Kelly Reed, co-chairman of the Economic Club of Marquette County, talks about the club’s 2019-20 speakers on Thursday at the Ramada Inn. Programs will run from September through April. (Journal photo by Christie Bleck)

MARQUETTE — Individuals from many walks of life are on the slate of speakers for the Economic Club of Marquette County’s 2019-20 program season.

The same could be said for the club in general.

“Our membership represents a diverse group of industries and includes individuals and leaders from the health care, municipal and mining industries; education; and the business community,” said Doug Gordon of Edward Jones Investments, who also is economic club president.

The list of scheduled speakers from the Upper Peninsula and beyond was announced Thursday morning at the Ramada Inn. They are:

≤ Sept. 16, Karl Bohnak, meteorologist at WLUC-TV 6, whose topic will be “Conquering the Weather: Exploits of the Early Pioneers,” sponsored by Northern Michigan University;

≤ Oct. 21, Al Bloniarz, executive vice president, Systems Control, who will speak on “The Extraordinary Custom Nurse Service of Systems Control, a U.P. Company in Iron Mountain,” sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan;

≤ Nov. 11, Jesse Wright, assistant professor of economics at NMU, and retired commercial and development banker, whose topic will be “American Debates: Globalism, the World Moves on,” with Range Bank the sponsor;

≤ Dec. 16, David Manson and Andy Langlois, owners of Blackrocks Brewery, whose topic will be “What’s the Deal with the Mugs?” and other anecdotes from Blackrocks, sponsored by VAST;

≤ Jan. 20, Brian Sarvello, Career and Technical Education director, Marquette-Alger Regional Educational Service Agency, who will talk about “Finding the Talent Your Company So Desperately Needs,” with the Upper Peninsula Health Plan sponsoring the program;

≤ Feb. 17, Erica Huss, warden at the Marquette Branch Prison, who will share an update on the prison, with the Upper Peninsula Power Company as the sponsor;

≤ March 16, Dave Hreha, vice president of American Funds, who will talk about the economic outlook, with Snyders Drug Stores the sponsor; and

≤ April 20, Rich Pirog, director, the Center for Regional Food Systems at Michigan State University, who will discuss local food systems and their impact on the community, with UP Health System the sponsor.

Program chairs for the club are Nheena Weyer-Ittner of the Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum and Kelly Reed of VAST.

Board members meet once a month to discuss various topics, Weyer-Ittner said, with a goal of building a diverse seat of speakers for each season.

“Then we try to build a diverse set of speakers for each season,” she said.

A goal, she noted, is looking for connections.

“Did you hear a really good speaker at a conference?” Weyer-Ittner asked. “Do you know somebody? Maybe your uncle is a really amazing person that knows something about a topic that we should all hear about.”

Reed agreed.

“The connectivity that this room has and the connectivity that the businesses have are truly critical to our ability to obtain and really bring in high-quality speakers,” Reed said.

Non-members are invited to attend the program dinners for $55 per person. The Ramada Inn, located at 412 W. Washington St., hosts the events. Social hour starts at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. and then the speakers. Programs conclude at 8:30 p.m.

To make reservations, call 906-315-2155 or visit www.marquetteeconomicclub.org.

Christie Bleck can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250.