Grand Rapids Community College President Bill Pink was appointed Friday to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation Executive Committee by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
The MEDC helps businesses grow in Michigan through partnerships and growth opportunities that aid Michigan’s economy. The committee is responsible for those public-private partnerships that create jobs in the state.
Whitmer has focused on education and bridging the gap between community colleges and jobs in the state through transfers to four-year universities or certification programs since her term began in January. This appointment, according to Pink, is another step toward connecting qualified individuals with the right skills after they reach their higher education goals.
“It’s an honor to represent West Michigan and public entities on the MEDC Executive Committee,” Pink said in a press release issued Friday. “Gov. Whitmer recognizes the vital role community colleges play in developing talent – through credits for degrees or to transfer to four-year institutions, and career programs providing in-demand skill. MEDC projects affect people across our state, and I’m proud (to) share expertise about how the successful programs and partnerships we’ve built can be leveraged to help all of Michigan.”
Pink will serve a four-year term on the committee, which expires on April 5, 2023 according to the press release. The Collegiate reached out to Pink, but he was not immediately available to comment on his appointment to the executive committee.
The committee is made up of 20 individuals, 11 of them were named on Friday. Pink will joining the following committee members:
- Fay Beydoun, executive director of American Arab Chamber of Commerce
- Kyle D. Caldwell, president and chief executive officer of the Council of Michigan Foundations
- Kwesi A. Cobbina, vice president of business affairs for the Detroit Pistons
- April Clobes, president and chief executive officer of Michigan State University Credit Union
- Jeffrey M. Donofrio, executive director of workforce for the City of Detroit
- Krista Flynn, regional president of Chemical Bank
- Bobby J. Hopewell, mayor of Kalamazoo
- Thomas D. Lutz, president of the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters
- Philip W. Shaltz, president and chief executive officer of Shaltz Automotive
- Ryan N. Waddington, founder and partner of the Huron River Venture Company
For more information on the MEDC Executive Committee, visit the webpage. The committee is scheduled to meet next on July 16 at the MEDC Lansing office, located at 300 N. Washington Sq. The time of the meeting is yet to be determined. All meetings are open to the public.
