why membership matters
SEMCOG’s vision is that all people in Southeast Michigan benefit from a connected, thriving region of small towns, dynamic urban centers, active waterfronts, diverse neighborhoods, premier educational institutions, and abundant agricultural, recreational, and natural areas.
We achieve this vision in partnership with our members. If you are not yet a member, we hope you will join us! Additional Information is available on SEMCOG’s Member Services page. Local government and education officials interested in joining SEMCOG should contact SEMCOG Membership Manager Amy Malmer.
Membership List
Below are SEMCOG’s current members. Click on the member name to access their Web site.
Education Members
Education is critical to economic and regional growth, and we value our education members who are creating future leaders and the workforce. SEMCOG has many resources to help our members with planning for success. We also value the perspective of educational institutions on a broad range of regional issues, including economic and workforce development, public policy, environment, transportation, and safety planning.
SEMCOG is a unique organization among state and national peers as it includes educational interests within its membership. Intermediate School Districts (ISDs) as well as Community Colleges are eligible to be members of SEMCOG. Our partnership with education institutions allow for coordinated and collaborative decision-making since public education serves and is largely accountable to the same residents as other local governments.
Education members are also encouraged to participate in task forces and committees that address critical regional issues, including transportation, environment, economic development, and talent initiatives.
The SEMCOG Education Brochure: Tools and Resources to Help Education Members Plan for Success) highlights some of the services that our education members can access as part of their membership in SEMCOG. These include:
- Networking Opportunities
- Data and Information
- Grants and Technical Assistance
- Public Education
- Safety Data and Resources
- Public Policy
- Grant Finder
Leadership Opportunities for ISDs and Community Colleges
Education members can increase their institutions’ regional impact by holding leadership positions with SEMCOG.
There are many ways to get involved! More information on standing committees, working groups, and current task forces can be found on the Committees page.
Education and Networking All members receive vital information on everything SEMCOG in our bi-weekly newsletter Regional Update. This includes information on SEMCOG University workshops, webinars, and roundtable discussions; Member Meetups; General Assembly and Executive Committee meetings. In addition, check out our website and social media for updates.
For more information please contact:
Grant Brooks, Planner II at 313-324-3403, or [email protected]
Naheed Huq, Manager of Economic and Community Vitality at 313-324-3356, or [email protected]
Amy Malmer, Membership Manager at 313-324-3308, or [email protected]
Sheryl Theriot, External Affairs Director at 313-319-2235 or [email protected]
member recognition
Regional Ambassadors
SEMCOG presents Regional Ambassador Awards annually. The Regional Ambassador Award is SEMCOG’s highest honor for individuals and organizations making Southeast Michigan a better place to live, work, and raise a family. SEMCOG has been recognizing and celebrating the outstanding leaders of Southeast Michigan since 1974. The Regional Ambassador Award is a symbol of the foresight, courage, and persistence that it takes to be a champion beyond your own community or organization. Regional Ambassadors seek to support and influence those working beyond their own sphere of authority in order to develop a shared investment in the success of Southeast Michigan. Local government and education officials interested in joining SEMCOG should contact SEMCOG Membership Manager Amy Malmer.
2025 regional ambassadors
Kathleen Lomako, Vice Chairperson, Michigan Infrastructure Council (MIC) and retired SEMCOG Executive Director
Chris Barnett, Supervisor, Charter Township of Orion and Past SEMCOG Chairperson
News Release: SEMCOG honors Regional Ambassadors
We are pleased to acknowledge those who have shown dedicated leadership and service to the Southeast Michigan region.
Complete List of Regional Ambassadors
Taubman Fellows
SEMCOG has been a proud partner with the Taubman Company since 1991 in offering the Taubman Fellowship program. The fellowship program, generously funded by the Taubman Company, provides registration, materials, room, and board for local elected officials, selected by SEMCOG, to attend the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government.
Those eligible to apply for the Taubman Fellowship are experienced elected officials who represent SEMCOG member organizations. Applicants are expected to bring their senior-level experience to the program, which will be further developed by participating. The applicant should demonstrate a commitment to an ongoing and active regional role as a public official in Southeast Michigan.
If you are interested in applying, please contact Amy Malmer at (313) 324-3308 or [email protected]
2025 taubman fellows
Michael Schostak, Sheila Tomkowiak,
Treasurer Bloomfield Township Mayor City of Grosse Pointe
We are honored to have worked with The Taubman Company and truly grateful for the company’s commitment to regional excellence and for making it possible for so many local leaders to experience this program.
Complete List of Taubman Fellows
Regional Showcase Award
This award highlights a project or initiative that has made a significant contribution to the vision of a connected, thriving region of small towns, dynamic urban centers, active waterfronts, diverse neighborhoods, agricultural land, and parks, trails and natural areas.
Showcase projects represent model implementation of SEMCOG’s regional policies and plans, featuring one of more of the following goals.
- Unique places that offer various housing choices to support a diverse population.
- An educated and trained workforce to support a diverse economy and provide opportunities for all.
- Healthy, clean lakes, streams, air and a connected system of trails, parks and natural areas that support recreational and cultural amenities.
- Safe, efficient, and coordinated infrastructure that includes a multi-modal transportation system that embraces advances in technology and focuses on access for all.
- Job creation
- Civic engagement/public private partnership/public engagement
- Local government effectiveness
Implementation of projects and initiatives must be complete at the time of submission.
Eligible applicants: SEMCOG member counties, cities, villages, townships, intermediate school districts, and community colleges in the seven-county Southeast Michigan region (Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw, and Wayne).
2025 regional showcase award
City of Dearborn, PEACE Parks Initiative
Complete List of Regional Showcase Awards
2024 – Ford Fair Lane Estate Fishway, Wayne County
2023 – City of Oak Park recognized with SEMCOG’s 2023 Regional Showcase Award
2022 – Sustainable Investments Preserve Natural Areas, Washtenaw County
2021 – Clinton River Water Resource Recovery Facility, Oakland County
2021 – Webber Paddle Park, Chesterfield Township
2019 – Ferndale Moves! – A Multimodal transportation vision, City of Ferndale
2018 – Matthaei Botanical Gardens Trail, Charter Township of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County
2017 – St. Clair Riverfront Revival, City of Port Huron and St. Clair County