Crain's Conversations

Mackinac Policy Conference: Rishi Moudgil, executive director of the Michigan Founders Fund

Andy Balaskovitz talks with Rishi Moudgil, executive director of the Michigan Founders Fund, at the 2024 Mackinac Policy Conference.

Mackinac Policy Conference: Bill Pink, Ferris State University president

Andy Balaskovitz talks with Ferris State University President Bill Pink at the 2024 Mackinac Policy Conference.

Mackinac Policy Conference: Bill Pink, Ferris State University President

Andy Balaskovitz talks with Ferris State University President Bill Pink at the 2024 Mackinac Policy Conference.

Mackinac Policy Conference: Bob Riney, president and CEO of Henry Ford Health

Kurt Nagl talks with Bob Riney, president and CEO of Henry Ford Health at Mackinac Policy Conference.

Mackinac Policy Conference: Greg Williams, Acrisure CEO

Crain's Grand Rapids Business Managing Editor Andy Balaskovitz talks with Acrisure CEO Greg Williams at the 2024 Mackinac Policy Conference.

Mackinac Policy Conference: Aric Nesbitt, Senate minority leader

Crain's reporter David Eggert talks with Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt at the 2024 Mackinac Policy Conference.

Mackinac Policy Conference: David Miller, president of University of Michigan Health System

Crain's reporter Kurt Nagl talks with David Miller, president of University of Michigan Health System, at the 2024 Mackinac Policy Conference.

Mackinac Policy Conference: Simon Whitelocke, ITC Michigan President

Crain’s Grand Rapids Business Managing Editor Andy Balaskovitz speaks with ITC Michigan President Simon Whitelocke at Mackinac Policy Conference.

Mackinac Policy Conference: David Egner, Ralph C. Wilson Foundation CEO

Crain’s reporter Kurt Nagl talks with David Egner, CEO of the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, at the 2024 Mackinac Policy Conference.

Mackinac Policy Conference: David Parent, Michigan managing principal for Deloitte LLP

Crain's Grand Rapids Business Managing Editor Andy Balaskovitz talks with David Parent, Michigan Managing Principal for Deloitte LLP.

Mackinac Policy Conference: Katy Trudeau, Eastern Market Partnership president

Crain’s reporter Kurt Nagl talks with Katy Trudeau, president of the Eastern Market Partnership, at the 2024 Mackinac Policy Conference.

Mackinac Policy Conference: Joe Tate, Michigan House speaker

Crain’s reporter David Eggert talks with Michigan House Speaker Joe Tate at the 2024 Mackinac Policy Conference.

Mackinac Policy Conference: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist

Crain's reporter David Eggert interviews Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist about the state's business-attraction fund and more at the 2024 Mackinac Policy Conference.

Mackinac Policy Conference: Suzanne Shank, conference chair

Crain’s Executive Editor Mickey Ciokajlo talks with Siebert Williams Shank CEO Suzanne Shank, who is chairing the 2024 Mackinac Policy Conference

Mackinac Policy Conference: David Parent, Michigan Managing Partner for Deloitte

David Parent, Michigan managing partner for Deloitte, talks about the future of work with Crain’s Executive Editor Mickey Ciokajlo.

Ashley Williams Clark, Vice President of Detroit Future City

Ashley Williams Clark, vice president of Detroit Future City, talks with Crain’s Executive Editor Mickey Ciokajlo.

Mackinac Policy Conference: Linda Apsey, Chairman and CEO of ITC Holdings

Linda Apsey, chairman and CEO of ITC Holdings, speaks with Crain’s Executive Editor Mickey Ciokajlo.

Mackinac Policy Conference: Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Charity Dean of the Metro Detroit Black Business Alliance

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Charity Dean of the Metro Detroit Black Business Alliance discuss the mayor’s plan to overhaul Detroit’s property-tax structure with Crain’s Executive Editor Mickey Ciokajlo.

Mackinac Policy Conference: Eric Lupher, president of the Citizens Research Council of Michigan, and Ani Turner

Eric Lupher, president of the Citizens Research Council of Michigan, and Ani Turner, speak with Crain’s Managing Editor Michael Lee about Michigan’s stagnant population and how to turn the trend around.

