All About Macomb MARZ

The Macomb Automation and Robotics Zone (MARZ) is a 501(c)(3) organization established by Macomb County, Macomb Community College, Macomb Intermediate School District and the city of Sterling Heights to enhance opportunities for K-12 students to discover careers in advanced manufacturing and robotics. With support from grants and donations, MARZ provides a place for organized robotics teams to access needed tools and interact with industry professionals. To reach underserved areas, MARZ hosts interactive workshops for hundreds of K-8 students at key locations throughout Macomb County each year as well as provides small start-up grants and support for teams that advance in competitions.

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Why MARZ

Macomb County is Michigan’s third most populated county and is one of its fastest growing. With nearly 875,000 residents, Macomb County encompasses 482 square miles and 27 unique communities, including Warren and Sterling Heights, two of the state’s largest cities. Its borders include the city of Detroit and 33 miles of freshwater coast along Lake St. Clair.

While many industries thrive here, Macomb County is a recognized leader in developing and deploying new technologies in the automotive, aerospace and defense industries.

Overall, manufacturing and associated professional services account for 26% of all jobs.

In fact, there are 13,719 engineers, 27,630 research and development specialists, 40,031 tradespeople, and 81,380 highly-skilled technicians employed in Macomb County.

Macomb County is home to:

More than 1,200 manufacturers.
805 companies that specialize in automation and robotics.
413 companies have been awarded more than 36,000 Department of Defense contracts totaling more than $25 billion between 2010-2020
A bona-fide cluster of 150 aerospace suppliers.

Proudly known as the defense capital of the Michigan, Macomb County is also home to:

The U.S. Army Detroit Arsenal, the only Active-Duty Military installation in Michigan. This 178 acre campus with 67 buildings employs nearly 7,800 civilian/contract/deployed workers. It hosts many mission critical defense organizations including Tank-automotive and Armaments Command, United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Ground Vehicle Systems Center, Defense Logistics Agency, Army Contracting Command-Warren, Integrated Logistics Support Center, Program Executive Office Ground Combat System and Program Executive Office Combat Support and Combat System Support.
Selfridge Air National Guard Base, one of the largest joint reserve installations in the nation. With more than 1,400 personnel, the 127th Wing of the Michigan Air National Guard hosts mission support partners US Army, US Coast Guard, US Customs and Border Patrol as well as reserve posts for the US Marines, Navy, Reserves.

Clearly, the ability to sustain and expand a skilled workforce in science, technology, engineering and mathematics is critical to the success of our local economy.

Our Founding

With an understanding that local employers provide interesting and well-paying careers, leaders from Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development, Macomb Intermediate School District, Macomb Community College, and the City of Sterling Heights gathered with a goal to enhance robotics programming for students across the county.As a result, the Robotics Collaboration and Innovation Center, operating as MARZ, was formed and granted 501(c)(3) status as a non-profit, charitable organization in 2019. It is governed by a volunteer board of directors and holds a current charitable solicitation license with the state of Michigan.

Meet our Board Members

John Paul Rea

President

Deputy County Executive, Macomb County

John Paul Rea, Deputy County Executive for Macomb County works alongside County Executive Mark Hackel with a particular focus on economic development. Rea holds a Bachelor of Science in political science with a minor in public administration and a master’s degree in public administration with an emphasis in urban and regional policy and planning from Grand Valley State University. Rea is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, represents Macomb County on the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transit board of directors, sits on the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority board of commissioners, is the Treasurer of the Automation Alley Board of Directors, and is involved in the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments. JP lives in Washington Township with his lovely wife Roberta and their two wonderful kids Amelia and Danny.

Vicky Rowinski

Vice President

Director, Macomb County Planning and Economic Development

Rowinski is the director of the Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development. She helps oversee the overall strategy for the department and helps implement the economic development action plan. This is accomplished through five distinct program areas: Economic Development; Parks and Natural Resources; Community Planning, GIS and Data Services; and Marketing, Communications, and Outreach. Her focus areas for Macomb County include growing targeted industry sectors and fulfilling the workforce pipeline in automotive, aerospace, defense, robotics, and cybersecurity.

