Joshua Elling, CEO of Jefferson East, Inc. will speak on November 26th

Joshua Elling, CEO of Jefferson East, Inc., will speak November 26th on the challenges and opportunities facing the Jefferson-Chalmers area of Detroit. Elling is a respected and seasoned CEO with more than 15 years' experience in staff management, civic engagement, and crisis response. He has a proven track record of growth, innovation and outreach during times of economic and community crisis. He is an expert presenter, collaborator, and builder of cross functional teams. able to forge trusted partnerships and build consensus among diverse stakeholders to drive towards inclusive economic and social development goals. He has a deep understanding of the independent sector, local government, commercial real estate, economic development, and financial institutions. Jefferson East, Inc., a nonprofit organization, partners with neighborhood residents and businesses to support development, greater resources, and investments. Formed in 1994 as the Jefferson East Business Association (JEBA), the organization was created out a desire of residents to bring a modern retail development to the Jefferson-Chalmers business district. The organization quickly moved from a grassroots start-up to a more sophisticated, professionally managed entity. With additional staff members focused on encouraging entrepreneurship, the goal was driving business growth to fill vacant store fronts. Quickly recognizing the unique urban form of the Jefferson-Chalmers business district, (one of the few largely intact neighborhood commercial districts within the city), leadership began to utilize innovative interventions to bolster the area.

He has a Masters Degree in Urban Planning/Economic Development from Wayne State University.

Mil Hurley is the founder of A Southern Gardner, a business that services the gardens of the Pointes and the eastside of Detroit using natural, and when possible, organic processes. We enjoy restoring, rejuvenating and refreshing your landscape through natural practices grown from experience.

On November 12th, Mil will speak about the Moross Greenway project. https://www.morossgreenway.org/

From Mil Hurley:

I am a farmer’s daughter from North Carolina. Gardening is in my blood.

My early influences were my grandmother, aunt, and a dear family friend, Elizabeth Lawrence, a garden writer for the News & Observer in Raleigh, and author of an extensive collection of books about the beauty of gardens. Even though my degree from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College in Terra Haute, Indiana, was theatre, I couldn’t deny my passion for the earth and taking care of it. In 1994, I became a certified Advance Master Gardener through the Michigan State University Extension Service. It is a joy that I can combine both loves, theatre and gardening, and host our local cable gardening show “Pointes of Horticulture.”

I believe in sharing my knowledge and love by helping my community.

I believe in being, and teaching how to be, a caretaker of the garden.

I believe that all the little actions of creating beauty and health with the earth will have a large impact – just like ripples created by throwing a pebble in a puddle.

The Moross Greenway Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to beautifying and enhancing the Eastside Detroit community by creating a greenscape along Moross Road. This collaborative effort involves various stakeholders, including civic groups, churches, businesses, and garden clubs, working together to re-landscape the median islands on Moross Road between Ascension St. John Hospital and I-94.

Key goals of the project include:

* Creating a welcoming environment: The greenscape will improve the overall aesthetic appeal of the area, making it more inviting for residents and visitors alike.

* Promoting sustainability: Native plants will be used to create a sustainable and attractive landscape that requires minimal maintenance.

* Enhancing the community: The project aims to foster a sense of pride and ownership among residents by involving them in the beautification process.

The Moross Greenway Project has been successful in transforming the once-dilapidated median islands into vibrant green spaces. Volunteers from the community regularly maintain the landscaping, and the project has also incorporated public art installations to further enhance the area's appeal.

Here are some additional details about the project:

* Location: Moross Road, Detroit, Michigan

* Scope: Re-landscaping seven median islands

* Partners: Civic groups, churches, businesses, garden clubs

* Goals: Beautification, sustainability, community enhancement

* Achievements: Transformation of median islands, public art installations

If you're interested in learning more about the Moross Greenway Project or getting involved, you can visit their website or contact them directly.

Tom Gage, Detroit Tigers beat writer for 36 years, accompanied by Lance Parrish, former Detroit Tigers catcher who helped lead his team to the 1984 World Series championship,

Tom Gage began his career at The Times-Picayune in the early 1970s before moving to The Detroit News in 1976. He spent 39 years on the News sports staff, and 36 years as the Tigers beat writer, until retiring from the paper in March 2015, after being reassigned from the beat a month prior.

Following his retirement from The Detroit News in March 2015, it was announced that he was hired as a columnist for Fox Sports Detroit, where he began writing commentary and analysis of the Tigers from their spring training complex. His job at Fox Sports Detroit only lasted three months, when Fox Sports dismissed all of their regional web sportswriters on June 30, 2015.

Tom Gage was awarded the J. G. Taylor Spink Award in 2015 by Baseball Writers' Association of America, in the closest balloting in the history of the award. He received 167 votes of the record 463 ballots cast, while late columnist Furman Bisher of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution received 161 votes. On June 13, 2016, Gage was honored by the Michigan Jewish Sports Foundation with the Dick Schaap Award for Media Excellence at its 26th Annual Hank Greenberg Memorial Golf Invitational. On September 9, 2016, he was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in Detroit, Michigan.

Tom Gage is a graduate of Washington & Lee University.

Born in Pennsylvania, Lance Parrish grew up in Southern California and excelled in both baseball and football. He was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 1974, and after four years in the minor leagues, he played for the Tigers for a decade from 1977 to 1986. He later played for the Philadelphia Phillies (1987–1988), California Angels (1989–1992), Seattle Mariners (1992), Cleveland Indians (1993), Pittsburgh Pirates (1994), and Toronto Blue Jays (1995).

Parrish helped lead the Tigers to the 1984 World Series championship, was selected as an All-Star eight times (1980, 1982–1986, 1988, 1990), and won six Silver Slugger Awards (1980, 1982–1984, 1986, 1990) and three Gold Glove Awards (1983–1985). Over his 19 MLB seasons, he compiled a .252 batting average with 324 home runs, and 1,070 runs batted in (RBIs). At the time of his retirement, he ranked fourth in major-league history in home runs by a catcher and seventh in games played at the position.

Jennifer Boettcher, President and Executive Director of the Grosse Pointe Chamber of Commerce, will speak on October 8th

At our September 24 meeting, Betsy Alexander, Historical Education Coordinator for The War Memorial, will discuss the history of the Alger Family and the Alger House, which was donated by the family to The War Memorial.

John Gallagher, Veteran Journalist and Author

John Gallagher was born in New York City, educated at DePaul University in Chicago and Columbia University in New York. His first job in 1974 was in Chicago, with subsequent stops in Rochester and Syracuse, New York, before he joined the Detroit Free Press in 1987 to cover urban and economic redevelopment efforts in Detroit and Michigan. He is a 2017 inductee into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame. John retired from the Detroit Free Press in 2019.

John continues to write about the City of Detroit as a freelancer and author. His other books include: "Reimagining Detroit: Opportunities for Redefining an American City" ,"Yamasaki in Detroit: A Search for Serenity", and "Revolution Detroit: Strategies for Urban Reinvention".

John R. Urso, Urso & Associates. P.C. and Co-Founder of Kevin's Song, to speak August 27th on mental health and the elderly

John R. Urso is the founder and principal attorney for Urso & Associates, P.C., a law firm with emphasis on litigation involving family law, real estate transactions, estate planning with the drafting of Wills and Trusts, and alternative dispute resolution.

John is also currently a part-time Case Evaluator for Wayne County Mediation Tribunal Association (1979 to present). In his career, he was a part-time Visiting Judge, Wayne County Circuit Court (1980-1985), full-time Associate Professor of Law at University of Detroit-Mercy Law School (1972-1980), and part-time Municipal Judge, Grosse Pointe Park (1974-1978).

John received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from University of Michigan in 1965 and a Juris Doctor of Law Degree from Wayne State University Law School in 1968.

