february 12, 2007 crain s detroit business mary …cobo expansion. admittedly, neither survey was...

and other such mea-sures.

But what if the dis-trict used a differentyardstick?

What if high-perform-ing schools went to thetop of the “save” list,even if they moved, enmasse, to a newer build-ing nearby, and schoolswith the lowest testscores would close? Andwhat if the board toldparents and teachers: OK, we’llhave a moratorium on some of themarginal but improving schools,providing we agree on programs,

practices and workrules that have provensuccessful in the best-performing schools?

What would that sayto principals, teachers,unions, parents andchildren about what ittakes to have a schoolthat survives?

Schools like ChadseyHigh School, a high-performing school insouthwest Detroit that

has, I understand, 22 nationalitiesrepresented among 700-plus stu-dents, would survive.

Some education advocates be-

lieve there are really no successfulurban school systems, but thereare a lot of individual urbanschools that work.

What makes a difference?The size of the school matters.

How involved parents are does,too. But the ability of the princi-pal, as CEO of that building, tohelp shape the school’s perfor-mance culture by infusing teach-ers and staff with a common visionis important, too. Unfortunately,work rules under union contractsallow “bumping,” which can upsetthat team approach. Too often, amore-senior but less-effectiveteacher can bump an energetic but

younger teacher right out of thebuilding.

Some lucky principals operatewith a no-bumping waiver. A topDPS official told me recently that agrand total of seven schools in thecity system have that waiver.That’s out of 252.

We know what makes a differ-ence. Do we have the guts to usethe school closings to make a state-ment on what will be rewarded?

There are 232 schools in the De-troit Public Schools, and the dis-trict is planning to close 52 of thembecause, as the district’s facilitiesdirector told The Detroit News re-cently, the district has about 60,000empty seats.

Angry students and parents arelining up at meetings to argue thattheir school should remain open.

You can be sure no one — in-cluding school administrators andboard members who are part of theclosing decisions — is happy aboutclosing schools. They say the deci-sions are based on housing pat-terns, demographics, the age andcondition of the school buildings

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LETTERS CONTINUEDLETTERS CONTINUED■ From Page 8

short term.” I’m not sure if threeor four years would be consideredshort term, but one only need tolook at federal receipts (not expen-ditures) and our national unem-ployment rate of 4.5 percent to see“real solid proof” that the Bush taxcuts are doing exactly what theywere expected to do.

S. RoseDetroit

Leave my food aloneEditor:

I do not think the residents ofMichigan elected State Rep. LeeGonzales or any other member ofour state government to legislatewhat we eat (“State joins war onuse of trans fats,” Jan. 29).

As a libertarian, I think that ourgovernment robs us of our right tomake our own decisions regardingour habits. The U.S. was foundedon the idea of an individual’s rightto life, liberty and the pursuit ofhappiness. Where do you think thegovernment will draw the line ifwe continue to give it the power tolegislate away our rights?

Tytti NewtonVice president of operations

Office Star L.L.C.Westland

February 12, 2007 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 9

Mary Kramer is publisher ofCrain's Detroit Business. Her weeklytake on the latest business news airsat 6:40 a.m. Mondays on the Paul W.Smith show on WJR AM 760. E-mailher at [email protected].

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BY JENNETTE SMITHCRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS

major expansion for Cobo Center haslingered on the region’s “to-do” list fornearly a decade, but new ideas about

how to pull it off resonate withthe business community.

A group of Crain’s readersparticipated in a January sur-vey about Cobo and the majori-ty supported the most recentplan unveiled by Wayne Coun-ty Executive Robert Ficano inDecember. And we conductedan informal survey after Oak-land County Executive L.Brooks Patterson rolled outfive new options to finance aCobo expansion.

Admittedly, neither surveywas scientific. Crain’s e-mailedabout 6,000 subscribers a seriesof questions to get their opinion on the bestplan for Cobo (see box at right for a sample ofthe survey). Among the more than 400 respons-

es were new suggestions, big and small, abouthow to drastically make over Cobo and how itis run.

Recurring themes in the survey resultswere recommendations to tap private exper-tise whenever possible, and to demand im-

provements to not only thebuilding, but to customer ser-vice and event costs. Survey re-spondents wanted to hear howthe center could be renovatedaffordably and operate with arenewed mission.

Cobo’s expansion has beenslow to start largely over dis-agreement about the scope ofthe project and how to pay forit. Proponents argue an ex-panded convention centerwould help the city ensure theNorth American International AutoShow keeps its clout, and couldhelp bring more events. Others

say expanding or replacing Cobo is only part

meetings/conventions

Shiny and new Influx of glitzy newhotels in Detroit couldspell trouble for olderlodgings. Page 16.

Bureau to goafter smallerconventions

A new branding campaign for theregion isn’t the only thing going on toboost Detroit’s odds of attractingvisitors — including meetings andconventions prospects.

While the new campaign and itsbrushed-metal “D” logo were the bignews in late January, there are someother tactics in play by the DetroitMetro Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Chief among them is a plan toshift resources around to go afternot only big citywide conventions,but small and medium-size events.

Carla Conner-Penzabene, directorof sales for the bureau, said thebureau has added two new salesexecutives and shifted resources sothat more people are working onbringing corporate meetings andsmaller conventions to Detroit. Forexample, two staff members werepreviously based in Washington.Now, there will be one based there,and the other person will be focusedon corporate business.

Why the change? For many hotels,a good small convention is just asvaluable as a big blockbuster event.Getting 100 hotel rooms filled, oreven fewer, can make a big impactfor a single property.

“A group of 20 to 50 rooms is justas important to a Holiday Inn inLivonia as a huge citywideconvention,” Conner-Penzabenesaid.

This new strategy doesn’t meanDetroit won’t consider going after bigevents, even possibly another SuperBowl, but it does mean the smallerstuff is becoming more important.

To help pull this off, the bureauand some local hotels are goingthrough a new sales-trainingprogram. The program, offered byRancho Santa Margarita, Calif.-based Master ConnectionAssociates, is meant to sharpenskills on topics like new ways toprospect using the Internet, and howto make the most powerfulpresentation.

And, using the new marketingmaterials, Detroit sales executivescan walk into meetings with a better-looking presentation. The logofeatures the metallic “D” followed byDetroit attributes “Cars. Culture.Gaming. Music. Sports.” It’s not aslogan, but a graphic element to beused as part of Detroit’s new brand.

Larry Alexander, president andCEO of the bureau, also said at thebureau’s annual meeting Jan. 31that the organization is forming apartnership with Cleveland topromote the two cities as a musicdestination.

While this is more about leisuretravel and isn’t directly related toincreasing convention business, itstands to reason that making themost of Detroit’s music heritagegives sales staff a more interestingpitch.

Let’s see … Detroit Rock City.Detroit Rap City. Motown. Works forme.

Jennette Smithwrites aboutreal estate andhospitality. Call(313) 446-0414 or [email protected]

Jennette Smith

REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK


Crain’s readers: We need a bigger convention hall, but do it economically and run it better


Last week, Oakland County Executive L.Brooks Patterson offered up five alternativeoptions to finance a Cobo Center expansion,reaching to cigarette taxes, new casinos, oradditional fees for airplane passengers.

During his state of the county address, Pat-terson said that although the most recentCobo plan announced in December by WayneCounty Executive Robert Ficano madeprogress on reducing the cost, adding a re-gional governance board and using privatemanagement, he simply will not back a liquorand hotel tax increase to pay for it.

“Clearly Oakland County and the surround-

ing counties recognize the importance of the(North American International Auto Show)for the image of the city of Detroit, for thatmatter the image of the entire region. But wesimply cannot be asked to sit down and writeblank checks. We have the right, and I thinkthe responsibility, to raise legitimate ques-tions,” he said.

