The Detroit Region Aerotropolis Development Corp. named MSED Board Member, Rob Luce, as its new executive director.

Luce, 37, began his post March 6 to oversee the economic development agency's day-to-day operations and will report to the board of directors, the organization announced Tuesday. He is the first person to take on this role for the agency, which was managed by Wayne County or a part-time consultant since its inception in 2013, Luce said.

"Rob's experience, knowledge, and passion for economic development in Southeast Michigan make him the ideal leader for the Aerotropolis," Detroit Region Aerotropolis Executive Committee Chairman Tim Keyes said in a news release. "His work with MICHauto and knowledge of the automotive sector will be a valuable addition to our organization."

Luce brings more than a decade of experience as director of the Detroit Regional Chamber's MICHauto and Automotive Retention & Growth initiative. There he oversaw marketing of the state's automotive assets, lobbying for the industry in Lansing, attracting automotive investment, and creating initiatives to help improve the talent pipeline for auto companies.

Luce also has political experience as a fundraising director for a state Senate campaign and as a legislative aide in the state Senate. He has also worked in government relations and as an executive mortgage banker at Quicken Loans Inc.

He earned a business degree from Adrian College in 2003 and a master of public administration from Eastern Michigan University in 2010, according to the release.

Detroit Region Aerotropolis is a public/private agency that advocates for investment in the Detroit Metropolitan Airport region. The agency is supported by various public and private entities including DTE Energy Co., Wayne County Airport Authority, cities surrounding the Metro Airport, and Washtenaw and Wayne counties.