Detroit Regional Chamber > Member News > Michigan Israel Business Accelerator names Sandy Selinger as CEO; Not-for-profit organization leading mobility delegation to Israel in May

Michigan Israel Business Accelerator names Sandy Selinger as CEO; Not-for-profit organization leading mobility delegation to Israel in May

May 9, 2018
Michigan Israel Business Accelerator (MIBA) has appointed Sandy Selinger as its first-ever CEO.

The Governor Snyder and Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) backed organization is leveraging the convergence of the strategic direction of Michigan and Israel and emergence of new technologies to build on successes and expand opportunities for greater outcomes.

With 20 years of experience serving in leadership roles with international businesses, Selinger will direct MIBA and lead a team that will help boost the Michigan economy by expanding collaboration with Israeli companies, leveraging innovation processes on both sides and providing a compelling landing pad for Israeli companies in Michigan.

“Michigan businesses have unlimited potential to work and collaborate with Israel-based businesses and vice-versa,” said Selinger. “Israel and Michigan have a lot of similarities and overlap in industrial concentrations and will work well in tandem. We’re excited about the possibility of coming together around many areas like mobility, cyber, defense and even water.”

“MIBA is a catalyst focused on the economic betterment of the State of Michigan,” added Selinger. “We have exciting plans moving forward. Already, we’re leading a delegation to Israel in early May focused on mobility with the American Center for Mobility along with other Michigan companies.”

“MIBA is the single portal for business-to-business connections between Michigan and Israel,” said Mark Davidoff, Michigan Managing Partner, Deloitte, and Chairman of MIBA Board. “This is a win-win for Michigan, our economy and Israel.”

Selinger has extensive experience working with Israeli startups building and expanding their U.S. operations. Prior to relocating to Detroit, Selinger was responsible for managing Wix.com’s (NASDAQ: WIX), New York City office where he built and managed a bi-costal and nationally reaching marketing team to establish and expand WIX’s presence in the U.S. In that capacity he forged partnerships and co-branding opportunities with companies like Google, Facebook, Constant Contact, Yelp and Mashable.

Prior to that, Selinger spearheaded operations and finance at Psyop Inc., where he oversaw growth from four founding members to an international design and production powerhouse winning Clio awards, Design Effectiveness Awards (DBAs) and an Emmy. Concurrently, he was responsible for running the company’s New York, Los Angeles and London offices employing 120 people.

Notably, Selinger served as an operations officer and squad leader, rescue and evacuation unit, Israel Defense Force (IDF).

Selinger earned a Master of Science degree from the London School of Economics (LSE) in 1998 and a Bachelor of Arts degree (double major in Economics and International Affairs) from the University of Colorado in Boulder in 1997. Selinger lives with his wife and children in Grosse Pointe Park.


About Michigan Israel Business Accelerator (MIBA)

Through the assistance of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and private support, MIBA will elevate the scope and scale of the Michigan Israel relationship, targeting the convergence of technology, industry and research in such sectors as advance manufacturing, mobility, cyber, defense, water, health and life science and agriculture. For more information, visit www.michiganisrael.com.