ORIGAMI BRAIN INJURY REHABILITATION CENTER

Transcription

1 ORIGAMI BRAIN INJURY REHABILITATION CENTER Mid-Michigan s Brain Injury Experts 105TH ANNUAL DINNER CELEBRATION IN PHOTOS FOCUS ON SMALL BUSINESS: BATTLEBALL LANSING VIC VERCHEREAU TO CHAIR LANSING ECONOMIC CLUB THE MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE LANSING REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MARCH 2017 LANSINGCHAMBER.ORG 1

2 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAMBER Recognizing Excellence in Business Leadership One of the highlights of each year for me is to enjoy the energy of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce s (LRCC) Annual Dinner. It is always great to see our friends, colleagues, business leaders and elected officials for a fun evening of networking, dining and recognition. The 105th Annual Dinner, held on February 16 at the MSU Kellogg Center also represented a spectacular showcase of outstanding business leadership in our region. It was an honor again to recognize our annual winners of the Chamber s most prestigious awards and to pay tribute to past, present and future leaders of Greater Lansing. TIM DAMAN President and CEO Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce There could be one no more fitting person to be honored with the Community Service Award than Paula Cunningham, one of the most admired leaders in our region. Throughout Paula s career in business and education, she has committed herself to building a stronger region, most notably through her service to dozens of non-profit organizations, including serving as chair of the LRCC Board of Directors. Paula has also given willingly of herself to mentor others and has been viewed as a role model by many professionals in various walks of life. As the recipient of the Outstanding Small Business Award, Triterra and its CEO Don McNabb are an example of the important role that small businesses play in the growth of our region. Triterra has experienced phenomenal growth, which has led to them moving into a larger corporate office in REO Town and plans for additional locations around Michigan. Their success is a testament to the collective economic impact of our small business community. Seventy percent of LRCC members are companies with 15 or fewer employees and these small businesses will continue to drive economic growth in our region. Anyone who witnessed the 105th Annual Dinner would no doubt come away knowing our region will continue to benefit from the entrepreneurial spirit and leadership commitment that has always been our defining difference. It was also gratifying to present the Chamber Legacy Award to Lyman and Sheets Insurance, in recognition of their 63 years as a dedicated LRCC member and a long history of serving the community. The selection of Lyman and Sheets illustrates how deep the insurance sector reaches in our community. Not only are we the proud home to corporate headquarters in the insurance industry, many smaller businesses, particularly in the agent community enhance Greater Lansing s status as the Insurance Capital of Michigan! It was a rare honor to present the Community Service Pioneer Award to the Blue Ribbon Committee to Keep GM. This group was responsible for not only keeping General Motors in our region, but also for the eventual decision by the automaker to invest more than $3 billion in two state-of-the-art assembly plants producing some of GM s best-selling vehicles. This award has only been presented five other times in the Chamber s history. It was a privilege for the Chamber to help lead the Blue Ribbon Committee through our then board chair, Jack Davis. I want to personally thank Jack, as well as former Mayor David Hollister, Ray Tadgerson, former Delta Township Supervisor Joe Drolett and former Lansing Township Supervisor John Daher for their stellar works on this historic effort. Through the years, the Chamber and the Greater Lansing region have benefited from the very best in business leadership, no matter what the issue. Anyone who witnessed the 105th Annual Dinner would no doubt come away knowing our region will continue to benefit from the entrepreneurial spirit and leadership commitment that has always been our defining difference. TRANSPORTATION ABOUT THE LEADERSHIP CIRCLE Leadership Circle members are proven business and community leaders. We value their commitment and applaud their efforts to strengthen our region with their leadership and appreciate the important role they play in advancing our organization. 2 FOCUS / MARCH 2017

3 MARK YOUR CALENDAR Officers 2017 Board of Directors Board Chair Deb Muchmore / Kandler, Reed, Khoury & Muchmore Past Chair Joe Ford / Netvantage Marketing Chair Elect April Clobes / MSU Federal Credit Union Division Directors Marketing and Communications Lisa O Connor / Publicom Regionalism Initiatives Mark Burnham / Michigan State University At-Large Lauren Aitch / Our Own Products David Baker / Farm Bureau Insurance Company Stella Cash / Sparrow Health System Rick Calk / Neogen Denise Droscha / Two Men & A Truck Jenn Dubey / University Club David Ferguson / Ferguson Development Wendy Hamilton / TechSmith Teri Hull / Dart Container Van Martin / CBRE Martin Board Partnerships LEAP, Inc. Bob Trezise / LEAP, Inc. Grand River Connection Tyler Dyke / State of Michigan ATHENA WIN Jenn Sturdy / PNC Bank FOCUS Editors Ross Woodstock Eric Dimoff Design Tandem Studios Legal Counsel Steve Owen / Foster Swift Collins & Smith P C Treasurer Jeff Fineis / Andrews Hooper Pavlik PLC President Tim Daman / Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Membership Services Patrick Dean / Dean Transportation Government Relations Matt Resch / Resch Strategies Tom Mee / McLaren Greater Lansing Steve Notar Donato / General Motors Tonia Olson / Granger Steve Reynolds / Accident Fund Holdings, Inc. Fathy Shetiah / 7C Lingo Tom Stewart / Common Wealth Enterprises Bill Woodbury / Auto- Owners Insurance, Co. David Zyble / Jackson National Life Insurance Lansing Black Chamber of Commerce Reshane Lonzo / DRM Health Care Greater Lansing Hispanic Chamber Jose Yanez / Full Circle Financial Planning Cover Photography Trumpie Photography Printing BRD Printing, Inc. Mailing BRD Printing, Inc. STAY CONNECTED. STAY SOCIAL. facebook.com/lansingchamber Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce DON T MISS: Lansing Economic Club Thursday, March 30, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center Speaker: Dave Armstrong, President and Chief Executive Officer, GreenStone Farm Credit Services Register: Contact: Travis Richardson at or trichardson@lansingchamber.org TUESDAY, MARCH 14 / MEMBER MIXER 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Location: Origami Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center, 3181 Sandhill Road, Mason. Nestled on a beautiful 35 acre wooded campus just outside of Lansing, Origami Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center is a nonprofit organization offering a continuum of care for individuals who have sustained a brain injury. Origami provides more than medical care. They work as a team, bringing together committed professionals who use a unique interdisciplinary approach and a network of community resources to meet the physical, social, spiritual, cognitive, and emotional needs of those who have sustained a brain injury. No charge for Chamber members ($15/non-members). Registration can be completed at Includes hors d oeuvres. THURSDAY, MARCH 23 / CHAMBER 360 8:00 a.m 9:30 a.m. Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Insurance Capital Board Room, 500 E. Michigan Ave., Ste. 200, Lansing. Chamber members are encouraged to attend Chamber 360 to learn how to maximize your Chamber benefits, meet our staff and network with other members. This is a FREE event, but space is limited. To register for this event, please contact Michelle Rahl at or mrahl@lansingchamber.org. THURSDAY, MARCH 30 / ECONOMIC CLUB 11:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center, East Lansing. Speaker: Dave Armstrong, President and Chief Executive Officer, GreenStone Farm Credit Services. Thank you to our sponsor Wieland. Program begins at noon. Please arrive early for registration and networking. $55/member ticket, $75/non-member ticket or $425/table of eight (includes plated lunch). Pre-registration is required. To register for this event, please visit For additional information, please contact Travis Richardson at or trichardson@lansingchamber.org. TUESDAY, APRIL / BUSINESS EDUCATION SERIES: CAN YOUR BUSINESS SURVIVE A CYBER ATTACK? 8:00 a.m 9:30 a.m. Location: Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Insurance Capital Board Room, 500 E. Michigan Ave., Ste. 200, Lansing. Even small businesses are at risk of cyber attacks. In fact small business is more vulnerable in many ways. Our panel of experts will provide you with many easy-to-implement techniques to greatly reduce the threat of a cyber attack shutting down your business. This program is designed for small business owners with no technology background. Programs are sponsored by Fifth Third Bank and Fraser Trebilcock Davis & Dunlap, P.C. No cost to attend. To register for this program, please visit TUESDAY, APRIL 11 / MEMBER MIXER 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Location: Think Space, LLC, 416 S Cedar St., Lansing. Think Space is great for board retreats, off-site team meetings, client sales presentations, strategic planning, training sessions, and a host of things yet to be imagined. The business mantra of today is if you don t reinvent yourself, someone else will do it for you. So grab a blank canvas, step away from your office, and find your Think Space. Hosted by Think Space, Moonsail North and Hude Legal Services, PLLC. No charge for Chamber members ($15/nonmembers). Registration can be completed at Includes hors d oeuvres. THURSDAY, APRIL 27 / ECONOMIC CLUB 11:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center, East Lansing. Speaker: Molly Fletcher, motivational speaker and former sports agent. Thank you to our sponsor Consumers Energy. Program begins at noon. Please arrive early for registration and networking. $55/member ticket, $75/non-member ticket or $425/table of eight (includes plated lunch). Pre-registration is required. To register for this event, please visit For additional information, please contact Travis Richardson at or trichardson@lansingchamber.org. LANSING PROMISE DINNER April 27, p.m. 9 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at LANSINGCHAMBER.ORG 3

