In this week’s “50 CEO’s on the D: Detroit Renaissance Reports,” Doug Rothwell speaks with Gail Torreano, President of AT&T of Michigan.

Torreano and host Doug Rothwell discuss how the onset of telecommunication technologies has created a convergence of products and therefore competition that was not always present. This competition and regulation has the potential to inspire growth in the region and beyond.

“The technologies available in the telecommunications industry have surpassed any notion of what we considered possible several years ago,” says Rothwell, “Gail explains just how far we have come, and how we can be prepared for further regulations and adapt technologies as they become available.”

Torreano notes: “We have to always continue to work to stay ahead of the curve, and it is critical that we understand that as a state.”

Listen to the podcast here, or subscribe via your RSS reader or via iTunes.

In this week’s “50 CEO’s on the D: Detroit Renaissance Reports,” Doug Rothwell speaks with Michael Johnston, CEO and Chairman of Visteon Corporation. Visteon is a leading Automotive Global Supplier of interior car components, such as climate and lighting systems.

Johnston talks about the efforts Michigan leaders must make in order to maintain their global position in a world that is constantly evolving. He recommends confronting challenges proactively, and to not let problems go ignored.
Rothwell and Johnston discuss how Michigan’s innovative technologies are ultimately what continue to put the region in the forefront of the automotive industry, and that it is up to the company leaders to take on the responsibility of maintaining the area as a globally recognized force.

The podcast features further insight on how Johnston believes that technological innovation is becoming more important in order for Michigan to compete in a global market.

Listen to the podcast here, or subscribe via your RSS reader or via iTunes.

A Sunday feature story in the Detroit Free Press discussed the role that non-profits including Detroit Renaissance play in helping rebuild Detroit and how that's different than how the City operated even in a few years ago.

The article read, in part:

"Private leadership groups like Detroit Renaissance are leading the effort to develop a creative corridor featuring marketing and similar firms along Woodward Avenue.

And the Roger Penske-led Downtown Detroit Partnership has even taken over some street-cleaning duty as part of its Clean Downtown initiative.

In this new model, city government still plays an important role, but civic leadership has been spread among many different institutions."

Read the rest of the article here.