John and his wife, Gail, co-founded Kevin's Song in 2014 in honor of their son Kevin, who committed suicide at age 41 on March 23, 2013, and to give a voice to his memory. Kevin's Song is a charitable non-profit organization dedicated to generating public awareness about the causes of suicide, its prevalence in our society, and possible preventive measures. Through conferences, workshops, a documentary film, and its website, Kevin's Song provides up-to-date information on the impacts of suicide and helpful resources to keep our community safer. 

At our August 13th meeting, Theresa Selvaggio, Director of Development for the Grosse Pointe Theatre, will discuss the upcoming 2024-25 season and the anticipated move into the Schaap Center for Performing Arts in the fall of 2025

Theresa Selvaggio recently completed three years as President of Grosse Pointe Theatre. She has a long history on the group’s Board of Directors and was chair of the Long Range Planning Committee. Theresa joined the group in 1976 and has been a valuable member since, charming audiences in many on-stage roles, participating as Makeup Chair for several shows and helping backstage and administratively whenever needed.

Professionally, Theresa has been employed by Estee Lauder since 1978 and is currently a Regional Vice President. 

She has a long list of leadership credits, including Board positions with The Grosse Pointe War Memorial, Holley Ear Institute & Wayne County Council for the Arts; Chair positions for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation – Chicago fundraising, Gleaner’s Community Food Banks Women’s Power Breakfast, Fontbonne Auxiliary for St. John’s Hospital, Van Elslander Cancer Center – corporate fundraising; and many other leadership positions. She was a keynote speaker at a Fashion Group International Career Day and was named “1995 Style Maker of the Year”. 

Theresa attended Wayne State University and executive programs at Vassar College, Aspen Institute and the Leonard A. Lauder Executive Symposium.

Jaime Rae Turnbull, Executive Director, 

Schaap Center for Performing Arts, will provide an update on the construction of the new facility in GPP on July 9th

With over 25 years experience in networking and cultivating relationships with high net worth individuals and business leaders, Jaime Rae Turnbull's diverse background offers first-hand project management, real estate, fundraising, marketing and event expertise to a wide array of clients.

In 2008, Jaime Rae formed JR Turnbull Communications L.L.C., a full-service marketing and event planning business. Jaime Rae uses her experience, knowledge and vision to design custom philanthropic and marketing programs. Instrumental in connecting for-profit and non-profit organizations for mutually beneficial relationships, her innovative ideas are making a difference in the lives of many throughout the state of Michigan.

She also continued her passion for real estate by joining her family business, Higbie Maxon Agney.

In 2011, Jaime Rae combined her real estate development and project management skills providing owner's representative services for real estate properties. As a licensed real estate agent in Michigan, Jaime Rae provides branding and oversight for all facets of project development from inception to project completion including liaison to developer, builder, interior designer, architect and landscape architect.

R.J. King, Author and Editor DBusiness Magazine, will speak to the Club on June 25th

R.J. King is editor of DBusiness magazine, DBusiness Daily News, Tech and Mobility News, and Detroit 500. DBusiness covers companies in metro Detroit and Michigan that are expanding locally, nationally, and internationally. Areas of focus include businesses large and small, entrepreneurs, economic activity, and executive lifestyles. King has authored five books, "Grounds For Freedom: Saving Chernobyl," “Detroit: Engine of America (Gold Medal R, Midwest Book Awards),"  "8 Track: The First Mobile App,“ "Passport to the Corner Office: The Starter’s Guide to Corporate Life,” and “Mystical.” Since 2011, DBusiness magazine has been honored with more than 50 Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals in the Editorial Excellence Awards from the Alliance of Area Business Publishers, including being named the top regional business magazine in the country. Prior to launching DBusiness in 2006, Mr. King was a business writer for The Detroit News for 16 years, where he wrote more than 4,000 articles covering automotive, aerospace, health care, technology, transportation, and economic activity. Mr. King is a board member of Beyond Basics, the Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce, Detroit Aircraft Corp., Detroit Spacecraft Corp., and ASX. In addition, he serves on the Board of Trustees for The Parade Co. He is a member of the Detroit Athletic Club, and on the board of the DAC Executives Club and the DAC Car Club. He also is a member of the Boston-Edison Historic District and the University of Michigan Alumni Association. In 2014, Mr. King was inducted into the International Heritage Foundation’s Heritage Hall of Fame (as its youngest inductee).

