The Michigan Opportunity

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The Michigan Opportunity

Michigan Economic Development Corporation

249 episodes

6 days ago

Powering Defense and Driving Innovation for a Safer, Smarter Future in Michigan Matthew Warnick serves as Chief Executive Officer of American Rheinmetall, headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan. He has been with Rheinmetall for more than twelve years, guiding its U.S. operations since the establishment of American Rheinmetall (formerly American Rheinmetall Vehicles) in 2019. The company supports Rheinmetall’s Vehicle Systems Division with sales, engineering, and program management for defens...

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Entrepreneurship

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Powering Defense and Driving Innovation for a Safer, Smarter Future in Michigan Matthew Warnick serves as Chief Executive Officer of American Rheinmetall, headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan. He has been with Rheinmetall for more than twelve years, guiding its U.S. operations since the establishment of American Rheinmetall (formerly American Rheinmetall Vehicles) in 2019. The company supports Rheinmetall’s Vehicle Systems Division with sales, engineering, and program management for defens...

Show more...

Entrepreneurship

Episodes (20/249)

The Michigan Opportunity

S5 Ep.41 - Matthew Warnick, Chief Executive Officer, American Rheinmetall

Powering Defense and Driving Innovation for a Safer, Smarter Future in Michigan Matthew Warnick serves as Chief Executive Officer of American Rheinmetall, headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan. He has been with Rheinmetall for more than twelve years, guiding its U.S. operations since the establishment of American Rheinmetall (formerly American Rheinmetall Vehicles) in 2019. The company supports Rheinmetall’s Vehicle Systems Division with sales, engineering, and program management for defens...

1 week ago

27 minutes

The Michigan Opportunity

S5 Ep.40 - Jessica Nabongo, Author, Entrepreneur, Photographer, Travel Expert

She has lived and worked around the world and been to every 195 UN-recognized countries. But there’s only one place Jessica Nabongo calls home—Detroit. As the first Black woman to visit every country in the world, Jessica Nabongo is the author of the #1 best seller — Catch Me If You Can and mastermind behind The Catch Me If You Can travel blog. In this episode she shares why she made Michigan her home, the socioeconomical work she does around the world and teases her upcoming book, Catc...

2 weeks ago

32 minutes

The Michigan Opportunity

S5 Ep.39 - Meaghan Kennedy, Founder, Orange Sparkle Ball, Inc. & Bernard Sweicki, Vice President of Mobility and Research, Global Epicenter of Mobility

What exactly is a mobility ecosystem and how can it be measured to attract new business and top talent to Michigan? Our expert guests unpack their groundbreaking research that connects innovation, technology, networking and infrastructure to economic growth. The Global Epicenter of Mobility (GEM) has partnered with Orange Sparkle Ball, Inc. to run a social network analysis, to try and gage GEM’s impact beyond their region and measure the relationship between organizations within their ecosyst...

3 weeks ago

34 minutes

The Michigan Opportunity

S5 Ep. 38 - Dr. Arthur Lupia, Vice President of Research and Innovation, University of Michigan

Regarded as one of the world’s leading research universities - the Office of the Vice President for Research is driving the mission to catalyze, support and safeguard U-M research from private sector, to government, to non-profit and more. Dr. Arthur Lupia is the Vice President of Research and Innovation at the University of Michigan, where he is responsible for fostering the excellence and integrity of research across all three campuses (Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint). Lupia’s vast exp...

1 month ago

32 minutes

The Michigan Opportunity

S5 Ep. 37 - Alison Watson, Director, Michigan Arts and Culture Council

To Preserve and Grow: the Michigan Arts and Culture Council was established as the state’s steward of creativity and heritage. In our next segment of Around Michigan in 30 Minutes we talk with Alison Watson, Director of the Michigan Arts and Culture Council. From the Upper Peninsula to our southern border, Alison takes us on a journey through the people, places, and stories that showcase Michigan’s cultural heartbeat. Since 1966, the State of Michigan has recognized the vital role vibra...

