Finney Named CEO

Ann Arbor SPARK / Washtenaw Development Council CEO Named
October 3, 2005

The Washtenaw Development Council (WDC) and Ann Arbor SPARK have named Michigan native Michael A. Finney president and chief executive officer of both organizations. Finney, of Rochester, New York, is currently president and chief executive officer of Greater Rochester Enterprise, the public/private economic development arm of the greater Rochester area.

“This is the culmination of an intensive, six-month search for a chief executive with a unique skill set,” said Rick Snyder, chair of SPARK’s board of directors. “Mike’s track record in Michigan as vice-president of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC’s) emerging business sectors division helps equip him to really ‘jump-start’ our effort,” added Snyder.

Prior to accepting the Rochester position in October, 2002, Finney managed the MEDC’s $1 billion Michigan Life Sciences Corridor initiative that provided seed and grant money to bolster the state’s life science research and commercialization efforts. He held his vice-president post at the MEDC from 2000 to 2002. Previously, he was senior vice president and general manager at Thomson Saginaw Ballscrew Co. in Saginaw for thirteen years and, prior to that, Saginaw assistant city manager for three years.

The boards of directors of SPARK and the Washtenaw Development Council reached agreement in principle in July to search for a joint CEO to lead the two organizations. They also agreed to enter into a good faith effort to merge the two organizations next year. A joint search committee spearheaded the executive search and considered over twenty-five individuals for the post.

Finney established the Rochester, NY office in 2002 and built it up to a staff of ten with a $2.7 million annual budget. It encompasses nine New York counties with a combined population of 1.1 million people.

Bill Milliken, chair of the Washtenaw Development Council, noted that Finney’s track record in business retention, attraction and fund raising was compelling. “Mike Finney’s arrival opens the door and enables us to take our work at the WDC to the next level,” said Milliken.

The Washtenaw Development Council is the lead economic development organization for Washtenaw County. A public and private partnership, the WDC is dedicated to providing a one-stop source of information and services for new, existing, and relocating businesses in Washtenaw County.

About Ann Arbor SPARK
Ann Arbor SPARK is a non-profit organization focused on innovation and startup ventures. It has a three-year fundraising goal of $3 million to cover startup and operating expenses. To date, more than $2 million has been raised from business, academic, government, and community partners including the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, the Herbert and Grace Dow Foundation, Pfizer, Washtenaw County, the City of Ann Arbor, the Bank of Ann Arbor and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.