Crain's Detroit Business

26. John Lewis, 62 Managing director Donnelly Penman Capital LLC, Grosse Pointe
Member of the fund's advisory board and chairman of its investment committee. He retired as vice chairman of Comerica Bank in 2006 after a 36-year career. During his tenure, he served as a director of Comerica Inc. and Comerica Bank and was a member of Comerica's management policy committee and management council.
Civic involvement: Oakwood Healthcare Inc. and the Greater Detroit Area Health Council chair, director and past chair of New Detroit Inc., trustee of the Detroit Institute of Arts Founders Society and the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and member of the boards of the Detroit 300 Conservancy, the Downtown Detroit Partnership and the University of Detroit Mercy.
27. Reginald Turner Jr., 50 Member Clark Hill PLC, Detroit
Has performed political duty for both parties, serving on Gov. John Engler's Blue Ribbon Commission on Michigan Gaming and on the Michigan State Board of Education as an appointee of Gov. Jennifer Granholm. Turner resigned in October to devote more time to family, his law practice and other volunteer work "in the educational community."
Past president of the State Bar of Michigan and National Bar Association and past chairman of the United Way for Southeastern Michigan. Serves on the board of Comerica Inc.
Civic involvement: Chairman, Committee on Issue of Concern to the Profession, American Bar Association; vice chair, Detroit Police Foundation; secretary, Greater Wayne County Economic Development Corp.; trustee, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan; member, Detroit Institute of Arts; trustee Hudson-Webber Foundation; director, United Way for Southeastern Michigan.
28. Charles "Chip" McClure, 57 Chairman, president and CEO ArvinMeritor Inc., Troy
As co-chairman of the Detroit Regional Chamber's 2011 Mackinac Policy Conference, McClure has worked to broaden its focus by recruiting CEOs from west Michigan to serve as advisers for conference planning. McClure also has served on the boards of the National Association of Manufacturers, R.L. Polk and Co., and the Detroit Investment Fund. Click here for full profile.
He was a member of the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy and serves on the executive committee of A World in Motion, a program of the SAE Foundation that focuses on science education.
Civic involvement: Director, Business Leaders for Michigan, Detroit Economic Club, Invest Detroit and Cranbrook's Horizons-Upward Bound program; first vice chair, Detroit Regional Chamber.
29. David Hempstead, 60 Partner Bodman LLP, Detroit
Legal counsel - and also considered a gatekeeper - for the Ford family. He specializes in tax, estate planning, probate and charitable trusts. He's president of the Matilda R. Wilson Fund.
Civic responsibilities: Director, College for Creative Studies, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, Detroit Institute of Arts, Edsel & Eleanor Ford House, Henry Ford Health System, Clarence Livingood Fund, Matilda R. Wilson Fund; Wayne State University Law School board of visitors.
30. Lizabeth Ardisana, 58 CEO, principal owner ASG Renaissance, Dearborn
Co-founder of ASG Renaissance, a technical and communication services firm based in Dearborn with offices in California, Washington, South Carolina and Ontario. Was the first woman elected to chair the Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Was the first minority-owned service supplier to receive Ford Motor Co.'s Q1 award. The company has branched out to provide environmental program management and minority supply chain development.
Civic involvement: Focus: HOPE vice chair, Metropolitan Affairs Coalition treasurer, Oakwood Healthcare trustee, Skillman Foundation vice chair, United Way for Southeastern Michigan director, Michigan Colleges Fund trustee, Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce director, Citizens Bank director, Kettering University trustee.
30. William Parfet, 64 Chairman and CEO MPI Research Inc., Mattawan
The economy and consolidation in the pharmaceutical industry have slowed a $330 million expansion plan that includes two former Pfizer Inc. buildings in downtown Kalamazoo. Parfet's great-grandfather founded the Upjohn Co., which ultimately became part of Pfizer. Parfet is a director of Stryker Corp., Monsanto Co. and Taubman Centers Inc.