4 THANK YOU RENEWING MEMBERS A C Electric AdviCoach Air Lift Company ALDI Inc, Okemos #18 ALDI Inc, S. Pennsylvania Ave #19 ALDI Inc, West Lansing #17 Bekum America Corporation BRD Printing, Inc. Buildtech Ltd Burcham Hills A Life Plan Community CAMPGROUNDS-R-US Capital Area MICHIGAN WORKS! Christman Company, The Cohl, Stoker & Toskey, P.C. Community Mental Health of Clinton, Eaton & Ingham Counties Dart Bank Dart Container Dart Development Group Davenport University DeLau Fire & Safety, Inc. Delux Tents & Events Demmer Corporation DM Burr Group EDUStaff enpower Technology Solutions Fahey Schultz Burzych Rhodes PLC Farm Bureau Insurance Company Financial Technology, Inc. Friends of Ingham County Parks Gladstone Printing GM Lansing Operations Godfrey Wise Berg, CPA s & Advisors, LLC GreenStone Farm Credit Services H Incorporated Hager Fox Heating & Air Conditioning Co. Horizon Bank Jackson National Life Insurance Co. Keller Williams Kolt Communications, Inc. Lansing Area Condominium Services, Inc. Lansing Ice & Fuel Company Lehman, Wesley & Associates, Inc. MacAllister Rentals MacIntyre & Cowen ReMax Grand River Maner Costerisan, CPA, PC MAYOTTEgroup Architects Mead & Hunt Michigan Creative Michigan Health & Hospital Association Michigan High School Athletic Association Moriarty s Pub Morrison, Nordmann and Associates, Inc. MSU Federal Credit Union Northstar Pools, LLC Peckham, Inc. Production Department, The Publicom, Inc. Reid Machinery, Inc. Romanow Building Services RSDC of Michigan S & S Die Co. Sagano Motel Shumaker Technology Group Sohn Linen Service State Bar of Michigan Stillwater Grill Student Book Store, Inc. Tim Lea Builders LLC Transnation Title Agency of Michigan Transworld Business Advisors of Lansing Tri-Star Trust Bank Union Bank Village Green of Lansing Apartments War-Del Motel Warren Salvage & Dismantling Corp. Wayne-Dalton Sales Center of Lansing Wieland Willows at East Lansing, The WILX-TV Yeo & Yeo CPAs & Business Consultants Zaytoon Mediterranean Grill CHAMBER MILESTONES We d like to offer a special salute to these great organizations that reached milestone anniversaries as Chamber members this month. Thank you for your continued support through the years! Fraser Trebilcock Davis & Dunlap P.C. 40 years Boys & Girls Club of Lansing 30 years Extend Your Reach 30 years D.L. Walker, Inc. 25 years LAFCU 25 years Capital Region Community Foundation 25 years Leon s Transmission Repair, Inc. 20 years SYMBIOSIS International 20 years Service Master Absolute Home & Restoration Services 20 years Agate Software, Inc. 20 years DTN Management Co. 15 years Michigan State Medical Society 15 years Educational Tours, Inc. 10 years Web Ascender 10 years Victory Liquor 5 years Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project, Inc. 5 years Superior Business Solutions 5 years Courtland Consulting 5 years Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce members have unparalleled access to their company and staff profiles on the LRCC website. To access and update this information at any point, visit and enter your username and password. If you have not yet logged into the site, please follow the simple password reset instructions. Call (517) with any questions. WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Spartan Net 3032 E. Lake Lansing Rd. East Lansing, MI Super Web Pros 325 E. Grand River East Lansing, MI Western & Southern Life Insurance Company 2433 Kings Cross East Lansing, MI The Ongena Agency, Farm Bureau Insurance S US 27 Dewitt, MI Senior Helpers 3681 Okemos Road, Suite 200 Okemos, MI ThoughtWorks 200 E Randolph St 25th Floor Chicago, IL Astera Credit Union 111 S. Waverly Rd. Lansing, MI Mortgage Explorers 2869 Jolly Road, A3 Okemos, MI The Vermillion Agency, Farm Bureau Insurance 427 W Madison St. Lansing, MI Michigan College of Emergency Physicians 6647 West St. Joseph Hwy. Lansing, MI Genius Phone Repair 617 E Grand River Ave East Lansing, MI Vertexer 208C East Grand River Ave Lansing, MI Enterprise Labor Services, Inc River Ridge Dr. Lansing, MI FOCUS / MARCH 2017

5 Focus on Small Business: Battleball Lansing LAUGHTER BOUNCES BACK BY LAUREN N. SHIELDS, KOLT COMMUNICATIONS, INC. FOCUS ON SMALL BUSINESS SPORTS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN a part of who Tanya Baucom is. She grew up athletic, loves friendly competition and enjoys not only being a part of the games, but also watching them. One sport Baucom never played, however, is soccer. In her words, she is awful at it. Yet, soccer is Baucom s business. Well, bubble soccer that is. Battleball Lansing is a service-oriented business. Upon booking a party online or by phone, on the day of the event, Baucom s team brings to the location everything needed for a game of bubble soccer: bubble Baucom soccer balls, soccer balls, nets, a cooler of ice-cold water and one or two event hosts that also serve as referees. Along with bubble soccer, Battleball Lansing also offers giant Jenga, giant Connect Four and an additional game called Battle Darts: a game of darts played with Velcro soccer balls and an 11-foot inflatable dartboard. Baucom works with schools, camps, reunions, open houses, clubs any group that wants to give the sport a try. With 36 Battleballs and two trailers, Baucom and her team of five travel throughout Michigan. They have even gone as far as Ohio for a party. Wherever people want us to go, we go! said Baucom. Battleball Lansing also partners with Lansing Indoor Sports Arena and offers bubble soccer and Battle Darts every Tuesday night from 8 to 10 p.m. for the price of just $15. Baucom enjoys this partnership as it gives her business a consistent presence and is an affordable opportunity for people to try the sport. Baucom is even flexible with her packages and pricing, saying that the sport is something everyone should experience, price not being a deal-breaker. Baucom discovered bubble soccer while scrolling through Facebook one day. After watching a video, she further researched the sport to possibly use as a fundraiser, in addition to the 5K event that she hosts each year in honor of her sister who passed away in While trying to find the closest location, Baucom realized that the only one around her was Detroit. After speaking with the owner and researching more, she discovered she could buy the license for the name, buy the balls and start a business. I am so thankful to the community and surrounding communities that bring us to their homes, to trust us that they re going to have a good time, that they re kids are going to be safe, even though it s the fear of the unknown, because it is different. I do have to emphasize that a lot. With almost two years since the inception of Battleball Lansing, there hasn t been a single injury from a party. Baucom is considering expanding her business to include a party-planning aspect, but says she doesn t think she will expand locations beyond her home. Though there ve been hurdles, the joy her business has brought to others is priceless. The parties, the people you have grown men that are like big ol kids. They are giggling like little schoolgirls, said Baucom. With the way we are now as a society, everything is rush, rush, rush there s so much stress. You don t see a lot of laughter anymore and that is the single thing that I love most about my business: I get to see people laugh. I get to bring something to make them laugh. LANSINGCHAMBER.ORG 5

6 #LOVELANSING Plante Moran Ranks Fifth on Forbes Top 100 RIA Firms PLANTE MORAN ranked fifth on Forbes and RIA Channel s 2016 Top 100 RIA Firms with $7.5 billion in asset growth over the last decade. The ranking recognizes wealth management firms by growth in assets over the past 10 years. In order to be considered for the ranking, each firm must be a registered investment advisor with the SEC, provide wealth management services, and primarily serve individual clients. Plante Moran s culture is built on strong values and upholding key principles in order to better Established in 1924, Plante Moran is one of the nation s largest registered investment advisory firms currently managing $11.5 billion in assets and over 2,500 accounts. serve their clients. According to John Lesser, President of Plante Moran Financial Advisors, client satisfaction and a holistic investing approach are the main driving factors behind his firm s success. Established in 1924, Plante Moran is one of the nation s largest registered investment advisory firms currently managing $11.5 billion in assets and over 2,500 accounts. Dedicated to serving all clients from individual investors to large corporations, Plante Moran offers a client-first mentality to support various investment objectives. Their holistic investment practices provide individuals, families, foundations, endowments, and corporate benefit plan sponsors a client-first approach based on the collaboration of experienced Plante Moran team members. In order to adapt to the marketplace, Lesser explains that Plante Moran has developed strategic business units to serve various types of investors. Tax policy, interest rates, and the future of the economy have also become dominant trends that are raising questions for investors. These concerns ultimately lead to investors thinking about long-term financial situations such as estate planning and wealth transfer. Welcome Home. Arrive in style with Dean Black Car. Dean Black Car provides a safe, professional and comfortable environment to get you and your team where you need to go. Whether traveling from the airport or to a special event, Dean Black Car can take you there. Call today or visit us online to book your next trip. Plante Moran offers comprehensive wealth management services, and strives to serve as personal CFO s for clients and guide them towards investment success on a holistic basis. Historically, Plante Moran utilizes both active and passive investment strategies, and is currently 80/20 passive/active. deanblackcar.com (800) FOCUS / MARCH 2017

7 #LOVELANSING Inaugural Metro Lansing Procurement Summit to be Held in April TARGETED EVENT WILL SUPPORT AND CONNECT QUALIFIED MICHIGAN SUPPLIERS AND ELIGIBLE BUYERS Become a member of an award winning credit union that will stay with you for a lifetime. Youth Club accounts for ages all the way up to 18 Debit and VISA cards are printed in branch Free financial counseling for members and non-members Mortgage and Auto loan options available Free Checking accounts Small Business Loan options Home and Auto Insurance Student Scholarships Visit us at or stop in to one of our 7 branch locations for more information! ON APRIL 18, 2017 the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC) and Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP), along with the Pure Michigan Business Connect program (PMBC), will host the first ever Metro Lansing Procurement Summit at the Lansing Center in Downtown Lansing. Fully coordinated by the PMBC, this application-based, matchmaking event will connect buyers from participating companies to pre-qualified Michigan suppliers from around the region and across the State. This targeted experience is intended to help purchasing and procurement teams fill procurement gaps. In addition, further support from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) ensures this event is offered at no cost to approved attendees. This summit will bring significant growth opportunities for Lansing-area suppliers and ultimately lead to more jobs for Michigan residents, said Trevor Pawl, MEDC Vice President of International Trade and Procurement Programs. We encourage all qualified mid-michigan suppliers to apply to take part in this event, where they can expand their networks, showcase their products and services, and grow their business. With nearly 250 sourcing needs from 15 buyers in various industries, the Summit presents qualified Michigan suppliers with realistic opportunities for business growth. In addition, Summit attendees can expect customized, private, 1-to-1 supplier meeting schedules based on the individual procurement needs they provide prior to the Summit. This is an outstanding opportunity for small businesses in Greater Lansing to diversify and grow their customer base, said Tim Daman, President and CEO of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce. We are pleased to have 15 buyers from our region providing business growth opportunities to our local businesses. Participating buyers include: AF Group, City of Lansing/BWL, Consumers Energy, Dart Container Corporation, Demmer Corporation, Emergent BioSolutions, Farm Bureau Insurance, Granger, Lansing Community College, Michigan State University, MSUFCU, Sparrow Hospital, Spartan Motors, State of Michigan, and Two Men and A Truck. The first Metro Lansing Procurement Summit is an important event that will create many opportunities for area companies to supply goods and services to some of Lansing s largest businesses and organizations, said Bob Trezise, President and CEO of LEAP. We appreciate the 15 companies participating as buyers in the Summit, and are grateful for all the work our partners at the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce and MEDC have done to put this important event together. Federally Insured by NCUA METRO LANSING PROCUREMENT SUMMIT Tuesday, April 18, 2017 Lansing Center To be considered for attendance at the Summit, interested suppliers must complete the Metro Lansing Procurement Summit application by Monday, March 13, Visit to apply. LANSINGCHAMBER.ORG 7

8 MEMBERS GET MORE Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce 105th Annual Dinner AN EVENING OF CELEBRATION 800 Chamber members enjoyed the celebratory atmosphere at the 105th Lansing Regional Chamber Annual Dinner. One of the highlights of the evening was the stirring presentation of the Community Service Pioneer award, which has only been presented five times in Chamber history. The Blue Ribbon Committee to Keep GM was recognized for its historic efforts to save General Motors presence in Greater Lansing, which eventually resulted in $3 billion in new investments by the automaker. Picture l-r: Jack Davis, Ray Tadgerson, Joe Drolett and David Hollister THE 105TH ANNUAL DINNER of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC) was an evening to celebrate great business leadership of today as well past community victories that paved the way for sustained regional growth. Some 800 Chamber members enjoyed the networking, dining and awards presentations during the Annual Dinner held on February 16, 2017 at the MSU Kellogg Center. LRCC President and CEO Tim Daman set the tone for the evening in his welcoming remarks. For more than 100 years the region s business community has helped the Lansing Regional Chamber celebrate the business leadership that has transformed our regional economy, said Daman. As I look around this room this evening, it is all of you that are leading and creating this outstanding economic climate. The business leadership in our region is second to none. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of four major awards, including: Lansing Regional Chamber members enrolled in the AFB Group workers compensation program receive annual savings on premiums as well as dividends paid out through the program. Jacob Geyer of AF Group presented Chamber CEO Tim Daman with a check representing dividend payments of $41, paid to Chamber members for Community Service Award Paula Cunningham Outstanding Small Business Award-Triterra Community Service Pioneer Award-Blue Ribbon Committee to Keep GM Legacy Award-Lyman & Sheets Insurance Daman also shared with the crowd a few of the many highlights of the organization s outstanding year in 2016, including; welcoming 183 new members, bringing the membership total to 1,100; member retention levels reaching 93% putting LRCC in the top 10 percent of Chamber peers nationally; successfully connecting with more than 8,000 members at one of more than 50 events and programs; recently launching the Lansing MarketPlace on-line digital directory; and in its eighth year of operation the Procurement Technical Assistance Center realized a record year with $104 million in Federal, State & Local Contract Award dollars with 362 jobs created or sustained as a result of these contracts. Annual Dinner Award Winners, l-r: David Drayton (Lyman & Sheets), Mike Sheets (Lyman & Sheets), Dave Hollister (Blue Ribbon Committee), Don McNabb (Triterra), Paula Cunningham (AARP), Jack Davis (Blue Ribbon Committee), Ray Tadgerson (Blue Ribbon Committee) and Joe Drolett (Blue Ribbon Committee) 8 FOCUS / MARCH 2017

9 Delivering Value and Embracing Customer Service BY MICHELLE RAHL MEMBERS GET MORE THERE IS NO SHORTAGE of business groups, coalitions or associations in which your business could choose to invest. So why choose the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC)? It is the responsibility of each and every Chamber staffer to make sure that we are communicating value through the work that we do every day. Whether it is making a valuable connection, social media support or being a part of public policy discussions that impact our region, the Chamber strives to address the needs of each of our more than 1,100 members. Rahl For the LRCC, customer service is our primary goal. The collective of our membership strives every day to enhance the Greater Lansing business community; however, we also know that each member has joined the Chamber for a wide variety of reasons and with different expectations. It is our responsibility to know those reasons and expectations and to work to satisfy them. To quote Peter Drucker, the founder of modern management, Quality in a service or product is not what you put into it. It is what the client or customer gets out of it. Customer service also means being flexible and nimble enough to meet our member s ever-changing needs. We recognize that our community has challenges and opportunities that are unique from other regions in our state. We pledge to our members that we will be creative and passionate leaders who will help this community implement the change that is needed in our region. Communicating the value of the Chamber s advocacy work remains a challenge as so much of that work is done behind the scenes. The business interests of our members are well represented by the Chamber and are vital to economic success and job growth in our region. When the Chamber focuses on politics and policy, our members can do what they do best run their business! The work of the Chamber is built on relevance and communications. Strong communication is the core of building relationships with members - and everyone else we meet. As your Chamber, we pledge to have lines of communication that are honest, open and two-way. We are listening and we want to hear from you! Lansing Chamber Launches Lansing Marketplace LANSINGMARKETPLACE.COM OFFERS UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GREATER LANSING BUSINESSES THE LANSING REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (LRCC) is excited to introduce an innovative product in 2017 to enhance membership value through improved exposure and marketing opportunities for current and prospective members. To better connect businesses, organizations and consumers within our community, the LRCC is excited to announce the launch of the Lansing Marketplace ( - an online directory of businesses and organizations within the Greater Lansing region. The new interactive marketplace includes multiple advertising, branding and marketing opportunities designed to enhance visibility, increase credibility and improve exposure for your brand. LRCC members receive a free company listing in the Lansing Marketplace with additional opportunities to upgrade to enhanced listings that include additional company information, customizable content and enhanced search engine optimization. Your success is our business! For additional details and information regarding exclusive membersonly advertising and branding opportunities available through the Lansing Marketplace, contact Eric Dimoff at or edimoff@lansingchamber.org. LANSINGCHAMBER.ORG 9

10 Glyni and Bill Fenn ORIGAMI BRAIN INJURY REHABILITATION CENTER Mid-Michigan s Brain Injury Experts 10 FOCUS / MARCH 2017

