The Washtenaw Economic Club will host keynote speaker Mark de la Vergne from Michigan Central on Thursday, September 11.
Widely recognized as one of the nation’s leading voices in transportation and mobility innovation, de la Vergne will speak about “Driving Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Michigan Central.”
The luncheon will be at 11:30 a.m. in the Morris Lawrence Building on the Washtenaw Community College campus, 4800 E. Huron River Drive (see map/directions). Tickets are available online.
As Director of Economic Innovation and Policy at Michigan Central, de la Vergne shapes public-private partnerships, develops strategies to scale start-ups and emerging technologies and positions Michigan Central as a national model for how innovation districts can spark economic growth.
He launched programs and partnerships for the Detroit Mayor’s Office that became national blueprints for how cities can collaborate with the private sector to implement new mobility solutions. At Cavnue, a smart roads company, he spearheaded the development of the country’s first dedicated connected and automated laneway.
Additionally, de la Vergne writes Capitol Rebuild, a blog that examines the successes and struggles of America’s state capitals through the lens of economic development, urbanism and innovation.
The Washtenaw Economic Club is a forum for business leaders to identify and discuss economic issues and decision-making processes for the business community.
The club will wrap up its 2025 season with a final luncheon on November 13. Tickets,
as well as information on becoming a sponsor, are available online.
If You Go
WHAT: Washtenaw Economic Club Speaker Series
TOPIC: “Driving Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Michigan Central,” featuring keynote speaker Mark de la Vergne
WHEN: 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 11
WHERE: Washtenaw Community College, Morris Lawrence Building, 4800 E. Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor