Ford's Anne Stevens and Chamber's Dick Blouse to be Honored at MSED May 5 Black-Tie Gala

TROY, Mich., March 22 -- Anne Stevens, executive vice president and chief executive officer of the Americas for Ford Motor Company, and Richard E. Blouse Jr., president and chief executive officer of the Detroit Regional Chamber, will each receive the "Executive Leadership Award" from the Marketing & Sales Executives of Detroit (MSED) at the group's annual black-tie gala dinner to be held at The Reserve in Birmingham, Mich. on May 5, 2006.

The charity event recognizes the exceptional achievements of business executives and sales and marketing professionals in southeastern Michigan. Hosted by the Marketing & Sales Executives of Detroit, it is the 14th annual black-tie fundraiser. Net proceeds will benefit the MSED scholarship fund, Focus: HOPE and Junior Achievement of Southeast Mich.

WJR Radio 760 is the media sponsor for the event.

"We are pleased to honor Anne Stevens with our annual Executive Leadership Award in recognition of her leadership and support of a number of community and charity based organizations," said Richard Marsolais, chairman of the MSED gala event and business development manager for Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP. "We are also delighted to honor Richard E. Blouse Jr. for his outstanding leadership and vision, which has made the Detroit Regional Chamber the number one chamber of commerce in the country. Both of these leaders have a passion for business and are an inspiration to us all."

"The gala is a great opportunity for local marketing and sales professionals to honor deserving business executives, to help raise funds for Focus: HOPE, Junior Achievement of Southeast Mich. and MSED scholarships, and to network with other area business professionals," said Marsolais. "It has become one of Detroit's most remarkable charity events."

The gala will also recognize one individual and one team of the Detroit area's top sales and marketing achievers with MSED's Platinum Award, presented to those persons who distinguish themselves in our field and help their companies achieve critical business goals. These winners are nominated by their professional peers and selected for the exceptional sales and marketing performance in the southeastern Michigan business community during 2005. Crain's Detroit Business is the Platinum Award sponsor.

Tickets for the black-tie charity event cost $150 for MSED members and $195 for non-members. This price includes an elegant cocktail reception and dinner and an afterglow reception.

For information on tickets, event details or sponsorship and advertising opportunities, contact Meeting Coordinators at 248-643-6590 or visit the organization's website at http://www.msedetroit.org/ .

NOTE TO EDITOR: Founded in 1988, the Marketing & Sales Executives of Detroit (MSED) is a non-profit organization for marketing and sales management professionals in southeastern Michigan. MSED provides members with an ongoing platform for idea exchange, professional development and new business opportunities. The organization conducts approximately 15 meetings, seminars and educational events each year for networking, professional development and scholarship fund-raising purposes.