Civic involvement: Business Leaders for Michigan executive committee, College for Creative Studies trustee, The Nature Conservancy director, A. Alfred Taubman Medical Research Institute leadership advisory board member, Lake Forest College trustee, Greenleaf Trust director.
32. Richard Manoogian, 74 Chairman Masco Corp., Taylor
In recent years, Manoogian has navigated Masco Corp. through an unprecedented falloff in housing construction while remaining one of the region's civic powerhouses. The son of company founder Alex Manoogian runs a mammoth manufacturer of home fixtures, furnishings and paint products and has shown a commitment to personal philanthropy with support for three pivotal projects in Detroit's Midtown area: the Detroit Institute of Arts renovation, establishment of the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit and the Inn on Ferry Street.
Civic involvement: Business Leaders for Michigan director, Detroit Economic Club executive committee member, The Henry Ford trustee, Detroit Institute of Arts director emeritus, Yale University Art Gallery director, Armenian General Benevolent Union Central Board member, Alex and Marie Manoogian Foundation chair, Richard and Jane Manoogian Foundation president and treasurer, Mackinac Island State Park Commission member, Archives of American Art trustee, Savannah College of Art and Design advisory committee.
33. Irma Elder, 80 President and CEO Elder Automotive Group, Troy
Took over a Ford dealership after the death of her husband in 1983 and built it into one of the largest woman-owned businesses in the country. The Mexico-born Elder continued to acquire dealerships during the automotive downturn and today has 11 dealerships selling the Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Jaguar, Land Rover, Aston Martin, Spyker, Fisker and Saab brands in Michigan and Florida.
Civic involvement: College for Creative Studies trustee, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan trustee, Detroit Economic Club executive committee member, Minority Business Roundtable director.
34. Jon Barfield, 59 Chairman and President Bartech Group, Livonia
Owns the fifth-largest staffing services firm in metro Detroit. Won the National Minority Supplier Development Council's Leadership Award in 2008. Serves on the boards of CMS Energy Corp. and National City Corp. and is lead director of Houston-based BMC Software Inc.
Civic involvement: Blue Cross Blue Shield director, Business Leaders for Michigan director, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History trustee, New Detroit Inc. director.
34. Robert Taubman, 57 Chairman, president and CEO Taubman Centers Inc., Bloomfield Hills
Successful second-generation leader who has managed to keep the family company's high-end malls relevant in an atmosphere increasingly dominated by discounters.
Civic involvement: William Beaumont Hospitals director, Business Leaders for Michigan director, The Skillman Foundation trustee, Cranbrook Educational Community trustee and chair of audit committee, Southeastern Michigan Council of Governments director.
36. William Young, 69 Chairman, president and CEO Plastipak Packaging Inc., Plymouth
Has grown his family-owned local company into a global supplier of plastic bottles that is the No. 1 supplier of blow-molded plastic bottles to Pepsico Inc. Revenue was $1.9 billion in 2009. Also owns Plymouth-based Absopure Water Co.
Civic involvement: Business Leaders for Michigan director, University of Detroit-Mercy trustee.
37. Stephen D'Arcy, 56 Principal The Quantum Group, Troy
Guided the Detroit Medical Center board through a strategic planning process that led to its pending sale to Nashville-based Vanguard Health Systems Inc. Retired as global automotive sector and advisory leader from PricewaterhouseCoopers in June after a 34-year career. Co-founded the Autism Alliance of Michigan to develop a multipurpose autism center.
Civic involvement: Detroit Medical Center chair, Autism Alliance chair, Detroit Symphony Orchestra executive committee, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute ex officio, Citizens Research Council of Michigan trustee, Hudson-Webber Foundation trustee.
37. Thomas Dekar, 61 Managing principal, North central region Vice chairman and chief corporate responsibility office of national practice Deloitte LLP, Detroit
Owes his career to civic involvement. While working on his doctorate in engineering at the University of Detroit in his early 20s, he got involved with a Sloan Foundation program to help the Detroit Fire Department get an EMS service up and running. Dekar ended up doing his Ph.D. thesis based on the project.
