Podcasts about automation alley

Chris Holman welcomes back Noel Nevshehir, Director, International Business Services and Global Strategic Partnerships, Automation Alley, Troy, MI. Welcome back Noel, remind the Michigan business community about Automation Alley's International Business Services and Global Strategic Partnerships? Many of those are tied in through MEDC? Tell us about your upcoming Automation Alley Trade Mission to SE Asia? MI-Step plays a role in these as well, tell us about that? Without giving away corporate brands can you share business sectors that have stepped forward to attend these in Indonesia and Malaysia, and possibly Singapore? Can you preview where the next international trade mission might be headed? » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Watch MBN's YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/

Originally uploaded March 12, re-edited April 5th. Chris Holman welcomes back Tom Kelly, President & CEO, Automation Alley, Troy, MI. Integr8 2025 discussion: Integr8 is your annual event series and Automation Alley changed its format for Integr8 last year from a single-day event to a multi-event roundtable series with corresponding industry playbooks. How did it go? Did people like the new format? Automation Alley recently announced its 2025 Integr8 Roundtable Series focused on Industry 4.0's most pressing challenges. Can you tell us more about it? The 2025 series will feature five focused roundtables, with corresponding playbooks capturing key insights and strategies from each discussion. Can you walk us through what attendees can expect at each roundtable? Can you also tell us more about the playbooks and how people can access them? Let's take a step back -- it seems like there isn't a day that goes by that we don't hear about China and it's ability to make products at lower costs. And that's just one of the global competitive pressures that today's manufacturers face. Do these roundtables help companies develop strategies to compete? There's a new element to the Integr8 Series this year – Spring and Fall Mixer events. What can attendees expect during these networking-focused events? Who should attend these roundtables? How can they register? » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Watch MBN's YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/ Summary Automation Alley kicked off their 2025 Integr8 Series with a comprehensive playbook on artificial intelligence in industry, built for and by our members. This foreword by our CEO Tom Kelly showcases how agentic AI and closed vs. open source systems will define the future. Three years ago, AI stormed into the public consciousness, sparking both excitement and skepticism. The apocalypse didn't arrive, nor did we see a utopian manufacturing renaissance with flawless production and boundless efficiency. So, what's the reality? Were the bold predictions just hype? The truth is less dramatic but no less important. AI's transformative potential in manufacturing requires more than algorithms—it demands hard work, perseverance, and expertise to implement solutions effectively. While the journey is ongoing, 2025 has brought significant advancements in AI, particularly in addressing long-standing challenges around privacy and capability. For years, manufacturers hesitated to adopt AI fully due to privacy concerns. Sharing critical data—such as downtime metrics or production figures—with open-source AI platforms posed unacceptable risks. But the tide is turning. Privatized AI agents are emerging as game-changers, enabling manufacturers to harness AI's power securely. Technologies like NVIDIA's Jetson platform are paving the way. By leveraging secure, on-premise AI systems, manufacturers can now train machines, automate programming through vision systems, and execute complex tasks without exposing sensitive data. This shift is unlocking new levels of productivity while maintaining control over proprietary information. These are the pressing questions we'll explore as we analyze the past three years and look toward the future. By drawing on the experiences and insights of our trusted community, we aim to chart a path forward for AI in manufacturing. Join us for the 2025 Integr8 Series and be part of shaping AI's next chapter. Your insights matter, and together, we'll continue driving progress in manufacturing's digital transformation.‍ Read the published 2025 Integr8 Playbook, "Boosting Productivity in the AI Frontier," at https://integr8series.com/boosting-productivity-in-the-ai-frontier/

Originally uploaded April 4th, reloaded April 10th. Jeffrey Mosher welcomes Pavan Muzumdar, CEO of Project DIAMOnD, by Automation Alley, Troy, MI, with Edward Moffett, creator of The Moon Ring, Rochester, MI. Pavan remind the Michigan business community about Project DIAMOnD? ( a 3D initiative created by Automation Alley and funded by Oakland County, is helping businesses across various industries save thousands of dollars each year. By providing access to cutting-edge 3D printing technology, the program enables businesses to reduce their reliance on overseas support and bring production in-house, ultimately keeping manufacturing in the USA. One great example of this is The Moon Ring, a popular gag gift that was featured on the Bachelorette.) Ed, as the owner and creator of The Moon Ring, can you tell us a little bit about your product and tell us about the challenges your business faced prior to becoming a Project DIAMOnD participant? Talking Points: · Give high-level, quick explanation of the product/business · Before receiving a free 3D printer through Project DIAMOnD, Alison Moffett and I were spending around $10,000-$15,000 annually importing plastic parts from overseas—many of which were difficult to source, and once sourced, were of low quality and often unusable. · Mention any other challenges you faced prior to receiving the 3D printer from Project DIAMOnD (Ed) How did you hear about Project DIAMOnD and become a participant? How has the program helped you and your business? Talking Points: · How you heard about Project DIAMOnD / how you became a participant · As a PD participant, we received a free 3D printer, training and consultation allowing us to print the same parts in-house, with perfect results every time, saving us money and time. · Talk about how much you're saving, how you don't have to worry about shipping costs from China, how your process is so much more reliable · Mention the time-efficiency – how you can create about 30 products in an evening · Talk about the results, how they come out perfect every time Ed, now that you have a more time and cost-efficient process, walk us through how you create this product from the comfort of your own home using the 3D printer from Project DIAMOnD? Talking Points: · Mention printer type and how each plastic part is created/printed, your creation process · Express gratitude and thanks for the Project DIAMOnD program Now back to Pavan – Project DIAMOnD is committed to supporting local innovation and economic growth through its 3D printing network and training academy. Can you talk a little bit about how manufacturing outside the U.S. can increase the risk of IP theft as well as production cost? Pavan – how is PD training helping to mitigate some of the problems companies are facing? Are there any other examples of participants who have seen success saving costs? Pavan, what's next for Project DIAMOnD? How can businesses get involved? » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Watch MBN's YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/

In this episode of Manufacturing Unscripted, hosts Matthew Rall and Lauren Rall sit down with Tom Kelly, CEO and Executive Director of Automation Alley, to discuss the future of manufacturing in Michigan. They explore the power of partnerships, the role of Automation Alley as an Industry 4.0 knowledge center, and how initiatives like Project DIAMOnD are fueling manufacturing growth in the state. Don't miss this insightful conversation on the evolution of smart manufacturing!  Watch on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/OJb6rlZX614    Learn more:   https://www.automationalley.com/   https://integr8series.com/   https://www.projectdiamond.org/     @automation alley  @promess        @tom kelly  @lauren Rall    @matthew rall   

Step Into the Future of Innovation: The New Integr8 Series with Automation Alley. Thomas Kelly joins as we explore AI, 3D printing, mass customization, Industry 4.0, and beyond.We chat with returning guest, Tom Kelly of Automation Alley. Automation Alley is a nonprofit technology business association and digital transformation insight center that helps manufacturers in Michigan understand new technology including AI, 3D printing, robotics, Industry 4.0 and more. Tom also takes us through Integr8, a series of round table dialogs bringing Michigan's forward-thinkers in manufacturing and technology, and the new playbook series helping companies and leaders narrow their industry focus. 

Chris Holman welcomes back Tom Kelly, President & CEO, Automation Alley, Troy, MI. Q. Thanks for coming back to talk about Project DIAMOnD. We've had you on several times this year to talk about Project DIAMOnD but we understand that you got some very good news related to additional federal funding last week – can you tell us more about that? Yes -- Project DIAMOnD just received $1.9 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that was allocated to us by the state of Michigan. The funding was announced last week by the Michigan Infrastructure Office. In addition, to that, the Michigan Economic Development Corp. announced that it would contribute $475,000 in new funding and Automation Alley will also contribute $125,000 in new funding. So, in total, that's an additional $2.5 million. Q. That's great news. Can you tell us how you are going to use this additional funding? Until now, we have been funded by Oakland, Macomb and Wayne Counties – but our goal is to expand our network of connected 3D printers to companies across the state. This investment represents an important first step in our vision of scaling Project DIAMOnD statewide to empower small- and medium-sized manufacturers across Michigan. This additional funding will support the expansion of Project DIAMOnD to 100 small and mid-sized manufacturers. We have also committed to using a minimum of 40% of the funding for companies in disadvantaged or underserved communities across the state. Participating companies will have access to the Project DIAMOnD Digital Transformation Program – which opened earlier this earlier this year – and expert assistance at the Project DIAMOnD Digital Transformation Center (DTC) in Auburn Hills. Q: Can you remind our listeners what that Digital Transformation Center is? Of course! It provides companies access to industrial 3D printing equipment, training and support. The new Digital Transformation Center (DTC) is supported by Geofabrica, an Auburn Hills, Michigan business that specializes in the development of custom 3D printing systems and processes for industrial applications. Through the DTC, Project DIAMOnD companies will have access to additive manufacturing courses, a team of experts, and access to additional 3D printers to test and make products. Q: Let's take a step back – can you remind our listeners what Project DIAMOnD is? Project DIAMOnD stands for distributed, independent, agile manufacturing on demand. It is an initiative powered by Automation Alley and funded by Oakland County, Michigan. Project DIAMOnD was developed in October 2020 to help Michigan manufacturers accelerate their digital transformation. It was initially funded with $10 million from Oakland County and $2 million from Macomb County. We used that funding to distribute 300 3D printers to small- and mid-size manufacturers at no cost, and to teach them how to use them. Q. If I recall correctly, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer expressed her support earlier this year at the Mackinac Policy Conference for the work that Automation Alley and Project DIAMOnD are doing – is that correct? Yes, that's correct. We held a press conference with the Governor at Mackinac back in May. At the time, she expressed support for our plan to expand statewide. Last weeks' announcement builds on the governor's vision to expand the “Infrastructure for Innovation,” shared technology and resources that entrepreneurs and businesses can leverage to grow in Michigan. We are very thankful to Governor for her support and for the state for its support. » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Watch MBN's YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/

Originally uploaded October 29th, re-edited Nov. 26th. Chris Holman welcomes Tom Kelly, President & CEO, Automation Alley, Troy, MI. Chris had several things he wanted to catch up on with Tom: Q. Before we get started, can you remind our listeners what Project DIAMOnD is? Project DIAMOnD –which stands for distributed, independent, agile manufacturing on demand – is an initiative powered by Automation Alley and funded by Oakland County, Michigan. Project DIAMOnD was developed in October 2020 to accelerate digital transformation among Michigan manufacturers. In Phase I of the program, which was funded by $10 million from Oakland County and $2 million from Macomb County, Automation Alley distributed 300 3D printers to small- and mid-size manufacturers at no cost, provided workforce training, and networked the printers to be used to fulfill emergency orders at scale. In 2021, the network concept was validated, as it printed and shipped 8,000 tourniquet parts to fulfill a request from the Ukrainian Defense Ministry. The parts allowed for the assembling of more than 2,600 tourniquets to help those in need of medical assistance during the Russian assault on Ukraine. Q: Project DIAMOnD recently opened a Digital Transformation Center in Auburn Hills. Can you tell us more about this? Of course! It provides companies access to industrial 3D printing equipment, training and support. The new Digital Transformation Center (DTC) is supported by Geofabrica, an Auburn Hills, Michigan business that specializes in the development of custom 3D printing systems and processes for industrial applications. Through the DTC, Project DIAMOnD companies will have access to additive manufacturing courses, a team of experts, and access to additional 3D printers to test and make products. Q: Wow, so this center is really helping to transform the region and state into a magnet for advanced manufacturing and training. What can companies learn at this center? At the Digital Transformation Center, Project DIAMOnD participants will learn how to transform their businesses from a capital and process-based mindset to a design and intellectual property mindset facilitated by 3D printing. This encompasses having an opportunity to launch and validate products before investing in industrial additive manufacturing equipment. They will also retain access to 3D print and post-process products, without the burden of owning and operating complex equipment. Q: What else does the DTC provide? Beyond 3D printing equipment, the DTC will provide access to industrial 3D scanners and advanced modeling and measurement software. Companies will also be able to upload and order parts through the DTC. Q: What companies are eligible to use the center? How can companies get involved in Project DIAMOnD? At this time, Project DIAMOnD is open exclusively to small- and medium-sized companies located in Oakland County. However, if you're outside Oakland County, don't hesitate to apply! We're keen to gauge interest and may expand the program to your area in the future. Don't Miss Out on the Future of Manufacturing! Sign Up Now for Exclusive Access to: · State-of-the-Art 3D Printing Technology. · Comprehensive Training Programs Tailored to Your Needs. · Instant Connection to Our Vast Network of Industry Leaders. To learn more about Project DIAMOnD, or if you are a small- or medium-sized manufacturer interested in joining the program, visit projectdiamond.org » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Watch MBN's YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/

