Detroit Economic Club

DEC Peer Group - Business Development
2024-10-29 08:00 - 09:30 (America/Detroit) | WTW – Southfield, 26555 Evergreen Rd, Southfield, MI, 48076, United States
Mary Buchzeiger

CEOLucerne International

BIO

Mary Buchzeiger
CEOLucerne International

Mary Buchzeiger is the Chief Executive Officer of Lucerne International and Lucerne Global Solutions, headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan. A respected leader in global manufacturing and trade, Mary has transformed Lucerne from a regional supplier into a multinational enterprise serving major OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers across North America, Europe, and Asia. Her strategic vision and operational expertise have positioned Lucerne as a trusted partner for companies navigating complex supply-chain, logistics, and tariff environments.
A lifelong advocate for U.S. manufacturing and international collaboration, Mary is known for transforming global challenges into strategic opportunities. She is passionate about strengthening domestic supply chains, advancing women in leadership, and fostering innovation through diversity and inclusion. In addition to serving on the boards of MICHauto and MEMA OESA, Mary frequently speaks on topics such as trade, tariff policy, and the future of manufacturing.
Her leadership reflects a commitment to building bridges across borders, empowering people, and driving sustainable economic growth through purposeful global engagement.

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Gabriel Ehrlich

Director of Research Seminar in Quantitative EconomicsUniversity of Michigan

BIO

Gabriel Ehrlich
Director of Research Seminar in Quantitative EconomicsUniversity of Michigan

Dr. Gabriel M. Ehrlich is an economic forecaster at the University of Michigan, where he is the Director of the University’s Research Seminar in Quantitative Economics (RSQE). He has published widely in academic journals, and his research has been discussed in the Economist, the Financial Times, and the Washington Post.
Gabe oversees RSQE’s forecasts of the U.S. and Michigan economies, and he presents regularly to the Michigan Legislature and Governor about Michigan’s economic and fiscal prospects. He also gives frequent interviews on the economic outlook both in print and on the air. He is a coauthor of The U.S. Economic Outlook for 2023–2024 and The Michigan Economic Outlook for 2023–2024.
Prior to joining RSQE, Gabe worked as an economist at the Congressional Budget Office. He received his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Michigan.

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Quentin Messer, Jr.

Chief Executive and Economic Competitiveness OfficerMichigan Economic Development Corp.

BIO

Quentin L. Messer, Jr.
Chief Executive and Economic Competitiveness OfficerMichigan Economic Development Corp.

As MEDC CEO and President and Chair of the Michigan Strategic Fund, Quentin L. Messer, Jr. is charged with implementing and executing MEDC’s core mission of business development and attraction, community development, providing access to capital and enhancing Michigan’s image and brand with a focus on building a strong and equitable economy for all Michiganders.
Immediately prior to his role as CEO of MEDC, Messer served as President and CEO of New Orleans Business Alliance (NOLABA) leading efforts around business attraction, small business growth, talent development, branding, and driving market-responsive, equitable economic growth for New Orleans residents.
As the assistant secretary at Louisiana Economic Development, Messer was designated President of the Louisiana Economic Development Corporation, helping to provide financial assistance to small and medium size businesses in partnership with the private sector and federal agencies including the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Messer’s private sector experience includes The Boston Consulting Group and O’Melveny & Myers LLP, as well as work at a variety of start-up ventures, including as a principal at Foster Chamberlain, LLC – a start-up venture accelerator and corporate venturing consultancy.
An IEDC certified economic developer (CEcD), Messer received a Bachelor of Arts from Princeton University, where he was a Princeton School of Public and International Affairs major and earned his Juris Doctorate and Master of Business Administration from Columbia University’s Law and Business Schools, respectively. He sits on the board of directors of the International Economic Development Council, where he serves on the board’s Committee for Public Conduct and also is the incoming Co-Chair of the Racism in Economic Development Committee.
Messer was named in Consultants Connect North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers in both 2019 and 2020.

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About This Meeting

Prepare to look ahead at the forces that will shape Michigan’s 2026 economy. Our panel of leading experts will examine the state’s most pressing challenges — from trade policy impact, business/talent attraction to the future of manufacturing and more. Results of the 14th annual Michigan Economic Outlook Survey will be unveiled at this meeting. This highly collaborative effort involves input from businesspeople and associations throughout the state. You can view the survey results here: www.outlooksurvey.com

PRESIDING OFFICER

Rick HampsonMetro Detroit Market PresidentOld National Bank

MODERATOR

Daniel HowesSr. Editor/Business & ColumnistDetroit News

FULL MEETING VIDEO

MEETING GALLERY

VENUE

MotorCity Casino Hotel

2901 Grand River Ave

Detroit,

MI

48201

United States

DETAILS

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

11:00 am

-

2:00 pm

A Conversation with Liz Cheney and Jonathan Karl
2024-10-22 11:00 - 14:00 (America/Detroit) | MotorCity Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI, 48201, United States

