Entrepreneur of the year, Ron Boji

BUSINESS MONTHLY GR E ATE R LANS ING

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Entrepreneur of the year, Ron Boji I N S I D E : S P E C I A L E N T R E P R E N E U R I A L AWA R D S S E C T I O N

In this issue •

YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS PRESENT BUSINESS IDEAS

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BUSINESSES IN LANSING EXPAND THANKS TO GROWING ECONOMY

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CAUSE-RELATED MARKETING: HELPING THE COMMUNITY AND YOUR BUSINESS L

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Congratulations to all of the Entrepreneurial Winners Boji Group would like to thank the judges of the 21st Annual Entrepreneurial Awards for their support and encouragement of entrepreneurs within the community.

Boji Group was built with the determination of an entrepreneurial spirit. We are dedicated to creating jobs and investing in the community to continue to perpetuate growth and innovation.

As entrepreneur of the year, Boji Group would like to congratulate the other honorees and encourage future entrepreneurs to dream big.

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Boji Tower – 21st Floor

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BUSINESS MONTHLY News Startup Challenge Allows Young Entrepreneurs to Present Business Ideas ................ 6 Recovering Economy Leads to Improvements in Boat and RV Sales ............................ 10

BUSINESS MONTHLY GRE AT ER L ANS ING

APRIL 2015

Economic Growth Leads to Business Expansion in Greater Lansing ............................ 12

Special Section Past Winners of the Greater Lansing Entrepreneurial Awards .................... 18 The 21st Annual Entrepreneurial Awards

Entrepreneur of the year, Ron Boji

Celebrate the Successes of Local Businesses......................................................... 20 Greater Lansing Entrepreneurial Awards photos ................................................ 24

I N S I D E : S P E C I A L E N T R E P R E N E U R I A L AWA R D S S E C T I O N

In this issue •

YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS PRESENT BUSINESS IDEAS

•

BUSINESSES IN LANSING EXPAND THANKS TO GROWING ECONOMY

•

CAUSE-RELATED MARKETING: HELPING THE COMMUNITY AND YOUR BUSINESS

Entrepreneur of the Year................................................................................................... 26 The Business of the Year.................................................................................................... 30 Bettering and Rebuilding a Community..................................................................... 32 A Passionate Focus Transforms an IT Company.................................................... 38

Cover photography by Mark Warner

The Greater Lansing Business Monthly (Volume 28, Issue 4) The Greater Lansing Business Monthly is published monthly by M3 Group at 614 Seymour Street, Lansing, MI 48933. group Periodicals postage paid at Lansing, Michigan USPO. USPS number 020w807.

Subscriptions: Subscriptions are available at $22 per year for postage and handling or $38 for two years.

Call (517) 203-0123 or visit lansingbusinessnews.com to subscribe.

Postmaster: Send address changes to The Greater Lansing Business Monthly, 614 Seymour Ave., Lansing, MI 48933. Send additional subscription requests and address changes to The Greater Lansing Business Monthly, Inc., 614 Seymour Street, Lansing, MI 48933.

Copyright © 2015 The Greater Lansing Business Monthly, Inc. All rights reserved.

Editorial Office: 614 Seymour Street, Lansing, MI 48933 lansingbusinessnews.com 2

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Emerging Entrepreneur..................................................................................................... 42 Is Cause-Related Marketing Right For Your Company? .................................... 44

Departments Commentary.................................................................................................................................................. 4 Man on the Street ................................................................................................................................... 49 Investments ................................................................................................................................................ 50 Collectibles ................................................................................................................................................. 52 Regional Rotation .................................................................................................................................... 54 Legislative Update ................................................................................................................................... 56 Business Calender .................................................................................................................................. 60 Notable News ............................................................................................................................................ 62 APRIL 2015

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C O M M E N TA R Y

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BUSINESS MONTHLY Publisher: Tiffany Dowling tiffany@m3group.biz Sales Manager: Jennifer Hodges jhodges@m3group.biz Media Specialist: Jill Bailey Account Managers: Megan Fleming Manny Garcia Elaina Gonzales Production Director: Kelly Ritter Art Director: Brooke Erwin Brand Manager: Ami Iceman Creative Manager: Mark Warner Editor: Alicia Pilmore Graphic Artist: Mike France Web Manager: Skylar Kohagen Event Calendar Manager: Jaime Hardesty

GLBM Editorial Board: April Clobes — Executive Vice President, MSU Federal Credit Union Trish Foster — Senior Managing Director & COO, CBRE|Martin Lisa Parker — Director of Alumni Career and Business Services, Michigan State University Alumni Association Deb Muchmore — Partner, Kandler Reed Khoury & Muchmore Tom Ruis — Vice President, Fifth Third Bank Doug Klein — Executive Director, Mason Area Chamber of Commerce Mark Hooper — Partner, Andrews Hopper Pavlik Diontrae Hayes — Legislative Director for State Senator Coleman Young, II

Celebrating Entrepreneurship

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hen I think about the role that entrepreneurs play at their companies, I often visualize a person juggling a large number of items of different sizes and weight. Almost every entrepreneur I know faces challenges every day, but wouldn’t have it any other way. In fact, they hop out of bed in the morning anxious to keep battling the areas that need attention.

In March, we celebrated the role of entrepreneurs in our society through the Greater Lansing Entrepreneurial Awards. I look forward to that evening every year, because I appreciate the impact these hardworking individuals and companies play in our communities’ economic makeup.

My team knows that this issue is important to me. We created a section dedicated to the success of our award winners and put together some information specific to that entrepreneurial spirit. I want to congratulate the winners who have worked hard to get where they are and have gathered a team who supports the entrepreneur and his vision of the company. Part of the juggling act each one has to do centers around having that support system.

Getting a solid team is an ongoing battle; the top five issues for small businesses according to Entrepreneur.com include hiring employees.

In fact, the article states that 56 percent of businesses list hiring as the biggest challenge. I would add that retaining that group for more than a couple of years is also difficult. Finding and competing for top talent in the younger demographic can be tough, especially if the options are confined to a small geographic area or if you’re asking employees to stay or relocate to a community that isn’t Chicago and New York.

My hope is that organizations and individuals in our community realize the important role entrepreneurs play in our economy. More and more, top talent from our colleges and universities are opting to start their own business, or individuals are splintering off from companies they have worked in and creating a new organization.

This takes courage and passion, and typically these risk-taking people have a ton of confidence. That doesn’t mean that they do not need help every now and then and recognition of their accomplishments. I believe acknowledging their commitment and drive gives those individuals a shot in the arm to do more for their companies, their teams and our community.

Again, I want to send congratulations out to all of the nominees and the award winners. And, I want to thank the amazing judges panel. If you want to support or connect with the business community, I hope to see you at the GLBM Connections and Coffee networking event on May 5 at 8 a.m. at the UClub. Contact Virginia@ m3group.biz to RSVP. Make things happen this spring,

Correction: In the Notable News section of the March 2015 issue of GLBM, A report from Livability.com listed the University of Michigan as Lansing’s nearest university. It should list Michigan State University.

We apologize for any confusion.

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Tiffany Dowling | Publisher APRIL 2015

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Startup Challenge Allows Young Entrepreneurs to Present Business Ideas

BY MICKEY HIRTEN

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t’s a familiar drill for entrepreneurs: identify a problem, propose a solution, choose market segment, build a financial plan and find the money to make it all work.

Business ventures as varied as decorating services, pet care, cosmetics or baked goods compete for support, especially for this class of entrepreneurs: high school and middle school students participating in the Lansing Youth Startup Challenge.

Buoyed by the success of last year’s inaugural competition, the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP), working with regional educators, businesses and economic development agencies will bring together scores of students seeking more than $10,000 in prizes awarded for their entrepreneurial initiatives.

“Our goal is to enhance our pipeline for young entrepreneurs, those at the K through 12 level,” said Sara Parkinson, LEAP’s director of communications and talent, and coordinator of the program.

“This kind of event offers students the experience of being in touch with the professional side of things.”

The event unfolds like a science fair, but for business. Students, either in teams or individually, submit a two-page executive summary outlining a proposal. They are given a table to set up a display and are judged by teams of business professionals, who award points for the quality of the business plan and overall presentation, which includes how well the idea is pitched.

Among the judges at last year’s Startup Challenge was Lansing Board of Water and Light’s (BWL) Director of Public Relations, Calvin Jones.

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“There were some terrific ideas that these kids were serious about putting out there. We’ve got some very talented young people in this country that come up with lots of ways to make life very good as we move forward,” he said.

Jones, who plans to be a judge again this year, said that as a student he received an introduction to the business world through Junior Achievement. “It certainly fueled my interest in the field of business. It was a good wakeup call.”

The idea of nurturing entrepreneurial skills among young people has momentum. In its first student-focused event last year, LEAP partnered with Junior Achievement, the Small Business Technology Center, the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, the NEO Center, TIC incubator, the Michigan Economic Development Corp., regional colleges and others.

It worked closely with Generation E, a Battle Creek-based nonprofit that develops entrepreneurial education programs and provides consulting services to schools and community-based organizations. Schools that had worked with the nonprofit, notably Frankenmuth High School and the West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science, joined with students from Ingham, Clinton and Eaton Counties.

This year, the program is targeting just tri-county schools, Parkinson said, adding that LEAP is working with organizations like Eaton Regional Services Educational Agency (RESA) which sponsors youth

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business development programs. Clinton County also supports school programs.

LEAP is encouraging students from these initiatives to attend the Startup Challenge.

And the lure is prize money.

“Last year we gave $10,000 in prize dollars,” Parkinson said. The money came from corporate sponsors and a MEDC grant.

LEAP expects that many of the businesses that supported the challenge last year will again participate. Among those supporting the event were Neogen, Davenport University, Sparrow Health Systems, MSU Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU), Dean Transportation and BWL. They also supplied judges.

“Any number of the ideas we saw were really cutting edge. There was a group that came up with a deal for grocery shopping, where people would put together their list and they (students) would go out and do the shopping for them. It was based

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on the fact that with an aging population more people need to stay in their homes.

Shopping was an accommodation they would provide,” Jones said.

The big winner in 2014 was DeWitt High School’s Marissa Hoffman, who promoted her Mountain Cupcake Business. She received $1,500 in prizes, taking home the Sparrow Award of Excellence and the Harvest Best Table Display.

Other award winners were Elle Bos from Eaton Rapids High School, whose photography proposal won the $1,000 MSUFU Award of Excellence and Leslie Middle School students Andrea Piper, Lily Robinson and Chase Lewis who split the $500 LEAP Best Team Prize and $500 Spartan Innovations “Innovation” Award for their “Getting to Know Your Middle School” coloring book.

They were among the 20 or so students brought to the competition by sixth-grade teacher Laura Fenger. She explained the winning entry: “they made a coloring book to give to the fourth graders to acclimate them to the middle school. It was the kids’ idea, part of my gifted-andtalented program.”

Fenger explained that she had found a website that turned pictures into coloring book pages. It was the spark that ignited the venture. Her students researched the cost of printing, got a $230 grant from the community foundation, took photos of the school and contracted for 100 copies of the book.

“It was their idea that they could do this for other schools,” Fenger said, summarizing the students’ business plan. Other students from her classes also won prizes for babysitting and lawn care services.

Business

Computers

Fenger plans to bring about 20 students to this year’s challenge. “It was an outstanding event. I was so impressed with everything they set up. The kids loved it. When we started again in the fall, immediately they said are we doing the business expo again.”

The Lansing Youth Startup Challenge will take place on April 29 at the Lansing Center.

Mickey Hirten is an award winning writer and editor.

He has been executive editor of the Lansing State Journal, the Burlington Free Press in Vermont, and was the financial editor and a columnist for the Baltimore Evening Sun. He is the current president of the Michigan Press Association. His wife, Maureen Hirten, is director of the Capital Area District Library.

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EASTER FEAST at the CROWNE PLAZA LANSING WEST APRIL 5TH, 11:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. Bigger & better than ever before! Enjoy Prime Rib, Crab Legs, Oysters, Baked Ham, Charcuterie display, Soups, Salads, Pasta, Desserts & so much more! (Adult meals include a glass of our featured wine!) As a Lansing area tradition, seats fill up quickly so make your reservation today! View the full menu online at www.bordeauxlansing.com or on Facebook. Bring your camera & keep an eye out for the Easter Bunny!

Ask about our annual MOTHER’S DAY CELEBRATION as well!

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Recovering Economy Leads to Improvements in Boat and RV Sales

BY MICKEY HIRTEN

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ad roads and frozen waterways have done nothing to dampen enthusiasm in Michigan for recreational vehicles and boats.

PH OTO S P ROV I D E D

Dealers in both forecast strong sales in 2015, which they attribute to an improving economy with lower unemployment and to the decline in fuel prices.

“People are spending money strategically on things that are important to them,” said Nicki Polan, executive director of the Michigan Boating Industries Association.

“Michigan has been recovering for the past five years — making headway. We expect it to continue for the next three years.”

Kitsmiller RV is located in Mason.

According to area dealers, sales and traffic have been strong at boat and recreational vehicle shows this winter. “We were surprised at how many people came to look at motor homes,” said Amber Long of Kitsmiller RV, Inc. in Mason. “Our motor home business has taken off.” The dealership has also had strong demand for toy haulers, trailers with a rear ramp to a garage area for motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles.

RV and boat dealers euphemistically refer to Michigan as a “four season state” with generally slower sales during the winter. But there are early signs of spring.

“If you look at January and February, both were very high for RV sales considering the month. We had a really good February, which is an indication that the summer is going to be good,” said Tom Sanford, general manager of Price Right Auto and RV in DeWitt, formerly known as Annie Rae. “I don’t know if it’s fuel prices or pent up demand as unemployment drops and people feel more comfortable spreading their wings and have a little bit of extra money.”

What dealers like Price Right and Kitsmiller see in Michigan reflects what is happening nationally.

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“The recreational vehicle dealers industry has managed its way out of a rough recessionary period and has been restoring its previously lost revenue through considerable growth since 2013,” said the Recreational Vehicle Dealers Market Research Report released in November 2014.

But the industry has yet to recover fully. In 2006, the wholesale shipment of recreational vehicles totaled 390,500, according to statistics.com’s leisure and travel analysis. It reported that in 2014, wholesale shipments totaled 321,100 but growth is steady.

“Improved access to credit and greater consumer confidence has led to an increase in revenue. In the five years to 2019, demand is expected to continue increasing as the economy continues recovering and credit access continues to expand. In addition, dealers will benefit from the growing population of people over age 50 due to the aging baby boomer population.”

Sales at Gillette RV in East Lansing reflect this trend, according to spokesman Matt Kortman.

“When I started as a salesperson in 1999, they were already talking about the wave of baby boomers and how awesome it will be for us. It’s just been building in strength for the past 12 years or so,” he said of RV sales to this market segment. “It’s a great activity for people who are retiring and have the time to travel, to see family and spend time with their grandkids.”

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Kortman’s long term view for RV sales is more measured than the Recreational Vehicle Dealers’ analysis.