Wayne County Sheriff Raphael Washington will speak to the Club on June 11th and discuss the new jail and other department initiatives.

Wayne County Sheriff Raphael Washington, a dedicated servant of Law Enforcement for over four decades, is a pillar of our community. In his role, Sheriff Washington manages three jail facilities: a Road Patrol, a Marine Unit, and a Mounted Division. He works in close collaboration with 43 cities and townships in his jurisdiction, supplementing law enforcement activities. Sheriff Washington's commitment to the community is further demonstrated by his oversight of the development activity of the new Wayne County Criminal Justice Center in Detroit, MI. As a lifelong resident of Wayne County, he is deeply involved in the community, serving on several community boards and holding key role as Director of Security for Greater Grace Temple and Pentecostal Assemblies of the World.

Sheriff Washington's approach to law enforcement is guided by his values of discernment and compassion. He has been quoted as saying, "Law enforcement leaders must be discerning in their decision-making, yet compassionate when making decisions that affect staff, the inmate population, and the general public." His extensive background in law enforcement, including working in jail and court operation supervision, inmate population management, policy development, compliance, and organizational functions, is a testament to his understanding and empathy. 

Sheriff Washington's commitment to education is a cornerstone of his professional journey. A proud graduate of the Detroit Public School system, he advocates for higher learning and continuing education. His academic accomplishments include a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Management from Cleary University and graduation from Eastern Michigan University's School of Police Staff and Command. These achievements reflect his unwavering dedication to personal and professional growth. 

He has served as a firearms instructor for many years and is passionate about educating the community on gun safety. The Sheriff holds numerous local and national certifications, including:

• Being certified by the Michigan Coalition on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES)
• A Member of the Wayne County Chief of Police Association
• A Graduate of the FBI National Academy and a host of other local and national credentials
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Sheriff Washington is also a proud member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. Sheriff Washington is married to Keysha Washington; they have two children and four grandchildren.

The Honorable Lynne Pierce, a retired Wayne County Circuit Court judge and President of the League of Women Voters of Grosse Pointe, originally scheduled to speak to the Club on February 27th, will now speak on May 14th on New Developments in Election Law.

Lynne Pierce served as a municipal court judge for Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan, for twelve years and then as a municipal court judge for Grosse Pointe Woods for sixteen years before she was elected to the 3rd Circuit Court in 2008. She also previously served as a visiting judge in Wayne County. Judge Pierce received her J.D. degree from the Detroit College of Law.  

Stephanie Campeau, Associate Vice President, Stakeholder and Community Relations (Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority) will speak to the Club on April 23rd about the status of the Gordie Howe International Bridge

Stephanie Campeau is the Associate Vice President of Stakeholder and Community Relations at WDBA, with more than 20 years of experience as a professional communicator. Since 2015, Stephanie has led the development and implementation of a comprehensive engagement strategy which includes targeted stakeholder communication and consultation for WDBA in Canada and the United States. Prior to joining WDBA, Stephanie worked in a variety of sectors including post-secondary, automotive and utility. She holds a BA Honours degree in Communication Studies from the University of Windsor.

MICHAEL MONTRI, Vice President, INDYCAR Promoter and Broadcast Partnerships at Penske Entertainment, will speak to the Club on April 9th about the 2024 Detroit Grand Prix

Michael Montri begins his 30^th year with the Penske organization in 2024, with his fifth season serving as vice president of promoter and broadcast partnerships for INDYCAR.

Montri oversees the relationships with all current INDYCAR event promoters. Working closely with each promoter partner, Montri helps organize and manage the scheduling, television broadcast windows and the overall guest experience at all NTT INDYCAR SERIES events. He also helps identify and cultivate new promoter partnerships and prospective new locations and events for the future development of INDYCAR.