11 Many of the 101 dedicated team members at Origami Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center were on hand for a photo, front row, l-r: Lindsey Davis, Mackenzie Patterson, Kaitlyn Cavazos, Rebecca Wyatt, Nicole Zimmerle, Tammy Hannah, Jennie Paggeot, Arika Hill and Jayde Kennedy-Ball. Back row, l-r: Mariah Moncada, Shelley Sanborn, Kathie Martin, Jennifer Pascoe, Bethany Simon, Brad Lefke, Tom Judd, Mark Jagmin, Thomas Woodruff, Sarah Wice, Yvonne Fleener, Noelle Greeley, Kara Christy, Natasha Huffine, Amanda Carr, Emily White and Linda Wells. For Bill and Glyni Fenn, life took a very sudden and dramatic turn on the evening of July 7, Bill was a Physician Assistant, a veteran of the Air Force and was a professor at Western Michigan University for the Physician Assistant program. At the time, the couple had enjoyed 32 and a half years of marriage soul mates as Glyni likes to say. They were enjoying their cottage on beautiful Torch Lake when Bill was injured in a fall. He was airlifted to Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, where Glyni was told it was uncertain if Bill would survive. Bill had suffered a traumatic brain injury or TBI. Bill s injuries were very severe. Glyni struggled finding medical facilities where Bill could receive the treatment he needed and where the couple could receive anything more than short-term insurance coverage. Medical personnel at many of the facilities to where Bill was transferred were frequently unable to recommend treatment options. After being treated at four different facilities and with seemingly little hope, Glyni learned that as a veteran of the Air Force, Bill was eligible for the Veterans Administration s Assisted Living TBI Pilot Program. There are only 20 facilities in the nation that are allowed to accept patients under this program. One was Origami Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center, just south of Lansing. Bill Fenn was admitted to Origami on February 14, Glyni said she knew immediately, it was just right for Bill. I loved the setting. It was out in the country. It was quiet and I loved the fact that it was a smaller venue, said Glyni. Bill needs to be in a place where he could get a lot of one-on-one attention. Bill was able to benefit from working with the physical, occupational, speech and recreational therapists at Origami. There have been times in the past six years where he has plateaued, but those periods have always been followed by positive changes. It is unclear if Bill will ever be able to live at home, but his quality of life has improved greatly as a result of his stay at Origami. He is much more verbal than when he got here and he can articulate himself better, said Glyni. He asks questions, which he never used to do. He is much more dynamic. He laughs now and chuckles regularly. It is stories like Bill and Glyni s that have served to motivate the professional team at Origami Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center since opening its doors in Origami s executive director, Tammy Hannah says there is no recipe for treating brain injuries, as there are no two cases that are alike, which makes working with brain injury patients rewarding as well as challenging. Certainly our treatment is centered around the patient, but you have to involve the support system. They are going to be with that person long after Origami is out of the picture. Our job is to provide education and support them the best we can. Brain injury often takes a long time, sometimes it is lifelong, so you have to recognize those little steps or it can become discouraging, said Hannah. That s the fun part. It is so individualized, challenging and rewarding. Nestled on a beautiful 35-acre wooded campus in rural Mason, Origami is a nonprofit organization offering a continuum of care for individuals who have sustained a brain injury from mild to severe cases. Origami opened in April 1997 as the result of a creative alliance between Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and Peckham, Inc. The two organizations recognized the need to have a comprehensive brain injury LANSINGCHAMBER.ORG 11

12 Origami Brain Injury Center rehab center in Mid-Michigan. MSU provides medical expertise, including Origami s medical director, oncall physician support and research. Peckham offers a connection to vocational rehabilitation as well as potential job opportunities. The two organizations comprise Origami s eight member board of directors. You just don t see a partnership between a brain injury rehab program, a top ten university like MSU and a national award-winning organization like Peckham, said Hannah. We are very fortunate to have their guidance and expertise as they are instrumental to Origami s continued success and growth. Origami s residential program focuses on maximizing independence in activities of daily living, enhanced quality of life, productivity and community inclusion. Neuro rehabilitation support is provided 24 hours per day in a home-like environment, with varying degrees of direct supervision provided based on individual needs. Origami also has an assisted living option in which private suites and program structure allow for opportunity to maintain or increase independent living skill levels based on individual need and care plan. Origami also works with patients on an outpatient basis as well as in the community which fosters the use of retrained skills learned during treatment and discovering new ways of completing these skills within a least restrictive environment. Origami s 101-member team includes a full range of professional disciplines that work in teams to provide a customized program for each patient. The approach used by the professional team is aimed at getting patients back into the community and performing functions like driving, walking and getting back to work. Among multiple services on the campus are a driving simulator (better than a video game!) and a fully-equipped therapy gym. Origami strives to create an environment that is safe, comfortable, personal and engaging. Origami team members Mackenzie Patterson (l) and Natasha Huffine demonstrate the driving simulator that is used to help clients get ready to get back on the road. Origami s team, services and environment facilitate our ability to meet people where they are at in their rehab journey, said Hannah. We can take an individual case and look at the real life experiences that lead to great outcomes. One of the most important components in the treatment approach according to Hannah is integrating the family into the process. Certainly our treatment is centered around the patient, but you have to involve the support system, said Hannah. They are going to be with that person long after Origami is out of the picture. Our job is to provide education and support them the best we can. In 2016, Origami completed a $3.5 million project which represented phase one of a five-phase The expanded therapy gym opened in 2016 thanks to the $3.5 phase one master plan expansion. 12 FOCUS / MARCH 2017

13 The new assisted living center features a six-bed residence including 6,000-square-feet of private, home-style space allowing for increased independence in the residential program. expansion plan. In April, Origami opened the doors to the Assisted Living track of their residential program. The new six-bed residence features 6,000-square-feet of private, home-style space allowing for increased independence in the residential program. In June, Origami moved into the newly expanded clinic featuring an advanced therapy gym and therapeutic space. The expansion allows us to further advance as Mid-Michigan s leading expert in brain injury, said Yvonne Fleener, business development manager of Origami. In addition to serving individuals with brain injuries, Origami contributes to the growth and sustainability of the Mid-Michigan area. Origami is marking its 20th anniversary by inviting the public to its campus. On March 14, Origami will host the Chamber s Member Mixer from 5:00 p.m to 7:00 p.m. On April 18, Origami is inviting the general public to attend its 20th anniversary celebration which will include a groundbreaking for phase two of the master plan from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. That project, which will be completed in November, will relocate parking lots now in the heart of the campus and build additional green space and walking paths creating a naturally enriching therapeutic environment. Continued growth is part of the master plan over the next ten years at Origami. Hannah says the organization is on a mission to be able to reach more patients who may not currently be able to take advantage of their services. Our goal is to serve anyone with a brain injury regardless of their circumstance, said Hannah. As a nonprofit organization, it is important for us to make that commitment. For more information on employment, volunteering, serving or donating to Origami Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center, call or visit Give your employees what they deserve. Bagels on Fridays are a nice touch too. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network offers the complete insurance solution to protect the overall health and well-being of your employees. Contact the Lansing Regional Chamber at for more information. GROUP HEALTH PLANS SPECIALTY BENEFITS BCBSM.COM/EMPLOYERS Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. R LANSINGCHAMBER.ORG 13

14 CHAMBER NEWS Lansing Chamber Welcomes New Members to 2017 Board of Directors THE LANSING REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (LRCC) is pleased to welcome seven new members to the LRCC 2017 Board of Directors. They are: Rick Calk (Neogen), Wendy Hamilton (TechSmith), Van Martin (CBRE Martin), Steve Notar Donato (General Motors), Lisa O Connor (Publicom), Tonia Olson (Granger), and Dave Zyble ( Jackson National Life Insurance). LRCC is also proud to welcome to its 2017 Board of Directors, four new representatives of our partner organizations, including: Tyler Dyke (Grand River Connection), Reshane Lonzo (Lansing Black Chamber of Commerce), Jenn Sturdy (ATHENA WIN) and Jose Yanez (Greater Lansing Hispanic Chamber). Calk 14 FOCUS / MARCH 2017 Rick Calk serves as president and chief operating officer of Neogen Corporation, a food and animal safety biotechnology company based in Lansing, Michigan. Calk directs and oversees Neogen s more than 1,400 employees and operations in more than 120 countries. Calk joined Neogen after a successful sale of Solutia Inc. to Eastman Chemical where he was Vice President Commercial Operations. In addition to Bachelor s degrees in Food Science and Food Technology from the University of Tennessee, Calk holds an advanced degree in Finance from Washington University in St. Louis, and has completed executive management training at Wharton, Kellogg, IMD and INSEAD. He is an active member of the Marketing Executives Networking Group, The Kettering Executive Group, Institute of Food Technologists, National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Holy Spirit Men s Club. Tyler Dyke is a native of the Lansing area. He grew up in Dansville and graduated from Michigan State University. After MSU, he moved to Chicago and then Tampa to try out living and working in big cities. While he enjoyed Dyke everything they offered, Lansing has his heart. Dyke works for the State of Michigan as a securities examiner. He examines the solvency and business practices of state-registered investment advisors and broker-dealers. He is also actively involved in the Lansing community. He serves on several boards of directors. He is the treasurer for both The Firecracker Foundation and for Michigan Pride and is the board president of Grand River Connection. Wendy Hamilton serves as chief executive officer of TechSmith. She joined the company in October 2015 as executive vice president, and is focused on leveraging her more than 25 years of experience in product innovation, Hamilton growth strategy and global leadership to expand the company s leading position in the visual communications space. Prior to joining TechSmith, Hamilton was the global head of life sciences at Thomson Reuters where she held P&L responsibility for one of three businesses within the IP&S unit. She became part of the Thomson Reuters team through its acquisition of Liquent. Previous to her 17 years in digital information publishing, she earned eight years of technology consulting experience from Accenture. Hamilton is a graduate of Haverford College with a broad background across strategy, technology, content and marketing. Lonzo Re Shane L. Lonzo is an entrepreneur in her own right. Re Shane and her husband Steve Lonzo, started DRM Genesis Home Healthcare Providers (DRM) in 2002 with one client and one employee. Their staff has grown to over 50 home employees that are ensuring the safety, privacy, and dignity of over 40 homecare clients. DRM specializes in care for Traumatic Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury patients and patients in various stages of Alzheimer s and dementia. The Lonzo s also own DRM International Learning Center, a full service healthcare learning facility licensed by the State of Michigan. Re Shane is a graduate of Michigan State University (May of 1995). She holds a Master of Business Administration from Northwood University (December 2011). Van W. Martin is chairman and chief executive officer of both the Lansing and Grand Rapids affiliate offices of CBRE. As an industry pioneer, Martin channels more than 30 years of experience Martin in commercial real estate into cultivating organizational excellence by both demonstrating and demanding leadership, integrity and professionalism in his staff. He has likewise lent his expertise in numerous leadership roles and his service on the board of directors for Commercial Board of REALTORS, Commercial Alliance of REALTORS and Michigan association of REALTORS. In addition to actively pursuing new business development, Martin manages several corporate services accounts and leads the investment properties team, in which specializes in maximizing value for private property investors in the disposition and acquisition of commercial and multi-housing assets. Steve Notar Donato is plant manager at General Motors Lansing Grand River Assembly complex. Notar Donato is a 31- year veteran of General Motors, starting at the Flint Metal Center in This is his second stop in Lansing, having Notar Donato worked at the Lansing Metal Center from Notar Donato has also served as a plant manager in Lordstown, Ohio, Marion, Indiana and Wentzville, Missouri. He has developed a thorough understanding of manufacturing operations as a result of 14 years in stamping, body shop, paint shop and general assembly. Among Notar Donato s interests outside of work, he has run five half marathons and has also been avid mountain climber, having climbed six peaks over 14,000 feet! Notar Donato has a bachelor s degree from Notre Dame and master s from Kettering University. Lisa O Connor is the president of Publicom, an integrated marketing communications firm founded in 1979 and based in East Lansing. O Connor is an award-winning marketer with more than 25 years of marketing experience. She has worked for some of the world s largest

