Baruah, Carnrike, Stevens Listed in DBusiness’ Detroit 500

Baruah, Carnrike, Stevens Listed in DBusiness' Detroit 500

The Detroit Regional Chamber's Sandy K. Baruah and Tammy J. Carnrike, as well as MichAuto's Glenn Stevens Jr. have been named among DBusiness' Detroit 500, a comprehensive list of the most powerful executives in more than 30 industries across metro Detroit and Michigan.

The most highly selective biographical database of business leaders in the Detroit Region and Michigan, the resource list was compiled based on a number of factors, including the size of a given company or organization, growth rate, geographical reach, and extensive personal contacts.

The Chamber also congratulations the numerous Chamber Board members and leaders of Chamber member companies who were also highlighted.

Baruah is president and CEO of the Detroit Regional Chamber, the third largest chamber in the nation. Baruah joined the chamber in 2010 after serving under President George W. Bush as administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce, and chief of staff of the U.S. Economic Development Administration. Prior government work includes service to President George H.W. Bush and U.S. Sen. Bob Packwood.

EDUCATION: University of Oregon (B), Willamette University (M)

FIRST JOB: Selling men's clothing at a department store.

TOUGHEST CHALLENGE: During my service with President George W. Bush, I had roles dealing with the 9/11 terror attacks, Hurricane Katrina, and the financial meltdown in 2008.

HOBBIES: Travel and cars, but not traveling in cars.

DOWNTIME: Quiet time at home with my wife and our pets; a glass of wine always helps.

BEST ADVICE FOR A YOUNG PERSON: Work backwards; figure out what you want the story of your life to be.

As COO, Carnrike oversees key areas at the nation's third largest chamber, including the Mackinac Policy Conference, special programming, corporate governance, major investor relationships, Affinity programs, and day-to-day oversight in support of the chamber president and CEO. Carnrike has achieved the highest professional designation of Certified Chamber Executive. She was appointed to the post of civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army (CASA) Michigan in February 2018.

BEST ADVICE: The most difficult thing is the decision to act; the rest is merely tenacity.

INSIGHT: In facing adversity, you won't remember all that you went through, but you will remember how you survived.

HOBBIES: Golf, enjoying good food and wine, exploring new artists, and trying new tequilas.

DOWNTIME: Reading books on the beach, trying new restaurants with friends, watching football, and Sunday mornings with coffee and the print newspapers.

BEST ADVICE FOR A YOUNG PERSON: There is nothing you can't accomplish unless you allow yourself to think otherwise

Stevens is the executive director of MichAuto and serves as the Detroit Regional Chamber's vice president of automotive and mobility initiatives. In this role, Stevens provides strategic direction and leadership to MichAuto, which is part of a statewide industry association to promote, grow, and retain Michigan's automotive and next-generation mobility industries. He has more than 30 years of management and operations experience in many industries.

EDUCATION: Michigan State University (B, M)

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE: Plant manager, market manager, and international sales manager at National Steel Corp.; vice president of marketing, sales, and technical service at Kolene Corp.; vice president of business development and sales and membership; and senior vice president of the Original Equipment Suppliers Association.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Serves on the boards of Team 1 Plastics, the Michigan Humanities Council, the Michigan Institute for Energy Innovation, and the MSU Broad Executive Forum.

CO-FOUNDER: CEO, Coalition for Change, Detroit Mobility Coalition.