Details about Future Detroit will be unveiled on Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. at the Phoenix Academy in Detroit located at 7735 Lane Street, and will feature special remarks by Detroit City Council President, Charles Pugh, and Detroit School Board President, Anthony Adams, as well as other leaders from throughout the State of Michigan.

“Business and civic leaders throughout the state are rallying in support of Future Detroit. This initiative has created a strong buzz and the program is growing daily through interest from teachers, administrators and students, who are eager to express their vision of what Detroit could become in 100-plus years,” said Ron Smith, ESD’s Director of Education. “The youth we’re serving will be the first generation to enjoy immediate results of what we’re trying to do today.”

In its 16^th year, the Michigan Future City is a nationwide competition that challenges 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grade students to envision a city in the future in which they would like to live. Guided by their teachers and volunteer engineer mentors, students have three months to develop a computer model, write an essay, build a physical model using engineering and mathematical principles, and then present their creation to professional judges during a daylong competition that will be held this year on Monday, January 31, 2011.

The winning team from Michigan will go to Washington, DC in February to compete in the national Future City challenge against teams from across the country.

So far, more than 50 schools from throughout the State of Michigan will participate in this year’s competition. This includes 25 schools from the City of Detroit.  

In the meantime, we are calling out to all engineers and technical professionals to volunteer a couple of hours of their time to be mentors for the teams in Detroit.

For more information about the Future Detroit launch event or to RSVP to attend this event, contact Della Cassia at 248-353-0735, ext. 112 or dcassia@esd.org

 Several universities will be on-hand to help potential students figure out if “It Pays to Get an MBA.” So, whether you’re looking to connect and network with your peers or potential employers, explore new career opportunities, or find a new job, the ESD career expo is the perfect place to see and be seen.

In its fourth year, the expo is recognized for being the premier recruitment event for students, engineers of all disciplines and trained technicians with all levels of experience. It serves those in-between careers, looking for a new opportunity or exploring a career change.

Companies will be seeking resumes in the following areas:

• Engineering (all disciplines) including: architects, chemical, civil, computer, design, energy
• Electrical, biomedical, environmental, aerospace, transportation, biofuels, manufacturing
• Mechanical, programming, technical and other engineering and technology related fields

The career expo will take place at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi on Monday, October 11, 2010 from 2 until 7 p.m.

Cost to attend is $15 and includes a one-year membership to ESD (for first-time members only) and the opportunity to network with corporate employers from numerous fields. Attendees are encouraged to bring several copies of their updated résumé and to take advantage of ESD’s Job Bank by entering their résumé free of charge.

To register, visit www.esd.org. For more information, call 248-353-0735.

This bi-monthly breakfast series is a follow up to ESD’s very successful Alternative Energy Conference held in March. It is designed to keep the conversation going by inviting expert speakers to address topics such as alternative energy, renewables, policy and regulation, and much more.

The kick off breakfast will feature the following presenters:

• Mujeeb Ijaz, Systems Energy Solutions Group Manager, A123 Systems
• US Congressman Gary Peters (Invited)

The first Eggs & Energy breakfast will take place on Monday, September 20, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. at ESD’s headquarters in Southfield. Cost to attend (Includes continental breakfast): $35 for ESD members and $50 for non-members or join ESD for $114 and attend for free.

ESD is located at 20700 Civic Center Drive, Suite 450, Southfield, MI 48076.

For more information, visit www.esd.org or call 248-353-0735, ext. 149.

Based on a recent symposium held for the residents of the City of Davison and its Township on June 9 and 10, titled “Re-Envisioning Our Future Together: Building Davison 48423,” the press conference brought together the conveners of that symposium: ESDI, Lansing-based Prima Civitas Foundation and the Michigan State University Extension Center, who detailed how the Davison symposium can serve as a “Lighthouse” for the entire State of Michigan to allow local communities to proactively address today’s quality of life and economic realities.

