March 24, 2010

Alice Rivlin, former U.S. Cabinet official and Federal Reserve vice chair, examines Michigan's economic future as keynote speaker of Wayne State's April 6 Forum on Contemporary Issues in Society.

What: Alice Rivlin, former director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget and former vice chair of the Federal Reserve, will be the featured speaker at Wayne State University's popular Forum on Contemporary Issues in Society (FOCIS) lecture series on April 6, 2010. The daylong event is titled, The Michigan Economy: Will It Get Better, Can It Get Worse?
Rivlin's remarks will be followed by a series of panel discussions including economic development experts, journalists and corporate leaders. Collectively, these experts will review national and state policies, deliberate alternative strategies for restoring vitality to the region's economy, and examine the value of public/private partnerships in reversing negative economic trends. Rivlin serves on the board of directors of the New York Stock Exchange and co-chairs the Debt Reduction Task Force of the Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington.

When: April 6, 2010, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITY:

Interview opportunities with Alice Rivlin are available on Tuesday, April 6 (morning of event), 9-10 a.m.

Requests for interviews must be arranged in advance by contacting Francine Wunder or Tom Reynolds at 313-577-2150.

Where: Community Arts Auditorium, 450 Reuther Mall at Cass Ave., on Wayne State's Detroit campus

More Info: Featured panelists and topic sessions include:

• The Michigan Economy Up Close (9:10-10:30 a.m.)
Expert panelists will give their no-nonsense analyses of current market conditions while revealing surprising indicators for recovery. This panel will examine government's role in relieving economic stresses, overcoming obstacles to policy reform and formulating a prescription for improving Michigan's fiscal health.

Panelists: Moderated by Mary Kramer, publisher, Crain's Detroit Business
Joseph Lehman, president, Mackinac Center for Public Policy
Lou Glazer, president, Michigan Future Inc.
Kurt Metzger, executive director, Data Driven Detroit

• The U.S. Economy: Can it Get Better, Will it Get Worse? (10:30-11:45 a.m.)
Keynote speaker Alice Rivlin will address the federal budget deficit, the national debt, healthcare financing, reform of American financial institutions, funding of U.S. military operations abroad and other macroeconomic influences on Michigan.

• Business Leaders and Financial Institutions on Business Expansion (1:30-3:30 p.m.)
Business leaders will examine the successes, failures and obstacles that have lined the path to Michigan's economic recovery.
Panelists:
Moderated by Daniel Howes, business columnist, The Detroit News
Lori Blaker, president and CEO, TTi Global
Ben Maibach III, chairman and CEO, Barton Malow
David Marvin, executive vice president, Middle Market Banking, Comerica Bank
Doug Rothwell, president and CEO, Business Leaders for Michigan
Robert Slattery, president, Midtown Development Group
Michael Poulos, president and CEO, Michigan First Credit Union

• Preparing for Michigan's New Economy
Moderated by RJ King, editor, DBusiness
Sandy Baruah, president and CEO, Detroit Regional Chamber
Michael Finney, president and CEO, Ann Arbor Spark
David Hollister, president and CEO, Prima Civitas Foundation
Judy Johncox, director of business services, TechTown
Gregg Main, president and CEO, Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
Ken Rogers, executive director, Automation Alley

Additional Information and RSVP Contact:
Admission is free. Advance registration is required. Seating in the auditorium will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit
http://events.wayne.edu/2010/04/06/focis-with-alice-rivlin-22722/ or call (313) 577-5550. For more information, go to www.focis.wayne.edu.

Wayne State University is a premier urban research university offering more than 350 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 32,000 students.

Contact

Francine Wunder
Phone: 313-577-8155
Email: francine@techtownwsu.org
Tom Reynolds
Phone: (313) 577-8093
Email: treynolds@wayne.edu

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