Chamber of Commerce President, Michael Seward to Retire.
January 14, 2015
1 Comments
By: Josh Sharrow
Michael Seward
Michael D. Seward, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, announced his retirement today after
more than 12 years of serve to the Bay Area community. Seward will begin his
retirement in early February.
"Mike has done an amazing job as president of the Bay Area Chamber. He has
worked hard to better the business environment and the quality of life in our
area over the past 12 years. He will be missed but not forgotten. I think Mike
may find retirement a bit boring compared to the life he's been living," said Al
Blinke; Chairman, Bay Area Chamber of Commerce.
Seward became president and CEO of the Chamber in October, 2002. Since
then the Chamber has taken on new and expanded programs and services to
better serve its members and the Bay Area community.
The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce is the premier business leadership
organization in the Bay Area.
According to Seward, "Our role is to improve the economic climate, business
environment and quality of living throughout the Bay Area!"
In addition to his leadership of the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, Michael
has actively participated in a wide variety of community improvement service
organizations. Seward has served as Chairman of the Board of the Great Lakes
Bay Regional Alliance, Bay Future, Inc. and the community's Karn/Weadock
Development Committee. He has also served as a member of the Board of
Directors of United Way of Bay County, Rotary Club of Bay City, Great Lakes
Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau and Boy Scouts of America.
Michael came to the Great Lakes Bay Region from the Chicago Southland
Chamber where as President and CEO from 1992-2002, he served 72
communities with a total population of 3.5 million.
In his retirement, Michael and his wife, Debra, will relocate to Lakeland,
Seward reported that here in the Bay Area, our business leaders are doing their
part to meet our dynamic visions for the Bay Area, including revitalizing
Downtown Bay City and building Uptown Bay City.
According to Seward, the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce is also actively supporting efforts to:
- Improve & Beautify our entry ways to Bay City.
- Clean our beaches and build new water oriented recreational
developments along the Bay such as the Paraleon Pier.
- Recruit a 4 year college or university to the Bay Area.
- Improve highways and roads, including US10 interchanges and
improvements of Mackinaw and Garfield roads.
- Support attraction of new flights to MBS Airport.
- Establish new economic development initiatives with Bay Future.
- Work with Great Lakes Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau to
recruit new visitors to the Bay Area.
- Team with the Saginaw Chamber on efforts to deepen the Saginaw
River Deep Water channel.
- Implement a blue ribbon panel to help find ways to reduce red
tape, taxes and fees for area businesses.
- Work with local governments on cost sharing of services to improve
efficiency and service delivery.
Also announced today is the appointment of Al Blinke, WNEM-TV Vice
President/General Manager, as the new Chairman of the Bay Area Chamber of
There will be a search committee that will begin a nationwide search for
Seward's replacement.
"The BUZZ" - Read Feedback From Readers!
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mseward Says:
On January 15, 2015
at 09:53 AM
Josh, thank you for your fantastic involvement and support for YOUR Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. Your positive involvement has made a real difference. I will continue to read MyBayCity.com and, along with millions around the world, listen to Last Choice Country radio.
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Josh Sharrow
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Sharrow is the Sales Manager, columnist, writer, coffee maker for O.J. Advertising and an on-air personality for 98 KCQ.
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