitt had been GM’s said. “But if we give Chris Preuss mph. Lutz said that video was ex- right way to go.” Ⅲ Develop viral ad campaigns chief of North American design be- $25 million, he can do such and tensively downloaded and for- Lambert said the deal is an that rampage through the Inter- fore being tapped last month to such a thing. In the past, that’s warded. example of continued efforts in net. “It’s got to be a funny story; run Cadillac. never been possible.” Lutz has challenged GM’s adver- the business community to link it’s got to be humorous; it’s got to “Design guys know good illus- Another big change: Lutz plans tising agencies to come up with vi- the opposite sides of the state. be unexpected,” Lutz said. trations, and they know good com- to take a hands-on role with ad ral ideas to recharge marketing. “This is another east meets Ⅲ Conduct high-level weekly position,” Lutz said. agencies. In the past, he said, most Whatever it is, he said, he won’t west kind of thing,” Lambert meetings to decide budgets and He also said he is often frustrat- top-level GM executives never saw play it safe. said. “We think Michigan has a spark marketing ideas. The meet- ed by print ads in which vehicles an advertising campaign before it “Safe stuff just doesn’t break lot of potential.” ings will include brand leaders; Ed have been photographed at unat- ran. through,” Lutz said. Bill Shea: (313) 446-1626, Welburn, the global design chief; tractive angles and with the wrong Lutz promises to give agencies From Automotive News [email protected]

Campbell-Ewald: Will advertising firm keep Chevrolet account? ■ From Page 3

ing is sacred: GM stripped Buick because the company is basically SUV amid the bankruptcy process. from the local McCann Erickson CHEVROLET AD SPENDING starting from scratch after 40 days The Chevy Cruze sedan advertis- Worldwide office (which had it for Here’s a breakdown on General Motors’ advertising spending on Chevrolet in Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and being, slated for mid-2010, will be the 50 years) two years ago and sent it by media, including the first six months of 2009. cause Lutz made his displeasure first full post-bankruptcy cam- to the Troy office of Chicago ad gi- clear over the current campaigns paign for GM and Campbell- ant Leo Burnett, which lost Cadillac for the remaining four brands. Ewald, Rhadigan said. Medium 2009* 2008 2007 in 2006 to an out-of-town agency During bankruptcy, the carmak- Meanwhile, C-E continues to cast and will lose Pontiac next year to TV $116.3 million $429.3 million $391 million er was permitted by the federal about for major non-automotive oblivion. Radio $789,000 $14 million $24.9 million government’s Auto Task Force to work that could supplant Chevy as Nothing has been said to indi- have an ad budget of between $40 its largest client. This spring it re- cate that Campbell-Ewald could Outdoor $92,000 $7.6 million $11.1 million million and $50 million. That pales tained, for the third time, the U.S. lose Chevy, something that would Internet $10.1 million $88.8 million $64.7 million in comparison to the past — GM Navy recruiting account, worth $806 send shockwaves throughout the spent more than $2.1 billion on ad- million over five years, but failed to Magazine $22.3 million $177.8 million $160.3 million ad industry, but agencies that vertising in 2008, making it the na- land San Francisco-based clothing can’t show results eventually will Newspaper $43.8 million $77.8 million $57.3 million tion’s fourth-largest advertiser. retailer Gap Inc.’s holiday work, get reviewed, Lutz told Crain’s sis- Total $193.4 million $795.3 million $709.3 million Because U.S. taxpayers own 60 which sources close to the pitch ter publication Automotive News percent of GM, the automaker and said would have become C-E’s (see story above). its advertising agencies are going largest single account. *First quarter GM spent nearly $800 million on to be under heavy scrutiny. Other major clients include All- Note: The totals include spending on agencies that handle ethnic and Chevy ads last year, much of “With the government dollars tel Wireless, Buffalo Wild Wings, specialized advertising, but the bulk is spent on Campbell-Ewald. which went to C-E, making it the and oversight at both GM and health care provider Kaiser Perma- agency’s largest client. Source: TNS Media Intelligence Chrysler, both are going to be un- nente, insurance giant USAA, the If GM’s first-quarter ad spend- der multiple microscopes — from U.S. Mint and U.S. Postal Service. ing pace continues at the same rate the government to the taxpayers Campbell-Ewald, which has for the entire year, it will spend ment to GM. client, reportedly generating an es- (read car buyers) to the UAW — in about 1,100 employees and offices $774 million on Chevy advertising Not all of that $700-plus million timated 5 percent of IPG’s $6.9 bil- everything they do, and every- in several countries, ranked third in 2009. That’s down from last spent last year on Chevy went to lion revenue last year. thing they do will be second- in overall revenue ($239 million) year’s $795.5 million but up from Campbell-Ewald. Some spending GM’s bankruptcy filings showed guessed even more than usual,” among metro Detroit advertising 2007’s $709 million. goes to specialized agencies, such it has $16 million in unpaid IPG-re- Liebler said. and marketing agencies in the an- Because of myriad unknown fac- as for ethnic marketing, and some lated bills. However, that was a far Whatever GM spends on Chevy, nual Crain’s Book of Lists. It tors and the company’s fresh start, for media buying. cry from what it owed media buyer it will be money spent on a line ranked as the 23rd-largest U.S. it’s impossible to project what the