A decade of service: after 10 years at the helm of the Detroit Regional Chamber, Dick Blouse looks back on a record of achievement and ahead to an even stronger organization.When he's asked to reflect on the past 10 years as president and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of the Detroit Regional Chamber, Dick Blouse is clearly uncomfortable taking personal credit for the organization's accomplishments. He's much more at ease talking about the collaborations and partnerships that made these successes possible. These are the building blocks of a true regional approach to economic development, which will certainly be his lasting legacy to Southeast Michigan Southeast Michigan, also called Southeastern Michigan, is a region in the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan that is home to a majority of the state's businesses and industries, and is home to slightly over half the state's population. . "This isn't about me--it's about the great job that everybody is doing," he insists, referring not only the Chamber's 90-member staff of professionals but also to the region's business, civic and political leadership who endorsed his vision of a united region competing in a global marketplace. As strange as it may seem today, the concept of regionalism re·gion·al·ism n. 1. a. Political division of an area into partially autonomous regions. b. Advocacy of such a political system. 2. Loyalty to the interests of a particular region. 3. was scarcely in the lexicon of Southeast Michigan when Richard E. Blouse Jr., CCE CCE Cornell Cooperative Extension CCE Corporate and Continuing Education CCE Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. CCE Commission de Coopération Environnementale CCE Centre for Continuing Education CCE College of Continuing Education CCE Certified Computer Examiner , took the reins in December 1994 of what was then known as the Greater Detroit Chamber of Commerce after a four-year stint as president of the Greenville (S.C.) Chamber of Commerce. Blouse succeeded Frank E. Smith, CCE, who retired after 16 distinguished years as head of the organization. Sizing up his new community far north of the Mason-Dixon Line Mason-Dixon Line, boundary between Pennsylvania and Maryland (running between lat. 39°43'26.3"N and lat. 39°43'17.6"N), surveyed by the English team of Charles Mason, a mathematician and astronomer, and Jeremiah Dixon, a mathematician and land surveyor, , the native Pennsylvanian realized that longstanding parochial rivalries and outmoded out·mod·ed adj. 1. Not in fashion; unfashionable: outmoded attire; outmoded ideas. 2. No longer usable or practical; obsolete: outmoded machinery. geographical boundaries were a serious impediment A disability or obstruction that prevents an individual from entering into a contract. Infancy, for example, is an impediment in making certain contracts. Impediments to marriage include such factors as consanguinity between the parties or an earlier marriage that is still valid. to economic development in a region where it was so desperately needed. Blouse set a steadfast course for change; it was a daunting daunt tr.v. daunt·ed, daunt·ing, daunts To abate the courage of; discourage. See Synonyms at dismay. [Middle English daunten, from Old French danter, from Latin task, but he was up to the challenge. Over the years: A record of achievement and innovation Here are some of the Chamber's accomplishments under Blouse's leadership: * Spearheading the SMART millage mill·age n. A tax rate on property, expressed in mills per dollar of value of the property. campaign in 1995 that established a dedicated source of funding for mass transportation for the first time in the region's history. For its efforts, the Chamber won the Grand Award--the highest honor--in the annual awards competition sponsored by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE ACCE Acceptance ACCE American Chamber of Commerce Executives ACCE American Council for Construction Education ACCE American College of Clinical Engineering ACCE Australian Council for Computers in Education ). * Creating the Detroit Regional Economic Partnership, a public/private collaborative effort to market the region around the world. Now in its second five-year phase, the Partnership is expanding its services and broadening its base of support across the 10-county region (see page 16). * Coordinating the establishment of the Detroit Area Regional Transportation Authority (DARTA), a critical and long-awaited first step in developing an efficient, seamless metropolitan transit system (see page 23). * Mobilizing an international task force after the September 11 terrorist attacks and securing desperately needed improvements at our Northern Border crossing points (see page 25). * Forming the Southeast Michigan Chamber Alliance to share services and build a more unified pro-business front; 54 local chambers currently participate. * Becoming the largest metropolitan chamber of commerce in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. with more than 21,000 members, more than double its size a decade ago. * Entering into diversity and strategic partnerships with nine regional business organizations to strengthen the voice of business and expand opportunities for members. * Positioning the Mackinac Policy Conference as the nation's premier forum for addressing the region's critical issues and priorities. A record 1,600 attended the 2004 conference. * Launching the Small Business Conference, the only event of its kind in the region, to help small businesses--the backbone of the