Instead, he outlined five options:� An “enplanement fee” of $1.50 per passen-

ger who boards or connects at Detroit Metropol-itan Airport.

� Funneling a portion of taxes, revenue orboth from a fourth casino in Detroit.

� Using gambling taxes raised from a slot

OK, then. Howdo we pay for it?

YOUR THOUGHTS ON COBOUntil Oakland County Executive L. BrooksPatterson rolled out five new optionsWednesday evening, there were two mainproposals for renovation of Cobo Center.The first, proposed by Wayne CountyExecutive Robert Ficano, calls fordemolishing Cobo Arena and convertingCobo Center’s Riverfront Ballroom into anexhibit hall (See Crain’s, Page 1, Dec. 11).The plan also would add enclosed walkwaysto the Detroit Marriott at the RenaissanceCenter. It would cost $465 million forconstruction plus $180 million for anendowment to pay operating expenses.The second, proposed by a group funded bythe Detroit Auto Dealers Association, wouldexpand Cobo Center to about 1 millionsquare feet, and provide room for alternativefuels research and development. The cost ofthe plan is unknown.In an e-mail survey, we asked Crain’sreaders whether they favored one of thosetwo plans, a complete teardown and rebuildof the entire site, or to do nothing.Here’s how you voted:

Ficano plan 52.5%

DADA plan 21.1%

Tear down and rebuild 16.4%

Do nothing 10.0%

Under Ficano’s plan, ownership andmanagement of Cobo would go to a newregional authority with representatives fromWayne, Oakland and Macomb counties, thecity of Detroit and the state. Is this the rightform of governance?

Yes 66.6%

No 15.0%

Not sure 18.5%

What about financing? Ficano’s plan wouldextend liquor and hotel room taxes for 35years after their scheduled expiration in2015. About 52 percent of respondents tothe January survey favored this plan. Crain’s conducted an informal e-mail surveyon Thursday, and about half of respondentsstill favored Ficano’s plan. The other halffavored one of the five options presented byPatterson.

See Survey, Page 12

Patterson proposals broaden discussion;Ficano says there’s not enough time

A

See Cost, Page 13

Ficano Patterson

MORE COBO OPINIONSRead more of what Crain’sreaders said about CoboCenter, how to improve it andhow to pay for thoseimprovements atcrainsdetroit.com/cobo.

CONVENTION LIST ONLINESee a list of upcomingconventions in the Detroitarea at crainsdetroit.com/conventions.

DETROIT BUSINESS MAIN 02-12-07 A 11 CDB 2/9/2007 11:43 AM Page 1

FOCUS: MEETINGS AND CONVENTIONS

February 12, 2007CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESSPage 12

Survey: Crain’s readers go beyond space in Cobo discussion■ From Page 11

of what’s needed to increase thearea’s convention business.

“I would get the politics out ofit,” said Peter Wilde, managing di-rector of The Townsend Hotel inBirmingham. “Whatever companyis brought in to manage it … every-body should get out of their way.Detroit is going to have to do some-thing revolutionary. Detroit iscompeting with a lot of really greatconvention centers in great cities.”

John Hopper, owner of Livonia-based construction company J.J.Hopper Inc., pointed to the new pri-vately owned Rock FinancialShowplace, a 320,000-square-footexpo center built for about $20 mil-lion. While that project had con-tractor disputes, the result was alarge space built on a budget.There should be a way to plan aCobo project for under $200 mil-lion, Hopper said, adding thatbuilding new elsewhere in the cityshould still be evaluated.

When interviewed last week forthis story, Ficano reiterated thatthe financial analysis favors theexisting location as opposed tobuilding new. He added that hesenses a growing consensus aboutgetting a Cobo improvement planfrom ideas to blueprints.

“It seems to be gaining momen-tum,” he said, referencing recentmeetings with local political lead-

ers, automakers, auto dealers, ven-dors and Gov. Jennifer Granholm.“It’s time to move as a region.”

Ficano said he wants the regionto have an agreed-upon final planwithin the calendar year. Yet, inthe interim he’s willing to hearabout alternative ideas on some ofthe details.

“We’re not married to all thespecifics of the plan,” he said.“We’re open to suggestions.”

Ficano’s plancalls for Cobo tobe owned and gov-erned by a region-al authority, thatwould hire a pri-vate managementcompany. A studythat summarizedpast research andgathered addition-al data to supportthe plan was con-ducted by contrac-tor WalbridgeAldinger Co. and Hines Interests L.P.Hines manages the Coleman A.Young Municipal Center in Detroitand has saved more than $5 milliona year, a sign of what a private man-ager could do for Cobo, Ficano said.

“We want to make this results-oriented,” Ficano said. “It’s all onthe (idea) board.”

Donald Fitzsimmons, president

of Royal Transportation Co., a Detroit-based shuttle service, said ratchet-ing up the resources for bookingevents should be a priority.

Cobo needs to “bring in the bestand brightest and fill the space ...that should be a priority versus aplatform of building it bigger andthey will come,” he said.

Other survey respondents wereconcerned about the project’sprice. Ficano’s plan includes $465

million for con-struction costs plus$180 million for anendowment whoseannual earningswould pay operat-ing expenses atCobo.

Peter Basso,chairman of PeterBasso Associates, aTroy-based engi-neering and con-sulting company,said that local ex-

pertise in architecture and engi-neering should be tapped to comeup with a way to do a great renova-tion with a smaller budget. Bassosuggested a design charette meet-ing be organized to get these mindsin one room for a brainstormingsession.

And, to get a true regional buy-in for the project, Robert Jones, a

retired electrical engineer fromFord Motor Co., said he’d like to seea portion of the project paid forthrough citizens being offered thechance to buy stock.

Detroit’s legal experts couldcome up with a structure thatwould allow a portion of the projectto be paid for through a plan thatwould allow individuals or groupsto buy shares for $100 or so, he said.

“Stock groups or groups of stu-dents could buy in,” he said. “Openit up.”

Jean Chamberlain, president ofJNC Consulting, a HuntingtonWoods-based consultant to politi-cians and small businesses, saidshe’d like to see a shorter time-frame for the liquor-tax extension.Ficano’s plan would extend liquorand hotel room taxes for 35 yearsbeyond their currently scheduled2015 expiration. Ten or so years ismore reasonable, she said.

Others thought that Ficano’stimeline was reasonable.

“The taxes are already in placeand have been for some time. …The other proposals from Patter-son require new actions that maynot be passed, developed or takeplace,” said one respondent.

But Ed Kelly, vice president andgeneral manager of SterlingHeights-based Energy Products Inc.,called Patterson’s proposal to fund

a Cobo expansion with tax revenuefrom slot machines at six of thestate’s horse tracks “a common-sense approach to the problem.”

Ficano said that if Cobo is suc-cessful at bringing in more events,or if the state kicks in more sup-port for the project, it would bepossible to reduce the liquor-taxextension. He also emphasizedthat the tax is only for poureddrinks at bars and restaurants, notfor alcohol purchased at stores.

But some respondents said thatCobo shouldn’t be expanded at allunless it can be self-reliant.

“Cobo Hall should not be ex-panded unless it can be funded bythose who use the facility,” saidone reader. “That is, event costshould include the fees necessaryto fund this expansion.”

Despite the concerns aboutcosts, many survey participantsagreed that expanding Cobo is a re-gional issue, not something foronly Wayne County and the city ofDetroit, which owns Cobo, to be re-sponsible for.

Said The Townsend’s Wilde,who actually favors tearing Cobodown and building a new center:“Whether suburban communitieslike it or not, we’re all in it.”