Campbell-Ewald — founded in Starcom MediaVest Group: $121 mil- that’s producing a lot fewer vehi- agency, down from 14th a year ago, spending might be. But logic says 1911 by Frank Campbell and Henry lion. cles. according to Advertising Age. GM will spend more on Chevy be- Ewald — has generated memo- During Chapter 11, GM shed $40 Through the first six months of That revenue ranking depends cause other brands are gone. rable Chevy campaigns over the billion in debt and created further 2009, GM built 593,618 Chevy cars in part on auto spending, and “When you have just four years, including “See the U.S.A. in savings by cutting brands and and trucks, a decline from 958,540 Chevy is GM’s most pivotal ac- brands instead of eight, it’s true Your Chevrolet,” “Baseball, Hot jobs, and closing factories and from the same period a year ago, count; so while all the agencies are that those four brands will be pro- Dogs, Apple Pie and Chevrolet,” dealerships. However, it’s unclear according to data from Automotive under pressure, it’s especially vided more marketing dollars,” “Heartbeat of America” and “Like what deals were reached with the News. Chevy’s market share acute in Warren, the blogger De- said Terry Rhadigan, GM’s direc- a Rock.” ad agencies — GM won’t talk dropped to 12.3 percent from 12.9 Lorenzo said. tor, North American product com- The agency is owned by New specifics and the agencies won’t, percent in that time. “As Chevrolet goes, so goes munications. York City-based advertising con- either. GM and Campbell-Ewald GM,” he said. He declined to offer specifics. glomerate Interpublic Group of Cos., It’s too soon to say how much launched the new campaign for Bill Shea: (313) 446-1626, Campbell-Ewald deferred all com- and GM is IPG’s No. 1 worldwide GM will spend on its advertising the 2010 Chevy Equinox midsize [email protected] 20090803-NEWS--0020-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 7/31/2009 4:55 PM Page 1

Page 20 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS August 3, 2009 Greektown: Casino increases market share by focusing on value ■ From Page 1 As a result, all of the advertising ZIP codes or broad demographic owner of the MotorCity Casino. cent compared to MotorCity’s 34.6 job in promoting itself and using a and marketing has focused strictly groups for their marketing,” Gros “Greektown wasn’t being run and Greektown’s 21.1. discounting strategy. on prices: a buffet for $9.99, or a ho- said. “Randy has been noticed in properly, because the manage- One year later, MGM had 40 per- But it may not last, she said. tel room for $99. the industry for being able to inter- ment was doing the right things, cent, MotorCity, 33.7, and Greek- “We get it, right now people are Internally, Fine said his team pret that data in ways that it has but the ownership wasn’t giving town climbed to 26.4. looking to stretch a dollar, and has worked closely with staff mem- never been interpreted before. So them the tools,” said Celani. “While market share is an im- we’ve added promotions to offer val- bers to get them engaged in the the casinos aren’t just throwing “Greektown has the best location portant factor, profitability is the ue during a recession,” Cohen said. turnaround, holding employee ral- money out there, they are target- of the three casinos. It should nev- true measure of success,” said “Greektown is doing a great job of lies three times every month. ing the individual players and can er have been at 22 (percent market Yvette Monet, public affairs man- promoting that property. But I have But one of the major compo- know that they will be profitable. share), and it has deserved 33 per- ager for Las Vegas-based MGM Mi- my doubts of whether that is a sus- nents of the revenue increase has “He’s developed marketing into cent all along.” rage, a partner in MGM Grand De- tainable, long-term strategy.” been the database marketing for more of a science than an art form.” Celani has been one of six par- troit. “MGM Detroit is primarily She said the approach at Mo- which Fine’s firm is becoming ties to make an offer to purchase focused on the service and value torCity is to continue making im- known for in the casino industry. Nowhere to go but up the casino during the bankruptcy provided to our provements to the process. guests, as well property as a long- Working the data Harvey Perkins, a senior vice Last week, he filed a plan of re- as our opera- I have my doubts term presence in president at Spectrum Gaming Group, organization as an alternative to tional “ Detroit. Through the use of “Club Greek- a Linwood, N.J.-based casino con- the reorganization plan crafted by effi- of whether that “We’re investing town” cards, the casino collects and sulting and turnaround firm, said the restructuring team. The re- cien- in customer ser- maintains detailed information on he expects Fine to have focused on structuring team’s plan calls for cy.” is a vice and replacing gamblers. After an- “vigorous data- ownership of the casino to be giv- Ac- components, such alyzing thousands base marketing.” en to a group of secured creditors cord- sustainable, as all the carpet,” of market seg- You know what? “That’s their who remain undisclosed. ing to she said. “There ments, Fine’s team “ specialty,” he Under Celani’s plan, he and pri- infor- long-term are things that you crafts incentives The nicest casino in said. vate-equity partner Plainfield Asset ma- strategy. do when you are geared toward spe- But while in- Management L.L.C. will offer $450 tion ” not in bankruptcy cific groups based Detroit is one mile troducing a new million in cash, debt and equity to pro- or up for sale. We’ll Rhonda Cohen, MotorCity on factors such as culture, a new acquire a 30-percent stake in the vided by