business


THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE Moving Up


October 13-19, 2010 Page C-6


Jonathan Anibal


Gale Pitts


Tom Beard


Accounting professionals honored at Michigan APA Award Dinner


The Board of Directors of


the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants (MACPA) and its president and CEO, Peggy A. Dzierza- wski, recently announced the 2010 award recipients at the MACPAs annual Awards Dinner.


The evening was a celebra-


tion of those who have made an impact in their industry and in the community.


“We are really amazed at Ed Welburn.


global design leader (a remarkable man doing a remarkable job)


Ed Welburn, GM


By Catherine Kelly SPECIAL CONTRIBUTING EDITOR TO THE NNPA


Innovative design, understanding and the im-


portance of diversity are guiding philosophies for Ed Welburn, General Motors vice president of Global Design. “Exposure. Reading. Travel, whenever possible…and don’t be afraid to take risks,” says Welburn about the preparation for living and working in an increasingly global world.


Since 2003, Welburn, 59, is only the sixth


design leader in General Motors’ history and heads what may be the largest design organi- zation in the world. He leads 10 design cen- ters in eight countries and manages 1,500 creative personalities. It’s not uncommon to find Welburn at a


6 a.m. design review or on a late night confer- ence call — he is, after all, accommodating the world’s time zones. Design is around the clock work at a global company.


After the well-publicized news of General


Motors’ financial woes, subsequent bailout and new stock offering, the company is maintain- ing its commitment to design. And Welburn is leading the effort.


Welburn, one of the highest-ranking Black


automobile executives in the world, says much of his inspiration comes from his background. He has loved automobiles since he was a child when his father, a car enthusiast himself, took him to an auto show in Philadelphia.


Welburn received his art training from


Howard University in Washington, D.C. He attended the historically Black college in the early 1970s and said the “interdisciplinary” aspect of the experience prepared him for his current role that an art school could not have.


“Life began to open up quite a bit for me


when I went to Howard University. The School of Fine Arts was a fascinating place. Art, music and drama…with students like Debbie Allen, Roberta Flack, Phylicia Rashad and Donny Hathaway,” said Welburn in an interview with the Black press. He recalls hearing Flack play the piano when he was on his way to class and believes his time at Howard contributed to his creative development.


Welburn said studying sculpture at Howard


made his drawings much “looser” and him a better designer: “Some of my favorite courses were the life drawing classes. Some of my first drawings were stiff and mechanical but by the time I left, my work had more emotion, pas- sion…good car design has passion.”


Along with his everyday work, Welburn is


still involved in the arts. General Motors hosts art shows at its design center and the auto ex- ecutive has been known to paint in his private time. He believes that creativity offers value and opportunity. While many parents may encour- age their children to stay on more traditional


the many significant contribu- tions of our members to the accounting profession and to their communities in the past year,” said Dzierzawski. “At the Michigan Association of CPAs, we truly believe in achieving professional great- ness and these award recipi- ents demonstrate just that.”


In addition to recognizing


those in outgoing positions with the MACPA, the following are the 2010 MACPA Award Recipients:


Jeffrey D. Bergeron (Bir-


mingham): Distinguished Ser- vice Award for his leadership in the accounting profession and remarkable work ensur- ing positive relationships be- tween the MACPA and Michi- gans largest accounting firms. He has also been a key advo- cate for legislation benefiting CPAs including the CPA Mo- bility Act.


Township):


Thomas H. Beard (Clinton Distinguished


Service Award for his out- standing service to the MACPA including his term as chair of the board, and service on nu- merous task forces and com- mittees. He has been a member of the MACPA for more than 25 years, and a dedicated am- bassador for the accounting profession.


Sean P. Keenan (Bloom-


field): Distinguished Achieve- ment Award for his outstand- ing leadership, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expe- rience to the organization as a past chair of the board and active participant in MACPA initiatives. Keenan spearhead- ed MACPAs involvement in the Komen Race for the Cure. A 30 year member of the MACPA, his has been a mentor, an am- bassador for the accounting profession, and an extraordi- nary role model for all CPAs.


Jon Anibal (Commerce


Twp.): Outgoing MACPA Chair Award for his outstand- ing service as chair of the MACPA. Seeing the big pic- ture, he served the members of the board and organization well, making a difference in the future of the MACPA and the profession.


Gail Sparks Pitts (West


Bloomfield): Outgoing MACPA Board Officer Award for her


outstanding leadership, bring- ing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the organization as a board member and past chair. Her leadership is dem- onstrated by her commitment and devotion to students, and her understanding the need to build for the future of the ac- counting profession.


Employee Benefits Task Force: Outstanding Task Force Award


James J. Leisenring (Ridgefield, CT)), Leslie Payment (Howell), Mike Slomski (Grosse Pointe Woods): Special Recognition Award Lisa Howze (Detroit): Di- versity Award Daniel Brickner, Kent State University: Accounting Teaching Excellence Award Rob- ert A. Bovitz (Canton): Public Service Award Edward S. Kiss- corni (Grandville): Thomas Hoatlin Award John H. Higgins (Roch- ester), John M. Rickel (Grosse Pointe Shores), Gail Sparks Pitts (West Bloomfield): Chairs Service Award Robert R. Harris: Out- standing Visionary Award State Rep. Andrew J. Kandrevas (Southgate): Legislative Impact Award The Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants is a diversified, professional, member-driven organization serv- ing more than 17,000 CPAs and affiliated professionals throughout Michigan. Visit MACPAs web site at www.michcpa.org .


