By Jerry Norcia, DEGC Board Chair, President and COO, DTE Energy
Few organizations experience the kind of change seen by DEGC in 2018 – and with such grace. It has been an extraordinary year, filled with new beginnings, opportunities and achievements.
We’ve welcomed a new president and CEO as well as new staff members throughout the organization.
I was appointed Chair roughly one year ago, and the time has flown by. It is a pleasure and an honor working with members of the DEGC/DEGA boards, as well as Kevin Johnson, his leadership team and the entire DEGC organization.
As measured by our Key Performance Indicators, the DEGC has had a very positive impact on Detroit and its residents. We’ve helped create nearly 4,000 jobs, secure $1 billion in new capital investment, activate almost 2.5M square feet in development, open 21 new small businesses and complete 12 Motor City Re-Store exterior improvement projects.
We couldn’t have achieved these accomplishments without the dedication of the entire team, the generosity of our funding partners and the commitment and vision of Board members.
Our Board members are often the unsung heroes of Detroit’s revitalization. Without fanfare or acclaim, they work tirelessly on behalf of our city, elevating the DEGC, holding us accountable and accelerating our goals.
On behalf of the entire team, I’d like to thank each and every Board member for his or her thoughtful and collaborative contribution to Detroit’s economic revitalization. Together, we are writing a positive next chapter for our great city.
As we close 2018, I’d like to welcome the four new Board members who joined us this year. They are Ron Stallworth, Gary Torgow, Nicole Sherard-Freeman and Rachel Lutz.
I’d also like to recognize the Board members whose term ended this year. The entire staff is very thankful for your service. We wish you well as you begin your new endeavors. You will always be welcomed as part of the DEGC family.
- Robert Biskup
- Scott Doyle
- Fred Feliciano
- John James, Sr.
- Peter Kellett
- Denise Lewis
- Jacques Panis
- Tosha Tabron
- Walt Watkins
- Dr. Geneva Williams
As a special recognition, I’d like to honor Bill Brooks, who was a long-standing DEGC board member, one-time Board Chair, DTE Energy Board member and a very dear friend of the DEGC. We lost Bill this past fall, but his legacy will be felt throughout the city for years to come. He was a champion for the rights of Detroiters and fought for economic inclusion.
As I look forward to 2019, I see even more excitement and energy in Detroit’s economic future. DEGC is positioned with an expert staff and clear vision to provide the city and its citizens the opportunity for a better tomorrow.
Please enjoy the holiday with loved ones and friends and take the time to experience all that Detroit has to offer this season.
Five things you should know about the DEGC:
- Support small business by shopping local this holiday season. Check out our Holiday Gift Guide for the perfect gifts under $50.
- Mayor Duggan and DEGC leadership joined Motor City Match Round 11 awardee Dymond Designs Beauty School for a ribbon cutting ceremony to welcome the business to the East Riverfront neighborhood.
- Motor City Match Round 7 awardee Paralee Boyd Salon was recently profiled in the Forbes special feature Pivotal Moments: The Making of a Small Giant.
- Motor City Match Round 15 and Motor City Re-Store Round 7 applications are open through Jan. 4, 2019.
- Motor City Match awardees, Textures by Nefertiti and Yum Village were recently featured on PBS Detroit’s American Black Journal.