business

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

April 14- 20, 2010 Page A-7

Airport Authority’s Lori Ballard Named among Top 10 Michigan Women in Business

Lori Ballard, small business facilitator for

Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA), has been named among the 2010 Top 10 Michigan Women in Business by the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Greater Detroit Chapter.

“The Airport Authority is extremely proud of

Lori on this well-deserved honor,” said WCAA CEO Lester Robinson. “She has truly been a champion for building collaborative business relationships with various organizations and entities whose charge is to promote opportunities for small, mi- nority and women-owned businesses.

The annual awards program, now in its 16th

year, recognizes women who are making a dif- ference in Michigan businesses. Each of the ten awards recognizes an individual for their specific, exemplary contributions. Ballard was specifically honored with this year’s Red Tape Buster award, which is bestowed upon a woman in government that has consistently demonstrated commitment to helping women business owners. She was nominated by a member of NAWBO.

“We had a phenomenal group of nominees this

Detroit Metro Airport

Delta seeks to link Detroit hub with Sao Paulo, Brazil

Delta Air Lines recently

announced that it has filed with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to begin new, nonstop service between Detroit Metro Airport and Sao Paulo, Brazil, effective Nov. 4, strengthening Detroit’s role as major East Coast international gateway for the world’s largest airline.

In response to this an-

nouncement, Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA) ex- ecutives issued the following statement of support:

“Today’s announcement

further strengthens Detroit Metro Airport’s role as the second largest hub and a

global gateway for the world’s largest airline, which is a huge part of what makes DTW such a powerful economic asset to Southeast Michigan,” said WCAA CEO Lester Robinson.

“Detroit’s first nonstop ser-

vice south of the equator will be a boon for our automakers that need more convenient access to the emerging Bra- zilian market,” said Joe Cam- bron, WCAA director of Air Service Development. “The Airport Authority has been working with Delta to make the case for this service for some time and we look forward to supporting its success.”

Detroit Metro Airport (DTW)

is the second-largest hub for Delta, the world’s largest airline. Having served more than 31 million passengers in 2009, DTW is the busiest airport in Michigan and ranks as one of the world’s busiest air transportation hubs. DTW, along with nearby Willow Run Airport, is operated by Wayne County Airport Authority, which was established by the Michigan State Legislature in 2002 as an independent gov- ernment agency responsible for safe and efficient operation of the two airport facilities.

For Delta’s announcement,

visit the Delta Newsroom at http://news.delta.com.

Detroit Metro, Willow Run airports win Cargo Awards

Both airports operated by

the Wayne County Airport Authority, Detroit Metropoli- tan Airport (DTW) and Willow Run Airport (YIP), have cap- tured coveted Cargo Awards in recent days.

“Air cargo is an often-over-

looked but critical segment in the business of aviation,” said WCAA CEO Lester Robinson.

Willow Run received the

All Cargo Airport of the Year Award in a ceremony at the conclusion of the Air Cargo India 2010 event sponsored by STAT Times, publishers of Air Cargo Week. Preston Murray, CEO of Willow Run-based Na- tional Air Cargo, collected the award in Mumbai on behalf of the Authority.

Willow Run’s honor came

just days after WCAA was noti- fied that Detroit Metropolitan

year. Our members are moving business forward, and helping to support and uplift a sagging Michi- gan economy. Our honorees are a fantastic group of women, each with very compelling stories of sacrifice and success,” said Leah Arnold, NAWBO Greater Detroit Chapter president-elect.

Ballard joined the Airport Authority upon its es-

tablishment as an independent government entity in 2002 to operate Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) and Willow Run Airport, having previously worked for Wayne County Department of Airports since 2001. In her role as Small Business Facilita- tor, she works to enhance the Airport Authority’s Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program by in- creasing the number of certified SBE companies and increasing the funds spent with SBE certified companies through the use of strategic outreach efforts.

Prior to becoming the small business facilita-

tor, Ballard held the position of business diversity manager operating the Airport Authority’s Disad-

Lori Ballard

vantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program for more than seven years.

Ballard holds a bachelor of science degree

from Mercy College of Detroit, a Master of Science in Administration degree from Central Michigan University, and has served in leadership positions with the international trade organization Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA). She is also a dedicated member of Airport Minority Ad- visory Council (AMAC) and the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council (MMSDC).

The National Association of Women Business

Owners Greater Detroit is committed to Network- ing, Advocacy, Affiliation, and Economic Oppor- tunity for Women Business Owners, serving Oak- land, Wayne, Macomb and Washtenaw counties.

First GM ride, drive event hosted by Hartford Church

The newest Chevrolets,

magazine in the category of Airports North America – 100,000 to 499,999 tons per year.

“The Award of Excellence is

earned by achieving superior ratings in the key measure- ment areas of performance, value, facilities and opera- tions,” said Steve Prince, pub- lisher of Air Cargo World.

“These awards underscore

Cargo award

Airport won an ACE Award of Excellence in the fifth annual Air Cargo Excellence Survey sponsored by Air Cargo World

the importance of these two airports in terms of facilitat- ing commerce in our region,” said Wayne County Execu- tive Robert Ficano. “As part of our international strategy, the Detroit Region Aerotropo- lis, anchored by these two air transportation facilities, will provide a tremendous oppor- tunity to create jobs and eco- nomic prosperity for Michi- gan’s future.”