Jennette Smith: (313) 446-0414, [email protected]

Whethersuburban

communities like it or not, we’re

all in it.Peter Wilde, Townsend Hotel

”

“

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machine room at Cobo Center.� Adding slot machines at the

state’s six horse racing tracks, of-ten called “racinos.”

� Diverting a 4 cents-per-packcigarette tax beginning in 2010.

When interviewed after thespeech, Patterson said he likes thecigarette tax idea best. After fiscalstabilization bonds stemmingfrom a 1980s Wayne County budgetcrisis are paid off, the tax could beshifted to retire the bond debt for aCobo project. Patterson’s next fa-vorite proposal is racinos.

Ficano said after the speech thatnone of Patterson’s ideas could bepulled off in the time frame neces-sary to get going on a Cobo project.New casino bids would take two tothree years to get on a statewideballot, he said. The fourth casinooption could be crafted in a varietyof ways, pulling from sources suchas gaming, liquor, and even prop-erty taxes, according to the Patter-son plan report.

One possibility, Patterson saidin his speech, would be for thethree casinos to form a joint ven-ture to operate the fourth casino.

Roger Martin, media and public-affairs consultant for GreektownCasino L.L.C., said no one has talkedto Greektown about this possibilityso far, and reiterated the need for acity of Detroit and a Michigan vote.

“This is a difficult road to trav-el,” he said.

The enplanement fee, mean-while, would require an act of theCongress, because federal regula-tions stipulate that airport rev-enue be used for airport purposes.

Similarly, the cigarette-tax ideawould not kick in until 2010.“We don’t have time for somethinglike that,” Ficano said, pointing tothe decline in vehicle introduc-tions at the auto show as one rea-son for urgency. Ficano added thathe has an open mind and Pattersonis a friend, but he already has sup-port from many of the stakehold-ers in a Cobo expansion for theplan announced last year.

Richard Blouse, president andCEO of Detroit Regional Chamber,said that while Patterson’s speechshowed why the region has madeprogress — for example, Pattersonagrees a Cobo expansion in Detroitis important — it’s obvious Patter-son, Ficano and Detroit MayorKwame Kilpatrick need to keeptalking about Cobo until they canagree on a financial plan.

“You’ve got to get all the playersto the table,” he said. “It may notbe easy, but I know they can do it.It behooves the three of them to sitdown and find the right solution.”

Jennette Smith: (313) 446-0414, [email protected]

Cost: Execs push plans■ From Page 11

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Group readies push to helpnonprofits lobby effectively

BY SHERRI BEGINCRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS

The Michigan Nonprofit Associa-tion is forming a Southeast Michi-gan council to help it take a largerrole in forming public policy.

The Southeast Michigan Non-profit Public Policy Council will bepatterned after nonprofit public-policy councils already operatingin Calhoun and Genesee counties.

Groups such as the National Coun-cil of Nonprofit Associations andWashington-based Independent Sec-tor, a coalition of about 600 nonprof-its and founda-tions working tostrengthen thenonprofit indus-try, are urgingstate nonprofitassociations toget their mem-bers engaged infederal policy is-sues such as therecently passedPension Reform Act, which allowsindividuals to make donations ofup to $100,000 from their individualretirement accounts, tax-free, MNAPresident Sam Singh said.

“There is a belief that the localorganizations back home have astronger relationship with mem-

bers of Congress and can better in-form them of the impact of nation-al policy on local communities andtheir organizations,” he said.

Nonprofits also can help lobbyon state matters that affect them,such as the state budget andchanges to the Charitable Solicita-tions Act, Singh said.

About half of Michigan’s 43,000nonprofits operate in Oakland,Wayne, Macomb, Livingston,Washtenaw, Monroe and St. Claircounties, the area the council willrepresent, he said.

Many nonprofits are confusedabout what they legally can andcan’t do when it comes to advoca-cy, Singh said. While nonprofitscan’t endorse a candidate or party,they can lobby for legislation orfunding, provided they are not us-ing government funding to do so.

MNA plans to invite nine to 13nonprofits that already lobby to siton the council when it begins meet-ing in June, he said.

MNA plans Feb. 27 to kick off asix-month series of seminars on lob-bying and advocacy for nonprofits.

The $25 sessions run through July24 at YouthVille Detroit. For moreinformation, visit www.mnaonline.org or call (313) 309-1650.

Sherri Begin: (313) 446-1694, [email protected]

Singh



ASC sells off equipmentfrom specialty-car biz

BY ROBERT SHEREFKINCRAIN NEWS SERVICE

A dearth of new contracts hasprompted ASC Inc. to retreat fromits high-profile specialty-vehiclebusiness.

Late last month, liquidators soldpresses, paint lines, sanding sta-tions, injection-molding machinesand other equipment that filledthree of the plants Southgate-based ASC closed last year, accord-ing to Hilco Industrial L.L.C., an in-dustrial equipment liquidator.

With the decline in specialty-ve-hicle programs, Vice ChairmanChris Theodore said, the companyis focusing on convertible tops andother open-air systems.

The company has been ownedsince 2002 by a private-equity fundcontrolled by Questor ManagementCo. L.L.C., but was founded by thelate Heinz Prechter as AmericanSunroof Co. in 1965. It made sun-roofs for American and Japaneseautomakers and later expanded tospecialty vehicles.

The business has since becomecrowded, with competitors fromEurope and Japan. Few specialty-vehicle contracts are expected un-til the domestic automakers im-prove their financial condition.

ASC’s largest specialty-vehicleproject was the Chevrolet SSR.Production ended last year.

Still, Theodore, a former FordMotor Co. executive, says ASC isnot abandoning specialty cars,which are a cyclical business. Theindustry is two years away fromseeing new product, he said.

ASC employed more than 1,300people during the Chevrolet SSRprogram. Theodore says currentemployment is below 500. Lastyear, ASC closed plants in Livoniaand Gibraltar, as well as in Bowl-ing Green, Ky.

Still, Theodore said, ASC is ontrack for a good year this year.

This summer ASC plans to be-gin production in Lexington, Ky.,of a sliding-roof system called In-finiVu for an unidentified au-tomaker. The sliding-roof systemis designed for use with sport-utili-ty vehicles, minivans and cross-over vehicles.

ASC also announced in Octoberan agreement with Paris-basedHeuliez Group, which also producesdesigns and develops niche vehi-cles and specialty products such asretractable roofs, to help marketeach other’s products.

From Automotive News. BrentSnavely contributed to this story.


HOTEL PROJECTSBesides Greektown Casino(pictured at right), other majorDetroit hotel plans:


the why and how of here and now

The Motor City Casino Hotel willhave 400 rooms. Giffels Inc. is thearchitect and Michigan IndustrialGroup is the general contractor.

The Book Cadillac project includes455 hotel rooms. KaczmarArchitects Inc., Madison MadisonInternational and HamiltonAnderson Associates are the projectarchitects. Jenkins ConstructionInc. and Marous Bros. Constructionare the general contractors.

The 206-room Pick-Fort Shelbycalls for a suites-only design and a38,000-square-foot internationalconference center. Quinn EvansArchitects and Hobbs + Black arethe architects on the project. L.S.Brinker is construction manager.

The MGM Grand Detroit Hotel willadd 401 rooms. Hamilton Andersonand the Smith Group are thearchitects and Tre Builders L.L.C.is the construction manager.

Room rushUpcoming influx of glitzy hotels mightmake it hard for older lodgings to compete


he Las Vegas-style glitz ofpermanent casino hotelsand two major historic hotel

renovations are coming to Detroitat the same time, adding 1,850 hotelrooms during the next two yearsand bringing new competition forDetroit’s existing hotels and thosein the inner-ring suburbs.

