PLS Alumni Spotlights
Khalil Rahal
GVSU Political Science alum Khalil Rahal graduated from GVSU in 2006 and University of Detroit Mercy Law School in 2009. After working several years in the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, Khalil began working to promote economic development in Detroit. As the Assistant Wayne County Executive, Khalil led economic development for Michigan’s largest county and the 19th largest county in the country. Khalil focused on repurposing underused or vacant county-owned properties and taking on structural issues that affect metro Detroit’s economic competitiveness. Under his direction, the county secured a deal to sell the former Standard Accident Insurance Co. building at 640 Temple St. for $11 million to a development group that plans a $65 million makeover for the building. Khalil was the pointman for Wayne County in securing a deal with the Moroun family’s Crowne Enterprises to buy the polluted former McLouth Steel Products Corp. steel plant in Trenton. In 2020, he was also given the responsibly of managing $1.6 Billion dollar budget and successfully achieved unanimous approvals for both the 2020 and 2021 budget. Khalil later served as Chief Administrative Officer for Wayne County.
When he was 37, Khalil was named to Crain’s 40 Under 40 list, awarded to those Detroit area Leaders recognized as making a significant difference in their communities. He was also awarded the 2019 Michigan Economic Medalist of the year award and has been recognized as one of Crain's 50 People to Know in Government.
Khalil has been the Director of Economic Development for DTE Energy since 2022.
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