DETROIT – Business Leaders for Michigan today announced that Gary Torgow has been elected chairman of the Board of the state’s business roundtable. Torgow, chairman of Huntington Bank, succeeds Howard Ungerleider, president and chief financial officer of Dow, starting in January.
Vice chairs of the Business Leaders Board include Hank Meijer, executive chairman of Meijer, Inc; Tina Freese Decker, president and CEO of Corewell Health; Chris Ilitch, president and CEO, Ilitch Companies; Jerry Norcia, chairman and CEO of DTE; Garrick J. Rochow, president and CEO of CMS Energy and Consumers Energy; Ronald E. Hall, president and CEO, Bridgewater Interiors; Michael J. Jandernoa, founder, 42 North Partners; and James P. Keane, former president and CEO, Steelcase.
“Gary demonstrates every day what it means to be a champion for our state and its people. His work to bring people together and find common ground will continue to help Michigan become a stronger and more competitive state where everyone can succeed,” said Jeff Donofrio, Business Leaders for Michigan president and CEO.
“Howard’s thoughtful leadership has been instrumental in advancing our Compete to Win strategy to improve Michigan’s competitiveness, and we thank him for his outstanding work and leadership on behalf of Business Leaders,” Torgow said. “As Business Leaders for Michigan, we are driving impactful change in our state that benefits the well-being of all Michiganders. I look forward to continuing working with the entire Board and its CEO, Jeff Donofrio, to build a state where businesses want to invest and grow, and people want to live and work.”
Business Leaders for Michigan is dedicated to making Michigan a Top 10 state for jobs, education, widely shared prosperity and a healthy economy. The organization is composed of the executive leaders of Michigan’s largest companies and universities. The members drive 40% of the state’s economy, employ more than 540,000 people in Michigan, generate over $1 trillion in annual revenue and serve more than half of all Michigan public university students. The organization’s work is guided by the Compete to Win Plan, a comprehensive strategy for how government, community, education and business leaders can help the state compete nationally and globally for people, jobs and economic growth. Earlier this year, the organization released its Framework for Holistic Economic Development to help Michigan prepare now for the future it wants; ensure Michigan’s talent is a differentiator; and to make Michigan the easiest state for people and businesses to grow.
Torgow was named Chairman of Huntington Bank in June 2021. He previously served as chairman of TCF, Chemical Financial and Talmer Bancorp. Before joining Talmer, Torgow founded and chaired the Sterling Group, a Michigan-based real estate, development, and investment company.
Torgow serves on the board of DTE Energy Company and as a director of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. He serves as a trustee of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and is on the boards of the Detroit Regional Partnership and the Skillman Foundation. He also serves as board president for Yeshiva Beth Yehudah school and The Jewish Federation of Detroit.
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Learn more about Business Leaders for Michigan: www.businessleadersformichigan.com.