Chris Holman speaks with Tom Kelly, President & CEO, Automation Alley at the Grand Hotel, while at the 2024 Mackinac Policy Conference. » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Watch MBN's YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/

Originally uploaded September 19, re-edited October 17th. Chris Holman welcomes back Benjamin Bakken, CFP®, CEPA®, Senior Vice President, Lansing Market Director of Tri-Star Trust Bank. Welcome back Ben, it's been a couple of years, remind the Michigan business community about Tri-Star Trust Bank, especially what sets you apart? You were in East Lansing, now in the Stadium District of Lansing, talk about that move and what it's meant for TriStar? You were on hand this week for the MBN Speakers Series with Tom Kelly of Automation Alley, what did you think about that? You shared some insightful points about the real trends in the economy on Tuesday could you run through that for our viewers? In general what are your clients looking for in 2024, has that changed in the past few years? » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN's YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCqNX… » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/

Chris Holman welcomes back Tom Kelly, President & CEO, Automation Alley, Troy, MI. Chris had several questions for Tom in their latest interview. Q. Thanks for coming back on our show to talk about Automation Alley's series of Integr8 playbooks. Your latest one is focused on the automotive industry's transition to Electrification and Mobility – and we will get into that – but remind us again what this series of playbooks is? Q. So much of the debate and discussion about the future of electric vehicles is about how fast the market is growing here in the U.S., but your report really makes it clear that this is the direction that the industry is going globally. Can you comment on that? Q. So, what are the implications of that? Q. I hear you but, certainly we have seen automakers adjust and even put major battery plants and EV assembly plants on hold – at least temporarily. Why do you think consumers have been reluctant to embrace them as fast as the industry expected? Q. So, how do we solve these problems? Q. Some EVs on the market have eye-popping horsepower and acceleration – but achieving these numbers requires large batteries. This report suggests that there are some concerns about these products… Q. Do we also need to address our nation's electric grid infrastructure? Q. What role and responsibility does government have in this transition? » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN's YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCqNX… » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/

Originally Uploaded April 23rd, Re-edited July 19th Chris Holman welcomes back Tom Kelly, President & CEO, Automation Alley, Troy, MI. The discussion covers the April set of Integr8 for 2024 with Playbook #4: AI and Machine Learning. Q. Thanks for coming back on our show to talk about Automation Alley's series of Integr8 playbooks. Your latest one is focused on how manufacturers can benefit from AI and Machine Learning – and we will get into that – but remind us again what this series of playbooks is? The 2024 Integr8 Roundtable Series is an invite-only roundtable sessions where leaders from industry, academia and government meet. Each roundtable is focused on a different topic or challenge related to the Industry 4.0 and the transition to digital manufacturing And then we publish a playbook from each roundtable that provides advice for manufacturers to help them overcome challenges It all builds momentum towards the Integr8 Roundtable Summit, to be held Oct. 3 in Detroit Q. So, you just released the findings from your fourth roundtable, which is titled “The Rise of AI: Shaping Industries Through Intelligent Innovation.” And AI has been in the news constantly for more than a year now. What did you learn from this roundtable discussion? We are entering a new era of AI technology in our everyday lives; from the media we consume to the products we use. But there are also challenges — fears of job displacement, academic plagiarism, deep fakes, cyber threats and a new degree of misinformation. There really are all sorts of new, big issues that we are still – as a society – just in the early stages of working through For business, the big question is – how do we deploy AI to address areas of need? Can AI be the answer to helping small businesses navigate new market realities? Can AI transform the manufacturing process from the shop floor to the top floor? At Automation Alley, we think it can. We think AI and Machine Learning have the power to level the playing field and allow U.S. manufacturers to compete globally and bring jobs back to America. Q. You mentioned Machine Learning. What is the difference between AI and Machine Learning? Q. I've heard you say manufacturing is more exciting now than it has been for at least 30 years – but that it is also the most daunting because it is hard for small companies to figure out where to start when it comes to AI. Can you elaborate on that? How should small manufacturers get started with this stuff? For successful AI adoption, companies should clearly define the specific goals and objectives they aim to achieve with AI implementation, whether it's improving production efficiency, enhancing product quality, or reducing maintenance costs. Understanding your objectives will guide your AI strategy and ensure alignment with overall business objectives. Companies should begin AI implementation with pilot projects focused on specific use cases or areas of improvement. Start small to validate AI technologies, assess their impact, and refine strategies before scaling across the organization. Q. I imagine one of the barriers to adopting AI and Machine Learning is that companies – and their staff – are intimidated by the new technology. Is there a talent and training challenge that comes with this? Yes! There is a need for programmers, data scientists, engineers, and other highly skilled workers who can create and maintain complex AI programs. Shortages abound in this field and require industry leaders to connect with academia to create training programs and internships that fill specific needs. Companies need to develop internal training programs to reskill and upskill current workforces. » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN's YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/

Chris Holman welcomes back Tom Kelly, President & CEO, Automation Alley, Troy, MI. There were several things Chris wanted to find out from Tom in this latest interview. Q. Before we get started, can you remind our listeners what Project DIAMOnD is? Q. Last month, you had the Governor at the Mackinac Policy Conference talking her desire to expand the program statewide and now, you have been mentioned in a national report that explores ways to improve U.S. competitiveness in advanced manufacturing. Can you tell us more about this report? Q. What does this mention mean to Automation Alley? Why is Project DIAMOnD essential to improving our country's competitiveness in advanced manufacturing? Q. And as I mentioned briefly earlier, this is the same program that the Governor talked about just a few weeks ago at the Mackinac Policy conference, right? Q. What is next for Project DIAMOnD? Q: How can manufacturers get involved with the project? » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Watch MBN's YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/

June 25, 2024 ~ Automation Alley's Project DIAMOnD was named as an example of projects essential to improving U.S. competitiveness by the Special Competitive Studies Project. Guy, Lloyd, and Jamie talk with Automation Alley CEO Tom Kelly about how they've maximized the power of 3D printing in advanced manufacturing.

Chris Holman welcomes back Tom Kelly, President & CEO, Automation Alley, Troy, MI. This month they're discussing Integr8 Playbook #3: Additive Manufacturing Q. Thanks for coming back on our show to talk about Automation Alley's series of Integr8 playbooks. Your next one is focused on additive manufacturing – and we will get into that – but remind us again what this series of playbooks is? · The 2024 Integr8 Roundtable Series offers invite-only roundtable sessions where leaders from industry, academia and government meet. · Each roundtable is focused on a different topic or challenge related to the Industry 4.0 and the transition to digital manufacturing · And then we publish a playbook from each roundtable that provides advice for manufacturers to help them overcome challenges · It all builds momentum towards the Integr8 Roundtable Summit, to be held Oct. 3 in Detroit Q. So, you just released the findings from your third roundtable. What was the focus? And can you tell us about your findings? · Our third playbook was focused on additive manufacturing or 3D printing · Additive manufacturing isn't new – it's been around for decades – but what is new is how advanced it has become and what it can do today · Across the country, we are seeing manufactures do amazing things with 3D printing o From rockets to sustainable housing · While some Industry 4.0 technologies are more nebulous like Big Data and the Industrial Internet of Things, additive manufacturing (AM) is hands on and visual. · You can see a new additively manufactured piece being printed and feel it, from a rocket booster the size of a truck to a micro-lattice part the size of a matchhead. Q. What are the challenges? What is holding companies back from deploying it? · A lot of manufactures remain stuck – they continue to do things the old way – and they are just not sure how to implement 3D printing · And then there is the cost – the best 3D printers are not cheap, and we recognize that · At Automation Alley, we encourage manufacturers to start small and we help them get started with funding and training through our Project DAMOnD program. · The process starts with redefining how engineers design products. Design For Additive Manufacturing (DFAM) is a set of processes that focuses on the design, engineering, and production of components or end products through additive manufacturing. · When designing components or products using DFAM, engineers consider material properties, build speed versus accuracy tradeoff, surface finish requirements, and structural integrity as they would with any regular build. Those elements are critical to manufacturing parts that can perform with quality Additional background for MBN reference: The third playbook explores what is possible with additive manufacturing and offers strategies and considerations for adopting an additive mindset. Topics discussed include: · The importance of design for additive manufacturing (DFAM) · Generative artificial intelligence design and additive manufacturing · Project DIAMOnD, a distributed manufacturing and additive manufacturing use case · Additive manufacturing and sustainability · Government support with Additive Manufacturing Forward (AM Forward) · Integrating additive manufacturing programs in education · Building a scalable framework

Originally uploaded Feb. 28th, reedited, reloaded March 15th. For Media Business Episode 68: Tony Conley welcomes Ms. Tyler M. Theile, the vice president, COO, and director of public policy for Anderson Economic Group. Her work includes contributions to projects in all three practice areas as well as business management, operations, and administration of Anderson Economic Group quality standards. Ms. Theile's recent projects include an economic impact analysis for a mixed-use real estate development, a minority valuation for a beer distributor, an analysis of power transmission infrastructure projects, and an economic impact survey related to auto insurance legislation in Michigan. Other projects include salary surveys and competitiveness analysis, a global survey of water-intensive companies in order to gauge the value of water management innovation, and The State Economic Handbook, 2008, 2009, and 2010 published by Palgrave Macmillan. She has also contributed to previous reports including Automation Alley's Annual Technology Industry Report and Michigan's University Research Corridor: Annual Economic Impact Report. Prior to joining AEG, Ms. Theile worked in the executive office of Michigan's attorney general, where she assisted with research, consumer protection, and external affairs. She has also worked in political fundraising and for the Michigan Senate. Ms. Theile is a graduate of Michigan State University's James Madison College, where she received a BA in international relations with a specialization in political economy. In this discussion, the pair cover the net economic impact of the National Football League's National Football Conference (NFC) Divisional Playoff Game between the Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers is expected to exceed $50 million, according to new analysis from East Lansing-based economic consulting firm Anderson Economic Group, LLC. AEG found that attendee expenditures will have a direct economic impact of $31,651,281, with an additional indirect impact of $20,573,333. How did you arrive at these figures? Detroit is hosting the 2024 NFL Draft in April. Do you expect the same economic impact? What can we in the media be better at covering Michigan's economy? Anderson Economic Group also has various industry-specific reports available to view as well as an economic conditions monitor that tracks key economic indicators for Michigan, Illinois and the U.S. as a whole. ### About Anderson Economic Group Since its founding in 1996, Anderson Economic Group has become one of the nation's premier boutique consulting firms, specializing in business valuation, expert testimony, and public policy. Anderson Economic Group has assisted governments, universities, large corporations, and businesses across the U.S. and abroad. All of the firm's work is grounded in the core values of professionalism, integrity, and expertise. Anderson Economic Group has offices in East Lansing, Michigan and Chicago, Illinois. For more information or to speak with one of our experts, visit andersoneconomicgroup.com. » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN's YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCqNX… » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/ Thank you to Benjamin Robinson and Motor City Skyline's music

Chris Holman welcomes back Tom Kelly, President & CEO, Automation Alley, Troy, MI. Q. Before we get started, can you remind us what Integr8 is? And what is the purpose of this series of roundtables? What our members tell us is that there is so much happening right now in manufacturing with new technology that they are struggling to figure out what to invest in and what they should be doing to stay at the forefront of their industry. And that's why we developed these roundtables – to pull together leaders across academia, government and manufacturing to help companies navigate these challenges and changes. We have to move from (providing) information to insight. We have to start helping companies decide what they need to do. So this playbook that we just released is the first of 12 playbooks we will issue this year. And they are all free – companies can come to interg8series.com to download. Q. So, you just released the findings from your first roundtable. What was the focus? And can you tell us about your findings? “Navigating the Future: Global Industry 4.0 Trends, Standards and Policy” is available to view or download at integr8series.com. The playbook provides a comprehensive overview of the current Industry 4.0 landscape and offers a prospective outlook and recommendations to help companies adapt to the evolving digital transformation trends in the years to come. Q. Based on this playbook what are the most important things manufacturers should be doing? Global Trends playbook key takeaways: · Learn from International Counterparts to Spark Innovation · Create Flexible Global Standards to Promote Collaboration · Transform Workforces for Industry 4.0 Success · Invest in Infrastructure Readiness · Identify Game-Changing Technology · Deploy New Technologies Ethically · Prioritize Cybersecurity Protection Q. What will be the focus of the next roundtable and when does that playbook come out? We just held our second roundtable discussion last week. It was focused on the pivotal role of the workforce in the age of digital transformation. One of the biggest challenges in manufacturing has been the low unemployment rate and the difficulty in attracting and retaining skilled labor. We talked about the challenges and opportunities companies can leverage through with new and evolving technologies, upskilling and reskilling and how to foster a culture of innovation. We will be publishing the resulting playbook later this month. » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN's YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCqNX… » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/

