GLBM November 2018

NOVEMBER 2018

FINDING THE RIGHT PEOPLE FOR THE RIGHT JOBS

Justin Walworth and Scott Derthick bring the human element into human resources at the Lansing-based nonprofit Peckham IN THIS ISSUE • eBay partners with Lansing in retail revival program to help businesses extend their reach into the global marketplace • Ten up-and-coming young professionals from the area are spotlighted in chamber awards ceremony • New downtown development is bringing in the amenities that residents have been waiting to see

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NOVEMBER 2018 ON THE COVER New downtown development is bringing in the amenities that residents have been waiting to see........ 8 eBay partners with Lansing in retail revival program to help businesses extend their reach into the global marketplace................................................................. 10 Ten up-and-coming young professionals from the area are spotlighted in chamber awards ceremony........ 14

NEWS Federal law requiring food assistance recipients to work expanded....................................................................... 6

NOVEMBER 2018

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FEATURES

Behind the Scenes ............................................................................................................. 16 The Importance of OSHA ................................................................................................. 18 Visual Breakdown ............................................................................................................... 20 Business Spotlight .............................................................................................................. 26 Legislative Corner ............................................................................................................... 27

FINDING THE RIGHT PEOPLE FOR THE RIGHT JOBS

Justin Walworth and Scott Derthick bring the human element into human resources at the Lansing-based nonprofit Peckham IN THIS ISSUE • eBay partners with Lansing in program to help businesses extend their reach into the global marketplace • Ten up-and-coming young professionals from the area are spotlighted in chamber awards ceremony • New downtown development is bringing in the amenities that residents have been waiting to see

Creating a Diversified Workforce ................................................................................... 28 Business Calendar .............................................................................................................. 30 Notable News . .................................................................................................................... 32

CORRECTIONS In the October issue of GLBM a quote at the end of “When IT is the it Job” story was incorrectly attributed to Dana Rapier instead of Casey McArdle. You can find the corrected version online at lansingbusinessnews.com.

Cover photography by Mary Gajda

Greater Lansing Business Monthly | Volume 31, Issue 11 group

Greater Lansing Business Monthly is published monthly by M3 Group at 221 West Saginaw Street, Lansing, MI 48933. 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) 203-3333 or visit lansingbusinessnews.com to subscribe.

Postmaster: Send address changes to The Greater Lansing Business Monthly, 221 West Saginaw Street, Lansing, MI 48933. Send additional subscription requests and address changes to The Greater Lansing Business Monthly, Inc., 221 West Saginaw Street, Lansing, MI 48933. Copyright © 2016 The Greater Lansing Business Monthly, Inc. All rights reserved.

Editorial Office: 221 West Saginaw Street, Lansing, MI 48933 lansingbusinessnews.com 2

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NOVEMBER 2018

FOR A LIMITED TIME

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COMMENTARY

Publisher: Tiffany Dowling, tiffany@m3group.biz Sales Manager: Jennifer Hodges, jhodges@m3group.biz Editor: Kelly Mazurkiewicz, kelly@m3group.biz Media Manager: Jill Bailey Account Managers: Megan Fleming Liz Reno-Hayes Zack Krieger Spencer Flynn Adam Smith Communications Director: Ami Iceman-Haueter Art Director: Mark Warner Publication Designer: Cody Fell Graphic Designers: Jeanette Wummel Quandrel Ollie Heather Thielking Communications Specialists: Alicia Finch Christopher Nagy Rich Adams Adam Lansdell Photographer: Mary Gajda Videographer: Michael Cagney GLBM Editorial Board: April Clobes — President and CEO, MSU Federal Credit Union Calvin Jones — Government Relations Director, Lansing Board of Water & Light Lisa Parker — Director of Alumni Career and Business Services, Michigan State University Alumni Association Deb Muchmore Consulting — Partner, Kandler Reed Khoury & Muchmore

THE ROLL OF HR IS

EVER-EVOLVING As we enter the holiday season, employers are hearing conversations regarding how the organization will celebrate with its team members. These discussions generally begin with someone in the human resources department. It’s an interesting time in the profession that is trained to manage every company’s most important asset – the people.

This is certainly not an easy task. For as much as culture is critical in creating an amazing workplace, the old adage says it best when it declares that you cannot please everyone. And, it really isn’t what human resource professionals are trying to do. The position has changed over the years based on how people function in and out of the job.

When looking at trends in HR, it’s interesting to think about how many roles these professionals have inside the organization. They are recruiting, interviewing, managing the “rules and regs” of the organization, determining benefit packages, creating internal training opportunities, developing team-building exercises, giving advice to coworkers on motivation or discipline, developing updates for the company intranet or newsletter … the list goes on.

I’ve collected a few of the more interesting trends that go along with the human resources role – whoever might be filling it in your organization.

• 1Millennial Move: Obviously, our younger generation is entering the workforce and taking it by storm, but what’s interesting for HR is that they are managing three generations: baby boomers, Gen Xers and millennials. This creates a full set of issues that make navigating the complicated work environment more difficult. In many cases, Gen Xers are supervising both generations and boomers are mentoring millennials.

• Social Media Mania: These platforms are made for connecting. It was meant to be social, but human resource professionals and candidates are using these tools more than ever to make a new hire connection. It certainly has pros and cons.

• Blending Home and Work: We are blurring the lines more than ever. Employers are allowing for flexible works schedules, including a day at home, as well as giving team members opportunities to bring their pets or children into the office when needed or for fun. Some are also giving employees an opportunity to volunteer on company time.

The next time you interface with your company’s human resource professional, consider saying thanks or giving him or her a pat on the back for working hard to make the workplace environment a success.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Tom Ruis — Vice President, Fifth Third Bank Doug Klein — Executive Director, Mason Area Chamber of Commerce Mark Hooper — Partner, Andrews Hooper Pavlik Diontrae Hayes — Supervisor, Charter Township of Lansing

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Tiffany Dowling | Publisher

NOVEMBER 2018

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FEDERAL LAW REQUIRING FOOD ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS TO WORK EXPANDED

BY TERESA J. FRITH

All able-bodied Michigan residents ages 18-49 without dependents who receive food assistance will now have to show they are either working or participating in another approved activity.

The newly expanded policy went into effect Oct. 1, and was previously applicable to only 14 Michigan counties: Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Clinton, Eaton, Grand Traverse, Ingham, Ionia, Kalamazoo, Kent, Livingston, Oakland, Ottawa and Washtenaw. Now these requirements are in place in all Michigan counties.

Sarah Jennings, CPA, CFE, CAE ATHENA International 2016 Community Champion Principal, Maner Costerisan

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“This new policy only affects a small percentage of recipients,” explained Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Public Information Officer Bob Wheaton. “Anyone who is disabled or are heads of families with children and those who otherwise meet the requirements for exemption won’t be affected by this change.”

People who fall under the new requirements must work an average of 20 hours a week every month, be enrolled in an approved job training program 20 hours a week each month or participate in an

“I was incredibly excited to bring ATHENA International back to where it was founded for our annual event. What a great opportunity to showcase Greater Lansing to the international community. Working with the GLCVB made it so easy. I didn’t know about all the helpful services they offer. It was an incredible experience.”

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approved community service at a nonprofit group.

Wheaton explained that those affected by the expansion must be in compliance within three months of their next annual case determination.

This means some people will not have to comply until September 2019 while others will be affected earlier, depending on when their next case determination falls.

Anyone just starting the application process or who is already in the process of applying for food assistance must comply with the new requirements

The Greater Lansing Community Champion program honors local individuals who work with the Greater Lansing CVB to bring meetings, events and sports tournaments to the region.

Why? Because the meetings and events industry is big business - generating $602 million in local spending and creating over 11,000 local jobs.

Do you travel for conferences, tournaments or events? Help the GLCVB bring that event to Greater Lansing and become a Community Champion!

Contact Amanda Toy to get started today!

517-377-1405 – atoy@lansing.org or www.lansing.org

NOVEMBER 2018

NEWS

immediately. All recipients will also have their cases reviewed every year and must submit proof of complying with the new policy at that time or lose their benefits.

The policy is part of the federal Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program that began in 2003.

Michigan was exempt at the time due to its high unemployment rates that ranged from 6.2 percent in April 2003 to a high of 14.9 percent in 2009, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Since then, the state’s unemployment rate has progressively gone down and as of August was 4.1 percent, which meant the waiver was no longer valid.

Letters have been sent out to the estimated 67,000 people possibly affected that explains the expanded policy and its requirements. Recipients are exempt if they meet the following criteria:

• Are physically or mentally unable to work • Get Retirement, Survivors and Disability

Insurance due to disability or blindness, or collect Supplemental Security Income or State Disability Assistance • Pregnancy

• Collect or have applied for

unemployment benefits • Enrolled in a drug or alcohol treatment and rehabilitation program • Attend training or college at least part time and meet the student eligibility criteria for food assistance • Care for an incapacitated person or a child under age 6 (they do not have to live with the recipient) • Live in a household with a child under age 18 Wheaton added, “MDHHS is working with Michigan Works! to help affected recipients.”

MDHHS, Michigan Works! and the Talent Investment Agency will provide resources such as training programs to assist those affected in getting a job or otherwise becoming compliant.

