Leaders gather to address state's economic future

The University Research Corridor presidents will bring together top leaders from academia, business, government and think tanks for a two-day conference Oct. 15-16 that examines the best ways they can work together to transform and revitalize Michigan's economy.

The conference "The Role of Engaged Universities in Economic Transformation" is aimed at addressing the major competitiveness issues raised in the landmark National Academy of Sciences report, "Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future.''

Action teams will work together to devise next steps they can take to speed of the development of Michigan's knowledge-based economy. Speakers include:

• National Academy of Engineering President Charles Vest, president emeritus of MIT and a former U-M provost who helped craft the Rising Above the Gathering Storm report;

• U.S. Rep. John Dingell, the dean of the House and chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee;

• Assistant U.S. Secretary of Commerce Sandy Baruah, who oversees the department's Economic Development Administration;

• Derrick Kuzak, group vice president of global product development for Ford Motor Co.;

• Rick Snyder, co-founder and CEO of Ardesta LLC and chairman of Gateway Computers;

• Meijer Inc. President Mark Murray, former president of Grand Valley State University and a former Michigan state budget director; and

• The URC presidents: President Mary Sue Coleman, outgoing Wayne State University President Irvin Reid and Michigan State University President Lou Anna Simon.

For a more complete agenda, go to www.urcmich.org/events/ConferenceProgram.pdf.

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