For Media Business Episode 67: Tony Conley welcomes Ms. Tyler M. Theile, the vice president, COO, and director of public policy for Anderson Economic Group. Her work includes contributions to projects in all three practice areas as well as business management, operations, and administration of Anderson Economic Group quality standards. Ms. Theile's recent projects include an economic impact analysis for a mixed-use real estate development, a minority valuation for a beer distributor, an analysis of power transmission infrastructure projects, and an economic impact survey related to auto insurance legislation in Michigan. Other projects include salary surveys and competitiveness analysis, a global survey of water-intensive companies in order to gauge the value of water management innovation, and The State Economic Handbook, 2008, 2009, and 2010 published by Palgrave Macmillan. She has also contributed to previous reports including Automation Alley's Annual Technology Industry Report and Michigan's University Research Corridor: Annual Economic Impact Report. Prior to joining AEG, Ms. Theile worked in the executive office of Michigan's attorney general, where she assisted with research, consumer protection, and external affairs. She has also worked in political fundraising and for the Michigan Senate. Ms. Theile is a graduate of Michigan State University's James Madison College, where she received a BA in international relations with a specialization in political economy. In this discussion, the pair cover the perspective available from the Anderson Economic Group commenting on Gov. Whitmer's housing and economic development proposals. In her recent State of the State address, Gov. Whitmer mentioned key priorities that include building more housing around Michigan, economic development and the workforce, and improving Michigan's infrastructure. Tyler Theile, vice president and director of public policy and economic analysis at Anderson Economic Group is available to provide specific analysis on: Housing availability and affordability in Michigan, and the importance of properly incentivizing the construction of missing middle housing. Potential long-term economic benefits of the HIRE Michigan program, like retaining young talent and strengthening the pipeline for Michigan's universities. The impact of increased electric vehicle adoption on road funding in Michigan. Michigan's low tax burden and building revenue. The impact of statewide investments in job sites on Michigan's workforce development. Anderson Economic Group also has various industry-specific reports available to view as well as an economic conditions monitor that tracks key economic indicators for Michigan, Illinois and the U.S. as a whole. ### About Anderson Economic Group Since its founding in 1996, Anderson Economic Group has become one of the nation's premier boutique consulting firms, specializing in business valuation, expert testimony, and public policy. Anderson Economic Group has assisted governments, universities, large corporations, and businesses across the U.S. and abroad. All of the firm's work is grounded in the core values of professionalism, integrity, and expertise. Anderson Economic Group has offices in East Lansing, Michigan and Chicago, Illinois. For more information or to speak with one of our experts, visit andersoneconomicgroup.com. » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN's YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCqNX… » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/ Thank you to Benjamin Robinson and Motor City Skyline's music

Chief Internet Marketing is the creation of advertising and marketing specialist, Jeff Stanislow. Jeff's unparalled success with Michigan enterprise, Motor City Interactive and Tampa Bay's The Bay Connection, sparked the creation of this Florida-based digital consulting enterprise. Jeff has specialized in online marketing for over 10 years, providing solutions to companies such as AAA Life, Bally Total Fitness, EDS, Flagstar Bank, Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation, St. John Health System, and many others. Frequently sought as a guest speaker on internet trends and topics, Jeff is also an Adjunct Professor at Walsh College, where he teaches graduate-level classes in interactive marketing. In addition, he is a past president of GLIMA (Great Lakes Interactive Marketing Association), and is a member of the board of directors for DMAD (Direct Marketing Association of Detroit). Jeff holds a B.S. degree in Marketing from Michigan State University, and an M.S. degree in Information Management & Communications from Walsh College. Jeff is well respected throughout the community and in addition to his listing in Who's Who in Technology – Crain's Detroit, he has been published in the Detroit News, Michigan Technology News, Internet Day, Adcrafter Roster Edition, BigIdea Magazine, Internet Survival Guide, and has spoken at Internet World, glima, Automation Alley, State of the Net, Digital Detroit, Ann Arbor IT zone, ITEC, DMAD, and the Adcraft Club. Connect with Jon Dwoskin: Twitter: @jdwoskin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.dwoskin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejondwoskinexperience/ Website: https://jondwoskin.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondwoskin/ Email: jon@jondwoskin.com Get Jon's Book: The Think Big Movement: Grow your business big. Very Big!   Connect with Jeff Stanislow:Website: www.chiefinternetmarketer.com Twitter: @ChiefIntMkter   *E – explicit language may be used in this podcast.

Chris Holman welcomes back Tom Kelly, President & CEO, Automation Alley, Troy, MI, What were some highlights from 2023? What projects were initiated or continued? Any big events of note? Integr8 gets a revamp for 2024, monthly content, and a big event in October, tell us those details What trade missions are on tap for 2024? We also look forward to hearing from you in the MBN Speakers Series this coming September! » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN's YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCqNX… » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/

Originally uploaded October 13th, Chris Holman welcomes back Former Michigan governor Rick Snyder, CEO SensCy, Ann Arbor, MI. First remind us about SenCy? Tell us about a great new synergy ​between SenCy, Automation Alley and Oakland University? So, small and medium-sized manufacturers have the opportunity to participate in this Cybersecurity Research Project for free? What is the ultimate goal? Would this be any different from how you serve other clients? October is CyberSecurity Month in Michigan,... something you initiated last decade,... how is SenCy marking this occasion?

The US will be competitive again in manufacturing. It's a bold claim, made by Tom Kelly, Executive Director and CEO of Automation Alley, a nonprofit focused on helping Michigan businesses succeed by embracing innovation and automation. “You know how you beat China?” he prods. “You make products of one.”Kelly spoke at the 2023 Advanced Manufacturing Minneapolis event on Tuesday, October 10. Packaging Digest talked with Kelly for a few minutes after his presentation to ask specific questions about possible implications for packaging. In this quick Q&A, Kelly addresses:• How companies should rethink their core competency, which should be satisfying customers (not making product);• What budget will replace the typical capital expenditures (it's not what you might think);• How critical it is to protect intellectual property; and• How to address packaging machine warranties as they relate to user-3D-printed replacement parts.

What do you get when you add the Switzerland based World Economic Forum (including Davos) and the US leader in Industry 4.0, Michigan based Automation Alley? You get the U.S. Center for Advanced Manufacturing based here in Michigan with an international board.Listen to Cynthia Hutchinson as she explains the mission and vision of the USCAM, and its international impact. The USCAM drives state, regional and national initiatives that accelerate and strengthen advanced manufacturing in the U.S., while helping to inform the global manufacturing agenda. Cynthia and host Ed Clemente discuss her long stint working and living at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Switzerland, as well as our previous podcast guest Francisco Betti of WEF, who is on her Executive committee along with MEDC Executive VP Josh Hundt.  

Cory and Paul chat with the CEO of Automation Alley, Thomas Kelly. Automation Alley is a nonprofit Industry 4.0 knowledge center and home to the World Economic Forum's US Center for Advanced Manufacturing. Munro is an engineering consulting firm that specializes in product design, costing and teardown benchmarking. Munro Home of Lean Design leandesign.com

Industry 4.0 is a suite of digitally enabled technologies that combine embedded sensors, new kinds of materials, models as digital twins, and cutting edge computing to change the way that companies think about their product and facilities and even their customers. The idea of adopting these advanced manufacturing technologies can be daunting to small companies that have had success with traditional processes. Pavan Muzumdar, chief operating officer at Automation Alley, a nonprofit Industry 4.0 knowledge center based in Troy, Mich., discusses how 3D printing and other Industry 4.0 technologies are transforming small manufacturers.  

As the CEO of the US Center for Advanced Manufacturing, Cynthia Hutchison leads efforts to engage the national manufacturing ecosystem through local, national, and international projects and activities that accelerate the transition toward advanced manufacturing. She directs programming that helps shape the global agenda on the future of production, strengthens the competitiveness of the manufacturing sector in the United States, and marries new technology and processes with valuable, tried manufacturing practices.Discover more details here.Some of the highlights of the episode:How was Automation Alley introduced to the World Economic ForumBuilding out the executive committee and establishing a national centerThe three pillars of USC4AM- innovation, sustainability, and inclusion- and their ongoing projectsWorkforce challenges in manufacturing, specifically in the USASupporting companies and how to help them face challengesValuing authenticity and accelerating opportunitiesFollow us on:Instagram: http://bit.ly/2Wba8v7Twitter: http://bit.ly/2WeulzXLinkedin: http://bit.ly/2w9YSQXFacebook: http://bit.ly/2HtryLd

Originally posted February 8, 2023. Tony Conley welcomes Ms. Tyler M. Theile, the vice president, COO, and director of public policy for Anderson Economic Group. Her work includes contributions to projects in all three practice areas as well as business management, operations, and administration of Anderson Economic Group quality standards. Ms. Theile's recent projects include an economic impact analysis for a mixed-use real estate development, a minority valuation for a beer distributor, an analysis of power transmission infrastructure projects, and an economic impact survey related to auto insurance legislation in Michigan. Other projects include salary surveys and competitiveness analysis, a global survey of water-intensive companies in order to gauge the value of water management innovation, and The State Economic Handbook, 2008, 2009, and 2010 published by Palgrave Macmillan. She has also contributed to previous reports including Automation Alley's Annual Technology Industry Report and Michigan's University Research Corridor: Annual Economic Impact Report. Prior to joining AEG, Ms. Theile worked in the executive office of Michigan's attorney general, where she assisted with research, consumer protection, and external affairs. She has also worked in political fundraising and for the Michigan Senate. Ms. Theile is a graduate of Michigan State University's James Madison College, where she received a BA in international relations with a specialization in political economy. In this discussion, the pair cover a recent article by the Anderson Economic Group, that Tyler worked on: 'Infrastructure Funding: The Impact of EVs on Michigan Roads'. » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN's YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCqNX… » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/ Thank you to Benjamin Robinson and Motor City Skyline's music

Brandon Marken is President and CEO of Lean Rocket Lab: a manufacturing-technology focused business incubator and accelerator. They are currently running an Industry 4.0 Accelerator, powered by Automation Alley and in partnership with LTU Centrepolis. Special thank you to podcast sponsors Michigan Rise and Invest Detroit.

The 4th Industrial Revolution. Figure out how the World Economic Forum, Automation Alley and the MEDC are transforming & digitizing the world of manufacturing. Join our guest Francisco Betti, Head of Advanced Manufacturing and Production at the World Economic Forum, and our host Ed Clemente as they explore this foremost leadership organization based in Geneva, Switzerland.  The WEF is the international organization for public-private cooperation and engages political, business, cultural leaders in society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. The platform is helping global leaders understand the impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and advanced manufacturing technologies on production systems. Additionally, learn how the MEDC and Automation Alley are helping this process in Michigan. You can also read the transcript from our conversation.  