Buicks, GMCs and Cadillacs will be available for a ride and drive at the Hartford Memorial Baptist Church on Sunday, April 18, following worship services.

Organizers say this will be

the first event of its kind to be held at a Detroit-area church. Hartford members and the general public will have the op- portunity to see and test drive the latest, top-of-the-line GM vehicles. The new, highly-an- ticipated Chevy Volt will also be available for review.

The purpose of the event,

sponsored by GM Minority Suppliers and Dealers, is to give attendees an opportunity to experience GM vehicles and ask questions without pressure. But if there are questions about purchasing or leasing a vehicle, loan offi- cers from Comerica Bank and Chase Bank will be on hand to answer questions and GMAC will discuss financial litera- cy. The goal of the event is to build new relationships in the community and highlight the contribution of minority sup- pliers and dealers to the com- munity and local economy.

“Minority suppliers play

an important role in the au- tomotive industry by provid- ing complex and sophisticat-

ed goods and services, says Leon C. Richardson, president of ChemicoMays, recently named a 2009 GM Supplier of the Year.

“We also play an intricate

role in our community by pro- viding employment opportuni- ties, academic scholarships and leadership development. General Motors also believes in community outreach and the Hartford Memorial Bap- tist Church 2010 GM Ride & Drive will allow consumers to directly experience how cor- porations, minority suppliers, dealers and the community are all tied together.”

In addition to the ride and

drive, special GM vehicle dis- count cards, refreshments, and car seat check-ups for children will be available. GM car seat safety experts will also be on hand to demonstrate the proper way to install car seats and answer questions.

“This is a wonderful op-

portunity to do something really special for Hartford Church members. Something that has never been done at a church in Detroit,” comments Dr. Charles G. Adams, pastor of Hartford. “This is directly related to the viability of the community we serve. Minor- ity suppliers help to provide jobs and financial security for

Hartford Memorial Baptist Church Sponsors the

thousands of people in metro- politan Detroit. This Ride and Drive event is a tremendous opportunity to work in part- nership with GM, its minority suppliers and dealers.”

Known for his commitment

to the community, Dr. Adams’ vision is reflected in his com- mendable efforts to revitalize the community. Under his innovative leadership Hart- ford Church has purchased commercial real estate along Seven Mile Road, supporting the establishment of well- known restaurants, such as McDonalds, Long John Sil- vers, Kentucky Fried Chicken and others. A Kmart was built on church property, employing hundreds of local residents. Home Depot now occupies the property and continues to provide employment and tax revenue for the city and state. On other church properties, Hartford has established the Head Start Agency and a tutor- ing program. This is yet an- other way to give back to the community. Hartford Memo- rial Baptist Church has nearly 10,000 members.

For more information about

the Hartford Memorial Baptist Church 2010 Ride and Drive event, call (248) 723-3263.

Ride and Drive

Event Details:

Taylor wins award

Evan Taylor (center) was awarded a certificate and $200 U.S. Savings Bond by the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Pi Tau Omega Chapter on Feb. 13. He was one of the winners of their 2010 Black History Essay Contest, “What I Would Do To Improve Racial Relation in America.” Evan is a junior at Southfield High School. The certificate was presented at the Southfield Library as part of its Black History program. He is pictured with his family and members of the AKA.

Country music superstar Clint Black opens the

Heinz C. Prechter Educational and Performing Arts Center

Country music superstar

Clint Black formally opens the Heinz C. Prechter Edu- cational and Performing Arts Center with an inaugural con- cert Saturday, April 17, 8 p.m. at Wayne County Community College District’s Downriver Campus, 21000 Northline Road in Taylor.

Tickets for this event are

available by calling the Prech- ter Center box office at (734) 374-3200. Box office hours are Monday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. Tickets

range from $30 $75. Concert attendees will be

among the first to view the beautiful concert hall in addi- tion to enjoyingt he music.

The 78,000 square foot

state-of-the-art center in- cludes a 812-seat theatre with orchestra pit, enclosable studio/rehearsal space, ex- hibit and gallery space and 11 classrooms.

It is the latest ad-

dition to WCCCD’s Downriver campus.

The Heinz C. Prechter Edu-

cational and Performing Arts Center at WCCCD will edu- cate, entertain and enrich stu- dents and community mem- bers through a diverse blend of professional entertainment, educational and community programming.

For more information on

WCCCD, please visit www. wcccd.edu. For a listing of all special events throughout the District, please call (313) 496- 2704.

Thank you to Hartford Memorial Baptist Church for hosting this event

18700 James Couzens Freeway - Detroit, MI | 1-248-723-3263

Sunday, April 18th 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Hartford Memorial Baptist Church 18700 James Couzens Freeway Detroit, MI

(See back for a map to the location)

Event Highlights:

◦ Special GM Vehicle Discount Card ◦ Refreshments

◦ Car Seat Check-Up (Must sign up with Church, see bottom for contact info)

No pre-registration necessary YOU MUST BRING A VALID

DRIVERS LICENSE AND BE 21 YEARS OF AGE

Sponsored By: GM Minority Suppliers & Dealers

2010

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