“I think sales will continue to be strong but I don’t see it longer than a few years.

The industry goes in cycles and they are sort of predictable.” He cited the recovery of the auto industry and manufacturing, low interest rates and industry innovation as forces propelling the market.

“Gas prices affect how people use their boats, not whether they use them,” Polan said. “If prices are high, they don’t go as far. They might not take the long trip. It’s the activities that change.”

Mickey Hirten is an award winning writer and editor. He has been executive editor of

the Lansing State Journal, the Burlington Free Press in Vermont, and was the financial editor and a columnist for the Baltimore Evening Sun. He is the current president of the Michigan Press Association. His wife, Maureen Hirten, is director of the Capital Area District Library.

“The industry comes up with something new every year,” he said.

The outlook for boating is similar, said Polan, addressing the health of the industry. “We expect it to continue for the next three years. The 350 members of the Boating Association, which includes dealers and other related fields, had sales totaling $705 million in 2014 compared with $350 million in 2010. That’s how fast we’re growing,” Polan said.

At Grand Pointe Marina in Dimondale, General Manager Chris Stevens’ sales are even stronger.

“We were up 25 percent in 2014 and expect to be up 25 percent in 2015. Gas prices are a big help. Michigan is out of the recession and the car industry is booming. But we still have to recover from our down years.”

Stevens said that lower gasoline prices put more money in people’s pockets. But he’s not sure that it really affects sales.

“People use boats to recreate with their families and friends. It’s heavily family based,” he said.

Michigan is the third largest marine market in the country, behind Florida and Texas, according to the Boating Industries Association. And according to Polan, it is very much a middle income activity, with the median household income for boat owners falling between $50,000 and $100,000.

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Economic Growth Leads to Business Expansion in Greater Lansing

BY MICKEY HIRTEN

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hile many forces drive the Greater Lansing region’s improving economy, the traditional powerhouses — General Motors and Michigan State University, most notably with its new $600 million Facility for Rare Isotope Beams — retain an outsized influence.

Foster hinted at continued GM expansion in the area, possibly in 2015. As for the FRIB, she outlined the scope of the project: $600 million in design, engineering and construction costs, 400 full time jobs (180 at FRIB and 220 in related industries), $187 million in state tax revenues, $1 billion in total economic activity and more than 5,000 one-year construction jobs.

“It’s the biggest investment in this town,” Foster said.

The CBRE program provided background on world, national and state economies as a framework for the performance of real estate markets today and perspective on what landlords, tenants and investors can anticipate in the future. The session with the Lansing Chamber coincided with CBRE’s latest commercial real estate analysis, which indicated declining vacancy rates for industrial and office space and increasing vacancy rates for retail.

Foster’s presentation identified General Motors’ $37 million expansion of its Lansing Delta Township Assembly Plant, its $44 million logistics center under construction at the Grand River Assembly Plant and the planned $162 million stamping plant as highlighted projects. She also noted plans by Meijer to build a 500,000 square foot high-bay warehouse on a 40-acre parcel at the southwest corner of Mt. Hope Highway and Creyts Rd. in Delta Township as an illustration of economic strength. The company is seeking a zoning change for part of the land. Construction is expected to take about a year, Meijer said in documents presented to the township’s zoning board.

CBRE said that available Class A industrial space is scarce and that there is no speculative construction planned currently. It is the same with office space said Eric Rosekrans, the company’s senior vice president. “Nothing is being built.”

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P H OTO PROV I D E D

Both were cited in March’s CBRE|Martin and Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce briefing to area business leaders. Both will broadly affect employment and commercial and industrial real estate, said CBRE’s Senior Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer, Tricia L. Foster.

The Annual Market Forecast event was held on Tuesday March 10 at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center.

There is a shortage of Class A office space, which is felt most acutely in Lansing’s central business district, with 1.5 million square feet of space, where the vacancy rate is just 2.2 percent at asking lease rates of $21 to $25 a square foot. The region’s other strong office location is in the zone east of the central business district. It has 1.4 million square feet of space, a vacancy rate of 7.1 percent and rates in the $16 to $28 per square foot range.

Coinciding with the shortage of premium office space, CBRE noted that companies have been seeking productivity gains from their real estate footprint. Foster told her Kellogg Center luncheon audience of 130 that, for many companies, real estate is their second largest cost second only to labor.

Rosekrans provided this perspective on the changes roiling the office space market. “Companies are learning to do more business in less space. Where you needed 1,000 square feet years ago, now they can do it in 600 square feet.”

As for the retail sector, CBRE sees strength and expects more. “In our opinion, we are ready to roll,” Foster said, citing the investments in the market by businesses like Pepino’s, Hop Cat, Lululemon Athletica and Apple.

CBRE’s Marketview identified strong retail growth near the U.S.127/Lake Lansing interchange, along the Grand River corridor near MSU, and near the I-96/West Saginaw interchange.

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How does the Lansing area real estate market compare with others in the state? comparisons in its Marketview reports.

GREATER LANSING AREA INDUSTRIAL Vacancy 6.8% Lease Rate $2.50-$6 Net Absorption -6,572 SF Completions 0 SF OFFICE Vacancy 18.0% Lease Rate $8-$28 Net Absorption 29,935 SF Completions 0 SF RETAIL Vacancy 16.2% Lease Rate $8-32 Net Absorption -24,636 SF Completions 35,000 SF

GRAND RAPIDS INDUSTRIAL Vacancy 5.3% (gross) Lease Rate $2-$6 Net Absorption 659,445 SF (gross) Completions 283,475 SF OFFICE Vacancy 17.5% Lease Rate $7-$24 Net Absorption -86,624 F Completions 0 SF RETAIL Vacancy 8.5% (gross) Lease Rate $6-$36 Net Absorption 227,698 SF (gross) Completions 102,478 SF

CBRE|Martin provides these

DETROIT INDUSTRIAL Vacancy 6.0% Lease Rate $4.66 PSF Net Absorption 2.1 MSF Availability 10.6% OFFICE Vacancy 20.8% Lease Rate $17.26 Net Absorption 441,994 SF Availability 24.2% RETAIL Vacancy 7.2% Lease Rate $14.67 Construction 271,000 SF Availability 10.1% Source, CBRE Research, Q4 2014.

It’s consumers who are the key driver in the economy today, Foster said. Chastened by the economic downturn, they are more disciplined in their spending, find that the value of their homes is increasing and benefit from lower unemployment.

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Brett Pacek, vice president of lending at Case Credit Union sees the improved local economy.

“Appraisals are going up while delinquencies and charge-offs are going down.” He cited fewer consumer and auto loans on watch lists as a particularly good sign.

“Things are picking up with more loans and SBA loans. I think it is really going to take off,” Pacek said of the area’s economy. “Especially if rates stay low.”

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Mickey Hirten is an award winning writer and editor. He has been executive editor of the Lansing State Journal, the Burlington Free Press in Vermont, and was the financial editor and a columnist for the Baltimore Evening Sun. He is the current president of the Michigan Press Association. His wife, Maureen Hirten, is director of the Capital Area District Library.

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SPECIAL SECTION

C E L E B R AT E S U C C E S S the 2015 greater lansing entrepreneurial awards L

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2 0 1 5 G R E AT E R L A N S I N G E N T R E P R E N E U R I A L AWA R D S S P E C I A L S E C T I O N

Greater Lansing Entrepreneurial Awards Special Section Past Winners of the Greater Lansing Entrepreneurial Awards ..................................................................................................................................18 The 21st Annual Entrepreneurial Awards Celebrate the Successes of Local Businesses...............................................................................20 Greater Lansing Entrepreneurial Awards photos .............................................................................................................................................................24 Entrepreneur of the Year ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 26 The Business of the Year .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 30 Bettering and Rebuilding a Community ................................................................................................................................................................................32 A Passionate Focus Transforms an IT Company ................................................................................................................................................................38 Emerging Entrepreneur................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 42 Is Cause-Related Marketing Right For Your Company? .................................................................................................................................................44

{Bright future.} Plante Moran congratulates all of the entrepreneurial award winners.

Bringing visionary ideas for business to life is

a higher return on experience.

Scott Purtill | 517.336.7464 scott.purtill@plantemoran.com plantemoran.com

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2 0 1 5 G R E AT E R L A N S I N G E N T R E P R E N E U R I A L AWA R D S S P E C I A L S E C T I O N

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2 0 1 5 G R E AT E R L A N S I N G E N T R E P R E N E U R I A L AWA R D S S P E C I A L S E C T I O N

Greater Lansing Entrepreneurial Award Winners

2012

2013

2014

NAME

COMPA N Y C & E Pipeline

Emerging Entrepreneur

Chris Johnson

On Target Living

Socially Responsible Entrepreneur

Ryan Lowe and Nikali Luke

Simplified Tax and Accounting Services

Entrepreneurial Spirit

Mark and Leigh Kraushaar

Bell Title Company

Entrepreneurs of the Year

Thomas Salisbury

Reliable Aftermarket Parts, Inc.

Sales & Distribution

Lance Thompson

Baseline Data Services, LLC

Information Technology

Stephen Russell

A/C Electrical Contractors, Inc

Construction

Rochelle Rizzi

Rizzi Designs, LLC

Marketing

Peter W. Kramer

Kramer Management Group, Inc.

Emerging

Tiffany Klein

La Fille Gallery

On the Rise Law

Jack Davis

Loomis, Ewert, Parsley, Davis & Gotting

Gary Seelye

Seelye Group LTD

Service

Claudia Deschaine

Dart Foundation

Socially Responsible Organization

D.L. Kesler

D.L. Construction & Sons

Master Entrepreneur

Amy Trahey

Great Lakes Engineering Group, LLC

Engineering

Bo Noles

Capital Imaging

Printing

Lorri Rishar Jandron and Angela Witwer

Edge Partnerships

Professional Service

Dr. John Wycoff

Wycoff Wellness Center

Healthcare

Chad Jordan

Cravings Gourmet Popcorn

Emerging

Justin Caine

Good Fruit Video

Socially Responsible

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Barbara Fails Raftshol

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AWA R D R E CE I V ED

Crispin Velasquez

Socially Responsible

Chad Paalman

NuWave Technology Partners

Technology

Jason Schreiber

AriaLink

Communications

Louis Eyde & George Eyde

The Eyde Company

Master Entrepreneur

Steve Trecha

Integrated Strategies

Logistics

Dr. Terry Matthews & Catherine Matthews

Lansing Urgent Care

Healthcare

Lisa O’Connor

Publicom

Marketing Communications

Debbie Barnett

Tomie Raines, Inc

Real Estate

Dr. Martin Valley

Valley Dental Spa

Professional Services

Ryan Doom & Kevin Southworth

Web Ascender

Information Technology

Rebecca Jeon

SanSu Sushi & Cocktails

Restaurant

Jim Brumbach &Heidi Brumbach

Event Depot

Emerging

Andy Kotarba

Dewpoint

Information Systems

Mark Hooper

Andrews Hooper & Pavlik

Founders Advocate

Mark Sprinkel

Showroom Shine, Inc

Automotive Services

Steven Curran

Harvest Creative Services

Creative Services

Mike Franco & Chris Goodman

Pure Green Lawn and Tree Professionals

Landscape Services

Mitch Tomlinson

Peckham Inc

Socially Responsible

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Faith Magazine, Catholic Diocese of Lansing

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Warmels Comstock, PLLC

Professional services

Patrick Heller

Liberty Coin Service

Retail

Joe Ford & Adam Henige

Netvantage Marketing

Emerging

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

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The 21st Annual Entrepreneurial Awards Celebrate the Successes of Local Businesses

BY V IRGINIA BERNERO

O

PH OTO B Y V I RG I N I A B E RNE RO

n Thursday, March 12 the Greater Lansing Business Monthly hosted the 21st Annual Entrepreneurial Awards.

The evening started with a bustling networking cocktail hour and gave way to a dinner in the Heritage Room at the University Club of MSU. Community members, business leaders, entrepreneurs and supporters were among those who attended this historic ceremony.

Among the exchange of greetings, shaking hands, congratulations and camaraderie, there were some anticipating whispers, nervous smiles and eager individuals in the crowd.

“Looking at these nominees I cannot help but to be proud of our community,” Tiffany Dowling of M3 Group said to the crowd during the awards. “I do not envy the decision that the judges had to make this year,” added co-host April Clobes of MSU Federal Credit Union.

Judges review entries during a special judges’ lunch.

BRD

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Every year, the judges are presented with a binder full of business profiles, narratives and financial information and are asked to choose a winner for five broad business categories. This year, the binder was presented with this year’s nine qualifying nominees to find a recipient for Emerging Entrepreneur, Socially Responsible Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurial Spirit, Entrepreneur of the Year and Greater Lansing Business of the Year.

“I would like to mention to our past honorees and those who nominate businesses in the community, that with the elimination of the industry categories, this allows businesses to be reviewed again in the new all-business focus categories,” explained Dowling.

The elimination of some categories was a change that Dowling made in 2013 after purchasing the publication. The alteration was intended to cast a wider net, seeking honorees that truly exemplified the qualities of each award — no matter what field or industry they were in.

Another addition to the program was guest speaker Tom Anastos, who shared his personal business experience and success. Anastos is an entrepreneur at heart whose innate business sense has served him well in all aspects of his professional career. A 1987 graduate of MSU with a B.S. degree in Construction Management, Anastos now owns Suburban Sports Group, LLC, which has more than 400 employees and specializes in recreational ice arena

development, consulting and the management of municipal and privately-held ice arenas.

Carrie Hindmon of Andrews Hooper Pavlik, Debbie Petersmark of WILX TV 10, Bruce Dunn of Maner Costerisan, Jeff Jackson of MSU Federal Credit Union, Chris Nugent of Horizon Bank and John Shaski of Sparrow Health Systems were up to the task. After nominations were collected, the judges spent time independently and collectively reviewing the material submitted by our nominees. During a special judges’ meeting, the final decisions were made.

This year, the Greater Lansing Business Monthly was proud to honor the following: Entrepreneur of the Year – Ron Boji, Boji Group Greater Lansing Business of the Year - Jeff Kresnak, Superior Asphalt Entrepreneurial Spirit – Mike Maddox, ASK Emerging Entrepreneur – Ian Richardson, Doberman Technologies Socially Responsible Entrepreneur - Don McNabb, Triterra

to the 2015

Greater Lansing Entrepreneurial Award winners!

Thank you for your inspiration and innovation.

Member FDIC

24/7 Phone Banking: 888.300.3193 | Customer Service: 800.355.0641 | IndependentBank.com

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The community needs risk takers and go-getters. The vitality and growth of our region depends on the creation and success of local business start ups. “It takes many businesses of all shapes and sizes to create a robust economy,” Clobes said, “and that would not be possible without our entrepreneurs.”

124 W. Allegan St., Ste. 700, Lansing, Michigan 48933

Society prospers from new businesses that drive the economy and provide good jobs. Society would suffer without new businesses to solve local problems and create a culture of innovation. Even existing businesses gain from them with new customers, clients, suppliers and new competition. Entrepreneurs are in high demand.