How can business owners maximize the value of their company? Look no further than the people in your organization and the talent in your region.Private equity enables entrepreneurs and founders to achieve the American Dream by offering a succession plan to an organization that will be a great steward of the company and carry out the mission of the founder. Borgman Capital does just this. The firm works with midwestern companies across all sectors, many in the small-to-midsized manufacturing market, to purchase and grow the business so the founder can transition to the next phase of their life.This is the American Dream for entrepreneurs.In this episode, we talk with Sequoya Borgman, Managing Director of Borgman Capital, about strategies for how businesses can create the most value in their company, why investing in your people is so crucial for a business owner, and why manufacturing is ripe for opportunity in the U.S.3 Big Takeaways from this episode:Leaders can maximize the value of their company by professionalizing the business: Many founders tend to hold onto all the insight, relationships and know-how for every function of the company. When all the value is tied up in the owner, it's very difficult to replace that individual, leaving risk for the buyer. Business owners can increase their company's value by professionalizing their leadership team and handing off key responsibilities and knowledge to up-and-coming leaders who will help run the organization after the owner exits.Any organization that isn't using the most up-to-date technology is falling behind: In private equity, this means cutting-edge analytics technology to help valuate a prospective portfolio company. But the same is true for the companies in their portfolio - automation raises the value of the company and solves many of the workforce issues faced by manufacturing businesses. Manufacturing is booming in the United States and will continue to do so, and those who automate now will get ahead in the future. Having a workforce development plan in place will create added value to your company: Any private equity company's goal is to grow their portfolio businesses - and that means hiring and training new employees. With the added increases in automation, companies that already have learning and development strategies in place are worth more than those who don't. ResourcesTo learn about Automation Alley and get free access to Industry 4.0 knowledge visit: www.borgmancapital.comConnect with Borgman Capital on social media: LinkedInVisit episode page: https://techedpodcast.com/borgman

Automation Alley, a World Economic Forum AMHUB, is at the center of some of the most innovative Industry 4.0-focused projects, startups and technology accelerators in the country. In episode two of our two-part series with Automation Alley Executive Director and CEO Tom Kelly, we get into some of these initiatives that deploy cutting-edge technologies like 3D printing, blockchain, artificial intelligence and more. Learn how small and midsize manufacturers are leveraging additive manufacturing for unique applications, get an understanding of how blockchain technology can be leveraged in an Industry 4.0 world, and see the value of supporting startups in the advanced manufacturing technology sector.(Did you miss our first episode with Tom Kelly? Get caught up here: techedpodcast.com/automationalley)3 Big Takeaways from this episode:Project DIAMOnD is a living case study in how 3D printing is revolutionizing manufacturing: Project DIAMOnD (Distributed Independent Additive Manufacturing on Demand) is the country's largest distributed 3D printing network, enabling small and midsize manufacturers to leverage the technological advantages of production-capable 3D printing while learning from other organizations in the 300-printer network. We talk about the role of 3D printing, its current and future applications, how it's solving supply chain issues, and the role of blockchain in a distributed network.Blockchain technology is an integral component of digital manufacturing: The more digitalized manufacturing becomes, the more important it is that organizations start leveraging the power of blockchain to keep their products, processes and IP secure. Tom provides a great overview of blockchain and the importance of digital ID, digital recipes, digital rights management, and digital quality assurance.The Industry 4.0 Accelerator is supporting Industry 4.0 startups developing fascinating technologies: Industry 4.0 is full of potential for innovative, disruptive technologies that can transform traditional manufacturing. That's why Automation Alley partnered with a number of organizations, including Lawrence Technological University (Centrolpolis Accelerator), Lean Rocket Lab, and a number of well-known companies, to launch the Industry 4.0 Accelerator which is supporting Industry 4.0 startups in Michigan. Hear about some of the incredible technologies these companies have invented and the role of partnerships in an accelerator model like this.ResourcesTo learn about Automation Alley and get free access to Industry 4.0 knowledge visit: automationalley.comLearn more / get involved with Project DIAMOnD: www.projectdiamond.orgLearn more about the Industry 4.0 Accelerator: www.i40accelerator.comConnect with Automation Alley on social media:Facebook  |  Twitter  |  LinkedIn  |  Instagram  |  YouTubeView this episode page: https://techedpodcast.com/automationalley2/

Automation Alley is one of the World Economic Forum's AMHUBs (Advanced Manufacturing Hub). These centers of excellence aggregate and share knowledge, resources and tools around Industry 4.0 through collaborative projects and initiatives. In episode one of our two-part series with Automation Alley Executive Director and CEO Tom Kelly, we discuss the state of Industry 4.0 in the United States. Are small and midsized manufacturers aware of the impact Industry 4.0 will have? What technological and cultural changes need to be made for a business to embrace Industry 4.0? How will reshoring impact our manufacturing workforce?We answer all these and more in a fascinating discussion all around advanced manufacturing strategies.3 Big Takeaways from this episode:Industry 4.0 and digital transformation must be collaborative efforts: This concept is unfamiliar in manufacturing where companies hold tightly to their "secret sauce," but the rate of change of technology today makes it imperative that organizations share their knowledge and best practices around Industry 4.0. At Automation Alley, the mindset is share what you know; take what you need. We discuss the roles that companies, academic institutions, government and other entities must play in this collaborative effort.Industry 4.0 readiness is about business culture, too: While so much focus is placed on technology, Automation Alley's research with small to midsize companies has shown that it's really about company culture and a willingness to change - and that might mean disrupting business models from a capital-asset-focused strategy. Hear Tom share the four biggest barriers to change for SMBs and how he scores the U.S. for Industry 4.0 readiness.The workforce will be massively disrupted by Industry 4.0: Disrupting business models, changing technologies, reshoring manufacturing to the U.S. and an aging manufacturing workforce all play into this idea - that the manufacturing workforce will be greatly disrupted by Industry 4.0. Echoing earlier sentiments, the workforce challenge should be solved through collaboration, company culture, and building connections between academia and industry.ResourcesTo learn about Automation Alley and get free access to Industry 4.0 knowledge visit: automationalley.comTo get access to the Industry 4.0 Readiness Assessment discussed in this episode, visit: https://www.automationalley.com/initiatives/industry-4-0-leadership-assessmentConnect with Automation Alley on social media:Facebook  |  Twitter  |  LinkedIn  |  Instagram  |  YouTubeView episode page: techedpodcast.com/automationalley

Jeffrey Mosher welcomes Kwaku Osei, Chief Executive Officer at Farmacy Food, Detroit metro. MBN first met him after his tech talk at Automation Alley's Integr8 in Novi recently. Kwaku, can you share your career path from college in Virginia and the Ivy League to doing business in the Detroit area? Tell us about Farmacy Food You recently spoke at Automation Alley's Integr8, how are you applying Industry 4.0 for your business? What are the challenges you are facing? » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN's YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCqNX… » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/

Industry 4.0 has something exciting and powerful up its sleeve in 3D Printing; Project DIAMOnD, or Distributed, Independent, Agile Manufacturing on Demand. Automation Alley established DIAMOnD through the 2020 CARES ACT. The funding provided Automation Alley with the ability to accelerate digital transformation among Michigan manufacturers to strengthen supply chains to develop PPE. So, why all the excitement? DisruptED got down to business with several experts involved with the project.“Project DIAMOnD started as an idea in the middle of one of our darkest times, the pandemic,” said Pavan Muzumdar, COO of Automation Alley. “We came up with this idea that what would you do if you had this opportunity to deploy capital into the small and medium-sized manufacturing space. And we quickly converged to this idea that if you give someone a 3D printer, they will figure out how to use it.” And use it; they have. When the call came from Ukraine in desperate need of tourniquets, Project DIAMOnD's network was ready to answer the call.“When we had this crisis happening in Ukraine, that network mobilized, and we just delivered 3,000 tourniquet clips to Ukraine a couple of weeks ago,” Muzumdar said. “So, it is not only something companies are using internally in their organizations, but it's also something that is saving lives.”Ravi Venugopal, CEO of Giggso, and Pierre Viaud-Murat, Founder of Qualified3D, helped build the Project DIAMOnD platform. They introduced DIAMOnD to the public at the recent Integrate 2022 exhibition. This show was the first time people outside of a group of 300 companies saw the project. “It's exciting to show the community aspects of it, the productivity aspects, and the business and production management aspects of it,” Viaud-Murat said.Cynthia Hutchinson, Vice President of Automation Alley, also in attendance at this year's Integrate 2022, was excited to talk about the great things going on with digital integration in the manufacturing industry. She said soon; that Project DIAMOnD will expand to companies throughout the entire state of Michigan with long-term expansion for Automation Alley's international partners.

June 3, 2022 ~ The Oakland County Executive tells Paul he is pleased to be partnering with Automation Alley to house the World Economic Forum's new U.S. Centre for Advanced Manufacturing in Troy.