MGM, have the same own- behavior, gam- away, it’s not this image and new casino and acquire additional eq- EBITDA for the ership down the road, and so we’re bling preferences marketing tech- uity if secured lenders do not wish first quarter of 2009 was $40.6 mil- geared towards making sure the and distance from niques can show to have an ownership stake. lion, up from $34.4 million during one. ... A value for customer has the best possible ex- the casino. results at a casi- the same period in 2008. EBITDA perience.” The goal: Target regular folks is no in the first 12 stands for earnings before inter- Fine said Greektown is picking customers who months, Perkins Performance est, taxes, depreciation and amor- up momentum and expects the are considered what we’re going said sustaining In the first six months of 2009, tization. property to continue taking mar- “more profitable” such results long- Greektown has increased revenue Monthly EBITDA at Greektown ket share. than others and after. term becomes a on a year-over-year basis in Febru- has ranged near $2 million since “In the end, isn’t it great that we spend marketing ” greater chal- ary, April, May and June. the casino entered bankruptcy, can be talking about how much dollars on those Randall Fine, The Fine Point Group lenge. By comparison, MGM showed a said Charles Moore, senior manag- who will bring “After 12 year-over-year increase only in ing director at Conway, MacKen- more market share this property more revenue for the company. months, it’s harder to show growth February. MotorCity showed a zie & Dunleavy. will take and whether it will catch In the casino industry, The Fine on a year-over-year basis,” he said. year-over-year increase in Febru- Numbers from May, the most re- up to MotorCity?” he said. “This is Point group has become known for “You’re bringing your customers ary and March. cent available, filed in bankruptcy a property that went into bank- crafting the right equation to tar- back, but you have to treat them to For the entire city of Detroit, court show EBITDA of $6.1 million. ruptcy and there were questions get profitable gamblers, said Roger better service than the competi- gaming revenue has been down However, with all restructuring about its future. Gros, publisher of trade publica- tors. You also have competitors year over year every month except costs, depreciation, amortization “There’s a sense at this property tion Global Gaming Business. who want their market share back February. and interest included, the opera- right now, and the employees and As an executive at Harrah’s Casino and will respond.” Market share has increased tion shows a net loss of $916,000. the customers get it. Everyone Hotels, Gros said, Fine developed a One reason that Greektown’s steadily each month at Greektown. wants to be part of a winning team, state-of-the-art rewards program numbers look so good is that the The increases have come mostly and that’s what they feel like we and has been bringing his ideas to Fine Point Group was “starting from MGM, and from MotorCity Will it last? are.” other properties since then. from zero,” said Tom Celani, a casi- Casino to a smaller extent. MotorCity COO Rhonda Cohen Daniel Duggan: (313) 446-0414, “In the past, casinos have used no investor who was at one time an In June 2008, MGM had 44.3 per- agreed Greektown is doing a great [email protected] Foundation: DPS hopes to announce organization’s CEO soon ■ From Page 1 school system, pre-K through 12, board who has been there and Such a foundation — independent but in fact we’re a major educa- done this before,” Bobb said. from the DPS and run by a tried- tional institution, and we have to “This is not something where we The district will have to be able to entice a and-true fundraiser — could prove function in that way from a busi- can hire a rookie off the street — we “ to be a catalyst for additional invest- ness standpoint,” Bobb said. need to go out and find someone really strong person in terms of experience ment in DPS activities by philan- Initial funding for the founda- who is a veteran at doing these thropic bodies that have been his- tion is already lined up. Major things, who cares passionately but also credibility, respect and community torically reluctant, Goss said. grants from an individual, a large about the Detroit Public Schools “I think there will be private corporation and DPS seed money and understands the foundation influence. ... donors, foundations and others will serve as the initial funding world, understands the donor ” who would be interested in invest- pool, totaling several million dol- world, understands how to build an Carol Goss, Skillman Foundation ing in (the DPS Foundation) — but lars, said Steve Wasko, DPS chief infrastructure and work with an in- they would not be able or willing communications officer. He de- dependent board, separate from foundation, according to its 2003 tion’s purpose was described as be- to invest directly in DPS,” she clined to name the donors. DPS, to really make this happen.” annual report filed with the state. ing “to assist the Detroit Public said. “I think the foundation pro- The foundation would also act Crain’s has learned that the LeRoy Richie, of counsel with Schools by providing a secure vides the right vehicle to invest in as an umbrella organization for school district has approached Detroit-based Lewis and Munday P.C. source of private funds necessary the district.” district alumni outreach efforts, Chacona Johnson, retired chief of and former general counsel with to insure that the Detroit Public A potential sign of easing reluc- coordinating the many alumni as- staff to University of Michigan Presi- then-Chrysler Corp., was listed as Schools may achieve its education- tance