Detroit’s three casino hotels willadd 1,200 new rooms alone. That’son top of two large historic renova-tion projects, The Westin Book Cadil-lac and the Pick-Fort Shelby.

The benefit of the constructionboom will be lush accommoda-tions with a high-design look,ranging from automotive-influ-enced retro to sleek and modern.Concierge services, new restau-rants and lounges, and lobbiesmeant to serve as popular gather-ing spots are all in the works.

“It will be very difficult for anyof the existing properties to com-pete on the aesthetic level,” saidMatthew Rossetti, president of Ros-setti, the Southfield-based architec-tural firm on the design team forGreektown Casino’s permanent casi-

no hotel. “Theother two (MGMGrand DetroitCasino L.L.C. andMotorCity CasinoL.L.C.) are retro,a lot of fun, a lotof Vegas. We’vebeen pushingfor an urbanlook.”

MotorCity, meanwhile, hasbrought in designer Chip Foose ofTLC series “Overhaulin’ ” fame toassist the architectural team withthe final build-out. MotorCity’scasino expansion will open no laterthan the second quarter, said JacciWoods, director of public relations.

The hotel and restaurants willfollow in the fourth quarter withan automotive-influenced retrotheme that uses glass, steel andcreative lighting elements.

Woods said the Iridescence fine-dining restaurant will be moved toan upper floor with a 40-foot unin-terrupted, glass-enclosed view ofthe Ambassador Bridge. Mean-

while, another high-end, three-meal restaurant is planned.Michael O’Callaghan, executivevice president and COO of the De-troit Metro Convention & Visitors Bu-reau, said while absorbing such a

large inventoryof rooms at oncewill be a chal-lenge, hotelmanagers willbe creativeabout tryingnew sales tac-tics. Plus, thebureau has re-deployed itssales teams that

pitch meetings and conventions toput emphasis on small and medi-um-size events that can help prop-erties downtown and in the sub-urbs.

Current data from Smith TravelResearch estimates metro De-troit’s average occupancy rate for2006 at 56.9 percent and averageroom rate at $85.80 a night. Whileoccupancy is flat from the 2005rate of 57 percent, average roomrate is up from $79.75. In the cityof Detroit, occupancy was a littlehigher last year, averaging 57.9

percent, up from 53.2 percent.Rates were up substantially, from$119.71 to $134.85.

Richard Vroegindewy, generalmanager of the 226- room South-field Marriott, said the hotel plansto stick with promoting its qualityservice and competitive prices tocounter the growing inventory ofDetroit hotels that are opening up.

The Book Cadillac’s true four-star status will make the hotelstand out as a hub for conventions,said Chris Ferchill, vice presidentof development for developer TheFerchill Group of Cleveland.

Meanwhile the Doubletree, aHilton brand planned at the Pick-Fort Shelby calls for a suites-onlydesign and a 38,000-square-foot in-ternational conference center.Room suites will range from 400to 1,000 square feet.

The project will meet the certifi-cation standards of the Internation-al Association of Conference Centers,which dictates amenities, technol-ogy and staff expertise, said Em-mett Moten Jr., CEO of developerThe Moten Group of Detroit.

The design “is going to be brightyet keep with the historic charac-ter of the building,” using cheerful

colors, Moten said. Similar to theBook, the 206-room hotel buildingwill have 63 condominiums.

Planned restaurants for thePick-Fort Shelby include a Finn &Porter, a Hilton restaurant withbeef and fish.

Moten said the new hotels cu-mulatively will make the citymore marketable.

“The more the merrier,” hesaid. “All of us have a differentproduct and are supportive ofeach other.”

But Donald Fitzsimmons, presi-dent of Detroit-based shuttle ser-vice Royal Transportation Co., saidhe’s worried about the large in-ventory being added within ashort time, especially for the sakeof hotels beyond downtown.

“Are we just forcing the outerring of properties out of the mar-ket?” he said. “There’s going to bea fight. There’s going to be win-ners and losers.”

Ferchill said he’s optimisticabout the investment in expand-ing Detroit’s hospitality business.

“All development is good devel-opment,” he said.

Jennette Smith: (313) 446-0414,[email protected]

The Greektown Hotel and Casino design calls for glass towers anchored by a brick base. Luxury suites will have glass-enclosed walk-out areas. Hnedak Bobo Group, Rosetti, SDG Design and Rich and Associates are the architects. JenkinsConstruction Inc. and Skanska USA are the general contractors.

T

Rossetti

O’Callaghan

ABOUT THIS FEATUREWhat’s driving the latest trend? What are the hiddenfactors? How do things really work?

Metro is dedicated to a behind-the-scenes look at businessand lifestyle trends and topics in metro Detroit.

Have an idea for a future Metro story? Send it to ExecutiveEditor Cindy Goodaker at [email protected].


© 2007 AT&T Knowledge Ventures. All rights reserved. AT&T and the AT&T logo are trademarks of AT&T Knowledge Ventures.

Problems no longerkeep you up at nıght.

Solutions do.att.com/OnwardSmallBiz

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BRIEFLYBRIEFLYWashtenaw bond rating raised

Washtenaw County expects a re-cent improvement to its bond cred-it rating to save about $200,000 on a$21.6 million expansion and reno-vation to the county’s jail.

Standard & Poor’s boosted its as-sessment of the financial risk ofthe county’s bond rating from“AA” to “AA+” on Jan. 16.

Moody’s maintains an “AA” rat-ing for Washtenaw County.

— Bill Shea

AlixPartners names 2 co-presidentsStefano Aversa and Peter

Fitzsimmons have been promotedto co-presidents of AlixPartnersL.L.C. in Southfield, where bothhad been managing director. Aver-sa, who had been based in Detroit,will oversee Asian and Europeanmarkets from a yet-to-be-deter-mined location; Fitzsimmons, whohad been based in London, willoversee North American opera-tions from New York.

Denso exec to lead Auto AlleyJohn Voorhorst, vice president

of Southfield-based Denso Interna-tional America Inc. and president ofthe Denso North America Foundation,has been elected to a two-year termas president of Troy-based Automa-tion Alley. He replaces Jerry Rush,senior director of government andcommunity affairs for Troy-basedArvinMeritor Inc.

“Jerry Rush has been an amaz-ing ambassador for the Alley overthe last two years. We greatly ap-preciate his service,” said KenRogers, Automation Alley’s execu-tive director, in a press release. “Ilook forward to working with JohnVoorhorst and the new board infurthering the Alley’s efforts togrow the region’s economy.”

Three new board members wereelected to the 19-member board —Adam Wilburn of Troy-based SuSoftSolutions Inc.; Lou Longo, a partnerin Southfield-based Plante & MoranP.L.L.C.; and Turkia Mullin, assis-tant Wayne County executive.

— Tom Henderson

More tenants set for Mall at Partridge Creek

Brighton Collectibles, The Levi’sStore and Samsonite are among sev-eral retailers that plan to maketheir debut in Macomb Countywhen The Mall at Partridge Creekopens this fall, according to a state-ment issued Jan. 31 by TaubmanCenters Inc.

Bloomfield Hills-based Taub-man (NYSE: TCO) announced 25additional tenants for the lifestylecenter it’s building in ClintonTownship, several of which will benew to Macomb County. Those in-clude J. Jill, Janie and Jack, LuckyBrand Jeans, Lucy, Sunglass Designs,Swarovski Gallery Store, Crabtree &Evelyn, Papyrus, Rockport, Skechersand The Walking Co.

Other retailers announced wereAldo, Bath & Body Works, Kay Jewel-ers, Victoria’s Secret and Victoria’sSecret Beauty, Zales Jewelers andH&M.