1 month ago

30 minutes

The Michigan Opportunity

S5 Ep. 36 - Alex Tank and Michael Lehnert, International Affairs Forum - Traverse City

Global issues, local insights: Hear from two leaders with the International Affairs Forum-Traverse City discuss the world affairs shaping our future. We sit down with Alex Tank, Director at Northwestern Michigan College and Michael Lehnert, retired Major General, to learn about the International Affairs Forum - Traverse City (IAF). They describe the unique relationship between IAF and the college, the various events and opportunities IAF offers, and more. The mission of the Internationa...

1 month ago

30 minutes

The Michigan Opportunity

S5 Ep.35 - Vicki Selva, Executive Director, The Detroit Regional Defense Coalition

By uniting Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties, the Detroit Regional Defense Coalition (DRDC) is working to make Southeast Michigan a hub for defense and aerospace. We dive into Southeast Michigan’s role in the defense and aerospace sectors by talking with Vicki Selva, the Executive Director of DRDC. She takes us through how the coalition is driving collaboration, shaping supportive policy, and leveraging the region’s unique assets to attract investment and high-quality jobs. DRDC ...

1 month ago

36 minutes

The Michigan Opportunity

S5 Ep.34 - Hilary Doe, Chief Growth Officer, State of Michigan

When it comes to attracting talent, supporting employers, and building a competitive future for Michigan, Hilary Doe is up to the challenge! How do you grow a state’s population when faced with challenges like talent migration, employer needs, and quality of life? Michigan’s Chief Growth Officer, Hilary Doe, is tackling the issue head-on with a statewide road show. The Michigan Growth Office initiative highlights entrepreneurship, place making, economic diversification, housing, talent attrac...

2 months ago

33 minutes

The Michigan Opportunity

S5 Ep.33 - Khalil Rahal, Director of Economic Development, DTE Energy

Powering the Future: Data Centers, Cybersecurity, and Energy Demands with DTE Energy’s Khalil Rahal Join Khalil Rahal, Director of Economic Development at DTE Energy, as we explore the rising demands of today and tomorrow’s energy landscape. He also gives insight into how Michigan’s energy impacts economic development and site competition with other states. From the critical role of data centers to the challenges of latency, cybersecurity, and global competitiveness, Khalil discusses how Mich...

2 months ago

32 minutes

The Michigan Opportunity

S5 Ep.32 - Brian Larkin, Director, The National Land Bank Network at the Center for Community Progress

Transforming Vacant Spaces: Michigan-based leader assists 300 land banks across the U.S. Join Brian Larkin as he explains the interesting economic development organization, the National Land Bank Network (NLBN) at the Center for Community Progress. NLBN is the largest trade association for landbanks across the country, connecting land bank leaders to tools, networks, and resources. Brian breaks down what sets land banks apart from other public entities, the programs NLBN offers, and what drew...

2 months ago

31 minutes

The Michigan Opportunity

S5 Ep.31 - Dave Meador, Founder, Trove Market

Empowering Disabled Entrepreneurs in the Virtual Marketplace Former DTE Executive, Dave Meador, has launched Trove Market, a new digital platform designed to help disabled entrepreneurs connect with buyers and grow their businesses. Dave shares how his daughter and his previous work in economic development inspired him to bring the market to life. He also discusses ways he’s building support for this community, creating new opportunities and pathways to success and more.

2 months ago

23 minutes

The Michigan Opportunity

S5 Ep.30 - Matt McCauley, Senior Vice President-Regional Development, MEDC

From forests to factories to frosty pints — Matt covers Michigan in 30 minutes! During this segment of Around Michigan in 30 Minutes, we talk with MEDC SVP, Matt McCauley. Matt highlights essential and unique companies from around the state, discusses diverse industries and how regions and communities work together to better economic growth in Michigan.

2 months ago

31 minutes

The Michigan Opportunity

S5 Ep.29 - Bernard Swiecki, Vice President of Mobility and Research for the Detroit Regional Partnership (DRP), Global Epicenter of Mobility

The Global Epicenter of Mobility (GEM) is driving Detroit’s global mobility leadership in manufacturing, R&D, talent, and growth! Bernard Swiecki is the Vice President of Mobility and Research for the Detroit Regional Partnership (DRP), a leading economic development nonprofit serving the 11-county Detroit Region. In this role, Bernard oversees industry and research work for the Global Epicenter of Mobility (GEM) as the region works to retain and expand its global mobility and autom...

