HomeMy WebLinkAboutReports - 2024.12.12 - 41752
AGENDA ITEM: County Executive Appointment of Dom L. Holmes as Oakland County’s Economic
Development Director
DEPARTMENT: Executive's Office
MEETING: Board of Commissioners
DATE: Thursday, December 12, 2024 11:11 AM - Click to View Agenda
ITEM SUMMARY SHEET
COMMITTEE REPORT TO BOARD
Resolution #2024-4753
Motion to concur with the County Executive’s appointment of Dom L. Holmes as Oakland County's
Economic Development Director, pursuant to Public Act 139 of 1973.
ITEM CATEGORY SPONSORED BY
Appointment Yolanda Smith Charles
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
Mr. Holmes is a recognized leader in the field for more than 12 years, including the last six years in
Oakland County, where he started out as a Senior Business Development Representative for
international business and was promoted several times before rising to his current position as
deputy director of Oakland County’s Economic Development department.
Before coming to Oakland County, he spent six years at Automation Alley, ultimately serving as the
manager of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, where he spearheaded a program to provide early
stage investments for advanced manufacturing companies looking to locate or expand in Michigan.
His breadth and depth of experience in economic development and building relationships with
corporate, education and government leaders in Michigan exemplify Oakland County’s mission of
promoting collaborative leadership and our strategic goal of building a thriving and inclusive
economy.
That experience, in addition to extensive managerial skills, helped him emerge as the top candidate
to lead Oakland County’s Economic Development Department.
Mr. Holmes’ wide array of knowledge and talent in both the public and private sector will serve
Oakland County well as he takes on this new role.
BUDGET AMENDMENT REQUIRED: No
Committee members can contact Barbara Winter, Policy and Fiscal Analysis Supervisor at
248.821.3065 or winterb@oakgov.com or the department contact persons listed for additional
information.
CONTACT
Sean Carlson, Deputy County Executive II
ITEM REVIEW TRACKING
Aaron Snover, Board of Commissioners Created/Initiated - 12/12/2024
AGENDA DEADLINE: 12/12/2024 7:00 PM
ATTACHMENTS
1. Holmes BOC letter
2. Dom Holmes Resume
COMMITTEE TRACKING
2024-12-04 Economic Development and Infrastructure - Recommend to Board
2024-12-12 Full Board - Concur with Appointment
Motioned by: Commissioner Linnie Taylor
Seconded by: Commissioner Penny Luebs
Yes: David Woodward, Michael Spisz, Penny Luebs, Karen Joliat, Christine Long, Robert
Hoffman, Philip Weipert, Gwen Markham, Angela Powell, Marcia Gershenson, William Miller III,
Yolanda Smith Charles, Charles Cavell, Brendan Johnson, Ann Erickson Gault, Linnie Taylor
(16)
No: None (0)
Abstain: None (0)
Absent: Michael Gingell, Kristen Nelson, Ajay Raman (3)
Passed
OAKLAND COUNTY EXECUTIVE DAVID COULTER
2100 Pontiac Lake Rd | Executive Office Building 41W | Waterford, MI 48328 | tel (248) 858-0480 | fax (248) 452-9215 | OakGov.com
November 20, 2024
Oakland County Board of Commissioners
1200 Court Tower Boulevard
Pontiac, MI 48341
Dear Commissioners,
I am pleased to announce my nomination of Dom L. Holmes as Oakland County’s Economic Development
Director.
Mr. Holmes is a recognized leader in the field for more than 12 years, including the last six years in Oakland
County, where he started out as a Senior Business Development Representative for international business and
was promoted several times before rising to his current position as deputy director of Oakland County’s
Economic Development department.
Before coming to Oakland County, he spent six years at Automation Alley, ultimately serving as the manager of
Entrepreneurship and Innovation, where he spearheaded a program to provide early stage investments for
advanced manufacturing companies looking to locate or expand in Michigan.
His breadth and depth of experience in economic development and building relationships with corporate,
education and government leaders in Michigan exemplify Oakland County’s mission of promoting collaborative
leadership and our strategic goal of building a thriving and inclusive economy.
That experience, in addition to extensive managerial skills, helped him emerge as the top candidate to lead
Oakland County’s Economic Development Department.
Mr. Holmes’ wide array of knowledge and talent in both the public and private sector will serve Oakland County
well as he takes on this new role.
Pursuant to PA 139 of 1973, I respectfully request your confirmation of this appointment.
Sincerely,
David Coulter
Oakland County Executive
Dom L. Holmes
Rochester Hills, MI 48309
domlholmes@gmail.com
EXPERIENCE
OAKLAND COUNTY
Deputy Director, Oakland County Economic Development
Oakland County / December 2023- Present/ Waterford, MI
Accomplishes department objectives by leading staff, managing department budget processes, and coordinating
weekly tactical and strategic meetings. Drives development and implementation of marketing and business
intelligence goals. Directs the implementation of key economic development initiatives and events, fostering job
creation, business attraction, and community growth. Reporting to the Economic Development Director.