Vicky earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems from Baker College and received her Masters of Science in Administration degree with a concentration in Leadership from Central Michigan University. She also obtained a master’s certificate in Government Contracting Administration from George Washington University in 2010 and is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD).

Paula Macpherson

Secretary

Executive Director, Velocity Center

Paula is the Executive Director of Velocity, a Michigan SmartZone dedicated to serving all of Macomb County. Velocity’s mission is to foster the growth of the entrepreneurial ecosystem through incubator and accelerator services, business coaching, networking, and educational opportunities.

A lifelong resident of Macomb County with a deep-rooted entrepreneurial spirit, Paula has a diverse background. She spent a decade in the commercial construction industry before transitioning to a role in mergers and acquisitions for nine years. In addition to owning and operating several businesses, Paula has also worked as a business growth consultant.

At Velocity, Paula is energized by the chance to collaborate with an innovative team and strategic partners from across the state. She is passionate about educating the investment community on the exciting entrepreneurial developments in Macomb County and is enthusiastic about contributing to this vital mission.

Jennifer Kook

Treasurer
Assistant Controller of ITC Holdings Inc.

Jennifer Kook is the Assistant Controller of ITC Holdings Inc. and has been with the company for 9 years. She oversees SEC and statutory reporting, accounting systems, consolidations, internal control and fixed asset accounting. Prior to this she worked at Ally Financial Inc. in various accounting roles. She also was an auditor at Ernst & Young from 2001 to 2005. Jennifer earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a major in accounting from Grand Valley State University. She is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

James O. Sawyer IV, Ed.D.

Director
President, Macomb Community College

Jim Sawyer is Macomb Community College’s sixth president and took office on July 1, 2017. Prior to his appointment, he was college’s provost and senior vice president for the Learning Unit and had 15 years of experience at Macomb.

As provost, Sawyer led Macomb’s cultural transformation from focus on student access to focus on student success. He has also been the principal investigator on two successful National Science Foundation Grants, and has led a number of academic program modifications and student success initiatives. His previous positions at Macomb were as vice provost for Career Programs and as dean of Engineering and Advanced Technology.

Prior to joining Macomb, Sawyer spent 17 years in business and industry, with leadership positions in engineering, quality, and operations at Chrysler, Dana, Ancor, and New Haven Foundry. He is an American Society for Quality Certified Quality Engineer.

Sawyer earned a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from Lawrence Technological University, and a master of science in administration, and a doctor of education in educational leadership from Central Michigan University.

Sawyer serves on a number of boards, including St. John Providence Hospital, Macomb/St. Clair Workforce Development, Leadership Macomb, Advancing Macomb, Michigan Design Council and the American Society of Body Engineers Foundation.

Mr. Michael DeVault

Director
Superintendent of Macomb ISD

Macomb Intermediate School District Superintendent Michael DeVault has been with the district since 1991. DeVault came to the district as Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and Employee Relations and became Superintendent in 1993. Before coming to the MISD, he held administrative positions in curriculum, special education, personnel, finance, operations, and secondary school leadership with Utica Community Schools, Mason Schools, and a district in the Kalamazoo area. Following his service in the military, DeVault started his career as a teacher and coach in the Port Huron Area. He received his bachelor’s degree in business and master’s degree in education from Western Michigan University.

Meet our Program Coordinator

Marjie Jenkins

Marjie Jenkins began working part-time as MARZ Program Coordinator in 2021. She brings more than 25 years of experience as a competitor and mentor in FIRST Robotics Competitions.

Still lamenting a near-win at the World Championships as a student at Pontiac Central High School, Marjie continued to mentor and volunteer while earning a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Oakland University. She is currently Lead Mentor for FRC 469 based in Bloomfield HIlls and continues to coordinate the Michigan State Championship where up 160 teams compete annually.

Marjie is also active as a member with Gilda’s Club of Royal Oak and contributes an auction item for their annual Bras for a Cause gala. She is also a longtime supporter of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and the Make a Wish Foundation.