2024 ANNUAL MEETING
Legacy and Leadership in Detroit
E V E N T PR OG RAM
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
2024 ANNUAL MEETING Legacy and Leadership in Detroit
WE L COM E
Eric Larson
CEO, Downtown Detroit Partnership
L U NCH BOA R D RE M A RK S
Daniel J. Loepp
President and CEO, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
DDP U P DATE
Eric Larson
CEO, Downtown Detroit Partnership
PA NE L DISCU SSIO N
Mike Tirico
NBC Sports Host
Roger Penske
Chairman, Penske Corporation
Daniel J. Loepp
President and CEO Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
CL OSIN G RE M A RK S
Eric Larson
CEO, Downtown Detroit Partnership
2024 ANNUAL MEETING Legacy and Leadership in Detroit
Eric B. Larson
Chief Executive Officer Downtown Detroit Partnership
E
ric B. Larson has more than 35 years of experience in the field of real estate investment, development, asset management and leasing. Since 2014, Larson has served as CEO of The Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP), a private/public partnership of corporate and civic leaders who develop and support programs to enhance downtown Detroit. The DDP includes the Downtown Detroit Business Improvement Zone (BIZ), a special assessment district formed by downtown property owners to assure enhanced cleaning, safety and landscaping services in the downtown area. One of DDP’s bestknown initiatives is the creation of the internationallyrenown and award-winning Campus Martius Park. More than $20 million was raised through the Detroit
2024 ANNUAL MEETING Legacy and Leadership in Detroit
Eric B. Larson
300 Conservancy (The Conservancy) to design and construct the park, which opened in 2004. A recipient of the 2010 Urban Land Institute’s Amanda Burden Open Space Award, Campus Martius Park attracts more than 2 million visitors annually and has stimulated an estimated $1 billion in new investments downtown. Under Larson’s direction, The Conservancy is also improving and programming other historic downtown parks and public spaces, including Grand Circus Park and Capitol Park. Larson is founder, president, and chief executive officer of Larson Realty Group (established in 1999), a privately owned, Bloomfield Hills-based real estate development and management company. Prior to establishing Larson Realty Group, Larson served as vice president of Hines, a global real estate company, and as a partner and senior vice president of Bruce S. Brickman and Associates of New York. During Larson’s career he has either developed, financed, owned and/or managed over $3 billion in Detroit real estate, including the Renaissance Center, the Millender Center (now called Renaissance City Club Apartments), One
2024 ANNUAL MEETING Legacy and Leadership in Detroit
Eric B. Larson
Detroit Center and The A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education. Larson has provided consultation services to the State of Michigan’s Department of Technology, Management and Budget on best practices for the utilization of the State’s owned and leased real estate portfolio. He has served as managing partner at Bedrock Real Estate Services LLC and as Non-Executive President of Olympia Development of Michigan where he led real estate development projects including Little Caesar’s Arena, a major sports and entertainment venue which opened in the fall of 2017. Larson founded the Community Investment Support Fund (CISF), a Michigan Non-Profit Corporation that engages exclusively in such charitable and educational activities as may qualify it for exemption from Federal income tax under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The primary purpose of CISF is to promote economic development and create wealth and job opportunities in low-income communities.
2024 ANNUAL MEETING Legacy and Leadership in Detroit
Eric B. Larson
A resident of Birmingham, Michigan, Larson serves as chairman of The Robert C. Larson Leadership Initiative and Urban Land Institute (ULI) Detroit Governance Committee. He is currently a trustee and/or member of the board of The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, Cullen Family Foundation, The Detroit 300 Conservancy, the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce, The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, The Distinguished Clown Corp., The Downtown Detroit Business Improvement Zone, M-1 Rail, MoGo Detroit Bike Share, The Parade Company, Pope Francis Center, The Urban Land Institute and The Urban Land Institute’s Leadership Council. Larson has a long history of civic engagement. He has served as chairman of Detroit Downtown, Inc., The Parade Company, and the ULI Detroit District Council. He is a past trustee and/or member of Beaumont Hospital, Beaumont Hospital Oncology Campaign Committee, The Building Operators Management Association (BOMA), The Detroit Eastern Market Advisory Services Panel, the Detroit Historical Society
2024 ANNUAL MEETING Legacy and Leadership in Detroit
Eric B. Larson
Board of Directors, the Detroit Institute of Arts Junior Council, Develop Michigan, Inc., Grand Jester of The Distinguished Clown Corp., Harvard School of Design Advisory Panel, Jefferson East, Inc., LOCUS, Marian High School Dad’s Club, Pewabic Pottery Board of Directors, The Real Estate Roundtable, Recovery Park, Southeast Michigan Council of Government, mentor at The University of Michigan School of Architecture, University of Michigan – ULI Real Estate Forum Committee and The United States Green Building Council.