region's economy--make money, save money and grow. The second conference, in 2004, drew more than 1,000 attendees. * Managing an aggressive, pro-business public-policy program with a number of notable successes including a gasoline tax Noun 1. gasoline tax - a tax on every gallon of gasoline sold excise, excise tax - a tax that is measured by the amount of business done (not on property or income from real estate) increase for statewide road improvements and passage of small group health insurance market reform. * Expanding an innovative, money-saving lineup of products and services for members, including Verizon Wireless Cellco Partnership, doing business as Verizon Wireless, owns and operates the second largest wireless telecommunications network in the United States, based on total wireless customers. discounts, the new MBNA MBNA Monument Builders of North America MBNA Mercedes-Benz North America MBNA Maryland Bank, National Association MBNA Maryland Bank North America MBNA Mount Baker Nurses Association (Bellingham, Washington) business credit card and an Office Depot Office Depot (NYSE: ODP) is one of the world's leading suppliers of office products and services. The Company's selection of brand name office supplies includes business machines, computers, computer software and office furniture, while its business services encompass copying, program that is now national in scope. * Nearly doubling the number of people enrolled in the Chamber's Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Shield A US not-for-profit health care insurer that is a reimbursement intermediary for physicians. Cf Blue Cross. health insurance programs to over 60,000 employees, launching a comprehensive commercial property and casualty program providing the region a one-stop resource for all business insurance needs, and championing the creation of new insurance programs for the working uninsured. * Developing five "Centrals"--Small Business, Workforce, Health Care, Leadership and Manufacturing--specialty areas where Chamber members can go to help them save money and improve their business. * Putting the Chamber on a firm financial foundation and implementing policies and programs, including a groundbreaking diversity initiative, to make the organization one of the best places to work. Detroit Regional Economic Partnership When the Detroit Regional Economic Partnership was formed in May 1996, it marked a giant stride forward in the campaign to create a collaborative regional approach to economic development in Southeast Michigan. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] That it was achieved less than two years after Dick Blouse took the reins of the Detroit Regional Chamber is a tribute to his leadership and vision. In a community not previously known for regional cooperation, the Partnership's birth was far from a sure thing, Blouse recalls. "When we first came up with the idea of the Partnership, I went to John Lobbia (then chairman and CEO of Detroit Edison Detroit Edison, founded in 1903, is an investor-owned electric utility which serves most of Southeast Michigan. Its parent company, DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE), provides energy services to a variety of clients beyond Detroit Edison's service area. Co.) and he said, 'That's a great idea but it won't work. This region will not work together.' He said 'You've got to get every one of the top business leaders to commit to it--and then come back and see me.' "It took a year but that's what we did. We went back with signed documents saying 'We are in.' The Partnership is a new and unique concept in this part of the country, and out of the Partnership has come the first discussions about regionalism in Southeast Michigan. I think this organization should take a lot of credit for that." Now in its second five-year phase, the Partnership is a public and private sector effort uniting the 10 counties of Southeast Michigan and the city of Detroit, along with 100 private-sector investors. Partnership staff and volunteers work together to market the region around the world. During the last 36 months, the 10-county Detroit Region has seen $66.5 million invested in new development, 175 companies expanding or relocating in the region and 3,928 new jobs created as a result of the Partnership's efforts. "These figures demonstrate the fact that our marketing strategies are working," says DREP DREP Depot Repair Enhancement Program DREP Dominica Rural Enterprise Project Advisory Board Chairman Joseph J. Buttigieg III, vice chairman of Comerica Inc. "We're excited that the Partnership continues to be successful in marketing this region as a high-technology center and a great place to do business." In 2004 the Partnership also opened the Small Business Assistance Center, which provides free or low-cost one-on-one customized small business consultation and assistance on a broad range of topics and services. For more information and a copy of the Partnership's 2003-2004 annual report. visit www.detroitchamber.com/drep. Reflections on a decade A Q & A session with Dick Blouse Q: What were your thoughts when you first came here in late 1994? A: I was overwhelmed, to be honest. There were so many issues, so many challenges and so many opportunities. I needed to learn this region inside and out. Barbara Gattorn (special assistant to the president) was a great help in teaching me about this community. Q: What was the single most difficult decision you had to make? A: Probably the toughest issue I faced in the first year or so was the recognition that the Detroit Compact structure we had at the time wasn't working and that we had to lay off 40 people. That was difficult. It was something I had never had to deal with at that level. Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of? A: I take great pride in our Chamber team. I think it's what keeps me here and keeps me going. We've worked hard to create a staff of bright people who are very good at what they do, and then we give them room to grow. The result is an organization that is recognized as the very best. This isn't about me--it's about the great job that everybody is doing. Q: What direction do you see the Chamber taking in the next 10 years? A: We're getting ourselves positioned as a small business leader. As we start to get the branding and the recognition, we have a great opportunity to become a lead organization in this area. When people think small business. I want them to think Detroit Regional Chamber at the same time. I also see us accentuating even more our position and power as a community leader. Q: Will the Chamber continue to grow? A: The formula that we've put in place allows us to expand and grow and not only continue to be the largest metropolitan chamber of commerce in the United States, but also to create an organization that really is something to behold--something that no one will ever be able to replicate. DARTA: Take one giant step The Detroit Regional Chamber has been grappling with the transit issue for decades, but it was under the leadership of Dick Blouse that the vision of a seamless regional transportation system took its first giant step on the path to reality with the formation of the Detroit Area Regional Transportation Authority (DARTA). [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The intergovernmental agreement signed in May 2003 establishing DARTA broke the logjam log·jam n. 1. An immovable mass of floating logs crowded together. 2. A deadlock, as in negotiations; an impasse. Noun 1. that had impeded progress for years, and its importance as a breakthrough in regional cooperation cannot be underestimated. As Blouse points out, however, it's only the first step, albeit a critical one. "On a scale of 1 to 100, DARTA is No. 1. We will have 99 more steps to get a transit system, but it is a beginning," he notes. "Two things are particularly significant about DARTA. First, it's the foundation stone upon which we can build a system. Second is the fact that over a period of just a couple of years, seven community leaders--Ed McNamara, John Hertel, Dennis Archer
Dennis Wayne Archer (born January 1, 1942 in Detroit, Michigan) is a former president of the American Bar Association and former Mayor of Detroit. , Brooks Patterson, Kwame Kilpatrick Kwame M. Kilpatrick (born June 8, 1970) is the mayor of Detroit, Michigan. Elected at age 31, he is the youngest mayor in the history of Detroit, as well as the second youngest current mayor of any major U.S. city. , Bob Ficano and Nancy White plus Gov. Jennifer Granholm--all agreed that this was the right solution. And when some of the state legislators tried to break us apart and create a lot of complications, these regional leaders stuck together. That is huge!" [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] DARTA's accomplishments to date include: * Establishing an 11-member DARTA Board, which meets monthly. * Developing a 21-point DDOT/SMART coordination plan and a joint service map. * Launching DARTA's Website at www.darta.info. * Opening DARTA's transition office at Chamber headquarters and hiring a senior board administrator as DARTA's first contract employee. * Receiving more than $1 million in state and federal start-up funding and launching a CEO search process, which could lead to the selection of a CEO as early as this spring. Rapid response: The border crisis From public policy to economic development, much of the Detroit Regional Chamber's work under Dick Blouse's direction is long-term in nature, but the Chamber is also capable of an immediate, coordinated response in extraordinary circumstances. Such was the case in the aftermath of the horrific Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. As trade between the United States and Canada ground to a virtual halt amid 12-mile-long border backups, the Chamber roared into action, forming within days of the attacks the Northern Border for Economic Security and Trade (NBEST), a binational bi·na·tion·al adj. Of, relating to, or involving two nations. coalition of private and public firms and government agencies with the mission of making the Northern Border more efficient and secure. "I'm real proud of how we came together around the border issue. That's what chambers do, and we did it well," says Blouse. Through NBEST, the Chamber established an effective network of key task forces to mobilize the region's principal stakeholders Stakeholders All parties that have an interest, financial or otherwise, in a firm-stockholders, creditors, bondholders, employees, customers, management, the community, and the government. , improve communication and coordination of information, and develop recommendations for action to tackle the border crisis and salvage the economic security of the United States and its No. 1 trading partner, Canada. To achieve these objectives, NBEST stakeholders continue to meet bi-monthly to address current border management and policy issues. Here are some of their accomplishments to date: * Successfully advocated for increased staffing levels that ensure the safe and efficient operation of our Michigan/Ontario border