to invest in the DPS, Goss not- sociations of individual schools dent Mary Sue Coleman and UM the foundation’s president in the al objectives for the benefit of its ed, is the help provided to Bobb’s within the district, Bobb said. associate vice president for devel- 2003 report. Richie did not respond students, their parents, its employ- turnaround team from the Los An- The district is hoping to an- opment. The status of the discus- to phone calls from Crain’s placed ees and the community at large.” geles-based Eli Broad Foundation. nounce soon the foundation’s sions is unclear. Wednesday and Thursday seeking In order to attract funding in a “The Broad Foundation two CEO, who will be given the task of Johnson joined UM in 1987, comment. meaningful way, “the district will years ago told us they’d never establishing the organizational spent 20 years there before retir- Jerome Watson, principal and have to be able to entice a really come here — and now they are in- structure and hire key personnel ing, and previously had held posi- managing director of Miller, Can- strong person in terms of experi- vesting,” Goss said. “They invest- for the foundation, Wasko said. tions at New Detroit Inc., among oth- field, Paddock and Stone P.L.C., was ence but also credibility, respect ed in the plan Bobb is bringing for- DPS is looking for someone with ers, and as a consultant to the listed as the group’s treasurer. He and community influence or the ward in terms of the financial a track record of experience and Hudson-Webber Foundation. declined to comment, saying he (foundation) won’t have the credi- turnaround.” success whose stewardship would The makeup of the foundation’s has not been involved in the recent bility needed to attract donations,” Ryan Beene: (313) 446-0315, be trusted by potential donors. board is unclear, but at least two activity. said Carol Goss, president of the [email protected]. Sherri Begin “We want to bring someone on local attorneys helped launch the In the 2003 report, the founda- Detroit-based Skillman Foundation. Welch contributed to this report. 20090803-NEWS--0021-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 7/31/2009 4:37 PM Page 1

August 3, 2009 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 21

Blues: Higher claims may bring higher premiums www.crainsdetroit.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Keith E. Crain ■ From Page 1 PUBLISHER Mary Kramer, (313) 446-0399 or [email protected] Mike Nixon, be revenue-neutral for the Blues’ change for these groups over the HMO because they are lower cost EXECUTIVE EDITOR Cindy Goodaker, (313) 446- 0460 or [email protected] president of 200 clients in the 51-99 employee 1½-year period was approximately than preferred provider organiza- MANAGING EDITOR Andy Chapelle, (313) 446- AGIS, a Birming- category. the same as the rate change for tion-type benefit plans, McLaugh- 0402 or [email protected] ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR/FOCUS Jennette ham group “Some companies will benefit groups with 100 or more employ- lan said. Smith, (313) 446-1622 or [email protected] health plan con- from it and some won’t,” Lyon ees that had always been written One positive effect of Blue BUSINESS LIVES EDITOR Michelle Darwish, (313) sultant and said. “If you have bad experience under the (experience rating sys- Cross’ new plan is that small 446-1621 or [email protected] COPY DESK CHIEF Gary Piatek, (313) 446-0357 agency, said the (high claims), you will pay more.” tem),” said Joan Moiles, OFIR’s groups now will receive claims or [email protected] new pricing sys- Lyon said about 50 SBAM mem- deputy commissioner of health data information. ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR Jeff Johnston, (313) 446-1608 or [email protected] tem will allow bers are insured through Blue plans, in a Jan. 30 letter to Blue “This will help them decide DATA EDITOR Anne Marks, (313) 446-0418 or the company to Cross. Cross. whether to look at self-funding [email protected] WEB GENERAL MANAGER Alan Baker, (313) 446- become more Nixon Christine Farah, Blue Cross vice To minimize the rate impact on (health benefits),” McLaughlan 0416 or [email protected] competitive president of small and medium small groups, OFIR said Blue said. WEB EDITOR Christine Lasek, (313) 446-0473, with other health insurers. group sales, said Blue Cross has Cross has put in place “a stop-loss [email protected] Blue Cross hasn’t provided WEB DESIGNER/PRODUCER Ai-Ting Huang, (313) “If you have 75 employees and not yet analyzed the impact on its attachment point that would apply smaller groups with claims data 446-0403, [email protected] your group is healthy, (other 200 small-company clients. on a per-claim basis that would EDITORIAL SUPPORT Robertta Reiff (313) 446- for several reasons, McLaughlan 0419, YahNica Crawford, (313) 446-0329 health insurers) can steal those “This allows minimize the rate impact.” said. NEWSROOM (313) 446-0329, FAX (313) 446- groups from the Blues by offering us to offer em- Farah said the stop-loss provi- “They didn’t collect the data be- 1687 TIP LINE (313) 446-6766 lower prices,” Nixon said. “If you ployers more ap- sion works like this: If a small cause they didn’t use it for pricing REPORTERS have an unhealthy group, you propriate pric- company has claims greater than purposes and they did not want to Ryan Beene: Covers auto suppliers, steel, higher would stay with Blue Cross. Over ing,” Farah $50,000, Blue Cross does not count education. (313) 446-0315 or [email protected] give groups the information be- Daniel Duggan: Covers retail, real estate and the years, this has hurt Blue Cross said. “Employ- claims above that amount when cause they could use it to go get a hospitality. (313) 446-0414 or [email protected] because they were left with the bad ers have a direct calculating premiums. better deal,” McLaughlan said. risks.” impact on the Nixon said Blue Cross has told Jay Greene: Covers health care, insurance and the Farah said most other health in- environment. (313) 446-0325 or Nixon said he does not believe rates they re- agents that October and Novem- [email protected]. surers use claims experience as a more groups will end up paying ceive. Our rates ber renewals will go out in Au- Chad Halcom: Covers law, non-automotive factor in setting premiums. manufacturing, defense contracting and Oakland more for health insurance because are guaranteed gust, giving the companies about “They also use health status, and Macomb counties. (313) 446-6796 or Blue Cross has told agents the new for 12 months.” Farah 45 days to decide. Most renewals [email protected]. and Blue Cross does not,” Farah Tom Henderson: Covers banking, finance, program is expected to be revenue Farah said small-employer rates will be mailed out this fall for Jan- said. “This (new experience rating technology and biotechnology. (313) 446-0337 or neutral. now are based on several factors, uary. [email protected]. However, including claims experience, but “We would like Blue Cross to get system) brings us closer but not on Nancy Kaffer: Covers small business, the city of a complete par with the competi- Detroit, Wayne County government. (313) 446- Nixon said it is also geographic location, average out the rates sooner so we have 0412 or [email protected]. impossible to ages of employees and type of in- time to consult with our clients be- tors.” Bill Shea: Covers media, advertising and Farah said the renewal prices marketing, entertainment, the business of sports, know the over- dustry. cause they don’t know if their and transportation. (313) 446-1626 or all pricing im- In 2006, the Michigan Office of Fi- rates are going up or down,” Nixon will be price competitive with oth- [email protected]. pact without nancial and Insurance Regulation ap- said. “It is more likely that a com- er insurers. Nathan Skid: Multimedia reporter. Also covers the “It is not our intention to lose food industry. (313) 446-1654, [email protected]. seeing claims proved a pilot project to allow Blue pany will shop around if they have Sherri Begin Welch: Covers nonprofits and data on each Cross to factor into its pricing a 40 percent rate increase than a 10 customers,” Farah said. “Blue services. (313) 446-1694 or [email protected] company. structure the claims experience of percent hike.” Cross and account managers will LANSING BUREAU Scott Lyon, new small-business customers. McLaughlan said she doesn’t be- try and meet their health care Amy Lane: Covers business issues at the Capitol, Lyon telecommunications and utilities. (517) 371- vice president The pilot ran from Jan. 1, 2007, to lieve many of McGraw Went- needs. I am very confident that 5355, FAX (517) 371-2492, [email protected]. or for small business services with Dec. 31, 2008. worth’s clients with Blue Cross with our (new wellness plan) de- 115 W. Allegan, Suite 220, Lansing 48933. the Small Business Association of Last year, OFIR approved an ex- will decide to terminate their signs we will retain more of our ADVERTISING Michigan, also said SBAM was told tension of the program for con- health benefits programs. business.” ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Marla Downs, (313) by Blue Cross that the new experi- tracts coming up for renewal. One option is for an employer Jay Greene: (313) 446-0325, 446-6032 or [email protected] SALES INQUIRIES: (313) 446-6052; FAX (313) ence rating system program would “It was determined that the rate with high claims to choose an [email protected] 393-0997 ADVERTISING SALES Jeff Anderson, Matthew J. Langan, Lori Tournay Liggett, Tamara Rokowski, Kimberly Ronan, Dale Smolinski CLASSIFIED SALES (313)-446-0351 MARKETING MANAGER Irma Clark EVENTS MANAGER Nicole LaPointe Oshkosh: MARKETING ARTIST Sylvia Kolaski M-ATV win changes defense playing field SALES SUPPORT Suzanne Janik, YahNica Crawford ■ From Page 3 CIRCULATION Candice Yopp, Manager. MARKETING COORDINATOR Kim Winkler growth and supply contracts in troit operations for Oshkosh, said investment analyst at Barrington those positions in Michigan,” he PRODUCTION MANAGER Wendy Kobylarz PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR Larry Williams, Southeast Michigan could prove the local office is predominantly Research Co. in Chicago. “And said. “One of Michigan’s advan- (313) 446-0301 fairly limited compared with other involved in engineering support when you look at all the other com- tages is the tremendous availabili- areas. work on company projects, and it petitors in that project like BAE ty of talent.” CUSTOMER SERVICE MAIN NUMBER: Call (888) 909-9111 or write Oshkosh (NYSE: OSK), which could add up to half a dozen more and Navistar and Force Protec- Hove himself is another asset [email protected] maintains a modest engineering employees without needing to action, you also have to consider Oshkosh recently acquired from SUBSCRIPTIONS $59 one year, $98 two years. Out of state, $79 one year, $138 for two years. and business development staff quire more office space. The who didn’t win.” BAE — he was vice president of Outside U.S.A., add $48 per year to out-of-state near Tacom in Warren, announced Southfield office of staffing firm Liptak gave Oshkosh an “out- Combat Systems Programs and rate for surface mail. Call (313) 446-0450 or (888) 909-9111. in mid-July it would hire 300-500 Aerotek International is Oshkosh’s perform” rating in July following had overseen some Michigan pro- SINGLE COPIES: (888) 909-9111. employees and was recalling anoth- employment representative in