He would replace current Human Services Director Marianne Udow, who leaves Aug. 31 to be the director of the Center for Healthcare Quality & Transformation, a new joint venture between Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the University of Michigan Health System.

A source close to Ahmed confirmed Wednesday that he has accepted the post. Ahmed was out of town and could not be reached for comment.

Liz Boyd, Granholms press secretary, said she could not confirm the appointment. We have offered the position to someone and they have accepted. And as we noted, when director Udow announced her resignation, we will be announcing her replacement at some point in the near future, Boyd said.

Ahmed, a longtime member of the New Detroit Inc. board and of the Michigan Democratic Party state central committee, is known as a bridge-builder.

His achievements include founding and shepherding the annual Concert of Colors, many Hispanic-Arab cultural events and backing creation of the Democrats' Arab-Hispanic-Asian caucus.

Ahmed also spearheaded the founding of and directed construction of the $20 million Arab American National Museum which opened in Dearborn in May 2005.

Granholm in January named Ahmed to serve as a regent on the board of Eastern Michigan University."