Several restaurants also plan tomake their Macomb County debutat Partridge Creek, including BarLouie, Nestle Toll House Café by Chip,

and Marble Slab Creamery. Max &Erma’s also will open a location atthe shopping center.

About 20 other tenants were an-nounced for Partridge Creek inApril, including Apple, Ann Taylor,Banana Republic and California PizzaKitchen.

Partridge Creek, which is beingdeveloped on the south side of HallRoad between Garfield and RomeoPlank roads, is scheduled to openOct. 18. The 640,000-square-footcenter is expected to include about90 stores and restaurants, and willbe anchored by Parisian, Nordstromand MJR Theatres.

— Sheena Harrison

Aastrom gets ‘orphan drug’designation for heart treatment

Aastrom Biosciences Inc. has re-ceived an orphan-drug designationfrom the U.S. Food and Drug Adminis-tration for a chronic heart-diseasetreatment it has developed, accord-ing to a statement issued Feb. 1.

Ann Arbor-based Aastrom re-ceived the designation for its TissueRepair Cells, a product that con-tains stem and progenitor cells ob-tained from a patient’s own bonemarrow. The treatment is used toregenerate heart tissue in patientswith dilated cardiomyopathy, a dis-ease that causes heart enlargement

and reduces normal circulation.The FDA gives the orphan desig-

nation to companies developing adrug for rare disorders. If Aas-trom’s treatment is approved bythe FDA, the company would be el-igible for incentives such as a sev-en-year patent on the product, taxincentives and exclusive sellingrights for the treatment.

— Sheena Harrison

Detroit eighth-graders to take community college class

Detroit Public Schools and WayneCounty Community College Districthave forged an agreement to better

prepare Detroit eighth-graders forhigh school and college.

Beginning next fall, all eighth-grade students in Detroit PublicSchools will take an online coursethrough the community college toskills including goal setting, notetaking, time management, conflictresolution, information literacyand career planning.

The college said in a release thatit will waive all fees for the one-hour college credit course and is-sue identification cards to the stu-dents to give them access to itsresources, including a 24-hour on-line help desk.

— Sherri Begin


February 12, 2007Page 18 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS

CONSULTANTS

MISCELLANEOUS

BUSINESS &INVESTMENTS

BUSINESSES FOR SALE

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITIES

BUSINESSES WANTED

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

EQUIPMENT &MERCHANDISE

OFFICE FURNITURE

TELECOMMUNICATIONSANNOUNCEMENTS &SERVICES

APARTMENT BUILDINGS

AUCTIONS INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

CONDOS

RECREATIONAL PROPERTY

RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY

WATERFRONT PROPERTY

LUXURY PROPERTY

MANAGEMENT

COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES

AUCTIONSBUSINESS ASSETS

AUCTIONSBUSINESS ASSETS

Call Us ForPersonalized Service:(313) 446-6068

FAX: (313) 446-1757E-MAIL: [email protected]: www.crainsdetroit.com/classifieds

PAYMENT: All classified ads must be prepaid. Checks, money order or Crain’s credit approvalaccepted. Credit cards accepted.

CLOSING TIMES: Monday 3 p.m.,one week prior to publication date.Please call us for holiday closing times.

MAIL: Classified Advertising, Crain’s Detroit Business,1155 Gratiot Ave., Detroit, MI 48207-2997.Include name, company, address and phone number.

CRAIN’S CLASSIFIEDConfidential Reply Boxes Available

See Crainsdetroit.com/Classifiedsfor more classified advertisements

See our Classified ads on www.crainsdetroit.com

CRAIN’SRESIDENTIALPROPERTIES

Advertise yourgoods and services in

Crain’s Detroit Business

CRAIN’SREALESTATE

CRAIN’S EXECUTIVERECRUITER WORKS!

CRAIN’SEXECUTIVERECRUITER

Advertise yourgoods and services in

Crain’s Detroit Business

P & C Broker and InsurerPerformance Reviews & RFP’sClients include Public Entities, Public & Private Cor-porations, Large Non-Profits, and HC Providers. Alsoexpert testimony, alternative risk evals, professionalliability product development, & policy drafting for in-surers of all sizes. Joseph M. Inwald, JD, [email protected] or 248-406-5038.

Sail a Magnificent Yacht In DetroitFractional Use Across The Entire Season

From $5,250 All-InclusiveProfessional Instruction Available

PINNACLE YACHTS800.285.7495 - www.pinnacleyachts.com

Marketing Franchise For Sale Fast growing franchise opportunity.

Marketing, advertising, PR. Prime location.Please call (248) 982 4600

Liquidating ITALIAN Decorative Hardware(Cabinets, Handles, and Knobs), Classic and Mod-ern line. See www.imosline.com. Various stylesand finishes. Also included, metric screws, hand-out brochures, full trade show display, CUSTOM-ER DATA BASE, shelving. $300,000 to $325,000retail value. Liquidate for $40,000.00 cash. Canbe run as part time/Full time, and as one manoperation. Huge profit margin. Sterling Heights.

Call: 586-264-2838

INVESTMENT PROPERTY IN SARASOTA, FL.Model leaseback available and condo’s from $590K.

Inventory available. Developer owned.Call 239-777-4280

Beautiful Brighton PropertySecluded 2 Level Brick Home on 2 Acres

0-DOWN FINANCING - SELLER TO PAY COSTSLease to Own Option

Visit: www.9356northboro.com

BUYING A HOME? SELLING A HOME?www.freehomeinfo.listingbook.com

CLARE COUNTY: 320 acres w/duck marsh & stream,turn-key furnished modern lodge, 5 bed, 4 1/2 bath,2 suites, food plots, tower blinds, superb hunting,excellent genetics, $1.6M 1031 INC. 616-774-1031

Beautiful Clinton Twp. Executive HomeIncluded 4 bed / 2 bath, central air, fireplace, & heat -ed garage. Completely remodeled. Renting $1250+

Sec. 34616 Chope Pl. Contact: 586 530 0019

APARTMENT COMPLEXMacomb County, 12 units, 100% occu-pied, good gross. $495,000.

MT. CLEMENSTurnkey restaurant with Class C Liq-uor License. $50,000 down, aggres-sive lease rates.WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENTMarina, restaurant/bar, 54 slips, ClayTownship, 5.5 acres. $2,450,000.

Imagine $100K in tech for your office.Imagine free publicity for your small business.

The $100,000 Total Tech Makeover Contest.Learn more at: www.sbsummit.com/tech

HATE YOUR KRONOS® TIME-KEEPING SOFTWARE -Many do! We can replace it for FREE. Call me to

find out how. Steve Rupe 248-346-5823 orvisit www.provect.com

NORTHWEST MICHIGAN-ELK RAPIDS - Landscape / Floral / Nursery. Land, buildings, tools,equipment. Includes 3 bdrm home, will train. $500KCall Dave at REMAX of Elk Rapids 231-633-4677

Exceptional Business Opportunities in DowntownDetroit. Seeking investors, venture capitalists, po -

tential partners for several Restaurants/Bar ventures.Contact Ms. Frederiksen@ 586-722-4798.

Brilliant Franchise OpportunityJoin America’s finest specialty toy store family.

World class support and much [email protected] or 517-333-0802

www.brilliantskytoys.com

LOOKING TO BUY: Residential and/or Commer-cial Plumbing Service & Drain Cleaning Compa-nies; Southeast Michigan Preferred; 5 Trucks ormore; Fast close with substantial CASH DOWN pay-ment. Confidentiality assured. Fax information TollFree to 866-402-5260 or email to: [email protected]

FLORIDA WATERFRONT HOME - SW Florida Canalfront home with direct access to the Gulf of Mexico.