the M-ATV decision, and Steve jects for the company until REPRINTS: (800) 290-5460, ext. 125; (717) 399- 1900, ext. 125; or ashley.zander@theygsgroup er 550-650 to support production on Michigan, he said. Barger of KeyBanc Capital Markets Oshkosh hired him as defense .com. the M-ATV. The first M-ATVs are The M-ATV win is something of Inc. in Cleveland upgraded president in March. He also said TO FIND A DATE A STORY WAS PUBLISHED: expected to ship by this week. a coup for Oshkosh, which had Oshkosh to “buy” after the deci- the company is considering a (313) 446-0367 or e-mail [email protected]. But Andy Hove, executive vice produced only 104 units of its pre- sion and called M-ATV a “game move to re-enter the next phase of CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS IS PUBLISHED BY president of decessor, the conventional Mine changer” for the parent company. the bidding process late next year CRAIN COMMUNICATIONS INC. CHAIRMAN Keith E. Crain Oshkosh Corp. Resistant Ambush Protected vehi- Hove said Oshkosh could do on the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle PRESIDENT Rance Crain and president of cle used heavily in Iraq. The mili- more hiring in Michigan if the com- project, a $15 billion-$30 billion ve- SECRETARY Merrilee Crain Oshkosh Defense, tary had ordered roughly 15,000 pany succeeds at winning another hicle fleet project for which TREASURER Mary Kay Crain Executive Vice President/Operations said most of the MRAP units by the time produc- BAE Army contract, the Family of Oshkosh was a losing bidder to William A. Morrow hiring will be tion wrapped earlier this year, Medium Tactical Vehicles fleet of BAE and GDLS last year. Group Vice President/Technology, Manufacturing, Circulation production with 6,444 coming from rival bid- heavy trucks and trailers. BAE cur- Hove said the recent bid competi- Robert C. Adams work in Wiscon- ders Navistar International Corp. and rently has a bridge contract run- tion is not related to his change of Vice President/Production & Manufacturing Dave Kamis sin and Pennsyl- nearly 5,000 from BAE Systems. ning through next year for FMTV, occupation, or part of any Oshkosh Corporate Director/Circulation vania, and that Also losing out on M-ATV was but faces a competitive bid with strategy to gain vehicle market Patrick Sheposh only 30 at most Sterling Heights-based General Dy- Oshkosh on a subsequent rebuy share by muscling in on BAE. G.D. Crain Jr. Founder (1885-1973) Hove Mrs. G.D. Crain Jr. Chairman (1911-1996) could come to namics Land Systems, which had contract, which the Army expects Kelly Golden, media relations EDITORIAL & BUSINESS OFFICES: Southeast Michigan. The company formed a joint venture with Lad- to award sometime between late manager for BAE, agreed and said 1155 Gratiot Ave., Detroit MI 48207-2732; (313) 446-6000 also estimates that six to eight son, S.C.-based Force Protection In- this month and October. competition is the norm in the de- Cable address: TWX 248-221-5122 AUTNEW DET Michigan companies will be part dustries to compete for the project. Hove estimates winning FMTV fense industry. CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS ISSN # 0882-1992 is published weekly, except for the first week of of the M-ATV supply chain and BAE has located its Heavy Brigade would generate at least 100-200 addi- “We are competing with any July, the fifth week of August, the fourth week of November, the third week of December and a add another 57 indirect jobs. Combat Team unit in Sterling tional jobs, and much of that work number of companies on most of special issue the fourth week of August by Crain “There are 20-30 or so positions Heights, but was not handling could be in Southeast Michigan. our contract bids, and we frequent- Communications Inc. at 1155 Gratiot Ave., Detroit MI 48207-2732. Periodicals postage paid at Detroit, we’re in the process of filling that MRAPs or M-ATV work here. “If we are fortunate enough to be ly bid against the same companies. MI and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to CRAIN’S DETROIT fall into those categories, coming “Oshkosh really wins in the M- awarded the FMTV (rebuy) pro- And we also partner with these BUSINESS, Circulation Department, P.O. Box 07925, Detroit, MI 48207-9732. GST # out of M-ATV. But there’s a bit of ATV outcome. It’s sort of like the gram, that will require some engi- same companies and cooperate 136760444. Printed in U.S.A. overlap in hiring between Michi- company taking in a $3 billion pok- neering work to support taking with them on other systems.” Entire contents copyright 2009 by Crain Communications Inc. All rights reserved. gan and elsewhere,” he said. er pot from the table,” said Walter over the project, and we are look- Chad Halcom: (313) 446-6796, Reproduction or use of editorial content in any Mark Drouillard, director of De- Liptak, vice president and senior ing at putting a greater number of [email protected] manner without permission is strictly prohibited. 20090803-NEWS--0022-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 7/31/2009 5:49 PM Page 1

Page 22 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS August 3, 2009 RUMBLINGS WEEK ON THE WEB FROM WWW.CRAINSDETROIT.COM, WEEK OF JULY 25-31

