The Michigan Opportunity

Michigan Economic Development Corporation
  • 4.8 (16)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

An economic development podcast featuring candid conversations with business leaders across Michigan.

  1. 3D AGO

    S6 Ep.8 - Mary Buchzeiger, CEO, Lucerne International

    Manufacturing without borders: What it takes to lead a global manufacturing company while navigating supply chains, innovation and international markets On this episode we sit down with Lucerne International CEO, Mary Buchzeiger, getting an inside look at how this certified Women Business Enterprise (WBE) company is connecting advanced manufacturing with partners and customers around the world. Mary offers a candid conversation on international trade, reshoring, foreign trade zones and more. Hear how this Michigan company is thriving in the global marketplace while staying rooted locally.

    33 min

  2. MAR 4

    S6 Ep.7 - Steven Wilson, Executive Director, Economic Growth Institute, University of Michigan

    From research to real-world results: how the University of Michigan - Economic Growth Institute powers business innovation The University of Michigan - Economic Growth Institute (EGI) leverages U-M’s research, technologies, and expertise to help small and medium-sized businesses innovate and grow, drive regional economic development, and translate applied research into real-world impact.  In this episode we talk with Executive Director, Steven Wilson about how EGI provides strategic support, funding, research analysis, and hands-on collaboration with companies and communities to build long-term economic vitality across Michigan and beyond. Steve also talks about how EGI is working with the MEDC and the Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation and shares his deep Michigan roots.

    29 min

  3. FEB 25

    S6 Ep. 6 - Matt Elliot, Founder and CEO, Blue Lake Ideas

    From $35B in Sustainable Capital to The Power of &™: Matt Elliott on Driving Durable Growth and Community Impact Matt Elliott, Founder and CEO of Blue Lake Ideas, is a nationally recognized business and sustainability leader who advises executives and boards on navigating complexity and driving durable growth through his The Power of &™ leadership framework. In this episode Matt discusses his background as President of Bank of America Michigan and Sustainability Executive for Business and Global Commercial Banking. Diving into how he led teams across nine states and deployed more than $35 billion in sustainable capital.  Additionally, Matt is a former Chair of the Detroit Regional Chamber and board leader with Business Leaders for Michigan, the Michigan Israel Business Accelerator, and the Detroit Economic Club.

    34 min

  4. FEB 18

    S6 Ep.5 - Lori Lancaster, Vice Chairwoman, Emotiv Mobility and Tony Tomczak, Strategic Energy Lead, Emotiv Mobility

    Powering the Next Generation of Mobility in Michigan  On this episode of The Michigan Opportunity Podcast, we highlight Emotiv Mobility, a Michigan-based leader in supply chain integration, assembly, and advanced logistics. Vice Chairwoman, Lori Lancaster and Strategic Energy Lead, Tony Tomczak, discuss how Emotiv Mobility integrates logistics, engineered systems, manufacturing, and value-added assembly to power the next generation of mobility and energy infrastructure. Lori talks about how Emotiv looks at Michigan’s automotive roots and finds ways to move them into parallel industries including aerospace, energy and more. While Tony shares with us his project on developing oil-fill distribution transformers.

    32 min

  5. FEB 11

    S6 Ep.4 - Ryan Smith, Global Marketing Director, Dow Mobility Science

    Dow is driving the future of sustainable mobility in Midland, Michigan As the Global Marketing and Strategy Director for Dow Mobility Science™, Ryan Smith is at the forefront of the automotive industry's rapid transition toward electrification and sustainability. He leads global go-to-market strategies that align Dow’s deep material science expertise with the needs of the growing EV market. In this episode he discusses how Dow materials work with autonomous vehicles, vehicle electrification process, and more. Ryan also hosts the insightful video series “The Road Ahead”, and oversees major global investments for Dow including the first European MobilityScience™ Innovation Studio in Italy.

    35 min

  6. FEB 4

    S6 Ep.3 - John Gutierrez, Executive Director, The Michigan Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation

    From the battlefield to Michigan’s arsenal of innovation: Colonel John T. Gutierrez on powering the state’s defense & aerospace future Colonel John T. Gutierrez, U.S. United States Marine Corps (Ret.), brings over 30 years of operational, logistics, and defense acquisition leadership to his role as Executive Director of the Michigan Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation. In this episode, he shares how Michigan’s “Arsenal of Democracy” legacy is being modernized—helping companies win federal contracts, strengthen cybersecurity, and advancing innovation and advanced manufacturing.

    31 min

  7. JAN 28

    S6 Ep.2 - Michael Zahuranic, Director of Business Development, BAE Systems

    From the US Army to BAE Systems: How Michigan’s Sterling Heights hub powers the future of military ground vehicles as a prime original equipment integrator  Hear from Michael Zahuranic, Director of Business Development at BAE Systems, as he talks about how their Sterling Heights campus serves as a key hub for engineering, program management, and prototyping of military ground vehicles. BAE Systems is a global defense and aerospace leader delivering advanced military vehicles, systems, and technologies to the U.S. Department of Defense and international partners. Michael also discusses his more than 21 years of US Army experience and why his family chose Michigan to call home.

    32 min

  8. JAN 21

    S6 Ep.1 - Quentin L. Messer, Jr., Chief Executive Officer and Economic Competitiveness Officer of the MEDC

    A Conversation with Quentin Messer: Michigan’s Competitive Position and the Mechanics of Economic Development Quentin L. Messer, Jr. is the Chief Executive Officer and Economic Competitiveness Officer of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) where he leads statewide efforts to attract business investment, create jobs, support community development, and enhance Michigan’s economic brand. In his role, Messer champions business attraction and expansion, small business support, access to capital, and equitable economic growth that benefits all Michiganders. Under his leadership, MEDC has secured more than $13 billion in electric vehicle and battery manufacturing investments and nearly 13,000 good-paying jobs for Michigan families.  Messer’s career spans public-sector economic leadership, private consulting, and entrepreneurship, and he has been widely recognized for his contribution to economic development, including honors from Crain’s Detroit Business, Financial Times, and other national organizations. He holds degrees from Princeton University and Columbia University.

    34 min
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4.8
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

An economic development podcast featuring candid conversations with business leaders across Michigan.

Information

  • Creator
    Michigan Economic Development Corporation
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    267
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Michigan Opportunity
  • Show Website
    The Michigan Opportunity