Michael P. Hickey is the founder and president of Hickey & Associates, a consulting company headquartered in Minneapolis, MN, with four regional offices throughout the United States. Hickey is a site selection and public incentives expert who has spoken at numerous national conferences. BF: You say that about 75% of financial incentives offered to relocating companies aren’t fully realized. What factors ...

Mark O'Connell is the CEO of OCO Global, a consulting firm he founded in 2001 that specializes in international investment and trade. O’Connell also oversees the operations of Mintel International Group in Ireland. BF: In 2007, the United States saw a 20% increase in FDI from 2006. Is this an unusually large increase and, if so, what factors do you think account for it? O'Connell: The United States currentl ...

Since 2003, Greg Simon has been the president of FasterCures, an “action tank” that studies medical R&D processes in order to accelerate treatment and “save lives by saving time.” As chief domestic policy advisor to U.S. Vice President Al Gore from 1993 to 1997, Simon oversaw initiatives of the Human Genome Project, the National Cancer Institute, and the Food and Drug Administration. Simon has also been ...

Ezra Green has been involved with renewable energy companies for seven years and founded Clear Skies in 2003. Prior to Clear Skies, Green was a successful entrepreneur who founded TAL Design & Construction in 1990. AMERICA'S 15 “GREENEST” STATES 2007-2008 1. Vermont 2. Oregon 3. Washington 4. Hawaii 5. Maryland 6. Connecticut 7. New Jersey 8. Rhode Island 9. New York 10. Arizona 11. Massachusetts 12. Id ...