15 CHAMBER NEWS advertising agencies and is a seasoned expert in strategic marketing, especially the area of marketing research. In addition to leading the Publicom team, she is responsible for counseling clients and managing strategic planning O Connor functions. O Connor is a 2011 Greater Lansing Entrepreneurial Award winner and a Service Industry Advertising Awards Best of Show National Award winner. She serves as a board member and PR Committee Chair for the Mason Public Schools Foundation. A Mason native, Lisa holds a master s degree in advertising and marketing from Michigan State University. Olson Tonia Olson has been with Granger since She is currently director of governmental and community relations, and some of her core responsibilities include governmental relations, heading Granger s corporate communication efforts, managing marketing and public relations and representing the company at community and association committees, meetings and programs. Olson began her career at Granger as a marketing and public relations representative and has expanded her role to positively address relationships with legislators, community leaders and affiliated associations that strengthen Granger s current business activities and involvement in the community. She earned dual Bachelor of Arts degrees from Michigan State University in Resource Development and Agriculture and Natural Resource Communications. Olson completed the Michigan Chamber Foundation Leadership Michigan Program in Sturdy Jennifer Sturdy is director of client and community relations for PNC in Mid-Michigan. Jennifer plays an integral role establishing PNC as a leader in community and philanthropic engagement, particularly in the field of early childhood education through PNC Foundation s signature program Grow Up Great. Among her civic and professional affiliations, she is vice chair of the Athena WIN organization, board member Impression 5 Science Center, Great Start Collaborative of Ingham County, LEAP Placemaking Council and the Lansing Arts Council Placemaking Summit. Yanez Jose Yanez is the owner of Full Circle Financial Planning. Full Circle is a full-service financial service firm providing investment, retirement, and insurance planning to individuals and employee benefits to small businesses. Jose currently serves as president for the Greater Lansing Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Vice Chair for the Lansing Community College Foundation. In 2012, he was named the Michigan Hispanic Entrepreneur of the Year and recently was a recipient of the Chamber s 10 over the Next 10 Award. He currently resides in Lansing. In his free time he enjoys playing basketball and spending time with his wife Sarah, and children Hailey, Isaac, and Noah. MSUFCU Business Loans We offer flexible term loans and lines of credit that are customized to fit your business needs: Commercial real estate Equipment loans Visa Credit Cards SBA loans Contact MSUFCU today msufcu.org/business Buying Refinancing Working Capital Business loans are only available to Michigan-based businesses. All loans are subject to credit approval. Federally insured by NCUA. LANSINGCHAMBER.ORG 15

16 ECONOMIC CLUB Vic Verchereau of Farm Bureau Insurance to Serve as 2017 Chair of Lansing Economic Club VIC VERCHEREAU of Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan will serve as the 2017 Chair of the Lansing Economic Club. Verchereau succeeds Deb Muchmore who is serving as the 2017 Chair of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC) Board of Directors. It is an honor to serve as Chair of the Economic Club and work with the talented people who serve on that board, said Verchereau. Under Deb Muchmore s leadership, the Economic Club has grown into a must-attend event that attracts some of the best speakers Verchereau anywhere, and regularly draws crowds of 500 or more. I look forward to continuing to build on that marvelous record of success. Verchereau has worked at Farm Bureau Insurance since November He currently holds the position of vice president, marketing. Among his numerous community activities, Verchereau served five years on the LRCC board of directors, including serving as board chair in He holds a bachelor s degree in business administration from Davenport College. The 2017 Lansing Economic Club series features an exceptionally strong speaker lineup. Upcoming speakers include: March 30: Dave Armstrong, CEO, GreenStone Farm Credit Services April 27: Molly Fletcher, motivational speaker and former sports agent May 11: Regional Forum Panel Economic Club Luncheons take place from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center. For more information, contact Travis Richardson at trichardson@lansingchamber.org or Join your friends anytime on WKAR s all-new, 24-hour PBS KIDS channel!. com 24/7 TV CHANNEL 23.4 CABLE: ask your provider LEARN MORE at wkar.org PBS KIDS and the PBS KIDS Logo are registered trademarks of Public Broadcasting Service. Used with permission. ODD SQUAD 2016 The Fred Rogers Company. All Rights Reserved. DANIEL TIGER S NEIGHBORHOOD 2016 The Fred Rogers Company. All rights reserved. Wild Kratts 2016 Kratt Brothers Co. Ltd./ 9 Story Media Group Inc. Wild Kratts, Creature 16 FOCUS / MARCH 2017

17 MEMBERS ON THE MOVE PEOPLE NEWS Bull Small Emmert Spoor Mack Waldie The Dart Bank is pleased to announce the following promotions. Danielle Bull has been promoted to assistant vice president/controller. Danielle has over 16 years of previous banking experience. Mark Emmert has been promoted to senior vice president/special assets. Mark has been with the Bank since 2004, and has been in banking/ finance for over 38 years. Debra Mack has been promoted to senior vice president/chief financial officer. She has been with the Bank since Deb has held many positions in her banking career. Dann Small has been promoted to senior vice president/loan department administrator. Dann has over 40 years of previous banking experience. Karla Spoor has been promoted to senior vice president/ human resources. She has been with the Bank since Kevin Waldie has been promoted to assistant vice president/chief risk officer. He has been with the Bank since 2008 and has held the positions of loan operations associate and audit/compliance and BSA Officer. T a m m y Moncrief, CPA has been elected to the Yeo & Yeo CPAs & Business Moncrief Bender Consultants board of directors, and Peter J. Bender, CPA, CFP has been reelected to the firm s board of directors effective January 1, Moncrief, managing principal of the Auburn Hills office, is a member of the firm s Tax Services Group. Bender is a principal and a member of the firm s Agribusiness, Employee Benefits and Estate Planning Groups. He has 28 years of experience in auditing, and tax planning and preparation for businesses and individuals, with a concentration on agribusinesses. Fraser Trebilcock is pleased to announce the expansion of the firm s Intellectual Property law practice with the addition of attorney Richard C. Vershave. For more than a decade, Richard has worked with inventors and companies from coast-to-coast on all areas of Intellectual Property Law, including trademarks, copyrights, patent prosecution and litigation, as well as in preparing licensing and other types of technology transfer agreements. Monday, Jan. 16 WMU-Cooley Law School s Student Bar Association (SBA) hosted a Commitment to Service luncheon in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Students, faculty, and staff gathered to discuss justice and the law with panel speakers from local advocacy and legal service organizations. Panelists included Katie Filimon, Volunteers of America; Nicole Shannon, Legal Services of South Central Michigan; Meghan Faught, End Violent Encounters; Karen Poole, WMU-Cooley Law School Career Services coordinator; and Michael McDaniel, WMU- Cooley Law School s Lansing campus associate dean. PTD Technology is pleased to announce the addition of Alex Hamus to the company as a programmer/analyst. He will be contributing to several of their education related software projects. Mr. Hamus is a recent graduate of the University of Hamus Wisconsin River Falls with a B.S. in Computer Science and a minor in Cartography. PTD Technology is a premier Technology Solutions Provider established in Lansing in 1978, with clients throughout the United States. The law firm of Foster Swift Collins & Smith, P.C. is pleased to announce Alicia Birach, Lauren Dunn, Adam Fadly, Anna Gibson, Barbra Homier, Nicholas Oertel and Patricia Scott as the newly elected shareholders of the firm. Alicia Birach, of the Southfield office, is a member of the Workers Compensation practice group. Lauren Dunn provides employee benefits counsel for public and private employers out of the Lansing office. Adam Fadly, of the Southfield office, is a member of the litigation practice group and focuses on first and third party no-fault matters. Anna Gibson is a member of the Trusts and Estates practice group in Foster Swift s Lansing office. Barbra Homier, of the Grand Rapids office, practices exclusively in family law. Nicholas Oertel practices business and securities law in the Lansing office and leads the firm s Startup Entrepreneurial Emerging Development (S.E.E.D) Group. Patricia Scott is based in the Lansing office and concentrates her practice in bankruptcy, finance, collections, and real estate. #1 in Mid-Michigan Commercial Real Estate #1 in Real Estate Advisors - More Advisors for Better Service #1 in Commercial Property Listings - More Inventory for Better Selection Build. Lease. Manage. We can Build, Lease & Manage your commercial property. Raising the standard of Mid-Michigan Commercial Real Estate Services. Call us today! 2149 Jolly Road, Suite Okemos, MI LANSINGCHAMBER.ORG 17