Today's episode is taking us back to the world of unsolved true crime. This episode deals with pretty tough stuff so consider this your trigger warning as the episode does talk about the killings of young children.    We are heading to the state of Michigan for this one. Oakland county to be exact. Oakland county is part of the metropolitan Detroit area, located northwest of the city. As of the 2020 Census, its population was 1,274,395, making it the second-most populous county in Michigan, behind neighboring Wayne County. The county seat is Pontiac. The county was founded in 1819 and organized in 1820. Oakland County is among the ten highest income counties in the United States with populations over one million people. The county's knowledge-based economic initiative, coined "Automation Alley", has developed one of the largest employment centers for engineering and related occupations in the United States. This county would spawn a serial killer. From February 1976 to March 1977 four children were abducted and murdered with their bodies left in various locations within or just outside Oakland County.   There were at least two other murder cases that investigators believe may have been victims of the “Oakland County Child Killer” or “The Babysitter Killer,” as some called him.   The ensuing murder investigation was the largest of its kind in U.S. history at the time. One suspect was even from our neck of the woods! We'll check out the victims and then get into the suspects. Again, this is definitely a touchy episode for some so if you're uncomfortable with this sort of thing, you might want to skip this episode.   Still with us? Ok so here we go.   Every 40 seconds, a child goes missing or is abducted in the United States. Approximately 840,000 people are reported missing each year in the United States and the F.B.I. estimates that between 85 and 90 percent of these are children. On a positive note, More than 99 percent of children reported missing in America in recent years have come home alive.    According to the Washington State Attorney General's Child Abduction Murder Research: In 74 percent of the missing children homicide cases studied, the child murder victim was female and the average age was 11 years old. In 44 percent of the cases studied, the victims and killers were strangers, but in 42 percent of the cases, the victims and killers were friends or acquaintances. Only about 14 percent of the cases studied involved parents or intimates killing the child. Almost two-thirds of the killers in these cases have prior arrests for violent crimes, with slightly more than half of those prior crimes committed against children. The primary motive for the child abduction killer in the cases studied was sexual assault. In nearly 60 percent of the cases studied, more than two hours passed between the time someone realized the child was missing and the time police were notified. In 76 percent of the missing children homicide cases studied, the child was dead within three hours of the abduction–and in  88.5 percent of the cases the child was dead within 24 hours.   Pay attention to your kids, folks. Be that parent. The one who annoys them constantly by asking where they are and knowing who they're with. Protect the fuck out of them with every last fiber of your being. THAT is your number one job as a parent.   The First victim was 12 year old Mark Stebbins. Mark was from Ferndale Michigan and was last seen at 1:30 pm on Feb. 15 1976. His body was found three days later in Ferndale. He was sexually assaulted and suffocated to death.  Mark was last seen and heard from at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 15. He talked to his mother on the phone. He was letting her know that he was leaving the American Legion Hall to head home. He never made it and at 11 p.m. that night Mark's mother called the Ferndale Police Department to report Mark missing.   At about 11:45 a.m. Feb. 19, 1976, a businessman named Mark Boetigheimer left his office building and headed toward a drug store located inside the New Orleans mall at 10 Mile and Greenfield roads. On his way something caught his eye in the northeast corner of the parking lot. He saw what looked like a mannequin dressed in a blue jacket and jeans. But as he got closer he knew he stumbled into a situation much more grim. It was a body, a human body. It was the lifeless body of 12-year-old Mark Stebbins.    Another person told police that they walked their dog around that parking lot, just so it could get some exercise. That was around 9:30 a.m. the same morning the body was found. The man said his dog was on a 20-foot leash and they walked that part of the lot. He said if that body was there at the time, his dog would have found it. If that's true, Mark's body wasn't there at 9:30 a.m. But it was at 11:45 a.m. when Mark Boetigheimer found him. That means there was a 2-hour-and-15-minute window in which someone or some people dumped Mark's body in the area.   Mark was a 7th-grader at Lincoln Junior High School. He stood 4 feet 8 inches and weighed about 100 pounds. He had strawberry-blond hair.  The autopsy showed the cause of death as asphyxia by way of smothering, but the report also showed rope burns on his neck, wrists and ankles. It appeared that Mark was also sexually assaulted.   Brooks Patterson, who was the Oakland County prosecutor at the time, said Mark's body was washed by an autopsy team, washing away any fingerprints.   The second victim was also 12 years old. Jill Robinson was from Royal oak Michigan.    Karol Robinson had three daughters and was recently divorced. She and her oldest, Jill, would butt heads and on one occasion in December of 1976 they did just that. It was an argument that led to Jill running away from home. She was last seen at a hobby shop on Woodward Avenue, then the Donut Depot on Maple Road between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. Dec. 23. According to Karol, Jill's mother, the two were arguing about biscuits. Jill was asked to help make them for dinner, she refused. Sometime after a heated back-and-forth, Karol told her to leave until she became part of the family. Jill went to her room, packed up her clothes and a plaid blanket into a denim bag. Before she left she dressed herself in blue jeans, a shirt, an orange winter coat and a blue knit cap with a yellow design on it, and then she would leave, just like her mother asked her to. She rode her bike away from her mother and her home.   Jill would later be seen by a family friend at a hobby shop on Woodward Avenue, just four and 1/2 blocks away from her mother's home. The next morning, two witnesses said they saw her in the Donut Depot on Maple Road -- this was between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m.   Jill's father, Thomas Robinson, made a call to police at 11:30 p.m. the day she left. Jill was found on the side of I-75, north of Big Beaver Road. She was laying on her back, fully clothed, not bound in any way, but a ring of deep dark red surrounded her head. The killer had transported her here, then shot her at close range in the head with a shotgun. It was later decided that Jill was fed and cared after for at least three days. She seemed to be washed, clean and with no signs of sexual abuse at all.   The third victim was 10 year old Kristine Mihelich. Kristine was from Berkley Michigan. She was last seen on January 2nd, 1977. Her Body was found on Jan. 21, 1977 -- she was missing for 19 days -- she was found in a snowbank along Bruce Road in Franklin Village, Mich. The cause of death was suffocation -- she was not sexually assaulted.   Police said there were no signs of violence and that she was in the same clothes she was last seen in. Her body was on its back, knees drawn up. That's when a Franklin Village mailman, Jerry Wozny, saw her. He saw her blue jacket in the snow on the same route he'd been driving for eight years. State police Sgt. Robert Robertson supervised the removal of the girl's body. Thirty-five officers from nine different departments made a task force that Prosecutor Patterson called “the strongest effort I've ever seen in this county.” The task force was headquartered in Southfield. Police Sgt. Joseph Krease was charged with tracking down Kristine's abductor.   Kristine's mother, Deborah Ascroft said “people keep talking about the Royal Oak girl (Jill Robinson) but I'm just not even going to think about that.” Ascroft said that in an interview on Jan. 5, 1977. At the time, Kristine had two younger brothers and according to her mother they kept asking “when is she coming home?”   Shortly after Kristine's disappearance, a child from the elementary school she attended was missing, which set off a panic at the school. A frantic search went on for about 20 minutes and the child eventually was found on school grounds. Tensions were at an all-time high.   Parents at Pattengill Elementary School were lined up outside school to pick up their children -- many of them used to walk home, but not now. When Kristine's body was found in a snowbank at the end of a dead end street in Franklin Village, it was so frozen officials had to wait until the following day to perform an autopsy, because of the body's frozen state.   Wozny -- the mail carrier who found her -- said: “I saw a hand ... It scared the hell out of me.”    Kristine was the fifth young person from Oakland County to die within the year. As of late January 1977, Patterson had no evidence to link Mark and Kristine's deaths. 11 year old Timothy King was the fourth victim. He was last seen on March 16, 1977 and his body was found on March 23, 1977 in a ditch along Gill Road, about 300 feet south of 8 Mile Road in Livonia -- He was missing for seven days. The cause of death was again suffocation -- he also was sexually assaulted.    Timothy King left his Birmingham home with 30 cents he borrowed from his older sister, Catherine, and headed to the corner store. He wanted some candy and it wasn't rare for him to make this trip of about three blocks. He left with his skateboard and football, headed toward the Hunter-Maple Pharmacy.   Tim's older brothers -- he had two -- were not around. One was babysitting a neighbor's kids while the other was rehearsing for a school play. Tim's parents were out to dinner at a nearby Birmingham restaurant.   A clerk, Amy Walters, said she sold Tim candy and he left through the back door into a dark parking lot around 8:30 p.m.. Birmingham Police Chief Jerry Tobin said “whatever happened to Tim happened between the time he left the store and before he got home. It doesn't look particularly good at this time.”   This was now the seventh child that had gone missing in the area. The six prior to Timothy had been found -- murdered. Tim was only the second boy. The hysteria was at an all-time high. According to Catherine, Tim's sister, Tim asked that she leave the front door ajar, so when he got back from the store he could get back in easily.   Catherine also left for the night. It would have been the first time little Timmy would be home alone at night for any period of time. Timothy's parents got back to the house around 9 p.m. to find the door ajar, but there was no sign of Tim.   The King family searched everywhere for Tim. They called his friends, searched the neighborhood and surrounding area. By 9:15 a.m. the next day, Chief Tobin called on the task force, requesting their full involvement. By the afternoon -- the day after Timmy went missing -- headquarters were established in the Adams Fire House, just a few blocks from the King family home. Door-to-door searches were conducted and classmates questioned.   Tim was abducted on a Wednesday. By Thursday, 100 lawmen from Oakland County, volunteers, Oakland County Sheriff's investigators, the county helicopter and the special Oakland County Task Force all were scouring the area. That Thursday the Kings stayed behind closed doors most of the day, but did say “we very much want Tim to come home.” That was Barry, Tim's father.   “We love him very much. He had a basketball game Saturday and missed practice today (Thursday). He's active in a school play. He's an achiever and a participator. We just love Tim and want him to come home.” Barry said.   Barry told reporters that the week before Tim told his mother that he wouldn't speak to strangers, that “he'd run away from them.”   “It's awful,” said a neighbor of the King family who also had an 11-year-old daughter. “When it happens to other people, you feel sympathy. When it strikes your neighborhood, you're scared.”   Other possible victims   Cynthia Rae Cadieux was 16 years old from Roseville Michigan. Last seen: 8:20 p.m. Jan. 15, 1976 Body found: 1:05 a.m. Jan. 16, 1976 in Bloomfield Township, Mich.   Cynthia Cadieux lived with her mother and stepfather. She attended Roseville High School, which was within walking distance from her home. Even though the school was close, one of her friends, Rose DeStesafano, offered to give her a ride home. On a cold January day in 1976, Rose offered Cynthia a ride.   “Cynthia refused, just like she always does,” said DeStesafano.   That decision may have been a fatal mistake.   The date was Jan. 15, 1976, and Cynthia walked, not to her mother and stepfather's home, but to a girlfriend's house. It was a planned visit. In fact, her parents thought Cynthia was spending the night there, but the girls didn't think so. Cynthia planned to go home that Thursday night. Police were able to verify that she'd made it to the friend's house that evening. They were also able to figure out she'd left her friend's home around 8 p.m., presumably heading back to her home. Her body would later be found that night -- technically morning in Bloomfield Township, which is about 26 miles away.   At 1:05 a.m. Jan. 16, a driver noticed something on the side of the road. What the person saw was the naked, lifeless body of Cynthia Rae Cadieux. It appeared that her skull was crushed by a blunt instrument. Police revealed Cynthia was raped and sodomized -- possibly by more than one person.   This case was looked at under a proverbial microscope that was designed to find the link or links between several other dead children in the Oakland County area.   Sheila Srock was 14 years old and from Birmingham Michigan. Last seen: 8:20 p.m. Jan. 19, 1976 Body found: Jan. 19, 1976   Birmingham is “the place” most consider to be the model community in southeastern Michigan. It's a place everyone wanted to live, but most couldn't afford. Those who knew of Birmingham would never have associated it with violence or crime, but that would change Jan. 19, 1976.   January in Michigan is a cold time and place, usually snow-covered. That's why a resident on Villa Street was shoveling snow from his roof a little after 8 p.m. Monday. While he was up there, he saw something through a neighbor's window -- something horrible.   Inside the next house over was 14-year-old Shiela Srock. She was babysitting her brother's baby while he was out. Shiela and the baby were upstairs, likely playing. At the same time a dark figure slithered in and out of homes in the neighborhood, stealing anything and everything he could. Eventually this intruder found himself on the doorstep of Shiela's brother's house. He rang the doorbell, and there was no answer. From there he popped the lock open and made his way in. The neighbor was able to see him as he ran into Shiela, gun drawn. The robber was upset that he didn't find anything of value and that now he'd been seen. According to police, the robber had Shiela remove her clothing. He then raped her, sodomized her and ultimately killed her.   The neighbor apparently saw most or all of these horrible actions. Obviously, he didn't have a cell phone in 1976, so he couldn't call for help right away since he was on the roof.   The assailant was described as a thin, white man between 18 and 25 years old, who stood about 6 feet tall. He had a prominent nose and a pointed chin, according to witnesses. The attacker's car also was identified. He drove away in a 1967 Cadillac. People at the crime scene said the killer mingled and chatted with onlookers. He asked questions about what was going on as he subtly fit into the crowd.   Eventually a man did admit to this killing. In March 1976, Oliver Rhodes Andrews confessed to and later was convicted of the murder of Srock. He is serving a life sentence in prison. According to a March 4, 1976 report from the Ludington Daily News, Andrews was wanted for questioning “in some 200 burglaries in several states.”   “(He) admitted in a four-hour confession late Monday that he raped the girl and shot her five times when the babysitter surprised him as Andrews broke into a home he thought was empty,” reads the report.   Jane Louise Allan was a 14-year-old girl from Royal Oak. She was considered a runaway because she had done so five times before. She was last seen hitchhiking along I-75 in Pontiac on Aug. 7, 1976. Her body was found in a lake in Miamisburg, Ohio five days later. Police said she died from carbon monoxide poisoning after being kept in the trunk of a car.   The information about the victims was taken from a great article on clickondetroit.com.   