2024 ANNUAL MEETING Legacy and Leadership in Detroit
A PA N E L D I S C U S S I O N W I T H LONGTIME COMMUNITY LEADERS
Daniel J. Loepp
President and Chief Executive Officer Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Chair, DDP Executive Committee
D
aniel J. Loepp, President and Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, has played a major role in modernizing Michigan’s health care delivery system. Mr. Loepp, who oversaw the transformation of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan to a nonprofit mutual insurance company in January 2014, has led initiatives to improve health care quality and promote affordability, saving more than $2.2 billion in health care expenses through nationally recognized, performance-driven quality programs. The company is Michigan’s largest health plan and among the top 10 largest health insurers in the nation. 2024 ANNUAL MEETING Legacy and Leadership in Detroit
Daniel J. Loepp
Under Mr. Loepp’s leadership, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan remains committed to its longstanding nonprofit mission. It is the only carrier offering Affordable Care Act plans in all 83 Michigan counties. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan also has led efforts to revitalize and strengthen core Michigan cities, including Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Traverse City. To position Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan for continued strength and sustainability nationally amid a changing health industry landscape, Mr. Loepp launched the Emerging Markets division in 2016 as the growth and diversification arm of the multi-business enterprise of national scale. Through its diversified lines of business, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan offers group plan customers and Medicare products across the U.S., in addition to specialty insurance offerings. During his tenure, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has been named Corporation of the Year in Finance and Insurance Services 15 times by the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council and has 2024 ANNUAL MEETING Legacy and Leadership in Detroit
Daniel J. Loepp
ranked as a leader nationally in diversity and inclusion best practices. Employee culture and professional development are also important components of Mr. Loepp’s leadership. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has been recognized for its dedication to mentorship and internship programs, advancing the careers of thousands of students and future leaders over the years. Since becoming CEO in 2006, he has been an active member of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association on several committees. From 2011 to 2013, he served as board chair of BCBSA, which includes all 33 Blue plans and covers 115 million members. Mr. Loepp continues to serve on the BCBSA board as chairman of the Government Market Implementation Subcommittee. He is also on the Health Policy and Advocacy Committee and Market Solutions Committee. He also chairs the BCS Financial Corporation board.
2024 ANNUAL MEETING Legacy and Leadership in Detroit
Daniel J. Loepp
Mr. Loepp is an active member of several organizations that serve the community and state. He serves as chairman of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, chairman of the Executive Committee of the Downtown Detroit Partnership board while also serving on the Executive Committee for the Michigan Thanksgiving Parade Foundation where he is a former past chair. Additionally, he serves on the boards of the National Institute for Health Care Management, Business Leaders for Michigan, Detroit Economic Club, AmeriHealth Caritas Family of Companies and America’s Health Insurance Plans. Mr. Loepp is also an honorary board member of the Detroit Regional Chamber.
