Dr. Scott Page,
John Seely Brown Distinguished University Professor of Complexity, Social Science, and Management

Scott Page is the John Seely Brown Distinguished University Professor of Complexity, Social Science, and Management at the University of Michigan. He is also the Williamson family Professor of Business Administration, professor of management and organizations, Stephen M. Ross School of Business; professor of political science, professor of complex systems, and professor of economics, LSA.

Scott is also an external faculty member of the Santa Fe Institute. In addition to his departmental appointments, Scott holds a faculty associate position at the Institute for Social Research.

In addition to his academic pursuits, Scott is a highly sought after speaker and frequently gives talks on complex systems to non academic audiences on diversity and on complexity and has consulted on projects ranging from the possibility of panic at Y2K and the demand for movies, to the economic impact of the World Cup.

Vikesh Chandrashekar,
Project Manager, Economic Growth Institute

Vikesh Chandrashekar is a Project Manager at the Economic Growth Institute at the University of Michigan. Under the First Customer Program he supports tech entrepreneurs and start-ups across Michigan by addressing critical gaps in technology commercialization and new-customer acquisition. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a Masters in Industrial and Operations Engineering after completing his B.E in Mechanical Engineering.

Bruce Barron,
President and CEO, Barron Industries Inc.

A 1983 graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a BS in Chemistry. Started career with the Stepan Chemical Company in Northfield, IL before joining the family metal casting and machining business, Barron Industries, in Oxford, MI in 1984.

Over 35 years of metalcasting and machining experience in sales, engineering, operations and Senior level management. Former Chairman of the Investment Casting division of the American Foundryman’s society, member of the Investment Casting Institute, Vice-Chair of the Oakland Schools Regional Advisory Committee.

Currently serving on the boards of the Catholic Foundation of Michigan, St Catherine of Siena Academy and past Board Chair of Notre Dame Prep and Marist Academy in Pontiac MI.

Richard K. Norton

Professor, Urban and Regional Planning Program, Program in the Environment

734-474-4052, [email protected]

Richard Norton, professor of urban and regional planning, trains local officials and residents on coastal management to help them better understand the threats posed by climate change, especially when building near Great Lakes coastlines and within floodplains.

Allen Burton

Professor, SEAS and the Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences

937-272-9577, [email protected]

Allen Burton is a professor of environment and sustainability and of earth and environmental sciences, director of U-M’s Institute for Global Change Biology, and editor-in-chief of the journal Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry.

Sue Anne Bell

Assistant Professor, Department of Systems, Populations and Leadership

734-272-5515, [email protected]

Sue Anne Bell is an assistant professor of nursing and expert on disaster response, community health and emergency care.

Ben van der Pluijm

Bruce R. Clark Collegiate Professor of Geology and Professor of the Environment

734-678-1397, [email protected], vdpluijm55 (Skype)

Ben van der Pluijm, a geologist and professor of earth and environmental sciences, is an expert on the societal impacts of geohazards.

Drew Gronewold

Associate Professor of Environment and Sustainability

919-452-6593, [email protected]

Drew Gronewold, a hydrologist and associate professor of environment and sustainability, says the floodwaters in Midland will eventually flow into Saginaw Bay, contributing to ongoing record-high Great Lakes water levels. He can discuss historical, current and future Great Lakes water levels, including the hydrologic conditions that contribute to water level variability.

Amy Schulz

Professor, Health Behavior & Health Education

[email protected]

Amy Schulz, professor of health behavior and health education, can discuss the impact of the floods on low-income residents. Her research focuses on social factors that contribute to health with a particular focus on social and physical environmental factors and their effects on health, health equity and urban health.