Luxury pool, 10k boat lift. $475k.Call 239-823-3469

LAKEHOUSE / Waterfront Prop AT A STEAL.Waterford, MI. Seller to pay ALL COSTS / Free Fi-nancing, 0 Down. Private Showings By Appt. Only.

www.2730dixie.com

NOW TAKING RESERVATIONS!Beautiful waterfront 1 acre estate lotsin Brighton. New exclusive 10 lot com-munity on large all sports WoodlandLake! Each lot has appx. 160’ of front-age on paved road. Brighton Schools.Easy X-way access. Have "up north"lakefront living minutes from work!Call Vantage ConstructionCompany For More Details

810-220-8060

PORT SANILAC DOWNTOWNDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Seeking to partner with private developer for state signa-ture grant. $210,000 available for corner property pur-chase. Renovation of the existing Blue Water Inn buildingrequired, located at M-46 & M-25. Liquor license may beavailable.

Please reply DDA ChairmanChester S. Kolafcz 810 622 9651 or

Email : [email protected]

Enjoy fixed annual returns of 12%Receive collateral values at up to 50% greater than your in -vested capital and receive interest, tax deferred, compound -ed monthly, directly into your I.R.A. or Retirment Program.

We can also accommodate straight capital investments!Visit www.peacetreeinvestments.comfor a free special report. 800-725-4953

LOOKING FOR INVESTOROR WORKING PARTNER

$20,000 - $200,000CALL (248) 613-5367

Investment Opportunity in New Medical OfficeBuilding development. Average 25% annual return

with 40% IRR in 12 years.Phone 248 745 3510

MUST SELL, OFFICE CLOSEDDesks $99, Chairs $39, Files $49, Partitions $50,

Lateral Files $99, Cubicles, Office Phone SystemsCall (248) 548-6404 or (248) 474-3375.

Chief Financial OfficerA private & closely held professional firm, recog-nized as the leading provider of international cus-toms & trade consulting services seeks a highlymotivated experienced professional to lead our fi-nancial operations.Our Firm has experienced dramatic growth overthe last decade and we expect continued growth.Our 270 employees are located in 3 countries on2 continents.Responsibilities: direction & management of stra-tegic as well as day to day cash & accrual finan-cial operations & reporting & managing the rela-tionships with banks, creditors & external profes-sional service providers & facilities management.Min. qualifications: Include but are not limited toextensive experience in finance and accounting;5 years experience with time & billing accountingpractices; Bachelors Degree in Accounting or Fi-nance from an accredited institution & a CPA oran Advanced Degree in Accounting or Finance;impeccable business & work ethics; skilled at op-erating in a team oriented environment.Other qualifications: Include but are not limited to3 years experience with the FAR & other govern-ment contract accounting requirements; experi-ence with multi-business line, multi-location,multi-company, international presence financialoperations; financial operations transition & sys-tem transition experience; & experience withThompson Elite.Wage and benefit package commensurate withposition.

Qualified candidates please email your experi -ence, qualifications and compensation require -

ments to [email protected].

Broadband VOIP Telephone ServicesHosted PBX, Business & Consumer

Use your Broadband Connection to Save Up to 80%PBX.NET Corporation - www.pbx.net

Call Toll Free 866-342-5864 or [email protected]

LUCENT . . . AVAYA. . . PARTNER. . .MAGIX. . . VOIP. . .LEGEND . . .

MERLIN. . .SPIRIT Systems/Parts New/refurbished.Omnicall Equipment Corp. (248) 848-9282

WE HAVE USED PHONESNortel, Lucent, phone systems. Almost any new or

used phone available. Expert installation available.Call (248)548-6404

Williams & LiptonPUBLIC AUCTION

Tues. Feb. 27 @ 10 a.m.By order of the Trustee

TAWAS INDUSTRIES, INC.905 Cedar Street

Tawas City, Michigan 48763(6) Paper Air & Fuel Filter

Manufacturing Product Lines,Filter Assembly Equipment,CNC Toolroom Equipment,Tube Bending and Forming

Equipment, Air Compressors,Hilos, Truck

Desirable 84,000 sq.ft.Manufacturing Facility isAvailable. Please Call.

A 10% Buyer’s Premium will apply at this sale.

For Further Information or CircularCall: (2 4 8 ) 6 4 6 - 7 0 9 0

Web: www.williamsandlipton.com

FOR SALE

Barry Swatsenbarg/Richard Deptulaor Scott Barrie

[email protected]

[email protected]@freg.com

34975 W Twelve Mile RdFarmington Hills, MI 48331

www.friedmanrealestate.com

•Substantial Upside•49 Units (7 Story Mid-Rise)•Minutes from Downtown Dayton•Close to Major Employment•Easy Access to Major Freeways (SR-35, I-70 & I-75)•No Set Asking Price

Lantern Arms Apartments

Apartment Buildings For Sale• 6-Unit Birmingham townhouse building. In come of over $62,000/year. Great investment potential.• 8-Unit Royal Oak apartment building. Over $52,000/year income.

Package deal for both properties. Serious andqualified buyers only.

Please call Kimberly for details.(248) 635-0089 or

[email protected]

AUCTION Commercial Property• Parcel 1 - 12,000 sq.ft. building, built 2003, Office, Retail, Medical. On 1.4 acres.• Parcel 2 - 1.4 acres - Vacant Land• Parcel 3 - 7.3 acres - Vacant Land Located on M-15, Davison MI. Utilities on site.

Parcels must be sold, contact Tavis at 989-551-2010

FORMER Kmar t Corp Headquar ters2 DAY PUBLIC AUCTION

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 16 & SATURDAY FEBRUARY 17 AUCTION@10:00 A.M. REGISTR ATION @ 9:00 A.M.

Preview on Thurs. Feb 15 10 A.M. - 3 P.M.HUGE OFFICE FURNITURE/EQUIP, CORP ART COLLECTION, VIDEO

PRODUCTION/AUDITORIUM EQUIP. AUCTION!3100 W. B ig Beaver Rd. , TROY, MI 48084

D I R E C T I O N S : Lo ca t e d a t W E S T E N D o f t h e S o m e r s e t M a l l o nWe s t B i g B e a ve r & C o o l i d g e.

Use Liquidation Showroom "T-DOOR" entrance (north rear of buildings). 2 rings selling simultaneously! Items include 1000+/- Steelcase metal or wood-top desks;

400+/- Steelcase rolling office chairs (valued at $600 if NEW), Steelcase office furniture including 1000+/- office cubicle panels, workstations, metal lateral &

vertical filing cabinets, credenzas, computer desks, Dell PC's, laptops, printers, mail bin sorters, microfiche reader/printers; Auditorium equipment including theater

seating, rear projector, projector screen, lighting control system, sliding auditorium wall system; Video production equipment; Security equipment; Shipping/receiving

equipment, forklift, commercial trash compactors; Building/maintenance equipment & tools; Satellite transmission equipment; Store Fixtures,

CORPORATE ART COLLECTION (BEING SOLD SATURDAY FEBRUARY 17 )with 400+/- works of fine art including a rare Picasso tapestry, Ansel Adams

photograph, large outdoor sculptures, paintings, prints, lithographs, etchings, pastels, posters; 1991 Dodge Ram 350 4x4 Truck; 1991 Ford Aerostar Van, plusitems are still being added. Call National Retail Equipment Liquidators (under

the direction of Abacus Advisors) (248) 463-5819, auctioneer, for terms/brochure or view online at: www.nrel.com/liquidations

TERMS & CONDITIONS: Removal will be Sunday Feb 18 - Feb 23 10 A.M. - 3 P.M.

