New Board Chair and Other Leaders Bring Diverse Backgrounds, Talent

From Ford Motor Company to Rock Ventures and more, we are thankful to the team of passionate professionals helping guide our program to new heights. Welcome to our new board chair, vice chair, secretary, treasurer and two new board members!
(Left to right, Julie Lodge-Jarrett, Sara Ross, Elizabeth Kmetz, and Peter Fezzey)

Members of the Downtown Boxing Gym board gathered Oct. 17 at The Scott at Brush Park on Woodward Avenue in Midtown to usher in a new leadership team, adopt a budget, and get down to business. The stunning new five-story apartment building, featuring a cozy lobby and a rooftop pool deck, provided a comfortable space to meet, mingle, and brainstorm. Downtown Board Gym board member Clifford Brown is part of the team that developed The Scott, built by Sachse Construction. The building features one, two and three bedroom apartments (199 units in all), a lobby, lounge, fitness facilities, and more.

Julie Lodge-Jarrett led the meeting, taking over the role of board chair from Matt Roling who will remain on the board. Lodge-Jarrett is the Chief Talent Officer (CTO) at Ford Motor Company, responsible for talent acquisition, learning and development, organizational development, diversity, people process and culture, for the global automaker. She was hooked from the first day she walked into the Downtown Boxing Gym and is excited about her new role.

Peter Fezzey, Digital Business Development Manager for Michigan.com, is our new vice chair; Sarah Ross, a Director at Rock Ventures is treasurer; and Elizabeth Kmetz, a Vice President, Development Director for Broder & Sachse will serve as secretary.

Joining the board are, Rakesh Aneja with Detroit Diesel and Joe Freers with PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP (PwC). Rakesh has twenty years of experience in diesel powertrain development, including engineering leadership and program leadership responsibilities in the fields of advanced engine, aftertreatment and OBD system development. Joe provides specialized consulting in risk, controls, audit and compliance for mid-market private through large multi-national public companies.

We are thrilled to have such and outstanding, powerhouse team! Thank you to all of our board leaders and members, past and present, who play such a key role in our growth. We are excited about the future and big things to come as we continue to expand our program and serve more Detroit students.