Published: June 13, 2009 08:05 pm      

Local Business in Brief: 06/14/2009

Leadership GT applications ready

TRAVERSE CITY -- Applications for the 2009-10 class of Leadership Grand Traverse are being accepted by the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber launched the Leadership Grand Traverse in 1986 to introduce local residents and business people to area issues and institutions, develop leadership skills and encourage individuals to take a more active role in the community.

Applications for the upcoming sessions are due by July 24 and more information is available on the chamber's Web site at www.tcchamber.org.

Ford retirees to hold annual luncheon

TRAVERSE CITY -- The annual luncheon of the Northern Michigan Ford Retiree Group will be held Aug. 6 at the Park Place Hotel.

A reception begins at 10:30 a.m. followed by a question-and-answer session at 11:15 a.m. with Jim Doyle, founder of the Level Field Institute. Lunch is scheduled for 12:30 p.m., followed by a presentation "The State of Ford" with Lewis Booth, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Ford Motor Co.

The event is open to Ford retirees, their spouses and guests. Registration information is available from Tom Kelley at (313) 278-6564 or through e-mail at 60hawkeye@comcast.net

DTCA elects officers for the next year

TRAVERSE CITY -- The Downtown Traverse City Association elected its officer slate for 2009-10.

Todd McMillen, of McMillen's Creative Custom Framing, is the association president for the third consecutive year. Brian Kluzak (Northwestern Bank) is the vice-president, Dave Leonhard (Orvis Streamside) is secretary and Pam Marsh (Red Ginger) is the treasurer.

Other board members include Sarah Jane Bye (By Candlelight Amish Furnishings), Stacy Sheren-Colombo (Holiday Traditions), James C. Smith (James C. Smith Jewelers), Amy Joslin (Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine) and Kay Jerome (Kay's).

The board also recognized its outgoing members at the association's annual meeting last week. They included former Vice-President Jim Valesano, and members Amy Parker and Michele Joubran.

Trucking is topic at U-M conference

ANN ARBOR -- Improving the efficiency and safety of truck transportation while reducing its environmental damage is the focus of an international conference next week at the University of Michigan.

The school's Transportation Research Institute is hosting the "Building the Policy Options Roadmap" conference Tuesday and Wednesday.

The school says "technical experts and public policy officials from around the world will lay out practical and workable options for ensuring economically viable and socially responsive U.S. commercial truck transportation."

Sponsors include the Federal Highway Administration, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Con-way Freight, and American Trucking Association.