(517) 482‐2400 www.loomislaw.com

RIGHT ON TARGET FOR OUR CLIENTS

As the night came to a close, many past honorees offered their congratulations to the newly admitted GLBM entrepreneurial winners. Last year’s honorees, Ryan Lowe and Nikali Luke, 2013 winner Jack Davis, the Eyde family and 2001 awardee Bo Garcia were among those who came to support their fellow entrepreneurs.

It is with the support of the community that these honorees will continue their success.

LOOMIS

LOOMIS The Loomis Law Firm was featured in the Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent LawyersTM honoring attorneys who have achieved the Highest Possible Peer Review Rating in both Legal Ability and Ethical Standards.

Virginia Bernero is a Central Michigan University graduate, now the Communications Specialist for M3 Group. The full service branding agency employs her to work on events and marketing for their clients and publications, including the GLBM’s own Financial Expo and Entrepreneurial Awards.

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BREWING BETTER BUSINESS JO IN US FO R O UR SE CO N D Q U A RT E R C ON N E C T I ON S A N D C OF F E E

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RSVP or sponsorship inquiries to virginia@m3group.biz

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2 0 1 5 G R E AT E R L A N S I N G E N T R E P R E N E U R I A L AWA R D S S P E C I A L S E C T I O N SPONSORED

The University Club of MSU, Where U Belong

T

he University Club of MSU is a place where business gets done! Countless relationships have been built and deals have been made at the University Club, whether it’s over a meal, on the golf course, or at the fitness center, pool, or one of the many social events held at the Club.

A membership at the University Club offers budding entrepreneurs a way to meet new people and establish a solid reputation by holding important meetings and events at a venue known for its fabulous food, outstanding service, and gracious hospitality. The U-Club’s attention to detail makes entertaining clients, prospects, vendors, industry associates, and staff a wonderful experience.

And now, membership is more affordable than ever with the University Club’s employee discount program. This program offers standard membership privileges, as well as additional benefits when two or more associates from the same organization join the Club, such as: • Reduced social dues • Reduced optional fitness add-on dues, • No food and beverage minimum purchase requirement, • Separate membership account numbers for business and personal use, and • The ability to transfer a membership from one associate to another when staff changes occur (one time per membership per year).

Networking is key to growing any business, and this is especially true for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

U-Club membership provides a unique opportunity for networking with community leaders at business events, social functions, while dining, working out, or just around the Club. It’s the place to see and be seen, making it easy for entrepreneurs to strike up a conversation that could lead to the next business deal!

The Club’s member restaurant, aptly named Mingle, is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner six days a week. The surroundings are elegant and a variety of seating options from booths, tables, and banquettes are available depending on your needs. Hammer out the details of a contract with a client over breakfast, make business collaborations with

associates over lunch, or celebrate a business success at dinner. Your options are endless.

We invite you to come grow your business here! As your business grows, the U-Club grows with you. An array of banquet and meeting rooms provide the perfect space for meetings of all sizes. When your needs expand to larger events, the U-Club has you covered. From menus, AV, seating, entertainment, and décor, our professional staff of meeting planners will help ensure all the details of your business event are taken care of and that your event will be a resounding success!

Membership in the University Club is open to anyone in the community. Social membership provides your household with access to the Club for fine and casual dining, outdoor pools & tennis courts, social events, recreational programming, discounts at the U-Club Spa, reciprocal privileges with clubs throughout Michigan and around the world, and much more! Members of the University Club may also upgrade their social membership at any time to enjoy optional extra privileges with the U-Club Fitness Center, Forest Akers Golf Courses, and the Club’s Tasting Society, opening up a world of dining, golf, travel, and entertainment options.

To learn more about membership and to take a tour, we invite you to attend our Membership Brunch on Sunday, April 19, at 12:00 p.m. RSVP at (517) 353-5111. We’d love to welcome you to the Club!

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2015 Greater Lansing Entrepreneurial Awards P HOTOS BY MIKE FRAN C E

The University Club of MSU hosted this year’s event

Guest Speaker Tom Anastos, MSU Hockey Coach and entrepreneur

Jeff Jackson, Robin and Betsy Miner-Swartz

Mckenna Long, Melissa Nay, Matthew Anderson and Todd Lake

Lansing Asphalt is proud to be a 2015 Entrepreneurial nominee 3888 S.Canal Rd, LansingAsphalt.com Lansing, MI 48917 24

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O: 517-322-0800 F: 517-322-0801

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Tom Conway and Travis Richardson

Members of the M3 Group team

Bruce Dunn and Mark Hooper

Jeff Kresnak accepting his award for Business of the Year

Congratulations on your nomination, Angie

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Entrepreneur of the Year Boji Group

BY KRIS TINE RICHMON D

B

oji Group’s success started when Ron Boji and his father, Louie, purchased Lansing’s landmark building, Michigan National Tower, later renamed Boji Tower, in 1998. As a young man in his twenties, Boji served as property manager for the Tower with an office in the basement. Little did he know that 17 years later he would end up with an office on the 21st floor.

Boji Group is a real estate development, property and construction management firm, providing services for more than two million square feet of state-of-the-art commercial, retail, wholesale and lodging space. He and his father have principal interest in nearly 50 companies, collectively employs 400 people and generates growth in revenues at a pace of 10 to 12 percent in real estate, and three to four percent globally across all of its companies each year.

P HOTO B Y M A R K WA R N E R

Because of Boji Group’s phenomenal growth and ingenuity, the Greater Lansing Business Monthly named Boji Group the 2015 recipient of the Entrepreneur of the Year. The winner of this award truly sets the bar for other entrepreneurs in the community.

“I don’t look at the entrepreneurial award as an award that I got, I look at it as an award for the Boji Group,” said Boji. “I felt very proud not being in a relationship with any of the judges, and them not even knowing me, they took it on the merits of my company. It made me and my company even prouder to win the award.”

“AT THAT TIME IT WAS MORE ABOUT BEING AN ENTREPRENEUR THAN ABOUT WHICH FIELD I WAS GETTING INTO. THEN WHEN I BECAME AN ENTREPRENEUR AND CREATED WEALTH THAT ALLOWED ME TO GO BACK INTO THE REAL ESTATE MARKET WHICH IS WHAT MY TRUE PASSION IS.” – RON BOJI A LL IN THE FA M I LY

Boji first remembers wanting to be an entrepreneur when he started selling bags of popcorn with his special seasoning to his classmates for Thursday movie day in the 3rd grade. He had the opportunity to 26

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work alongside his father Louie, who is a successful entrepreneur himself. It all started with the opening of their first store inside of a shopping center they built from the ground up 30 years ago. Louie also bought and sold more than 25 grocery stores.

Boji attributes his success to his father and his grandfather, Joseph, the patriarch of his Chaldean family. His grandfather came on a boat from Iraq to Detroit in 1929 during the Great Depression in hopes of being able to work, be prosperous and eventually bring his family to the United States. Working at the Wonder Bread factory, he sent two-thirds of his check back to his family in Iraq. A couple years later, he traveled to Iraq never thinking he’d return, but his son, Louie, had other plans. In 1968, Louie brought his family to San Diego, Calif., and moved to Michigan when Ron was seven years old. His grandfather would join them 14 years later.

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What’s so special about the number 11?

There are 11 players in each team for such sports as football, field hockey and soccer.

11 is the atomic number of the element sodium.

Ben-Hur (1959), Titanic (1997) and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) each won 11 Oscar awards.

Apollo 11 was the first manned spacecraft to land on the Moon.

Maner Costerisan has 11 niche partners So what does it take to make an industry expert? Not one engagement, but many - over the course of decades. Working hard to stay on top of industry news and trends. Knowing what it takes to stay competitive and profitable. At Maner Costerisan, we serve a wide variety of clients, some requiring more in depth knowledge than others. As our firm has grown over the years, we’ve acquired a large number of clients that fall into 11 categories. This has allowed us to gain an understanding of these industries that simply can’t be matched by many other firms.

Maner Costerisan has extensive experience serving companies in the following industries: Affordable Housing Closely Held Businesses Construction Education

Employee Benefit Plans Franchises Governmental Manufacturing & Distribution

Medical Practices Nonprofits Telecommunications

2425 E. Grand River Ave., Ste. 1 • Lansing, MI 48912-3291 • T: 517 323 7500 • F: 517 323 6346 • www.manercpa.com • www.manersolutions.com L

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“His stories that he would tell me, his fundamental foundation of life is the roots of my dad’s and my upbringing,” said Boji.

money and did a 1031 exchange, then added in their own personal wealth and put a bid on the building that would become Boji Tower.

GAME C HA NG I NG M O M E N T S

LO O K IN G TO TH E F U TU RE

Purchasing the Boji Tower was a game changing decision for Boji and his father to move their business forward. Yet this defining moment may not have happened if it weren’t for several significant breaks in the years leading up to the Tower.

Boji took over leadership of the day-to-day business operations from his father about 10 years ago.

In 1993, Boji graduated with a B.S. in Construction Management and Finance from Michigan State University. He knew he didn’t want to go work for someone else, nor did he want to stay in the grocery store business, so he went to Sacramento, Calif. to train for a year in the computer business.

“At that time it was more about being an entrepreneur than about which field I was getting into. Then when I became an entrepreneur and created wealth that allowed me to go back into the real estate market which is what my true passion is,” said Boji.

He came to Lansing, Mich. in July 1994 and started a Computer Warehouse franchise, eventually had two stores and built the business to $10 million. Meanwhile, Boji and his father were given an opportunity to sell a small portion of land to Rite Aid. They took that

As he looks toward the future, Boji expects the business to continue growing at the same pace annually. He attributes much of his success to his ability to secure long-standing relationships and a focus on strategic public-private partnerships with state and local government, resulting in more than 700,000 square feet of leased space.

“No man is ever strong without a wonderful woman next to him,” said Boji. “I would never be anywhere without my wife Heather standing next to me and my four daughters, being the rock that allows me to build the way I do.”

Kristine Richmond is the Public Relations Specialist at M3 Group. She specializes in helping clients tell their stories of changed lives, fiscal success, philanthropic support and more by creating engaging messages that grab customers’ attention and cause them to act.

LET’S WORK TOGETHER TO

GROW IDEAS INTO BUSINESS

SUCCESS STORIES. Y

ou might be surprised at what you find at the MSU Innovation Center: Access to nearly 5,000 researchers, $526 million in annual R&D expenditures and 644 research and instructional buildings, scale-up facilities, pilot plants and lab spaces.

We have the world-class ingredients that entrepreneurs, investors, and inventors are looking for, all in one place. You will also find experienced partners committed to your success: Business-CONNECT links the right people and resources to develop your idea • MSU Technologies offers the best MSU ideas for commercial licensing • Spartan Innovations turns MSU ideas into investment-ready businesses •

Learn more: http://innovationcenter.msu.edu 517-884-2370 | @MSU_Innovation 28

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Dr. Anil Jain is the MSU Innovation Center’s 2014 Innovator of the Year. A MSU Computer Science & Engineering Department professor and prolific inventor, his research advances rapid facial and fingerprint recognition used in challenging terrorism, crime, and securing sensitive digital records.

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The Business of the Year Superior Asphalt

BY A NN H. KAMMERER

J

eff Kresnak learned at a young age that working hard was his key to independence. So at 16, he tapped his savings and invested in the equipment he needed to pave his way to success.

Now, nearly four decades later, Kresnak owns and operates Superior Asphalt, a Michigan-based asphalt manufacturing and paving company. Headquartered in Caledonia near Grand Rapids.

Superior Asphalt recently invested in Lansing, opening a state-ofthe-art manufacturing facility in 2012.

Because of Kresnak’s vision and perseverance, the Greater Lansing Business Monthly named Superior Asphalt the 2015 Business of the Year.

P HOTO B Y M A R K WA R N E R

“I feel very fortunate that I’ve been able to put together a staff and crew and to have all the loyal customers who made this award possible,” says Kresnak. “What makes me feel really great is that the people around me are just as enthused and happy about this award as I am.”

START I NG FROM TH E O U T S I D E

Kresnak’s road to business began in the great outdoors. Growing up in Grand Rapids, he started working on a farm at the age of 10, and developed a work ethic and sense of independence that stayed with him.

“I realized very young that there wasn’t anyone to help me, so I needed to help myself,” says Kresnak. “I was very independent and put my nose to the grindstone. I worked as hard as I could, six or seven days a week, so I could prosper and survive.”

As a teen, Kresnak trapped and sold furs with his grandfather; he also worked in a local body shop. When he later got a side job sealcoating driveways, he knew he had found a calling.

“At first, everything was handwork,” remembers Kresnak. “We took one shovel at a time off the dump truck and did potholes and utility cuts. We developed a niche for being really good at repair work.”

“I loved working and being outside,” says Kresnak. “It made me think what a nice job it would be to work outside all summer long.”

In time, Kresnak bought a larger dump truck and hired additional crew. He launched Superior Asphalt in 1983, building what has stood as the only locally-owned and operated asphalt producer that serves Central and Western Michigan.

Within a year or two, Kresnak used his savings to finance all the basic equipment he needed to roll into the asphalt business. He purchased a one-ton dump truck and a small asphalt roller. He enlisted a couple of his friends to form a crew, and began laying the groundwork for the company he would found at the age of 21.

“I’ve been surrounded by friends and family who always let me know that hard work pays off,” says Kresnak. “I always say, too, that if I can do it, anyone can.”

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MINING THE B U S I NE SS

Kresnak steadily grew his company from a handful of people to a staff of about 140. Today, Superior Asphalt holds the distinction of being just one of a few Michigan-owned companies that manufactures asphalt, making it stand apart from the pack of similar companies doing business in the state.

“A lot of companies lay asphalt, but it takes a lot of know-how to make it,” says Kresnak. “We’re the only asphalt manufacturer in the state that is truly Michigan-owned. That makes it really cool for us and something we’re super proud of.”

In 2010, Kresnak constructed the first new asphalt manufacturing facility in Michigan in 24 years. Two years later, Kresnak did it again, this time investing in greater Lansing by building a 250,000 square-foot manufacturing facility on Canal Road in Delta Township.

Kresnak says that the two hot mix asphalt manufacturing facilities allow Superior Asphalt to be in complete control of the materials supplied to paving crews and customers. To further ensure the availability of quality resources, Kresnak is working to obtain the necessary approvals and permits to mine aggregates in Ionia County’s Danby Township.

As one of the “little guys,” Kresnak says Superior Asphalt can hold its own and provide the signature service and attention that keeps customers coming back. While parking lots are a mainstay, Kresnak says his crews are equally skilled paving everything from driveways to highways and fixing potholes.

The company takes pride in giving back to the community through support of charitable and church organizations, local sports boosters, and educational and scholarship programs. Paving services have also been donated to schools, recreation centers and the Eaton County 4H Fairgrounds.

“What makes me really happy is when a customer calls with a compliment or we receive a referral,” says Kresnak. “Those moments are the proudest for me because it involves the whole company. I don’t see myself as the whole bag of chips. I just work and surround myself with good people.”

