Mackinac conference adds Bill Ford as speaker

DAVID EGGERT

When 1,500 business, government and civic leaders gather for the Mackinac Policy Conference, they will hear a lot about the “Power of And” — a solutions-oriented theme that is intended to last long after participants head home.

Matt Elliott, Bank of America’s Michigan president and chair of this year’s annual meeting hosted by the Detroit Regional Chamber, said human nature often is to approach things in either-or terms: Black or white, Democrat or Republican, Spartan or Wolverine.

“But in real life, we know that the best solutions and most durable solutions are an and. It’s when you can bring multiple sides to the table after a healthy debate that probably has some construction tension to it, that ultimately leads to decisions that are sustainable and most durable,” he said ursday, as the chamber previewed the event that will be held May 30-June 2 on Mackinac Island. Speaking are:

 Bill Ford, executive chair of Ford Motor Co, who will talk about the transition to electric vehicles, Ford’s Michigan Central project, the “war for talent” and the company’s reorganization into three divisions.

 Former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney.

 Brian Moynihan, CEO of Bank of America.

 CNN host Fareed Zakaria.

 Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

 Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan.

 University of Michigan President Santa Ono.

 Camille Lloyd, director of the Gallup Center on Black Voices.

Elliott said another focus will be on the shift to EVs.

“What’s the and between electrication and the internal combustion vehicle? is is something that’s critical to the state of Michigan. We’ve got to get this right to win.”

Contact: david.eggert@crain.com; (313) 446-1654; @DavidEggert00 e supplier started just-in-time seating operations at the new plant late last year, supplying General Mo- tors Co. Factory Zero on the Detroit-Hamtramck border. e new plant was the latest in a series of planned local expansions for Lear, ranking among the world’s largest automotive suppliers with $20.9 billion in revenue in 2022.

155-represented employees, salaried employees and hourly employees.

“For those employees who decline Lear’s o er or who do not receive an o er, the layo s are expected to be permanent,” said the letters.

Earlier this year, the company signed on to take the full 684,000-square-foot space developed by Riverside, Mo.-based NorthPoint Development LLC on the former Cadillac Stamping site, near the company’s soon-to-be shuttered plants at 6555 E. Davison and 6501 E. Nevada.

In addition, Lear announced last year it plans to open an $80 million plant in Independence Township, where it will make battery disconnect units for all full-size SUVs and trucks built on GM’s Ultium EV platform through 2030.

Contact: knagl@crain.com; (313) 446-0337; @kurt_nagl