Ann Arbor SPARK Announces New Board of Directors, Executive Committee

ANN ARBOR, Mich., May 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- At its annual meeting, Ann Arbor SPARK, the driving force of business expansion, attraction and retention in the region, elected its officers, board of directors and executive committee for 2011-2012.  The annual meeting also served as a celebration of Ann Arbor SPARK's sixth year assisting in the creation of economic opportunities throughout the region and state.

"Ann Arbor SPARK's board of directors, executive committee and officers are an impressive group of leaders across all areas of business, government and academia," said Paul Krutko, president and CEO.  "The experience and expertise they collectively bring to Ann Arbor SPARK meaningfully informs our business attraction and business retention efforts.  The board's leadership guides Ann Arbor SPARK's strategy and helps the organization reach its goal of expanding the regional economy."

New members to the Ann Arbor SPARK board of directors are Ric DeVore, regional president, PNC; Marty Kahn, CEO, ProQuest; Mike Miller, head of online sales, Canada, and head of Ann Arbor office, Google; Conan Smith, Washtenaw County Commissioner and executive director, Michigan Suburbs Alliance; and Thomas Zerbuchen, director, University of Michigan's Center for Entrepreneurship.

Ann Arbor SPARK also announced the 2011 officers at its annual meeting. Stephen Forrest, vice president for research, University of Michigan will continue to serve as its board chairman. Tim Marshall, president and CEO, Bank of Ann Arbor, will continue to serve as its vice chairman. David Parsigian, partner, Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP will continue to serve as the board of directors' secretary.  Bhushan Kulkarni, president and CEO of GDI Infotech is replacing Laurel Champion, executive vice president of Ann Arbor.com, as treasurer of the board of directors.  

Additional members on the Ann Arbor SPARK board of directors are:

• Albert M. Berriz, CEO, McKinley
• Dr. Mary Sue Coleman, president, University of Michigan
• Robert E. Guenzel, retired Washtenaw County Administrator
• Charles Gulash, vice president, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
• John Hieftje, mayor, City of Ann Arbor
• Jonathan S. Newpol, executive vice president, Thomson Reuters
• Dr. Roger S. Newton, president and CEO, Esperion Therapeutics, Inc.
• Richard B. Sheridan, president and CEO, Menlo Innovations LLC

Additional members of the Ann Arbor SPARK executive committee are: 

• Laurel Champion, executive vice president, Ann Arbor.com
• Paul Dimond, senior counsel, Miller Canfield
• Gretchen Driskell, mayor, City of Saline
• Kenneth C. Fischer, president, University of Michigan's University Musical Society
• Roger Fraser, administrator, City of Ann Arbor
• Jan Garfinkle, managing director, Arboretum Ventures
• Leigh R Greden, executive director, government and community relations, Eastern Michigan University
• Michael Korybalski, SmartZone LDFA
• Paul Krutko, president and CEO, Ann Arbor SPARK
• Trevor F. Lauer, vice president of marketing, DTE Energy
• Verna McDaniel, deputy county administrator, Washtenaw County
• Dr. David E. Mielke, dean, College of Business, Eastern Michigan University
• Bill Milliken, president, Milliken Realty Company
• Kenneth Nisbet, executive director, University of Michigan Tech Transfer
• Conan Smith, Washtenaw County Commissioner and executive director, Michigan Suburbs Alliance
• Michael Staebler, attorney at law, Pepper Hamilton LLP
• Maria Thompson, local entrepreneur, previously president of A123's Ann Arbor operations

ABOUT ANN ARBOR SPARK

Ann Arbor SPARK, a non-profit organization, is the driving force in establishing the Ann Arbor region as a destination for business expansion, retention, and location by identifying and meeting the needs of business at every stage, from start-ups to large organizations. Ann Arbor SPARK represents all communities in Washtenaw County. Ann Arbor SPARK collaborates with business, academic, government, and community investor partners including the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, Washtenaw Community College, Washtenaw County, Washtenaw County etcs/Michigan Works!, the City of Ann Arbor, Bank of Ann Arbor and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. For more information, please call (734) 761-9317 or visit www.AnnArborUSA.org.

SOURCE Ann Arbor SPARK

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