In addition to managing the relationships with INDYCAR’s current domestic broadcast partners, Montri is responsible for all international INDYCAR broadcast rights and sales with series programming reaching over 200 countries and territories worldwide. Montri also developed and launched INDYCAR’s direct-to-consumer streaming product – INDYCAR Live – which features all NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT presented by Firestone races, along with practice and qualifying sessions, as well as series archival content.

Since 2016, Montri has served as President of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear – the annual event hosted on the Streets of Downtown Detroit that features both NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone races. Montri also oversees the INDYCAR-promoted events in both Iowa and Milwaukee, serving as President of Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend at Iowa Speedway and the Milwaukee Mile 250 races that return to the series schedule in 2024.

A Michigan native and graduate of the University of Michigan, Montri first joined the Penske organization in 1994 as a marketing and public relations intern when the company owned and operated Michigan International Speedway. After working in the licensing division at Penske Motorsports, Montri became director of corporate sales for North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham, North Carolina.

In 2001, Montri transitioned from racing to Penske Automotive Group (PAG), serving in various roles, including operating retail automotive dealerships and as vice president of procurement for PAG. He embraced the opportunity to return to his racing roots to lead the Detroit Grand Prix team in 2016 and his roles and responsibilities have continued to grow since Penske Entertainment Corp. acquired INDYCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2020.

Joshua Elling, CEO of Jefferson East, Inc., will speak on the challenges and opportunities facing the Jefferson-Chalmers area of Detroit.

Elling is a respected and seasoned CEO with more than 15 years' experience in staff management, civic engagement, and crisis response. He has a proven track record of growth, innovation and outreach during times of economic and community crisis. He is an expert presenter, collaborator, and builder of cross functional teams. able to forge trusted partnerships and build consensus among diverse stakeholders to drive towards inclusive economic and social development goals. He has a deep understanding of the independent sector, local government, commercial real estate, economic development, and financial institutions.

Jefferson East, Inc., a nonprofit organization, partners with neighborhood residents and businesses to support development, greater resources, and investments.

Formed in 1994 as the Jefferson East Business Association (JEBA), the organization was created out a desire of residents to bring a modern retail development to the Jefferson-Chalmers business district. The organization quickly moved from a grassroots start-up to a more sophisticated, professionally managed entity. With additional staff members focused on encouraging entrepreneurship, the goal was driving business growth to fill vacant store fronts. Quickly recognizing the unique urban form of the Jefferson-Chalmers business district, (one of the few largely intact neighborhood commercial districts within the city), leadership began to utilize innovative interventions to bolster the area. JEBA pioneered a matching façade grant program to improve and stabilize more than 40 historic storefronts, and implemented the first traditional Main Street zoning overlay and a local historic district to support a pedestrian oriented environment. JEBA created Jazzin’ on Jefferson (JOJ), a unique arts and music festival which ran for fourteen years. JOJ was designed to raise the profile of the business district and surrounding neighborhoods.

Jonathan McGrail will speak March 26th on Cybersecurity, including internet safety, identity theft and other internet security issues.

McGrail has in the Information Technology support and engineering field for almost 35 years, a majority of it in the healthcare sector providing support to large hospitals. Support ranges from everyday use client devices (phones, laptops, and desktops) all the way to managing servers needed by the company.

In approximately 2001 he was sworn in as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff working in the Cyber Crimes unit. "Our original charter was to chat with online predators. over the years we became more proactive doing talks to educate. To my credit I have 5 confirmed arrests and convictions. Our reserves unit then shifted our focus to education. I present internet safety, identity theft, and other internet security talks to school kids from Grade 1 - 12, adult groups from 18 to upward." 

McGrail is a graduate of Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Technology and Industrial Engineering, a Master of Science in Administration and Information Resource Management, and a Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security.

Lucas C. McGrail, Associate AIA, LEED® AP, speaks on the Ford renovation of the Michigan central station on March 12th.