Ann Kammerer is a freelance writer living in East Lansing. She has written extensively for a couple decades about business people, educators, artists and everyday people doing good things in greater Lansing.

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Bettering and Rebuilding a Community Triterra

BY A LICIA PIL MORE

D

on McNabb is a different kind of entrepreneur. As President and CEO of Triterra, an environmental consulting firm located in Lansing’s historic Old Town, McNabb is committed to providing excellent service to his clients while working to improve the quality of the natural environment surrounding them.

Founded in 2008, Triterra has successfully advised and assisted a variety of organizations in the greater Lansing area and throughout Michigan, and has helped to implement solutions to complex environmental and developmental challenges. Staff members also spend their time volunteering in the community in which they work.

P HOTO B Y M A R K WA R N E R

It was this dedication to the community and preserving the environment that helped Triterra to win the Socially Responsible Entrepreneur Award at the 21st Annual Entrepreneurial Awards on March 12.

NEW BE GI NNI NG S

Before founding Triterra, McNabb worked for a Midwestern environmental consulting firm based in Wisconsin, but when the economy turned in 2008, the firm dissolved its Michigan offices.

McNabb was given the opportunity to stay with the company, but only if he was willing to move.

“WHEN WE STARTED TRITERRA, WE MADE OLD TOWN OUR HOME. WE NOTED HOW IMPORTANT IT WAS TO BE INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY; I DIDN’T WANT TO BE SOMEWHERE THAT WE WERE JUST AN OFFICE AND EVERYONE LEFT AT THE END OF THE DAY. I WANTED PEOPLE TO STAY AND CARE ABOUT THE COMMUNITY THEY WORK IN.” – DON MCNABB

“They asked me to relocate to Green Bay (Wis.), but I had just built my house here … I decided it really wasn’t the best opportunity to leave, and I didn’t really want to leave,” said McNabb.

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With the consulting firm dissolving and some uncertainty as to what the next steps would be, McNabb met with Alan Hooper, who later became his business partner. “Alan Hooper … and I sat down and we were talking about [the firm closing], and he said, ‘why don’t we just start now? We know that they’re going to tell all these other clients of ours to go find another consultant, what better way than to start our own?’” Triterra was founded soon after.

The environmental consulting firm was founded on the same values as McNabb’s previous firm, serving small to mediumsized businesses and small municipalities that needed assistance.

However, McNabb and Hooper had bigger goals in mind; they wanted to define Triterra as something different from a standard environmental consulting firm.

“All of our clients stayed with us from day one, and at least gave us a good base to start from,” said McNabb. “From that point forward,

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NEO Center Congratulates the 2015 Entrepreneurial Award Winners neocenter.org

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Since its inception, Triterra has been heavily focused on protecting the environment while still providing excellent service to its clients.

But their support of the community runs much deeper than just protecting the environment. Triterra and its staff support multiple nonprofit organizations and economic development organizations in the Lansing area and throughout Michigan.

“When we started Triterra, we made Old Town our home,” said McNabb. “We noted how important it was to be involved in the community; I didn’t want to be somewhere that we were just an office and everyone left at the end of the day. I wanted people to stay and care about the community they work in.”

When the opportunity came along to work with the Old Town Commercial Association (OTCA) and its efforts to revitalize the Old Town District of Lansing, McNabb jumped at the chance. Triterra and its staff members have regularly provided volunteer services and monetary donations since 2008. Some employees serve on the OTCA Board of Directors and committees. McNabb himself has served on the Board of Directors for four years, and served as president for three years.

MOV IN G F O RWA RD

Triterra’s client base has changed slightly during its seven years of existence. While the firm has always served clients in the Greater Lansing area, plans to expand to other markets are in the works.

“Now our focus is going beyond [Lansing], getting more into Grand Rapids and Detroit,” said McNabb of his plans to expand. “We’re trying to really build our base and see what else is out there.”

McNabb is also interested in focusing on repurposing buildings that aren’t being utilized. “When you look at these old buildings, you think, ‘what can be here? What’s purposed here?’ Just having the right idea and creating a better community overall [is important].

When you have something new in a place, you build a sense of community and a place where people want to be.”

Call (517) 882-2441 or visit us online at ChooseSimplified.com for appointments, services and a list of our locations.

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

CO MMU N ITY IN VO LV E ME N T

Triterra also supports other nonprofit organizations in the area, including Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Camp Out for Kids, a nonprofit that provides children with the opportunity to spend time camping and learning about the environment.

Simplified Tax Congratulates the 2015 Entrepreneurial Award Winners!

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we really focused on the Lansing and mid-Michigan market, and building relationships there.”

APRIL 2015

Alicia Pilmore is a communications specialist at M3 Group in Downtown Lansing. She enjoys writing, volunteering and everything related to social media.

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CELEBRATING 35 YEARS 2 0 1 5 G R E AT E R L A N S I N G E N T R E P R E N E U R I A L AWA R D S S P E C I A L S E C T I O N

E

ric Rosekrans has been an anchor in our firm for the past 35 years. Starting in 1979 and working alongside Van W. Martin and Van’s father – the founder of the company – William G. Martin, Eric was one of the first professionals in the firm dedicated to commercial property management before moving into commercial real estate sales and leasing. This foundation served him well.

Eric is the preeminent office market leader in Lansing for landlord and tenant representation services. He generously shares his expertise by consistently mentoring employees and sales professionals throughout our organization and is actively involved in many philanthropic endeavors that support our community.

CBRE/Martin would like to acknowledge and applaud Eric for his 35 years of dedicated service. We appreciate your commitment to our firm, clients, customers and community. We all salute you Eric, well done!

Reve

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A Passionate Focus Transforms an IT Company Mike Maddox

BY KRIS TINE RICHMON D

W

hen Mike Maddox, President of ASK, heard his name called as the 2015 Entrepreneurial Spirit Award winner by the Greater Lansing Business Monthly, he was quick to credit his team.

“The award in my mind is an award for the company. The truth is you are just a part of the process, nobody can do anything on their own. You can have an idea, you can have charisma, you can drive people and you can motivate, but if you don’t have a group of people that are on board with you, rowing the oars every single day, you are not going to get anywhere,” said Maddox.

Lansing-based ASK was founded in 1993 and was a premier business partner for IBM. In that role, ASK was the provider of IBM’s large system hardware, software and support for most of the area’s large multinational businesses.

P HOTO B Y M A R K WA R N E R

Maddox never thought of himself as an entrepreneur; he was working for IBM as the Sales Manager Engineering Software, Central U.S.. In 2004, when he considered coming to ASK, he had a successful career making good money and moving up the ladder in management. Yet he was impressed by ASK’s extremely loyal customer base and how they allowed their clients’ best interests to guide every decision they made. It was his passion that finally led him to make the move.

“WE’VE GOTTEN TO THE POINT NOW WHERE THE GROWTH IS MORE RAPID THAN IT WAS FROM 2007 ON. THE ONLY WAY THAT WE CAN MANAGE THE GROWTH THAT WE’VE HAD IN THE LAST FEW YEARS IS TO HAVE THE RIGHT PEOPLE, THE RIGHT TOOLS AND THE RIGHT PROCESSES AND WE’RE AT THAT POINT.” – MIKE MADDOX “I came into an existing company that was successful and profitable, but had to completely break it down and rebuild it on a completely different business model. It was very entrepreneurial now that I look back on it,” said Maddox.

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H IGH RIS K

In 2004, Maddox began an effort that would completely change the focus of the company, its business strategy and its target market. Yet the risk was great.

“The small staff that we had was all in. It was a huge risk because they were making money and here I come along and say we are going to change everything. Thankfully they were in complete agreement, and they believed in what we were doing,” Maddox said.

Maddox recognized the tremendous need for IT consulting services for small and medium businesses in Michigan. He knew every business depends heavily on their technology and it was apparent that IT companies were driven by the wrong motives — selling hardware and software.

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“Hardware is a commodity, it has no inherent value. The only value is in whether it can make that business more productive, or make it more money,” explained Maddox.

“New business would be based on consultative services and recurring managed revenue. The clients would pay us based on our consultative abilities, not on the hardware or software they bought,” said Maddox.

ASK’s Managed IT Services model takes the burden off of the business owner. “It means we take care of your technology as a business owner so you can focus your efforts on running your business,” said Maddox. They can provide a business owner with unlimited technology support.

HUGE R E WA R D

This transformation was made possible by instilling a passionate focus within ASK to a new way of doing business. This included a focus on service-based solutions as well as new marketing, advertising, branding, and training programs and processes.

Remarkably, ASK was able to achieve all of this while increasing real total revenue. In 2011, the company turned the corner. They saw the new business model surpass the old business model in revenue and net income.

Since implementing the new business model, sales revenue has increased 340 percent and the size of staff has tripled. They established a 24-hour Network Operations Center in Lansing and added hundreds of customers across the state of Michigan as well as a number of other states and international locations.

“We’ve gotten to the point now where the growth is more rapid than it was from 2007 on. The only way that we can manage the growth that we’ve had in the last few years is to have the right people, the right tools and the right processes and we’re at that point,” said Maddox.

LO O K IN G F O RWA RD

ASK expects to maintain double digit growth over the next 10 years. According to Maddox, they are looking to expand into Grand Rapids and Detroit within the next two years in order to better service the growing number of clients in these areas.

Kristine Richmond is the Public Relations Specialist at M3 Group. She specializes in helping clients tell their stories of changed lives, fiscal success, philanthropic support and more by creating engaging messages that grab customers’ attention and cause them to act.

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Emerging Entrepreneur Doberman Technologies

BY A LICIA PIL MORE

W

hen Doberman Technologies CEO, Ian Richardson received the Emerging Entrepreneur Award at the 21st Annual Entrepreneurial Awards, he was speechless.

“I could hardly believe it,” said Richardson. “Of course you always hope that you win, but I wish I had written an acceptance speech so that I knew what to say when I got up there. We’re all very happy about the win.”

The Emerging Entrepreneur Award is presented to a company that has not only been able to show success in recent years, but also shows great potential for growth. Since its founding, Doberman Technologies has shown that it has the potential to be successful for many years to come.

GETTING S TA RTE D

In 2010, Doberman became a full-time operation, providing small businesses with a full-service, third party IT management team, meaning that the staff acts as a fully outsourced IT department. “We provide every IT service possible so that our clients can focus on running their business instead of wasting time trying to fix their email,” said Richardson. Some of these services include day-to-day support, third party vendor management and long-term IT planning, among others.

Doberman currently works mainly with medical practices, but hopes to expand their portfolio in the future.

B UILD I NG S TRONG B O N D S

The key to the company’s success thus far has been building relationships with their clients; Doberman boasts an impressive 90 percent client retention rate. Richardson’s goal is to make sure that he and his staff do whatever it takes to help their customers, even if that means that they won’t make a profit.

P HOTO B Y M A R K WA R N E R

When Richardson founded Doberman Technologies in 2005, he was working full time as an IT manager and attending graduate school. “It was really just a way for me to moonlight and make a little extra money on the side,” said Richardson. “Eventually I decided that I was tired of going to grad school and working for someone else. I decided that it was time for me to work for myself and take on Doberman full-time.”

“We’re 100 percent focused on our relationships with our clients,” he said of their success. “And we’re 100 percent transparent with our clients. That means that even if we’re not the cheapest option, we let our clients know, and nine times out of ten, they stay with us because they know they’re working with people they can trust.”

Doberman also works to educate their clients on technology and trends in technology to help them make informed decisions about their services.

DEALING WITH CHALLENGES AND CELEBRATING SUCCESSES

Owning a business doesn’t come without its challenges, though.

In the first few years, Richardson said that the business took 42

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away from time with his wife and son.

Now that Doberman is well-established, he has been able to step out of his role in day-to-day IT support, allowing him to spend more time with his family.

Aside from time spent away from family, Richardson says that one of the most challenging aspects of the business for him has been dealing with the administrative roles that he has taken on as CEO, especially when it comes to hiring the right type of engineer. “You need to have a specific personality type to work here,” said Richardson. “Employees should really believe in the company’s goals.”

And Richardson’s goals for the company are set high; he hopes to expand Doberman Technologies through acquisitions and mergers over the next five to 10 years, and eventually become a nationwide company.

incredibly rewarding. “Watching the staff grow with the company has been the most rewarding for me,” he said. Richardson noted that knowing his customers are satisfied with the services that Doberman provides is also very rewarding for him and his staff.

In the ten years since the founding of Doberman Technologies, Richardson has learned a lot about business and has experienced many successes by working hard every day. “There are some days that you come into work and have a lot of other things on your mind, but you still have to come in and give it your all,” said Richardson. “That’s how you make your business successful.”

Alicia Pilmore is a communications specialist at M3 Group in Downtown Lansing. She enjoys writing, volunteering and everything related to social media.

Despite the challenges, Richardson says that owning his own business has been

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Is Cause-Related Marketing Right For Your Company?

BY DE B BIE PETERS MA R K

E

veryone has seen them; campaigns like the Miracle Minute, Teacher of the Week, What’s New at the Zoo, Toys for Tots, Safe Talk and Schools Rule.

These unique partnerships are a form of cause-related marketing. At their core, they are all about the “cause,” but why should companies like yours get involved?

And does this type of community support make sense for you?

The truth is, most nonprofit organizations have limited marketing budgets, if any.

Schools can’t afford to broadcast the amazing things happening within their walls; zoos don’t have the ability to

tell thousands of people at once about conservation and education; the Marines can’t collect toys by themselves.

they volunteer and promote social change. But as a single company, they don’t have a big enough voice.

Similarly, media companies like TV and radio stations don’t have unlimited airtime to promote social change and support all of the nonprofits in their community.

By working together, nonprofits, media outlets and corporate partners can accomplish more. In a traditional causerelated campaign, the corporate sponsor spends money to buy a media campaign.

The media outlet matches the investment with an investment of their own, including creating the broadcast and digital ads. The result is an integrated marketing campaign designed to raise awareness and raise money.

Enter the corporate partners. These companies may or may not be traditional advertisers, but they are traditional philanthropists. They are good corporate citizens; they give back and support their communities; they donate to charities;

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A second type of campaign is the social awareness campaign. For example, Schools Rule on WILX is sponsored by Alro Steel, where one school is featured every Friday during the 6 a.m. news.

The goal is to raise social awareness for the good things happening within our local schools.

“From the beginning, it just made sense,” said Al Glick, founder of Alro Steel. “Alro has locations all over the WILX viewing area and with Schools Rule, we saw an opportunity to show support for young people in the greater Lansing and Jackson area, while working on the Alro brand.

Many of Alro’s philanthropic activities revolve around youth sports, education, health and social issues. Schools Rule affords us the opportunity to support all these local schools on the same level.”

The residual benefit is that these campaigns raise awareness and brand recognition for your company as well

as your officers or employees who are involved. It positions your company as a leader. It aligns your company with a cause people care about, and it provides your company with the implied endorsement of a trusted media outlet.

I S CAU S E - MA RK E TIN G RIGH T F O R YOU ?