Mackinac Policy Conference: Rip Rapson, CEO of the Kresge Foundation, and Richard Florida, urbanist and author of “Rise of the Creative Class,”

Rip Rapson, CEO of the Kresge Foundation, and Richard Florida, urbanist and author of “Rise of the Creative Class,” speak with Crain’s Managing Editor Michael Lee about Detroit’s advantages and disadvantages in a transforming economy.

Mackinac Policy Conference: Josh Sirefman, CEO of the Michigan Central Innovation District

Josh Sirefman, CEO of the Michigan Central Innovation District, discusses what is happening now at the district surrounding Michigan Central Station in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood, and what can be expected from the redevelopment of the train station and its environs.

Mackinac Policy Conference: Michigan Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks

Michigan Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks talks with Crain’s reporter Rachel Watson at the Mackinac Policy Conference.

Mackinac Policy Conference: Bob Riney, President and CEO of Henry Ford Health

Bob Riney, president and CEO of Henry Ford Health, speaking with Crain’s Managing Editor Michael Lee about the health system’s $2 billion plan for a new hospital tower and other developments around its Detroit flagship campus.

Mackinac Policy Conference: Skillman Foundation President and CEO Angelique Power, Imani Harris from 482Forward, and Evamelo Oleita, youth organizer, co-founder of Black Lives Matter

Crain’s Executive Editor Mickey Ciokajlo interviews Skillman Foundation President and CEO Angelique Power; Imani Harris, youth education activist and communications lead of 482Forward; and Evamelo Oleita, youth organizer, co-founder of Black Lives Matter In All Capacities and Skillman Foundation President’s Youth Council Member.

Mackinac Policy Conference: Grand Valley State University President Philomena Mantella

Crain’s reporter Rachel Watson talks with Grand Valley State University President Philomena Mantella about the university’s master plan for its downtown Grand Rapids campus.

Mackinac Policy Conference: Chair Matt Elliott, Michigan Market Leader, Bank of America

Crain's Executive Editor Mickey Ciokajlo interviews 2023 Mackinac Policy Conference Chair Matt Elliott, Michigan Market Leader, Bank of America.

The Build Up with Dave Blaszkiewicz

1:03 - His ambitions for Invest Detroit 2:05 - What he plans to do with the New Markets Tax Credits Invest Detroit was just awarded. A breakdown of the episode: 5:45 - How the changing economic environment impacts his organization 7:45 - Why he’s concerned about the future of commercial real estate in the next few years 9:30 - Where the next wave of investor interest will be in Detroit 13:35 - How Invest Detroit is expanding in target neighborhoods 15:30 - When he would get involved o...

The Build Up with Sue Mosey

1:00 - Why she doesn't have a cell phone 1:30 - Her latest vision for Midtown 4:30 - Challenges for the neighborhood and how to keep people in homes 9:45 - Why the pandemic didn't Midtown as bad as other areas 11:30 - Her desire to preserve buildings as part of redevelopment 16:05 - Balancing preservation with new construction 18:10 - How Cass Corridor became Midtown 21:55 - Her succession plan 22:30 - What's still on her bucket list 24:35 - Her biggest failure in business and how s...

The Build Up - NAREE edition

1:20 - Housing shortage issues and questions of a new recession 2:45 - The state of the office market  4:05 - Converting office space into residential 7:00 - A glut of office space in the suburbs 8:05 - Rising rents  9:00 - An example from Calgary 11:05 - What happens when office leases start to come up 15:25 - The interview with Mason Ailstock begins

Michael Lee on WJR: Dug Song's next act, Project Elephant and more

Michael Lee on WJR: Lear Corp's future,

Stories mentioned on air Lear CEO Ray Scott looks to make production more local — including in Michigan: https://www.crainsdetroit.com/manufacturing/lear-ceo-ray-scott-looks-make-production-more-local Detroit sees record-breaking cruise ship season: https://www.crainsdetroit.com/hospitality-tourism/detroit-sees-record-breaking-cruise-ship-season Carvana sues Michigan to reverse loss of license: https://www.crainsdetroit.com/retail/carvana-sues-michigan-reverse-loss-license    

Michael Lee on WJR: Betting on EV battery plants, COVID relief funds and more

The Build Up with Ammar Alkhafaji

1:20 - How he balances dual careers  4:15 - The Four Corners Square project 6:25 - How he has learned so much in his 20s. 8:50 - What he sees as the future of retail 10:05 - What is coming next and how he blends his interests in medical and real estate 12:15- How to bring creative development from downtown to the suburbs  13:40 - How he balances working with his father 16:20 - How he handles when his careers are in conflict and whether he can continue to do both 18:05 - Which career ...

Michael Lee on WJR: GM back to the office | Detroit as tech hub | Automaker leases up

Michael Lee on WJR: Comerica's new big office lease, Detroit Homecoming and auto show evolution

The Build Up with Richard Hosey

Among the topics Hosey addresses in the podcast: 1:30 – Why he feels confident the Fisher Body 21 plant project will succeed. 2:45 – Why having the largest black-led development in the city is important. 4:05 – What attracts him to historic preservation. 6:15 – The one building he would want to take on. 7:55 – How financial incentives can be expanded to help development. 9:35 – The unique challenges of working in Detroit. 11:50 – What more can be done to preserve affordable housing in...

Michael Lee on WJR: Downtown visitors rebound, private equity loves car washes, auto show returns and more

The Build Up with Ryan Maibach

1:10 – Whether he always wanted to join the family business. 2:25 – What steps he is taking to make sure the family has a robust staff.  4:10 – How he handles not having elder relatives in the business and whether he’s prepping the next generation of Maibachs for the business. 9:05 – Why he loves Lego. 10:25 – His favorite project that he's worked on. 13:10 – How hard it is to innovate in the construction industry.  15:30 – How he diversifies the Barton Malow portfolio. 17:40 – How co...

Michael Lee on WJR: Rocket CEO's stock buys, Black-owned businesses' staying power and more

The Build Up with Michael Cooper

1:05 -What it was like working for a Coca-Cola bottling plant and what he learned from that experience. 3:40 - What has changed in design and architecture throughout his three decades in the business. 6:40 -How hybrid work changes workplace designs. 11:55 - Why HED is moving to Royal Oak. 15:05 - Promoting diversity in the architecture field and what changes should be made to encourage it. 21:20 - Why he keeps a photo of the original Microsoft staff in a garage on his desk. 24:10 - Why...

Kelley Root on WJR: What's ahead for suppliers? | Examining Gilbert's affordable housing deals

Kelley Root on WJR: Restaurants push back | Mortgage industry woes hit home | Grand Rapids boosts hotel district

The Build Up with Ron Boji

3:10 - Why he goes after public-private partnerships in his projects 5:00 - How he dealt with criticism in his Royal Oak project 6:40 - What his plans are for Birmingham development 12:35 - What other areas he feels are ripe for development 13:55 - The status of United Wholesale grocery 15:20 - How being an immigrant impacts his business philosophy 16:55 - What it was like working with his father and whether his daughters will join the business 21:00 - Why he's selling his family's $1...

Michael Lee on WJR: Dixon gets Trump bump ahead of primary, Gen Z workers riding high, what's next for Selfridge and more

Michael Lee on WJR: Why it's so hard to fix flooding issues | Record home prices, lower mortgage demand

The Build Up with Lynette Boyle and Michael Martorelli

Today’s guests are Lynnette Boyle and Michael Martorelli of Beanstalk Real Estate Solutions. The firm has residential and commercial properties throughout Detroit, including the Guardian Building, The Marygrove Campus and The Obama Building. After a career that included time with Kirco, Farbman Group, Sterling Group and Bedrock, Lynnette formed Beanstalk in 2016, focusing on property management and brokerage. Recently, Beanstalk joined with Center City Properties to create a multi-family hous...

Kelley Root on WJR: Food banks struggle | Ross lobbied for $100M for project | Greektown Casino's legacy | Nurse transforming a block

Kelley Root on WJR: Self-checkout is taking over | Wedding vendors slammed | U.P.’s tech business boom

Michael Lee on WJR: Great Lakes cruises get big | $100 million in state money for UM project | What's in the state budget

Crain's Detroit Business Managing Editor Michael Lee chats with Paul W. Smith on WJR AM 760 about stories from the past week.

The Build Up with Joe Luther

Inside its 26th-floor offices at the Fisher Building, Christman Company has a special souvenir that hangs on the wall with ties to an iconic moment of political history. Joe Luther, vice president and general manager of Southeast Michigan Operations, spilled the beans during this week’s podcast of how Christman ended up with a piece of the platform where then-president Barack Obama stood during his first inauguration in 2009. “We’ve got one of the pieces of plywood actually in the Fisher B...