“While words such as Consolidation and Cuts are frightening to all of us, ESDI’s process broke through the fears with new ‘C’ words: Collaboration and Creativity to allow us to move from reactive to proactive problem solving,” said Christopher Webb, ESDI’s Co-Director.

Envisioning Next Michigan is a collective and inclusive initiative that discards one-size-fits-all solutions from the top and focuses on grassroots needs and solutions to re-energize the State’s economy and sustain it by win-win ideas devised through a neutral symposium process.

According to Mr. Webb, “Addressing fundamentals to create efficiencies and competitive environments on a sustainable basis can grow the pie for everyone’s benefit.”  He added. “We must end the competitive nature between local governments. Silo and territorial thinking are no longer going to work. We have to build bridges to be successful.”

The roadmap for Envisioning Next Michigan is based on three principles led by bottom up efforts: Next Government, Next Jobs and Next Thinking.

Next Government involves bringing together professional organizations, labor, business, higher education, all units of government and philanthropy to explore new ways to organize themselves and to create new pathways to success for Michigan and its residents.

“This is especially important if we are to reverse the brain drain in Michigan and keep our young people in our communities working and contributing and raising their families,” said Mr. Webb.

Next Jobs entails identifying the needs of emerging and innovative industries and then training today’s and tomorrow’s workforce to meet those needs to compete globally. This could be realized through cooperation between the public and private sectors mandated in new legislation, and virtual economic platforms like ESDI’s proposed Green Enterprise Zone, which is based upon proactive sovereign attributes, labor relations, technology/intellectual property creation and legal innovation. To read more about ESDI’s Green Enterprise Zone, visit www.esdinstitute.net.

“Given the financial realities of our tax base, state revenue sharing and future federal funding, incentives may simply not be a sustainable approach and new ideas like the Zone are needed to achieve sustainable prosperity,” said Mr. Webb.

The third pillar in ESDI’s Envisioning Next Michigan initiative involves Next Thinking. From K – 12, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Early College and Adult Learning, new teaching methods and environments will spur a culture of competitive skill building with lifelong professional and personal fulfillment.

“Given our challenges, Michigan is on the cutting edge to transform into the place to live, learn and contribute.  This in turn meets the creative, applied and critical thinking needs of entrepreneurs,” said Mr. Webb. “If Michigan’s people are the best, the entrepreneurs will line up to be here –  not just as an incubator or accelerator but as a sustainable employer manufacturing new products and services around the world and mature industries will stay and invest.”

According to Mark Skidmore, a professor of state and local government finance and policy at MSU, the future of Michigan’s kids is here today.

“We need to build upon a culture of education and entrepreneurship and decide what tools we need to accomplish that,” said Mr. Skidmore.

While the current situation in Michigan can be challenging, it provides a springboard for new opportunities, according to Mr. Webb.

“Despite the unprecedented economic distress that threatens our future prosperity, we submit that this environment is our collective opportunity,” said Mr. Webb. “The harsh realities we face make it incumbent upon us to identify and build a consensus for Michigan’s local governments based upon concrete and implementable solutions that can be undertaken immediately, in the near term future and over the long term while enhancing our social, political and economic well-being.”

ESDI hopes to share this initiative with municipalities across Michigan and to present it to state officials in an effort to pass supportive legislation. You can read the Building Davison 48423 Symposium Report by visiting www.esdinstitute.net

Representatives from The Engineering Society of Detroit Institute (ESDI), Prima Civitas Foundation, Michigan State University Land Policy Institute & Extension Center will share the outcome of that symposium and next steps for implementation.

More than 80 individuals representing government, non-profit organizations, academia, residents and other stakeholders took part in the symposium that was designed to re-envision the future of the City of Davison and its Township. The outcome was a vision to “Build Davison 48423.”

The press conference will take place at the Davison Township Municipal Center, 1280 N. Irish Road. It will start promptly at 10:00 a.m. with a presentation and unveiling of the symposium report followed at10:30 by questions and answers.

A town hall meeting for residents will be held at a later date.

For more information , please contact Della Cassia at 248-353-0735, ext. 112 or dcassia@esd.org. Check back here for updates.

