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michiganchronicle.com
April 12-18, 2017
Tony Saunders: Wayne County’s financial turnaround specialist ready to start new firm By Donald James Special to the Chronicle
For those who know the work of Tony Saunders in his role as chief restructuring and financial officer for Wayne County, they pretty much agree that he’s the driving force that kept Wayne County away from the “B” word of bankruptcy. In his patented quiet and methodically style of operation, Saunders was relentless in overseeing a Wayne County recovery plan that eliminated $52 million in structural deficit, and $82 million accumulated deficit, while posting back-to-back budget surpluses over the last two fiscal year. “We don’t get where we are today in Wayne County without Tony Saunders,” said Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans. “Tony’s a turnaround specialist, and that’s why we recruited him. Wayne County is in its best financial shape in years, and we’ve restored stability.” In the best financial shape and restored stability were not choice descriptions of Wayne County when Evans picked Saunders as CFO a couple of years ago. At the time, it looked as if Michigan’s largest county would go the way of Detroit, and be stamped with the dreaded “B” word.
Ms. Goal Digger is a CEO’s guide to goal setting, dressing the part and having it all Alison Vaughn is Ms. Goal Digger and declares that success is sexy. Her new book shows readers how to set goals, have a millionaire mindset and dress like a CEO. Set a goal. Make it happen. That is what Alison Vaughn does. As the founder and CEO of Jackets for Jobs, Inc. she has spent 17 years making a difference and won many awards for her outstanding work including an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
Tony Saunders – Alisha Dixon photo With Wayne County now riding the smooth waves of stability, Saunders announced recently he’s setting new sails, as he will head his own private turnaround and private equity firm. Yet, he’s proud of what’s been accomplished in partnership with Evans. “The best part of the job, and probably the thing that I’m most proud of is helping Warren Evans, Wayne County Executive prove the doubters wrong,” Saunders said. “When he took office, most people though what he has now accomplished so far wasn’t possible. And, he took a real chance on me and my talents. So I’m extremely happy and delighted that his faith in me wasn’t in vein.” Saunders, who is in his early 30s, pointed to such accomplishments as reaching an agreement with retirees in an amicable way, when Wayne County was facing a lawsuit on behalf of 4,000 county retirees. “A negative ruling or negative settlement would essentially have bankrupted the county,” Saunders explained. “However, we were able to reach an agreement with these retirees to preserve benefits for them. This settlement ended up saving the county about $20 million annually, and reduced the unfunded liability by about $1 billion.” Based on Saunders’ work, the county also reduced its unfunded legacy costs from $2.4 billion to around $1 billion. The county even received bond upgrades from financial rating institutions such as Moody’s (three upgrades). Saunders was
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“Ms. Goal Digger” author Alison Vaughn, is celebrating her 17th Anniversary Celebration on Thursday, April 27 at the Greektown Casino Hotel.The guest speaker for the April anniversary event is Alfred Edmond, Senior VP & Executive Editor-at-large of Black Enterprise magazine. Jackets for Jobs, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that provides employment etiquette, career skills training and professional clothes to low-income individuals. Since opening the doors in 2000, the organization has assisted more than 20,000 individuals with employment. This high-profile organization has been supported and applauded by Donald Trump, “The View,” “Today Show,” and O Magazine. A highlight of Vaughn’s career was the honor of ringing the closing bell on NASDAQ. JFJ also partners with TJ Maxx and is the charitable arm. Now Vaughn has accomplished another goal by releasing a new book: Ms. Goal Digger, Success is Sexy. It’s lauded as the CEOs Guide to Goal Setting, Dressing the Part and Having it All. Endorsed by Emmy-Award winning journalist and TV Personality, Shaun Robinson who says, “I have known Alison since we were both fresh out of college and she has always been passionate about empowering women to live their best lives. Goal-setting is the buzzword in business these days and Alison is fantastic with throwing light on how to approach your goals strategically, how to dress like a CEO and how to effectively network. The tips she has put
together in this book will help anyone overcome obstacles to their success.” The book is also endorsed by Carole Gist, M.Ed., Miss USA 1990, Camille Walker Banks, Executive Director, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses and Gail Perry-Mason, Best-Selling Author, Financial Coach and Founder of Money Matters for Youth. Ms. Goal Digger: Success is Sexy is a tell-all guide for today’s businesswoman who wants to get what she wants for herself, by herself. While the world may define success in dollars and cents, this book teaches women how to work smarter, not harder. In this book, readers will learn: • How to network to increase your net worth • How to develop a millionaire mindset • How to act, speak and dress like a CEO • How to set strategic goals and plans of action
While many may define sexy as miniskirts, makeup and stilettos, this book teaches that true sexiness starts with a mogul mindset. Book is available on Amazon. Alison Vaughn, #msgoaldigger, a Michigan State University graduate and a graduate of The Women’s Campaign School at Yale University, she serves as the award-winning CEO of Jackets for Jobs, Inc., a Detroit-based non-profit organization. For more than two decades, she’s worked diligently to cultivate the success of others through etiquette and grooming tips, as well as providing professional clothing to job seekers. A Goldman Sachs Scholar, she has secured millions of dollars for her company and is committed to sharing her first-hand knowledge with other business owners—allowing them to maximize profits and partnerships. www.AlisonVaughn .com and follow her on Twitter at @alisonvaughn https://www.yout ube.com/ watch?v=aUogE1WKAIs
Wallace Detroit Guitars Announces Limited Edition ‘Firehouse Series’ Guitars Handcrafted with Reclaimed Wood from Iconic Detroit Firehouse Wallace Detroit Guitars, a Detroit-based guitar company that builds unique and timeless instruments using reclaimed wood from local landmarks, announced a limited edition ‘Firehouse Series’, available now. The instruments are lovingly crafted with original wood from the former Detroit Fire Department Headquarters, located at 250 West Larned Street in Detroit. Salvaged pine and maple from the building’s floorboards will allow Wallace Detroit Guitars to build ten of its flagship single-cutaway guitars and two guitars with a brand new offset body shape. Like all Wallace Detroit Guitars, these instruments will feature expert craftsmanship and premium components for a playing experience and sound that matches their one-of-a kind historical significance. The new guitars are available now to coincide with the launch of Wallace Detroit Guitars’ new website, located at wallacedetroitguitars.com, and which features detailed photographs and specifications of each guitar. It also provides a deep dive into the remarkable origins and craftsmanship of these unique instruments, as well as availability and ordering information. “Our goal with these guitars is to preserve the history of the city we love while honoring its tradition of superior craftsmanship,” says Wallace Detroit Guitars owner
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