-Governor launches project from Quicken Loans event for 300 new team members-

Livonia, Mich. – April 17, 2007 – Quicken Loans provided the backdrop for Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm to launch a new initiative designed to spur the creation of good jobs throughout the state of Michigan and help grow the state’s economy.

Leaders from Quicken Loans and seven other Michigan-based companies on FORTUNE Magazine’s list of the “100 Best Companies to Work for in America” list are partnering to help other Michigan organizations develop the type of productive workplace cultures and practices that will enable them to succeed and grow. The initiative, called the Next Great Companies Project (NGCP) will be chaired by Michigan’s First Gentleman Daniel G. Mulhern, Gov. Granholm’s spouse.

“Bringing companies together to share their winning strategies in keeping and attracting a first-class workforce provides invaluable insight into making Michigan a great place to live, learn, and earn,” Granholm said. “These companies – singled out as some of the best companies to work for in the United States – are the types of companies we are working everyday to bring to Michigan to diversify and grow our economy.”

The Governor’s announcement was made during a Quicken Loans’ new employee orientation session held monthly by Chairman and Founder Dan Gilbert. The company is adding 300 team members each month, and Gilbert spends a full day with each new group, talking about the company’s values and philosophies and unique entrepreneurial culture.

“Growth comes from unleashing creativity and innovation from employees. It all starts with a culture that allows that to happen,” said Gilbert, who spoke at the Governor’s news conference. “Growing a company is a lot like growing a garden. If you plant the right seeds, fertilize, water and nurture the soil, your garden will be healthy and grow.”

“We know that great business cultures produce financial returns and job growth,” Mulhern said. “These executives exemplify that, and with their help, Michigan can lead the country in establishing new great companies while helping the great companies already here continue to grow.”

Mulhern and members of the Next Great Companies Project will be driving an effort to help grow Michigan’s economy by sharing best practices with companies across the state.

In addition to Quicken Loans, the other organizations involved in the launch of the NGCP include Google’s online ad sales division (based in Ann Arbor, Mich.), Plante & Moran, Bronson Healthcare, Valassis, Citizens Republic Bancorp, Cascade Engineering, and Dow Corning. The Center for Positive Organizational Scholarship in the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan will also support the effort.

Quicken Loans is the nation’s largest online retail mortgage lender, closing nearly $18 billion in home loans in 2006. The www.QuickenLoans.com Web site has been ranked “Best of the Web” by Forbes, Money and PC magazines. Founded in 1985, Quicken Loans has more than 4,600 team members and has been ranked in the “top 20” of FORTUNE magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list for four consecutive years. Computerworld magazine has ranked the company # 1 on its “100 Best Places to Work in Information Technology” list for two consecutive years.

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