Lucas McGrail is an architect and Detroit historian who has lived in or around Detroit since 1979 and has worked for Cannon Design, The Garrison Company, & Walbridge Aldinger. He holds aBachelor’s degree in Architecture from the University of Detroit Mercy, a Master’s degree in Architecture from Lawrence Tech, he operates the Detroit Artifacts Museum Facebook page, and has been involved with the re-gentrification of many abandoned but historic buildings in Detroit. Currently he is employed by the City of Detroit as an Act 54 certified building inspector and plan reviewer and is the Supervisor for the Dangerous Building Division.

Lucas is a frequent lecturer at colleges and community organizations on the history and architecture of Detroit. He is recognized in the community as a Detroit expert. He has been cited in local newspapers & media as well as national publications, such as the Metro Times, Hour Magazine, Utne Reader, Travel & Leisure, and TheTimes Media Group.   

At our February 13th Meeting, Marick Masters, Professor of Management at the Ilitch School of Business at Wayne State University and an expert in negotiation and disputes, will talk about the auto strike - its significance, its outcomes, its consequences, and its impact on the industry.

Marick F. Masters is a professor of business in the Department of Management and Information Systems at the Mike Ilitch School of Business at Wayne State University. At WSU, he has served as director of Labor@Wayne, which included the Douglas A. Fraser Center for Workplace Issues (2009-2019) and Chair of the Departments of Accounting (2020-2022) and Finance (2019-2022).

Marick’s research and teaching interests lie in negotiations and conflict resolution, unions, business and labor political action, federal sector labor-management relations, human resource management and employee relations, workplace privacy and workplace violence.

He received his Ph.D. in labor and industrial relations from the University of Illinois. Marick has served on the faculties of the Department of Management at Texas A&M University and the Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh, where he was director of M.B.A. programs and associate dean (interim). He has published four books (Unions at the Crossroads [1997], The Complete Guide to Conflict Resolution in the Workplace [2002], The UAW: An Iconic Union Falls in Scandal [2021], and Trade Union Finance: How Labor Organizations Raise and Spend Money [forthcoming, 2023]) and more than 100 articles, proceedings and columns.

Marick has directed several executive education programs, served on the boards of several professional associations, co-hosted a radio program and been a guest columnist for several publications. He has commented widely in the media, engaged extensively in executive development and fundraising, and received teaching and service awards. Marick has produced videos on labor arbitration, employment mediation and employment arbitration (through a grant from the National Academy of Arbitrators), and has conducted extensive research on the role of labor-management partnerships in the federal sector through a grant from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. He is a senior partner in Albright, Irr, and Masters (AIM), a consulting firm based in New London, CT. Marick has taught extensively in executive education programs and at the doctoral, M.B.A. and undergraduate levels. His research has been published in leading journals in management, industrial relations, public administration and political science. Marick is also a former candidate for the U.S. Congress in Pennsylvania. His research and teaching interests are in negotiations, business and labor political activities, and union finances.

At our January 23rd Meeting, Jill Elder, Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer at Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and Alex Kapordelis, Senior Director of Development for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, will update us on news from the Detroit Symphony.

About Jill Elder

Jill Elder serves as Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. She oversees Advancement, Communications and Media Relations, and Marketing and Audience Development. In this role, she is responsible for partnering with staff and volunteers to raise and earn funds which ensure balanced budgets, an enhanced endowment, patron loyalty, and increased brand awareness. Elder was hired in 2017 and served as Vice President and Chief Development Officer.

Prior to joining the DSO, Jill had a 20-year career with the American Cancer Society. Throughout her tenure, she demonstrated significant success in cultivating strong donor and volunteer partnerships to increase revenue and expand the Society’s network of supporters across communities in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

Jill is a graduate of Leadership Detroit and Michigan State University. She resides in Farmington Hills, Michigan, with her husband and three children.

About Alexander Kapordelis

Alex Kapordelis serves as Senior Director of Development for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.  He was hired in 2018 as Campaign Director, responsible for developing and executing the DSO’s five-year endowment campaign fundraising plan. Presently, Alex oversees the 14-person Advancement Department with an annual contributed revenue goal of more than $19 million, where he focuses relentlessly on cultivating an inclusive fundraising community and connecting people through the arts.

