Business leaders share ideas with Secretary of State Johnson

Secretary of State Ruth Johnson last week joined business and industry leaders from across Michigan during the first meeting of her Business Roundtable, which is tasked with finding ways to promote public/private partnerships and improve customer service while stretching every tax dollar further. "I thank all the members of the Business Roundtable, who are generously sharing their time and expertise in a way that benefits all Michigan residents," Johnson said. "With their help, we will find new ways to offer the best possible service at the lowest possible cost and make Secretary of State services more convenient for our customers." Members of the Business Roundtable, which is expected to meet quarterly, include: * Pete Beauregard Jr., president of Colony Marine. * Ron Boji, president of the Boji Group, LLC, who also played a leadership role in the mid-Michigan computer industry as a representative of large computer hardware and software firms. * Stephanie Brackenridge, operations service manager of Meijer, Inc. * Terry Burns, executive vice president of the Michigan Auto Dealers Association. * Tim DeWitt, executive director of the Michigan Manufactured Housing, RV & Campground Association. * Ed Doss, the owner of Waters RV in Waters, Mich. * Michael Finney, president and CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. * Sherrill Freeborough, the owner-dealer of Hyundai of Lansing. * Michael J. Gingell, vice president of corporate development for Polk and chairman of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners. * Gary Granger, founder, owner, and president of Granger Group, a national real estate brand development company. * Pete Kuhnmuench, executive director of The Insurance Institute of Michigan. * Jim Murray, president of AT&T Michigan. * John Ropp, president of the Michigan Boating Industries Association. * Bob Shuman, owner of Shuman Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Walled Lake. * Todd Wyett, partner/chief executive officer of VERSA. Wyett was also appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder in January 2011 to the Michigan State Transportation Commission. Johnson also has met with business, industry and job providers across Michigan to find out how the Secretary of State's Office can help them cut through government red tape so they can help get Michigan back to work. For more information about the Michigan Secretary of State's Office, visit the Secretary of State website at www.Michigan.gov/sos or sign up for the official Secretary of State Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/Michsos or Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/Michigansos. Published: Wed, Aug 3, 2011