2024 ANNUAL MEETING Legacy and Leadership in Detroit
A PA N E L D I S C U S S I O N W I T H LONGTIME COMMUNITY LEADERS
Roger S. Penske Chairman Penske Corporation
DDP Board Member
R
oger Penske is the founder and chairman of Penske Corporation, a closely held, diversified, on-highway, transportation services company whose subsidiaries operate in a variety of industry segments, including retail automotive, truck leasing, transportation logistics and professional motorsports. Penske Corporation manages businesses which have consolidated revenues of more than $42 billion, operating in over 3,200 locations and employing more than 72,000 people worldwide. Penske Transportation Solutions (“PTS”) includes Penske Truck Leasing, Penske Logistics, Epes Transport Systems and Penske Vehicle Services operating 2024 ANNUAL MEETING Legacy and Leadership in Detroit
Roger S. Penske
over 442,000 trucks, tractors and trailers. PTS offers full-service truck leasing, contract maintenance, commercial and consumer truck rentals, used truck sales, transportation and warehousing management and supply chain management solutions. Penske Automotive Group, Inc., (NYSE: PAG) is a diversified international transportation services company and one of the world’s premier automotive and commercial truck retailers. PAG operates dealerships principally in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and Japan and is one of the largest retailers of commercial trucks in North America for Freightliner. PAG also distributes and retails commercial vehicles, diesel and gas engines, power systems and related parts in Australia and New Zealand. Penske Performance, Inc. operations include teams that will compete in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and the NASCAR Cup Series in 2024, under the “Team Penske” banner. Through a Team Penske global partnership, Porsche Penske Motorsport will race in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship 2024 ANNUAL MEETING Legacy and Leadership in Detroit
Roger S. Penske
and the World Endurance Championship in 2024. Team Penske is one of the most successful teams in the history of professional sports. Team Penske has produced more than 620 major race wins, over 680 pole positions and 44 championships, including 19 Indianapolis 500 victories, three Daytona 500 Championships, a Formula 1 win, overall victories in the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring, along with a win in Australia’s legendary Bathurst 1000 race. Penske Entertainment Corp. owns the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, INDY NXT by Firestone and IMS Productions. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has hosted the world’s largest single-day sporting event – the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race – for more than 100 years. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES continues to be the premier openwheel racing series in North America. INDY NXT by Firestone is the top developmental series of INDYCAR and IMS Productions is an industry-leading video services and production company.
2024 ANNUAL MEETING Legacy and Leadership in Detroit
A PA N E L D I S C U S S I O N W I T H LONGTIME COMMUNITY LEADERS
Mike Tirico
NBC Sports Host
M
ike Tirico is the voice of NBC Sports’ biggest events, handling play-by-play for Sunday Night Football – primetime TV’s #1 show for an unprecedented 11 consecutive years — and serving as the primetime host for NBCUniversal’s coverage of the Olympics. Tirico, who joined NBC Sports in July 2016, also hosts NBC Sports’ coverage of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, the Indianapolis 500, and golf’s Masters, U.S. Open, and Open Championship. Tirico has called primetime NFL games for 17 consecutive seasons as of the end of the 2022-23 season, including 10 years as the voice of ESPN’s Monday Night Football. In addition, 2022 was his 2024 ANNUAL MEETING Legacy and Leadership in Detroit
Mike Tirico
27th season as an NFL primetime studio host or playby-play voice. In May 2022, Tirico earned the Sports Emmy for Outstanding Sports Personality – Studio Host, following an unmatched year in which he anchored the Tokyo Olympics in primetime, the Super Bowl LVI Pregame Show, Football Night in America, horse racing’s Triple Crown, golf’s U.S. Open, and the Indianapolis 500. Tirico completed an unprecedented hosting double in February 2022, anchoring the NBC Olympics primetime show in Beijing (beginning February 3rd) and Los Angeles, while also hosting the Super Bowl LVI Pregame Show from SoFi Stadium on February 13th, as NBCUniversal presented the two global events in an 18-day stretch. The 2022 Beijing Olympics was Tirico’s third as NBC’s primetime Olympics host (Tokyo, Pyeongchang). He served as an NBC daytime host at the Rio 2016 Olympics.
