Your Partner in Growing Your Community

Meet Michigan's Economic Developers

Vicky RadMeet Vicky Rad, Director, Macomb County Planning and Economic Development

How long have you worked in economic development?

Over 10 years. My start in economic development was working for the Macomb Regional Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) in 2008. My role was helping companies diversify into the defense industry during the turmoil of the automotive recession.

Tell us a little bit about your work history.

I am a believer that you fall into economic development and then you fall in love with it. I started my professional career out of high school as an IT recruiter, which led to my degree in computer information systems. I worked for the auto industry coding assembly line software, which gave me my first view at the world of automation. I made the leap from automotive to defense during the first signs of the recession. It was painful to see our economy and the livelihood of our community reliant on one major industry. This was a turning point for me, and I joined the public sector with a mission to help businesses grow and flourish. I worked at the PTAC for almost four years and then joined the Detroit Regional Chamber under a grant-funded program called Connection Point, now a widely successful program at the state called Pure Michigan Business Connect (PMBC). In 2013, I accepted a role in business attraction working for Macomb County and have been able to expand into leadership responsibilities as the deputy director and now the director.

Tell us about your biggest accomplishments in the field.

Every day we are moving the needle. Our most recent accomplishment was a job fair we hosted in partnership with the Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works. In 2018, a major automotive employer rolled out a “right-sizing” strategy and laid off many individuals in the professional service sector. We heard the call from other employers in our county that wanted access to the engineers, designers, and IT professionals. We had over 30 employers and 270 job seekers at the event. Our businesses are different today than 10 years ago. With our help, they have diversified their industry portfolios in automotive, defense, aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Give us a snapshot of your workweek.

I call it spinning plates. There is no typical week, which is why I love what I do. It is being highly adaptable. A typical week includes meeting with partners, forging relationships with businesses, talking with developers and land owners, many conversations with the state, and supporting our 27 local municipalities and communities. I am fortunate to have a team of 25 experienced professionals who are breaking the mold in what is traditional planning and economic development and making a difference in who Macomb County is for those who live, work and play here.

What did you study in college?

Bachelors of Computer Information Systems and a Master of Science in Administration with a concentration in leadership.

If you could turn back time to your college years, what skills and studies would you have focused on to improve your ability to practice economic development?

I feel that my college years all served as a stepping stone to the strategy I bring to planning and economic development. We are a technology-driven economy. The jobs in Macomb County are changing and evolving with the advancements in robotics, automation and IT. The workforce has to adapt to this ‘new collar’ skill set by blending traditional manufacturing with professional services.  We are building a technology cluster in advanced mobility and cybersecurity that did not exist before. Our approach is long term, called Fueling the Talent Pipeline, and it is integrating business within the K-12 schools and programming. Our businesses want to have access to our future workforce and we are making that happen.

How has MEDA helped in your economic development career?

MEDA has helped my career in so many facets. The training, networking, and access to other economic development professionals are a few of the benefits of membership. We have to be creative on how we package and deliver deals and I have learned so much from other leaders in economic development. On a personal note, I really enjoy attending the MEDA events because I can drop the imaginary boundaries and regions that divide us and become one unified voice for the state. MEDA makes an impact and I am proud to be a part of this organization.

Member Login

Corporate Investors

Consumers Energy DTE Logo Small
ITC Logo MEDC 2020 Resized
MSHDA vertical TM Plante Moran Realpoint

Contact Us

Michigan Economic
Developers Association
P.O. Box 15096
Lansing, MI 48901-5096
PH: 517-241-0011
cjorae@medaweb.org