Duane M. Elling

Raised in a small farming community in Michigan’s Thumb Region, Duane Elling was in his late teens when he first visited Mott’s hometown of Flint. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan-Flint, where he also tutored in the school’s writing lab and, as editor of the student newspaper, learned the seductive and terrifying power of the red pen. After a brief detour to the university’s Ann Arbor campus, where he earned a master’s degree in social work administration, Elling returned to the Vehicle City. He held positions at the American Red Cross Genesee-Lapeer Chapter and the Shelter of Flint, Inc. before joining Mott in August 2000 as the communications officer with the Flint Area Program. He has since served on the boards of local nonprofits, introduced others to the new energy emerging from the city’s downtown revitalization and eaten more than his fair share of Flint-style Coney dogs. Today, this former small town boy remains passionate about his adopted “Flint Strong” community.