First, understand what cause-marketing is not; it’s not a straight charitable gift, so it shouldn’t replace your cash sponsorships. It’s not volunteerism, so it can’t replace the hours you and your employees provide in the community. And it’s not about advertising your company, it is about creating a marketing budget for a cause you care about, while at the same time raising your company’s profile and position in the community. It’s about doing good and taking some credit for it.

way we could let people know about the good things we do for our community,” then cause-marketing might be what you need. Reach out to a trusted media company, and get involved.

Debbie Petersmark is the general sales manager for WILX Media, where she is responsible for management of all local, national, regional and digital sales and marketing initiatives.

She lives in East Lansing with her family, and is active in several area organizations, including Inforum, National Association of Career Women, Sparrow Health System and the Junior League of Lansing.

So if there’s a tiny voice within your company saying “I wish there was a tactful

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In addition to providing a wide variety of services to suit all of your business needs, MSUFCU has staff dedicated to helping your business succeed. No matter how much research you do before opening your doors, there are always a few details we can help you with, such as payroll or merchant processing.

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MAN ON THE STREET

M AN on the STR E ET What types of businesses would you like to see come to the area?

C OMP ILED BY K YL E DO W L I N G

“I’d like to see a Schlotzsky’s or a Pizza Hut.”

Jacob Wyatt

“I’d like to see a Trader Joes, I was just there in South Michigan and I think that would be really nice.”

Jeff Cobb

“I’d like to see more skilled trades or manufacturing around the Lansing area.”

Tamiko Harrell-Sins

“I want to see any kind of technology, like cyber security. I’d love to see Lansing become the center of cyber security.”

Kurt Weiss

“I’d like there to be more local organic farming in the area. Some more fruits and vegetables would be great.”

Shelby Atkinson

“I want a grocery store downtown, and more retail on Washington Square, but no new sandwich shops. The ones we have are great but we don’t need any more.”

Chris Harkins

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INVESTMENTS

The “Standard Estate Plan�

BY BE N JAMIN L . CWAYN A , J D

I

s there a standard estate plan? Yes and no. Assuming that there are no special needs requirements due to a disabled beneficiary, requirements for a spendthrift beneficiary or large estates with possible estate tax concerns, most individuals and families have the estate plan that is described below.

REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST

A revocable living trust is a trust created by a living grantor that can be revoked or amended by the grantor. Upon the disability or death of the grantor, the trust becomes irrevocable. A trustee becomes the legal owner of the trust property, with deeds, titles and financial instruments amended to reflect this change in ownership structure.

With very limited exception, there are no adverse tax consequences to transfers between a grantor and his or her revocable living trust.

Unlike a last will and testament, or for that matter dying without a trust or will (i.e., intestate), a trust does not have to be probated in any court. Unlike a trust, probate proceedings are a public record open for full inspection by anyone interested in the estate.

Finalizing an estate is usually an extended process where a court exercises continuing legal jurisdiction for a period of approximately nine months or longer.

A revocable living trust avoids the inefficiencies, costs and complexities of probate. Upon the disability of the grantor, a successor trustee is immediately and without court intervention empowered to act on behalf of the trust. While the grantor is living but otherwise disabled, the successor trustee has a fiduciary duty to the trust and the grantor to care for the trust property of the disabled grantor. The successor trustee is not permitted to convert the property of the trust to his or her own use or that of a thirdparty; instead, the trustee must fully maintain and account for the trust property for the benefit of the trust.

Upon the death of the grantor, the successor trustee(s) is required to pay all outstanding taxes of the estate and final expenses such as hospitalization, funeral, burial, etc., and account to all beneficiaries for the assets that constitute the trust. These remaining assets are then divided per the instructions of the trust to the beneficiaries as indicated in the trust.

POUR-OVER WILL

A pour-over will is a testamentary instrument that instructs a probate court to pour-over any probate property (property that was not previously titled or otherwise placed in the trust or did not have a named beneficiary) to the trust for execution and 50

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distribution by the successor trustee of the trust, and not by the executor in probate court. A primary goal of the pour-over will is to lessen the time, cost and involvement of the probate court as much as possible. By lessening the time, cost and involvement of the court, beneficiaries are able to receive the proceeds faster and with significantly greater remaining proceeds due to cost savings of trust administration over the process of probate.

A pour-over will is not to be confused with a traditional last will and testament that seeks to complete the distribution of the estate in the probate court with specific instructions as to whom is to receive probate property and when.

GUARDIANSHIP AND CONSERVATORSHIP FOR DISABLED OR MINOR CHILDREN

In either a pour-over or traditional will, provisions need to be made for the care of any disabled or minor child in the event that either parents or existing guardians become disabled or die. In addition to other estate planning instruments, this is accomplished by the appointment of appropriate guardians and conservators in the will.

The care at issue is two-fold: the custody of the child or children and the fiduciary responsibility for any financial or property assets of the child or children.

It is also highly recommended that a Special Needs Trust be created for the benefit of any disabled person. If you have a member of your family that is either physically or mentally disabled we encourage you to consult with an attorney familiar with Special Needs Trusts.

DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR PROPERTY

A durable power of attorney for property is an instrument that permits an agent (a.k.a., attorney-in-fact) to take specified actions on behalf of a disabled person who created the instrument. The power of attorney survives the disability of the person who created the instrument when it is fashioned as a durable power of attorney.

Upon the death of the creator, the durable power of attorney is terminated or otherwise expires.

In matters of non-trust property, a durable power of attorney for property is therefore akin to a pour-over will; the difference

is that the power of attorney is effective during disability while the pour-over will is effective only upon death.

DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR HEALTH CARE AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE

A durable power of attorney for health care and mental health care are instruments that permit an agent to take specified actions and to otherwise make medical and health care decisions on behalf of a disabled person who created the instrument.

Benjamin L. Cwayna, JD is the managing member of the business and estate planning law firm of Hicks, Millbrook & Cwayna, PLLC, in Grand Ledge. Mr. Cwayna can be reached at ben@ hmclawmi.com

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COLLECTIBLES

Enjoy Your Hobby and Make History

BY PATRICK A. HEL L E R

Editor’s note: This is part one of a two-part column.

Check back for part two in our June issue.

M

any hobbies involve collecting items from the past — meaning history. Sometimes your history collection can lead to you making history.

Here is my story.

I became a coin collector in 1964, along with the rest of my family, when the Kennedy Half Dollars debuted. In 1981, I became a coin dealer, where I started to attend coin shows on a regular basis.

There was a lot of excitement when the U.S. Mint came out with the Statehood Quarter series at the beginning of 1999.

At one point, the Mint claimed that more than 100 million people were collecting these coins.

When I was attending coin shows, other dealers started to tell me of their experiences with helping to select their state quarter designs, and the fun of attending a ceremony at the Philadelphia Mint at the start of the production of their issue. Such reports inspired me to think about getting involved with the process of selecting a design for the forthcoming 2004 Michigan quarter.

Fortunately, Michigan’s only designer of a U.S. coin, Steve Bieda of Warren (designer of the reverse of the 1992 Olympic Half Dollar Commemorative), was working in Lansing as a state representative (and is now a state senator). He supplied me the address that I could write to offer my services on the committee that would be appointed by then-Governor John Engler.

In the spring of 2000, in order to increase my chances of being appointed to the Michigan Quarter Commission, I urged the Michigan State Numismatic Society (MSNS) to organize its own 2004 Michigan State Quarter Design 52

Committee and offered to chair it. Steve Bieda contacted his friends at the U.S. Mint to obtain a nearly blank design template, bearing only the word “Michigan” across the top and the date “2004” at the bottom. This template was incorporated into a page that enabled people to either submit an artistic rendering, check from a list of potential design elements or write out a description of their concept for the Michigan quarter design. Through contacting schools and the media, MSNS received more than 800 design submissions.

In November 2001, I was announced as one of 25 members of the Governor’s Michigan Quarter Commission. With greater media contacts, the Commission was able to get the design template into more hands around the state. Including the MSNS submissions, more than 4,300 suggestions for the Michigan quarter design were received, of which approximately 80 percent were from students.

Next came the work of tabulating the suggested design themes. I enlisted the assistance of some high school students to do the data entry (enabling them to list an extracurricular activity for their college applications). Most submissions contained from one to four design elements; one entry suggested about 28 design elements.

When the entries were totaled, both an early automobile and the Mackinac Bridge were far more popular than any other ideas, each appearing on more than one-third of the submissions. As you might guess, other less popular ideas were the state bird, tree, fish, animal, rock, etc.

Three other numismatists in addition to myself were appointed to the Michigan Quarter Commission. It fell to me (with

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

APRIL 2015

behind-the-scenes guidance from Steve Bieda who, not being of the same party as the governor, was not appointed) to educate the Commission members on the nuts and bolts of coin design and production.

After a few meetings in February and March 2002, we finally selected the five design concepts to recommend to Governor Engler to submit to the Mint for evaluation: • A map of the state of Michigan and the Great Lakes • A map of the state of Michigan and the Great Lakes with an early automobile • A map of the state of Michigan and the Great Lakes with the Mackinac Bridge • A map of the state of Michigan and the Great Lakes with both the early automobile and the Mackinac Bridge • A map of the state of Michigan and the Great Lakes in the center with three historic symbols to the left (a white pine, a Great Lakes canoe, and the Northern Star used for navigation by runaway slaves on the Underground Railroad) and three modern symbols to the right (a lighthouse, an early automobile, and the Mackinac Bridge)

Once these concepts were selected, the Commission Chair Arthur Ellis adjourned the meeting. Unfortunately, that created a problem.

Patrick A. Heller is the 2012 American Numismatic Association National Coin Dealer of the Year.

He owns Liberty Coin Service in Lansing, the largest coin dealership in Michigan. He writes a monthly newsletter, Liberty’s Outlook available at www.libertycoinservice. com), and commentaries on precious metals and collectibles on various websites. His award-winning radio show “Things You ‘Know’ That Just Aren’t So, And Important News You Need To Know” can be heard at 8:45 AM Wednesday and Friday mornings on 1320-AM WILS in Lansing (which streams live and is archived at www.1320wils.com). He is also the Executive Producer of the forthcoming movie “Alongside Night.” Heller was the unofficial “artist” of the 2004 Michigan Statehood Quarter.

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Lansing Center

Register now at www.MichiganCelebrates.biz L

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R E G I O N A L R O TAT I O N

Businesses Grow in Delhi Charter Township

BY LORI UNDERHIL L

D

elhi Township is dynamic and growing, offering exciting opportunities for residents and businesses alike. Manufacturing, technology, construction and the sciences are among the diverse industries which have chosen Delhi Township for its desirable location, skilled and educated workforce and positive business climate.

Delhi Township offers a blend of smalltown charm, rural countryside and friendly neighborhoods. An excellent school system, abundant recreation opportunities including parks, nonmotorized trail and senior center; a thriving Farmers Market, and a summer outdoor concert series make Delhi Township an ideal place in which to live.

Patient Central consists of an urgent care, primary care and a cardiovascular practice.

A recent success story lies in the Cedar Green development. Dr. Eugene Choo purchased the former L&L Food Center and surrounding buildings in 2013. The project is located on 12 acres at 2380 North Cedar St. Prior to this purchase, the shopping center was effectively empty for several years. Rehabilitation work on the site began almost immediately, and in the summer of 2014, Patient Central opened its doors — a facility consisting of an urgent care, primary care and 54

PHOTO PROVIDE D

Over the past 25 years, Delhi Charter Township and the Downtown Development Authority have been working to encourage businesses to locate in the greater Holt area. From mom and pop stores to industrial facilities and everything in between, more than 400 businesses currently call Delhi Township home. Whether a brand new building or the redevelopment of existing property, Delhi Township provides the infrastructure, professional staff and guidance to make locating here a positive and collaborative experience.

Charlie’s Bar and Grill is located at 1957 Cedar St.

cardiovascular practice, all under one roof. A laboratory and pharmacy are also located in the same facility. Equipped with the latest technology and highly experienced physicians, Patient Central brings together much needed medical services for the community, breathing life again into the once thriving shopping center. Future plans include additional office space and various retail outlets.

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

APRIL 2015

The former Sammy’s Lounge has been purchased, rehabilitated and reopened

by Charlie Devine. Charlie’s Bar & Grill opened its doors at 1957 Cedar St. in January and marks Devine’s fourth area location. Menu offerings include soups and salads, fresh char-grilled burgers, pizza, a full bar and much more. A patio was added for outdoor dining enjoyment.

10254 W. Grand River Hwy Grand Ledge, MI 48837 (517) 627-4600 tlhart.com

Roy and Tina Tong purchased vacant property at 2419 Cedar St. and will be building The Water Store, opening in the summer of 2015. A Jackson-based family business for 25 years, the Delhi Township location of The Water Store will sell and rent water coolers, purified bottled water and will offer a self-fill station for residential and commercial customers.

Delhi Township is located just south of Lansing and is easily accessible via US 127, surface streets and the Sycamore Trail connector to the Lansing River Trail.

A Delhi Township resident for 14 years, Lori Underhill has served as Secretary to the DDA since 2012. B.C. (Before children), she worked for the Delhi Township Engineering Department.

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L E G I S L AT I V E U P D AT E

News, Notes and a Few Comments From the State Capitol

BY ROB BAYKIAN

UPGRA D I NG THE S TAT E ’ S I T S Y ST E M I S A N ECE S S ITY

The state is now spending $22 million per year on cyber security for its IT system, and Governor Rick Snyder is asking for another $7 million in the upcoming budget. This comes on the heels of reports that the state has been stopping more than 700,000 attacks on its network each day.

In addition, Army National Guard officials and the National Guard Bureau have announced that Michigan will host one of the first three cyber protection teams recently established by the National Guard. The locations picked for activation in fiscal year 2016 are part of a Michigan-Ohio-Indiana partnership group, so it seems Michigan is being proactive in cyber protection.

This doesn’t mean the state is without computer issues; workers with the Michigan Department of Human Services earlier this year testified to troublesome glitches in the system that tracks child abuse and foster care cases; an issue the state is working to fix. And computers in some parts of government here in Michigan and elsewhere are not just old, they’re ancient.

In fact, you can look in most any home in Michigan with a computer, and you’ll find software that’s far more advanced than what is used in some state government departments around the country.

For example, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs told lawmakers in Lansing recently that the system used to sell and buy liquor in Michigan, called “COBOL” was first developed in 1959, and “there’s only one employee left in state government who is qualified to maintain it.”

State officials say an IT upgrade is needed, and it could be paid for by a proposed 50 percent license fee increase for alcohol permits in Michigan.

PURE M I C HI GA N CAM PAI G N I N CRE ASE S TO URIS M IN THE STATE

The economic impact of Michigan’s tourism industry is now at $100 billion, and according to Travel Michigan’s Vice President, David West, the Pure Michigan advertising campaign, which currently is $30 million, helped the state get to that figure.

56

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APRIL 2015

Responding to questions recently from a somewhat wary lawmaker or two, West touted the spending as being worth every penny, calling it a tourism investment and not an expenditure.