Moreover, management at what was then called Touche Ross, an accounting firm that later morphed into Deloitte, was also involved in the EMS project and liked Dekar's work so much he was asked to join Touche Ross' consulting practice.
"Ever since then I've had a real interest in community involvement," he said.
Civic involvement: Detroit Regional Chamber vice chair, United Way for Southeastern Michigan director, University of Detroit Mercy trustee, M1 Rail treasurer, Detroit Economic Growth Corp. executive committee member, Brother Rice High School director and chair of audit and finance committee, Boy Scouts of America Detroit Area Council director.
37. Eleanor Josaitis, 78 Co-founder Focus: HOPE, Detroit
The magazine Fast Company once described Eleanor Josaitis as using "hope as a weapon." Her success with that philosophy has led Josaitis to being one of the most honored people in metro Detroit.
Civic involvement: Detroit Economic Club director, Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau director, Focus: HOPE director, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute director.
40. Keith Crain, 69 Chairman Crain Communications Inc. Editor-in-chief Crain's Detroit Business, Detroit
As chairman of the College for Creative Studies board, he led redevelopment of the GM Argonaut Building to the A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design. Crain also will chair the legacy board to oversee the charitable assets of the Detroit Medical Center after its sale to Vanguard Health Systems.
Civic involvement: College for Creative Studies chairman, Detroit Economic Club director, Detroit Medical Center director, Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau director, Downtown Detroit Partnership director, Automotive Hall of Fame director, Boy Scouts of America director, The Gilmore Museum director.
41. Ronald Marcinelli, 61 Executive vice president, national business finance Comerica Bank, Detroit
Faced the daunting task of overseeing some of the most challenged sectors of the national economy in his role overseeing six business units of the bank, involving offices in 17 cities and 40 states - including leasing, national real estate, mortgage banking and community development finance.
"Ron is a perfect example of the expertise and longevity of Comerica's leadership team. His counsel and guidance have helped Michigan companies through all phases of the economic cycle," said Tom Ogden, president of Michigan banking for Comerica.
Civic involvement: Salvation Army director, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation director, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan trustee.
42. Tom Wilson, 61 President and CEO Olympia Entertainment, Detroit
Longtime president and CEO of Palace Sports & Entertainment, including sports team and venue management responsibilities. Wilson joined the Ilitch organization in February. Just a few months later, it was announced that Mike Ilitch wanted to purchase the Detroit Pistons. Wilson is charged with leveraging business opportunities among Olympia Entertainment, the Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Tigers - while looking for new projects.
Civic involvement: Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan trustee (left Nov. 15), CATCH trustee, Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau director, past member of Boys Hope/Girls Hope, Boy Scouts of America and the PARK Program.
43. Yousif Ghafari, 58 Chairman Ghafari Associates, Detroit
The chairman of one of metro Detroit's largest architectural and engineering firms is also one of the vocal leaders of Michigan's Arab-American community. He has been a major donor to Wayne State University and the Republican Party and is among U.S. business leaders behind rebuilding efforts in Lebanon. He also is the former ambassador to Slovenia under the George W. Bush administration.
Civic involvement: Business Leaders for Michigan director, Detroit Medical Center director, Detroit Economic Club director.
43. Charles Podowski, 64 President and CEO Auto Club Group, Dearborn
Came to the Auto Club Group from Advanta Corp. in 1999 and oversaw the group's rapid growth, which has been hampered in recent years by increased competition, leading to layoffs. Is a director of natural gas distributor Semco Energy Inc. in Port Huron and serves on the AAA national board.
Civic involvement: Board member, Business Leaders for Michigan, Detroit Zoological Society and Henry Ford Health System; served as chairman of the Michigan campaign of the United Negro College Fund.
