| Our Staff |
Scott Walker
Executive Director
Scott was promoted to Executive Director of Midland Tomorrow in January 2006. He began his tenure at Midland Tomorrow in April 2004, serving as its Economic Development Manager. Previously, Scott worked in the Sales and Business Development Department at TRW Automotive, where he held the position of Six Sigma Black Belt. Prior to that position, Scott spent twelve years with TRW Automotive and other firms in business development and engineering roles calling on Major Manufacturers. He holds an undergraduate engineering degree from Kettering University and an MBA from Michigan State University. Scott brings with him a broad knowledge of business as well as a sophisticated understanding of the needs of the manufacturing community.
Jess Atwell
Economic Development Manager
Jess began his position in May of 2006. He is responsible for maintaining and enhancing the company’s program of retention calls to over 100 of Midland’s economic base businesses, as well as working with the executive director to proactively identify and pursue potential attraction clients. Jess brings to Midland Tomorrow a long history of high-level engagement in business and manufacturing. From early employment at The National Machinery Company in Ohio and Michigan’s Masco Forming Technology, he became Vice President of the Metform division of MacLean-Fogg in Mundelein, Illinois, and subsequently general manager and COO of Bond Robotics in Madison Heights, Michigan. Most recently, Jess was the CEO and managing director of Prestolite Indiel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, a $75 million multi-plant international metal component manufacturer. He led the company’s return to profitability, improving sales revenues by $20 million annually while launching a worldwide supply chain initiative that saved the company $7 million.
Becky Church
Office Manager/Event Coordinator
Becky began her position in June of 2003. Her responsibilities include office management and accounting for five different groups under Midland Tomorrow’s nonprofit status. Becky also handles event planning for a wide range of functions including Midland Tomorrow's annual Awards Program that attracts an audience of over 300 community leaders, as well as Midland Tomorrow's fund development campaign, various partner programs with Michigan State University and other educational institutions, and legislative affairs. Prior to this position, Becky worked for Central Michigan University, her alma mater.
Cliff Miles
Community Development Manager
Cliff began his current position in 1992. Prior to that he served in four Michigan cities as City Manager: Midland, Adrian, Three Rivers and Gaylord. Cliff has also served as Engineer in the City of Ann Arbor Water Department. He earned a B.S.E. in Civil Engineering from the University of Michigan. Current community activities include serving on the Boards of Midland County Council on Aging, Midland Area Community Foundation and the Tri-County Economics Club.
Ryan Richards
Marketing Manager
Ryan began his current position in April of 2005. He is responsible for attraction of targeted national businesses in the chemical and technology industries through research and proactive relationship building. Ryan also prepares and distributes Midland Tomorrow's local and national advertising, annual and quarterly reports, presentations for community interest groups, and other public relations material, and executes on earned media opportunities. In addition, he assists the Event Coordinator with coordination and promotion of special events, such as Midland Tomorrow's annual Awards Program. Prior to this position, Ryan worked as a junior copywriter for Bolger + Battle, Inc. Ryan is a 2004 graduate of Alma College with a B.A. degree in English.
Executive Director
Scott was promoted to Executive Director of Midland Tomorrow in January 2006. He began his tenure at Midland Tomorrow in April 2004, serving as its Economic Development Manager. Previously, Scott worked in the Sales and Business Development Department at TRW Automotive, where he held the position of Six Sigma Black Belt. Prior to that position, Scott spent twelve years with TRW Automotive and other firms in business development and engineering roles calling on Major Manufacturers. He holds an undergraduate engineering degree from Kettering University and an MBA from Michigan State University. Scott brings with him a broad knowledge of business as well as a sophisticated understanding of the needs of the manufacturing community.
Jess Atwell
Economic Development Manager
Jess began his position in May of 2006. He is responsible for maintaining and enhancing the company’s program of retention calls to over 100 of Midland’s economic base businesses, as well as working with the executive director to proactively identify and pursue potential attraction clients. Jess brings to Midland Tomorrow a long history of high-level engagement in business and manufacturing. From early employment at The National Machinery Company in Ohio and Michigan’s Masco Forming Technology, he became Vice President of the Metform division of MacLean-Fogg in Mundelein, Illinois, and subsequently general manager and COO of Bond Robotics in Madison Heights, Michigan. Most recently, Jess was the CEO and managing director of Prestolite Indiel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, a $75 million multi-plant international metal component manufacturer. He led the company’s return to profitability, improving sales revenues by $20 million annually while launching a worldwide supply chain initiative that saved the company $7 million.
Becky Church
Office Manager/Event Coordinator
Becky began her position in June of 2003. Her responsibilities include office management and accounting for five different groups under Midland Tomorrow’s nonprofit status. Becky also handles event planning for a wide range of functions including Midland Tomorrow's annual Awards Program that attracts an audience of over 300 community leaders, as well as Midland Tomorrow's fund development campaign, various partner programs with Michigan State University and other educational institutions, and legislative affairs. Prior to this position, Becky worked for Central Michigan University, her alma mater.
Cliff Miles
Community Development Manager
Cliff began his current position in 1992. Prior to that he served in four Michigan cities as City Manager: Midland, Adrian, Three Rivers and Gaylord. Cliff has also served as Engineer in the City of Ann Arbor Water Department. He earned a B.S.E. in Civil Engineering from the University of Michigan. Current community activities include serving on the Boards of Midland County Council on Aging, Midland Area Community Foundation and the Tri-County Economics Club.
Ryan Richards
Marketing Manager
Ryan began his current position in April of 2005. He is responsible for attraction of targeted national businesses in the chemical and technology industries through research and proactive relationship building. Ryan also prepares and distributes Midland Tomorrow's local and national advertising, annual and quarterly reports, presentations for community interest groups, and other public relations material, and executes on earned media opportunities. In addition, he assists the Event Coordinator with coordination and promotion of special events, such as Midland Tomorrow's annual Awards Program. Prior to this position, Ryan worked as a junior copywriter for Bolger + Battle, Inc. Ryan is a 2004 graduate of Alma College with a B.A. degree in English.