18 MEMBERS ON THE MOVE Marisa Ruggirello, a native of St. Clair Shores, is the newest member of the Lezotte Miller Public Relations Inc. team. As a project assistant intern for the spring semester, she will collaborate with and aid fellow staff members in writing news Ruggirello releases, communicating with clients and gaining media coverage. Olstrum Maner Costerisan, a fullservice public accounting and business advisory firm, is pleased to announce a new addition to its professional team. Tanner Olstrom joins as an associate in the firm s business accounting services department. A Sparrow Michigan Athletic Club caregiver has collected shoes, shoes and more shoes; more than 700 pairs for community organizations. Mark Sanford figures he has received more than 3,000 pairs of shoes since he began seeking donations in Sanford, Athletics Coordinator at the MAC, has placed a barrel in the lobby of the club, asking for donations of gently used shoes. Members and the public have responded better than anyone could have imagined. They have donated mostly athletic shoes, but also sandals, flip-flops and other footwear. The shoes will be donated to the Lansing Teen Challenge, the Boys & Girls Club of Lansing, the City Outreach shelter, and Lansing Parks and Recreation Department. Rozeboom Cunningham and business advisory firm, is pleased to introduce eight new interns who are looking to expand their knowledge of the industry as young professionals. This year s group of interns join Maner Costerisan from colleges across the state, including: Michigan State University, Grand Valley State University, Western Michigan University and Olivet College. The incoming group of interns will work within the audit and tax departments, respectively. This new group, consisting of motivated young adults includes: Alexander J. Huizenga, Kaitlin Irish, Josip Jurkovic, Matthew Kaley, Cameron Lansdale, Alissa Mead, Zachary Westendorp, Tyler White and Krystin Verran. Roragen The Loomis, Ewert, Parsley, Davis & Gotting P.C. law firm is pleased to announce its 2017 officers Anderton Green and Executive Committee: Ted S. Rozeboom was elected president of the firm; Sara Cunningham elected vice president; Kevin J. Roragen was elected treasurer; James F. Anderton, V was elected secretary and Jeffrey Green was also elected to the Executive Committee as director. Maner Costerisan, a full-service public accounting Harris Jack Harris, a Grand Haven native, has joined Lezotte Miller Public Relations Inc. as a project assistant intern for the spring semester. He will assist full-time staff members, execute collaborative and independent research projects and contribute to communication efforts for clients of the firm. Chemical Bank is pleased to announce the hiring of Greg Adkins as VP, commercial lender and Adkins Dankert Paul Dankert as a mortgage lender. Both Adkins and Dankert will be working in the Lansing area. In his role as a commercial lender, Adkins will be managing a portfolio of commercial loans as well as generating new business within the Greater Lansing Market. Dankert will provide What s your plan? BRAND FORWARD WITH PUBLIC RELATIONS Gain awareness through earned media Stay top of mind with your target audience group 18 FOCUS / MARCH 2017 Manage your reputation

19 Celebrating Years! Resolving your money matters A national leader in revenue cycle management and call center services. We offer state-of-the-art technology along with proven recovery strategies to provide consistently superior results for our clients. We offer a range of national recovery customized services. Serving some of the largest utility companies, health systems, financial institutions, government entities, educational institutions in Michigan and across the United States. (517) I Small start-ups to big business Yep We Cover Business.com mortgage solutions for customers in Lansing and the surrounding areas. Steve Heikkinen comes to the data-based, bipartisan advocacy shop Grassroots Midwest with nearly a decade of state government experience. Taking on the role of communications and marketing strategist, Heikkinen will drive client Heikkinen growth and refine messaging tactics for the many groups and candidates served by the rising firm. Celebrating the awarding of Sparrow Carson Hospital s first DAISY Award are Barb McQuillan, Sparrow Carson Hospital Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nursing Officer; Cassie Welch Sparrow Carson Home Health Aide; Susan Wheeler, Sparrow Carson Home Care Nurse Manager; Carl Huntoon and daughter Grace, Sparrow Carson Home Care RN and DAISY Award winner; Kelli Greenhoe, Sparrow Carson Home Care Clerical Support Assistant. A Carson Home Care Nurse has been named the first Sparrow Carson Hospital DAISY Award winner, celebrating compassionate and skillful Nursing care. Carl Huntoon, RN, was nominated by two individuals for the DAISY Award because of his kind, considerate, and understanding disposition when caring for Patients. The Arts Council of Greater Lansing is pleased to welcome Meghan Martin as its new program manager. Martin brings a strong background in communications, project and event management and community outreach to the Martin program manager position. An experienced project manager and communicator, Martin has served as outreach and communications coordinator for the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission. The Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau is pleased to announce its 2017 Board of Directors: Mark Alley, chair, Emergent BioDefense Operations Lansing, LLC; Kenric Hall, vice chair, Radisson Hotel Lansing at the MEMBERS ON THE MOVE Capitol; Rebecca Selesky, secretary-treasurer Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center; Dorothy E. Maxwell, past-chair Max Weingar Group; Barry Freed, Art Craft Display, Inc.; Cindy Bowen, Crowne Plaza Lansing West; Thomas M. Collins, TC Leasing; Kellie Dean, Dean Transportation/Dean Trailways; Brian McGrain, Ingham County Board of Commissioners; Eric Sudol, East Lansing Marriott at University Place; and Michael Brand, Wharton Center for Performing Arts. The Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC) is pleased to announce the election of Robert Kolt, president and CEO of Kolt Communications, Inc., as the new board chairperson. Commissioners elected Kolt Kolt during a recent MCSC board meeting in Lansing. Kolt, of Haslett, has been an MCSC board member since 2012, serving as the Continuous Improvement Committee chair. MacIntyre & Cowen ReMax Real Estate McIntyre Lutzke Professionals- Grand River, a top producing real estate team serving Greater Lansing and Mid-Michigan, is pleased to announce the addition of two new team members to its staff; Kristina McIntyre, as marketing manager and Angela Lutzke, as office manager. Kristina will use her background in marketing to help elevate home sales for the team s clientele. Angela will simplify processes and use her experience in property management to continually achieve high levels of customer service and satisfaction. (Left to right) Elizabeth Gurecki, Physician Assistant; Tim Johnson, President & CEO; Lindsay Peters, Director of Marketing & Fund Development. Eaton Rapids Medical Center (ERMC) employees Elizabeth Gurecki, PA-C and Lindsay Peters were honored with the Dr. Meinke & Dr. Sherman Distinguished Service Award. Each year, two ERMC employees are LANSINGCHAMBER.ORG 19

