Ann Arbor / Ypsilanti Regional Chamber

Morning Edition - U of M Style

The theme of this month’s Morning Edition was all things U-M. The University of Michigan Athletic Department not only sponsored the June Morning Edition, but they also hosted us at the Junge Family Champions Center, adjacent to Crisler Arena. The morning speakers, all graduates of the University of Michigan, included Mitchell Rohde, Ph.D., Chief Operating Officer, Quantum Signal, LLC; Jennifer Fike, Executive Director, Food System Economic Partnership; Adrian Fortino, Co-Founder & CEO, Shepherd Intelligent Systems and David Brandon, Athletic Director, University of Michigan.



Mitchell Rohde, COO of Quantum Signal, LLC was full of energy as he described his company. Quantum Signal has the luxury of choosing the projects they take on since the demand for them is so high. Mitchell explained that they choose projects with challenging technical problems and choose things they love. Quantum Signal does not advertise; you will never see a Quantum Signal billboard on I-94. They rely on word of mouth for their continued growth and success. Mitchell said that because of their growth they estimate they will need to hire up to 10 new people this year. For more information, visit their website.



Jennifer Fike, Executive Director of the non-profit, Food System Economic Partnership uses a regional approach to represent five counties in southeast Michigan. The goal of the Food System Economic Partnership is to help farmers farm profitably. They encourage business/restaurants to buy and consume locally grown food. They also work with schools to encourage local consumption of food. The FSEP worked with the University of Michigan South Quad to buy local apples from Dexter in 2006. As a result, apple consumption of students doubled! For more information about how you can buy and consume locally, visit their website.



Adrian Fortino, Co-Founder & CEO of University of Michigan company, Shepherd Intelligent Systems, explained the amazing technology to track the bus system. Through a text message you can find out when the bus will arrive at the bus stop, with a less than 30 seconds accuracy rate. How does it work? They install conventional GPS hardware on all of the vehicles, which picks up signals of their location. The University of Michigan Bus System experience a 22% increase in passengers after the system was put in place. Shepherd Intelligent Systems is also growing across the county and even the world. Adrian said they will always remain an Ann Arbor based company.



David Brandon, Athletic Director at the University of Michigan and former football player for Bo Schembechler, recognizes that there is more than one sports program at the University – 25 to be exact. David Brandon, who considers himself a ‘marketing guy’, explained that it is about the ‘game day experience’. The construction of the Big House suites is almost completed, which the audience was able to tour after the event.



The University is looking to break records in a big way. On the night of 12.11.10 the University of Michigan Men’s Hockey team will face Michigan State University at the Big House hoping to break the record for largest crowd at a hockey game. (U-M played at MSU on 10.06.01, which ended in a 3-3 tie – I was there and I will be there again on 12.11.10!) Prior to the Frozen Four played at Ford Field earlier this year, Michigan State University has held this record. Over 100,000 tickets have already been sold. Ticket will go back on sale once the incoming freshmen arrive. There may be an opportunity to sell standing room only tickets, which means the University could also break the record for the largest crowd at the Big House history. The University has several events planned included club and local high school hockey games to be played at the Big House as well as the possibly of a community open skate.



David also discussed the many improvements that are being made to the Men’s and Women’s Basketball facilities. The $22 million basketball renovations will make Michigan’s facilities more competitive with programs such as Ohio State and Michigan State. David believes the Michigan’s athletic department is the marketing department of the University, citing that enrollment increased 23% after the 1997 University of Michigan Football team’s National Championship. David and his team are working hard to make the “Game Day Experience” the best it can be whether you are at a Men’s Gymnastics event or a Women’s Water Polo game.



Next month’s Morning Edition will return to Weber’s Inn on Wednesday, September 15.



Megan Crosbie
@A2Y_Chamber