field Hills, and in theaters private company owned by A survey conducted by in Chicago and San Francis- 2010 Belle Isle lenders. Delphi expects to the Michigan Lodging & co later in the month. make the exit between Tourism Association said that Festival gives “Ocean of Pearls” is a sto- Aug. 31 and Sept. 30. of those businesses that ry of a Sikh transplant sur- Grand Prix Flagstar Bancorp Inc. track visitors’ point of ori- geon who (NYSE: FBC) executives gin, 59 percent reported an moves to said the bank plans to close increase in out-of-state visi- Detroit to postponed up to nine of its small de- tors over last summer. thanks to work for a posit base branches by the AAA Michigan an- teaching ext year’s Detroit end of the year. nounced it plans to lay off hospital Belle Isle Grand Prix Penske Automotive 142 employees in Southeast and faces N has been postponed Group (NYSE: PAG) plans to Michigan and another 180 issues re- because of the troubled lo- complete a deal to buy Sat- in the five other states in carmakers lated to cal and state economy. urn from General Motors Co. the Auto Club Group region. his faith “With the continuing by the end of September, inancial troubles are Only one other candidate Neelam Madison Heights and and career. economic challenges faced Reuters reported. turning out to be a for the Detroit City Council Ferndale joined Roseville, Neelam, who has lived in by the region, officials J.P. Morgan Chase Bank F boon to Detroit’s au- scored a contribution from Lincoln Park and Farming- Michigan for 25 years, took have postponed the event and Bank of America have tomakers in at least one Comerica — the PAC re- ton Hills in the Southeast filmmaking classes several for next year with the hope given Detroit-based Ameri- area — free sponsorships. ported a $1,000 donation to Michigan Regional Energy Of- years ago to fulfill a child- of bringing back the De- can Axle & Manufacturing The Arts, Beats & Eats fes- former Fox anchor and re- fice, formed a year ago to hood desire to make movies. troit Belle Isle Grand Prix Holdings Inc. (NYSE: AXL) tival said it plans to provide porter Charles Pugh. help municipalities become He practices at St. John Ma- in 2011,” organizers said in until Aug. 20 to work out free sponsorships and ex- The Quicken Loans Inc. PAC more energy efficient. comb Hospital in Warren and a statement. new terms of a credit agree- hibit space worth $50,000 contributed $1,000 each to Detroit City Council ap- William Beaumont Hospital in The Labor Day weekend ment, the Detroit Free Press each to the carmakers for Bing and Cockrel. proved a 10 percent pay cut Troy. race was canceled this year reported. this year’s Labor Day week- Bing received $15,000 for nonunion employees for the same reason. Universal Truckload Ser- end festival. from the Miller Canfield PAC, Tuesday in a 4-3 vote. Em- vices Inc. (Nasdaq: UACL) Oakland County, WWJ 950 $5,000 of it reported before ployees of the executive Effort to save Eccentric said it has bought some as- AM and WDIV-Channel 4 do- the May 5 special election, and legislative branches ON THE MOVE sets of DeSoto, Texas-based nated their display space to in which Bing defeated newspaper gains ground will take 26 days off with- Jitendra Doshi has been heavy-hauling trucking make room for the au- then-acting mayor Cockrel. The grassroots effort to out pay. appointed interim CEO and company Pacer Transport Inc. tomakers. Cockrel picked up $10,000 save the Birmingham Ec- Governors from Michi- director of Detroit-based and two subsidiaries — a gan and seven other states The donated space and before the special election, centric, spearheaded by lo- Caraco Pharmaceutical Labora- deal Universal predicts will agreed Monday to set up a free sponsorships are to and $500 after. City Council cal celebrity photographer tories Ltd. (NYSE Amex: add up to $40 million in new group to coordinate their thank the carmakers for the President Pro Tem JoAnn Linda Soloman and city ac- CPD), replacing Daniel revenue. Terms of the deal, bid for some of $8 billion in millions of dollars they’ve Watson and Councilman tivist David Bloom, generat- Movens, who resigned sev- expected to close this federal stimulus cash for a given back to the communi- Kwame Kenyatta, running to ed 200 new subscriptions eral weeks after the U.S. month, were not announced. high-speed rail system that ty in the past, Oakland keep their seats, received last week, the weekly news- Food and Drug Administration would connect 12 metropoli- County Executive L. Brooks $250 each. Challengers paper’s editor said. seized tainted drugs and in- tan areas, with Chicago as Patterson, one of the festi- Pugh, Saunteel Jenkins and That brings the total to gredients and two class-ac- OTHER NEWS its hub, the AP reported. val’s founders, said in a Fred Elliot Hall, Jai-Lee Dear- about 1,400 toward the goal tion lawsuits were filed Michelin North America The board of the au- press release. ing, Gary Brown and incum- of 3,000 new subscribers set against the generic drug- Inc. rejected an offer by the thority that runs Detroit bent Brenda Jones got $150 by the Sunday paper’s own- maker and Movens. People for the Ethical Treat- Metropolitan Airport ap- each. er, the Detroit Media Partner- Business weighs in with David Egner has been ment of Animals to maintain proved a seven-year, Bing also has racked up ship, longtime editor Greg named executive director of the Uniroyal Giant Tire on $9.8 million marketing deal cash in Detroit races donations from prominent Kowalski said. The newspa- the foun- I-94 in exchange for an ad of to make Pepsi the airport’s individual businesspeople: per’s starting circulation Some of Detroit’s largest $3,400 each from William dation- a man with a bulging belly official beverage. The deal, companies are backing can- was around 3,500. backed with the tagline “Lose the starting Aug. 1 with distrib- Ford Jr., Peter Karmanos Jr. The partnership, which didates for local offices to and Anthony Earley. New Econo- Spare Tire: Go Veg,” the utor PBG Michigan L.L.C., the tune of thousands of dol- is owned by Gannett Co. Inc. my Initia- Associated Press reported. would generate $1.4 million lars, according to the most and runs the joint business tive. He Oakland University’s in its first year, according