Ok so now you're asking yourselves, well there must be suspects right? The answer is… Yes there are… And we're gonna talk about em.   Let's talk about the profile the police came up with.    All related killings happened on days that it snowed. All children were last seen within a mile of Woodward Avenue between 9 Mile and 15 Mile roads. All children were fed and cared for.   The killer(s) either bathed them or made them bathe. Both male victims had rope burns on his wrists and ankles.   A psychological profile created by police described the killer as fanatically clean, smart and sexually abnormal. The big lead police had -- even as of March 24, 1977 -- was the witness who saw TimothyKing speaking with a man inside a blue AMC Gremlin.   Speaking of the gremlin… Let's run through that real quick. Eventually a woman came forward with some vital information. She said she saw Tim talking to a man in the pharmacy parking lot. She said Tim and the man were about two car-lengths away from her. She was able to describe the man she saw talking to the boy, whom she believed to be Timothy King. This witness also described the vehicle she believed the man to be driving; a dark-blue AMC Gremlin with a white stripe on its side, she called it a “hockey stick” stripe.       Police say the man described by witnesses was between 25 and 35 years old, white, with a dark brown hair cut in a shag style. He had muttonchop sideburns, a fair complexion and a husky build. He was driving a late model blue AMC Gremlin with whitewall tires.   Police also said they suspected Tim was abducted by one or possibly two men, and that person -- or people -- could have been involved in the other six cases of murdered children from the area.   The Oakland County Task Force released the following suspect profile on March 16, 1977:   Male 20-30 years old Above average education Above average intelligence Caucasian Ability and capacity to store child for at least 18 days Homosexual Plus mental problems Compulsively clean -- fanatically so No substance abuse involving drugs or alcohol Different (stranger ranger) Work -- schedule December-January, vacation off work Clean car, clean house Single dwelling -- attached garage, cost above $30,000 Prior contact with police Seeing psychiatrist White collar job, 9-5 schedule Area of southern Oakland County Wants bodies found   A few weeks after King's murder, a psychiatrist who worked with the task force received a letter, riddled with spelling errors, written by an anonymous author ("Allen") claiming to be a sadomasochist slave of the killer ("Frank").[12] "Allen" wrote that they had both served in the Vietnam War, that "Frank" was traumatized by having killed children, and that "Frank" had taken revenge on more affluent citizens, such as the residents of Birmingham, for sending forces to Vietnam.[12] "Allen" expressed fear and remorse in his letter, saying he was losing his sanity and was endangered and suicidal, and admitted to having accompanied "Frank" as the latter sought boys to kill.[13] He instructed the psychiatrist to respond by printing the code words "weather bureau says trees to bloom in three weeks" in that Sunday's edition of the Detroit Free Press,[12] before offering to provide photographic evidence in exchange for immunity from prosecution. The psychiatrist arranged to meet "Allen" at a bar, but "Allen" did not show up and was never heard from again.   Suspects:   Ted Lamborgine   Ted Lamborgine, a retired auto worker believed to have been involved in a child pornography ring in the 1970s, was arrested in parma heights Ohio. Ted had  transferred from Detroit to the Ford plant in Brook Park Ohio around the time the killings stopped. Before his arrest he moved from apartment to apartment like a man trying to escape creditors. Sometimes he'd stay for only a few months. Once he moved from an apartment in one tower of a complex to an identical apartment in another tower, for no apparent reason.   Even when he was in one place, he couldn't sit still. A neighbor who lived next to Ted in an Olmsted Township trailer park says he constantly moved his furnishings around. And he never once used his kitchen, eating out every day, even for breakfast.   Ted tried the stable life. He bought a little lemon-colored home in Slavic Village that had a tiny patch of front yard. His elderly mother and his sister even drove down from Detroit to see the place on a rare visit. It didn't last long though and he sold there house and moved again. He was running from his last in Michigan Theodore Lamborgine and his partner in crime, Richard Lawson, were part of a 1970s sex ring that preyed on young boys in Detroit's Cass Corridor. According to Lawson,Cass Corridor was a six-block section of dope dealers, hookers, bars, and poverty. Big families had moved from the South to work the auto plants. Hundreds of kids ran wild in the streets. It was a pedophile's paradise. Those poor kids from the neighborhood had nothing. So the men put money in their pockets and food in their bellies. In some cases the men even helped the mothers out, taking care of those gas bills to get families through the cold northern winters. Back at their homes, in motel rooms, and in the greasy basement of a neighborhood bike shop, the men used the boys -- some as young as nine -- to enact their darkest fantasies. Lawson said they tried not to be too rough. After all, they wanted the boys to come back the next time they cruised up with a crisp 10-spot. And so the boys came back, some of them for years. Sometimes, though, Ted got a little carried away. On special occasions he'd bring kids from the hood up to mossy suburbs like Royal Oak for "parties" at other pedophiles' homes. Police suspect there may have been hundreds of men involved, networking like members of a book club. The parties were potluck orgies: Everyone brought a kid to share, and things were known to get wild. Kids were sodomized, photographed, then thrown in a bathtub and hosed off.   Then there was the time Ted scared even Lawson. They were at the apartment of Bob Moore, owner of the bike shop, when Ted whipped out a photo album Moore kept of their little sweethearts. Ted pointed to one picture of a little boy with a wing-cut and a cute, dimpled chin. The kid wasn't one of the Cass hood-rats the men usually settled for. This was a kid from the other side of 8 Mile Road, the dividing line between the dust and crumble of the city and the bird's nest of suburbs in northern Detroit. This kid was clean and had nice clothes. "Looks like the King boy, doesn't it?" Ted had said, winking.  Lawson never forgot the moment.  Out of the five men involved in their Lamborgine and Lawson were the only two living members of that ring when they were charged in 2006. Lamborgine faced 19 counts of sexually assaulting children, while Lawson faced 28 similar charges.   Lawson, who was already serving a life sentence for murder, told WDIV in 2006 that he knows who the Oakland County Child Killer is. WDIV later obtained documents detailing molestations of many children in the 70s and 80s. Three new names of suspects in the investigation were listed and one of those names matched the one Lawson gave as the Oakland County Child Killer. The name Lawson gave was Bobby Moore, one of the deceased members of the sex ring. Investigators said they were looking into all of those people.   Investigators also said they did not believe Lamborgine or Lawson to be the killer, but they did think the men had valuable information that could help solve the case.   Lamborgine is serving a life sentence at Kinross Correctional Facility in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.   Many people believe that Ted was the killer dealer investigators believing it was somebody else. At the very least it's send that Ted could have been involved in some way.    Archibald Edward Sloan:   In July 2012, Prosecutor Cooper discussed Archibald Edward Sloan and his 1966 Pontiac Bonneville. A hair found in the car is a DNA match to evidence at two of the crime scenes -- Mark Stebbins' and Timothy King's. The hair is not his but police believe it belongs to an acquaintance.   Sloan is reportedly the owner of the car where the hair was found. Prosecutors were considering him an accomplice to the suspect. He could be a direct link to whoever the killer is, prosecutors said.   It is believed Sloan worked at a garage or gas station near 10 Mile and Middlebelt roads during the time of the Oakland County Child Killer murders. Seven years after the death of Timothy King, Sloan was arrested again. He was charged with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. The offense took place in October 1983. He was sentenced to life in prison in January 1985. In February 2019, the Investigation Discovery channel aired a two-part, four-hour documentary about the killings. At this same time, WXYZ-TV investigative reporter Heather Catallo announced that Arch Edward Sloan had failed a polygraph test when he was interviewed by the Oakland County Child Killer Task Force in 2010 and 2012.   Sloan, 77, is serving his life sentence at the Gus Harrison Correctional Facility in Adrian, Mich.    James Vincent Gunnels:   At one point investigators said James Vincent Gunnels was the best lead in the decades-old serial killer mystery. His DNA is a mitochondrial DNA match to a hair found on the body of victim Kristine Mihelich. A mitochondrial match means the hair belongs to Gunnels or a male relative on his mother's side.   In 2012 Gunnels told WDIV that he had nothing to do with the child killings.   “I'm not guilty. There it is there. But at the same time, I know how the state police twist words to their advantage,” Gunnels said. “My heart goes out to those families. It really really, really does. I don't feel that they were served justice through any of this.”   After WDIV spoke with Gunnels, he decided he wanted to speak to the victim's family face-to-face. He reached out to the King family.   “When the request first came in, I was hesitant to go,” said Chris King. “I felt it would be too hard to be in the same room as a suspect in this case. It's clearly theoretically possible that he somehow aided in (Kristine Mihelich's) abduction, or killing.”   The King family contacted police who have questioned Gunnels on several occasions. According to police records, Gunnels failed a lie detector test. They wondered what Gunnels might say to the family.   “We weren't sure what to expect,” Chris King said. “But we had just been told to ask open-ended questions, see what he says, listen to his story. Um, who knows. He might be able to shed some light on, or tell us something he hadn't before.”   It wouldn't be easy. Chris King took his father Barry King along with him to the meeting with Gunnels.   “It was grueling,” Chris King said. “My dad is a lot tougher than I am. I found it exhausting, you know, mentally and physically.”   Barry King said Gunnels' story wasn't off-the-wall, but not exactly promising.   “I believe that the story he told Chris and I was believable,” Barry King said. “But it was contradicted by previous stories that he has told other people.”   Gunnels told the Kings that Bush was a child predator who lived in Oakland County at the time.   “It seems clear that he must have had at least some knowledge of the crimes,” Chris King said.   However, Gunnels denied knowing anything about the Oakland County Child Killings.   “I say right now I have no idea what that man did to anyone else,” Gunnels said.   Chris King asked him about two polygraph tests.   “My questions for him were, you know it's hard to understand you tried to cheat on one polygraph exam and failed a second polygraph exam,” Chris King said. “So, if you had absolutely no involvement or knowledge of these crimes, why would you feel that you had to cheat in the first place and then why would you fail the second one? It doesn't make sense.”   Gunnels told the Kings that he felt terrible.   “I couldn't imagine having that happen and not knowing all those years,” Gunnels said. “I really really couldn't.”   Chris and Barry King have been going the extra mile to try and solve the case, not knowing if they have done any good.   “It was kind of a long shot that it would help,” Chris King said. “But law enforcement said, ‘Who knows. Sometimes these guys have remorse and they end up telling you things.' So, we went with that hope.”   Christopher Busch:   Christopher Busch was a convicted pedophile who lived in Bloomfield Hills and killed himself in 1978. For decades, victims' family members had believed Busch could have been the killer. In 1977, Gregory Greene, 27, was arrested on child sexual assault charges. Greene led investigators to 26-year-old Busch, telling them Busch killed Stebbins. However, Busch and Green both passed polygraph examinations. Greene was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for sexually assaulting young boys. Busch first got probation for the same charges before ultimately killing himself.   However, in 2012 it was revealed that there is zero evidence suggesting Busch is the Oakland County Child Killer. His DNA does not match the physical evidence that investigators have.   “Whatever evidence that may or may not exist does not come back to Busch,” said Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper.   Police sources had told WDIV that Busch's suicide scene was suspicious and may have been a murder. They know he had a drawing of a tortured boy that closely resembled victim Mark Stebbins. Ropes were found in his closest. He had a blue Vega car which looked like the infamous blue Gremlin spotted at one of the abductions. It was later revealed by investigators that Busch was in custody while police investigated the killings and admitted he was a pedophile. Investigators wanted to keep him in jail but he was let go after he agreed to a plea deal.   However, none of that matters now after investigators said Busch did not commit the murders.   “There isn't a piece of evidence that we can point to and say Mr. Bush killed Timothy King, Jill Robinson, Kristine Mihelich or Mark Stebbins,” said Paul Walton, chief assistant Oakland County prosecutor.   Chis King, Timothy King's brother, said he thought Busch was involved because the suicide scene photos show potential evidence linked to the cases. One photograph shows the drawing that was pinned on Busch's wall, which closely resembles Stebbins.    The photographs also show ropes that appear to have blood on them and a shotgun shell. However, the shotgun shell in Busch's room cannot be matched with the caliber used to kill Jill Robinson.   “They even took it to NASA to try and see if they could get an identification of the caliber and there was no way in which they could do that,” said Cooper.   Prosecutors also said they tracked down the scientist who analyzed the ropes found at the home of suspect Busch.   “He conclusively told us that he was aware of these facts and that had there been any blood on that rope or ligature he would have sent it on to the evidence unit,” said Walton.   So there's the main suspects in the case. What do you guys think? Was it one of these guys? Did one of these guys have at least some involvement? We may never know.  Oh and one other quick note, John Wayne Gacy makes an appearance in this story briefly. One witness described two men he claimed to have seen abducting King. One of those men's descriptions bite a striking resemblance to John Wayne Gacy. Gacy was rumored to have been in Michigan at the time of the killings. It was found that gacy's DNA did not match DNA found on the victims however, and that was the end of that. But who knows… There's plenty of people that think there were multiple people involved, could he have been one?   Well that's almost everything, there were a few things that we found from around 2013 but they were just small nuggets that we could not find anything to really update the situations with. So we have left those out as well. There is also a side plot, if you will, involving a man using the alias Jeff claiming that he was part of an investigative team putting over 10,000 hours into their own investigations. They claim to know the identity of the killer but would not divulge the name unless they were able to set the information the police had to confirm the person's identity. The police would not share the info. There were lawsuits and other crap and the whole thing  seems kind of ridiculous. You can check it out on your own if you'd like though.    So there you have it! What do you guys think?  To horror movies of the 70s   https://www.ranker.com/list/scariest-70s-horror-movies/ranker-horror   BECOME A P.O.O.P.R.!! http://www.patreon.com/themidnighttrainpodcast   Find The Midnight Train Podcast: www.themidnighttrainpodcast.com www.facebook.com/themidnighttrainpodcast www.twitter.com/themidnighttrainpc www.instagram.com/themidnighttrainpodcast www.discord.com/themidnighttrainpodcast www.tiktok.com/themidnighttrainp   And wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.   Subscribe to our official YouTube channel: OUR YOUTUBE   Support our sponsors www.themidnighttraintrainpodcast.com/sponsors   The Charley Project www.charleyproject.org

