Three New Directors Join DDP Board

The Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) has elected three new members to its board of directors.

Elected at DDP’s July 25 board meeting were:

• David Foltyn, chair and CEO of Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP
• Sergio Marchionne, chairman and CEO of Chrysler Group LLC and CEO of Fiat S.p.A.
• Steven A. White, chair and CEO of Detroit Renewable Energy LLC (DRE)

“DDP is thrilled to add David, Sergio and Steven to our strong CEO-driven board,” said Cindy Pasky, DDP board chair. “Their depth and breadth of business and civic experience and commitment to Detroit will help us build on our successes as we work together to continue the transformation of Downtown Detroit.”

In addition to his duties as chair and CEO for Honigman, Foltyn is also a partner in the firm’s Corporate and Securities Department where he counsels clients in corporate mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, financial transactions, public offerings and private placements and securities and debt. Recognized as one of the best lawyers in Michigan and America, he is active in the community. He served as the past chairman of the JVS board of governors and currently is on the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit board of governors; the executive committee of Temple Beth El, and board of directors for the United Way of Southeastern Michigan and the Detroit Regional Chamber. He attended college and law school at the University of Michigan where he graduated with high distinction and magna cum laude respectively.

Marchionne is one of the most widely recognizable automotive executives in the world. He is the president of the Board of Directors of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association. He serves on numerous boards and is a barrister, solicitor and chartered accountant. He has undergraduate degrees from the University of Toronto, a bachelor of laws from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University and MBA and bachelor of commerce degrees from the University of Windsor. A dual citizen of Canada and Italy, he is active civically in Turin and Detroit. Marchionne has committed to bringing about 70 Chrysler Group employees Downtown to the Dime Building, which is being renamed Chrysler House and currently serves as the campaign chair for the United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s 2012 campaign.

White has more than 20 years of banking experience with large public sector infrastructure projects. Prior to joining DRE he was a managing director at Morgan Stanley and co-head of its Infrastructure Finance Group. A graduate of Dartmouth with a master’s degree from Northwestern University’s JL Kellogg Graduate School of Management, he is active in the Detroit Community.

“We are excited to be able to work with David, Sergio and Steven as we continue our efforts to make Downtown Detroit a clean, safe and inviting place to live, work and play,” said David Blaszkiewicz, DDP president. “Not only do they bring outstanding world-class experience and credentials to the table, they are also passionate and committed to our mission to transform Downtown Detroit.”