robert Worthington, 38
rob McCarty, 39
Title: Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Risk Management Director Company: Mercantile Bank of Michigan As a young bank teller at Old Kent Bank, Robert Worthington went to the top for career advice. He called John Canepa, then chairman and CEO, who agreed to meet with him and became his first mentor. Canepa gave Worthington the advice: “Don’t run away from challenges in your life; run toward the opportunities you have been given.” While he views this as his biggest professional break, Worthington said it was harder to pinpoint the biggest influence in his life. “I have been so blessed with many positive influences in my life, from family, friends, teachers, coworkers and mentors. To say any one was more influential than the other would be like trying to determine whether your wedding day or the birth of your child is more memorable. You just can’t do it,” he said.
Worthington believes everyone has “the responsibility to use our God-given gifts to help each other” and has spearheaded an effort to have all Mercantile Bank employees involved in community leadership and volunteer activities, resultig in more than 10,000 hours of donated time in 2011. Worthington is chair of the Titan Business Challenge with Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes, an elected trustee of Grand Haven Charter Township, vice chair of the Grassroots Advocacy Committee of the Michigan Bankers Association, director of MiBankPac and chair of the Banking and Finance Committee for the Michigan Office of Regulatory Reinvention Advisory Rules Committee. He also is involved with the Gerald R. Ford Foundation and planning the William E. Simon Lecture Series luncheon.
Title: Jack of All Company: The Image Shoppe
Milinda ysasi Castanon, 32
Title: Human Resources Consultant Company: Herman Miller Inc.
Milinda Ysasi Castanon has had many successes in nearly a decade of being a human resources professional, including a Grand Valley State University Alumni Service Award, but her proudest accomplishment is one she did not win. Though she was not chosen as a member of the Grand Rapids Community College board of trustees, she said she completed a goal just by running. “I believe that if you want to see change happen in your community, you need to be a part of the action. I plan to run again for office to serve my community.” Ysasi Castanon serves West Michigan as a member of the Association of Human Resource Management, GRACC Center for Community Leadership, GVSU Alumni Board and Hispanic Center of West Michigan. She is active with Aquinas College’s GET Program Advisory Board and was part of GRCC’s Latino Youth Conference planning team, as well as a GVSU Career Services admissions and student life speaker. Ysasi Castanon said her biggest career break came after only a year at Herman Miller, when she was offered her current position. She is grateful for the mentors who helped her and hopes to mentor others, professionally and personally — a trait she attributes to her father. “My father is my biggest influence. He is one of the smartest people I know and has always encouraged me to be independent, to strive for excellence and to help others around me,” she said. Ysasi Castanon was honored in September with the Athena Young Professional Award.
The biggest influence in Rob McCarty’s life has shifted over the years. While once it was his grandfather, he said he now is influenced by his son and imagining what the world will be like in 50-100 years. He said seeing the world from his son’s perspective has made him a better leader. McCarty said his biggest professional break was working for Rachel Hood, executive director of West Michigan Environmental Action Council. “I didn’t know anyone in Grand Rapids outside of my family,” he said. “Our work together really opened some doors for me.” Of his marketing accomplishments, McCarty is very proud of getting the Local First organization off the ground. “I really appreciate all the people who poured themselves into the organization with their time, effort and work,” he said. “West Michigan businesses are best, by a mile.” He serves as point person for The Image Shoppe, managing clients that include Essence Restaurant Group’s Bistro Bella Vita, The Green Well and Grove. He also has worked on mygrcitypoints and Better Buildings for Michigan.
McCarty is a member of the Ehlers Transit Board, a mentor for Cook Leadership Academy at Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies and a project manager for Gateways Group. He also volunteers his time with West Michigan Environmental Action Council’s marketing committee, Local First, BALLE Conference on Local Living Economies, Friends of Grand Rapids Parks and Green Gala Host Committee.
40 under forty 2012 | Grand Rapids Business Journal 21