Resources will be available in these 20 counties to help people meet the requirements: Bay, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Genesee, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Isabella, Jackson, Lenawee, Macomb, Midland, Monroe, Montcalm, Muskegon, Saginaw, St. Clair, St. Joseph, Van Buren and Wayne.

The new policy comes ahead of a change in law that will require all able-bodied Michigan residents receiving Medicaid benefits to work, which takes affect January 2020. The bill was signed by Gov. Rick Snyder this year and could affect about 670,000 recipients of the state’s Healthy Michigan Plan.

Anyone with questions about the expanded policy should call their MDHHS case specialist with questions or go to michigan.gov/foodassistance for more information.

Teresa Frith is a Navy veteran now residing in Nashville, Michigan She's been writing and editing as a freelancer since retiring from the Navy in 2011, where she was a military journalist. She holds a bachelors degree in English from Western Illinois University. Her hobbies include reading, writing and working to help stray and feral cats.

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Governor Rick Snyder Photo provided

GETTING OFF THE GROUND Development of Prime East Lansing Corner Finally Moving Forward

BY SARAH SPOHN

After years of starts and stalls, the redevelopment of a visible and vital piece of real estate in East Lansing appears to be moving forward with an elaborate project that includes a hotel, retail and residential space, parking and a public plaza.

What has previously been referred to as the Park District Planning Area at the corner of Abbot Road and Grand River Avenue in the city will move forward with new names, according to Chicago-based real estate investment firm DRW Holdings LLC/Convexity Properties. In August, the East Lansing City Council granted site plan and special-use permit approval for the project.

The plans include three separate buildings for the site. The first building is a 13,000-squarefoot, 13-story structure with retail space, 218 residential units, parking and a public plaza.

The second building will include a 10-story, 194-room hotel with meeting rooms, rooftop bar and exterior terrace. The third building will be a five-story residential structure with 70 units and parking stalls. According to the website of the East Lansing City Council, the East Lansing Brownfield Redevelopment Authority plans show the redevelopment is anticipated to generate 170 new full-time jobs, and an average of 165 construction-related jobs.

East Lansing Mayor Pro Tem Erik Altmann described the project as having a long and convoluted history since its original developer involvement in 2001. Financing for previous developers failed, so the previous redevelopment initiatives stalled. The property was lost by the original developer in a foreclosure auction and was acquired by the current developer in 2015.

“We’ve been through two iterations so far,” Altmann said. “Every iteration of this project has gotten a little better. Where it is right now is really good. It’s a little smaller, which is OK, and the configurations of the buildings are slightly improved.”

Convexity Properties, the real estate investment arm of DRW, is heading the project. The company said it is able to differentiate itself from others by its ability to transact quickly.

“We have no outside investors and manage capital and development projects for our own account,” a DRW representative said.

Since 2009, the company has partnered with development and architecture firms on retail, residential, commercial and mixed-used constructions on over 50 properties.

“The project is exciting because of its prime location in the center of downtown East Lansing

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across from Michigan State University,” a DRW representative said. “We expect the residential units to appeal to a wide range of residents including professionals and undergraduate students. The hotel will attract visitors to MSU, and the retail will appeal to a variety of users due to its central location.”

MSU student Courtney Kellogg has lived in East Lansing for two years but hasn’t seen the area without construction.

“It seems like once a project is done, another one pops up,” Kellogg said. “It makes it challenging walking to class or driving around.”

NEWS

Altmann is aware of concerns from residents and business owners’ frustration at the interruptions construction can bring. With this development, however, it is not in the center of downtown nor is it replacing valuable land.

“I think that this new project is a little bit different from the project that’s going up downtown right now for a couple of reasons,” Altmann said in reference to the Center City District project that includes a Target store on the ground floor. “It took over a parking lot that was the most-used parking lot in all of East Lansing. There’s been disruptions to traffic and the parking, and I think people have felt that.”

Altmann has seen broad support for the development at Grand River Avenue and Abbot Road, with many residents eager to get something to replace the blighted property.

construction is annoying at times – and the sound of hammering wakes me up – I hope these new buildings will serve a purpose for students to come.”

years ago, but now we need something built there because it’s the gateway to the city. We need a presence there. I think this project is going to be a good presence there.”

Altmann is excited to see the shovels in the ground, watch the project come to fruition and transform East Lansing’s entrance.

Sarah Spohn received her degree in journalism from Lansing Community College. She’s a concert junkie, living and breathing in both the local and national music scene. She is proud to call Lansing her home, finding a new reason every day to be smitten with the mitten.

“That corner has been a defining characteristic of East Lansing for pushing 20 years now, and not in a good way,” Altmann said. “We were able to get the old buildings torn down a couple

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Although students such as Kellogg might not see the need for more student housing, the availability of lodging is often lacking when it comes to special events and game days.

The proposed boutique-style hotel, part of the Graduate Hotel Holdings line, is a valuable asset, according to Altmann.

“Another hotel in East Lansing is not a bad thing. For game days and for conventions and so forth, the Kellogg and the Marriott both sell out – so having another one will be good,” he said.

While constant construction and deletion of parking spaces is often stressful and frustrating for residents and visitors, Kellogg understands the need for the growing pains.

“The main change that I have seen is that East Lansing seems to take the opportunity to use a space in order to serve a function for the community,” Kellogg said. “Even though the

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INTERNATIONAL AMBITIONS eBay and Lansing team up in retail revival program The multinational e-commerce giant eBay is working with Lansing to launch a Retail Revival program. The goal: Help Lansing businesses extend their grasp to include eBay’s global marketplace. The fact that eBay has around 175 million buyers worldwide makes that an extensive reach.

Harkins 10

Training small business and the entrepreneurial community is key to the program’s success.

Samantha Harkins, chief of staff to Lansing Mayor Andy Schor said, “We are thrilled to be chosen

as eBay’s second Retail Revival city. This program is a great way to support our local businesses and help them grow. EBay provides access to the global market and gives Lansing businesses the extraordinary opportunity to have an international reach. We know Lansing’s time is now, and eBay choosing Lansing for this program is further proof of that.”

Akron, Ohio, was the first city to take part in the program, which launched in March. Scott Cutler, eBay America senior vice president, said, “Our Retail Revival pilot program in Akron, Ohio, has shown the impact online marketplaces and a little bit of training can have in supporting local businesses to grow and thrive in the current environment.”

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Cutler

EBay has pointed out that Michigan sellers already using its platform generated $939 million in revenue in 2016 while selling to 190 global markets. Lansing’s contribution to those figures: $10 million dollars in sales to 157 markets.

In response to hypothetical storeowners asking why they should participate in the program when ecommerce has been harmful to their businesses, eBay wrote this on its program page:

NEWS

“The data is pretty clear: e-commerce is here to stay. Seventy-nine percent of Americans shop online, and 51 percent regularly use their mobile phones to make purchases. Having a digital business presence is therefore key to maintaining your long-term viability and success.

Retail Revival sellers had sold to all 50 states and 51 international markets.

Schor put it, “You hear about online versus retail. This is a merger of the two.”

According to an EcommerceBytes.com report dated Aug.10, the 70 most active of the Ohio businesses in the program had collectively made over 6,000 sales.

“Through Retail Revival, we are stepping off our platform and into American communities on a very simple mission: to help small businesses thrive locally by selling globally.

Our hope – and our intent – is that you keep your doors open, hire from your communities, live where you work and continue to enliven your local economy, and our belief is that expanding your business on eBay can help.

“We are tremendously excited to be a part of this project to help Greater Lansing businesses connect, grow and thrive using eBay’s Rahl powerful platform to market their business around the world,” said Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Vice President of Business Development Michelle Rahl. “Our mission is to support our members and the business community to help them grow their business. Retail Revival will be an important tool to help us do that.”

With so many physical stores closing in the United States – one estimate puts the number at just under 8,000 recorded closings in 2017 – the eBay-Lansing union could be a masterstroke in helping businesses here thrive.

“One last important note: eBay is a pure marketplace, meaning we carry no inventory of our own. We connect our sellers to buyers – we do not compete with them. So, our success is intertwined with yours, incenting us to support you along each step of your business journey.”

An Aug. 10 report on eBay’s website stated that at five months after the launch, Akron

One way of looking at the program is to think in terms of brick-and-mortar stores harnessing the power of the online retail world, or as

“We knew we found an ideal partner in Lansing after seeing firsthand its strong community of small businesses, and we’re looking forward to working with these businesses to bring their products to our 175 million buyers around the world,” said Cutler.

EBay’s method of promoting Lansing’s businessowners is through a dedicated website landing page, similar to one already put in place for Akron, combined with one-on-one training, a customer service team and an eBay store subscription. EBay’s services are available to its partner cities at no cost.

“It’s a win for Lansing. It’s a win for the region. There is no downside,” Schor said.

