On Thursday, Jan. 13, the Detroit Economic Club hosted the 2022 Michigan Economic Outlook meeting to discuss the state’s trajectory and possible fiscal future. In a conversation moderated by Detroit News’ Senior Editor of Business and columnist Daniel Howes, Elaine Buckberg, Chief Economist of General Motors, and Quentin L. Messer, Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation share their insights on the analysis of our state’s economic strength and fortitude.

Before the discussion, the results of the 10th annual Michigan Economic Outlook Survey were unveiled. You can view the survey results here: www.outlooksurvey.com.

Panelist Bios: 

Elaine Buckberg, Chief Economist, General Motors

Dr. Elaine Buckberg is Chief Economist of General Motors. She is responsible for assessing the impact of worldwide economic developments on the corporation, and for providing advice to top leadership on various competitive and economic policy issues.

Immediately prior to joining GM, she was a Principal at The Brattle Group, a global economic consultancy. Previously, Elaine served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy Coordination in the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Economic Policy. She also worked at NERA Economic Consulting, where she was a Senior Vice President, a member of the firm’s Board of Directors and Chair of the Strategy Committee. Elaine began her career at the International Monetary Fund and worked in currency strategy and risk management at Morgan Stanley. Elaine holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a B.A. in Economics and English from Yale University.

Quentin L. Messer Jr., CEO, Michigan Economic Development Corporation 

As MEDC CEO and President and Chair of the Michigan Strategic Fund, Quentin L. Messer, Jr. is charged with implementing and executing MEDC’s core mission of business development and attraction, community development, providing access to capital and enhancing Michigan’s image and brand with a focus on building a strong and equitable economy for all Michiganders.

An IEDC certified economic developer (CEcD), Messer received a Bachelor of Arts from Princeton University, where he was a Princeton School of Public and International Affairs major and earned his Juris Doctorate and Master of Business Administration from Columbia University’s Law and Business Schools, respectively. He sits on the board of directors of the International Economic Development Council, where he serves on the board’s Committee for Public Conduct and also is the incoming Co-Chair of the Racism in Economic Development Committee. Messer was named in Consultants Connect North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers in both 2019 and 2020.

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