CHRIS RIZIK, Chairman
Founder, Partner and Board member of Ardesta, LLC. Rizik has held numerous positions in technology and law in his work with Avalon Investments, Dickinson Wright PLLC and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Rizik serves in board/committee positions with several community and charitable organizations including the Greater Detroit Chamber of Commerce and the Michigan Entrepreneur of the Year Program.
ROBERT J. BUCKLER, Vice Chairman
President and Chief Operating Officer for DTE Energy Distribution. Buckler has extensive experience in engineering, management, and customer and marketing services. Buckler serves on Michigan Economic Development Foundation Board, the Greater Downtown Detroit Partnership, the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, Detroit Renaissance and the Cranbrook Institute of Science.
MICHAEL A. BOULUS, PH.D
Executive Director, Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan. Boulus has been involved in education for more than 30 years. He has held positions with Michigan’s Department of Treasury, Epylon Corporation, Middle Cities Education Association, Michigan Schools Energy Cooperation, Michigan State University and Michigan Association of School Administrators.
RONALD J. GARDHOUSE, Secretary/Treasurer
Gardhouse has held numerous senior level Operating and Finance positions at locations throughout the world. He consults on the implementation of Sarbanes-Oxley and is a mentor for Executive level professional development.
GEORGE W. JACKSON, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation. Prior to the Detroit Economic Growth Corp., George served at DTE for 26 years as Director of Customer Marketing. Since 1984, he has been influential in the economic development of Detroit and the State of Michigan.
LANA POLLACK
President of the Michigan Environmental Council since 1996. She is Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the National League of Conservation Voters Education Fund and serves on the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board and the Environmental Advisory Committee for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.
DEBRA R. DANSBY, CPA
Debra Dansby is Senior Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). In her current role, she is responsible for the daily operations of the corporation and directly leads the Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Program Administration, Alternative Energy, New Markets, and 21st Century Jobs Fund program areas.