Prior to joining the DSO, Alex’ career in fund development spanned the cultural and healthcare sectors in Chicago, IL. Professional highlights include responsibility for designing and implementing the fundraising plan to support the comprehensive, $400 million transformation of Navy Pier along with supporting the recruitment of the volunteer leadership team who would make the vision of the now Shirley Ryan AbilityLab a reality.

Throughout his career, Alex has focused on the value of working in partnership with the communities we exist to serve, and that paradigm has been a driving force in his professional journey.

Alex is a graduate of the University of Michigan. He resides in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, with his wife and two young children.

At our January 9th Meeting, John Zupanc will speak on "The Fallacies of Electric Vehicles"

John Zupanc graduated from the University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario. BSEE (Electrical Engineering) and has a longstanding experience in Manufacturing Engineer/Production as Supv GM of Canada, Windsor, Ont. on Development and maintenance of electrical/electronic machine control (PLC) systems, and held a Supervisory position of 60 hourly employees on an assembly line with 95 percent uptime and 99 percent FTC. Manufacturing Engineer at Ford Motor Co. of Canada, Windsor, Ont. where he developed and maintained electrical/electronic machine control (PLC) systems.

November 28th Meeting

At our November 28th meeting, Dan Clark will lead a discussion about the results of a recent survey of our members and what it means for the direction of our Club.

Great Lakes Water Part II

William Wolfson to speak to Club on October 24th

On October 24, William M. Wolfson will examine the water resources issues and opportunities facing the region and Grosse Pointes and the water system itself in this second of a two-part series on Great Lakes Water.

Part I of the series provided historical background and key events in the system’s development. Part II picks up with the creation of the Great Lakes Water Authority in 2014 and covers the past ten years and the future.

All with an interest in the lakes are invited to attend the luncheon at the War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore in Grosse Pointe Farms. The October 24 meeting begins at 11:00 a.m. and ends at 1:00 p.m. Registration is $20 per person. Reservations can be made by calling Jerry Teagan 313-303-5559 or emailing gpmcattendance@gmail.com.

Prior to assuming this position, Mr. Wolfson served as the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department’s (DWSD) Chief Administrative and Compliance Officer as well as its General Counsel. He joined DWSD as the utility’s first General Counsel in June 2012 and added the position of Chief Operating and Compliance Officer in August 2013.

 Wolfson began his career in government as a seasonal Detroit Zoo employee. He later joined the City of Detroit Law Department as an attorney in 1986 and served in the Law Department under Mayors Coleman Young and Dennis Archer until 1998, working as the legal liaison to the Detroit City Council and on several key initiatives such as the casino and stadium development projects.

Upon leaving the City of Detroit, Wolfson moved to Wayne County’s Department of Corporation Counsel and was appointed Deputy Corporation Counsel by County Executive Edward McNamara. The succeeding County Executive, Robert Ficano, appointed Wolfson to the position of assistant Deputy County Executive/Director of Legal Affairs. In that position, Wolfson was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the county government and its 4,500 employees.

Wolfson retired from his Wayne County position in July 2009. He then went into private practice and contracted to serve as Wayne County’s Interim Corporation Counsel.  

He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and the University of Minnesota Law School.

Great Lakes Water the Subject of a Two-Part Special Series by the Men’s Club of Grosse Pointe

“ Water, water everywhere ….. and nary a drop to drink.” This verse from the landmark poem Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Samuel Taylor Coleridge‘s 19^th century epic is an apt introduction to the Men’s club of Grosse Pointe’s two-part special program October 10 and October 24 on Great Lakes water ‘s unique and vital role serving our region’s health, water, sanitation and commercial and recreational needs – the triumphs and the challenges in harnessing, renewing and sustaining this unique defining asset and the region it serves.

Beginning with a Great Lakes regional perspective and drilling down to the Detroit-Grosse Pointe environs of this huge basin that is home to 20% of the world’s fresh water, the two-part series  will explore the Great Lakes impact on the Grosse Pointes and take a look at the future.

