Speakers for the MCCETI Summit at Lake Michigan College

Ed Barlow
No one is more passionate about, nor more actively engaged in assisting people, organizations, and professions anticipate and prepare for the world of tomorrow. Ed Barlow's insight and energy have been incorporated into a variety of settings including keynotes, think-tanks, seminars and strategic planning activities.

Mr. Barlow is President of Creating the Future, Inc. He is dedicated to enhancing an under-standing of the future and the influences which will affect personal, professional, organizational, and community settings. In addition to his extensive speaking and consulting schedule, he is interviewed regularly by the media. He has also testified before Congress on several occasions regarding issues of workforce, transportation, travel and tourism.

Mr. Barlow holds a master's degree in management from the University of Notre Dame. His client list represents the "Who's Who" within industry, government, and the not-for-profit sector including: National Assn. of Manufacturers, Baxter Healthcare, Federal Express, Lockheed Martin, Marriott Int'l., Whirlpool Corporation, U.S. Department of Development Administration, and Pepsi.

Keith Brophy
Keith Brophy is President of Business Development at NuSoft Solutions.

Mr. Brophy has over two decades of experience in the software technology industry in a variety of capacities. Projects range from small commercially focused rapid development initiatives to large-scale space systems, and involvement on some of the most recognized web integration initiatives in the world. Brophy worked at IBM in the Washington DC area and at X-Rite in Grand Rapids, Michigan before founding Sagestone Consulting, which merged with NuSoft Solutions in 2004. Mr. Brophy's various roles in the field have included entrepreneur, business leader, technologist, author and educator on emerging technologies, with books on breaking technologies published in eight languages. As a passionate industry evangelist, Mr. Brophy has also been a long time member of various key industry advisory councils that have helped to shape the direction of technology. Mr. Brophy received the 2004 Ernst & Young "Entrepreneur of the Year" award and was designated in the Grand Rapids Press as one of the area's "10 to Watch" for the 21st Century.

Mr. Brophy has also been very active in giving back to the community for many years. He was founder of the "Teen Community Web Competition" promoting social values through web sites, and has been a frequent speaker to student groups about career growth and finding one's passion in life. He has been involved on curriculum and business perspective feedback to many universities and related boards. He has also served very actively with organizations committed to economic development.

Mr. Brophy received a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Michigan; an M.S. in Information Systems from Strayer University.

James W. DeHaven
Jim DeHaven served as an elected trustee of Kalamazoo Valley Community College for thirteen years before resigning his position to become the new Executive Director of its M-TEC campus in September, 2003. During his tenure as a trustee, he served in various Board positions including Chair, Vice-Chair, and Treasurer; he also chaired the Audit and Investment committees and was the Board representative to M-TEC's Advisory Board.

Since Jim has come onboard, M-TEC has formed the Emerging Technology Center as an umbrella organization for local economic initatives, held the area's first Entrepreneur Boot Camp, developed a business incubator inside the M-TEC facility, formed a forum for manufacturers, created training partnerships with major universities and industry, assumed responsibility for the RFID Technology Center, built out a 5000 sq foot Michigan High Throughput Screening Center (MHTSC) to assist in drug discovery efforts, joined the Core Technology Alliance in conjunction with University of Michigan, Michigan State, Wayne State, and the Van Andel Institute as part of the life science initiative.

Prior to joining M-TEC, Jim had 36 years in industry. He began his career at The Upjohn Company, which was merged into Pharmacia Corporation before being purchased by Pfizer Corporation. He held numerous positions in financial management and brings a business model to M-TEC.

Jim holds as an MBA and a BBA from The University of Michigan.

James Epolito
James Epolito, President and CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), leads a 265-person operation which leads the state's economic development efforts, including economic policy development, business retention and attraction, technology development, trade and international investment, tourism promotion, and marketing and community development functions. As the head of the $140 million a year public-private enterprise, he is responsible for developing and implementing the MEDC's strategic plan, annual operating goals and performance objectives.

Prior to joining the MEDC, he served as President and CEO of the Accident Fund Insurance Company of America and Senior Vice-President of Subsidiary Operations for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. As head of the Accident Fund, the Blues workers' compensation subsidiary, he transformed the business from a $117 million, single-state insurance provider to a 40-state operation generating more than $500 million annually.

