Speakers

Michigan has been the historic leader of transportation for over a century and has developed a thriving automotive industry.

The state is continuing that legacy with MEDC's PlanetM initiative, a partnership of mobility organizations, communities, educational institutions, research and development, and government agencies that are working together to develop and deploy mobility technologies driving the future.

Facilitating industry connections
“PlanetM and MEDC have been a great resource for getting us to the right decision makers, which has accelerated our ability to grow and get customers.”
—Will Foss, Business Development & Partnerships, Derq Inc.

Available to any mobility-focused startup, company, or investor, PlanetM is also a no-cost, concierge service that connects you to Michigan’s automotive ecosystem — the people, places, and resources dedicated to the evolution of transportation mobility. Michigan is home to an extensive ecosystem of automotive headquarters, manufacturers and suppliers, and R&D facilities that make it the perfect environment for mobility-focused companies to grow.

Our goal at PlanetM is to connect Michigan's assets with new and growing tech companies, startups, pilot programs, investors, accelerators and others looking to further expand the industry through innovative advancements that will define the future of transportation. To learn more about PlanetM’s services, click here.

The future of next-generation mobility
The journey toward the future of Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) technology and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) is accelerated through PlanetM by facilitating connections, helping the mobility industry grow at a faster rate. This moves us closer to a reality of enhanced mobility that can save thousands of lives lost per year due to auto accidents caused by human error. 

With world-class autonomous vehicle testing facilities, an innovative talent pipeline, and the heart of the global automotive industry, Michigan is truly where big ideas in mobility are born.

For more info:
https://planetm.michiganbusiness.org/

A Rotarian since 2007, Rhonda Panczyk served as the 2014-15 President for the Rotary Club of Rochester Michigan. Rhonda currently serves as an Assistant District Governor for District 6380, Sector 7. Rhonda is also a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, and a member of the Rotary Leadership Institute, which is an international group that improves Rotary knowledge and leadership skills of the future leaders of Rotary clubs.

In her first year in Rotary, Rhonda jumped in with both feet. She was chairperson of Rotary’s concession stand at the Festival in the Hills, and co-chairperson of Habitat for Humanity Mongolian BBQ fundraiser. She then served on the Rotary Raffle committee for two years. In 2009 she joined the Rotary Board of Directors and was on track for Presidency. Meanwhile, Rhonda organized the Rotary golf outing as a joint-partnership with Oakland University’s Center for Autism Research Education and Support. This partnership brought new energy to the fundraiser and resulted in an increase in the base of supporters and contributors. 

Rhonda's love for golf and traveling brought her to Casa Colibri & Rochester Rotary's first destination Golf outing and Fundraiser event held in Antigua, Guatemala. Since then, Rhonda has traveled to Guatemala in 2013 and twice in 2015 to volunteer her time during Casa Colibri & Rochester Rotary's international medical mission trips.

In addition, Rhonda Panczyk has over 11 years experience as a licensed insurance sales Agent and Office Manager for an independent insurance agency located in Rochester. As a sales Agent, Rhonda sold the products of multiple insurance companies while establishing a substantial book of business with an on-going referral base. As an Office Manager, Rhonda handled a wide range of responsibilities to ensure the smooth functioning of the day-to-day business within the agency, while serving a 2-year term on the Advisory Board for Citizens Insurance Company.

Nicole Gastelewicz is a business professional with over 10 years of leadership experience in multi-faceted industries. She is currently a Business Account Manager with Consumers Energy where she partners with small businesses in Oakland County to connect them with the organization, provide assistance to the local community and provide a multitude of resources to help grow small business in Michigan. Nicole has been with Consumers Energy for 3 years and she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Technical Management from DeVry University.

Lauren Royston is a community relations and economic development professional with over 15 years of experience. She is currently the Community Affairs Manager with Consumers Energy where she engages with local government, community organizations and leaders in Oakland County. Lauren earned her Bachelor of Arts from Spelman College and graduated from Wayne State University with a Masters of Public Administration.

