Start Your Day Off With a Taste of Michigan's Economy at Walsh College Novi Campus

NOVI, Mich., May 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- In collaboration with Oakland County businesses and elected officials, Walsh College will host a free Business Roundtable Breakfast focusing on Michigan's economy, to be held on Friday, May 17, from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Walsh College Novi Campus in Room 502.

Walsh College President Stephanie Bergeron will host Senator Mike Kowall (R-White Lake, 15^th District), Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, Novi Mayor Bob Gatt, as well as members of the public, for an open discussion on the state's current economic climate. 

"As one of Southeast Michigan's largest business colleges, we believe it's important to take an active role in educating the community on current issues in the region," said Walsh College President Stephanie Bergeron. "We are very excited to host some of Michigan's brightest economic minds on our campus."

Senator Kowall is serving his first term in the Michigan Senate after being elected in November 2010.  He also served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 1998 to 2002, and most recently was the supervisor of White Lake Township. Kowall currently chairs the Senate Economic Development Committee.

L. Brooks Patterson is serving his sixth four-year term as Oakland County Executive after winning re-election in 2012. Patterson oversees a $780 million recommended annual budget for the county, which encompasses nearly 4,000 employees. Under Patterson, Oakland County is the first county in the nation to adopt a balanced three-year, rolling line-item budget. This was cited by Wall Street as among the reasons the county has received an AAA bond rating, one of only three counties in the nation to receive such a rating. Mr. Patterson also founded Automation Alley in 1998, southeast Michigan's premier high-tech consortium, which has more than 1,000 companies as members.

Mayor Gatt is currently serving his first two-year term as Mayor of Novi after being elected in November, 2011. Previously, Gatt served two, four-year terms on the Novi City Council from 2003-2011, including his position as the Mayor Pro-Tem in 2008. Prior to joining public office, Gatt spent 27 years in law enforcement with the Novi Police Department.

To attend the event, registration is required by Wednesday, May 15. A complimentary continental breakfast will be provided by the Suburban Collection Showplace and President Blair Bowman. To register, please visit www.walshcollege.edu/NoviRoundtable.

WALSH COLLEGE
Founded in 1922, Walsh College, one of Southeast Michigan's largest business schools, offers upper-division undergraduate and graduate business and technology degrees and certificate programs at locations in Troy, Novi, Clinton Township, and Port Huron, as well as online. Walsh's business services division offers the Walsh Institute, designed to provide solutions for businesses through training, continuing education and consulting. Walsh is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (www.ncahlc.org; phone: 312-263-0456) and the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE, www.iacbe.org). The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP, http://www.acbsp.org/) accredits specific degree programs.

SOURCE Walsh College