crossings. Staffing today at Michigan border crossings is nearly double pre-September 11 levels. * Successfully lobbied Congress for additional federal funding to improve border technology, including the implementation of high-tech systems--called NEXUS See Nexus (of contracts. and FAST--to help expedite the flow of low-risk people and goods at Michigan's border crossings. NBEST stakeholders continue to advocate for needed infrastructure improvements at the Detroit Windsor Tunnel, Ambassador and Blue Water bridges and for programs to streamline and better coordinate border management policy and practices among the various federal agencies, as well as between the United States and Canada. NBEST also continues to serve as a resource to educate and provide information to the community about improvements at the border. RELATED ARTICLE: Reflections on a decade 1995: The dawn of a new era John Broad (Broad, Vogt & Conant), Donald Pais (General Motors Corp.) and Frank Zinn Frank Zinn (December 21, 1865 – May 12, 1936) was an American professional baseball player, at the position of catcher.[1] Born in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, he played his first game on April 18, 1888, and his final game on May 3, 1888. (Dykema Gossett Dykema Gossett PLLC is a law firm headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. Founded in 1926, the firm, known simply as "Dykema," has offices in various locations around the United States including Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. ) are all smiles at a formal reception to welcome Dick Blouse as new president and CEO of the Greater Detroit Chamber of Commerce. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1996: Spotlight on economic development Dick Blouse participates in groundbreaking ceremonies at Calsonic North America North America, third largest continent (1990 est. pop. 365,000,000), c.9,400,000 sq mi (24,346,000 sq km), the northern of the two continents of the Western Hemisphere. Inc. in Farmington Hills Far·ming·ton Hills A city of southeast Michigan, an industrial suburb of Detroit. Population: 81,400. with Calsonic Corp. president Haruo Ohno and Calsonic North America president Yasuo Yamauchi. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1997: A new name and a new home Dick Blouse unveils the Detroit Regional Chamber's new name and logo with Tami Door, then vice president of marketing and communications, and 1997-98 Chamber Chairman Bill Brooks The name Bill Brooks can refer to any of the following:
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Listen up [top left] Under Dick Blouse's leadership, the Mackinac Policy Conference continues to grow in stature as the state's premier public-policy event. Gen. Colin Powell Noun 1. Colin Powell - United States general who was the first African American to serve as chief of staff; later served as Secretary of State under President George W. Bush (born 1937) Colin luther Powell, Powell , later to become U.S. secretary of state in the Bush II administration, headlined the 1998 conference at Grand Hotel. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1998: Around the world [top right] Dick Blouse speaks at the Omega Plastics U.K. facility in England during a European trade mission conducted by the Detroit Regional Economic Partnership. These overseas trips link the Detroit Region with global markets and enhance the Chamber's mission to power the economy of Southeast Michigan. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1999: Having a ball [right] Dick and Elaine Blouse join Thomas and Ann Stallkamp (DaimlerChrysler Corp.) and Mike and Colleen col·leen n. An Irish girl. [Irish Gaelic cailín, diminutive of caile, girl, from Old Irish. Monahan (Comerica Inc.) at the annual International Consular con·sul n. Abbr. Con. or Cons. 1. An official appointed by a government to reside in a foreign country and represent his or her government's commercial interests and assist its citizens there. See Usage Note at council. Ball, one of the Chamber's Signature Events. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 2000: Accent on collaboration [top] Diversity and strategic partnerships are a key Chamber strategy. Dick Blouse, Ahmad Chebbani, Frank Hennessey (Masco Tech) and Nasser Beydoun unveil the first historic partnership, linking the Detroit Regional Chamber and the American Arab Chamber of Commerce. Chebbani and Beydoun were the organization's chairman and executive director, respectively. The Chamber now has nine such partnerships. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Emerging leaders [bottom] Founded in 1978 by his predecessor, Frank Smith, the Chamber's Leadership Detroit program continues to set the highest standards for innovative leadership development under the direction of Dick Blouse. Jennifer Granholm <noinclude></noinclude> Jennifer Mulhern Granholm (born February 5, 1959 in Vancouver, British Columbia) is a Canadian-born American politician and the current Governor of the U.S. state of Michigan. (circled), elected Michigan's 47th governor in 2002, graduated with LD Class XIX in 1998. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 2001: No. 1 public-policy conference Dick Blouse welcomes conferees to the 21st Leadership Policy Conference on Mackinac Island Mackinac Island Island in the Straits of Mackinac, southeastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan, U.S. It is 3 mi (5 km) long. It was an ancient Indian burial ground called Michilimackinac when the British built a fort there in 1780. After the U.S. . Launched in 1981, the conference first achieved "sold-out" status in 1984 and continues so today, drawing a who's-who of the region's business, political and civic leadership. Now known as the Mackinac Policy Conference, the event is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2005. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 2002: We're No. 1! Dick Blouse makes the big announcement at the big conference on Mackinac Island--the Detroit Regional Chamber, with nearly 18,000 members, is now the largest metropolitan chamber of commerce in the United States. Joining in the toast are Ben Maibach (left) and Frank Hennessey. In 2005, membership tops 21,000. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 2003: A century of service Founded in 1903 as the Detroit Board of Commerce, the Detroit Regional Chamber celebrates its 100th anniversary with a yearlong series of special events, including a memorable midsummer party and reception at Greenfield Village Greenfield Village, reproduction of an early American village, est. 1933 by Henry Ford at Dearborn, Mich., as part of the Edison Institute. A white-spired church, a town hall, an inn, a school, a courthouse, a general store, and other buildings are grouped about a in Dearborn. Dick Blouse stands at the exact site in Detroit where the organization was founded a century earlier. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] International coalition [top] President George W. Bush visited the Ambassador Bridge The Ambassador Bridge is a privately owned suspension bridge that connects Detroit, Michigan, in the United States, with Windsor, Ontario, in Canada.[1] The bridge is owned by the Detroit International Bridge Co. in September 2002 to announce security and technology improvements at Northern Border crossing points. The Detroit Regional Chamber played a leading role by marshaling a top-level U.S./Canadian coalition to advocate for these long-overdue improvements. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 2004: Serving small businesses [bottom] The Chamber's new Small Business Assistance Center officially opens for business with a red tape-cutting ceremony at Chamber headquarters. Dick Blouse is joined by David Egner (Hudson-Webber Foundation); W. Frank Fountain (DaimlerChrysler); Brian Duboff, director of small business development; and John Carroll John Carroll may be:
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] RELATED ARTICLE: File on ... Dick Blouse Education -- Bachelor of science Noun 1. Bachelor of Science - a bachelor's degree in science BS, SB bachelor's degree, baccalaureate - an academic degree conferred on someone who has successfully completed undergraduate studies , Millersville (Pa.) University, 1967; Master of education, Millersville University, 1969; Certified Chamber Executive (CCE), 1983. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Non-chamber career -- Chemistry and science teacher at high schools in Pennsylvania This is a complete list of Senior High Schools in the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Adams County
Chamber assignments -- Executive vice president, Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce, 1972-74; executive vice president, Oil City (Pa.) Area Chamber of Commerce, 1974-77; executive vice president, Pottstown (Pa.) Area Chamber of Commerce, 1977-79; president and CEO, Lancaster Chamber of Commerce & Industry, 1979-88; president and CEO, Greenville (S.C.) Chamber of Commerce, 1991-94; president and CEO, Detroit Regional Chamber, December 1994-present. Current board memberships -- American Chamber of Commerce Executives; Arab-American and Chaldean Council Advisory Board; Civic Executives (City of Detroit); Detroit Riverfront riv·er·front n. The land or property along a river. Conservancy Board; Ehlers-Danlos National Foundation; Governor's Council for Labor and Economic Growth; Governor's Council of Economic Advisors; Greater Detroit and Windsor Japan-America Society; Greater Detroit Area Health Council; Lieutenant Governor's Commission on Higher Education Commission on Higher Education can refer to
MEDC More Economically Developed Country MEDC Maharashtra Economic Development Council (India) MEDC Mobile & Embedded Developers Conference (Microsoft) ) Executive Committee; Michigan Thanksgiving Parade Foundation; Michigan Future Inc.; Southeast Michigan Consortium for Water Quality Task Force; United Methodist Retirement Communities; U.S. Chamber of Commerce The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest not-for-profit federation of businesses, representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations in the United States. As of 2003, the chamber was comprised of 3000 state and local chambers and 830 business associations. Institute Board of Trustees board of trustees Politics The posse of thugs who oversee an institution's administration. See Board of directors. ; Wayne State Wayne State may refer to the following public institutions:
in full Young Men's Christian Association Nonsectarian, nonpolitical Christian lay movement that aims to develop high standards of Christian character among its members. of Metropolitan Detroit. Awards -- Edward H. McNamara "Winning Ways" award honoring outstanding community leaders, 1998; Community Leadership Award, Arab-American and Chaldean Council, 2002; Detroit Executives Association "Executive of the Year," 2004. Personal -- Wife Elaine; sons Tyler and Grant; two grandsons Home -- Birmingham Photos from Detroit Regional Chamber archives |
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