He cited the example of Pennsylvania, where he worked previously, which he says “reduced its tourism promotion spending to almost zero.” When that happened, he says, “they went from fifth in the nation in visitation, down to tenth,” adding that “when you stop advertising, they stop coming. It’s just that simple.”

BU S IN E S S TA X CRE DITS MAY BE IN JE OPARDY

When Governor Snyder revealed earlier this year that the state faces more than a $9 billion debt because of business tax credits coming back to roost, some legislators said there should be pressure put on at least some of those businesses to effectively forgo taking further credits. But the state’s largest

L E G I S L AT I V E U P D AT E

manufacturing association is warning state lawmakers about the idea of “reneging” on state-sponsored tax incentives.

volunteers throughout the state conduct the field work for the survey.

While some of those incentives helped the auto industry during the last decade, Mike Johnston of the Michigan Manufacturers Association noted to legislators that the incentives also provided significant help to the state’s economy through job creation.

Declining populations of frogs, toads and other amphibians have been documented worldwide since the 1980s. Studies suggest amphibians are disappearing due to habitat loss, pollution, disease and collection.

Johnston says such a move could taint Michigan’s good will and business may not trust the state to deliver on future agreements. And reneging on such agreements he says, “is terrible for economic development” in Michigan.

ONLINE LE A R NI NG DAY S CO U L D REP LACE S NOW DAY S

Instead of snow days canceling learning for the day, a leader in online learning in Michigan is suggesting that snow days should instead be online learning days.

Jamey Fitzpatrick of Michigan Virtual University notes that there was an average of nine and one-half snow days per district in Michigan last year, and he believes young people should be learning on those snow days.

While there’s no active move in the legislature currently to encourage or require “e-learning days,” Fitzpatrick says it would not be difficult to do. Some teachers in Michigan do it right now, but it’s not being done “at scale.”

Could be a great idea, although kids might not be overjoyed with it.

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The DNR’s 20th annual spring frog and toad survey is second to Wisconsin’s in longevity.

The annual survey efforts help biologists monitor frog and toad abundance and distribution in the state. The DNR Wildlife Division coordinates and analyzes data for the survey, while

think Central Michigan University in East Lansing.

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L E G I S L AT I V E U P D AT E

S K I L L E D T R A D E E D U C AT I O N B E C O M E S A P R I O R I T Y F O R G OV E R N O R S N Y D E R

Governor Rick Snyder has launched the Michigan Department of Talent and Economic Development in an effort to close the talent gap by preparing residents for the highly skilled, technical jobs of today and tomorrow.

Snyder created the new state department through an executive order in December. The department is led by Steve Arwood, who is also the CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

S TE M E N DO RS E ME N TS F O R H IGH S CH OOL ST UDENT S

In the meantime, there’s also an idea to provide a little more incentive for high school students, especially those interested in STEM classes (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). The bill would allow a STEM endorsement on the diplomas of high achieving high school graduates. The state would be required to provide the endorsement if a school district determines a student meets minimum criteria.

The idea is for the endorsement to help fill many of the STEM related job openings that right now have been difficult to fill, according to the state.

The governor says it will accelerate the state’s effort to become a national leader in connecting highly skilled talent with indemand jobs.

The Department of Talent and Economic Development consists of the MEDC, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, the Michigan Strategic Fund and the newly created Talent Investment Agency. The new department brings together about 1,600 employees with combined budgets from all sources of about $1.1 billion.

Rob Baykian is director of news and operations at the 67-station Michigan Radio Network. He has been covering the Capitol since 1981.

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G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

APRIL 2015

Dr. Mere dith He ise y

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HGB’s orthopedic team offers expanded services and hours, and works with you to create an individualized care plan. Have your referring physician call (517) 543-7976 and learn why our high caliber physicians, along with trusted relationships and strong capabilities, bring us together in health. hgbhealth.com L

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BUSINESS CALENDAR

April 2015 BUSINESS EVENTS

Join Michigan State University for Business and Bagels: Leading and Motivating Managers with Dr. Tina Riley, Director HR Executive Education, School of Human Resource and Labor Relations, Michigan State University. Enjoy bagels from 7:30 to 8 a.m., business from 8 to 9 a.m. and a question and answer session from 9 to 9:15 a.m. Business and Bagels will be held at The James B. Henry Center for Executive Development, located at 3535 Forest Road. The cost to attend is $30/person. For more information, call (517) 353-8711.

4/18

4/24

CO

A

N

EC T I N N

D

12TH ANNUAL FUR BALL, BATH. Grab

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

APRIL 2015

5/5

CONNECTIONS AND COFFEE, LANSING. The Greater Lansing

Business Monthly and the University Club of MSU host Connections and Coffee on Tuesday, May 5 at the U Club’s Ballroom.

Enjoy a light breakfast, fresh, delicious coffee and the chance to start your morning off right by networking. Event is free, please email virginia@ m3group.biz to register.

COF

your pooch and spend an evening at the Capital Area Humane Society’s 12th Annual Fur Ball, There’s No Place like Home. Enjoy an evening of dinner, live and silent auctions, entertainment, the ultimate doggy spa and more.

Formal attire is encouraged. This year’s Fur Ball will be held at Eagle Eye Golf Course beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets to attend are $75/pampered pooch, $100/person until April 8, $125/ person beginning April 9 or $1,250/sponsored tables of eight. All proceeds benefit the Capital Area Humane Society.

Visit adoptlansing.org, email events@adoptlansing.org or call (517) 626-6060 x. 120.

60

2ND ANNUAL DREAM BUILDERS GALA, BATH. Habitat for Humanity of Clinton County

will host their 2nd annual DreamBuilders Gala, Taste of Michigan at Eagle Eye Golf Club. This year’s event will feature food made with Michigan-produced ingredients, a farmers market atmosphere with Michigan-made items, and a local band. Enjoy the silent auction, music and food from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $55/person or $100/ couple. All proceeds will go toward Habitat for Humanity Clinton County programs.

Email director@habitatclinton.org, visit habitatclinton.org or call (989) 227-1771.

NS O

for their 33rd Annual Founders’ Day Awards Brunch: Women on a Journey to Impact the Community. This year’s awards luncheon will be held at the Crowne Plaza Lansing West Hotel from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The cost to attend is $30/person. Support the Women in Suits campaign at the luncheon by bringing in donations of suits and apparel for disadvantaged women who are going on job interviews, returning to and/or entering the workforce. For tickets and information, email glacnbpwc@gmail.com or call (517) 323-7823.

4/18

This two-day session will give you the proper training through interactive exercises to instill the skills needed to be a better communicator. This session will be held at the Crowne Plaza, located at 925 South Creyts Road, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. The cost to attend is $299/person. To register, visit careertrack.com/onsite or call (800) 944-8503.

GREATER LANSING AREA CLUB 33RD ANNUAL FOUNDERS’ DAY AWARDS BRUNCH,

LANSING. Join the Greater Lansing Area Club

HOW TO COMMUNICATE WITH TACT AND PROFESSIONALISM,

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4/14

4/23-24

BUSINESS AND BAGELS, EAST LANSING.

F

5/13

EMPTY PLATE DINNER & AUCTION, EAST LANSING. Join the Greater Lansing Food

Bank for their 9th annual Empty Plate Dinner & Auction.

Enjoy a casual walking dinner, a commemorative ‘empty plate’ painted by local elementary school children, and a live and silent auction. This year’s event will be held at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $125/person. Call (517) 853-7801 to register or for more information.

Get on the List.

GLBM LIST

GET YOUR COMPANY ON THE GLBM LIST!

but comprehensive, The lists are not institutions publication’s theme. relevant to the is a list of area financial compiles a list ions. The following Business Monthly s and organizat Greater Lansing on various industrie Each month, The publicly available look at what is rather, a snapshot order. in alphabetical

GLBM LIST

ions

Financial Institut

Offer SBA loans Number of Members

Number of Branches

No

CEO

111

Lansing, MI S. Waverly Rd.,

Astera Credit Union 100 North

NC Tryon St., Charlotte,

Bank of America

4316 S. Pennsylvani

CASE Credit Union

270 Park Ave., Chase Bank One Citizens Plaza,

Charter One Bank

a

New York, NY

Dallas, TX 75201

1717 Main Street, Comerica Bank

Each month, the Greater Lansing Business Monthly compiles a list relevant to the publication’s theme. We’re asking our readers to submit their company information to be included on the list.

l Credit Consumers Professiona

525 W. Willow,

Union

314 S. Park St., Dart Bank

Farm Bureau

7373 W. Saginaw

Family Credit Union

38 Fountain Square

Fifth Third Bank

Mason, MI 48854

Drive, Troy, MI

5151 Corporate Flagstar Bank 1901 E. Michigan

Ave., Lansing, MI

515 Franklin Square,

Michigan City,

Horizon Bank 17 South High

St., Columbus,

230 West Main

106 North Marketplace LAFCU 501 S. Capitol

(888) 873-2640

IN 46360

Blvd. Lansing, MI

MSU Federal Credit

Union

Option One Credit

Union

1

Yes N/A

locations across

Michigan

Yes

Bradford Kessel

50000 8

om

Yes

Robin Frucci

163000 21

No

David A. Snodgrass

3000 1

Yes

Jason Smith

185000 13

No

Patrick McPharlin

30000 3

Yes

Steven Bush

N/A locations nationwide

www.option1cu.org

Yes

William S Demchak

N/A 6

www.pnc.com

Cortney Collison

(877) 762-2000

PA 15222

Yes N/A

locations nationwide Stephen D. Steinour

(517) 333-2424

Pittsburgh, One PNC Plaza,

1150 Jordan

31

www.msufcu.org

(800) 323-2129

Yes N/A

Craig Dwight

www.lpcumi.com

MI 49548

No 1470

Dan Dowsett

(517) 337-0401

Rapids, 32nd St. SE, Grand

249 Fifth Ave.,

PNC Bank

locations nationwide

www.laketrust.org

MI 48823

Yes N/A

Alessandro P. DiNello

(888) 267-7200

East Lansing, 3777 West Rd 630

locations nationwide

(517) 622-6600

MI 48909

Yes N/A

Paul G. Greig

William www.independentbank.c

48933

Ave. Lansing, MI

Lansing, 4600 Collins Rd

Union

locations nationwide Kevin T. Kabat

www.lafcu.com 48917

Yes N/A

u.org

www.huntington.com

(800) 480-2265

OH 43216

Union

Community Credit

1

www.horizonbank.com

St., Ionia, MI 48846

Independent Bank

Lansing Postal

(517) 484-0601

48912

No 2000

Pam MacCready

www.gabrielscu.com

(888) 300-3193

Huntington Bank

Lake Trust Credit

3

www.flagstar.com

48098

Yes N/A

Peter Kubacki

(248) 312-5400

First Merit Bank

Credit Union

7

www.firstmerit.com

44308

St., Akron, OH

No 43000

John Crist

www.53.com

(888) 554-4362

7000 3

David E. Kindy

(800) 972-3030

OH 45263

Plaza, Cincinnati,

106 South Main

Gabriels Catholic

48917

Hwy. Lansing, MI

www.farmbureaufamilyc

(517) 679-5274

Yes

Jr.

Ralph W. Babb

www.dartbank.com

(517) 676-3661

N/A locations nationwide

www.cpfederal.com

Jackson, MI 49202

1100 Clinton Rd.,

Union CP Federal Credit

Yes

Bruce Van Saun

www.cpcu.co

(800) 554-7101

N/A locations nationwide

(517) 372-2400

Lansing, MI 48906

Yes

James Dimon

www.comerica.com

800-521-1190

N/A locations nationwide

www.charterone.com

(877) 242-7837

Yes

Jeffrey Benson

www.chase.com

Island 02903

30000 6

www.casecu.org

10017

Yes

Paula D. Cunningham

(212) 270-6000

Providence, Rhode

N/A 2

(517) 393-7710

48910 Ave. Lansing, MI

Yes

Brian T. Moynihan

www.capitolnational.com

(517) 484-5080

N/A locations nationwide

www.bankofamerica.com

(800) 432-1000

28255

48933 Sq Lansing, MI

200 N Washington

Bank

Capitol National

48917

Yes

Margo Kleinfelt

www.asteracu.com (517) 321-9010

Name

24343 6

Website Phone Number Headquarters

w w w

www.ubmich.com

.LansingB

u s i n e s s

G L B M L I S8T 2

BUSINESS LANSING

GREATER

ER 2014

SEPTEMB

M O N T H LY

panies

We are looking for submissions from:

GLBM LIST

Each month, The Greater Lansing Business Monthly rather, a snapshot compiles a list relevant look at what is publicly to the publicatio available on various alphabetical order. n’s theme. The lists industries and organizati are not comprehe nsive, but ons. The following is a list of real estate companies in

Name Address

All Star Realty Alliance Commercial

6425 S Pennsylvania Group 4100 Hunsaker St.

CBRE Century 21 Looking

1111 Michigan Ave Glass

Century 21 Woodland

•

29

Union Bank

Real Estate Com

• • •

news.com

(800) 500-1583

MI 48849 Lake St., Lake Odessa,

Law firms for the May issue Tourist destinations for the June issue Automotive commercial retailers for the July issue Universities for the August issue

Coldwell Banker Coldwell Banker

Hubbell Briarwood

Hubbell Briarwood

6427 Centurion Realty

3695 Okemos Rd, Real Estate Company 1020 S Creyts Rd

DeHaven Real Estate

4660 S Hagadorn 201 N Washington

Association of REALTORS

Halstead & Associates Lansing Executive MacIntyre and Cowen

4773 W Grand River 120 N Washington

Realty Group

Musselman Realty

2824 E Grand River Co

RE/MAX Real Estate RE/MAX Real Estate RE/MAX Real Estate RE/MAX Real Estate

2149 Jolly Road

300 W Lake Lansing

Professionals

300 W. Lake Lansing 6607 W. St. Joseph

GREATER L ANSING BU SINESS

Residential

Comercial

Residential

(517) 332-3582

Residential

(517) 487-9222

MI

48917

Comercial

(517) 339-8255

Comercial

(517) 339-8255

Residential

(517) 321-8255

MI 48813

Residential

(517) 543-3500

Dewitt, MI 48820

Hwy, Lansing, MI

Residential

(517) 487-3242

(517) 999-2675

MI 48823

Suite 200 East Lansing,

Both

Residential

(517) 485-8284

MI 48912

Hwy. Lansing, MI

13183 Schavey Rd. 7109 W Saginaw 1400 Abbot Rd.,

Both

(517) 351-2480

(517) 323-4090

MI 48933

Rd. East Lansing,

128 Cochran Charlotte,

Professionals

Tomie Raines, Inc

Residential

(517) 371-3230

48911

48906

MI 48864

Rd East Lansing,

Comercial

Residential

(517) 321-1000 (517) 372-4300

MI

Lansing, MI 48823

Suite 200 Okemos,

Professionals

Professionals

Sakura Realty LTD

24

Sq Ste 805, Lansing,

Ave., Suite C, Lansing,

322 Abbot Rd, East

NAI Mid-Michigan Remax Commercial

Residential

(989) 725-0021 (517) 349-4406

48917

MI 48933

Lansing, Michigan

Comercial

(517) 887-0800

Okemos, MI 48864

Ave, Lansing, MI

Residential

Residential

(517) 351-2200

St, Lansing, MI 48933

Sq Ste 900, Lansing,

4039 Legacy Parkway Real Estate

Commercial or Residential

(517) 372-1320 (517) 853-0800

48917

Rd #660 East Lansing,

Offices

Phone

48911

48823

MI 48823

Owosso, MI 48867

Ste 1, Lansing, MI

125 E Kalamazoo

Eyde Company Gentilozzi Real Estate Greater Lansing

Drive Lansing, MI

2625 W 21 93 M,

Real Estate Company

Ave, Lansing, MI

East Lansing, MI

#201, East Lansing,

Residential

(517) 669-8118

48917

Residential

(517) 886-4229

MI 48823

Residential

(517) 351-3617

M O N T H LY

DECEMBER

2014

Residential

LansingBus

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GLBM LIST

To submit your company information, go to lansingbusinessnews.com/get-on-the-list.