During his 27-year tenure at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, James served as President and CEO of Blue Care Network - Health Central; Vice President, Michigan Sales Service and Government Relations; Vice President, Government and Community Affairs; Director of State Government Relations; Manager of State Government Relations; and Legislative Analyst. He was also the Regional Director for Citizens to Take Courts Out of Partisan Politics and an intern for Michigan State Senator Kerry Kammer.

James attended Michigan State University on a football scholarship where he earned his Bachelor's degree in Communication in 1978. He earned his Masters in Public Administration from Western Michigan University in 1990.

George A. Erickcek
George A. Erickcek is the Senior Regional Analyst for the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research. His responsibilities include conducting research and analysis on regional economic and employment issues, preparing regional economic impact studies, evaluating local development efforts, and editing Business Outlook for West Michigan, the Institute's quarterly report that examines the economic conditions and performance of metropolitan areas in West Michigan.

His more recent studies include (co-authored by Brad R. Watts) Arts and Cultural Activities and the Michigan Economy, (2005) and A Handbook on Preparing Economic and Fiscal Impact Statements for Local Government (fore coming from the International City/County Management Association).

His recent publications include "Small Cities Blues: Looking for Growth Factors in Small and Medium-Sized Cities" (with Hannah McKinney) fore coming in Economic Development Quarterly. "Economic Development Policy in Michigan" (with Timothy Bartik and Peter Eisinger) and "Economic Performance of Michigan Cities and Metropolitan Areas" (with David Crary and Allen C. Goodman), both published in Michigan at the Millennium, Michigan State University Press 2003. Currently, Mr. Erickcek is looking at the factors influencing the growth of small metropolitan areas.

He received his M.A. in Economics from the University of Pittsburgh in 1982. Prior to joining the Institute in 1987, he served as Economic Analyst for the West Michigan Regional Planning Commission.

Dr. Chuck Philip
Dr. Chuck Philip is Vice President of Academic and Student Services at Lake Michigan College. In this position, he oversees the College's strategic direction and operations in its instruction, student services, and grant funded programs.

Dr. Philip has 30 years of experience in community college instruction and administration. Prior to joining LMC, he served several community colleges in Tennessee and Michigan as instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, Chair, Dean and President. He still teaches at the undergraduate and graduate level. He also has extensive experience in program development, program evaluation and accreditation at both the programmatic and regional levels.

Philip holds a bachelor's degree in biology from California State University, a master's in science education from George Peabody College, and a doctorate in college administration from Vanderbilt University.

John Proos
State Representative John Proos was elected to the Michigan House in November 2004 to represent the 79th district in northern Berrien County.

Rep. Proos is a 1988 graduate of Lake Michigan Catholic High School. He holds a bachelor of Political Science from Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI and a Master's in Higher Education Administration from Michigan State University.

Over the past ten years, Proos has worked on the staff of Congressman Fred Upton serving in several different capacities, most recently as deputy chief of staff and district director. Proos also worked as vice president of Heritage Homes Inc. of Michigan in Berrien County.

In addition to working for Congressman Upton, Proos has served as Berrien County Republican Party Chairman and has been a member of the Berrien County Republicans. Proos was also a member of the Berrien County Election Staff for the Bush/Cheney campaign in 2000.

In addition to family and political life Proos is active in many southwestern Michigan groups including the Rotary Club of St. Joseph/Benton Harbor and the United Way of Southwest Michigan. Proos is also a member of the Lakeland Regional Health System Community Benefits Committee and is a HOSTS mentor for Benton Harbor Area Schools.

Craig Tornquist
For nearly two decades, Craig Tornquist has used the combination of music, impressions, and audience participation to relate to and humor audiences of all ages.

His clean, clever, and custom-designed routines have had audiences laughing from Los Angeles to New York. Whether he's bringing down the house filled with convention goers, or warming up concert crowds for Jay Leno, Sinbad, Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, the Spinners, Marty Stuart, or Lee Greenwood, Mr. Tornquist has consistently proven Victor Borge's tenet that "Laughter is the shortest distance between two people."

Mr. Tornquist has served as the executive director of the LOFT Teen Center in Benton Harbor, Michigan, and was president of the Capstone Family Center - a child abuse prevention program.

Mr. Tornquist holds a Communication Theory Degree from Indiana State University.