General Motors Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson to keynote Habitat Michigan's 2013 Awards Banquet

LANSING, MI--March 15, 2013: Habitat for Humanity of Michigan is honored to announce Dan Akerson, chairman and CEO of General Motors Company, as the keynote speaker for the 2013 Awards Banquet on April 24, held at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing. In 2012, Akerson and his wife, Karin, stepped forward to provide a $1-million cornerstone gift to Habitat for Humanity's "Leaders to ReBuild Detroit" initiative. As a part of the ReBuild Michigan Campaign, Leaders to ReBuild Detroit is focusing on the Morningside Commons neighborhood on Detroit's east side.

"Dan Akerson and his wife, Karin, have been extremely instrumental in moving the Habitat mission forward in our state. We are excited to have them present at our awards banquet, continuing to inspire others to jump in and work to ReBuild Michigan," said Habitat for Humanity of Michigan CEO Sandra Pearson. "They are stellar examples of the servant spirit upon which Habitat for Humanity was founded."

The Akersons are serving as the Honorary Chairs of the ReBuild Michigan Campaign, joining other Michigan corporate leaders from Whirlpool, Dow, Masco, Ford Motor Company Fund, DTE Foundation and Consumers Energy.

"No city or state's economic recovery is complete without thriving neighborhoods and viable communities," Akerson said. "Karin and I hope that by supporting Habitat for Humanity's mission to provide safe, affordable housing to families in Detroit and other areas, we will inspire more people to volunteer their skills and make donations to help rebuild our state one house and one community at a time."

Habitat Detroit expressed their deep gratitude for Dan and Karin Akerson's involvement in the "Leaders to ReBuild Detroit" initiative.

"They are amazing ambassadors for the work Habitat Detroit is doing in the Morningside Community and the initiative they spearheaded will nearly triple our impact in the city," said Habitat Detroit Executive Director Vincent Tilford. "Their support is galvanizing the ReBuild Michigan campaign throughout the state and bringing much needed attention to affordable housing and community revitalization issues."

About Habitat for Humanity of Michigan

Based in Lansing, Habitat for Humanity of Michigan is the state support organization for Michigan's 46 ReStores and 75 Habitat for Humanity affiliates which serve nearly every county in the state. HFHM's mission is to increase the capacity of Habitat for Humanity affiliates in Michigan to build or renovate simple, decent homes in partnership with people in need.