The 2019 Inaugural West Michigan CEO Summit brought over 600 regional business executives together to engage on key topics, such as leadership, culture, talent, strategic planning and industry trends. We know that everyone has something valuable to share. In addition to the leadership lessons shared at the event, we are pleased to present this special podcast series, featuring business leaders discussing shared challenges, successes, innovations, and what they are doing to best prepare their companies for the future. These interviews were recorded live in the lobby of the West Michigan CEO Summit, and are brought to you by Comcast Business. (Check out Part 2 here.)
Dr. Hyung Tai Kim, President, Mercy Health
Prior to his role as President of Mercy Health, Dr. Kim worked as an internal medicine physician, and since 2013 served as senior associate dean for clinical affairs at MSU’s medical school in East Lansing. Kim spent two years prior to MSU as CEO of SIU HealthCare, a physician group practice at the Southern Illinois School of Medicine, where he also served as associate dean of clinical affairs and an assistant professor of clinical medicine.
Bridget Clark Whitney, Executive Director, Kids’ Food Basket
Bridget Clark Whitney is the Founding Executive Director of Kids’ Food Basket, a childhood hunger relief organization providing daily evening meals, Sack Suppers, to food-insecure children in greater Grand Rapids, Muskegon and Holland. During Bridget’s 16-year tenure, from college intern to Executive Director, KFB has grown from a $20,000 to a $5.5 million annual budget in 16 years, making the organization the largest and most successful anti-childhood hunger program in Michigan.
Brad Kessel, President & CEO, Independent Bank
As President & CEO of Independent Bank, Brad oversees the 68 branches in Michigan’s lower peninsula. Before serving as President & CEO, he was the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Independent Bank.
David Lewis, President, AT&T
David Lewis was named president of AT&T Michigan in March 2018. As president, Lewis is responsible for regulatory, legislative, and external affairs, as well as community and industry relations throughout the state of Michigan. AT&T has more than 6,000 employees working and 13,000 retirees living in Michigan, and the company has invested more than $1.4 billion in its best-in-class wired and wireless networks in Michigan between 2014 and 2016.
Dennis Aguirre, President, Iron Workers Local 25
Iron Workers Local 25 covers most all counties in Michigan’s lower peninsula. They provide skilled workers in a variety of trades including structural steel, ornamental iron work, fencing, siding and glazing, and pre-engineered metal buildings.
The CEO Summit Podcast Series is Sponsored by
