Birgit Klohs is president and CEO of The Right Place Inc., the regional economic development organization in Grand Rapids. Under her leadership, The Right Place has created more than 44,000 new and retained jobs and spurred more than $4.7 billion in new investment. She is a leading economic development strategist, collaborating with local, state and national organizations on critical issues related to economic development.
A native of Germany, and leading authority in international business and economic development, Klohs also leads The Right Place’s international business development strategy. She conducts numerous foreign direct investment missions to Europe, Asia and the Middle East each year, both independently and in collaboration with the state of Michigan and the Governor’s Office. She is a frequent speaker on national and international economic development issues.
In 2014, she was appointed by Gov. Snyder to serve on the International Crossing Authority, a joint authority between Michigan and Canada for the construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge. Klohs previously served as an industrial consultant with the Berrien County Economic Development Corp.