Three Top Detroit Executives to be Honored

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 TROY— Three top executives, Peter Karmanos Jr., former executive chairman and founder of Compuware Corporation; Alan Batey, senior vice president, Global Chevrolet Brand Chief and U.S. Sales and Marketing; and Andra Rush, president and CEO, The Rush Group, will be honored at the Marketing & Sales Executives of Detroit annual Black-Tie Gala to be held at the Roostertail in Detroit on Oct. 16.

The event celebrates the exceptional achievements of business executives, and sales and marketing professionals in southeastern Michigan. It is the 20th annual black-tie fundraiser to be hosted by MSED. Net proceeds from MSED events support scholarships, educational seminars and charitable contributions.

“We are proud and honored to have such exceptional leaders recognized at our event,” said Dave Harries, chairman of the MSED Gala and president of Spartan Marketing Services. “Each year we look forward to rewarding the individuals who excel in leading their team and optimize results for their company and its customers.” 

Philanthropist Karmanos will be the inaugural recipient of the Herb Everss Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his dedication and commitment to Compuware and the Detroit community for the past 30 years. The entrepreneurial spirit of Karmanos is evident by transforming Compuware from a start-up to a billion-dollar company. With his leadership and hands-on management, Karmanos has created a business model admired and respected well beyond the state of Michigan.

Batey will receive the 2013 Executive Leadership Award. Before rising to his current global responsibilities, Batey held several senior management positions of increasing responsibility for General Motors in multiple countries. Batey has a history of delivering great business results, achieving 10 consecutive quarters of record sales as evidenced by Chevrolet. In addition, Batey continues to master the task of balancing global brand consistency without losing touch with the local customer.

Rush will be recognized with MSED’s Trailblazer Award, which honors one emerging business leader who has showed creativity in the application of marketing and sales to blaze new trails. Under her leadership, The Rush Group family of companies – which includes Rush Trucking, Dakkota Integrated Systems and Detroit Manufacturing Systems – has grown into the largest Native American-owned business operation in the United States and is among the largest minority-owned and woman-owned suppliers in the automotive industry.

The Gala will also recognize southeastern Michigan’s top sales and marketing professionals with MSED’s Platinum Award.

Tickets for the black-tie event cost $150 for MSED members, $195 for non-members, $1,100 for a member’s table of eight and $1,400 for a non-member’s table. The price includes an elegant cocktail reception, dinner and afterglow reception. For information on tickets, event details or sponsorship opportunities, contact Meeting Coordinators at 248-643-6590 or visit the organization’s website at msedetroit.org.