In place of Michigan's former Council for Labor and Economic Growth, Governor Rick Snyder has announced and created a new board called the
Talent Investment Board, to focus on job creation and talent development and connections.
The new board has 47 members, in contrast to the council's previous 71 members, and is overseen by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The governor is on the board, as are four legislators and five state department directors. The other members all were appointed to represent various business, jobs, education and program interests in Michigan.
They included two northwest Michigan representatives; Elaine Wood of the
Northwest Michigan Council of Governments, and Katherine Hogan of
Hagerty Insurance.
"One of the ways we will reinvent Michigan is to create an environment of job growth and talent development," Snyder says. "I am confident these individuals will use their diverse backgrounds and expertise to help meet these key goals."
Wood, of Traverse City, is CEO of NMCOG, and will advise the board on workforce development and compliance with the federal Workforce Investment Act as well as representing people and organizations who are experienced in workforce investment activities.
Hogan, of Cedar, is VP of corporate training and development for Hagerty Insurance, and specializes in creative and situational leadership. She will represent businesses in Michigan.
The board will be chaired by Gordon White, Jr. of Lansing, of DHR International. Appointed as vice chair was Bing Goei of Grand Rapids, of Eastern Floral. Yet to be appointed is one member of the board to represent Native American businesses and programs.
Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Governor Rick Snyder, State of Michigan
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