The Manufacturing Alliance Podcast presents Steve Michon, Owner of Zero Tolerance LLC.  Zero Tolerance is a growing plastic injection mold machine shop, now located in Clinton Township, Michigan. They have invested in the highest performance machinery and tooling along with a staff that is always willing to go the extra mile to ensure the best quality of customer service. As a kid, he created the first hands-free light switch by designing a system (contraption) to turn the light on in the morning when his alarm went off using a dancing flower, string, tape, and 8 AA batteries. Since then, his love for problem-solving, research, learning, and perfection evolved into a company that firmly believes that if you aim small, you will miss small. Throughout this show, we will be discussing what Zero Tolerance is all about, their move to a new facility, goals for the future, social media, Automation Alley, 3D printing, 3D metal printing, and so much more!

While the COVID-19 pandemic caused innumerable, life-threatening challenges, it also gave the manufacturing industry a unique opportunity to showcase its collaborative potential. Host Tony Uphoff speaks to 4 key stakeholders from 3 companies involved in Project DIAMOnD, which stands for Distributed, Independent, Agile Manufacturing on Demand, a unique program created last year at the height of the pandemic. Backed by Microsoft, the Michigan-based initiative was developed by Automation Alley, a World Economic Forum Advanced Manufacturing Hub (AMHUB), with the goal of creating the nation's largest 3D printing marketplace and network to increase agile, urgent resource production. Resources From This Episode: Watch full video episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/RXB2uOcxsiM Apply to participate in Project DIAMOnD: https://www.projectdiamond.org/ Learn more about Automation Alley: https://www.automationalley.com/ Learn more about Markforged: https://markforged.com/ Learn more about Avon Machining: https://www.avonmachining.com/

A fast-paced discussion about global competition, manufacturing and getting on board with Industry 4.0.For our second episode, The Michigan Opportunity had the pleasure of having a fast moving and informative discussion with Tom Kelly, Executive Director and CEO of Automation Alley. He discusses what the key to the future of global trends are and what will help keep Michigan a leader in manufacturing.  He explains why Automation Alley is a World Economic Forum Advanced Manufacturing Hub (AMHUB) and a nonprofit Industry 4.0 knowledge center with a global outlook and a regional focus.  He will enlighten us about the digital transformation and what it can mean for workforce opportunities to Michigan's talent workforce.  He touches on the unique economic ecosystem of industry, academia and government working together in the state as well. You can also read the transcript of our conversation. 

Tom Kelly, Executive Director and CEO of Automation Alley, joins us to discuss industry 4.0 and its impact on small and medium-sized businesses. Learn how companies can navigate this fourth industrial revolution and leverage technology to create innovative new processes.Guest: Tom KellyExecutive Director and CEOAutomation Alleyhttps://automationalley.com/About/OurPeople/Thomas-Kelly.aspxHost: Bryan Powrozekhttps://claytonmckervey.com/employee/bryan-powrozek-cpa-cgma-mba/Denise Askerhttps://claytonmckervey.com/employee/denise-j-asker-iom-mm/

Industry 4.0, also known as the fourth industrial revolution, is defined as the convergence of digital and physical technologies disrupting the manufacturing industry and being realized today in smart factories across the globe. The global COVID-19 pandemic is “colliding” with Industry 4.0 and will result in an acceleration of digitalization across customer engagement, processes, operations, and to enhance and create new revenue.Tom Kelly, president and CEO of Automation Alley will offer insight on what Michigan companies will need to do to utilize technologies like artificial intelligence to survive, compete, and thrive into the future.Kelly will engage in a one-on-one discussion with Glenn Stevens Jr., executive director of MICHauto and vice president of automotive and mobility initiatives at the Detroit Regional Chamber

Chris Holman catches up with Tom Kelly, Executive Director and CEO, Automation Alley, Troy, MI. They discuss both the impact of the recently announced Multi-million-dollar Personal Protective Equipment Resilience Grant will accelerate local manufacturers’ digital transformation and improve region’s PPE manufacturing response in future disruptions. Then they cover Automation Alley’s 2020 Technology in Industry Report released Monday, July 13th; virtual reveal also kicks off new Livestream series.

Chris Holman remotely catches up with Automation Alley's Executive Director and CEO Tom Kelly, to find out his perspective on how Michigan companies and his members are working through the current COVID-19 situation.

94% of industrial business leaders consider digital transformation a main strategic priority in 2020 ― but only 14% say they’re highly confident their companies are fully prepared to handle the changes associated with IIoT technology integration. Join Tony Uphoff and Tom Kelly, CEO & Executive Director at Automation Alley, Michigan’s Industry 4.0 Knowledge Center, as they discuss what the future of Industry 4.0 means for U.S. manufacturers and how to effectively digitize your industrial business by shifting your workplace culture. Resources From This Episode: Learn more about Tom Kelly: https://automationalley.com/About/OurPeople/Thomas-Kelly.aspx Learn more about Automation Alley: https://automationalley.com What is Industry 4.0? https://www.thomasnet.com/insights/what-is-industry-4-0-/ How to Launch a Successful Digital Transformation [Checklist]: https://www.thomasnet.com/insights/how-to-successfully-launch-a-digital-transformation-checklist/ How to Ensure Your Digital Transformation Succeeds in the Long Run: https://www.thomasnet.com/insights/how-to-ensure-your-digital-transformation-succeeds-in-the-long-run/ Overcoming Barriers to Success in Industry 4.0 [Report]: https://www.thomasnet.com/insights/overcoming-barriers-to-success-in-industry-4-0-report/

Hosted by Jade Sims, this segment of the globalEDGE Business Beat is an interview with Noel Nevshehir, Director of International Business Services and Industry 4.0 Strategic Partnerships at Automation Alley. Noel talks about the international business services provided by Automation Alley, including the difference between trade shows and trade missions and how a company can take advantage of these opportunities to get to know foreign customers and grow sales. More information is available at https://automationalley.com/Programs/Trade-Missions.aspx.

Pavan Muzumdar, Author of "Venture Perfect" and COO of the nonprofit manufacturing and technology business association Automation Alley, defines "Industry 4.0", discusses how innovators can use smart technology to improve manufacturing operations and explains how to achieve more success by being open to change and developing "learning cultures" within organizations.

Chief Internet Marketing is the creation of advertising and marketing specialist, Jeff Stanislow. Jeff’s unparalleled success with Michigan enterprise, Motor City Interactive and Tampa Bay’s The Bay Connection, sparked the creation of this Florida-based digital consulting enterprise.   Jeff has specialized in online marketing for over 10 years, providing solutions to companies such as AAA Life, Bally Total Fitness, EDS, Flagstar Bank, Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation, St. John Health System, and many others. Frequently sought as a guest speaker on internet trends and topics, Jeff is also an Adjunct Professor at Walsh College, where he teaches graduate-level classes in interactive marketing. In addition, he is a past president of GLIMA (Great Lakes Interactive Marketing Association), and is a member of the board of directors for DMAD (Direct Marketing Association of Detroit). Jeff holds a B.S. degree in Marketing from Michigan State University, and an M.S. degree in Information Management & Communications from Walsh College. Jeff is well respected throughout the community and in addition to his listing in Who’s Who in Technology – Crain’s Detroit, he has been published in the Detroit News, Michigan Technology News, Internet Day, Adcrafter Roster Edition, BigIdea Magazine, Internet Survival Guide, and has spoken at Internet World, glima, Automation Alley, State of the Net, Digital Detroit, Ann Arbor IT zone, ITEC, DMAD, and the Adcraft Club.   Connect with Jeff Stanislow: Website: www.chiefinternetmarketer.com Twitter: @ChiefIntMkter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffstanislow/   Connect with Jon Dwoskin: Website: http://jondwoskin.com/ Twitter: @jdwoskin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.dwoskin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Thejondwoskinexperience/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondwoskin/

The best way to tackle the growing complexity challenges coming through Industry 4.0 is to have a wholistic view of your product, says Scott Perdue, president of Configit, who joins Automation Alley’s Tom Kelly on this episode of Factory Reboot. Discover how configuration software can help manage your manufacturing complexity issues and get your business to peak performance.

Today we're talking about the skills gap in Metro Detroit when it comes to coding and development.  Our conversation today is with TechElevator's CEO Anthony Hughes. His company has job training centers in Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and are opening up right here.  We go over what skillsets are actually in demand (like Java and .NET), what it takes to get a job in these fields, and my skepticism of some training programs.  The interview was recorded at Automation Alley in Troy.  For more information, you can learn more at https://www.techelevator.com/

We kick off the new year of Design World's Executive Edition with Tom Kelly, Executive Director and CEO of Automation Alley. Over the past two years, Tom has been the driving force behind Automation Alley's transformation into Michigan's Industry 4.0 Knowledge Center and is a nationally and globally recognized expert on the smart manufacturing revolution and its impact on business. Today, we talk with Tom about how Automation Alley is helping manufacturers embrace Industry 4.0 and the changes that come with it.

Kevin Kerrigan, senior VP in the automotive office at the Michigan Economic Development Corp., discusses how MEDC is helping Industry 4.0 gain traction in Michigan. He gets into how Michigan supports Automation Alley, which works to demystify new technology for smaller manufacturers, as well as LIFT and IACMI. The crux of the smart factory is being able to make, better, faster decisions, he notes as he describes the value the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) brings to Michigan factories. Adoption is “ultimately a matter of who wins,” he adds. “And I think Michigan is in a very good place right now to do that.”  

Diva Tech Talk interviewed multifaceted, tenacious Janette Phillips. In her childhood, Janette was “studious” and “took all the science classes I could,” including Accelerated Chemistry, Physics and Science Seminar (an independent science-oriented curriculum) in high school.  Her intellectual interests took a turn in college, when she matriculated to the business school at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (https://www.umich.edu/). Post-college, Janette felt lucky to land a job at Michigan Bell Telephone, which later morphed into Ameritech and then to AT&T (https://www.att.com/).  “I was hired as a market administrator,” she said, “which is the implementation portion of networks, and phone systems.” Janette was convinced that Michigan Bell had put her in the wrong role. On the first day of training, she thought: “I am in the wrong room.  I should be over there with the account executives.” But she said. “It took me about three years to switch to sales. I had to prove to them that I was good.  Within two weeks of entering my training class, I sold a phone system to an advertising company on the 10th floor of where we were!” This underpinned Janette’s belief in herself, and her ability to successfully sell.  “If you want to get somewhere, even if you are not officially ‘trained’ in it, just go!”   After three years as a market administrator, Janette moved into Ameritech sales for 14 years. “At the peak of my sales role, I handled the General Motors (www.gm.com) account,” responsible for the telephony segment of their large computerization efforts. “They had 200,000 voice ports, across the country.”  Daily, Janette managed a team that concentrated on the $25 million, annually, in recurring revenue that GM represented to Ameritech.  “It was very complicated,” she said, acknowledging that her biggest sale to GM had a 2-year sales cycle.  To accomplish that, Janette worked with EDS and Deloitte (www.deloitte.com) who “helped us do the financial modeling” for a new 7-year, fixed rate, $270 million-dollar GM contract. Janette was proud that “it was the largest single sale Ameritech had ever made. It was a team, but at the beginning, it was me; nobody believed in it.” Her lesson from this was: “It doesn’t matter what level you are in a company; how low you are on a totem pole. You can accomplish a lot!”  And her second lesson was to consistently deliver.  “Over at EDS, they could see, that if I said something would happen, I could get it done. My word was my word.”  Finally, for sales professionals, Janette’s advice is “to be a good salesperson, you have to know how to execute.” After the GM sale, Janette was promoted to direct the Managed Services Department for Ameritech, regionally. “We did a big deal with IBM (www.ibm.com), which was huge.”  Then Janette became pregnant with her first daughter. “And this job was really grueling. I was traveling to Chicago every week.  I chose to walk away.”  Janette had two daughters in a 2-year timeframe.  But, “When Michelle (her daughter) was about 1.5 years old, I went to work for Nortel (www.nortel.com).” She took on a Nortel support role, working on automotive accounts including Chrysler (www.fca.com), General Motors, and Ford Motor Company (www.ford.com). “I did that for about a year, but my heart wasn’t in it, because I had young children.”  Janette acknowledged that, for her, “it’s difficult to juggle young children, with a big job.”  Children, like “big jobs” are “24 x 7, too!”  Additionally, she saw that “Nortel started slipping down a slippery slope.” So, she took a Nortel buy-out.   Janette and her husband then created a regional pulmonary rehabilitation clinic business. For 5 years, she actively built and managed Valley Hill Therapy Centers, a two-clinic business, employing 20-plus people. “We were very good at what we did,” she said.  But “there wasn’t enough margin in it. We were very successful, but not profitable.” With her data background, as Janette was building the business, “we created our own ERP (enterprise resource planning) system. It handled patient care, employee records, charting, electronic medical records. I sold the business to Botsford Hospital, now part of the Beaumont (www.beaumont.com) and they still use my system for medical records.” Janette then became Executive Director for The Michigan Council of Women in Technology Foundation (www.mcwt.com), a Michigan nonprofit whose mission is to make Michigan the #1 state for women, and girls, in technology. After doing that for 3 years, Janette moved to her current role:  Vice President of Business Development, for Chrysalis Global Business Consulting (www.chrysalisglobal.com) --- a certified Woman-Owned Business (WBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and a Small Business Enterprise (SBE), headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. “I find clients who need help. We take them by the arm, and walk them through the process” of adopting ERP, and “we stay on the project side, and advocating…” for her clients. In addition, Chrysalis does a lot of things: “business process optimization and everything around ‘how does your business run’ and how can we help you make it more efficient, and automated.”  Janette was hired to assist Chrysalis in diversification into vertical markets beyond airlines and airports.  “My role is to find business in Detroit. So, we have clients in automotive, and healthcare.”  The size of the Chrysalis prospective client varies; “whoever needs our support,” according to Janette is a prospect. While Janette experienced some issues, as a woman at Ameritech, the challenges did not set her back in her career. “I just didn’t care.  I wanted to do what’s right for the client, for my own company, for friends, for organizations. The rub is that people don’t give you enough credit for what you know or what you can accomplish. I think it’s a more natural assumption for women.  But, I focus on the work.”  An acknowledged “workaholic”, Janette’s driving force is “making a difference in an organization, whether that’s informal or formal.”  A life lesson for her is “you have to stay true to yourself, and do what you like. Recognize who you are; figure out where you want to get to; get out of your own head, and go! Just go.”   In her community life, Janette gave back and continues to give back by participation, as her girls were growing up, in school PTO, and the Rotary Club;  and now as a member of the Tech Committee for Southeast Michigan’s Automation Alley (www.automationalley.org), and the newly-minted NEW Tech Group which Janette hopes will serve DPS (the Detroit Public School System) “to help them with technology, mentoring and as the liaison to outside organizations” and also strengthen “the soft skills:  things like public speaking.” She is also involved with Detroit’s Mercy Education pilot program assisting women who have obtained their GED to get to the next level. Janette’s advice for girls and women in the tech field is: “You need to enjoy what you do.  And make sure that whatever you are doing gives you energy. Pay attention and think. And work first, play second.”  Janette Phillips can be reached at jphillips@chrysalisglobal.com. For the full blog write up, make sure to check us out on online at www.divatechtalk.com, on Twitter @divatechtalks, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/divatechtalk. Follow our show and tell us what you like with an online review.

