Leadership Oakland

Join Leadership Oakland and Leadership Macomb on April 29, 2009, as Philip Power informs, challenges and inspires his audience to consider the potential that lies ahead for the great state of Michigan and then take action to propel our state forward!

For nearly forty years Philip Power was founder, owner and chair of HomeTown Communications Network, Inc. best known in SE Michigan for the Observer and Eccentric Newspapers. He also served for 11 years as a Regent for the University of Michigan.  In 2006, Power founded “The Center for Michigan,” a think and do tank aimed at improving the policy and political environment in Michigan by developing a series of far reaching, broadly acceptable reforms in taxing, spending and the priorities of state government.  His support for this across the state is impressive.  He currently serves as Vice Chair of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation where he chairs the Finance Committee. 

Join Leadership Oakland and Leadership Macomb participants, guests and community members for this timely discussion.

The Breakfast of Champions event will be held Wednesday, April 29, 2009, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., at the Management Education Center, 811 West Square Lake Road. The cost is $32 for LO and LM alumni members and $36 for non members and guests and includes a complete breakfast. The public is welcome. Pre-registration required. To register, contact either Leadership Oakland:  Wendy at 248. 952.6880 or visit http://leadershipoakland.com/content/category/5/22/59/  or Leadership Macomb: 586-445-7127, or by emailing  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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Established in 1990, Leadership Oakland is a 501 (c)(3) organization focused on business and community leadership development. Leadership Oakland is a member of The Community Leadership Association. The organization provides a nine-month community leadership Cornerstone Program to participants from businesses, organizations and governmental agencies that are selected based on an application process. The organization continues to provide educational and networking opportunities to alumni after graduation from the Cornerstone Program. Leadership Oakland graduates are key business and community leaders serving as catalysts on boards of various organizations throughout the region.

Troy, MI -- On Thursday, March 19th, 2009 “A Taste of Leadership Oakland” will offer individuals a unique opportunity to meet Leadership Oakland(LO) participants and businesses that have been involved in the Leadership Oakland Cornerstone Program.  The event will be held at the beautiful Townsend Hotel in Birmingham. It will feature Oakland County Executive, L. Brooks Patterson as Honorary Chair and Keith Cooley, CEO, Next Energy and LO graduate, as Event Host. 

 “Leadership Oakland has an outstanding track record of bringing together solution minded individuals and challenging them to get involved,” said Patterson.”The Leadership Oakland network connects these leaders and opens doors to successful business and community results.”

 Participants of the event will be given the opportunity to meet graduates of the program, exchange business information and learn about Leadership Oakland. The event will address the importance of leaders who commit to a shared vision of the future and contribute to the success of their communities and the regional economy. Highlights for this year include a silent auction, multimedia presentations, music, delicious hors d’oeuvres, and networking stations designed to allow ease in meeting other participants.

The event will take place from 4:30-6:30 pm on Thursday, March 19th, at the Townsend Hotel, 100 Townsend Street, Birmingham, MI 48009.  Hors d’oeuvres will be served and a cash bar available for beverages.  Tickets are $23 per person. 

To purchase tickets register online at www.leadershipoakland.com or call (248) 952-6880.

A Taste of Leadership Oakland is sponsored by: HAP, Chrysler Financial, Corp!, DTE, Daimler Financial Services and Henry Ford Health System

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Established in 1990, Leadership Oakland is a 501 (c)(3) organization focused on business and community leadership development. Leadership Oakland is a member of The Community Leadership Association. The organization provides a nine-month community leadership Cornerstone Program to participants from businesses, organizations and governmental agencies that are selected based on an application process. The organization continues to provide educational and networking opportunities to alumni after graduation from the Cornerstone Program. Leadership Oakland graduates are key business and community leaders serving as catalysts on boards of various organizations throughout the region.

Leadership Oakland Breakfast Event: “Innovative Leadership: Growing Regional Business.”

Ken Rogers, Deputy County Executive and Director of Automation Alley, has gained national recognition for the success of this organization.  Join Ken as he discusses how Automation Alley has attracted and retained innovative and successful businesses to the Southeast Michigan Region.  Ken will share the Alley’s secrets for attracting and keeping businesses in Michigan as well as discuss examples of the innovative business models that are thriving and growing in Southeast Michigan in spite of our difficult economic climate. 

Throughout the year, Leadership Oakland holds breakfast meetings featuring experts on a variety of topics.  These breakfast seminars are open to the public and offer the opportunity to hear the latest updates on issues and topics impacting our region. Highlights of the program include:

• Top quality presenters
• Delicious, full breakfast
• Networking 
• Learn about Leadership Oakland 
• Connect with past LO participants 
• Money saving “Power Packs”

The third Breakfast of Champions event will be held Wednesday, February 18, 2009, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., at the Townsend Hotel, 100 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. The cost is $32 for LO alumni members and $36 for non members and guests and includes a complete breakfast. The public is welcome. Pre-registration required. To register, contact Wendy at 248. 952.6880 or click here. 

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Established in 1990, Leadership Oakland is a 501 (c)(3) organization focused on business and community leadership development. Leadership Oakland is a member of The Community Leadership Association. The organization provides a nine-month community leadership Cornerstone Program to participants from businesses, organizations and governmental agencies that are selected based on an application process. The organization continues to provide educational and networking opportunities to alumni after graduation from the Cornerstone Program. Leadership Oakland graduates are key business and community leaders serving as catalysts on boards of various organizations throughout the region.

December 16, 2008

An open letter to Community Partners, Local Officials and Friends

Dear Friends,

DTE Energy (MichCon and Detroit Edison) has a long history of working with customers to resolve customer payment concerns in an effort to avoid shutoffs. As you can imagine, current economic conditions have made the effort even more difficult as the scope and scale of those in need rises exponentially. As a result, the amount owed by customers with payment problems has escalated to historic levels. With each passing month, tens of thousands of our customers are falling further and further behind in their utility bills. 

We are doing everything we can to help and to guide our customers to resources that can help them avoid a shutoff. For example, we have successfully brought more federal dollars to Michigan residents in the form of Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds. 

While utility shutoffs will occur consistent with Michigan Public Service Commission guidelines and industry norms, we plan to continue to proactively offer customers opportunities and support in reconciling their bills. We will continue to actively enroll, and provide shut-off protection to seniors and qualifying low-income customers who remain enrolled in the winter protection plan. (Winter Protection Plan:http://my.dteenergy.com/paymentOptions/assistance.html )

In addition, we're immediately taking the following steps:

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  • We are reaching out to community groups, elected officials, community leaders and, most importantly, customers, to help spread the word about this effort and direct them to sources of help.
  • We are giving customers who have defaulted on previous payment agreements, a last chance to re-enroll in a payment plan.
  • We are renewing our efforts to collect from customers who can afford to pay their bills but simply choose not to.
  • We are working with customers – especially those who’ve recently lost their jobs – to direct them to sources of financial assistance as well as providing information that they can use to reduce their energy use.

In spite of these steps, we recognize that these are difficult times for our customers and that our collection efforts may result in further hardships. If you encounter a client or constituent of yours, or perhaps a friend or family member that finds themselves in need - please direct them immediately to the link above, or to our customer service line: 800-477-4747, where they can access information on programs or services that may help them avoid a utility shut-off. 

Thank you for your understanding and assistance. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments.

Sincerely,

Carla Gribbs
Regional Manager