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LANSING’S NEXT GAME-CHANGER Gillespie Group’s new project further transforms the Stadium District while solving two of the city’s biggest inconveniences

BY ADAM LANSDELL

For as long as many of us can remember, both longtime residents and visitors of Lansing alike have had similar gripes about two of the Capital City’s most notable inconveniences. In recent years, the city has seen what many would call a renaissance in terms of commercial and residential opportunities, as well as tourism desirability, thanks to a joint effort from many area developers, city officials and planners to revitalize the downtown area’s urban core. Yet despite their efforts thus far, those two major complaints have seemingly continued to allude their attention: the lack of a proper grocery, otherwise known as a food desert, and the lack of hotels. Luckily, the answers to those calls are soon to come.

Attributing much of the area’s forward momentum to Gillespie Group, whose signature styles and colorways have essentially repainted 12

the cityscape over the past decade with residential and commercial developments such as The Outfield, Stadium District and the recently completed Marketplace apartments. This very same team, led by CEO Patrick Gillespie, have stepped forward to answer the call by recently announcing what may be the citys biggest gamechanger to date.

On Aug. 29 at a heavily teased and highly anticipated press conference, Gillespie Group pulled back the curtain on a massive four-story, 150,590-square-foot, mixed-use concept that includes a new hotel, residential units and a proper market-style grocery complex. The development, more casually known as the 600-block project, is set to transform the 600 block of East Michigan Avenue at the southeast corner of Larch Street.

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“This is a game-changer for downtown Lansing.

It will engage the pride of downtown Lansing residents and drastically change the quality of living,” said Gillespie. “Downtown Lansing’s residents and the existing business community will reap the rewards of this project. We have heard the community consistently call for a downtown grocer and additional hotel accommodations. It’s definitely time.”

The lower level of the development is set to house the 37,000-square-foot urban market designed and driven by Meijer, while the first new downtown hotel in over 20 years will be completed with development by nationally known Concord Hospitality Enterprises Co. Gillespie Group was able to assemble 21 connected parcels of land along the corridor totaling 4.15 acres.

NEWS

In addition, they’ve received backing and support from regional entities, such as the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, city of Lansing, Lansing Economic Area Partnership, the Lansing Brownfield Authority and the Michigan Economic Development Corp. The development is pending all approvals needed prior to beginning the project, but major cleanup of the former garage, gas and repair shops that once inhabited the corner is necessary.

Rounding out the massive transformation are residential spaces that will provide unique housing options for those seeking the downtown living experience. A mix of one- and twobedroom units will be available with leasing options opening in spring 2020.

priority for several years … from my time in the Legislature through the mayoral campaign and right up to now. Additionally, a new hotel is a necessity as we continue the transformation of the core of Lansing. This project is just what those in Lansing have asked for, whether they live here, work here or are visiting our great city. I appreciate the work of Meijer, Concord Hospitality and Gillespie Group to make this dream a reality and create an inspirational addition to Lansing’s downtown and Stadium District.”

The project is scheduled to break ground in 2019 and construction of the entirety of Gillespie Group’s latest project will be completed by 2020.

Adam Lansdell is a Grand Valley State University alumnus, and currently a Communications Specialist with M3 Group of Lansing.

With a passion for all things creative it comes as no surprise that he’s also a musician, movie buff and graphic designer. Adam spends his down time biking, and spending too much of his personal income on concert tickets or vinyl records.

Thus far, the community and its leaders are rejoicing in response to the redefining development’s announcement. The resulting energy and excitement are refueling the area’s forward-thinking ethos and provide hope to residents that formally shunned the city’s potential to grow.

“As I’ve said since I took office, Lansing’s time is now,” said Mayor Andy Schor. “A Capital City market and grocery store have been my

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TEN TO WATCH Greater Lansing’s top young professionals recognized

BY RICH ADAMS

Carter

Hamilton

Japinga

Johnson

C. Lewis

The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce and Grand River Connection honored 10 of the Lansing area’s up-and-coming young professionals during the “10 Over the Next Ten” awards ceremony Sept. 25. The honor recognizes the area’s best and brightest who are predicted to make substantial contributions to the community over the next decade.

Qualifying applicants are judged based on their professional achievement, community involvement and professional success.

The “10 Over the Next Ten” recipients are:

R. Lewis

Rokisky

Samuel

Rusek

Zarkovich

Tamera Carter, who serves as the Downtown Lansing Member Experience manager at Lake Trust Credit Union. Carter volunteers her time with Impression 5 Science Center as well as helping out at the Hawk Island Triathlon, volunteering with grade school portfolio reviews and mock interviews at area high schools and career fairs, and serving meals at the City Rescue Mission.

Katie Hamilton is a partner at Maner Costerisan as a certified public accountant in the tax department. Prior to joining Maner, Hamilton worked as a member of the tax technology user group at Plante Moran. She also was a member of Plante Moran’s WorkFlex committee, an advocate of the Women in Leadership program and co-chair of the firm’s PM Cares program that supports a local charity.

Patty Barnas, Market President, Lansing

Jennifer Marsh, Vice President, Commercial Banking

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Katharine Japinga is deputy director of the Majority Communications Office of the Michigan State Senate. Among her responsibilities are to assist with the development of overall caucus messaging, talking points and individual member messaging as well as assist with the overall development of the Senate Republican media plan to promote the caucus agenda and member initiatives.

Japinga serves as current president of Grand River Connection, and board member of the Public Relations Society of America Central Michigan Chapter.

Brian Johnson is an account manager for MarxModa, a statewide Herman Miller dealership responsible for new business

FEATURE

development in central Michigan that includes Consumers Energy, Peckham Industries and Michigan State University. He served for five years as an ambassador for the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce and joined Downtown Lansing Inc. in 2018.

Camera Lewis created the social media strategy for the Michigan Department of Corrections, managing all of the department’s public-facing accounts such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and the corrections department website and podcast. The work proactively raises awareness about the challenges facing offenders in the system, and the struggles corrections staff members deal with daily.

Rachel Lewis is branch director for Bethany Christian Services, having worked as a foster care case manager, foster care adoption specialist, pregnancy counselor and foster care home licensing specialist. She became program manager of Child Welfare Services, working for two years to grow the program in East Lansing. In 2017, the office went from satellite status to a branch office. She also is service line director for state adoptions for all eight Bethany branches in Michigan.

Greg Rokisky is marketing manager for the Michigan Association of School Boards. He was recently named 2018 “Emerging Leader of the Year” by the Michigan Society of Association Executives. He is active in the Public Relations Society of America and speaks with Michigan State University public relations students at least once a semester, sharing his enthusiasm for the Lansing region. He has been involved with the Old Town Commercial Association, Grand River Connection and Lansing Art Council.

Alexander Rusek is an associate attorney with White Law PLLC, practicing both criminal and civil litigation. He has been involved in highprofile cases such as the Flint water crisis and the Larry Nassar civil litigation. He serves on the Ingham County Bar Association board, is president of the Ingham County Bar Association Young Lawyers Section, and is active in many more local associations and committees. Rusek is a member of the Lansing Rotary Club and is the 2016 recipient of the Ingham County Bar Association’s “Top 5 Under 35” award.

Stanley Samuel is director of construction for Wolverine Development Corp. His responsibilities include all aspects of the company’s operations. He has led several

commercial developments to house a number of national chains. The South Lansing Business Association recognized him with the “Take Pride in the South Side” award for his work on a redevelopment project on South Cedar Street, once a functionally and structurally obsolete site, which today is an impressive retail structure.

Christine Zarkovich is manager of business development for the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, supporting local businesses by helping them grow, providing strategic advice and helping chamber members maximize the value of their leadership. She also facilitates and emcees local business grand openings, anniversary celebrations and groundbreaking ceremonies on behalf of the chamber. Zarovich is a member of the Meridian Area Business Association, president of the South Lansing Business Association and secretary of the Lansing Community College Foundation.

Rich Adams is a communications specialist at M3 Group and was a print and broadcast journalist for more than four decades. When he is not watching his beloved Chicago Cubs, he is counting the days until spring training begins.

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BY TEECE ARONIN | PHOTO BY MARY GAJDA

Collins helps people, organizations reach their Critical Victories John Collins is founder of Critical Victories, a consulting and coaching practice. He works with organizations, groups and individuals who seek to boost professional performance in highstress, high-stakes environments. Collins is a firearms expert and was one of the investigators of the bombing at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, and the subsequent serial bombings that took place in the region. Following the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, Collins was tapped by then-U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to help devise ways of preventing future similar tragedies. Collins is a sought-after speaker and certified by the Society of Human Resource Management. Collins said his HR experience plays a key role in how he teaches, coaches and consults.

Tell me more about Critical Victories.

When did you get up and running and what sparked your interest in starting this venture?

Critical Victories is the name of my consulting and coaching practice that I formed in late 2013, though I had been doing a lot of public speaking, teaching and consulting well before that. I work with people, teams and organizations to improve their performance.

Most of my clients want to strengthen executive leadership skills or make their team more competitive or effective. The core of my business is working with people one-on-one during inperson or over-the-phone coaching sessions.

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You've said you began to see that your experience in forensic science had value for people in other high-impact professions, that the lessons are “portable.” What are “high-impact” professions, and how are the lessons portable?

My role in helping solve the bombing of the 1996 Olympics and the serial bombings in the areas in surrounding Atlanta affected how I understand the value of leadership when stakes are highest. High-impact professions, in my view, are those with an elevated expectation of perfection, particularly when the work has great public significance. These professions include criminal justice, medicine, aviation, sports management, government, universities or others where failure can have grave consequences.

