March 4, 2024
Ferris State President Bill Pink joining Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, State Leaders on Investment Mission to Taiwan, South Korea
Ferris State University President Bill Pink is among state leaders accompanying Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on a five-day investment mission in Taiwan and South Korea, learning how the university can be part of an effort to grow the state’s economy and prepare people for good-paying jobs.
Whitmer is focused on securing investments in key industries like automotive, semiconductors, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing that will create jobs and bring critical supply chains back home to Michigan.
“Michigan is taking every opportunity to make our case on the global stage to compete to bring jobs and investment back home to Michigan,” Whitmer said. “From our hardworking people and vibrant communities to our innovative and entrepreneurial spirit, we want leaders and decisionmakers across the globe to know that we’re building something in Michigan. I will continue to go anywhere and work with anyone to keep growing our economy and help anyone ‘make it’ right here in Michigan.”
Pink is representing educators and will be joined by Leo Kempel, dean of engineering at Michigan State University, and Valeria Bertacco, vice provost for engaged learning at University of Michigan.
“Ferris State is preparing students for careers that exist today, but also for those in the years to come,” he said. “We must ensure that a Ferris State degree remains relevant to a global economy, so that our students leave our institution prepared for such. I look forward to representing our great institution and our great state.”
The mission trip builds on Gov. Whitmer’s previous work securing jobs and investments overseas over the past year. In September 2023, the governor led her first economic investment mission to Japan; during the investment mission, Governor Whitmer secured a $63 million investment from DENSO for its Battle Creek thermal manufacturing facility to retool production lines.
As part of a mission to Paris and Germany in June 2023, the governor announced engineering services provider Expleo USA Inc. would be establishing its first North American research and development facility in Michigan. And during her business trip to Norway in January 2023, the governor also secured Nel Hydrogen's investment of up to $400 million to build its new automated gigafactory in Plymouth Charter Township.
Also on the trip are Michigan Economic Development Corporation CEO Quentin L. Messer, Jr., Office of Future Mobility and Electrification chief mobility officer Justine Johnson, and other MEDC representatives; Sarah Gonzales, director of state and local government affairs with Delta Air Lines; Simon Whitelocke, president of ITC Michigan; Paul Van Oss, business manager for IBEW Local 58 (Detroit); and partners from local economic development organizations including Kevin Johnson, president and CEO of Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, Oakland County Executive David Coulter and Oakland County Director of Economic Development Jeanne Broad.
While in Taiwan, the governor will meet with companies including Delta Electronics, as well as officials to discuss investment opportunities and partnerships in global industries such as mobility, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing to underscore why Michigan is the premier place for Taiwanese companies to do business.
Whitmer will also be visiting the American Institute in Taiwan, connecting with alumni groups from the University of Michigan and Michigan State University and participating in a semiconductor roundtable to discuss Michigan’s leadership in the industry.
The economic development mission is supported by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Michigan Economic Development Foundation, an independent not-for-profit organization that serves to help promote and fund economic development efforts in Michigan that create private investments and increase jobs and wages.