Full payment due day of auction. Cash, Check with Bank Letter, MasterCard or Visa only. 15% Buyer's Premium. Any other terms or conditions will be

announced day of auction and will take precedence over printed matter. Buyers shall rely entirely on their own information, judgment, and inspections of property

and record. Auctioneer and assistants are seller's agents.Auction will be conducted, rain or shine.

PROXIBID AVAILABLE! Bid on CORPORATE ART, Sculptures,Audio/Video Production Equip & other selected items

ONLINE at: www.proxibid.com

th th

th

th

WE BUY SHOPPING CENTERSWe are principals who can close quickly.

Call David at Next Realty 847-881-2007or email: [email protected]

Brokers Protected

Gratiot/12 Mile - 1360 - 7800 SF Comm, Lease/SaleHarper/11 Mile - 10,700 SF Comm - Must SellHarper/11 Mile - 3,400 SF, Office, Great ParkingMack/9 Mile - 9,400 SF, Office/Comm ReducedSt. Clair Shores - 3 great development sitesJ.E. DeWald & Assoc (313) 884-2200

Call

Dominic

at

734.737.0500

Why l ea se whenyou can Bu i ld to Own .

Le t me show youhow - exp lo re your op t i on s .

Designers & BuildersD.J. MALTESE

CLINTON TOWNSHIPVacant land zoned multiple. Residen-tial or office condos on main street.Only $99,000.

1031 OPPORTUNITYProperty portfolio. Macomb County Aand B Properties. 135,000 SF officeand commercial, all or part, asking$12,500,000 or best offer.

VAN DYKE & CHICAGO RD.Hard commercial corner. 2 +/- acres,perfect for coffee or phone anchoreddevelopment. Join Lowes, Wendys,Pizza Hut. Steal it at $650,000.

FOR LEASEDEARBORN, MICHIGAN

7,500 sq. ft. Repair FacilityWith large fenced yard313-506-0534

INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY OFFICE BUILDING

OFFICE SPACE

RETAIL SPACE

VACANT LAND

COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES

Crain’s Classifieds Gets Results

CRAIN’SREALESTATE

FOR LEASE - 3,500 SQ.FT. - 300,000 SQ. FT .

$1.60 S.F. (313) 963-8790 Brokers Protected

AVAILABLE NOW4,000 to 100,000 sq. ft.

Also 10,000 & 25,000 sq. ft.Free Standing Bldgs w/truckwells.1 Mile from Metro Airport

REA CONSTRUCTION(734) 946-8730

Also Heavy IndustrialLand Available

www.reaconstruction.net

FOR LEASEDEARBORN, MICHIGAN

60,000 sq. ft. Building, 4,000 sq. ft. OfficeSprinklered / 6 Truck Docks

313-506-0534

Grosse Ile – Commerce Park facilities.

10,000 ft2

light industrial w/offices-$65K/yr.

4,400 ft2

warehouse/light industrial-

$20K/yr. Utilities incl.

www.grosseileairport.com link to Commerce

Park. 734.675.0155

333 S. Main, Ann Arbor. Prime, Beautifully redone2,400 Sq. Ft., Unbelievable price.

Call (734)-761-6170 or (734) 761-6163.www.curtiscommercialllc.com

CLINTON TOWNSHIP

2,500 SF, 2 unit office. Harper near15 Mile Rd. $275,000.

OFFICE CONDO FOR SALE - ROCHESTER HILLS1250 sq. ft. + full basement. Great location, beautiful,

immediate occupancy, ample parking.Magar & Company - Call Sam Magar 248-358-3775

FLORIDA RESIDENTIAL LOTS FOR SALE47 Large Lots, Fully Developed, Children’s Park area,Immediate School Availability. Less than 1 hour NW

of Orlando International Airport. ALL or PART,Terms to Builders. Call 352-742-7558 or 586-764-7444

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BIOTECHNOLOGYMukul Rathi to interim CFO, CaracoPharmaceutical Laboratories Ltd., De-troit, from controller.

EDUCATIONMarla Stone to administrative manag-er, business office, The Eugene Apple-baum College of Pharmacy and HealthSciences, Wayne State University, De-troit, from administrative officer,WDET 101.9 FM, Detroit.

FINANCEJohn Krakowiak to partner, DeRoy & De-vereaux Private Investment CounselInc., Southfield, from consultant, NewEngland Pension Consultants, Detroit.Grantham Spencer to director of mort-gage banking, Quicken Loans, Livo-nia, from mortgage banker.

Daren Shavell toassociate, Tele-mus Capital Part-ners L.L.C., South-field, from seniorfinancial analyst,Dominion BondRating Services,New York City. Donald Soenen,chairman andCEO, SensorsInc., Saline, and

chairman of All Weather Inc., Sacra-mento, Calif., to chairman of theboard, Plymouth Financial Corp., Ply-mouth, parent company for New Liber-ty Bank, Plymouth.

W. Emery Matt-hews to chief in-vestment officer,MayfieldGentryRealty AdvisorsInc., Detroit, fromdirector of leasing,Hines InterestsL.P., Detroit.Steve Stuart tovice president,property risk se-nior consultant,

Hylant Group, Troy, from vice presi-dent and senior consultant, MarshRisk Consulting, Detroit.

HEALTH CAREGloria Brooks to president and CEO,Arbor Hospice Inc., Ann Arbor, fromCOO, Visiting Nurse Association ofSoutheast Michigan, Oak Park.

LAWJames Adams to shareholder in theBloomfield Hills office, Butzel Long,Detroit, from attorney, Ufer & Spanio-la P.C., Troy.

MARKETINGAlice Miles to vice president, globaldata acquisition, R.L. Polk & Co.,Southfield, from director, corporatebusiness strategy, Ford Motor Co.,Dearborn.Jennifer Frustaci Adlhoch to sales andmarketing director, Harrington Com-munications, Grosse Pointe Woods,from assistant prosecuting attorneyfor Macomb County, Mt. Clemens.James Brunk to senior vice president,creative director, Campbell-Ewald,Warren, from creative director, ePrizeL.L.C., Pleasant Ridge. Also, AnneFeighan to senior vice president, direc-tor account planning, from vice presi-dent, manager account planning;Ronald Parkinson to senior vice presi-dent, management supervisor, fromvice president, senior account supervi-sor; Lisa Richland to senior vice presi-

dent, director ac-count planning,from senior vicepresident manag-ing strategic plan-ning and brand-ing activities,Bates Worldwide,New York City;Debra Spencer tosenior vice presi-dent, manage-ment supervisor,

from vice president, management su-pervisor; Anthony Takla to senior vicepresident, from senior client represen-tative/account manager, AcxiomCorp., Little Rock, Ark.; Robert Mone-ment to vice president, senior produc-er, from vice president, senior produc-er, BBDO Detroit, Troy; CliftonSimmons to vice president, copy super-visor, from senior copywriter, BBDODetroit, Troy; and Jennifer Swantek tovice president, account supervisor,from account supervisor.

NONPROFITSDouglas Stewart to executive director,

Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Founda-tion, Southfield, from director of de-velopment, children and women’shealth, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital,Ann Arbor.Tania McGee to executive director,The Sphinx Organization, Detroit, fromdirector of education and communityaffairs, and competition director.

SERVICESBobbi Socall to vice president of busi-ness operations, Business SuccessGroup L.L.C. & Training Success GroupL.L.C., Troy, from business-develop-ment expert.

UTILITIESJoAnn Chavez to vice president andchief tax officer, DTE Energy Co., De-troit, from director of taxation, AtlasOil Co., Taylor.