However, anyone in any field can face highstakes circumstances, making them good candidates for my services.

One lesson most portable across various domains is that people and teams cannot reliably meet professional priorities when distracted by personal crises fabricated in their minds. My practice gives me an opportunity to help people confront urgencies while clearing their minds of toxic thinking habits.

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What led you to include firearms forensics as an area of specialization?

During my forensic career, I was trained as a firearm and tool-mark examiner. I probably fired between 10,000 and 20,000 guns during my forensic laboratory career, many of which I examined to determine if a bullet recovered in a hospital or morgue was fired from a suspect’s firearm. I became a forensic laboratory director at a fairly young age. My career as a practicing forensic scientist was shortened by the transition into a leadership position. I don’t regret the transition, but miss the work and the opportunity I had to testify in important criminal trials.

You were part of a panel of firearms experts assembled by Attorney General Eric Holder following the December 2014 murders of 20 Sandy Hook Elementary School students in Newtown, Connecticut. What was that meeting like and what came of it?

That was a surreal experience because the stakes were so high. The meeting was held in the office of the vice president, next door to the White House. I had the strange feeling that the souls of the children who died were in the room with us. That may sound strange, but it was a feeling I had, and I can’t say much more about it than that. I was impressed by the lack of political posturing. All of us contributed, and the discussion was creative and stimulating. The underlying question was how can technology

make guns and gun ownership safer. I was sitting two seats away from the attorney general and saw him glance at his phone to reply to a text from his daughter. It struck me that the politicians and staffers we see on TV are human beings with personal priorities just like everyone else. You could see on his face that he was traumatized by what happened in Newtown, and I was impressed by how professional he was despite that.

Where do you stand on gun laws, and what reforms, if any, would you recommend?

Your question presupposes that I take a stand on gun laws, which I don’t. I’ve worked with too many violent crime cases and examined too many guns to ignore the complexity. Firearms have deep roots in American culture. For some, guns are understandably viewed as devices used to perpetuate criminal violence. To others, guns represent memories of hunting with friends and family. Some think gun ownership is a means to prevent oppressive government intrusion. It’s a complicated, emotional issue. However, guns carried by untrained or irresponsible people, especially in densely populated areas or where people are vulnerable, is a serious problem. In my experience, at the heart of violent crime is violent intention. If local communities can keep young people from developing violent intentions, we will save a lot of lives, regardless of our gun laws.

You set records in discus throwing at Michigan State University. Tell me more about that.

I started as a walk-on, meaning coach Jim Bibbs let me throw in some open meets, without a Spartan uniform; something called competing “unattached.” When he saw I had potential, he brought me onto the team. Toward the end of my freshman season, he said that if I broke the freshman record, or placed at the Central Collegiate Championship meet at the University of Illinois, he would award me a varsity letter.

Fortunately, I did both and was a varsity thrower all four years at Michigan State. I’m proud to say that in four years I was only beat by a Michigan Wolverine one time, and it was because I was disqualified for fouling on all three throws.

Did you learn anything as a discus thrower that you apply to your work today?

Yes, for sure. The primary lessons deal with how to manage pressure. One’s preoccupation with perfection is a recipe for failure. The more “perfect” I tried to throw, the worse I did. On the other hand, when I tried to enjoy the opportunity to compete and enjoy the camaraderie with other throwers in the Big Ten, I performed well. In this regard, I believe that people, including the clients with whom I work, function far better when they get in the habit of enjoying themselves, their work and their colleagues. I think enjoying one’s work is at the heart of being successful.

How do you approach the task of training people from the high-impact professions you've discussed? What is your end-goal as a trainer?

As a coach, I act as a thought partner with my clients and help them see things that have previously escaped their awareness. My ultimate goal is to have my clients feel more confident in themselves and/or their teams than when they first begin working with me. I can actually measure this with pre- and post-assessments I administer, which is always a very interesting exercise. Confidence is the ultimate feeling of well-being, but it does not come without effort or without periodic reassessments of how one works, how one relates to people or how one thinks. The bad news is that people cannot be saved from themselves. If a person, team or organization does not want to improve, there is not much that can be done – and I admit that this is something I run into from time to time. The great news is that when people really want to improve as individuals, professionals or leaders – and are willing to let go of the past and journey toward new ways to live and work – then just about anything is possible.

Teece Aronin is a blogger and columnist. Teece writes a humor/ health and wellness column for the Oakland Press and is the Featured Writer for October at TrueHumor. com. Her artwork is available at the Redbubble.com store, phylliswalter, and Teece seriously considers any request for workshops, coaching, and speaking engagements. Read her blog at ChippedDemitasse.BlogSpot.com, contact her at paronin1@gmail.com and follow her on Twitter @ taronin.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF OSHA Making the workday safe for employees

BY CHRISTOPHER NAGY

What’s the best part of the workday?

The end of it.

It’s an old joke; however, the sole mission of one government agency is to help ensure that when the end of the workday comes, you and your co-workers are safe and healthy when you’re clocking out and ready to head home.

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) within the U.S. Department of Labor. According to the OSH Act, OSHA was established “to assure so far as possible every working man and woman in the nation safe and healthful working conditions and to preserve our human resources.”

By the 1960s, 14,000 occupational fatalities were being recorded annually and 2.2 million people were unable to work due to injury or illness. There was an outcry for federal regulations that laid out equal rules and measures of enforcement across all industries and occupations, prompting Congress to create the OSH Act that was signed into law by President Richard Nixon.

The mission of OSHA is to save lives, prevent injuries and protect the health of American workers by developing job safety and health standards and enforcing them through worksite inspections, maintaining a reporting and record18

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keeping program to record job-related injuries and illnesses, and providing training programs to increase knowledge of occupational safety and health.

effective safety program that follows OSHA and MIOSHA guidelines is extremely important in providing employees a safe and healthy workplace.”

Federal regulations and enforcement can be ceded to individual states through OSHAapproved State Plans. In Michigan, the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) under the state Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs covers workplace safety for most private-sector workers and all state and local government workers.

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce in Lansing frequently hosts training seminars and workshops for both employers and employees on OSHA/MIOSHA regulation compliance.

Among some of the recent training the chamber has provided include a 30-hour safety compliance course for employers, OSHA training for maintenance employees, and a program on safety audits and accident investigations.

Christopher Nagy is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University and has more than 20 years of experience in journalism. He rarely misses a Motor City Comic Con or Michigan Renaissance Festival.

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For more information, visit michiganchamber.com or michigan.gov/lara.

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“The Michigan Chamber of Commerce is committed to helping our members solve their business problems and prosper. The No. 1 goal with these workplace safety educational events is to help our members keep their employees safe and help them comply with the OSHA regulations, which are both extensive and complicated,” said Wendy Block, vice president of business advocacy for the chamber. “Our members care about their employees and an

“The Michigan chamber has hosted numerous safety seminars over the last several decades, including, for example, safety audits and accident investigations,” Block said. “Our goal with this Block program is to provide proactive safety audit tools and encourage consistent practices that prevent accidents. We also regularly host the 10-hour and 30-hour OSHA safety compliance courses so our members have the opportunity to get a clear and deep understanding of OSHA standards and topics.

“Our forklift safety training course provides general safety/operation training and guidelines for operating a forklift and covers mandatory classroom training instruction requirements of the current OSHA forklift standard,” Block said.

“We strongly believe that helping our members be proactive, well-informed and well-prepared for any eventuality is the key to preventing workplace injuries and keeping their employees safe. This, in turn, allows them to focus on successfully running their business and helping Michigan’s economy grow.”

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What does HR do?

Depending on the size and type of organization, HR officers have a range of responsibilities, including: • Recruiting • Providing staff training and development • Helping draw up plans for future personnel needs • Operating pay and benefits policies • Counseling staff about any problems they may have, either at work or personally • Oversee employee services such as health and safety as well as sports and social facilities HR officers also advise management on matters like pay negotiations, disciplinary and grievance procedures, redundancy programs, equal opportunities policy and employment law.

Resumes are important • Average time spent by recruiters to look at a resume: five seconds to seven seconds • Resumes rejected for having unprofessional email addresses: 76 percent

There are two types of recruiters: • Internal, or in-house recruiters are employed by a specific employer • External recruiters, commonly known as headhunters, are employees of staffing firms or agencies The number of professional headhunters has more than tripled in Michigan since 2009. Nearly 10,000 more people are employed whose sole job is to help companies find workers, an eye-opening barometer for a state that for years suffered huge job losses and a dire economy.