20 MEMBERS ON THE MOVE recognized for providing exceptional service to patients and the community. Gurecki, a certified Physician Assistant in the ERMC Family Practice & Redicare, was nominated by two of her colleagues. She is known for her kind and giving spirit, and her coworkers describe her as absolutely delightful. She has worked for the hospital for one year. Peters has served as the ERMC director of marketing and fund development for seven years. Nominations describe her as positive, energized and upbeat, mentioning that she communicates freely, keeping the hospital well-informed of activities. Maner Costerisan, a fullservice public accounting and business advisory firm, is pleased to announce that Sarah Jennings, CPA, CFE, CAE, principal in the firm s accounting and outsourced Jennings solutions department, has earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from ASAE, a membership organization of more than 21,000 association executives and industry partners. The CAE is the highest professional credential in the association industry. Yeo & Yeo CPAs & Business Consultants is pleased to announce the Michael Timmerman, CPA, has been promoted to senior accountant. Timmerman Timmerman provides audit services for the firm s education, not-for-profit and real estate clients. He holds a Bachelor of Science, majoring in accountancy, from Calvin College. Stoliker 20 FOCUS / MARCH 2017 The Conquer Accelerator program at Michigan State University announces that Travis Stoliker is joining its team as entrepreneur-inresidence. Stoliker, a successful Lansing-area entrepreneur, angel investor and co-owner of Saddleback Barbeque, will provide startup teams with mentorship, support and a fresh perspective. Piper & Gold Public Relations, a Gracia-Wing McLane boutique agency in Old Town, Lansing, began the new year with two exciting agency updates the promotion of Associate Strategist Veronica Gracia-Wing to senior strategist and the addition of Assistant Strategist Jackie McLane. As one of Piper & Gold s original team members and primary strategists, Gracia-Wing has focused on storytelling and media relations for government and association clients since joining the company in Prior to returning to the agency, McLane was the social media specialist at ArtPrize, an international art competition in Grand Rapids. Rehmann has promoted Luke Terry, MBA, to principal in the Firm s Lansing office. He specializes in a variety of service areas, including investment analysis and portfolio design, financial planning, retirement and estate planning, insurance Terry analysis and strategies, and private equity and venture capital opportunities. Sparrow Ionia Hospital Nurse Samantha Fletcher, RN, (second from right) displays her DAISY award. She is accompanied (from left) by Linda Reetz, RN, BSN, Chief Nursing Officer; Amanda Martin, RN, Surgery Manager; and Tara Lanz, BSN, Emergency Department Manager. Sparrow Ionia Hospital has honored Samantha Fletcher, RN, with a DAISY Award for extraordinary Nurses in recognition of her Patientcentered approach to care. Fletcher, a Nurse in Sparrow Ionia s Emergency Department, was presented the award in a recent ceremony. Fletcher was lauded for her positive attitude, work ethic, and always being willing to help wherever there is a need. Tribble Company News Yeo & Yeo CPAs & Business Consultants, a leading Michigan accounting firm, is pleased to announce that Michael T. Tribble, CPA, received the National Association of Home Builders Society of Honored Associates award. ASU Group is celebrating a milestone year in 2017! Founded in 1952, the company celebrates it s 65th anniversary as a Claims Management and Insurance Services company and it s 35th year as an Employee-Owned company. Originally called Michigan Claim Service, the company founders, Richard Young, John Fles, Thomas Kelly and Charles Shotwell, provided independent claims adjusting services for insurance companies in lower Michigan. In 1989, the company adopted the DBA The ASU Group to reflect the growth and diverse services for the insurance and risk industry. NAI Mid-Michigan/TMN Commercial is pleased to announce the sale of the 8,176 sq. ft. Guerrazzi s restaurant which will be redeveloped into a new commercial use. Gino Baldino and Nick Vlahakis represented both the Seller and Buyer in this transaction. Altruis Capital, LLC announces they will invest seed capital in Michigan based startup companies. They are in the process of identifying companies that have a product or services that solves a problem for a specific target customer. Companies must be operational at less than $1M in external funding and have a scalable distribution or proven ability to scale sales. They must have a cross-functional team with design, technical, and marketing expertise and a functional prototype or a track record of previous product success. For companies that would like to be considered in the evaluation process go to altruiscapital.com to submit your applications. Furniture Row Racing announced that Auto- Owners Insurance has agreed to a multiyear primary sponsorship for Martin Truex s No. 78 Toyota Camry in NASCAR s Cup Series. The Fortune 500 company, which joined Furniture Row Racing in 2016 as a primary sponsor for three races, will double that amount in both 2017 and The six races that the Auto-Owners Insurance paint scheme will adorn Truex s No. 78 Camry in 2017 will be at Kansas Speedway (May 13), Michigan International Speedway (June 18), Indianapolis Motor Speedway (July 23), Richmond International Raceway (Sept. 9), Charlotte Motor Speedway (Oct. 7) and Phoenix International Raceway (Nov. 12). In December, the most recent expansion at AL!VE opened, providing additional programming and services, including both clinical and recreational options for the mid-michigan community. A new group workout space called ENERGIZE was added featuring a cushioned aerobic floor, projection screen and a drop ceiling for better sound quality. Adding a dedicated group exercise room frees up SOAR, the multi-purpose gym and the largest space at AL!VE, for additional recreational programming as well as the opportunity to be rented as a unique meeting and activity venue. SOAR also features ASCEND, a 24-foot rock climbing wall. It is the only local rock climbing wall that is open at designated times for no charge. GROW, the children s recreational and enrichment area, also expanded offerings for children ages 8 to 12, including CHILL, a dedicated space for homework and games.

21 MEMBERS ON THE MOVE McLaren High Performance Network, LLC was selected as one of 99 new Shared Savings Program ACOs, providing Medicare beneficiaries with access to high-quality, coordinated care across the United States, CMS announced. Beginning January 1, 2017, a total of 480 Shared Savings Program ACOs are serving over 9 million assigned beneficiaries. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced over 359,000 clinicians are confirmed to participate in four of CMS s Alternative Payment Models (APMs) in Clinicians who participate in APMs are paid for the quality of care they give to their patients. North Winds Heating & Cooling, Inc. has earned the home service industry s coveted Angie s List Super Service Award, reflecting an exemplary year of customer service to members of the local services marketplace and consumer review site in This achievement is particularly significant as Angie s List experienced unprecedented member growth in More than 1.6 million consumers, many of whom were eager to quickly hire highly qualified service pros, joined Angie s List after the company added a new, free membership tier. Clark Construction Company has achieved a major milestone that is unprecedented in the commercial construction industry, having completed 4 million hours on the job without lost time due to injury. Since January 2001 when the historic streak began, Clark Construction has averaged approximately 250,000 work hours per year and completed more than $3.2 billion in construction projects. Sparrow Caregivers who worked on the awardwinning RNICU project pose outside of the unit. Sparrow has received a national Excellence in Nursing Award for its innovative work to reduce brain injuries in premature babies. Sparrow s Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (RNICU) has received a major national Nursing award for an innovative project to reduce brain injuries in premature babies. Sparrow has received a Nursing Team Achievement Award as part of the Excellence in Nursing recognition program held by Modern Healthcare, a nationally recognized leader in healthcare business news, research and data. Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) purchased seven new Flyer Xcelsior hybrid buses that reduce CATA s carbon footprint and offer better fuel economy than previous models. These new buses have features that are ahead of the industry s quality standards. The new hybrid vehicles feature the industry s first LED headlights, improving safety for both drivers and passengers. The 40- foot buses have larger doors and a new flip-seat for stroller storage to accommodate all passengers. New Flyer used structure optimization and lightweight composite materials to reduce the weight of the Xcelsior buses by eight percent, increasing the fuel efficiency of its buses. The New Flyer Xcelsior is engineered to be quieter than previous models, providing a smoother, more pleasant ride for commuters. WMU-Cooley Law School presented 145 students with juris doctor and Master of Laws degrees during a commencement ceremony for the law school s Michigan campuses (Auburn Hills, Grand Rapids, and Lansing) on Sunday, Jan. 22. During the graduation, which was held at the Wharton Center for the Performing Arts in East Lansing, past State Bar of Michigan President Lori Buiteweg, shareholder of Nichols, Sacks, Slank Sendelbach & Buiteweg PC, presented the keynote and graduate Lori Montgomery of Toronto, Ontario, presented the valedictory remarks. Financial research firm Greenwich Associates recently named Huntington one of the top banks for businesses nationally with the presentation of Greenwich Best Brand Awards for ease of doing business with middle-market companies and small businesses and for trust earned among middlemarket customers. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that it awarded a $200,000 Brownfields Area-Wide Planning (BF AWP) Grant to a PM Environmental client. BF AWP Grants provide funding to communities to research, plan and develop implementation strategies for an area affected by one or more brownfields, particularly where sites are connected by infrastructure, in close proximity to one another, and limit the environmental, economic and social success of their surroundings. The resulting area-wide plans provide direction for future brownfields cleanup. NAI Mid-Michigan/TMN Commercial is pleased to announce the sale of 2222 Spikes Lane, Lansing. This 5,000 sq. ft. plus light manufacturing facility was purchased by a local investor. Jim Salkiewicz represented the Seller and Ryan Lowe represented the Purchaser. From L: SBA Administrator Maria Contreras- Sweet, Niowave COO Jerry Hollister, Niowave President Dr. Terry Grimm, SBA Associate Administrator Mark Walsh Niowave was one of 37 companies nationwide to be presented a Tibbetts Award from the Small Business Administration (SBA). First awarded in 1996, Niowave joins fewer than 600 companies from across the nation, and only the 15th company from Michigan to receive a Tibbetts Award. Niowave was nominated for this award by the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) of the Department of Homeland Security. Niowave leads a team from mid-michigan that is developing next generation cargo scanning technology that detects shielded nuclear materials for the Department of Homeland Security. The local team also includes Demmer Corporation and the College of Engineering at Michigan State University. U n o D e u c e Multimedia will be starting a new YouTube Channel. Their internal video series #BetterCallPaul took a life of its own, so it deserved its own channel. UnoDeuce will still have its first channel, but that will be tailored to their client videos. The Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau is pleased to announce its 2017 production of the Greater Lansing Visitor Guide is now available. This yearly publication, which is free of charge, circulates to visitors and residents alike. The guide offers its readers maps of the area along with information about dining, shopping and attractions. Visitor Guides are distributed at Michigan Welcome Centers, local hotels, visiting meetings and conventions, sports tournaments and other high traffic locations. Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan is launching its 2017 recruitment campaign to hire 70 new agency owners in Michigan by the end of the year. LANSINGCHAMBER.ORG 21