Manager, Economic Development Initiatives, External Affairs and Business Intelligence
Oakland County / April 2023- December 2023/ Waterford, MI
Managed strategic initiatives, marketing and communications, and business intelligence efforts department wide.
Reported to the Deputy County Executive.
Administrator, Emerging Growth and Innovation
Oakland County / December 2020- April 2023/ Waterford, MI
Led team advancing industry-specific strategies with a focus on aerospace and defense, mobility, technology, and advanced
manufacturing. Helped develop the current Oakland County Economic Development Strategic Plan, Mobility Strategic Plan,
and collaborative strategies in pursuit of recent federal funding. Responsible for the administration of: $2M COVID recovery
grant for Pontiac and Waterford based businesses; $10M grant to assist manufacturers with Industry 4.0 transformation;
$15M grant to further assist manufacturers with Industry 4.0 transformation; $4M EDA funded Revolving Loan Fund to
provide gap financing primarily to women and minority owned businesses; $3M grant to create U.S. Center for Advanced
Manufacturing with MEDC, Automation Alley and World Economic Forum; Development of $2M site readiness program
funded by MEDC; $600,000 program to support businesses pursuing federal contracting opportunities.
Senior Business Development Representative, Int’l
Oakland County / January 2018- December 2020/ Waterford, MI
Worked closely with state and local community partners to aid businesses in their efforts to innovate and grow in
Oakland County, Michigan. Previously responsible for the expansion of existing businesses and the attraction of
domestic and international businesses across the health and life sciences sectors in Oakland County.
AUTOMATION ALLEY
Manager, Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Automation Alley / September 2016- January 2018/ Troy, MI
Accomplished department objectives by managing staff, planning, and evaluating department activities in weekly
tactical meetings and quarterly strategic meetings. Previously responsible for the management and expansion of
Automation Alley’s entrepreneurial programs and services, including the 7Cs program which provided investments to
leading early stage and growing advanced manufacturing and technology companies throughout the State of Michigan
and those interested in relocating to Michigan. Previously responsible for representing department programs and
services externally and fostering collaborative relationships at the local, state, and federal level for the benefit of the
community. Successful 7Cs program results included the creation of 40 high tech, high paying jobs and over $12M in
capital formation in 2 years’ time.
Entrepreneurial Administrator
Automation Alley / Feb 2014- Aug 2016/ Troy, MI
Managed and assisted in developing entrepreneurial programs, including Automation Alley’s 7Cs program for early stage
(and eventually, second stage) companies.
Automation Alley / Dec 2012- Feb 2014/ Detroit, MI
Assisted in developing and maintaining relationships with prominent corporate, educational and government
entities in Southeast Michigan. Facilitated recurring business roundtables and committees.
THE PAY IT FORWARD INITIATIVE
Executive Director
The Pay It Forward Initiative/ Aug 2012 - Feb 2014/ Detroit, MI
Managed operations of the MEDC-funded NPO while building partnerships with employer partners and funders. The
organization successfully helped employ over sixty structurally unemployed persons with organizations, including Quicken
Loans, Salvation Army and others during its run.
WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY
Student Assistant to Commercialization Principal
Wayne State University / Jun 2011 - May 2012/ Detroit, MI
Aided WSU researchers in the commercialization of university-supported technologies, including DoD, automotive and high-
tech research. Sought the disclosure and evaluation of university technologies including those funded by SBA and SBIR
programs. Developed a Michigan Initiative for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (MIIE) RFP response that resulted in a $25,000
pre-seed capital fund for Wayne State University students – The Warrior Fund.
Student Assistant to Program Coordinator
Blackstone LaunchPad-WSU/ Aug 2011 - Jan 2012/ Detroit, MI
Consulted students interested in entrepreneurship with business model development, regulatory matters and access to
assorted business resources. Helped develop localized program strategies alongside Blackstone Inc. (NY team) and WSU
leadership.
EDUCATION
Wayne State University (WSU)
Graduated May 2012/ Detroit, MI
Bachelor of Public Affairs
Government Relations & Lobbying
PeerSpectives® Roundtable System
Michigan SBDC Academy
ACTIVITIES
MedHealth (WSU/TechTown Detroit) Executive Board Member, 2023-Present
Member Relations Associate
Advanced Mobility Supply Chain Transformation Center (U-M EGI) Advisory Board Member, 2023-Present
Michigan Defense Resiliency Consortium (U-M EGI) Member, 2023-Present
Oakland Schools STEMi Advisory Board Member, 2020-Present
CMU College of Business Administration Mentor, 2014-Present
Oakland County Equity Council Planning team & Member, 2021-2024
LTU Biomedical Engineering Advisory Board Member, 2019-2023
MedHealth (WSU/TechTown Detroit) Advisory Board Member, 2018-2023