Detroit Regional Partnership announces leadership change; Maureen Krauss named new CEO, replacing Barry Matherly

DETROIT, June 17, 2020 (NYSE: DTE) The Detroit Regional Partnership (DRP) today announced Maureen Krauss will become its new CEO. Krauss replaces Barry Matherly, who will be leaving the region due to family relocation requirements.

Matherly, who joined DRP in November 2018, was DRP’s first CEO and was hired to establish and staff the newly formed organization and develop an economic development strategy (now complete) to diversify Detroit’s regional economy.

Krauss, a Michigan native, most recently served as the first Chief Economic Development Officer of the Indianapolis Chamber, where she oversaw Accelerate Indy, a regional economic development plan announced by the Indy Chamber in 2015. In that role, Krauss was focused on a nine-county region, with 2.3 million people, and 83 governments and municipalities. Krauss led the Amazon HQ2 bid for Indianapolis, the region was a finalist in the national competition.   

“Maureen brings deep experience from her multiple positions spanning 35 years working in the economic development field,” said Gerry Anderson, DTE Energy Executive Chairman and the Founding Chair of DRP. “Two years ago, we established the Detroit Regional Partnership, dedicated to marketing our region to the world. In those two years, Barry developed a strategy, hired a highly-qualified team and raised significant funding, and we thank him for that. The DRP Board and I are extremely confident Maureen has the right experience and proven leadership to successfully execute our strategy, especially in the face of the COVID 19-driven economic disruption.

“In addition to her years of experience, Maureen has extensive and strong relationships with the leaders and other key stakeholders in this region. Her prior work in Macomb and Oakland Counties, experience at the Detroit Regional Chamber, and strong relationship with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation will enable Maureen to hit the ground running and take our work to the next level. We’re excited to bring Maureen back home,” continued Anderson.

Building on a career in economic development, Krauss has provided leadership on programs and initiatives encouraging innovation and driving business growth and attraction. Her work in Indianapolis resulted in more than $1.5 billion in new investment in year one. Her third year in Indianapolis saw the largest job and investment growth period in the 20-year history of the Indy Partnership.

“I am excited to lead the Detroit Regional Partnership – an organization that is so critically important to job creation and the region’s economy,” said Krauss.  “I watched the creation of DRP from Indianapolis, and hoped to one day be able to lead economic development in my home region. I am excited to join an organization with a strong strategy, an outstanding Board and an incredibly talented team.

“I also am pleased to see that the Detroit Regional Partnership worked with Brookings Institution from its inception and has had a strong focus on equity. I look forward to implementing the strategy with a laser focus on good jobs for all.”

Matherly will continue with DRP through the end of July as an advisor to Krauss, ensuring a smooth transition.

“It has been an enormous privilege to have led DRP during its establishment,” said Matherly. “I enjoyed my time in Michigan and am disappointed I have to leave earlier than intended, but I am proud of the team we have developed and the work that has been done to date, and wish DRP and the team all the best,” said Matherly. “I am confident Maureen will successfully build on the foundation that has been put in place.”

About the Detroit Regional Partnership

The Detroit Regional Partnership is a regional economic development nonprofit serving Southeast Michigan’s 11-county region. Founded in 2019 by a group of business and philanthropic leaders, the organization is focused on marketing the region to out-of-state and international companies to attract investments and jobs.

In the last 18 months the DRP has gone from an idea to a fully-staffed organization with a well-defined cluster strategy. The DRP is now aggressively marketing the 11-county region to out-of-state and international companies to attract investments and jobs to the region.

The Partnership offers no-cost site location assistance and other services to domestic and foreign companies planning new or expanded facilities. It is a single point-of-contact to companies as they explore and invest in the Detroit region. The Partnership is organized as a public-private, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation funded jointly by the 11-county governments of the region, the city of Detroit, and leading private-sector businesses and foundations.

Deep Prosperity has been part of the DRP’s original guiding principles. The DRP strives to ensure that it’s economic development activities attract high-quality new jobs at all levels to the region.

The DRP Board includes:

• Gerry Anderson (Chairman) – Executive Chairman, DTE Energy
• Sandy Baruah – CEO, Detroit Regional Chamber
• Matt Cullen – CEO, Bedrock
• David Coulter – Oakland County Executive
• Mike Duggan – Mayor, City of Detroit
• Warren Evans – Wayne County Executive
• Mark Hackel – Macomb County Executive
• Chris Ilitch – President and CEO, Ilitch Holding Companies
• Wright Lassiter – President and CEO, Henry Ford Health Systems
• Chip McClure – Managing Partner, Michigan Capital Advisors
• La June Montgomery Tabron – President and CEO, W.K. Kellogg Foundation
• Cindy Pasky – President and CEO, Strategic Staffing Solutions
• Ray Scott – President and CEO, Lear Corporation
• Ray Telang – Michigan Managing Partner, PwC
• Gary Torgow – Chairman, Chemical Bank

For further information, members of the media may call:

Paula Silver, DTE Energy, 313.235.5555