TC: How does it happen that one of the world’s most prominent marine spill response companies is located in Detroit?

Usher: Detroit is the center of the world; you just need an aircraft to reach areas of concern. Marine Pollution Control was founded in 1967, really before the there were any Federal Regulations on pollution. I was inspired to create MPC following the response to the first real major oil spill, the wreck of the tanker Torrey Canyon, off of the coast of Cornwall, England, in March of 1967. My driving interest in this field is really out of environmental concern. My father had a salvage oil business in the early part of the 20^th century, and like a lot of kids at the time, I rode along with him and helped out on his route. Usher Waste Oil became the Usher Oil Company, and if my father were alive today, he would be considered an environmentalist.

TC: We live on an inland ocean.  Are there tankers and oil spills in our area?

Usher: Absolutely. We have tankers and barges and ships of all kinds sailing up and down our waters every day. Many of the tankers in our area carry chemicals, rather than oil, but they are still subject to spills and clean-up. Our local spills tend to be smaller and many originate on land and then leak into tributaries. The international ships in our area are piloted by local pilots who have good local knowledge and tend to stay out of trouble.

TC: Is there a difference between working on salt water and fresh water?

Usher: The main difference is in the density of the water which affects how the oil or other chemicals react. It affects the response from a technical standpoint, but there is not that great of a difference. When very warm oil meets cold water, the result can sometimes integrate into what we call a “chocolate mousse,” and that will sink to the bottom rather than float on top. If you have seen the pictures from the Gulf, you can tell from the reddish-brown color of the oil that it is crude mixed with methane and other gasses.

TC: Who calls you when a spill occurs?

Usher: It depends. Many times it is the vessel or property owner. Sometimes it is law enforcement, and we have a standing arrangement with the Coast Guard to respond even prior to the “RP” or responsible party being identified or notified. We have equipment stationed in 19 areas around the globe, so we are pretty much ready to go anywhere at any time.

TC: Are you involved in the current Gulf oil spill?

Usher: We have some equipment on site and involved, but no personnel.

TC: What is your take on the situation down there?

Usher: BP is a large corporation and at times has had problems with things falling through the cracks. Certainly the capping of the well is within BP’s expertise, but the clean up should be left to those who do clean up as a profession. The current response is being driven more by politics and the media than by the professional demands of the situation. For example, the use of the local fishermen to work the response plays well locally, but does not bring the true professional experience required to effectively manage the situation.

TC: Will this affect us locally?

Usher: Not directly, but what will happen, and what has happened every time there is a major spill, is that regulations will increase and government oversight will tighten. The industry itself may learn a few things about working at depth and blow out protection, and those things are likely to improve. This situation occurred because our government felt comfortable with what it was being told by BP and the other on-site partners. The relationship with the industry may have become too trusting and too cozy. There was a lack of enforcement, and a lack of on-site inspection. Again, those things are likely to change.

TC: Is there a lesson to be learned?

Usher: Yes, a situation like this demands that the best professionals in the industry should be brought in to manage the spill and the clean-up. That simply is not happening there. Again, local politics are driving the clean-up more than industry professionals. Everyone currently involved has another agenda. There needs to be neutral people involved who are concerned simply with the spill and the clean-up.

TC: Assuming the leak gets stopped soon, how long will the clean-up take?

Usher: Likely 2 – 3 years. It depends on how the lines of defense are constructed and what new technologies might be developed to speed things along.

TC: Is there anything we can do locally?

Usher: Write your Senators and Representatives and demand that more action be taken and at higher levels. Again, there are resources in the country such as MPC that have the experts, personnel, and the equipment needed that are not being brought in to do the job at this point.

Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — Several dozen small businesses from throughout the State of Michigan will get an unprecedented chance on Tuesday, June 15, 2010 from 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. to ask high profile CEOs about the future of their industry in the State.

Sponsored by The Engineering Society of Detroit (ESD) in partnership with the office of Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, Small Business Key Conversations with Michigan’s CEOs, will bring together business leaders from a variety of industries together with the owners of small businesses to discuss strategies/tactics and success stories and to answer questions about the future of small businesses in the State.

