Ed Bruley – Secretary
Mr. Edward Bruley serves as the Secretary of the Board of the MCEP. This nonprofit group acts as an organizer and clearing house for relationship initiatives between governments, business and education organizations in Macomb County and the People’s Republic of China.
Bruley was a principal staff member for a Member of the United States Congress for 25 years. Bruley also has served as a Macomb County Commissioner having been elected in 2006 and 2008. His last two years on the Board of Commissioners were spent as Co-Chair of the Planning and Economic Development Committee. Presentley Mr. Bruley is an elected Member of the Mount Clemens School Board. Bruley received his B.Ph. from Grand Valley State University and his M.A. in Political Science from the University of Windsor in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
Bruley now devotes his time in full to MCEP. He meets with local and international groups to bring businesses, school groups, and cultural demonstrations to Michigan. He also frequently travels to China, Germany, and other international destinations in an effort to organize groups to travel to Michigan, furthering MCEP’s goal of economic development.
Brian Sevald – Executive Director
Brian Sevald received his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan in 2010. Brian has spent some time as a Scuba Instructor and Divemaster in the Florida Keys instructing individuals to learn to scuba dive. He also spent time as a Private Investigator gathering evidence for use in court for an investigation firm in Milford, MI that handled many insurance fraud cases. Brian also was a Photographer for the National Basketball Association and a local newspaper for a few years and still freelances some when he can. For a short time Brian was a Surveillance Officer in a Casino in Red Rock, Oklahoma, and utilized the Casino’s cameras to monitor financial transactions as well as customer activities within the casino. Lastly Brian also spent a few summers as a Backcountry Ranger in New Mexico guiding groups of individuals on 10 day backpacking trips through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of New Mexico. Brian now serves as the Associate Director for the Macomb Cultural and Economic Partnership and is responsible for many of the day to day operations of MCEP. Brian enjoys photography, backpacking, snowboarding and firearm/shooting sports in his spare time.
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Mae Chue – Cultural Activities Coordinator
Dr. Mae Chue is the Cultural Activities Coordinator at MCEP. She has been with MCEP since May 2012 and is responsible for leading visiting delegations and study tours, translating, and other duties.
Dr. Chue holds a Ph.D. in counseling from Oakland University and is an adjunct professor at Spring Arbor University and the University of Phoenix. She runs a private counseling practice and volunteers for the Association of Chinese Americans on topics such as family, cultural assimilation and mental health.
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Francesca Catalfio – Host Family Coordinator
Francesca is the Host Family Coordinator at the Macomb Cultural and Economic Partnership. She has been with MCEP since 2013, but has been a host family and volunteer since 2009. Francesca received her bachelor’s degree in political science and secondary education from Wayne State University and is a former social studies teacher for Dominican High School in Detroit, MI. She also has held positions as marketing coordinator for publishing and architectural firms and as program coordinator for the Interfaith Center for Racial Justice. Francesca also enjoys catering and baking cakes for all occasions, and is owner of Dolci di Francesca.
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Regan Watson – Group Tour Leader
Regan Watson has lived in the greater Detroit area for 25 years. She studied Communications at the University of Windsor and spent nearly 10 years administering an exchange program for the Department of State creating thematic experiences for international visitors to Detroit. She returned to school and is currently working toward an undergraduate degree in science. She has joined MCEP for the summer of 2014 to work with students from China during their exchange programs looking at the U.S. legal system. She resides in Hamtramck where she volunteers her time with community organizations and civic activities.
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Lori Nowak – Group Tour Leader
Lori Nowak is a Tour Guide for MCEP. Lori and her family started as a volunteer host family for MCEP in 2012. Lori works as a Paraprofessional with Special Education students for Utica Community School District. Previous to joining MCEP she volunteered with Youth for Understanding exchange program, not only as a host family, but also as an Area Representative. Her duties included: advocate between host families and exchange students; ensuring students were following program guidelines; interacting with schools districts the students were enrolled in, to ensure the students discipline in the school environment; and interviewing potential host families.
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Kathy Banks – Group Tour Leader
Kathy received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Davenport University. She previously worked at Comerica Bank where trained employees on how to deliver excellent customer service. Kathy loves ocean cruising and frequently helps her friends make their dream cruise become reality.