GLBM LIST

are not comprehensive, but to the publication’s theme. The lists Business Monthly compiles a list relevant of area marketing and public Each month, The Greater Lansing organizations. The following is a list available on various industries and rather, a snapshot look at what is publicly relations firms in alphabetical order.

Marketing and Public Relations Firms

Website

Zip Code City Address

Production Company

Blohm Creative Partners

Ciesa Design

Edge Partnerships

Fahrenheit Creative Group

Güd Marketing

King Media

Phone

blohmcreative.com

48823 East Lansing

517-333-4900

1331 E. Grand River Ave.

ciesadesign.com

48906 Lansing

517-853-8877

200 E. Grand River Ave.

edgepartnerships.com

48933 Lansing

517-853-6787

117 E. Kalamazoo Street Meridian Charter Township

517-347-9733

fahrenheitcreative.com

48864

3695 Okemos Road #100

gudmarketing.com

48906 Lansing

517-267-9800

1223 Turner Street, Suite 101

kingmedianow.com

48823 East Lansing

517-333-2048

1555 Watertower Pl #200

koltcommunications.com

48864 Okemos 2104 Jolly Road

Kolt Communications Inc.

Lambert, Edwards & Associates

Lezotte Miller Public Relations Inc.

517-706-0001

lambert-edwards.com

48933 Lansing

517-316-0210

215 S. Washington Sq., Suite 210

lezottemiller.com

48864 Okemos

517-381-1900

2175 Commons Pkwy.

m3group.biz

48933 Lansing 614 Seymour Ave.

M3 Group

Marketing Resource Group

517-203-3333

mrgmi.com

48933 Lansing

517-372-4400

225 S. Washington Sq.

martinwaymire.com

48933 Lansing 426 W. Ottawa St.

Martin Waymire

517-485-6600 Lansing Charter Township

lansingmarketinggroup.com

48906

934 Clark St. Michigan Creative

Netvantage Marketing

Piper & Gold Public Relations

517-899-4533

netvantagemarketing.com

48823 East Lansing

517-580-3752

435 E. Grand River Ave. #211

piperandgold.com

48823 Lansing

517-214-8621

313 1/2 E. Grand River Ave.

publicom.com

48823 East Lansing 333 Albert Ave.

Publicom

517-487-3700

queueadvertising.com

48912 Lansing 410 S. Cedar, Suite F

Queue Advertising

Redhead Design Studio

517-374-6600

virtualredhead.com

48906 Lansing

517-853-3681

1135 N. Washington Avenue

rizzidesigns.com

48906 Lansing 1141 N. Pine St.

Rizzi Designs

Spoke8 Marketing

Stony Point Communications

Studio TEN Creative

517-337-4469

spoke8marketing.com

49806 Lansing

517-485-7237

1035 N. Washington Ave.

stonypoint-pr.com

48840 Haslett

517- 339-0123

P.O. Box 640

studiotencreative.com

48917 Lansing

517-803-4390

912 Centennial Way, Suite 300

projecttraction.com

48912 Lansing 617 E. Michigan Ave.

Traction

22

Truscott Rossman U S I N E S S M O N T H LY GREATER LANSING B

517-482-7919

48933 Lansing

517-487-9320

truscottrossman.com

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124 W. Allegan St., Suite 800

OCTOBER 2014

YOUR BUSINESS CONNECTION www.lansingbusinessmonthly.com AN INVALUABLE NETWORK TO BUILD YOUR BOTTOM LINE lansingbusinessnews.com L

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MSUFCU’S PATRICK MCPHARLIN RECEIVES 2014 COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

MSU Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU), is pleased to announce that Patrick McPharlin, MSUFCU’s former president and chief executive officer (CEO), was selected as a recipient of the Lansing Regional Chamber’s 2014 Community Service Award.

Serving MSUFCU for 41 years, McPharlin’s leadership has led to many corporate community service initiatives over the years, including donations to 485 organizations in 2014.

During his tenure, the credit union developed the MSUFCU Internship Opportunity award, which is a scholarship for students who take on unpaid internships, the Lansing SAVE program, which provides financial education and savings accounts for Lansing-area kindergarteners and various other programs to benefit those who live and work in the Greater Lansing community.

League Hall of Fame and as CEO of the Year by the National Association of Federal Credit Unions (NAFCU). McPharlin was also selected for this award due to his personal involvement with the Greater Lansing community. He has served on boards and committees, including the Board of Directors of the Lansing Economic Area Partnership, March of Dimes and the MSU Alumni Association.

McPharlin has received many accolades throughout his career, including induction into the Michigan Credit Union

After 41 years of service, McPharlin retired from MSUFCU on March 17, 2015.

KRISTIN BELTZER REJOINS LANSING REGIONAL CHAMBER AS EXECUTIVE VP AND CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER

Beltzer

The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce announces that Kristin Beltzer has rejoined as executive vice president and chief marketing officer.

“I am excited about this new challenge to help shape the future direction of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce,” said Beltzer. “I look forward to working alongside the talented team of Chamber professionals who work hard every day to deliver value to our members and the Greater Lansing region.”

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Beltzer is an accomplished executive with 25 years of experience, perspective and know-how in Michigan regional government, community affairs, public policy and advocacy. In her new role at the Chamber, she oversees the business development, marketing, communications and event management activities of the organization. Beltzer joined the Chamber in 2007, where she was instrumental in developing and expanding the government relations and public affairs program and establishing the Chamber as the leading voice for business in the Greater Lansing region.

She worked for the Chamber until 2014.

Beltzer is passionate about education and business, serving on the Haslett School Board since 2003, and currently as board president. Her community involvement includes leadership roles with the Michigan Health and Hospital Association’s Business Advisory Council, Junior Achievement and Ele’s Place. She was the 2005 recipient of the Michigan Bankers Association Financial Literacy award for her work in educating students about financial and economic strategies.

Before joining the Chamber, Beltzer spent 17 years in the Michigan Legislature, serving in key roles in the House of Representatives and the Michigan Senate.

John S. Brennan has joined Fahey Schultz Burzych Rhodes PLC as a litigation specialist focusing on civil litigation handled by the firm’s growing business and municipal practices. He becomes the 13th attorney at the law

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COOLEY LAW SCHOOL PROFESSOR JOINS GROWING OKEMOS FIRM

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firm, which now serves more than 150 municipalities, drain commissioners, libraries and public authorities as well as dozens of businesses in its expanding franchise practice.

Brennan’s practice will focus on the litigation of commercial disputes, business torts including product liability defense, construction disputes, insurance coverage Brennan questions, personal injury and medical malpractice defense.

For the past several years, Brennan has served as a distinguished professor at Thomas M. Cooley Law School, which was founded by his father, former Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, Thomas E. Brennan. Brennan has also been active in the community as a member of the Advisory Board for Lansing Catholic High School, a Board

member and volunteer mediator for the Dispute Resolution Center of Central Michigan, a member of the Lange Chorale Ensemble and an avid participant in the DALMAC bicycle tour from Lansing to Mackinaw City.

Brennan received his law degree with high honors from Boston College Law School in 1984, where he was an Articles Editor for the Boston College Law Review. Prior to attending law school, he graduated with high honors from the University of Detroit in 1977. He was admitted to the practice of law in Illinois in 1984, Minnesota in 1992 and Michigan in 1997. He is also admitted to the federal district court bars in Northern Illinois, Minnesota and Eastern Michigan.

Fahey Schultz is a leading Michigan law firm recognized by Best Law Firms in America in four core legal service areas: Franchise, Municipal, Public Utility and Employment Law services for dozens

of private and public employers. More information about Fahey Schultz is available at fsbrlaw.com.

PLANTE MORAN PROMOTES GARRET MAUSOLF TO FIRM ASSOCIATE Plante Moran, PLLC, named Garret Mausolf, CPA of East Lansing, an associate in the firm’s East Lansing office. Mausolf previously served as a staff member with the firm.

Mausolf specializes in tax services and consulting for high net worth individuals and families.

As a tax team member of Plante Moran’s wealth management industry Mausolf group, he spends the majority of his time working with closelyheld family businesses and high net worth

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GREATER LANSING CVB REPORTS SUCCESSFUL YEAR AND HONORS 2014 COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS The Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau (GLCVB) held its annual meeting in March announcing both good news for the local economy and recognizing numerous individuals for helping to foster meetings and events within the Capital Region.

The GLCVB announced that midMichigan saw continued growth in 2014 with a 1.39 percent increase in area lodging occupancy, posting a rate of 58.4 percent, up from 57.9 percent in 2014, according to Smith Travel Research (STR) data. The increase in 2014 occupancy is particularly noteworthy because in 2014, Greater Lansing experienced a 5.42 percent increase in Average Daily Rate (ADR) for hotel rooms throughout the region, marking significant growth in local ADR for the second consecutive year.

Additionally, Jack Schripsema, president and CEO of the GLCVB announced the 2014 class of Greater Lansing Community Champions. The Community Champion program is intended to appeal to the civic pride of local residents by providing welldeserved recognition to the individual and their organization for attracting and hosting events in the region.

individuals, helping them with their tax planning, compliance and estate planning needs.

Mausolf, who joined Plante Moran in 2009, has a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science degree in Accounting from Michigan State University and is a member of the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Plante Moran is among the nation’s largest certified public accounting and business advisory firms, providing clients with tax, audit, risk management, financial, 64

Those recognized as 2014 Community Champions are: Kylie Doebler and Hannah Feig with Instagrammers Lansing; Brian Bennett with Flipped Learning Network; Shelly Bugg and Sue Selke with the U.S. Tennis Association; Bruce Haskell with the National Association of College and University Food Services; Barbara Roberts Mason with Sister Cities International; Mark McElwee with USA Curling; Barb Doyal with the Michigan Area of the United Methodist Church; Desmond Ferguson for Moneyball; Renee Freeman for the Shop Michigan Expo and Al Slamer with the Michigan High School Football Association.

For more information about the Greater Lansing Community Champions program, visit lansing.org or call (517) 487-0077.

technology, business consulting, and wealth management services. For more information, visit plantemoran.com.

MANER COSTERISAN ANNOUNCES NEW HIRES Maner Costerisan is pleased to announce the addition of Lauren O’Hagan Browne, Joseph Burelle, and Karri Kempf to their professional team.

Browne joins the firm as an associate.

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree with

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

APRIL 2015

a concentration in accounting and information systems from Central Michigan University. While in college, Brown was a part of the Student Accounting Society and Zeta Tau Alpha.

Burelle is the newest member of the firm’s tax accounting team where he will assist in preparing individual and corporate tax returns. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Accountancy from Saginaw Valley State University. In addition, Burelle earned his Associates degree in Accounting from Macomb Community College.

N O TA B L E N E W S

Kempf joins the firm in the firm’s audit department as an associate. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Michigan State University and is an active member of the MSU Alumni Association.

Maner Costerisan is a mid-market accounting and consulting firm located in Lansing, Michigan. For more information, visit manercpa.com.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EMPOWERMENT CENTER NAMES PATRICK DEAN AS BOARD PRESIDENT In a crucial growth period, the Information Technology Empowerment Center (ITEC) is pleased to announce Patrick Dean as Board President.

Dean is the business development director at Dean Transportation, a Lansing-based

transportation services provider. He started at Dean in 2007 and has been responsible for Support Service, Operations and Special Projects throughout Dean Transportation and Dean Trailways of Michigan. Having grown up in the transportation industry, Dean provided Dean Transportation with a unique perspective for leading the industry into the 21st Century.

Dean has a long history of nonprofit board service, including Highfields Inc., St. Vincent Catholic Charities, the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce and ITEC. Dean Patrick is also a public member of the Board of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons for the State of Michigan.

Dean’s commitment to educational access and quality will strengthen ITEC’s mission to build bright futures for Michigan youth through innovative educational programs.

CLARK CONSTRUCTION HONORED WITH KEYSTONE AWARD FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE Clark Construction Company has been recognized by the Associated General Contractors of Michigan (AGC of Michigan), as the recipient of the Keystone Award for Educational Excellence for its training program, On-Time Delivery: Clockwork and Pull Planning. This marks the second consecutive year that Clark has received this prestigious honor.

Clark Construction’s On-Time Delivery: Clockwork and Pull Planning program has improved productivity, increased professionalism and overall project success. This program combines Clark’s current branded service, Clockwork™, with a Lean Construction process, Pull Planning. This process has brought such benefits to the team members at Clark Construction that it became a core training module for their Campus

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program targeting all project engineers, superintendents and project managers.

Clinton counties through permanent, charitable endowment funds.

The Keystone Award for Education Excellence honors exceptional and innovative professional development programs for construction supervisors, managers and executives. Programs considered offer education to construction site foremen, supervisors, superintendents, project engineers, project managers and/or other construction executives.

In addition to her position on the Board, Teahan will also serve on the Marketing and Development Committee for CRCF.

FRASER TREBILCOCK ATTORNEY TO SERVE ON CAPITAL REGION COMMUNITY FOUNDATION BOARD Fraser Trebilcock attorney Marlaine C. Teahan has been elected to the Capital Region Community Foundation (CRCF) Board of Trustees. The CRCF serves the charitable needs and enhances the quality of life in Michigan’s Ingham, Eaton and

Teahan currently chairs Fraser Trebilcock’s Trusts and Estates Department and is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Council (ACTEC).

Teahan She also serves as an officer of the Probate and Estate Planning Section of the State Bar of Michigan and co-chair of the Ingham County Bar Association Probate and Trust Law section. Teahan has achieved an AV peer review rating by Martindale-Hubbell and has been named in both Best Lawyer and Super Lawyer publications since 2010.

Fraser Trebilcock is one of Michigan’s longest-established full-service law firms. More information is available at fraserlawfirm.com | statecapitalgroup.org.

SENATOR CARL LEVIN TO JOIN HONIGMAN Senator Carl M. Levin, Michigan’s longest-serving U.S. senator, will join Honigman, Miller, Schwartz and Cohn LLP in April as senior counsel. In his 36-year Senate career, Senator Levin was greatly esteemed on both sides of the political aisle for his integrity, resourcefulness and diligence and his remarkable ability to build consensus.