DTE Energy honored for supplier diversity initiatives


DTE Energy recently received


two prestigious awards recognizing its work in creating opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses.


“ The Rainbow/PUSH Coalition Some of my favorite courses were


the life drawing classes. Some of my first drawings were stiff and mechanical but by the time I left, my work had more emotion, passion…good car design has passion.


career paths, he believes there is opportunity in creative fields such as design.


” “Parents tend to direct (children) to fields


they know they will be accepted in. … We have a building full of sculptors, artists who are working in the industry.”


Welburn, who regularly travels to Brazil, Co-


lumbia, Argentina and China, also says cultural fluency and diversity are important. Although, it’s sometimes hard to try new things, adven- ture and being open-minded are important as- pects of his work, and has helped him in his current position.


“I took an assignment in Germany and I


wondered if I would be accepted. I didn’t have a place to get my hair cut so that was something to deal with but I love the cultural diversity… the challenges.”


Welburn says the future of General Motors


is in global collaboration. “It is the future,” says Welburn. “The devel-


opment of the new Buick Lacrosse is a very good example of a collaboration of disciplines.”


The car, sold in the United States and China,


is the result of German engineers and U.S. and Chinese design teams.


“It is far better than either team would have done separately…,” he says.


— Ed Welburn General Motors Vice President of Global Design,


presented the company with its Building Bridges Award Oct. 1 for leadership in building economic opportunities that enhance com- munity and business development.


DTE Energy was recognized Oct.


5 by the Michigan Minority Supplier Diversity Council as Corporation of the Year – Consumer Products, for its efforts to include certified mi- nority suppliers in its procurement program, assisting in the develop-


ment of minority suppliers, and for promoting supplier diversity within the company, as well as with its vendors and other businesses and organizations.


The company was the recipient


of both awards in 2008 as well. “DTE Energy firmly believes


that supplier diversity is critical to the success of our economy, our company and the communities we serve,” said Tony Tomczak, DTE Energy’s director of purchasing. “We are honored that our work has again been recognized by the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition and the MMSDC.”


Tony Tomczak


NSF International receives Washtenaw County, Environmental Excellence Award


The Washtenaw County,


Mich., Water Resource Com- missioner’s Office and En- vironmental Health Division has named NSF Internation- al, a not-for-profit organiza- tion committed to protecting public health and the envi- ronment, the recipient of its 2010 Washtenaw County Envi- ronmental Excellence Award, which recognizes businesses and non-profit organizations that have implemented envi- ronmentally-sound practices in the areas of water quality protection, waste reduction, recycling and pollution pre- vention.


NSF was selected for this


award as a result of its out- standing work with the county Waste Knot program, the Community Partners for Clean Streams program and the Pol- lution Prevention Program:


• Waste Knot is a voluntary pro- gram for Washtenaw County


organizations demonstrating exceptional waste reduction and recycling initiatives. NSF practices regular recycling and waste reduction, which includes employee educa- tion, purchasing recycled- content products and incor- porating these practices into its policies.


• Community Partners for Clean Streams is a voluntary program that helps protect Washtenaw County’s wa- terways through pollution- prevention initiatives. NSF undergoes regular water quality assessments to verify that no harmful pol- lutants are discharged into waterways. NSF’s Drinking Water Treatment lab, which tests residential and com- mercial water treatment and filtration products, recycles more than 2 million gallons of water annually.


• Washtenaw County Pollu-


tion Prevention Program manages pollution preven- tion in accordance with the Washtenaw County Pollution Prevention Regulation. NSF has demonstrated superior conformity to the program through an excellent record of inspections, maintaining an Environmental Manage- ment System (ISO 14001) and a Pollution Prevention Plan, which outline policies and procedures for prevent- ing environmental contami- nation.


NSF practices sustainabil-


ity throughout its own op- erations. NSF International earned Silver LEED certifica- tion (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) from the U.S. Green Building Council for its 80,000 square foot laboratory addition in 2007. NSF has recycled more than 5,100 pounds of metals (copper, brass and stainless steel) so far this year.


Wayne County Community College District opens Workforce training 24-hour hotline


Wayne County Community College District


(WCCCD) ecently introduced its Workforce Transforma- tion 24-hour Hotline, offering corporations, businesses, government entities and the public convenient access to the finest professional training programs available in the nation.


“These are difficult times and we wanted to be able


to provide immediate response to people inquiring about how WCCCD can help them tackle today’s trans- formational challenges in their careers, workforce or businesses,” said Chancellor Dr. Curtis Ivery.


“Since the Hotline became operational, we have received nearly 500 calls. We know the demand is


great and we want to make sure when companies, non- profits or students think workforce training, they think WCCCD.”


WCCCD’s Workforce Transformation Centers offer


career and workforce development training in 107 pro- grams such as healthcare, alternative energy, business development and public safety. Workforce develop- ment programs are custom designed for individual workplaces.


“The global job market is changing and WCCCD is


ready to ensure that the students, businesses, govern- ments and corporations in our local communities are prepared to meet these growing demands,” Ivery said.


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