Governor Gretchen Whitmer to Deliver Keynote at MAB’s Evening of Excellence
The Michigan Association of Broadcasters is proud to announce that Governor Gretchen Whitmer will serve as keynote speaker during the Evening of Excellence at the 2025 MAB Summer Leadership Conference in Traverse City.
Taking place the evening of Tuesday, August 12 at the Park Place Hotel, the Evening of Excellence celebrates the very best in Michigan broadcasting. The event will recognize Julie Brinks, the recipient of the 2025 MAB Lifetime Achievement Award, honor Blake Harms, this year’s MAB Foundation Young Professional Award recipient, and Bill Hart, Dr. Connie Ruhl-Smith, and Dr. James M. Smith, the Public Media Impact Award recipients. Distinguished professionals Jeff Gilbert, Tom Mogush, and Chris Warren will be inducted into the Michigan Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
Governor Whitmer will help kick off the evening with remarks that celebrate the vital role of local broadcasters and their contributions to Michigan communities.
“Governor Whitmer’s participation underscores the importance of local journalism, storytelling, and the critical role broadcasters play in Michigan’s civic life,” said MAB President and CEO Casey Jones. “We are thrilled to welcome her to the Evening of Excellence and deeply value her ongoing support of the broadcasting community.”
The Evening of Excellence is part of the MAB Summer Leadership Conference, held August 12, 2025. The annual conference brings together broadcasters, policymakers, and media professionals from across the state for leadership sessions, networking, and celebration.
This premier event features the MAB Annual Business Meeting, leadership sessions led by industry experts, and the Evening of Excellence where we honor broadcasting’s best. Reconnect with colleagues, gain fresh insights, and celebrate the future of Michigan broadcasting, all at the beautiful Park Place Hotel in Traverse City.
Registration has closed for this event. Please email Rachel Krause (krause@michmab.com) to check availability.
Schedule (Subject to Change)
Park Place Hotel & Conference Center
300 E State St, Traverse City, MI 49684
August 11, 2025
2:00 - 4:00p MAB/MAB Foundation Joint Board Meeting (Closed Meeting)
7:00 - 10:00p Rooftop Welcome Reception at 910 Media Group (415 Cass St Traverse City MI 49684)
Sponsored by 910 Media Group
August 12, 2025
10:30 - 11:30a MAB Annual Business Meeting
11:30a - 1:00p Networking Lunch
Sponsored by Enstar
1:00 - 4:30p Leadership Conference Sessions
Sponsored by Enbridge
6:00 - 7:00p Legislative Reception
sponsored by Patrick Media Brokerage
7:00 - 10:00p MAB Evening of Excellence
Sponsored by Michigan Education Trust and the Detroit Auto Dealers Association
10:00 - 11:30p Awards After Glow
Leadership Conference Sessions & Speakers
1:00 p.m.
It’s Just Politics: Issues & Ale - Special Edition Featuring Secretary Pete Buttigieg
Issues & Ale is an event series from Michigan Public designed to engage Michiganders in conversations about important issues facing the state in an informal atmosphere. This special edition of It's Just Politics: Issues & Ale will feature U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg in conversation with Michigan Public's Political Director Zoe Clark and Michigan Public Radio Network's Senior Capitol Correspondent Rick Pluta. Together, they’ll break down the consequential decisions happening in Lansing, and beyond, and answer attendees' most pressing questions about Michigan politics, infrastructure, and national policy.
"It was better than therapy!" - recent attendee
Secretary Pete Buttigieg
Pete Buttigieg served from 2021 to 2025 as U.S. Secretary of Transportation. During his tenure, he worked to launch over seventy thousand infrastructure projects across the country, improve transportation safety and technology, expand airline passenger protections, and resolve pandemic-related supply chain disruptions. He was the first openly gay person in U.S. history to be confirmed to serve in a president’s Cabinet.
Previously, Buttigieg served two terms as mayor of South Bend, Indiana, where he was elected at the age of 29 and led the city to its strongest period of economic and population growth in decades. He also served for seven years as an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve, taking a leave of absence from his role as mayor in 2014 to deploy to Afghanistan. A candidate for the Democratic nomination for President in 2020, his historic campaign won the Iowa caucuses and finished second in the New Hampshire primary.
He holds degrees in history and literature from Harvard and in philosophy, politics, and economics from Oxford, where he was a Rhodes Scholar. He lives in Traverse City with his husband Chasten, their two children, Gus and Penelope, and their dog, Buddy.
Zoe Clark, Political Director, Michigan Public
Zoe Clark is Michigan Public's Political Director. She cohosts, with Michigan Public Radio Network's Senior Capitol Correspondent Rick Pluta, It’s Just Politics, a weekly show and podcast covering Michigan politics. Together, the two also author the It's Just Politics newsletter. Clark regularly appears on WKAR’s Off the Record, WDIV’s Flashpoint and offers political analysis on NPR, PBS, CNN and the BBC. Clark is an award-winning journalist, including the prestigious Peabody for overseeing the station’s first nationally distributed podcast Believed. She's continually curious about Rick's dislike of ice-fishing.
Rick Pluta, Senior Capitol Correspondent, Michigan Public Radio Network
Rick Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. One of the state's longest serving Michigan political reporters, he has been covering Michigan’s Capitol and government since 1987. His journalism background includes UPI, The Elizabeth (NJ) Daily Journal, The Oakland Press, and WJR. Rick cohosts the weekly program and podcast It's Just Politics with Michigan Public's Political Director Zoe Clark and authors the weekly It's Just Politics newsletter. Rick is fascinated by the game of politics, and the grand plans and human foibles that go into policy-making. You will never find him ice-fishing.
2:30 p.m.
Broadcast Policy Briefing: Legal and Legislative Outlook
Stay ahead of the curve with timely updates from Washington. MAB Legal Counsel David Oxenford and NAB's Josh Pollack will break down recent regulatory developments, legal trends, and legislative activity impacting Michigan broadcasters. Learn how emerging policies could shape your operations, and how advocacy efforts are making a difference.
David Oxenford, Partner, Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP
David Oxenford is a partner at Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP in Washington, D.C., with nearly 40 years of experience representing broadcasters on regulatory, transactional, and copyright matters. He also advises digital media companies on music licensing and compliance. David serves as counsel to multiple state broadcast associations, including the MAB for over 30 years, the National Association of Media Brokers, and various industry service providers. A frequent speaker at media conferences, he is also the editor of the widely read Broadcast Law Blog, a leading source for legal updates in the broadcasting and digital media industries.
Josh Pollack, Senior Vice President, Government Relations, National Association of Broadcasters
Josh Pollack is senior vice president of Government Relations at NAB. He previously served as special assistant to President Obama for Legislative Affairs and director of Confirmations, advocating for the administration’s agenda in the Senate and managing executive branch appointments. He also worked as a litigator at King & Spalding, clerked for Chief Judge Raymond J. Dearie, and began his career as a legislative assistant to Senator Paul Sarbanes. Pollack graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in history from Princeton University, and holds a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University.
3:30 p.m.
2026 on the Horizon: Michigan’s Political Forecast
What’s ahead for Michigan in the 2026 election cycle? Political strategist Jason Roe of Roe Strategic LLC will share key insights on the state’s shifting political landscape, emerging candidates, voter trends, and legislative dynamics. Gain a strategic look at how upcoming races could impact the broadcasting industry, and how to stay informed and engaged as the cycle heats up.
Stephanie Grimes Washington, Finance Director, Duggan for Governor
Stephanie Grimes Washington is a Philadelphia native and Villanova University alumna with a distinguished career in media, marketing, and public service. She made history as the youngest and only African American woman to hold a sales management role in Michigan radio at Clear Channel, where she led WMXD to record-breaking growth. In Detroit, she served in key leadership roles under Mayor Mike Duggan, including Chief of Staff and Director of Government Affairs. Her work has been pivotal in securing billions in funding and driving major legislative and development initiatives. She serves on multiple boards and is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Jason Roe, Political Communications Strategist, Roe Strategic LLC
Jason Roe is a seasoned political and communications strategist with over 30 years of experience advising presidential, congressional, gubernatorial, and local campaigns. He’s served as Deputy Campaign Manager for Mitt Romney, National Media Spokesman for Marco Rubio, and Executive Director of the Michigan Republican Party. In government, he held senior roles for members of Congress and the U.S. Commerce Department. Internationally, he’s worked on democracy-building efforts in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. A Pollie Award winner and WMU graduate, Jason lives in Bloomfield Hills with his wife and son, and was once named “Worst Person in the World” by Keith Olbermann.
Roop Raj, Evening Anchor/Host of The Pulse, WJBK-TV FOX 2 Detroit (moderator)
Roop Raj is the evening anchor and host of The Pulse on FOX 2 News in Detroit. His broadcasting journey began at 14, producing his own TV show in Troy. By college, he was already on air in Lansing, then went on to anchor in Flint and report for NBC in New Orleans through 24 hurricanes, including Katrina. Since 2009, he’s covered Detroit’s comeback and earned major political exclusives, including interviews with Biden, Trump, Harris, and Pence. A TEDx speaker and public speaking coach, Roop lives with his wife and dog, loves cooking and travel, and feels grateful to call Michigan home.
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