The future of HR • Shift from Employee Engagement to Employee Experience, providing employees with a more enjoyable work environment • Digitalize HR by developing in-house apps to give employees a better way to manage their benefits • People Analytics will be used to bridge communication gaps between team leaders and senior management • The Gig Economy in which the labor market is characterized by short-term contracts or freelance work

Retirement

Don’t do this during interviews The average interview lasts for 40 minutes, but 33 percent of 2,000 employers said they will know within 90 seconds if they will hire that candidate, based on “disqualification tells” such as: • Being too fashionable/trendy: 70 percent • Failure to make eye contact: 67 percent • Knowing little about the company: 47 percent • Lack of confidence/not smiling: 38 percent • Bad posture: 33 percent • Weak handshake: 26 percent • Crossing arms over chest during interview: 21 percent

401(k) balances by generation Not everyone is making contributions to their retirement: • Millennials between the ages of 22 and 34 average a balance of $16,500 • Gen X workers between the ages of 35 and 49 have an average balance of $63,500 • Baby boomers between the ages of 50 and 67 average a $129,000 balance New retirement trend Phased retirement, where older workers have their hours reduced as younger workers fill in the gap, is a growing trend in the private sector. Pros are reduced work hours, more flextime and possible collection of benefits. Cons are smaller paychecks; possible loss of retiree medical coverage and the employer decides when the program ends.

Compiled by Mary Gajda | Graphics by Cody Fell | Sources: totaljobs.com, Huffpost, Proliant, Houston Chronicle, Human Resources Today, monster.com, Forbes

Justin Walworth and Scott Derthick of Peckham Photo by Mary Gajda

PUTTING THE HUMAN INTO HUMAN RESOURCES

BY STEFANIE POHL

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A ladder. A chain. A puzzle. A clock. There are many metaphorical images used to describe how businesses run. While these images conjure up ideas of upward mobility, structure and teamwork, what they lack are the passions, skills and beating hearts of the people who serve those businesses.

Instead of viewing employees as cogs in the machine, companies have been shifting toward hiring people not just for their skills, but how well their personalities and values mesh with their own. Hiring is all about the “right fit” and – once they’re hired – how employees thrive personally and professionally.

The focus on work-life balance and creating safe, rewarding work environments has sharpened in recent years, with much of the responsibility for implementing these key objectives falling on human resources departments. From hiring and onboarding to providing support throughout an employee’s tenure, HR is at the epicenter. With studies showing that happy employees are more productive, the philosophy of putting people first makes good business sense.

One Lansing-area organization that prides itself on its focus on people is Peckham. Founded in 1976, the nonprofit organization’s mission was to provide job training and employment opportunities to persons with disabilities.

Today, Peckham has grown to be one of the largest vocational community rehabilitation programs in the state.

“One of our things is that it’s not about a policy, it’s about a culture,” said Justin Walworth, director of human resources. “We try to use that to frame the way that we interact with our workforce, whether that’s the people we serve or the staff serving them. How are the decisions we’re making impacting the culture?”

For Walworth, looking at things from a flexible perspective is more than just when employees come into work and when they leave; it’s more about flexible thinking. As director of HR, he and Scott Derthick, chief people and culture officer, address the needs of Peckham’s different employee populations.

“Staff are the people who are employed to provide the service. Team members are the folks in the community who we serve who would have barriers to employment, or disabilities,” Walworth explained.

Team members hired to work at Peckham have opportunities to work within several enterprises, from apparel manufacturing to supply chain solutions. The HR department

at Peckham spends a considerable amount of time on the front end to ensure they hire staff members who share their core values and mission.

“When we’re doing the interview process, we’re trying to make sure we’re hiring somebody who is in alignment with those values,” Walworth said. “We can teach the technical skills, but if you don’t get someone who likes people or doesn’t have an appreciation for diversity, then it’s really hard to train those softer skills. If we find that on the front end, we’re much better in the long term.”

Training for new staff members includes spending time to understand the history of Peckham, its culture and mission, as well as getting staff acclimated with disability etiquette and the respectful, person-first language used with the people they serve. Derthick said that along with the focus on Peckham’s core values, the HR department also embraces the concept of “intentional transparency.”

“The intentional transparency concept is more of a hope than a reality, currently,” Derthick said. “It’s that idea where if I know my people well enough, I can tell if someone is doing OK or if something is going on. And then having that curiosity of figuring that out, whether there is something I can do to help.”

As Walworth said, most HR departments work hard to retain employees. While that is also true for Peckham, there is an aspect to their work that sets them apart.

“There are upward mobility options depending on their goals,” he said. “For many, it’s to work out in the community, so our goal is to get them prepared to leave Peckham.”

Derthick said that can be a bittersweet part of the job for staff members.

“For people who are hired to be supervisors of team members, they realize that they’re getting somebody who needs their help to become a better worker,” Derthick said “The reward for putting all of that time and labor and passion into helping this person can lead to them getting another job. Then they have to start over with someone new. It takes a while for people to realize that’s a really cool thing.”

Another local leader in the area of work-life balance is Michigan State University. Along with its own human resources department, the MSU WorkLife office was founded in 2016 to address the needs of MSU employees on matters of workplace assistance, family care and career transitions.

One of our things is that it’s not about a policy, it’s about a culture.

We try to use that to frame the way that we interact with our workforce, whether that’s the people we serve or the staff serving them.

How are the decisions we’re making impacting the culture?

“We’re proud to have been one of the founding organizations of the College and University Work-Life-Family Association,” said Dr. Barbara Roberts, director of the MSU WorkLife office. “MSU is participating on a national and international level for conferences related to this field.”

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COVER

The university’s breastfeeding guidelines, which earned MSU a Breastfeeding-Friendly Workplace Award in 2017, are among the WorkLife office’s initiatives.

Similarly to Peckham, Roberts said that MSU and its WorkLife office value the focus on hiring the right people, providing them with extensive onboarding and assisting them throughout their careers.

“Onboarding is absolutely critical in a place as big as MSU,” she said. “In any large organization, there’s a lot to learn logistically and interpersonally, and culturally as well.”

Whether it is a professor coming to MSU from another country or a current employee moving to another unit within the university, the WorkLife office aims to make the adjustments as seamless and welcoming as possible.

Resources also include assistance with flextime proposals and career path planning.

their proposed schedule would make strong proposals to their supervisors. And as they consider retirement, we are helping them make plans instead of only addressing it at the end.”

“We’re a people business at the end of the day,” said Jaimie Hutchison, lifespan and family services coordinator in the WorkLife office.

“We assist faculty and staff with outlining how

The elusive work-life balance is a moving target. As the world of work continues to change, local entities like Peckham and MSU each embrace a vision that continues to evolve with the needs of their employees.

“The organization we have today is different from 10 years ago,” said Walworth, “and will be different in 10 years. We want to have a work experience that captures everyone in their work journey. We try to be proactive and engage with the employees and see the human element. At the end of the day, these are people. How do we make sure they are getting the best experience and feel valued when they’re here?”

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HELPING LOCAL BUSINESSES THRIVE Meet CASE Credit Union’s best-kept secret.

Rob Whitaker, the credit union's business services manager, and his team in the business services department are adept at understanding a business’s unique needs and finding the right resources to help them grow and thrive.

Whitaker and his team are experts in securing Small Business Administration (SBA) 7A and 504 loans. Securing these loans is no easy feat. They typically require a lot of time, energy, attention and documentation. But the business services department works with each business to help them build the best-case scenario for attaining a loan that will help their business succeed.

“We develop a relationship with our members, work with them to understand their business needs and deliver a solution that’s a good fit to satisfy those needs,” he said.

The CASE business team can help finance new equipment and vehicles or even commercial real estate, one of the department’s specialties.

The business services department at CASE Credit Union has all the products and resources of a big bank, but the accessibility and personal touch of a community credit union. Whether a new business is looking to start from the ground up or a community mainstay is looking to grow and expand, Whitaker and the business team at CASE Credit Union have the right tools to get the job done.

“Whether a business needs a new place to call home or if commercial real estate is the business itself, we help our members finance properties that will help them achieve their business goals,” Whitaker said.

“Because of the relationships that we build with each member, we feel that we can see beyond just the numbers,” Whitaker said.

All of CASE Credit Union’s business loans are serviced and decided in-house, and all decision-makers are local and specialize in business loans.

“We feel that we know our community better than someone who lives hundreds of miles away,” he said. “Our members aren’t simply numbers to us; they’re a part of our community. We’re all invested in helping our local economy and business landscape grow.”

Our service. Your success.

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Federally Insured by NCUA

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To manage a company’s day-to-day finances, CASE Credit Union offers several Visa credit card options to help businesses manage company expenses and cash flow. From customized loans to lines of credit, Whitaker’s goal is to make the business banking process as secure, simplistic and effective as possible.

“I enjoy being a partner with local business owners,” Whitaker said. “We care about each member and their business: their goals, their objectives, what keeps them up at night. We want to make sure that we understand the business owner so that we can find the right fit and deliver the product and services that best satisfies their needs.”

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casecu.org

Helping the HR professionals of Michigan In businesses large and small, the human resources department is responsible for a variety of functions, from the collection and maintenance of personal data to educating employees about their responsibilities, opportunities and legal rights.

This is both for the protection and well-being of staff and the companies themselves. But who provides the resources for HR departments to help their companies continue their improvement and compliance?

Smith added HR has become a trendy topic.

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce offers training to businesses across the state, from fullday seminars to webinars and online courses. For Tammy Smith, director of training and education solutions, the focus of HR trainings has moved beyond helping businesses keep complaint with the laws; they also focus on the “softer skills.”

Staying on top of what’s happening in our culture still means staying on top of current laws as well — even ones that could be on the horizon.