OTHERBob Klapish to vice president of opera-tions, Ideal Setech L.L.C. and IdealSetech Share-the-Spare L.L.C., Howell,from director of corporate accounts,Setech L.L.C.

PEOPLEPEOPLE

Shavell

Matthews

IN THE SPOTLIGHTAnn Arbor-based University ofMichigan Hospitals and HealthCenters on Feb. 1 named David

Morlock CFO. Morlock hasbeen with thehealth systemsince 1990and served asdirector offinancialplanning since1997, anddirector offinance forUM’s C.S. Mott

Children’s Hospital and Women’sHospital since 2004. Before joining the health system,Morlock was a commercial lenderwith City Bank & Trust Co. andbusiness manager with VisitingCare Home Nursing, which laterbecome UM’s Michigan VisitingNurses. He earned an MBA at EasternMichigan University and was agraduate fellow at the OwenSchool of Business. He lives inJackson. Morlock replaces Doug Strong,who became CEO Aug. 1.

Morlock

PEOPLE GUIDELINESAnnouncements are limited tomanagement positions. Nonprofitand industry group boardappointments can be found atwww.crainsdetroit.com. Sendsubmissions for People to JoanneScharich, Crain’s Detroit Business,1155 Gratiot Ave., Detroit, MI48207-2997, or send e-mail [email protected]. Releasesmust contain the person’s name,new title, company, city in whichthe person will work, former title,former company (if not promotedfrom within) and former city inwhich the person worked. Photosare welcome, but we cannotguarantee they will be used.

Spencer


His story reads like the American dream.

Fifty years ago he started his business selling lawn mower parts.Today heowns a Mercedes dealership inBloomfield Hills. His success was founded on a selfless concept.Take care of your customers and youremployees. Focus on everyone else.

The Ghesquiere family connection toBeaumont goes back a long, long time.Two of his children and all twelve of hisgrandchildren were born at the hospital.

That’s why the idea of funding the newChildren’s Surgery Center was really appealing.Because it reflected ChuckGhesquiere’s core beliefs. A leading edge facility where patients are offeredthe best options pediatric medicine hasto offer.

So, it is fitting that the new GhesquiereFamily Center for Children’s Surgery,that was created to serve our communitybetter, is named for a man who has beendoing exactly that for the last half century.

Now thousands of families will betouched by the Ghesquieres’kindness.And all of us at Beaumont arevery grateful.

A National Reputation.A Local Conscience.

Charles J.Ghesquiere made generous donations to Beaumont’s Research Instituteand education programs.Recently, he helpedfound the Ghesquiere Family Center forChildren’s Surgery at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak.


TUESDAYF E B . 1 3

What’s in Store for the 2007 Econo-my? 7:30 a.m. The Association of Cor-porate Growth Detroit Chapter.Speaker: John Olivo, vice president,money market portfolio manager,Goldman Sachs. Glenn Oaks Golf &Country Club, Farmington Hills. $25members, $40 others. Contact: (877)894-2754 or www.acg.org/detroit/calendar/register.asp.

ESD Engineering & Technology Job Fair.2-7 p.m. The Engineering Society of De-troit. Southfield Town Center Atrium,Southfield. $12. Contact: RamonaSpencer, (248) 353-0735, Ext. 4114,[email protected] or www.esd.org.

Good Morning Livingston: GoogleComes to the Region. 7:30-9 a.m. How-ell Area Chamber of Commerce.Speaker: Grady Burnett, head of onlinesales and operations for the Google of-fice in Ann Arbor. Crystal Gardens-Livingston, Howell. $15 members, $20at the door, $25 nonmembers. Contact:(517) 546-3920 or [email protected].

THURSDAYF E B . 1 5

International Trade Workshops: Devel-oping Effective Cross-Cultural Commu-nication Skills. 8-11:30 a.m. Miller Can-field Paddock & Stone plc, Plante &Moran P.L.L.C., Oakland University,U.S. Commercial Service, Detroit Re-

gional Economic Partnership, Comer-ica Bank and the Detroit ChineseBusiness Association. Automation Al-ley, Troy. $35 members, $50 nonmem-bers. Contact: Freia Boeckel, (248) 457-3283, [email protected] www.automationalley.com.

COMING EVENTSThe Good, The Bad and The Ugly of Re-Branding the United Way. 5:30 p.m.Feb. 20. The American Marketing As-sociation Detroit chapter. Speakers:Sandra Rupp, president of United WayWashtenaw County and DeborahBratkovich, director of resource devel-opment for United Way WashtenawCounty. Iroquois Club, BloomfieldHills. $35 members, $20 student mem-bers, $50 guests. Contact: (248) 622-8247

CALENDARCALENDARNEWSMAKER OF THE YEAR

Who: DanGilbert,founder/chairman, RockFinancial/Quicken Loans.When:Wednesday.Where: DetroitMarriottRenaissanceCenter.

Tickets: $40 for Inforum members,$50 for others.Reservations: inforummichigan.org.Call (313) 578-3230.

or www.detroit.marketingpower.com.

Macomb County Economic Forecast.11:30 a.m. Feb. 20. The Chamber Al-liance of Macomb County. Speaker:Jim Jacobs, associate vice president ofMacomb Community College, andeconomist. Macomb Community Col-lege, Clinton Township. $25 members,$35 others. Please RSVP by Feb. 16.Contact: (586) 268-6430 or www.macombchamber.com.

Detroit Economic Club. Noon Feb. 20.Speaker: Hector de J. Ruiz, chairmanand CEO, Advanced Micro DevicesInc. Royal Park Hotel, Rochester $35members, $40 guests of members, $50others. Contact: (313) 963-8547 orwww.econclub.org.

Single Business Tax: What’s Next? 2p.m. Feb. 22. National Association ofWomen Business Owners Greater De-troit Chapter and the Asian-PacificAmerican Chamber of Commerce.Central Michigan University, Troy.Free. Contact: (313) 961-4748 orwww.nawbogdc.org.

The Black Busi-ness Conference.8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.Feb. 27. The U.S.Small BusinessAdministrationand the Alpha PhiAlpha FraternityInc. Speaker: Den-nis Archer, formerDetroit mayorand current chair-man of Dickinson

Wright. Also includes business work-shops and a motor coach tour of eastside business and residential develop-ments. Golightly Career and Techni-cal Center, Detroit. $25 includesbreakfast, lunch and the bus tour.Contact: (313) 256-0576.

Adcraft Club ofDetroit. Noon Feb.28. Ted Koppel,managing editorfor the DiscoveryChannel, and for-mer anchor andmanaging editorof ABC News’“Nightline.” TroyMarriott. $37members, $30 ju-nior members

(under age 25), $20 students (with ID),$42 others. Contact: (313) 872-7850 orwww.adcraft.org.

Wireless Oakland-Building the Com-munity and Work-force ofTomorrow. 8 a.m.Feb. 28. GreaterBrighton AreaChamber of Com-merce and GLI-MA-Livingston.Speakers: L.Brooks Patterson,

Oakland County executive; PhilBertolini, deputy county executive andCOO; and Paul McNamara, director ofinformation technology for Liv-ingston County. Crystal Gardens-Liv-ingston, Howell. $20 members, $30 oth-ers Contact: (810) 227-5086 [email protected].

CALENDAR GUIDELINESMore Calendar items can be foundon the Web at www.crainsdetroit.com. Please send news releasesfor Calendar to Joanne Scharich,Crain’s Detroit Business, 1155Gratiot Ave., Detroit, MI 48207-2997, or e-mail [email protected]. You also may submitCalendar items in the Calendarsection of crainsdetroit.com.

Gilbert

Archer

Koppel

Patterson


february 12, 2007 crain s detroit business mary …cobo expansion. admittedly, neither survey was...

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