KEITH COOLEY:
 
ALEX BURKULAS




 
 
 
 
 
President and CEO of NextEnergy in Detroit, one of the nation’s leading accelerators of alternative and renewable energy. Cooley and his team facilitate strategic consortia for applied research, connect ventures and emerging technologies to strategic partners, and help companies find ways to participate in this rapidly expanding industry. Prior to joining NextEnergy, Cooley was director of Michigan’s Department of Labor and Economic Growth and a member of the governor’s cabinet. In this capacity, he directed the activities of more than 4,000 employees in 35 agencies and managed a $1.4 billion budget. His principal objectives were to “up-skill” Michigan’s workforce to compete in a global community and provide opportunities for economic recovery. Cooley has also played significant roles with General Electric, General Motors, and Motorola, and was CEO of Focus: HOPE, where he championed workforce development serving underrepresented urban youth. His other professional activities include serving the Engineering Society of Detroit and sitting on the boards of the University of Michigan’s College of Engineering, the Michigan Environmental Council, the Michigan Climate Action Council, and the Michigan Strategic Economic Investment and Commercialization Board. Previous board service includes the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology, Bioscience Research and Commercialization Center, Workforce Innovation for Regional Economic Development, and University Preparatory Academy. He has been recognized in Who's Who in the World and a General Motors President’s Council honoree. He is a life member of the National Black MBA Association and Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honorary Society. Cooley received a bachelor’s in engineering physics and a master’s in nuclear engineering from the University of Michigan. As a graduate student, he founded U of M’s Minority Engineering Programs Office.


WHERE BORN: "Ann Arbor."

MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSONS: "The first is a professor in college, David Bach. He got me to think seriously about graduate school and also really paved the way for me to come back to the university and start the minority (now multicultural) engineering office program. Also, David Archer, Phil Powers, an old chief engineer Bob Dorn, and Dr. Sheila Ronis, who taught me strategic planning. And Dr. Phillip Hessburg."

LAST BOOK READ: "The last really good one was The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Also I love fantasy, so Brisingr, the third book in Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance Cycle.”

WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ME: "Focused, thoughtful, someone who likes to make work fun and holds people accountable."

WHERE MY FIELD/INDUSTRY IS HEADED: "The only way for alternative and renewable energy is up, especially with the stimulus package the federal government has been talking about. The administration talks about our region as ground zero. I’m convinced that we’re on our way up. Alternative energy is one of the five priorities Gov. Granholm has identified in her state of the state address in the past couple years."

FAVORITE TECHNOLOGICAL GADGET: "One that I don’t own yet, an iPhone. I have a BlackBerry because our system uses it but I want an iPhone."

FAVORITE PLACE: "Paris is one. Wiesbaden, Germany, and Tokyo."

FAVORITE HOBBIES: "Running and biking. I did a triathlon a few years back. Anything athletic with those and swimming. I dabble in Tai Chi for being centered. And I love to read good science fiction fantasy literature."

FAVORITE FOOD: "Good baby back ribs and cherry pie a la mode."

MY HIDDEN TALENT: "When I was in college, I was a walk-on gymnast for the University of Michigan and was part of the 1966 Big Ten championship team. I’m also a certified diver."

HOW I WANT TO BE REMEMBERED: "As someone who fought hard to get really tough projects and initiatives and goals accomplished with humanity. To hold people accountable for work that needs to be done that you think there’s no way, but [if] everyone works at it hard in a humanistic way, you can get it done.”


Grant Thornton Website At the annual awards reception in April 2014, one Leader & Innovator from the previous 12 months will be selected as the Grant Thornton Leader & Innovator of the Year.