The Marijuana Legalization Initiative is on the November ballot, but Smith said the Michigan Chamber of Commerce is already working to be prepared to help businesses if it passes.

“By softer skills, we mean how to build a good culture, having proper supervisor training, keeping employees and customers safe. We’re trying to keep the HR departments prepared for different situations,” Smith said.

“By being the lobbying organization that we are, we have so many great partners in the Legislature and outside to know what’s going on in terms of law. We’re right there on the front line developing and fighting for the laws,” Smith said.

“At the beginning of the year, everything was about sexual harassment because of the #MeToo movement,” said Smith. “Everyone started to look at their own programs and asked, ‘What are we doing?’ ” Similarly, Smith said that whenever a workplace shooting happens around the country, she receives several requests for training on workplace safety.

Smith said companies are now understanding the legalities of how their HR department runs, from documentation to investigations. The resources provided by the Michigan Chamber of Commerce are in place to help those companies succeed.

“We want to be there with solutions,” she said.

“Do you need an audit? Are you documenting and handling those situations properly? We’d be happy to help.”

Stefanie Pohl earned a bachelor's degree in English and Creative Writing from Michigan State University and an master's degree in Writing and Publishing from DePaul University. She is currently a freelance writer raising her two young daughters with her Spartan sweetheart. Find her musings about motherhood and more on her blog, www.mostefinitely. com. Stefanie has been spelling out her name since 1985.

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Business Spotlight

ADVICOACH OF MID-MICHIGAN Tom Hamp is in the family-business business.

BY RICH ADAMS

The owner of AdviCoach of Mid-Michigan is focused on helping family-owned businesses overcome internal and external hurdles that might be preventing them from reaching their full potential.

the transformational coaching – that owning a business is not easy, there are a lot of trials and tribulations,” Hamp said. “If there are issues with how you’re treating some members of your staff and treating others differently, I can come to you and tell you that without fear of getting fired, because I am a third-party observer. I can really get into the transformational coaching and help you learn how to run your business on an even keel, not having emotions present when certain things are happening.”

“I am a business coach for all kinds of businesses, but I really focus on family-owned businesses, which have a different dynamic,” said Tom Hamp, who began his franchise in 2011. “Sometimes the family gets bigger than the business or the business gets bigger than the family, and our goal is getting those two things to balance out.”

Clear communication is difficult in any company, but it seems to be magnified when the family aspect plays into the equation. That’s where Tom steps in to assess the situation and help employers and employees – often parents and their children – reach solutions.

“I sit down with families for an initial discussion that is focused on understanding the basic idea of what specific issues exist, because there are no cookie-cutter solutions with familyowned businesses,” Hamp said. “Between the first and second meeting, I typically give them some homework; possible items may include a behavior assessment or an assessment on the factors that make up the overall value of their business. This gives me deeper insight into the company’s strengths and weaknesses.”

Once he evaluates the state of the company, he will then sit down for a second, more in-depth meeting to dig more into the specific challenges and what can be done to move forward. That’s not always an easy task when dad, mom, sisters, brothers and employees outside the family are involved.

“A lot of times there are off-limit topics, especially when it comes to things like compensation or what the plan is for the 26

Tom Hamp, AdviCoach’s 2018 Franchisee of the Year

patriarchs to get out of the business,” Hamp explained. “Sometimes family members are severely underpaid or overpaid depending on their title, so we spend a lot of time talking about what’s going on structure-wise in the business and how to move forward.”

Sometimes the discussions can get personal.

“I had a client that seemed to be very contentious – there was a lot of conflict,” Hamp said. “When I got family members together, I found out there were things that happened 15 or 16 years ago, and they couldn’t get past it. Family members need to get by what I call ‘head trash,’ and we worked to maintain business topics and tasks and try to leave the emotional stuff out of it.”

Hamp said when most people think of AdviCoach, they think of transactional success, such as businesses keeping up with their calls, keeping track of their financials and hitting certain metric targets.

“That’s a big part of what we do, but I think the biggest thing we do that a lot of people miss is

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Hamp works with all types of businesses including family owned companies across Michigan. He also has clients, because of growth, in other states. Hamp has also served clients internationally. Although face-to-face meetings are ideal, Tom does utilize technology such as Skype and GoToMeeting when it is more efficient. He said he is in AdviCoach for the long haul – and for all the right reasons.

“I have a very soft spot in my heart helping people get better at what they do,” Hamp stated.

“It charges me up every day because no familyowned business is the same and they all have different challenges.”

And his goal in life is to help them overcome those barriers to be not only successful in business, but also as a family.

Legislative Corner

CIVILITY IS IN YOU

BY STEVE JAPINGA

While I was driving to Frankenmuth on my family's annual holiday pilgrimage, I noticed a new billboard sign that I have not seen before. You know, the signs on the highway that share uplifting messages to drivers passing by? These campaigns have several great and worthy inspirational messages, but this billboard stood out. It featured America’s 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, with a simple message: “A house divided…cannot stand.” Civility is in you.

Besides the hunting season and Thanksgiving, November is also the month for our general elections. Throughout the years, especially these past two election cycles, it feels as if we have lost our way on how to be civil to each other when we have a difference of opinion on issues that are important to all of us. At the national level it has become polarized, which has slowly spilled into the state and local levels. Some say civility is dead. For me, I don’t think so. Though we live in the Capital City and it may be more political than other regions around the state, we have been able to bring people together from all walks of life (and political ideologies) and work on significant issues.

It’s important to highlight significant examples of initiatives: • Earlier this year when we experienced historic flooding in Lansing, all levels of government came together to take quick action on assisting residents and businesses.

From Lansing Mayor Andy Schor and Lansing Township Supervisor Diontrae Hayes to Gov. Snyder’s administration to Congressman Mike Bishop helping with FEMA assistance, this was an example of elected officials working together across geographic and political boundaries during an emergency.

• In 2016, the Capital Council of Governments (CAPCOG) formed an alliance among the Clinton, Eaton and Ingham counties boards of commissioners, the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce and Michigan State University, focused on working across geographic and political boundaries to advocate for regional priorities. This is the first time in our region where the focus is on priorities that will benefit the entire region, not just certain communities. We are all Lansing.

• This past summer, an unprecedented group of business, education, labor, philanthropic, state and community leaders joined together

as “Launch Michigan” to work toward the common goal of becoming a top-10 state for education. This unlikely group of allies has pledged to work together to turn Michigan into a leader in educational excellence with lasting, research-driven strategies that transcend politics and election cycles. Learn more at launchmichigan.org.

• At the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, our political action committee has incorporated questions on how candidates will work with each other and reach across the aisle at all levels of government. As business and community leaders we must stress the importance of civility in public discourse. We're stronger together.

Nov. 6, no matter what differences we may have, we must work together to strengthen our bond, our community, state and nation.

Steve Japinga is Director of Government Relations for the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce. He is responsible for developing and managing the Chamber’s policy priorities as well as monitoring local, state, and federal issues that may impact the business community and the Greater Lansing region. He is a graduate of Michigan State University and lives in Lansing with his wife Katherine and dogs, Charlie and George.

I believe once you get past the negative Facebook posts or tweets and look at the initiatives and groups working together to make our communities better, civility is alive and well in our region. Whatever happens on

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CREATING A DIVERSIFIED WORKFORCE More employers than ever before are becoming aware of the ways a diverse workplace can benefit the bottom line. Employers with a diverse team find that ideas and solutions can be fuller and richer, not to mention more plentiful when they come from a wide range of perspectives and

experiences. It’s also good for both businesses and communities when area residents see themselves reflected in the employees of nearby businesses.

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According to an August 2017 article on GlassDoor.com, the hospitality giant Hilton is a company where diversity is part of the equation.

Hilton employs 350,000 people at almost 5,000 locations in 104 different countries. The article went on to quote Hilton CEO Christopher Nassetta: “To put it in a real simple way, we’re a business of people serving people. Period, end of story. If we ever lose sight of that, it’s a real problem.”

In other words, Hilton recognized how important it is that its employee base mirrors its customers.

A small to medium company is a microcosm of global companies like Hilton, and their customers are a microcosm of the world. So, even small to midsize businesses benefit from the creation of inclusive and equitable workplaces, and that’s just one of the areas where Tedi R. Parsons, president of The Professionals Forum, is changing things up for the better in Michigan.

In 2016, Parsons created the Michigan Disability Empowerment Council (MiDEC) to ensure all people with disabilities have access to equitable and gainful employment. Then he conceived the Diversity Ambassador Program and realized that one man, no matter how energetic, can wear just so many hats. That realization led to Parsons merging MiDEC’s work with The Professionals Forum – and the result is a more streamlined, better equipped organization primed to introduce a number of new programs in 2018-2019.

“The Diversity Ambassador Program will be marketed to small and midsize businesses that

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normally cannot afford a full-time diversity practitioner,” Parsons said. “Through the Diversity Ambassador Program, employers send a staff member for training on creating and implementing an effective diversity plan that works best for their organization.”

Even though most employers want to do the right thing, seeing the business case helps.

“More than 20 percent of today’s U.S. workforce reflects a person with a disability. That represents a largely underutilized resource for employers,” Parsons explained. “Many people with disabilities are underemployed or unemployed. Having more attention on the disability community and our shrinking labor pool has created a climate where employers are taking a serious look at hiring and retaining persons with disabilities.”

