Michigan has consistently ranked among the top ten in foreclosures in the country. “Saving the American Dream” is a one-day conference sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago that will feature discussions with researchers, government officials and industry professionals on the impact of foreclosures in Michigan. Lenders and community leaders will share innovative strategies for foreclosure intervention.
Saving the American Dream
10/16/07
7:30 AM
Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:00 AM
Welcoming Remarks
H.J. Ford, Community Affairs Manager, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
8:15 AM
Opening Remarks
Mayor's Office - Invited
8:30 AM
“The Crisis”
Speaker
Mr. Kurt Metzger, Research Director, United Way for Southeastern Michigan
9:30 AM
Break
9:45 AM
Tax Foreclosure Panel
The focus of this panel will be to discuss the impact of tax foreclosures on the counties and current best practices to protect homeowners.
Moderator
Randall LeVasseur, President, LeVasseur Dryer & Associates P.C.
Panelists
Kevin T. Smith, Assistant Attorney General, State of Michigan
Keith Owens, Director of Communication, Wayne County Treasurer's Office
Ted Wahby, Treasurer, Macomb County Treasurer's Office
11:30 AM
Lunch
12:15 PM
Keynote Address
Speaker
Mr. Kenneth Wade, CEO, NeighborWorks America
1:00 PM
Products/Programs Panel
Discussion will focus on strategies which are most effective in reaching distressed borrowers and financial remedies available to lenders to assist homeowners.
Moderator
Karlos Griffin, Chair, Partnership & Fundraising Committee, Detroit HOPE
Panelists
Jerry Durham, Vice President, Homeownership Preservation, Countrywide
Linda Orlans, Owner and Managing Partner, Orlans & Associates
Bonnie Boards, Vice President & Homeownership Preservation Officer, Chase Community Development Group
Michael Woods, Attorney at Law, Potestivo & Associates
2:30 PM
Break
2:45 PM
Policy Change Panel
This panel will give an overview of the existing mortgage foreclosure policies currently in place to protect Michigan homeowners. The panel will also discuss initiatives and policies which are being introduced to the state legislature to assist homeowners in preventing mortgage foreclosure.
Moderator
Tahirih Ziegler, Executive Director, LISC – Michigan Statewide
Panelists
Mary Townley, Director, Homeownership Programs, MSHDA
Angie Gaabo, Executive Director, CEDAM
Lisa Nuszkowski, Chief of Staff, Majority Floor Leader Rep. Steve Tobocman
4:15 PM