The focus of Levin’s practice at Honigman will include aiding corporations with internal investigations and crisis management; assisting corporations with social responsibility and compliance issues; and facilitating alternative

What’s so special about the number 5?

In basketball, the number 5 is used to represent the position of center The 5th U.S. President was James Monroe

The Olympic Games have five interlocked rings as their symbol On most telephones, the 5 key is associated with the letters J, K, and L

There are 5 departments at Maner Costerisan ready to serve our client needs When you engage a CPA firm, you expect to work with professionals with diverse financial experience. At Maner Costerisan, that’s exactly what you get. We have the depth of knowledge to ensure that clients’ expectations are not only met, but exceeded. Our team of professionals has the ability to handle the most complex and challenging tasks.

2425 E. Grand River Ave., Ste. 1 Lansing, MI 48912-3291 T: 517 323 7500 • F: 517 323 6346 www.manercpa.com • www.manersolutions.com

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Currently, Maner Costerisan has the following departments: Administration • Audit • Tax Services Business Accounting Services • Business Solutions and Information Technology

APRIL 2015

N O TA B L E N E W S

dispute resolutions and mediations. In addition, Levin will serve as an advisor to the firm’s Government Relations and Regulatory Practice Group. Levin will also actively participate in advancing the firm’s younger attorneys’ knowledge of the workings of government and the interplay between government and business.

Highfields is a human services nonprofit organization serving 11 Michigan counties through their residential treatment program, community services and educational services. More information about Highfields can be found at highfields.org.

KATIE SPYKE RECEIVES SERVICE RECOGNITION AWARD Katie Spyke of Tomie Raines Inc. in East Lansing, Mich. has once again been granted the highest level of service achievement in the real estate industry, Quality Service Certified® Platinum. The award is in recognition of earning 100

Honigman, Miller, Schwartz and Cohn LLP is a business law firm serving clients locally, nationally and internationally from its Michigan base. Headquartered in Detroit with offices in Lansing, Bloomfield Hills, Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo, the firm has attorneys practicing in more than 50 different areas of concentration.

HIGHFIELDS NAMES FIVE ALDINGER SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS Five individuals have been chosen to receive the Aldinger Scholarship from Highfields, Inc. The scholarships, totaling more than $3,800, will go toward educational opportunities each individual has plans to pursue.

The Aldinger Scholarship was created in 1996 in the name of local philanthropist, John Aldinger. He was a successful businessman who believed in the power of education. He made generous contributions to Highfields before his death in 1995.

The recipients include Autumn Ball, Michelle Hopkins, Russell Patterson, Rebecca Russell and Shelley Webb. To apply, each recipient wrote an essay explaining their educational goals and how the scholarship will help. Four of the five recipients are parents who want to set good examples for their children.

Twice a year, Highfields awards Aldinger Scholarships for up to $1,000 to individuals who have received services or who have a family member that has received services through the organization. Scholarships are decided by Highfields’ endowment committee, which reviews each application essay and determines which ones best reflect the objective of the scholarship.

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percent client service satisfaction in 2014 as measured by Leading Research Corporation (LRC).

LCC AWARDS 500 SIXTH-GRADERS WITH TWO FREE YEARS OF COLLEGE

“This rating shows that my clients appreciate the high level of service that I provide. I am honored to receive this recognition again,” says Spyke.

“Nothing is more important to a prospective client in selecting a professional than the service results achieved with past clients,” says Larry D. Romito, President and CEO of QSC. He adds, “Consumers have greater confidence in service reliability, results and satisfaction with a Quality Service Certified real estate professional because they know that the agent’s service record has been validated by an independent third party. 100% service satisfaction record like Katie Spyke has achieved is just awesome.”

A group of 500 Lansing School District sixth-graders were welcomed as the 14th class of H.O.P.E. Scholarship recipients at an Induction Ceremony held in March at Lansing Community College’s (LCC) Downtown Campus in the Gannon Building Gym. Each student received free tuition at LCC with the promise that they graduate high school.

The H.O.P.E. Scholarship Program is a crime prevention and education initiative in cooperation with the Lansing Police Department, LCC, Michigan State University, Lansing School District, the

PLAN ON...

KING MEDIA HIRES LAURIE DEYOUNG AS ACCOUNT DIRECTOR King Media is pleased to announce the hiring of Laurie DeYoung as Account Director. She will be responsible for relationship management of several large

G

ACCESSIBILITY

DEDICATION

VENUES & RATES FOR EVERY BUDGET

CENTRAL LOCATION BOOSTS ATTENDANCE

VOTED 2014 BEST CVB IN MICHIGAN*

517.377.1405 atoy@lansing.org

CMP, CTA

CMP, CTA

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The program was developed in response to the idea that if more students are given a clear pathway to higher education, it will produce safer schools, contribute to higher graduation rates, reduce crime, and prepare students for the good-paying jobs of the 21st Century.

Recent experience has shown that more than 90 percent of the students entering the H.O.P.E. Scholarship program will graduate from high school and on time.

LANSIN

AFFORDABILITY

www.lansing.org

City of Lansing, local businesses and private citizens. The students are selected by their school based on the ability to utilize the program.

517.377.1414 mchotchkiss@lansing.org *Source: Michigan chapter of Meeting Professionals International

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

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client accounts, assist in the development of strategic marketing communication solutions as well as lead the agency’s day-to-day project management. Laurie will directly assist Coleen King, President and Founder.

Most recently, Laurie worked as a Pure Michigan Business Connect Services Specialist for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. She also spent more than nine years in higher education administration at Alma College, playing a key role in branding and recruitment marketing initiatives.

Laurie completed her undergraduate degree at Alma College, and earned her MBA at the University of Michigan. With her diverse business background and communications expertise, Laurie brings a new dimension of strategic insight to King Media.

and shared services for Consumers Energy; Dennis Dobbs, vice president of generation engineering and services; and John Broschak, vice president of major projects and construction, for Consumers Energy.

CLINTON COUNTY ECONOMIC ALLIANCE ELECTS NEW EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS The Clinton County Economic Alliance (CCEA) Executive Committee is pleased to announce four recent additions to the Executive Committee. They are:

CONSUMERS ENERGY DONATES $200,000 IN SUPPORT OF MSU’S ENGINEERING PROGRAM The Consumers Energy Foundation recently donated $200,000 to Michigan State University’s Cornerstone & Residential Experience (CoRe) program.

A ceremony to celebrate the donation was held in March at MSU’s East Wilson Hall.

MSU’s College of Engineering and Consumers Energy are working to provide professional opportunities for MSU students. Dozens of MSU engineering students work as interns for Consumers Energy each year. CoRe is an integrated first-year engineering academic program and living-learning community that works to ‘build the whole engineer.’

Representatives from Consumers Energy and MSU cut ribbons to formally dedicate the redesign of the second-floor lobby in East Wilson Hall. Participants included Leo Kempel, dean of the MSU College of Engineering; Satish Udpa, MSU Executive Vice President for Administrative Services; June Pierce Youatt, MSU Provost; John Butler, senior vice president of human resources L

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• Autumn Redman, Senior Vice

President & Retail Manager of St. Johns & DeWitt, Mercantile Bank

Manager of Consumers Energy; and Executive Committee Treasurer Greg Ware, Vice President and District Manager of Fifth Third Bank.

• Tonia Olson, Director of

Governmental & Community Relations, Granger • Charles “Rusti” Owens, Business

Unit Leader of C2AE • Evemarie Eyde, Partner with the

Eyde Co. The four new Executive Committee members join Galardi; Allen Blower, Vice President of Clark Construction; Ed Bruun, President of Sparrow Clinton Hospital; Dan Coss, City Administrator of DeWitt; Bruce DeLong, Clinton County Commissioner; Mike Kettlewell, President of Christman Constructors; Dennis LaForest, Manager for the City of St. Johns; Shawn Middleton, Senior Project Manager with the Spicer Group, Inc.; Chris Thelen, Public Affairs

The Clinton County Economic Alliance (CCEA) is a nonprofit, tax-exempt IRS 501(c) (6) organization. CCEA is non-partisan, apolitical and is funded entirely by its members who include local businesses, educational institutions, and local governments.

CAMILLE JENSEN NAMED CHIEF NURSING OFFICER AT MCLAREN McLaren Greater Lansing has named Camille Jensen, RN, MSN as chief nursing officer. Jensen had previously served as interim chief nursing officer.

“We are thrilled to have Camille as a vital component of our executive leadership,” said Thomas Mee, president and chief executive officer of McLaren Greater Lansing. “In her

On your side, by your side.

Good law firms make the right things happen for clients.

role as interim CNO, Camille performed admirably, making tangible improvements in multiple key metrics under her oversight.

We’re confident that her skills as caregiver and administrator will continue to provide invaluable benefits to both our team of caregivers and our patients.”

Jensen previously served as director of patient care services and patient care manager. In her many roles, Jensen has been responsible for enhancing and developing the quality Jensen of nursing care, developing and monitoring policies and procedures, day-to-day operations of several nursing units and implementing hospital information systems for clinical staff.

A nurse with nearly 10 years of experience, Jensen has spent her entire nursing career at McLaren Greater Lansing, implementing nursing best practices at every stage and leveraging her background in customer service to provide patients with expert, compassionate care.

Jensen earned her nursing degree at Lansing Community College in 2005, after which she earned a Bachelor of Science in community development and health sciences at Central Michigan University in 2008. She then earned her Master of Science degree in nursing informatics at Ferris State University in 2014.

We take that idea to the limit by offering powerful legal services in more than 70 practice areas: from antitrust to tax litigation, bankruptcy to probate, commercial litigation to utility law and everything in between. We’ve been on your side for 130 years and counting.

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DEWPOINT WELCOMES NEW EMPLOYEES TO LANSING Dewpoint, a leading provider of technology consulting and implementation solutions, is pleased to welcome several new employees to Lansing: • Debbie

Bowen,

Senior

Project

Manager fraserlawfirm.com 517.482.5800

• Lewis Jones III, Service Delivery

Manager • Anita Kenworthy, Project Manager

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Founded in 1996, Dewpoint experts have a long success record of helping to develop short- or long-term strategic technology plans to maximize current resources and better position your organization for the future. For more information, visit dewpoint.com.

Geofeedia and IDV Solutions Announce Technical Partnership, Integration IDV Solutions, LLC, the global leader in Enterprise Risk Visualization software and services, announced it has formed a technical partnership with Geofeedia, the market leader in location-based social media monitoring, intelligence and analysis. Through the partnership, Geofeedia¹s location-based social media monitoring data will now be integrated into IDV Solutions’ Visual Command Center Enterprise Risk Visualization (ERV) software.

The combination of the two technologies enables security, supply chain and business continuity teams to gain instant intelligence from multiple social media networks for a myriad of risk events from a political demonstration to a natural disaster. The location-based visualization filters out excess noise to show important social media posts in the context of locations of interest, such as facilities, employee locations, supply routes or traveling executives.

For more information, visit idvsolutions. com or geofeedia.com.

SPARROW MICHIGAN ATHLETIC CLUB WELCOMES TENNIS MANAGER BRYAN DIRK Sparrow Michigan Athletic Club (MAC) is pleased to welcome 20-year veteran tennis coach, Bryan Dirk, who joins the staff as tennis manager.

“I love coming into a club that is so strong,” Dirk said. “The tennis facilities and professionals are all top-notch. Plus, the added bonus of the MAC’s fitness, aquatics and amenities are amazing.

“What sets the MAC tennis experience apart is the opportunity to utilize the MAC’s Xtreme Performance Academy to improve tennis players by improving their overall athleticism. Other clubs have fitness facilities, but the MAC has equipment, facilities, trainers, and a program that allows a tennis player to train their overall game. We can take a good core tennis player with core athletic skills and bring that out by working off the court.”

Dirk said his coaching style is interactive.

He believes in listening to and teaming with a player to help a person reach their potential.

“I adjust my style to the player. Different approaches are needed for a junior versus

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912 West St. Joseph, Lansing, MI 48915 L

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an adult and then the person’s goals can come into play,” he said.

this distinguished award for production during the 2014 calendar year.

Dirk previously served as general manager and director of tennis for the Yonahlossee Racquet Club in Boone, N.C., where he was recognized as United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) North Carolina Tennis Professional of the Year. Dirk has a bachelor’s degree from Texas A & M and holds a USPTA Elite Instructor certification.

He has also earned High Performance Coaching credentials from the United States Tennis Association.

Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood¹s Okemos, Stadium District and Okemos offices have been named a Coldwell Banker Premier Office for yearend 2014.

COLDWELL BANKER HUBBELL BRIARWOOD WINS TOP AWARDS Coldwell Banker Hubbell BriarWood has been named to the prestigious Coldwell Banker Chairman’s Circle for its 13th consecutive year. Coldwell Banker Hubbell BriarWood is one of only 51 Coldwell Banker companies throughout the world to receive

Parsley

Great State of Michigan permanent photographic exhibit In the Gannon Building Commons located on LCC’s Downtown Campus in March. More than 100 photographers and guests donated photos to the collection.

The 300 photos acquired and now proudly displayed serve as a vivid repository of Michigan’s splendor and a demonstration of the technical acumen taught to their students in the college’s own photography program.

Mike Parsley, a sales associate with Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood was ranked #3 among the sales associates throughout the Northern Region in the Coldwell Banker system for 2014. This marks the fourth year that Parsley has ranked among the Top 10 sales associates in the Northern Region.

As part of the remodel of the Gannon Building, the college sought to create an exhibit of photographs that illustrates the unique character and beauty of Michigan and the highest level of achievement and expertise in the craft of photography.

The scope of the project was to select and install more than 300 high quality photographic images representing all areas of the state.

LCC UNVEILS ‘GREAT STATE OF MICHIGAN’ PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBIT Lansing Community College (LCC) hosted the formal opening of the

5 Don’t miss the annual CAWLM Lady Classic Join us September 17, 2015 at Timber Ridge Golf Club C

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having options

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THE ACCOLADES ARE STACKING UP Top 25 Brands in CommerCial real esTaTe 14 Consecutive years

The Lipsey Company surveys commercial real estate professionals on their perceptions of the industry’s leading brands, and CBRE has been ranked number one every year.

ForTune’s mosT admired Companies 3 Consecutive years

Fortune on attributes related to corporate Part of rates the companies CBRE affiliate network performance. CBRE scored particularly well on quality of management, quality of services and global competitiveness.

2015 GloBal ouTsourCinG 100 9Part Consecutive years of the CBRE affiliate network

The International Association of Outsourcing Professionals recognizes the world’s best outsourcing service providers and advisors.

aChievers 50 mosT enGaGed WorkplaCes™ in ameriCa Partn oforTh the CBRE affiliate network 2 Consecutive years

Achievers honors employers for displaying leadership and innovation in engaging their employees. CBRE is the only commercial real estate services and investment firm on the list.

Part of the CBRE affiliate network

Part of the CBRE affiliate network

Part of the CBRE affiliate network

+1 517 351 2200 www.cbrelansing.com 74

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