Through efforts such as the Diversity Ambassador Program, Parsons and his community partners teach organizations myriad skills, including how to recruit, hire and retain candidates with disabilities and strengthen inclusive language skills. The material also covers reasonable accommodations, provides a better understanding of the barriers people with disabilities encounter in the workplace and shows employers how to integrate employees with disabilities into the workplace culture.

workforce, recognizing that this impacts their overall bottom line. Additionally, top economic leaders say that the world’s highest-skilled talent are looking for places to call home where the decision-makers and innovators live, work and play. This ‘place’ has a strong mass transit system, affordable housing, diverse communities and many eminent cultural assets, including a community that is welcoming and affirming.”

The Diversity Ambassadors Program is a fourpart series with the first session starting in midJanuary 2019.

To learn more about how The Professionals Forum can benefit you, go to theprosforum.com or email Parsons at president@theprosforum.com.

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“We also cover the Americans with Disabilities Act; human resources best practices; and how to extend inclusive language to staff, vendors and clients. So, a program like this doesn’t just build better relationships with potential employees, it builds bridges with other employees, businesses, vendors and clients,” said Parsons.

Another benefit of companies becoming more inclusive is that employees who had kept disabilities hidden sometimes open up about that part of their lives, which makes the workplace even more welcoming. Parsons isn’t shy about pointing out that it’s not enough for businesses to offer a paycheck and benefits package the way it once was.

“Today’s job seekers are looking for opportunities at companies because they offer a fair and equitable salary, good benefits, a great physical and creative space for actual work, and a diversified workforce,” he said. “They want to work at a company where they are valued, not only for their work, but for their differences as well. More than ever, successful organizations know that they need an educated and diverse

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BUSINESS CALENDAR

NOVEMBER 2018 NOVEMBER 1

2018 CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE - MINDFUL LEADERSHIP IN CASE MANAGEMENT, EAST LANSING The 18th annual Case Management Conference is for health care professionals interested or engaged in case management. Join colleagues at the Case Management Conference and learn from nationally recognized experts about strategies that case managers can use to enhance practice in this challenging health care environment. This conference is attended by nurses and social work case managers with many years or only a few years’ experience in the role of care coordination as a case manager. Conference planning is a collaboration of nursing and social work case management professionals to provide current, relevant content each year. Visit this event on Eventbrite to register.

NOVEMBER 2-4 STARTUP WEEKEND EAST LANSING FALL 2018, EAST LANSING Techstars Startup Weekends are 54-hour events designed to provide superior experiential education for technical and nontechnical entrepreneurs.

Beginning with Friday night pitches and continuing through brainstorming, business plan development and basic prototype creation, Techstars Startup Weekends culminate in Sunday night demos and presentations. Participants create working startups during the event and are able to collaborate with like-minded individuals outside of their daily networks. All teams hear talks by industry leaders and receive valuable feedback from local entrepreneurs. The weekend is centered around action, innovation and education. Whether you are looking for feedback on an idea, a co-founder, specific skill sets or a team to help you execute, Techstars Startup Weekends are the perfect environment in which to test your idea and take the first steps toward launching your own startup. Visit this event on Eventbrite to register.

NOVEMBER 6 MICHIGAN MADE: 2018 HOLIDAY EXHIBITION, LANSING Mark your calendar for the Michigan Made: Holiday Exhibition at Lansing Art Gallery and Education Center. Ring in the holiday season with an opening reception from 5-8 p.m. Nov. 9 and an opportunity to eat, drink, shop and be merry. This is exhibition will be co-curated by 30

Exhibitions and Gallery Sales Director Katrina M. Daniels and artist Debbie Carlos. Showcasing established and emerging artists, the Michigan Made: Holiday Exhibition offers holiday shopping and opportunities to support makers in the local economy. The exhibit will feature artworks ranging from fine art to small gifts including jewelry, sculpture, pottery and more. Visit lansingartgallery. org/event/ for more information about this event.

NOVEMBER 8 MAKING IT IN MICHIGAN CONFERENCE AND MARKETPLACE TRADE SHOW, LANSING The 11th annual Making It in Michigan Conference and Marketplace Trade Show hosted by the Michigan State University Product Center will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Lansing Center. The theme of this year’s event is “Connecting with the Consumer – Understanding Today’s Market.” This year’s featured speaker is Tabitha Mason, managing partner of Zingerman’s Cornman Farms. Zingerman’s Community of Businesses is known for connecting with the customer to meet his or her needs and providing great customer service. Great food is one of Zingerman’s guiding principles whether it be in one of its restaurants or in its thriving mailorder food product business. Attendees will hear Mason describe how effective visioning has been an important part of the success of Zingerman’s Cornman Farms and how this powerful tool can fuel business success. Visit canr.msu.edu/miim/ for more information about this event.

NOVEMBER 8 MID-MICHIGAN CODE OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION & AIA MID-MICHIGAN JOINT SEMINAR WITH ICC INSTRUCTORS, EAST LANSING This workshop addresses numerous provisions in the 2015 International Building Code where the code contains requirements pertaining to establishing a means of egress in buildings. Readers will be presented with specific problems related to means of egress and will be asked to solve each case study. The course is intended to help plan reviewer or building code officials responsible for plan review to identify those areas where plan review will include compliance with the code. During this training, participants will be listening to the lecture and viewing examples, as well as discussing sections of the code that pertain to plan review of a commercial building. They will participate in

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

NOVEMBER 2018

activities that involve a set of plans. Visit this event on Eventbrite for more information.

NOVEMBER 21 CAPITAL COMEBACK, LANSING Capital Comeback aims to connect former and current residents of Greater Lansing with the emerging live, work and play opportunities in a casual, contemporary networking setting at Cooley Law School Stadium in the heart of Lansing’s Stadium District. Returning professionals will learn firsthand about the dynamic urban career and living opportunities right here in the reinvigorated capital region while getting the chance to network with many of the region’s premier employers. Visit this event on Eventbrite to register.

NOVEMBER 29 PITCH CLUB, LANSING Pitch Club is a unique mentoring and funding program hosted across the state of Michigan in Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing and Grand Rapids.

Pitch Club has ongoing monthly events that provide entrepreneurs the opportunity to learn from seasoned entrepreneurs and investors. The events are meant to educate, network, inspire and provide valuable experiences for being investable. During the event, experts will discuss the key personality traits and business acumen any entrepreneur should understand to be successful in any fundraising efforts. As part of the events, three lucky entrepreneurs will receive the opportunity to practice their pitch and discuss business plans with funding experts, giving them a better understanding the mindset of an investor. Presenters will be given milestones to complete. In addition to guidance from the host and guest experts, attendees will be given a survey to provide additional feedback to the presenters. Pitch Club will also feature a guest keynote speaker who can speak on topics related to starting a company, technology and opportunities for entrepreneurs. Visit this event on Eventbrite for more information.

NOVEMBER 30 MICHIGAN TREASURY ONLINE SEMINAR, DIMONDALE Michigan Treasury Online is an online resource for business taxpayers. You can utilize the resource to file tax returns, pay taxes and maintain your business accounts with the Michigan Department of Treasury. Visit this event on Eventbrite to register.

BUSINESS CALENDAR

See What MSUFCU Can Do for Your Business MSUFCU has the products and services you need for successful daily operations. From savings options to loans and lines of credit, MSUFCU is your business’s resource for financial stability.

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NOTABLE NEWS

MSUFCU PROMOTES EMPLOYEES TO MANAGEMENT

April Clobes, president/CEO of Michigan State University Federal Credit Union, announced the promotion of seven individuals to management positions: Amy Coe, vice president of specialty accounts and branches; Joel D’Annuzio, branch manager; Sarah Nannini, assistant branch manager; Tarissa O’Malley, assistant vice president of branches, Kevin Tenney, branch manager, Michelle Walters, financial innovation and education center manager; and Jennifer Zohoury, brand manager.

“These promotions demonstrate how employees who began careers at the credit union participated in many development opportunities leading to their current positions and producing numerous contributions in our organization and for our members,” said Clobes.

SPARROW ADDS UROLOGY SPECIALTY PRACTICE

Sparrow Health System announced the addition of a new specialty practice, Sparrow Medical Group Urology, responding to increasing demand in the mid-Michigan region.

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The practice, scheduled to open in the Sparrow Professional Building on Dec. 3, is led by Drs. Jamie M. Bartley, Richard C. Bennett and Richard C. Sarle.

The development of the practice is a high priority for Sparrow as demand for urologic care is increasing. Current and forecasted need, now and for the next 20 years, will rapidly outpace the existing capacity of urologic providers in the region.

BBBSMCR ADOPTS NEW BRAND AIMED AT VOLUNTEERS #

executive director of Big Brother Big Sister Michigan Capital Region. “With more than 100 youths waiting to be matched, we need to attract more volunteer Bigs of all generations. This new look will help us continue to make an impact in the community and help more youth.”