3 months ago

28 minutes

The Michigan Opportunity

S5 Ep.28 - Mark Rieth, President & CEO, Velvet Peanut Butter

From Velvet Peanut Butter to Craft Beer: Mark Rieth revives a Detroit icon and once again blends legacy with innovation. Best known for growing Atwater Brewery into one of Michigan’s top craft breweries, entrepreneur Mark Rieth’s latest venture is reviving the beloved 90-year-old Detroit brand, Velvet Peanut Butter. In this episode Mark shares how to find your target markets, working with local communities, working with various partners and more. Mark also purchased Lansing Brewing Company in...

3 months ago

19 minutes

The Michigan Opportunity

S5 Ep.27 - Justin Onwenu, Director of Entrepreneurship and Economic Opportunity, City of Detroit

Connecting the Dots for Detroit’s Entrepreneurs: Justin Onwenu on Building Opportunity. As the City of Detroit’s first Director of Entrepreneurship and Economic Opportunity, Justin Onwenu is on a mission to create real pathways to better work, higher wages, and long-term wealth for Detroiters. From startup support to access to capital, Justin is helping shape a growing entrepreneurial ecosystem—one that connects residents with tools, talent, and financial backing across the public, priv...

3 months ago

30 minutes

The Michigan Opportunity

S5 Ep.26 - Greg McArthur, Owner, NTL Industries

A hidden giant in our backyard: build-to-print CNC machining company, NTL Industries Inc. is changing the game in manufacturing. This week we talk with Greg McArthur, Owner of NTL Industries Inc. in Sterling Heights, MI. He gives insight into CNC manufacturing and shares his recent win as the 2025 US SBA Small Business Persons of the Year. NTL Industries specializes in CNC milling, CNC turning, plasma cutting and more. Their products expand through the aerospace, defense, agriculture industri...

3 months ago

24 minutes

The Michigan Opportunity

S5 Ep.25 - Richard Koubeck, President, Michigan Technological University

From 1885 to tomorrow — Michigan Technological University’s president takes us on a virtual tour of this R1 research leader. We connect with Michigan Technological University President, Richard Koubek, as he explains the University’s tech and research resources. He also discusses the University’s efforts in preparing career opportunities for students and keeping top talent in the state. Founded in 1885 as the Michigan Mining School, Michigan Tech comprises five colleges and schools and offers...

4 months ago

29 minutes

The Michigan Opportunity

S5 Ep.24 - Jonah Bailey, Managing Partner, Atomic Object

AI Software, Web and Mobile Apps, Product Design and more! Discover what Michigan company has been custom building software for 200+ Organizations since 2001. In this episode we welcome Jonah Bailey, Managing Partner at Atomic Object, as he talks about the future of AI and software technology. Atomic Object is a software development and design consultancy that customizes programs for each unique client. With offices from Ann Arbor to Grand Rapids, Chicago and North Carolina, they are developi...

4 months ago

33 minutes

The Michigan Opportunity

S5 Ep.23 - Marla Schneider, President & CEO, Cornerstone Alliance

In the Southwest Corner of Michigan is the economic powerhouse Cornerstone Alliance, doing business retention and expansion, physical development, and placemaking As President and CEO, Marla Schneider oversees Cornerstone Alliance’s comprehensive efforts to attract and retain businesses, foster entrepreneurship, and create a thriving economic landscape in Southwest Michigan. She shares with us several transformative projects underway, including initiatives focused on business retention and ex...

4 months ago

27 minutes

The Michigan Opportunity

S5 Ep.22 - Everett Woodel, Jr., Regional Administrator (Great Lakes), U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. This week we chat with Everett Woodel, Jr., the Great Lakes Regional Administrator for the U.S. SBA, about how the SBA helps small businesses throughout the Great Lakes area, from crises and disaster resistance services to loan forgiveness and more. Prior to his appointment as the Great Lakes Regional Administrator, Everett served as the District Director for the SBA in Columbus, Ohio overseeing p...

4 months ago

31 minutes