4M Hires Chief Ecosystem Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024 CONTACT: Sydney Smith, Byrum & Fisk Advocacy Communications, ssmith@byrumfisk.com

4M hires chief ecosystem officer to support Ann Arbor SouthTown development

Hernandez brings experience in economic development, tech

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Ann Arbor-based development company 4M has hired a chief ecosystem officer to lead the development of SouthTown, a mixed-use development that will produce its own power.

Margarita Hernandez, who began working with 4M this year, will use her expertise and experience in economic development and innovation to help address the missing gap of workforce housing in Ann Arbor.

“I’m very excited to work with 4M and help bring SouthTown to life at a time when the community needs it most,” Hernandez said. “I’m looking forward to continuing to develop relationships with partners in economic development and tech. These key partnerships will help get this project done and cause a ripple effect of benefits in our community.”

Hernandez was previously the vice president of entrepreneurial services at Ann Arbor SPARK, which partners with and represents local municipalities to enhance their economic development efforts. She moved to Ann Arbor in 2009 to pursue a doctorate in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology at the University of Michigan. Following graduate school, Hernandez joined Fast Forward Medical Innovation at the University of Michigan supporting healthcare commercialization education courses and mentoring biomedical innovation projects for medical students and clinicians. She also joined a medical device and software startup, Pathware, where she supported both clinical business development and operations.

4M and Hernandez now work to create the sustainable, energy-independent neighborhoods of tomorrow which will help Ann Arbor become more sustainable and resilient to the effects of climate change.

“I am proud to welcome Margarita to the 4M team because she brings amazing expertise in economic development and entrepreneurship and can hit the ground running on SouthTown,” said Margaret Poscher, founder and CEO of 4M. “We look forward to our work together on cutting-edge solutions to problems that impact our community and beyond.”

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