22 MEMBERS ON THE MOVE While the company is recognized as one of the best places to work in the state, it is also second to none in protecting the people of Michigan. With 435 agents across Michigan, the company protects nearly 500,000 policyholders from the risks of everyday life through a full range of insurance services life, home, auto, farm, business, retirement, Lake Estate, and more. A major overhaul of Michigan s largest bridge is currently underway, and PM Environmental was a big part of the preliminary work. PM completed the Preliminary Site Investigation for the $165 million Michigan Department of Transportation project, which will remove and replace the entire concrete surface on the 1-75 bridge over the Rouge River and Fort Street near Detroit. In September, Lake Trust Credit Union launched a new membership promotion that would award one lucky new member $150,000 - and $50,000 to an existing member who referred a new member who joined between September 1 and December 31, 2016.The Credit Union celebrated with Robin, of the Lansing area, who won $150,000; and Tiffany, of the Ann Arbor area, who won $50,000, through the promotion. Kincaid Henry is continuing to expand as a leader in providing development and construction services across the State of Michigan. To meet this growth, serve their clients, and project partners, the company is seeking new team members. Individuals who are looking for a rewarding career with a successful organization and healthy corporate culture will find Kincaid Henry a great fit. Individuals interested in learning more about these positions and applying for them go to www. kincaidhenry.com/jobs. CASE Credit Union employees, led by the Community Activity Team, raised over $6,000 for Cristo Rey Community Center. In addition to the money raised, CASE s staff donated items to support Cristo Rey s food pantry. CASE Credit Union s learning and development manager, Darcie Raynor presented the check to Cristo Rey executive director, Joe Garcia, during the Credit Union s January all-staff meeting. NAI Mid-Michigan/TMN Commercial is pleased to announce the lease of the 28,000 sq. ft. office building at 5829 Executive Drive, Lansing. The out-of-state tenant will be repurposing the building for their own use. Ryan Shapiro represented both the Lessor and Lessee in this transaction. ASTI Environmental just turned 32 thanks to their 3,500 clients, 32 associates with 350+ years of technical expertise and boosters. Since ASTI was founded by Tom Wackerman and Peter Collins on February 2, 1985, they have grown and diversified to provide environmental assessment, remediation, compliance, restoration and incentives services to commercial, industrial, institutional and governmental clients across the US. Michigan Certified Development Corporation (MCDC) joined with Cinnaire to provide grant funding to support the Metro Community Development Fund (Metro). In partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Huntington Bank, Metro has established a $2M loan fund to provide capital to micro and small businesses. The loans will be in the range of $5,000 - $250,000. Metro will focus on issuing loans in the Flint and Saginaw areas. Cinnaire provided a $50,000 grant, while MCDC provided a $40,000 grant. The numbers and poundage are in and employees of Ingham County government were the winners of Sparrow s Maintain Don t Gain holiday weight challenge. The challenge involved nearly 1,000 employees from 12 local organizations, including Sparrow, who competed to maintain their starting weights between the food-rich period from Thanksgiving to New Year s. It was a tough task but Ingham County had the highest percentage of employees who achieved the goal. Publicom Inc., a full-service marketing communications firm, won a national Best of Show award and 14 national creative awards, in the 13th annual Service Industry Advertising Awards (SIAA) competition, the most of any agency in Michigan. The Best of Show winning entry was a capabilities brochure created for Michigan Orthopedic Center, Lansing. The other winning entries were created for Allegan General Hospital, McLaren Flint, McLaren Greater Lansing, McLaren Lapeer Region and McLaren Macomb. American Fifth Spirits released two new products in February! Fat Five Buckwheat Spirit is an experimental batch of 83% buckwheat and 17% malt. Our Buckwheat Spirit cannot be called whiskey, because whiskey must be made from grain. Buckwheat is a fruit seed closely related to rhubarb and sorrel. Fat Five Rye Whiskey is 60% rye, 40% malt, aged 12 months in a 30 gallon new American white oak, charred barrel. It features vanilla, caramel, brown sugar, and maybe just a hint of orange peel on the nose if you catch it at the right temperature. NAI Mid-Michigan/TMN Commercial is pleased to announce the lease of a 2,500 sq. ft. office suite in the Crown Pointe Business Center S. US 27. The tenant, Michigan Advocacy Program, will be moving in March 1, Ed Weaver represented both the Landlord and Tenant in this transaction. Gillespie Group continues to invest in downtown Lansing with the second phase of Marketplace lofts which include 79 additional apartments, bringing the development total to 158. These additional riverfront apartments bring Gillespie s downtown urban living spaces count upwards of 350; continuing to show Gillespie Group s initiative to the revitalization of the City of Lansing and the riverfront. The 64,784 -square-foot building houses five floors, consisting of micro, one and two bedroom options available in the new expansion. The builder for the new expansion is the Lansingbased Wieland. Quantum Medical Concepts, an investment fund providing capital for Michigan-based medical startup businesses, announced an exciting new chapter in its work providing funding opportunities for Michigan companies developing innovative medical technologies. QMC has formally spun off into a stand-alone organization, thanks in part to an investment from Pharmacy Services Inc. (PSI), the for-profit subsidiary of the Michigan Pharmacists Association (MPA). The investment will expand QMC s ability to financially aide upand-coming health care industry innovators in Michigan. QMC invests up to a quarter-million dollars statewide in start-up funding for qualifying businesses. Ross Woodstock Executive and Professional Coaching Kolt Communications Helping PEOPLE Succeed. Helping ORGANIZATIONS Grow. Ross@Koltpr.com FOCUS / MARCH 2017

23 CHAMBER IN ACTION Cap City Cafe was founded by Amber and Steven Cohen from Owosso. With a passion for food, Amber previously worked in catering and ran a summer food program feeding a large group of kids. Steven has been in the car business for nearly 20 years. As self-proclaimed foodies, Amber and Steven know how hard it is to find good food. Their mission is to bring better ingredients to you and let you taste the difference. From their locally roasted coffee, to their choice of natural sugar-cane Stubborn Soda, and premium bread choices (offering locally baked Calabrese bread from Roma s Bakery), Cap City Cafe offers plenty of options. The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce team and local insurance agents met in January to discuss opportunities for members to capitalize on insurance discounts and bundling. LRCC members can find valuable benefits and savings online at lansingchamber.org. For more information about our exclusive Member Benefits Program, contact Hanna VonAchen at Pictured: Michelle Rahl (LRCC), Jeff Barrett (David Chapman Agency), Jim Arnouts (Arnouts Insurance), Mike Guess (Shinberg Insurance), Tim Daman (LRCC), Paul Rathbun (Rathbun Insurance), Kristin Beltzer (LRCC), Dave Drayton (Lyman and Sheets) Ben Rathbun (Rathbun Insurance). On Wednesday, February 8, the Mason Area Chamber of Commerce awarded deserving community members at their annual Awards Dinner. Pictured above are (left to right) recipient of the Special Recognition award (Individual) Barb Tornholm, recipient of the Special Recognition award (group or organization) Building Twentyone s director Benjamin Schartow, recipient of the Mason Area Citizen of the Year award Colleen Briggs, State Representative Tom Cochran, recipient of the President s Award Kathy Smith, State Senator Curtis Hertel, recipient of the Excellence in Education award Elizabeth Bailey, recipients of the Excellence in Business award BAD Brewing Company s Brian Rasdale and Danielle French, and Congressman Bishop s staff member Mary Shinkle. The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce was pleased to host a ribbon cutting on February 10 for Jessica Starks and the launch of her new business venture, Transworld Business Advisors. Transworld Business Advisors focus on three core concepts: business brokerage, franchise consulting and franchise development. Jessica will be providing these valuable business services to professionals in the tricounty region. Cutting the ribbon: Jessica (center, with scissors and sons Grant and Carter) is joined by her friends, family and colleagues to officially cut the ribbon and launch her business. Safety pays! The Lansing Regional Chamber was pleased to present AgroLiquid with a dividend check for their participation in the Chamber s workers compensation program through Accident Fund Insurance Company of America. More than 85 businesses shared more than $41,000 in dividends thanks to safe work practices and their participation in the Chamber s program. Accepting the check from Michelle Rahl with the Lansing Regional Chamber is Gerrit Bancroft, one of the company owners and Senior Site Operations Manager for AgroLiquid. LANSINGCHAMBER.ORG 23

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