Alumni Spotlight

Al Callewaert, Class of 1958

Growing up on Detroit’s lower east side, Al Callewaert learned about international business at a young age. He worked in his family’s neighborhood store, located by Assumption Greek Orthodox Church (now located in St. Clair Shores). Their customers were the neighborhood’s residents, representing nearly every country in Europe; in turn, the Callewaert family tailored its products - breads, cheeses, and meats - to its customer base. And at age 75, Al is still working, teaching and consulting. Al naturally gravitated toward business following high school, studying at the University of Detroit (now University of Detroit-Mercy), earning his Bachelor’s in Marketing and his Master’s in Business Administration. He says that “U. of D. was an extension of the kind of education I got at De La Salle. My classmates were from other Catholic high schools - Catholic Central, Salesian, Servite, and so on.” Not long after college, Al took a variety of tests, seeking government employment, and got a call from the City of Detroit’s budget department. He worked on a budget project about the marketing of public buildings. In his research, he found that in other countries, public buildings, such as police stations, have a variety of functions. His report came to the attention of then Mayor Jerome Cavanagh, and Al was moved to the Planning and Economic Development Department, specializing in Business Retention and Development. In that position, he visited hundreds of businesses, establishing relationships with people in a variety of industries. As a result of his Detroit position, he was approached by one of the railroads to develop business relationships with industries needing rail lines for transports. “Properties and prospects, that’s what I did,” says Al. He not only talked to the shipping departments. He would check assessing records in musty basements at county buildings throughout Michigan, attempting to find the owners of land to set up opportunities for new businesses to be located near existing rail lines.

“My work - I truly can’t call it a career, too many job changes - was primarily in Business Development: finding new business vs. more business from existing customers. It particularly involves attracting business from competitors - no easy task. When the economy sours, your job is eliminated.”

Locally, Al has been Chair of the Economic Development Committee in Clinton Township. He says that businesses have liked locating in Clinton Township, with the railroad running right through the township, just west of Groesbeck. He says that Michigan’s Public Act 198 allows real-estate taxes to be 50% for up to 12 years, a huge tax incentive for new businesses, and for businesses to renovate. “Probably more than anyone else, Clinton Township has used PA 198.” Several years ago, Al became involved with Walsh College, working to set up their International Business program. The program has since morphed into an International Business Certificate. “The three components of international business are learning about a country’s culture, its politics, and its history.” In the 90’s, he taught in Russia, near the Black Sea. His students were prospective entrepreneurs. “They had to learn to delegate and to set up a work force. I’m not sure they’re there yet.” For many years, Al has taught graduate courses in international marketing. “Central Michigan University has led the foray into adult education, largely through the military, and has set up courses at numerous military bases throughout the country.”

Al Callewaert

Al is currently teaching a graduate international marketing course for CMU credit on three alternate weekends at a naval distribution center in Philadelphia. He includes case studies in his course, and also requires students to do interviews with people in international business. “There’s a lot more going on for a business than what an international traveler faces with luggage and airline schedules, time zone and currency changes. Because of his many international contacts, Al has traveled extensively. China. Japan. Russia. Turkey. And, through a Canadian contact, Cuba. Al says that nearly all businesses in Cuba are SOE’s - State Owned Enterprises. “It’s the same way in China. In order to do business in Cuba, a business will have to partner with the government.” His most recent travels took him and his wife Tina to Belgium, to visit the family’s 87-year-old patriarch and family grave plots. Al toured St. Leo’s, in Bruges, where his grandfather Albert Callewaert and two uncles went to school over a century ago. Al plans to take his grandson, Brennan Hawkins, Class of 2017, the eleventh boy in the family to attend a Christian Brothers school, to Belgium after graduation.

De La Salle Collegiate cordially invites you to

The 13 th Annual Evening of Delights A Halloween Party to benefit the

Cultural and Athletic Programs at De La Salle on Saturday, October 3rd, 2015

At De La Salle High School 14600 Common Road, Warren, MI 48088 6:00 pm - 10:30 pm

Sample culinary delights from the area’s finest restaurants and caterers! Silent Auction • 50/50 Raffle Adults only - 21 and older please • Tasteful Halloween costumes are encouraged Tickets: $45 per person in advance / $50 at the door Tickets on sale now at ThePilotHangar.com