recent political action com- operations of the Detroit has served governing board approved to a meeting agenda. mittee campaign finance Gastroenterologist set to Free Press and The Detroit as interim a 9 percent tuition hike The Detroit City disclosure reports filed debut ‘Ocean of Pearls’ News, said in April it was executive this fall, the highest per- Council voted against plac- with the Michigan Secre- shutting down the chain of director Egner centage increase among ing a motion to reject a tary of State office. Move over Michael Moore suburban Observer & Eccen- since April Michigan’s 15 public uni- plan to expand and reno- The Comerica Inc. PAC, for — Dr. Sarab Neelam, a Ster- tric weeklies. when John Austin left for versities, the AP reported. vate Cobo Center on its example, reported $8,000 in ling Heights gastroenterolo- Bloom got the publishing the Washington-based Brook- Southfield-based An- agenda for the council’s donations to the Detroit gist, is set to debut as a film giant to grant the Birming- ings Institution. Egner, 47, re- gels’ Place has raised last formal session last City Council President Ken director with his feature ham edition a reprieve if it mains president of the De- $4.7 million of its 2004 week before its break. State Cockrel Jr.’s re-election cam- movie “Ocean of Pearls.” could get the new subscrip- troit-based Hudson-Webber $6 million capital cam- legislation passed this sum- paign in its most recent With a budget of about $1 tions by October. Foundation. paign and endowment goal. mer allowed the council to campaign finance disclo- million, the film will debut A subscription is $52 an- Valerie Parisi has been Gov. Jennifer Granholm reject the deal by Aug. 1. sure. Detroit Mayor Dave Friday at the Landmark nually. See savetheeccen named interim dean of has issued a directive to re- Gov. Jennifer Granholm Bing racked up a cool $9,000. Maple Art Theatre in Bloom- tric.com. Wayne State University School duce by 5 percent to 10 per- has used $15,000 from her of Medicine for a three-year cent state spending on con- leadership fund to help Lt. term. She had been vice tracts and limit the state’s Gov. John Cherry run for her dean and acting dean. hiring of contractual and job, the AP reported. In re- Parisi replaces Robert temporary employees. ports filed Monday, the Mentzer, who resigned ear- The Detroit Renaissance Granholm Leadership Fund lier this summer amid a Political Action Committee shows it gave $10,000 to controversy over Wayne paid Detroit-based Political- Cherry’s People for Cherry BEST FROM THE BLOGS State’s contract negotia- ly Motivated L.L.C. $3,000 to campaign fund in March READ THESE POSTS AND MORE AT WWW.CRAINSDETROIT.COM/BLOGS tions with the Detroit Med- collect petition signatures and $5,000 in June. Gran- ical Center. Mentzer re- for nine would-be charter holm’s campaign also donat- Back to work The rest of the story mains on the WSU faculty. commission candidates, ed $5,000 to the Michigan De- Roderick Gillum, 59, GM campaign finance state- mocratic Party last month. By pointing out the Every once in a Foundation chairman and ments. Jamiel Martin is economic“ impact of while“ I fail to ask the General Motors Co. vice presi- listed as the president of getting unemployed one question that could dent, corporate responsibil- Politically Motivated in an OBITUARIES change a story I am metro Detroiters into ity and diversity, plans to annual statement filed Marvin Dictor, owner of jobs, Goodwill Industries writing. … It happened retire Oct. 1 The company with the Michigan Depart- Mr. Marvin’s fashion bou- of Greater Detroit is a few weeks ago in a has not named a successor. striking a chord with story I did on the ment of Labor and Economic tiques in Oak Park and local employers and the turnaround of the new Growth in 2005. West Bloomfield Township, general public. Doctors’ Hospital of UBLIC COMPANIES The effort backfired, died July 27. He was 77. Michigan in Pontiac. P Crain’s reported earlier Elizabeth Greene-Wize, ” Delphi Corp. (OTC: this month. Just one of the retired owner and presi- Reporter Sherri Begin Welch’s blog Reporter Jay Greene’s blog about health care, ” DPHIQ) got bankruptcy nine is among the 44 candi- dent of Physicians Drug Cen- about Southeast Michigan nonprofits can be found insurance and the environment can be found court clearance Thursday dates on the Aug. 4 primary ter in Detroit, died July 22. at www.crainsdetroit.com/welch at www.crainsdetroit.com/Greene to leave bankruptcy as a ballot. She was 93. DBpageAD.qxd 7/29/2009 3:16 PM Page 1

In Michigan, Green is the New Gold.

If you invested in an alternative energy company ﬁ ve years ago, you would have been considered odd. Today, people would call you a smart entrepreneur. There’s no doubt that alternative energy is the future. It is, indeed, where the money is. Alternative energy companies are certainly pushing the Green needle towards great success; and it’s happening right now in the land of the automobile. Yes, Michigan is fast becoming the hub for the powers of wind, solar, battery and alternative fuels. Companies like United Solar, the world’s largest manufacturer of thin-ﬁ lm solar panels and Cobasys, whose battery systems enable hybrid electric vehicles around the world, are typical of the businesses that now call Michigan home.

If you’re looking to build or expand your alternative energy company, it’s a good time to talk to Michigan. To get information on our far-reaching Venture Michigan Fund, contact the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.SM Click on MichiganAdvantage.org.

MichiganAdvantage.org

MICH01934_AltEng_Crains_F1.indd 1 7/29/09 2:25 PM DBpageAD.qxd 7/27/2009 10:24 AM Page 1

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