Michigan’s Competitive Advantage: Harnessing the Power of the University Research Corridor
2024-10-15 11:00 - 13:30 (America/Detroit) | The Masonic, 500 Temple St, Detroit, MI, 48201, United States

DEC Presents Special Guest Speaker: President Donald J. Trump
2024-10-10 10:30 - 13:45 (America/Detroit) | MotorCity Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI, 48201, United States

YL CEO SERIES: David C. Dauch
2024-10-08 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Detroit) | AAM World HQ, One Dauch Drive, Detroit, MI, 48211, United States

Small Acts of Courage: A Legacy of Endurance and the Fight for Democracy
2024-10-07 11:00 - 13:30 (America/Detroit) | MotorCity Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI, 48201, United States

The Exit Interview
2024-10-02 11:00 - 13:30 (America/Detroit) | The Masonic, 500 Temple St, Detroit, MI, 48201, United States

2024 Young Leader Conference
2024-09-26 08:00 - 18:00 (America/Detroit) | MotorCity Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI, 48201, United States

Strengthening the U.S. Auto Industry
2024-09-23 10:30 - 13:00 (America/Detroit) | The Masonic, 500 Temple St, Detroit, MI, 48201, United States

An America as Strong as Steel
2024-09-17 11:00 - 13:30 (America/Detroit) | The Masonic, 500 Temple St, Detroit, MI, 48201, United States

A Conversation with Dan Gilbert
2024-09-13 11:00 - 14:00 (America/Detroit) | The Icon, 200 Walker Street, Detroit, MI, 48207, United States

YL NETWORKING EVENT: Boat Cruise at Freedom Boat Club
2024-09-10 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Detroit) | Freedom Marina, 32475 S River Rd., Harrison Township, MI, 48045, United States

2024 DEC Chair’s Dinner
2024-07-09 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Detroit) | Elevate at One Campus Martius, 1 Campus Martius Floor 16, Detroit, MI, 48226, United States

2024 Detroit Tigers
2024-06-24 11:00 - 15:00 UTC | MotorCity Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI, 48201, United States

Gordie Howe International Bridge Tour
2024-06-20 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Detroit) | MDOT Detroit, 1060 W Fort St, Detroit, MI, United States

YL CEO SERIES: Tony Michaels
2024-06-11 11:30 - 13:30 (America/Detroit) | Parade Company HQ, 9500 Mt Elliott St, Detroit, 48226, United States

MSU Athletics: All-Access
2024-06-07 11:00 - 13:30 (America/Detroit) | Little Caesars Arena, 2645 Woodward Ave, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, United States

A Conversation with Mary Barra
2024-05-23 11:00 - 14:00 (America/Detroit) | MotorCity Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI, 48201, United States

YL Networking Event: Spring Swing Putt-Putt
2024-05-16 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Detroit) | Royal Oak Golf Center, 3500 Edgar Ave, Royal Oak, MI, 48226, United States

Forever Disrupting: T-Mobile’s Evolution From Underdog to Leader in Wireless and Beyond
2024-05-02 11:00 - 13:30 (America/Detroit) | MotorCity Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI, 48201, United States

Attack from Within: How Disinformation is Sabotaging America
2024-04-23 11:00 - 13:30 (America/Detroit) | MotorCity Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI, 48201, United States

Possible and Profitable: Clean Energy & Decarbonization
2024-04-17 11:00 - 13:30 (America/Detroit) | MotorCity Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI, 48201, United States

The 2024 Detroit Lions Draft…and Detroit are on The Clock
2024-04-11 11:00 - 13:30 (America/Detroit) | MotorCity Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI, 48201, United States

YL CEO SERIES: Brigadier General Michael B. Lalor
2024-03-13 09:30 - 12:30 (America/Detroit) | Detroit Arsenal, 6501 East Eleven Mile Rd., Warren, 48397, United States

2023 - 2024 Detroit Red Wings
2024-02-28 12:00 - 14:30 (America/Detroit) | MotorCity Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI, 48201, United States

A Conversation with Senator Joe Manchin
2024-02-26 11:00 - 13:30 (America/Detroit) | The Masonic, 500 Temple St, Detroit, MI, 48201, United States

DEC Presents: Secretary Yellen Joins Governor Whitmer @ DEC
2024-02-14 11:00 - 13:30 (America/Detroit) | Huntington Place, 1 Washington Blvd,, Detroit, MI 48226, MI, 48070, United States

Advancing the Energy Backbone of Michigan’s Economy – Utilizing all the Tools in the Toolbox
2024-02-06 11:00 - 13:30 (America/Detroit) | MotorCity Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI, 48201, United States

2024 Michigan Economic Outlook
2024-01-16 11:00 - 13:30 (America/Detroit) | MotorCity Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI, 48201, United States

No Labels
2023-12-13 11:00 - 13:30 (America/Detroit) | MotorCity Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI, 48201, United States