45. Barbara Allushuski, 58 President, Great Lakes region Right Management, Southfield
Co-chaired the Detroit Regional Chamber's 2010 Mackinac Policy Conference and insisted on creating a "to-do" list from it. As part of that list, she led a Detroit group to Pittsburgh to study that city's 25-year odyssey to replace steel. She chairs the chamber board for 2011-12.
Civic involvement: Detroit Regional Chamber chair, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan trustee, 2010 Mackinac Policy Conference chair, American Heart Association board member.
45. Carl Camden, 55 President and CEO Kelly Services Inc., Troy
Has been active nationally in health care, joining other prominent business, labor and public policy leaders in 2007 as a founding member of Better Health Care Together, a coalition urging reform of the U.S. health care system.
Civic involvement: Detroit Regional Chamber vice chair, Detroit Medical Center director, University of Detroit Mercy trustee, Committee for Economic Development trustee.
47. Gerard Anderson, 52 CEO DTE Energy Co., Detroit
Since joining DTE in 1993, Gerard Anderson has risen through levels of responsibilities for key business functions. He became CEO in October and oversees DTE's major operating areas and utility subsidiaries as well as areas like financial operations, information technology, human resources and general counsel.
Civic involvement: Business Leaders for Michigan director, The Henry Ford trustee, The Nature Conservancy-Michigan chapter trustee, Michigan Greenways Initiative chair, The Parade Co. executive committee member, University of Michigan Ross School of Business advisory board member.
48. Thomas Buhl, 43 Vice president Legacy wealth management UBS Financial Services Inc., Grosse Pointe Farms
Heads up an eight-person family office of UBS. Buhl and Ken Fruehauf, co-head of the team, are intimately acquainted with the needs of a family office. Buhl is from the family which the Buhl Building is named for, and Fruehauf is of the famous trucking family. Buhl's wife, Lindsey, is a Ford.
"We've been part of Detroit history for a long time, which is why I have such a sense of commitment," said Buhl. "My wife and I moved back here 15 years ago from Chicago, and we're raising our four kids here. I believe very strongly in doing what I can to help out the city and the area."
Civic involvement: Trustee, College for Creative Studies, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and Henry Ford Hospital; Detroit Historical Society president, Detroit Zoological Society director.
48. James Farley, 48 Group vice president, marketing and communications Ford Motor Co., Dearborn
Leads Ford's global marketing efforts and is pushing Ford into the digital age by earmarking a quarter of its marketing budget for online efforts. Click here for full profile
Civic involvement: Chairs Ford's United Way campaign, sits on the College for Creative Studies and Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan boards.
48. David Fischer Sr., 64 Chairman and CEO The Suburban Collection, Troy
Has assembled and grown a chain of more than 40 auto dealerships, ranking it the second largest on Crain's list of largest dealers, while lending both financial support and his time to numerous nonprofits around the region including the Detroit Institute of Arts, Forgotten Harvest and the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan.
Fischer, who recently donated two transit vans to support the Ford Mobile Food pantries program, is also chairing the committee charged with raising $55 million towards the $145 million renovation for the College for Creative Studies the Argonaut Building in Detroit's Midtown. The building was renamed the A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education. To date, the campaign has raised $45.1 million.
Civic involvement: College for Creative Studies trustee, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.
48. Robert Rossiter, 64 Chairman and CEO Lear Corp., Southfield
Earlier this year announced it had pledged $5 million toward revitalization in infrastructure and community projects over the next 10 years in its headquarters city.
Civic involvement: Detroit Economic Club executive committee, Business Leaders for Michigan director, Focus: HOPE advisory board.
48. Brad Simmons, 53 Director, office of the executive chairman, Ford Motor Co., Dearborn
Before being appointed to his current post, Simmons was controller and community outreach manager for Ford Motor Co. Fund, the philanthropic arm of the company.
Serves on the board for the 2010-11 Science and Engineering Fair of Metropolitan Detroit, which draws as many as 30,000 seventh- through 12th-grade students from Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties for the inner-school competitions.
Civic involvement: Business Leaders for Michigan director, Detroit Economic Club vice president, Student Leadership Services president, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit board member.