President

Doug Rothwell has been President of Detroit Renaissance since 2005. During Doug’s tenure he has led the development of the region’s first economic growth strategy, the Road to Renaissance. This six-point plan is the most comprehensive initiative launched in Detroit Renaissance's history, having raised well over $70 million in corporate investments to date. Other work Doug has been involved with includes helping found One D, a collaboration of the region’s major civic organizations; advocating for structural reforms in state finances; and raising corporate leadership in the region. Prior to joining Detroit Renaissance, Doug served as Executive Director of Worldwide Real Estate for General Motors overseeing the largest private sector property portfolio in the world with 400 million square feet of real estate.

Doug also founded and served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. During his ten year tenure, Michigan was named the number one state for attracting and retaining corporate site location investments an unprecedented four years in a row, was cited for achieving one of the top business climates in the nation and was consistently named the best state economic development agency. Previously he served as Chief of Staff to the Governor of Delaware and was an Executive Vice President at MBNA Corporation, the nation’s second largest credit card issuer (now part of Bank of America).

Doug holds a Masters of Public Administration degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Delaware and attended the John F. Kennedy School’s residential program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at Harvard University. He is one of handful of state executives to be honored with the National Governors’ Association’s outstanding public service awards.