The event will be moderated by Cindy Goodaker, Executive Editor of Crain’s Detroit Business and will be streamed live on WWJ Newsradio 950. While seating is limited, the public can submit questions live via e-mail to Ryan Stibich at rstibich@esd.org.

The program will kick off with a brief panel presentation followed by Q &A. Panelists include:

• Clarissa Chartier, President, Citizens Bank
• David Chernow, CEO, Resource
• Joseph Fortuna, CEO, PRISM
• Richard J. Haller, CEO, Walbridge
• Carla Walker-Miller, CEO, Walker-Miller Energy Services
• Leslie Touma, CEO and Founder, Michigan Security Network
• Christopher J. Webb, Co-Director, ESD Institute
• Dr. Terry J. Woychowski, Vice President Global Vehicle Program Management
  General Motors Corp., and ESD Vice President

While this is a free event, seating is very limited and registration is required. For more information, call Della Cassia at 248-353-0735, ext. 112 or dcassia@esd.org. ESD is located at 20700 Civic Center Drive, Suite 450, Southfield, MI 48076.

From “Deep Sea Discovery” and “Crime Scene Science” at the Detroit Science Center to “Imaging and Graphic Design Camp” at Lawrence Technological University and “Summer Safari” at the Detroit Zoo, the guide is the most comprehensive and up-to-date resource to camps and programs for all ages and interests.

“Our summer guide to kids’ camps and programs is part of our numerous community outreach programs designed to engage students and nurture their interest in math, science and engineering,” said Ron Smith, ESD’s Director of Education.

The guide is available online free of charge by visiting www.esd.org.

The Rackham Award is presented in recognition of an individual’s “outstanding humanitarian achievements as exemplified by meritorious technical accomplishments for the benefit of mankind or by recognition on either a local, national or international level for extraordinary achievements in civic, business, public-spirited or humanitarian endeavors.”

In his role, Rakolta oversees one of the largest privately held construction firms in the United States.  Located in Detroit, the firm specializes in the design/build/management and development of large-scale federal and industry-specific projects. It also serves the commercial, municipal, educational and housing markets.

Rakolta received his bachelor’s of science degree in Civil Engineering from Marquette University and completed the Smaller Company Management Program at the Harvard Business

School.  His career with then Walbridge Aldinger began in 1971 where he held a variety of positions culminating with the dual role of Chairman and CEO in 1993.

In addition to his professional career, Rakolta has served on numerous boards including New Detroit Inc., Detroit Police Foundation, Community Foundation of SE Michigan, Detroit Downtown Partnership and Business Leaders for Michigan (formerly Detroit Renaissance).

The ESD Annual Awards Dinner will also recognize several of Michigan’s leaders in the fields of science and technology, as well as budding professionals. Also honored at the event will be this year’s winners of the annual prestigious construction and design awards. The event is open to the public.

Cost to attend is $125 for ESD members and $150 for non-members. To register, visit www.esd.org. For more information, call 248-353-0735, ext 112.

With a membership roster of 6,000-plus professionals representing numerous industries, a board of directors made of up of some of Who’s Who in Michigan, career training and retraining programs, job fairs and a job bank, educational opportunities, major conferences and events, and invaluable networking opportunities, as well as great deals on health and auto insurance and discounts on tickets to major venues throughout the country, a membership to ESD is more than just a card; it’s a ticket to limitless opportunities and great benefits.

This is a free event but registration is required. ESD representatives will be available to discuss membership information and vendors will be on-hand to showcase member benefits. Free soft drinks and pizza will be served.

A member of ESD who brings a non-ESD member will receive a free subscription to Crain’s Detroit Business with their dues renewal — a $75 dollar value.

ESD is located at 20700 Civic Center Drive, Suite 450 in Southfield. For more information or to register, visit www.esd.org or call Lori Birman at 248-353-0735, ext. 120 or lbirman@esd.org