Michael MacDonald

Former Senator Michigan State Senate (Michigan)

Michael MacDonald served as a member of the Michigan Senate, representing the 10th district from January 1, 2019, to January 1, 2023. While in the Michigan Senate, he served on several committees including Appropriations, Health Policy and Human Services, Appropriations Subcommittee on Community Health/Human Services, Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government, Economic and Small Business Development, Appropriations Subcommittee on Licensing and Regulatory Affairs/Insurance and Financial Services, Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Appropriations Subcommittee on Universities and Community Colleges.

Before being elected to the state senate, Dr. MacDonald worked in the health care field as an exercise physiologist and personal trainer for nearly 10 years before obtaining a Doctoral Degree in Health Care Administration in 2015. Michael MacDonald serves as vice president of the Michigan Air Force Association, as a board member of the Friends of Macomb Township Foundation, and as a Clinton Township Kiwanis Club member. Today, Michael continues to focus on serving the State of Michigan through several innovative projects to create jobs, educate and train workers, and spur economic development.

Mike has the unique distinction of being the Co-founder of Michigan's first-ever bi-partisan aerospace and defense caucus as well as being the host of the MI Senate Memorial Ceremony in all his years as a Senator.

LinkedIn Profile: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-michael-d-macdonald-mba-dha-23b26259/⁠

Johnny Taylor - Vice President of Job Corps Operations Serrato Corporation (Kansas)

Johnny is a team player with the ability to motivate others and build strong teams that collaborate to achieve desired outcomes. With nearly 30 years of experience in Job Corps, he is an established leader who spent his career helping and coaching young people. He began his career in teaching before making the transition to Job Corps.

Johnny discusses how if grew up in a single-parent home following the death of his father with 7 kids. His journey of survival and success culminates in an interesting conversation about his personal and professional growth.

During this interview, Johnny also explains his accidental entrance into working with Job Corps programs. Early on, he pioneered new programs to advance initiatives in youth programs that helped to elevate student outcomes.

Through the conversation, Johnny provides an insightful overview of the U.S. Job Corps program and how Job Corps is impacting young people and workforce development around the country. Job Corps is the nation’s largest free, residential career training and education program for low-income young adults ages 16 through 24. With 10 industries to pick from and countless careers to explore, Job Corps has an opportunity for anyone ready to work hard and grow. For over 60 years, Job Corps has helped thousands of students pave their path to success.

Johnny’s success in developing effective workforce programs across the country is paving a path for helping young people achieve their career goals.

Company Website: https://serratocorp.com/

U.S. Job Corps Website: https://www.jobcorps.gov

Ron Lamparter, Entrepreneur, Inventor, and Investor Founder, Defense Corridor Center for Collaboration and Synergy (DC3S) (Michigan)

Ron Lamparter is a Native Detroiter born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He attended Detroit Public Schools before graduating from Wayne University with a degree in Engineering.

Ron is a Serial Entrepreneur having Founded and served as Chairman and CEO for over 20 different companies. He has also been awarded over 100 patents by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Many of the companies built were technology-based industrial-type operations. He credits his business success to the effective “collaboration and synergy” created with other people and companies. He retired at the age of 49 but continued to remain active within the community and investments.

From his early roots in Michigan and his strong sense of patriotism, Ron views the State of Michigan as a global leader and as a “center of excellence” for many different technologies.

One of his most recent projects was the conversion of 135,000 square feet of space at his 10-acre headquarters into a state-of-the-art R&D, testing, and technology complex, now home to more than 35 companies. He created a nonprofit named the Defense Corridor Center for Collaboration and Synergy (DC3S), with the goal of drawing and enhancing defense opportunities for Michigan-based firms.

The facility is complete with a virtual simulation lab, a 48-seat amphitheater, an exhibit and work space for large military vehicles, multipurpose rooms, a fully equipped kitchen, and numerous other amenities. Throughout the complex, large framed posters adorn nearly every hallway. Each one touts Michigan’s military manufacturing prowess.

The facility serves as a bridge connecting the region’s military accomplishments — from the Ford Rouge Plant in Dearborn, which manufactured Eagle boats for use during World War I, to the Ford Willow Run factory, which produced B-24 Liberator bombers at the rate of one aircraft per hour during World War II — to a future marked by opportunity and uncertainty. DC3S provides small- and medium-sized companies access to technologies they could never afford in the marketplace.

As a pioneer, inventor, entrepreneur, investor, and community leader, Ron continues to have a huge impact on Detroit and the State of Michigan. His lifetime of innovation and legacy will continue to shape the future of the state for many generations.

Website: https://www.dc3s.com/contact/