Manya Basile Personal Property Appraisals is a leading independent appraisal firm specializing in fine and decorative arts. Located in Birmingham, Michigan and serving the Midwest, Personal Property Appraisals provides a full range of valuation and sale services tailored to meet the needs of private and corporate collectors, museums, banks, attorneys and fiduciaries. 

Personal Property Appraisals provides appraisal valuations in all areas of fine and decorative arts, including paintings, prints, sculpture, antique and contemporary furniture, silver, porcelain, pottery, glass, textiles, Asian objects and collectibles. Ms. Basile is an accredited appraiser and a member of The International Society of Appraisers. Valuations are carefully researched and accurate and conform to The Appraisal Foundation’s Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) and the Code of Ethics required by The International Society of Appraisers. 

The same attention to detail is extended to estate and moving sales.  Each sale is carefully priced, staged and nationally advertised. Our experienced staff addresses the specific needs of each seller and warmly welcomes and assists the buyers at each sale.

For more info:
http://manyabasile.com/

The Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority, Metroparks, is a regional special park district encompassing Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties.

It was sanctioned by the Michigan State Legislature in Act No.147 of the Public Acts of 1939 and was approved, in 1940, by the residents of the five counties. The Board of Commissioners held its first meeting in 1941 and funding for the Metroparks became available in 1942.

The governing body of the HCMA is a seven-member Board of Commissioners. Two of the members are selected by the governor, to represent the district at large, and the other five are selected by the Board of Commissioners from each of the five member counties.

The Metroparks’ 2017 budgeted expenditures are $62 million. They are staffed by 203 full-time and over 800 part-time personnel. The Metroparks are funded, principally, by a property tax levy, limited to one-quarter of one mill (the rate for 2017 is .2146 mills), and by revenues from vehicle entry fees and other user fees for various facilities such as golf courses. A vehicle entry permit is required to enter any Metropark and is only $35 annually for regular admission, $21 annually for seniors or $10 daily.

Currently, 13 Metroparks cover almost 25,000 acres and serve over 7.3 million visitors on average annually. The Metroparks are located along the Huron and Clinton rivers, providing a greenbelt around the Detroit metropolitan area. The parks are, generally, more than 1,000 acres each, with Stony Creek and Kensington being more than 4,400 acres each.

The Metroparks provide a natural oasis from urban and suburban life. They provide an ever-growing variety of year-round, outdoor recreational and educational activities in safe, clean environments. Picnicking, fishing, swimming, boating, hiking, nature study, biking, golf, disc golf, winter sports and a host of special outdoor programs and events are available within a short drive to southeast Michigan residents.

The Metroparks are recognized for their extensive paved hike/bike trails and for their golf courses. More than 55 miles of paved hike/bike trails course through the Metroparks and some of these trails connect with many more miles of trails outside the Metroparks. The system operates 7 regulation golf course and one par-3 course.

The HCMA has made a strong commitment to environmental education and preservation. It operates 10 full-service interpretive centers — nature, farm and historical — that provide a variety of programs, both on site and off site, for almost 1.5 million people annually. In addition, it boasts three mobile learning centers to engage with schools, community centers, fairs and other locations in Southeast Michigan to conduct nature, farm and history programs for groups that may not have the means or opportunities to visit a Metropark.

For more info:
https://www.metroparks.com/

• Crime Stoppers of Michigan is celebrating their 25^th year
• Our successes
• Why people don’t call the police
• How the tip process works
• How reward amounts are determined

Bio - Daniel J. DiBardino is the Managing Director with Recon Management Group with over 35 years of senior corporate security experience.  Recon Management Group delivers global security and investigative solutions through three practice groups:  Security Consulting, Investigative Services, and Protective Services. 

Additionally, Mr. DiBardino currently serves as the President and CEO of Crime Stoppers of Michigan. He is also a member on the Advisory Committee of Proving Innocence of Michigan, as well as a member of the Association of Corporate Growth Planning Committee, ASIS International, and continues to be a security advisor for a number of educational institutions.  He has authored numerous articles and is a frequent speaker on corporate security issues.  Mr. DiBardino received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts.