KALAMAZOO ? Western Michigan University President Judith Bailey and National City Bank of Michigan President and CEO J. Michael Davis have been appointed to the Southwest Michigan First Board of Director.
The appointments were approved Feb. 9 by the Board.
?We?re very excited to have both Judi and Mike on our team,? said Board Chairman William D. Johnston, president of Greenleaf Companies. ?It connects us directly to the leading public university in Southwest Michigan, and to one of the largest financial institutions in the Midwest. These are two key foundational pieces to a healthy local economy and our organization will be more effective with their individual expertise contributing to our efforts.?
Bailey has been actively involved in local economic development efforts since stepping into the role of WMU president in June of 2003. She has demonstrated her recognition of the importance of economic development through her work with SMF and in her role as a member of the steering committee for the Michigan Technology Tri-Corridor. A longtime higher education administrator, prior to assuming the WMU presidency, Bailey was president of Northern Michigan University with an established reputation for promoting technology on campus.
Davis, a Michigan native and graduate of Albion College and the University of Michigan, has extensive capital markets experience, serving as strategic and financial advisor to a diverse range of domestic and international clients. He joined National City in 2002 as senior managing director and co-head of investment banking. Under his leadership, the investment banking business substantially grew and National City is now recognized as one of the leading middle market investment banking groups in the U.S. Davis was promoted to his current role in September 2004.
