Michigan Names New Chief Of Automotive Office

LANSING (AP) — Michigan's economic development arm is promoting Kevin Kerrigan to lead its automotive office.

Kerrigan replaces Nigel Francis, who is taking a senior executive position with an unspecified Michigan-based auto company.

Kerrigan served with Francis as vice president of the automotive office. He previously led his own automotive design and engineering company for 20 years and worked at an executive level for Tier 1 suppliers.

Gov. Rick Snyder and the Michigan Economic Development Corp. created the automotive office in September 2013 as a way to reach senior-level executives in one of Michigan's most important industries. The goal was to make sure the state remains the leader in automotive design, engineering and manufacturing.

Snyder says Francis "set a high standard" as the first leader of the office.

Francis made $170,000 a year.

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