John Gallagher

Detroit Free Press

The Detroit Economic Growth Corp. announced today that President and CEO Rodrick T. Miller is leaving the agency to pursue other opportunities.

DEGC Chief Financial Officer Glen Long has been named interim president of the organization as the DEGC board searches for Miller’s successor. Long has worked at DEGC for almost 25 years and has been CFO since 2002

The DEGC is a quasi-public development arm of the city that negotiates development deals and does staff work preparing proposals for the Downtown Development Authority and other boards that approve tax incentives and other assistance for developers.

In recent years, the DEGC staff has been a key player in negotiating the creation of the Ilitch family's arena district and Dan Gilbert's plan for the Hudson's site. During Miller's tenure, the DEGC launched the Motor City Match entrepreneur program, which has distributed almost $3 million in matching grants to small businesses in Detroit; negotiated the arrival of auto supplier Flex-N-Gate in the I-94 Industrial Park; and helped pave the way for the Detroit Pistons to move downtown.

During his time at the helm DEGC also announced a development plan for the Paradise Valley Cultural and Entertainment District, a project involving five Detroit-based developers with investments of over $50 million.

"During Rod’s tenure Detroit’s economic development has accelerated rapidly,” said Jim Vella, a Ford executive and chairman of the DEGC board. “Rod’s commitment to projects such as the redevelopment of Paradise Valley and Motor City Match that focus on opportunities and a better quality of life for Detroit-based businesses and residents have been an important part of our progress. We wish him well in his new endeavors.”

Miller said, “I’ve enjoyed playing a role in the growth of Detroit’s economy and helping shift perceptions about our community’s value as a targeted location for businesses from around the globe. I am excited about the next chapter and have enjoyed getting to know the Detroit business and civic community.”

Miller joined DEGC as its president and CEO in September 2014, taking over from long-time DEGC head George Jackson. His term will end as of March 31.

Contact John Gallagher: 313-222-5173 or gallagher@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @jgallagherfreep.