2024 ANNUAL MEETING Legacy and Leadership in Detroit
Mike Tirico
Tirico was named host of NBC Sports’ inaugural coverage of the Indianapolis 500 in February 2019. Earlier in the same month, he called play-by-play for his first-ever NHL game, after previously hosting the 2018 Stanley Cup Final, 2019 NHL Winter Classic, and 2019 NHL All-Star Game. In 2018, Tirico was named studio host for Football Night in America, the most-watched studio show in sports, leading into Sunday Night Football, primetime television’s #1 show. Tirico was named NBC’s play-by-play voice for Thursday Night Football in 2017. NBC/NFL Network Thursday Night Football was primetime television’s #2 show in the 2016-17 TV season and the #3 show in the 2017-18 TV season. Tirico was named the full-time lead play-by-play voice of NBC Sports’ Notre Dame Football coverage in August 2017. In the spring of the same year, Tirico debuted as the host of NBC’s Triple Crown horse racing – covering the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes. 2024 ANNUAL MEETING Legacy and Leadership in Detroit
Mike Tirico
Tirico made his NBC Sports Group debut in July 2016 as host of NBC Sports’ live coverage of The Open from Royal Troon in Scotland. Shortly thereafter, he made his Olympics debut as host for NBC’s daytime coverage of Rio 2016. Also that fall, Tirico served as host of The Ryder Cup and NBC’s primetime coverage of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Tirico joined NBC after 25 years at ESPN/ABC (19912016), where he established himself as a preeminent broadcaster on properties and events including Monday Night Football, The Open, the Masters, NBA, college football, college basketball, FIFA World Cup, and tennis’ U.S. Open and Wimbledon. Tirico, the voice of ESPN’s Monday Night Football from 20062015, is one of four play-by-play announcers to work primetime NFL games for at least 10 seasons. He was named the 2010 Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association (NSSA), an award voted on by his industry peers. Tirico joined ESPN as a SportsCenter anchor in July 1991, later serving as host of Monday Night Countdown during the NFL season from that show’s 1993 launch to 2024 ANNUAL MEETING Legacy and Leadership in Detroit
Mike Tirico
2001. From 1993-1997, he anchored ESPN’s college football studio show. In December 1996, Tirico was named golf host for ABC Sports, and in 2002, began calling NBA games for ABC, ESPN, and ESPN Radio. In addition, he hosted SportsCenter coverage of the U.S. Open, the Masters and the Daytona 500, and anchored coverage of the Super Bowl, NCAA Final Four, and NFL Draft for both television and radio. Prior to joining ESPN, Tirico worked in Syracuse, New York (1987-1991). He was sports director at WTVHTV and served as play-by-play voice for Syracuse University basketball, football, lacrosse and volleyball. Tirico currently resides in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
2024 ANNUAL MEETING Legacy and Leadership in Detroit
DDP MEMBERSHIP
Connect, Inspire and Celebrate Detroit: Join the DDP
T
he Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) is a memberbased nonprofit committed to fostering a vibrant and interconnected Downtown. Membership offers opportunities to become informed and develop connections with new and established networks. Our members include Downtown businesses, regional corporations, local nonprofits, and community organizations. Annual membership levels are designed to meet all budgets and community engagement goals. Members receive early access, complimentary and discounted tickets to numerous DDP events, and repeat recognition. Be a part of Downtown Detroit’s expanding story.
MEMBER BENEFITS
Complimentary and discounted tickets to DDP convenings and events Online and print recognition Additional invitations and networking opportunities Learn more and sign up today.
DowntownDetroit.org/Membership
We Make Action Happen
We Make Holidays Happen
F
or more than 100 years, the DDP has served as a steward of the Downtown. Our work is made possible through partnerships with civic, corporate, and community leaders. Together, we create a world-class downtown that is clean, safe, and welcoming for all. We Make It Happen Together represents the tenacious Detroit spirit and collaborative environment. Detroit is the Motor City, Motown, and now has evolved into an award-winning destination point for innovation, the future of mobility, large-scale events, and so much more.The DDP has been a steady force through the city’s evolution, and the following text shares some ways we work together to make it happen.
We Make Development Happen
Support DDP We Make Inclusion Happen
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We Make Growth Happen
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