Birgit M. Klohs

President & CEO
The Right Place, Inc.
Grand Rapids, MI


Birgit Klohs is the President & CEO of The Right Place, Inc., a position she has held since 1987. The Right Place, Inc. is the regional economic development organization responsible for the retention, expansion and attraction of businesses in the West Michigan Area.

Klohs, a native of Germany, came to The Right Place from Grand Valley State University (GVSU), where she served as Assistant Director of the Office for Economic Expansion. Prior to her tenure with GVSU, Klohs worked for Prince Corporation in Holland, Michigan.

Her economic development career began in 1977 as an Industrial Consultant with the Economic Development Corporation of Berrien County, Michigan. Following that experience, she joined the Michigan Department of Commerce as an Account Executive for the West Michigan region.

She is a graduate of Western Michigan University, where she earned her B.A. in Corporate Finance. She is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute of the University of Oklahoma; and completed the professional economic development finance program through the National Development Council.

Ms. Klohs is a frequent speaker at national and international economic development events. She has lectured in France, Great Britain, Germany, Sweden, China, Australia and Israel, and most recently participated in the Clinton Global Initiative – America.