"Don's impressive economic development track record made him an ideal choice to take over as CEO," said Matthew P. Cullen, a General Motors executive and chair of the MEDC Executive Committee. "The Executive Committee is confident that he will take his past lessons learned and turn them into successes for the state of Michigan."
Gov. Jennifer Granholm said Jakeway will to work in partnership with David Hollister, director of the Michigan Department of Consumer and Industry Services, in leading the state's economic development efforts.
"Don and David will be a dynamic duo for supercharging Michigan's economy," Granholm said. "Attracting one of the most experienced and accomplished economic development leaders in the country to our team is a true victory for the entire State of Michigan." "Don's proven ability to attract jobs and revitalize cities is a winning formula for Michigan," Granholm added.
Jakeway has more than 30 years of economic development experience at both the state and community levels. For the past six years, he has been president and CEO of the Regional Growth Partnership based in Toledo, which served an 11-county area. Since 2001, the Growth Partnership helped to create more than 3,800 new jobs and spur more than $1.1 billion in private investment, according to an MEDC press release.
"I am honored to take over the role of leading one of the top economic development groups in North America," Jakeway said. "I hope to bring innovative ideas and a fresh approach to the MEDC which will help businesses grow and succeed in Michigan."
Jakeway will begin his new role at the MEDC in mid to late October.
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