ANN ARBOR – At its annual meeting Thursday, Ann Arbor SPARK, the Washtenaw County economic development group elected Stephen Forrest, vice president for research at University of Michigan, as the new board chair, succeeding Rick Snyder who served as chairman since SPARK’s formation.
Jonathan S. Newpol, executive vice president, Thomson Reuters was elected to the board of directors.
New members joining the SPARK Executive Committee are:
Carsten Hohnke, Ann Arbor City Council Member and president, West Pole, Inc.
Trevor F. Lauer, vice president marketing, DTE Energy
Mark Ouimet, Washtenaw County Commissioner and founder, The Ouimet Group
Dave Tatman, plant manager, GM Powertrain Willow Run Site
Over the last year, the results of Ann Arbor SPARK�??s work have led to:
40 successful business expansion projects in the region
$225 million in new investments in the community
Commitment of 2,033 new jobs and retention of 1,561 jobs
11 new businesses attracted to the region
Support of 41 start-ups though Ann Arbor SPARK�??s Business Accelerator
More than 100 educational, networking and career enhancement events, including the bi-annual Entrepreneur Boot Camp
Ann Arbor SPARK�??s work also included helping connect job seekers with employers. The economic development group assisted 350 regional companies with candidate searches and more than 3,000 job seekers with employment searches.
For more information, click on AnnArborSPARK.Org
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