Tributes to J. Michael Bernard, Sen. Gary Peters, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

During the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference, the Detroit Regional Chamber and the business community at large recognized the late J. Michael Bernard, Sen. Gary Peters, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for their accomplishments and service to the Michigan community.

During the final day of the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference, Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) was honored by the Chamber and fellow industry leaders for his collaborative spirit and record-breaking achievements serving as one of Michigan’s U.S. Senators. 

“I know a good U.S. Senator, and I know an exceptional U.S. Senator, and Gary Peters has been an exceptional U.S. Senator for this state, this country, on automotive issues, on the environment, and on national defense,” The Chamber’s Sandy K. Baruah said. “Gary, on behalf of the Detroit Regional Chamber, I thank you.” 

“The state of Michigan, the Great Lakes region, and the nation as a whole have been incredibly fortunate to have a strong, determined, deeply committed partner in Washington representing the interests of Michigan’s environment and Great Lakes,” said Lisa Wozniak of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. 

“You have done an incredible job, and most importantly to me, you are a gentleman,” Dennis W. Archer Jr. of Sixteen42 Ventures said. “You listen, you are passionate, there’s never a question in today’s politics whether our leader is going to embarrass us. You have been a solid citizen during your tenure, and I thank you very much.” 

“[Gary] really was always reaching out, trying to figure out what to do to make things better within a community,” Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said. “And he’s not the kind of person who would just stay in Washington, he was always present within a community and having conversations … he was a guy that actually knew how to connect with people, because he had that knack about him.”

Following her last Conference keynote address and Theatre fireside chat as Governor, Gretchen Whitmer was also honored by the Chamber and a few prominent business leaders for her charm and grit, as well as what she’s accomplished during the eight years of being “Michigan’s Chief Executive Officer.” 

“Governor, it is such a bittersweet moment,” the Chamber’s Sandy K. Baruah said. “I had the honor of welcoming you on this stage in your first year as governor. And it has been a delight, it’s been a ride, and it has been, frankly, a joy to work with you, not just on this Conference, but more importantly, on all the policy issues that we have worked on.” 

“Gretchen Whitmer is tough, authentic, good-humored, fearless, and completely and unmistakably devoted to Michigan and its citizens,” Gary Torgow of Huntington Bank said. “Each and every day, you brought your whole self to your job — your humor, your grit, your love for your family and our state, your penchant for straight talk — and always, always, everyone knew where Gretchen Whitmer stood and what you were about.” 

“You have managed through economic crises, criticisms, attack from the White House. But you have done all things with grace,” Dennis W. Archer Jr. of Sixteen42 Ventures said. “And I would just say this, in every place that you go, you say the same things, you interact with people exactly the same, and there’s no room that you are not comfortable in.” 

“When I think of [Gretchen] Whitmer, I think of [‘W’] as ‘Willing to Help’ in how you always answered the phone,” Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s Tricia A. Keith said in an acrostic poem. “The ‘H’ stands for humor — ‘Big Gretch.’ The ‘I’ stands for ‘Inquisitive’ because she always wanted to understand. The ‘T’ stands for ‘True to Herself’ because she is authentic. The ‘M’ stands for ‘Modern’ because she’s progressive and forward-looking. The ‘E’ stands for ‘Energy’ because she never quits. And as you heard from everybody here, the ‘R’ stands for ‘Real’ because she is always herself.”