Recent Speakers:

Bill Millett

Bill Millett has more than 25 years of experience in highly responsible positions, among them Executive Director of two Regional Councils of Governments including the largest such agency in South Carolina; Senior Vice President in charge of Economic Development for the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce; and Principal for Business Development for a major design firm. He has served on the boards of major national, state, and regional organizations, and accordingly has a solid working knowledge of organizational development, management, and assessment from both a staff and board perspective. Mr. Millett has made presentations to numerous state and national conferences and frequently facilitates workshops and retreats for a variety of organizations. His leadership positions have included the following: Five years of service on the Board of the National Association of Development Organizations; Past President of the Carolina Economic Development Association; Charter President, Southeast Community Development Association; past member, Governor�s Committee on Local Government (SC); and Chair, Regional Council Executive Directors Association. Collaboratives in Muskegon, Oakland/Wayne, Ingham, Charlevoix-Emmet, and Genesee counties hosted presentations by Bill Millett in February 2007.

Rob Grunewald

Rob Grunewald is Associate Economist for the Federal Bank of Minneapolis and highly regarded as an authority on regional economic research. He co-authors the Minneapolis Fed's "Beige Book" report on current economic conditions and also writes articles on the regional economy and other economics and banking issues for the fedgazette and The Region, two periodicals published by the Minneapolis Fed. Grunewald regularly speaks to business, community and school groups about the regional economy. He will be in Lansing, Michigan on May 17, 2007, to present to funders, legislators, and business leaders. A formal agenda will be available in April.
ECIC is the sponsor for this event.

Dr. James Heckman

Dr. James Heckman, Nobel Laureate in economics in 2000 and a professor at the University of Chicago, spoke to business, education, and community leaders in Detroit on Thursday, December 21, 2006. Over 180 people attended two events featuring Dr. Heckman discussing how efforts to enrich the environment of disadvantaged children is linked to productivity in the economy and society at large. (Click here to view his slide presentation in its entirety.)

ECIC, along with its partners the Michigan Head Start State Collaboration Office, Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Southeastern Michigan, and Detroit Renaissance look forward to many opportunities for continued discussion about the important connections between investment in early childhood and the economy of our state.