All with an interest in the lakes are invited to attend the two luncheon sessions at the War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore in Grosse Pointe Farms. The October 10 meeting begins at 11:00 a.m. and ends at 1:00 p.m. Registration is $20 per person.  Reservations can be made by calling Jerry Teagan 313-303-5559 or emailing gpmcattendance@gmail.com.

Part One of the program on October 10 will deal with the historical development of the Great Lakes and the Detroit Region. It will be presented by the Club’s own John McGrail, who was long involved in the development and growth of the system until his retirement in 2011 as Head Civil Engineer-Wastewater Construction Group of the regional utility formerly known as the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department. He held that title from 1989 until 2011 and was responsible as Owner’s Representative for the construction of more than 100 construction contracts worth more than $1 billion. These contracts spanned all locations of the department. Though predominantly at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, his group worked in all the system’s water treatment plants, pump stations and combined sewer overflow facilities.

Prior to arriving at the wastewater treatment plant, McGrail worked on the staff of the Assistant Administrator for Operations during the plant’s efforts to recover from its failure to comply with both air and water discharge permits. Born in Waterbury, Connecticutt,  McGrail is a graduate of the University of Maine with a major in Civil Engineering and a Sanitary Engineering option.

Before joining the utility in 1979, McGrail worked for the Maine Public Utilities Commission providing analysis of the numerous problems facing the state’s small rural water utilities. He is married with three children.

Part Two of the program on October 24 will be presented by William Wolfson, Chief Administrative and Compliance Officer of  the Great Lakes Water Authority, and will deal with developments since 2014. More on Mr. Wolfson and the Authority in the next release.

The Men’s Club of Grosse Pointe will focus on important changes coming to Medicare, Tuesday, September 26, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at The War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms. Victor Whang, president of the Insurance Warehouse and also regionally well known as The Insurance Professor, Radio 1400 AM and a leading consultant and voice on Medicare for seniors, will cover a number of the significant changes coming to Medicare and trends in the Medicare marketplace .

Whang will provide copies of his presentation for reference and note taking. Spouses, significant others, care givers or others who work with, assist, or support seniors are encouraged to attend. Cost of the buffet luncheon is $20. Reservations can be made by calling Jerry Teagan 313-303-5559 or emailing gpmcattendance@gmail.com.  

Whang has many years of experience in health and benefits plan designs and also has his own radio program on AM 1400 the Patriot. He is an active blogger. He is engaged as a member of the National Association of Health Underwriters on significant Medicare issues in Washington, DC. Every year, he travels to DC to update himself and associates on key trends and issues, and to voice the concerns of the marketplace to legislators and regulators.

Medicare provides health insurance coverage to 65 million people in the U.S., including 57 million older adults and nearly 8 million younger adults with disabilities. Coverage of Medicare benefits is provided through either traditional Medicare or Medicare Advantage private plans. It affects the health care of nearly every senior in our Grosse Pointe communities.  

Henry Payne, Auto Critic for The Detroit News, to speak on September 12th



Henry Payne will share his insights on the automotive scene in Detroit and key trends in the automotive industry. All automotive sycophants, gearheads, car lovers and Detroiters are welcome to attend. 

A ‘Renaissance Man’, Henry Payne is The Detroit News auto critic, a syndicated editorial cartoonist, and radio host. A 30-year newspaper veteran, he contributes auto reviews, videos, and product reporting to The News.He also hosts the weekly "Car Radio" program for 910 AM Detroit and produces a weekly comic called "Car-toon." The lifetime motorhead is an active race driver, Pulitzer-Prize-nominated cartoonist, and has published three books. Recent feature stories and podcasts include the ’23 Detroit Grand Prix – leaders and drivers - the Buick Encore GX, the Kia Niro vs. the VW Golf GTI, Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison, Mustang GT3,Stellantis Alpha 3.0, and EV commentary. He also writes articles for the National Review. 

Born in Charleston, West Virginia, Payne graduated from Princeton in 1984 and in1986 moved to Washington, DC to work with ScrippsHoward News Service as an editorial cartoon artist. In 1999, Payne replaced the News’ Draper Hill, who retired, as their cartoonist.