He’s been one of the most influential business leaders in the state of Michigan for more than a quarter of a century, but at the end of the year, he’s hanging it up and retiring to North Carolina.
Doug Rothwell, the dynamic and straight forward President and CEO for Business Leaders for Michigan — the state’s business roundtable — has announced this morning that he will hit the bricks on New Year’s Eve, wrapping up a stellar career at the helm of several highly influential organizations over the years, heading into retirement.
Rothwell has led Business Leaders for Michigan and its predecessor organization, Detroit Renaissance, for the past fifteen years. Born and raised in Philadelphia, he worked as a senior executive for four governors in two states and two Fortune 50 companies.
Gerry Anderson, Executive Chairman of DTE Energy and Board Chair for the business roundtable organization says, “Doug has been one of the state’s most influential leaders for over a quarter century,” and adds, “He’s respected by leaders in business, government and community service across the state and founded two highly consequential organizations.” Those are the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Business Leaders for Michigan. Anderson adds, “He was always about putting Michigan first rather than a particular region, interest or party. He leaves a big imprint on many programs, policies and places in our state that have helped grow the economy.”
In the public sector, Doug was Delaware’s Chief of Staff and Chief Executive of Michigan’s Economic Development Corporation, in addition to chairing both incoming and outgoing gubernatorial transition teams. In the business world, he managed General Motors’ 400 million square foot global real estate portfolio and was the CAO at Bank of America’s credit card subsidiary and part of the IPO team.
In the nonprofit sphere, Doug successfully transitioned Detroit Renaissance from a Detroit-centric organization to a statewide one, bringing all regions and industries to one common table to solve Michigan’s toughest challenges. He is also credited with successfully pairing business, education and philanthropy to create a sustained effort aimed at improving Michigan’s K-12 education system: Launch Michigan.
Doug graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Master of Public Administration degree, the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Arts degree and the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School’s Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government. He’s a former Presidential Management Fellow and has received the most prestigious honors awarded by the National Governors Association and the University of Delaware for his public service.
Doug and his wife Sharon will relocate to Chapel Hill, North Carolina upon his retirement. For his part, Rothwell says, “When Sharon and I were recruited to Michigan 27 years ago by Gov. John Engler, we came because of the people and the beauty of the state,” and concludes, “We will always be grateful for the opportunities this great state has provided us – not only professionally but also through many treasured friendships.”
A national search will be conducted to fill the position, with a successor expected to be announced in November of 2020.
Business Leaders for Michigan, the state’s business roundtable, is dedicated to making Michigan a Top Ten state for jobs, personal income and a healthy economy. The organization is composed exclusively of the executive leaders of Michigan’s largest companies and universities. Its members drive nearly 40-percent of the state’s economy, generate over $1-trillion in annual revenue and educate nearly half of all Michigan public university students. You can find them on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