On this episode of Factory Reboot, host Tom Kelly, Automation Alley's executive director and CEO, is joined by Franco Bevione, CEO for Wedoo, a creative digital solutions company that delivers unique experiences for its customers. Wedoo will be showcasing AR and VR applications for Industry 4.0 at Automation Alley's Integr8 conference on Nov. 9 in Detroit.

If you're either in the state of Michigan, or a podcaster, or someone who does Youtube videos (we refuse to use the word "Youtuber"), there's a ton of great information in here for you.  From monetization of podcasts and Youtube channels to industries in Michigan that are going like gangbusters from technology to robotics to security and yes, even still manufacturing...we had a great time chatting with the CEO of Automation Alley and our friends from the Outloud Group... Automation Alley is at: https://www.automationalley.com/ Outloud Group is at: http://www.outloudgroup.com/ Those HP deals are at: http://www.HP.com/ITintheD Eero is at http://www.Eero.com offer code ITintheD at checkout [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/335952379" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=true&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] IT in the D On the web: http://www.ITinTheD.com On Meetup: http://www.meetup.com/ITintheD/ On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/IT-in-D-91763 On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ITintheD On Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ITintheD Podcast Detroit is at: On the web: http://www.podcastdetroit.com/ On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PodcastDetroit On Twitter: https://twitter.com/PodcastDetroit On Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/podcastdetroit

In the wake of the global Wanna Cry ransomware attack, Automation Alley’s Tom Kelly chats with Godfrey Nolan of tech firm RIIS about the unique way his company protects itself from cyberattacks. The two also discuss first steps advanced manufacturers—and all companies—can take to avoid getting infected and how to create a ransomware rescue manual of their own.

Episode 154 with Automation Alley and Daniel Dugan, talking initiatives here in the metro Detroit area, e-Nable, Maker Faire, and Motor City Steam Con... Automation Alley is at: http://www.automationalley.com/Home.aspx e-Nable is at: http://enablingthefuture.org/ Maker Faire Detroit is at: http://www.makerfairedetroit.com/ Motor City Steam Con is at: http://www.motorcitysteamcon.com/ [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/274526070" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] IT in the D On the web: http://www.ITinTheD.com On Meetup: http://www.meetup.com/ITintheD/ On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/IT-in-D-91763 On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ITintheD On Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ITintheD Podcast Detroit is at: On the web: http://www.podcastdetroit.com/ On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PodcastDetroit On Twitter: https://twitter.com/PodcastDetroit On Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/podcastdetroit

Diva Tech Talk interviewed Danielle DeLonge, Technology Learning Consultant at Plante Moran, the 14th largest accounting/consulting firm in the United States.  For 18 years, Plante Moran has been recognized on FORTUNE magazine’s list of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America. Describing her career path as a “jungle gym path” vs. a “ladder career path,” Danielle began her technology journey with a breakthrough Michigan-based organization: Automation Alley, where she facilitated an 8-chapter grant-funded statewide network of technology professionals (ConnecTech).   Then she became their Business Accelerator Client Champion, serving as the intermediary between entrepreneurs who wanted “seed” money, and those who funded them.  From there she was the Executive Director of Davenport University’s development of their Lansing campus. After a stint as a Project Manager for Xede, she moved to Plante Moran — first as an IT Consultant, and now in her current role. In this podcast, as the mother of a young daughter, Danielle discussed many things including achievement of life balance; aligning her skills with her community contributions; and the key attributes which contribute to her success:  agility, adaptability, building and fostering a strong network, and a predilection for both “listening and creating.” Danielle recommends a number of books including: LOVE IS THE KILLER APP, THE GIRL’S GUIDE TO HUNTING AND FISHING, REALITY IS BROKEN, and two books which her father gave her:  THE POWER OF NICE and NICE GIRLS DON’T GET THE CORNER OFFICE (all downloadable as part of an Audible 30 Day Trial at www.audibletrial.com/dt2.) Danielle’s top four leadership lessons for other tech women include: Never underestimate the value of clear communication. Learn how to facilitate productive conversations. Know your numbers. The tech field is growing and evolving, and you are always growing and evolving. There is a way for you to carve out a niche in this community, if you persist. For the full blog write up, make sure to check us out on online at www.divatechtalk.com , on Twitter @divatechtalks, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/divatechtalk. And please listen to us on iTunes and Stitcher and provide an online review.

Well, we lost one guest to the flu and another to some minor dental chaos, but that didn't stop us.  For episode 135 of our weekly live podcast broadcast we were joined for chats about Penguicon, Lawrence Technology Services and Automation Alley... Automation Alley can be found at: https://www.automationalley.com/ Penguicon is at: https://2016.penguicon.org/ Lawrence Technology Services is at: http://lawrencesystems.com/   [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/252104259" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] IT in the D On the web: http://www.ITinTheD.com On Meetup: http://www.meetup.com/ITintheD/ On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/IT-in-D-91763 On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ITintheD On Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ITintheD Podcast Detroit is at: On the web: http://www.podcastdetroit.com/ On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PodcastDetroit On Twitter: https://twitter.com/PodcastDetroit On Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/podcastdetroit

Josh Linkner is a four-time entrepreneur, jazz musician, venture capitalist, speaker, and author. Josh is the founder and Chairman of ePrize, the largest interactive promotion agency in the world. ePrize has produced over 5,000 industry-leading interactive promotions across 36 countries, for 74 of the Top 100 brands including Coca-Cola, AT&T, The Gap, Disney, Dell, Adidas, Citibank and Microsoft. Josh was named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Automation Alley's CEO of the Year, and the Detroit Executive of the Year. He is a highly sought-after keynote speaker and has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, and Inc. Magazine. Josh is the author of two books: Leaning Forward and Disciplined Dreaming published in February 2011. Josh lives in Detroit, Michigan and continues to improvise in the business worlds and in jazz clubs. Visit him at www.CreativityGeneration.com.

Episode 95...and on our fifth episode from the new studio, we had a pretty packed room with guests covering all sorts of topics.  Open data in the city of Detroit and an upcoming hackathon to find better ways to use it.  Updates from our friends at Detroit Beer Press about their latest issue.  A check in nearly two years later with Batch Brewing Company on how things are going downtown.  A look at the state of the Detroit tech scene from the eyes of someone still in school and breaking into the industry. Don't forget you can get 10% off Squarespace's offerings by using discount code IT during the checkout process: http://www.squarespace.com/, and you can try QuickBooks for self-employed tryselfemployed.com/it And so, so much more... After our 1995 themed intro came to a close, our opening segment kicked off with a recap of our last event and information about our upcoming events, the depressing information that both The Goonies and Ferris Bueller's Day Off are now both thirty years old, the hilarious (to us) story about a member of ISIS posting a selfie that led to an airstrike less than 24 hours later, a very concerning tale about how the Red Cross spent over $500 million in Haiti after the terrible earthquakes there...and yet somehow managed to only build six houses, Gamestop's purchase of ThinkGeek's parent company, our lovely new kegerator stocked with the Scurvy Dan Blood Orange IPA from Falling Down Beer Company and more. In our second segment, we dove in with our guests David Lingholm, the Director of Digital Media and Community Engagement for the City of Detroit, and Erin Sommerville, Media Relations Specialist for Automation Alley.  There's a hackathon coming up this weekend, #Hack4Detroit, that's looking to find some better uses for the massive amounts of data that the city has accumulated over the years, and there's some decent prize money for those who can help.  Designers, coders, and even just folks with ideas are welcome...but the signup cutoff is Wednesday, so hurry: http://www.automationalley.com/Events/Calendar/Event-Detail.aspx?uniqueid=16840 In segment three, we checked in with our friends Courtney Ochab, Ian Burk and Tony Barchok from Detroit Beer Press and Stephen Roginson of Batch Brewing Company.  Batch Brewing was on waaaaaaaaay back in episode 10 of our show when they were a finalist (and eventual winner!) of the Hatch Detroit competition in 2013, and they've come a long way since then.  Not only are they open, but they're in full swing with production of a number of great beers, have a solid kitchen, and have a monthly "feel good tap" where a portion of the proceeds go to a local organization.  Can't beat that. Detroit Beer Press isn't doing to shabby either, with their latest issue in breweries, distilleries and locations throughout the area...which hypothetically might include another IT in the D style rant.  Updates about their Howler Club Membership program and more await your ears. In our fourth and final segment (no, still no infamous fifth segments in the new studio as of yet), we talked with Kevin Hill, a local guy still in college at RIT, and working his way into the Detroit tech scene.  We met Kevin at our Hopcat event back in May, and absolutely had to have him join us in-studio to continue that conversation on air.  He's got some great perspectives on how things look from his point of view - what he sees going well, going wrong, what works, what doesn't, and just a great take on things in general. And that brought us to a close.  Tune in next week as we're joined by Right Brain Networks to talk about DevOps among other topics, Make Moore Media to talk film and production, and Yum Village to talk about their group's organization and event. Don't forget you can get 10% off Squarespace's offerings by using discount code IT during the checkout process: http://www.squarespace.com/, and you can try QuickBooks for self-employed tryselfemployed.com/it Again,

Josh Linkner is a four-time entrepreneur, jazz musician, venture capitalist, speaker, and author. Josh is the founder and Chairman of ePrize, the largest interactive promotion agency in the world. ePrize has produced over 5,000 industry-leading interactive promotions across 36 countries, for 74 of the Top 100 brands including Coca-Cola, AT&T, The Gap, Disney, Dell, Adidas, Citibank and Microsoft. Josh was named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Automation Alley's CEO of the Year, and the Detroit Executive of the Year. He is a highly sought-after keynote speaker and has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, and Inc. Magazine. Josh is the author of two books: Leaning Forward and Disciplined Dreaming published in February 2011. Josh lives in Detroit, Michigan and continues to improvise in the business worlds and in jazz clubs. Visit him at www.CreativityGeneration.com.