IN PICTURES: The Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce President's Power Lunch & iT EXPO at Lawrence Technology University with L. Brooks Patterson

(SOUTHFIELD, MI)...The Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce office of communications announced today the continuation of its monthly President’s ‘Power Lunch’ series in 2011. The extremely successful event gathers some of the region’s top business and civic leaders including: captains of industry, chief executives, financial gurus, medical & legal experts, academic heads, successful entrepreneurs, and fast-growing young professionals. This highly anticipated series is an extension of the Leadership Luncheon program, which was spearheaded in 2006 by Chamber President & CEO John Akouri, and features prominent elected officials and decision-makers from throughout the country.

The President’s Power Lunch series is an exclusive meeting designed to create new rules and new avenues for powerful impact in the region and business world. It is about bringing business leaders together to discuss current and future goals while forging tangible relationships that turn networking into substantial gains for Chamber members, associates and the business community. Invited participants enjoy a great meal and productive conversation ultimately leading to new opportunity. Some of the venues for the luncheon in the past have included: Indianwood Golf & Country Club, the scenic Grosse Pointe Yacht Club, the historic Detroit Athletic Club, the five-star Tribute Restaurant, the Lochmoor Country Club and the executive Skyline Club located on the 28th floor of the prestigious Town Centre. This month's winter luncheon was held on the campus of Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, Michigan, USA and hosted by the college President, Dr. Lewis Walker, an executive member of the Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce and featured Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson.

The theme of this month's luncheon was 'Transforming Business' and inluded an Information Technology (iT) EXPO. Special Guests attending the event included: NFL Great Eddie Murray, Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence, V. Rev. Father Edward Hanna of Saints Peter & Paul Church, Consul General of Macedonia, His Excellency Igor Dukoski, Deputy Consul General of Mexico, His Excellency Jorge Sánchez-Cataño, Northville Township Trustee Christopher Roosen, Lawrence Technological University Provost Dr. Maria Vaz, Attorney Andrew Abood, Esq. of the Lansing-based Abood Law Firm, Attorney Issa Haddad, Esq., National Arab American Medical Association Executive Director Renée Ahee, Madonna University Director of International Education Dr. Jonathan Swift, Attorney Frank T. Mamat, Esq., Shareholder at FosterSwift, CPA Martin Peters, MEA-TV President & General Manager Wally Jadan, Dianne Shipley DeCillis of Lido Gallery & Gifts, Builder & Developer Aziz Harridy, International Barrister Laurie Tannous, Employment Immigration Attorney Rami Fakhoury, Esq., Optech President & CEO Ronia Fakhoury Kruse, Detroit Philanthropist Dr. Tarik Daoud, Elie Naim, of the American Friends of Notre Dame University- Louaize, and newest Chamber Member Mende Bezanovski.

Joining Chamber leaders Akouri and Ahee, members of the Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce Advisory Board of Directors participating in the event included outgoing Chairman of the Board Ronald M. Pruette of UBS Peninsula Wealth Management Group and incoming Chairman Louis J. Peters, Jr., of Kenneth J. Dalto & Associates. Also appearing were General Counsel Jeffrey Lance Abood, and Directors Fred Andary of Andary Realty, Abe Karam and Michigan District Court Officer/Bailiff Gregory Saffady. In addition to Lawrence Technology University, featured EXPO technology exhibitors included: Automation Alley, represented by Senior Business Development Executive Sharon Blumeno, TechTown, represented by Faris Alami, CADSRPO, represented by CEO Fady Elias, Atrient founder Sam Attisha, and Pentacle Technologies & Vera Vault creator Ed Babbie. And once again this year, the Holiday Luncheon benefited the work of The Salvation Army, represented by Captain Scott Strissel.

The goals and objectives of the Chamber’s annual luncheon series are focused at achieving business objectives well beyond foremost organizations and prime individuals across the nation. These structured business goals are aggressive and participants are part of the power of working together to further deliver the mission and contribute to the overall growth and advancement of the national Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce. To be considered for attendance at a future President's Power Lunch or to learn more about and/or join the Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce, please visit: http://www.lebanesechamber.org/.