Months of research, including focus groups with potential Bigs, current Bigs, Littles, donors, staff and leadership, showed the previous brand did not effectively connect with younger, prospective mentors or convey the urgent mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters. The organization is intentionally pivoting from messages of the importance of mentoring to messages of the urgent need for the adults in the community to step up to defend the potential of every child.

LEBOMBARD NAMED ANIMAL CONTROL DIRECTOR Big Brothers Big Sisters Michigan Capital Region, along with more than 270 Big Brother Big Sisters affiliates across the country, unveiled a new, modern look and brand repositioning with a goal of recruiting more diverse volunteers.

“The number of young people in our five-county area who need help to reach their potential is greater than ever before,” said Rich Howard,

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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Jodi LeBombard accepted the position of animal control director for Ingham County. The Board of Commissioners voted on her appointment at its September meeting.

“We are extremely pleased to offer Jodi LeBombard the position of Animal Control director for Ingham County,” said Bryan Crenshaw, chairperson of the Law and Courts

NOTABLE NEWS

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Committee and the Animal Control Director Search Committee. “Ms. LeBombard, the current director of the Jackson County Animal Shelter, is a former lead Animal Control officer and cruelty investigator for Ingham County who possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience. We are anxious to have her join us once again in Ingham County.”

“I am honored to have been selected for the position of director. I look forward to rejoining my Ingham County family. I cannot thank the community enough for all their support and recommendations,” said LeBombard.

MSU ALUM RANKED IN DETROIT’S ’40 UNDER 40’

McCuiston

During his college days in East Lansing, it was the baseball diamond that made Chris McCuiston famous. But now his professional business career in metro Detroit is the big winner.

The 2002 graduate, who with wife Jenny founded Goldfish Swim School in suburban Birmingham, was recently named to Crain’s “40 Under 40” list

for 2018. It is in recognition of the example the former Michigan State University baseball star is setting in using business to better the Motor City.

The swim school has more than 80 franchises and roughly 1,800 staff members and teaches more than 90,000 students each week.

“We are dealing with humans – of different ages, genders and experiences – but consistency in our service is key,” McCuiston told Crain’s. “Learning to swim is a serious business … we are saving lives.”

MCC CEO ELECTED PRESIDENT OF CATHOLIC ASSOCIATON

LANSING’S FUTURE IS IN GOOD HANDS Thank you to all of the

“10 Over the Next 10”

award winners for your hard work, dedication and involvment in our community.

The National Association of State Catholic Conference Directors elected Paul A. Long, president and CEO of the Michigan Catholic Conference.

Long

“I am grateful for Paul’s selection to this important national position as the Church continues her diligent work to promote the common good and to uplift the dignity of all human persons,” said the Rev. Allen H. Vigneron, archbishop of Detroit and chairman of the Michigan Catholic Conference Board of Directors. “The election of Mr. Long by his peers is a natural result of his talents and abilities; at the same time, it is also a testament to the strength of our Catholic conference here in Michigan.”

The National Association of State Catholic Conference Directors is an association of the executive directors of state Catholic conferences and affiliate diocesan agencies.

Long has served as Michigan Catholic Conference’s president and CEO since November 2010.

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ATTORNEYS SELECTED AS SUPER LAWYERS AND RISING STARS

Only 5 percent of the lawyers in Michigan are selected as Super Lawyers while the Rising Stars list recognizes no more than 2.5 percent of attorneys in each state.

Eleven attorneys from the Lansing office of Foster Swift Collins & Smith have been selected to the 2018 Michigan Super Lawyers list while five have been selected as Rising Stars.

NOTABLE NEWS

This year’s Michigan Super Lawyers and their areas of practice include Charles E. Barbieri, environmental; Allan J. Claypool, estate and probate; Charles A. Janssen, estate and probate; Richard C. Kraus, appellate; David M. Lick, construction litigation; Scott L. Mandel, business litigation; Gary J. McRay, health care; Douglas A. Mielock, estate and probate; Frank H. Reynolds, criminal defense; Webb A. Smith, business litigation; and Scott A. Storey, energy and resources.

The reaccreditation with commendation affirms McLaren Greater Lansing is meeting and maintaining the highest standards of care set by the Michigan State Medical Society as well as promoting self-assessment and improvement and recognizing excellence in its staff.

The 2018 Rising Stars and their areas of practice include Zachary W. Behler, business litigation; Allison M. Collins, insurance coverage; Liza C. Moore, general litigation; Joshua K. Richardson, civil litigation: defense; and Patricia J. Scott, civil litigation: plaintiff.

MANER COSTERISAN GROWS TALENT POOL

Each criterion must be met to receive the reaccreditation with commendation, which McLaren Greater Lansing has earned for more than two decades.

Maner Costerisan, a fullservice public accounting and business advisory firm, announced the expansion of its professional talent pool. Maner Costerisan welcomed certified public Hamilton accountant Katie Hamilton to serve as principal in the firm’s tax department. Hamilton has 12 years of experience in tax planning, tax consulting and compliance related to closely held businesses and high-net-worth individuals, Hamilton specializes in the high-net-worth tax area that affects business owners as well as executives. Her

MCLAREN RECEIVES REACCREDITATION, COMMENDATION

C O M FA IN 20 LL G 18

McClaren Greater Lansing was recognized by the Michigan State Medical Society for its commitment to monitoring and maintaining the highest standard of excellence in continuing medical education.

PROUD TO BE IN EAST LANSING

expertise includes multigenerational income tax planning, tax-efficient estate planning, wealth transfer opportunities, charitable giving options, retirement considerations and related tax consequences, as well as compliance related to all areas above for individuals and closely held businesses.

Maner also announced the expansion of its team of experts with Jo Ellen Zilch to serve as a consultant in the accounting and outsourced solutions department.

Before joining Maner Costerisan, Zilch spent two years at Ernst & Young. Zilch began her career in 1995 after graduating from Michigan State University with a bachelor’s in accounting.

LAKE TRUST MEMBERS VOLUNTEER ON COLUMBUS DAY

On Columbus Day, more than 300 Lake Trust Credit Union team members spent the holiday donating their time to make a difference by supporting projects that solve problems throughout Michigan communities.

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NOTABLE NEWS

“While many organizations can contribute money to worthy causes and organizations, Lake Trust Credit Union and the Lake Trust Foundation already financially contribute through partnerships, outreach programs, grants, financial assistance and support for our community’s underserved people,” said Lake Trust Credit Union President and CEO David Snodgrass. “But a commitment of volunteer time is equally – if not more – valuable, and we are going to make a huge contribution of volunteer time this year. Through Moved By Good Day, we’ll match team members with a passion of giving back by spending their time volunteering for a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.”

REAL ESTATE AGENCY MAKES ANNOUNCEMENTS MacIntyre and Cowen RE/MAX Real Estate Professionals-Grand River team member welcomed new buyer's agent Eli Abdalla, a top-producing real estate professional who has over six years of experience in all aspects of real estate sales including building and fostering relationships with buyers and sellers. He is now living in Lansing.

MacIntyre and Cowen RE/MAX Real Estate Professionals-Grand River also congratulated buyers’ agent Jeff Kelley on reaching the 100 Percent Club this year.

HEALTH CARE LEADERS KEYNOTE CHAMBER FORUM

The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted an unprecedented conversation on the strength, impact and future of health care in the Lansing region with health care leaders and educators at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center. Topics discussed included health care innovation, the opioid epidemic, mid-term elections, national political climate and the impact on health care, access to care, rural areas and community focus, community health needs assessment, mental health, and population health.

The conversation was moderated by Lorri Rishar, and speakers included Norman Beauchamp, dean of the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine; Kirk Ray, president and CEO of McLaren Greater Lansing; and Joseph Ruth, executive vice president and COO of Sparrow Health System.

FRESHMAN EARNS HIGHEST HONOR FROM STATE BAR

Julie Fershtman, an attorney and shareholder with Foster Swift Collins & Smith, was presented with the highest honor from the State Bar of Michigan at the State Bar’s NEXT Conference and Annual Meeting at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids.

The Roberts P. Hudson Award commends “one or more lawyers for their unselfish rendering of outstanding and unique service to and on behalf of the State Bar of Michigan, the legal profession and public.” Debuting in 1979, the Roberts P. Hudson Award is not handed out annually, but instead is only awarded periodically based on merit. Fershtman is co-recipient of the award with Bruce Courtade, her co-chair of the Michigan State Bar’s 21st Century Practice Task Force in 2015-2016.

“My father was a lawyer. My husband is a lawyer. It was a commitment I was born into as the daughter of a lawyer who really took his job very seriously,” Fershtman said. “You don’t become a lawyer without a significant and sincere commitment to the public and the people you serve. When you become a lawyer, your commitment is serving your clients and protecting them.”

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NOTABLE NEWS

MSUFCU RECEIVES HONOR FOR FOURTH YEAR

Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) earned the designation as one of Michigan’s Best and Brightest in Wellness.

The Best and Brightest Programs honors organizations that make their workplaces, employees and community a healthier place to live and work. MSUFCU is a recipient of this award for four years running.

“We are thrilled to receive this award again,” said Silvia Dimma, MSUFCU’s chief human resources officer. “As an organization, we work diligently to ensure we have a healthy and vibrant workplace for our employees. This commitment to our employees’ well-being keeps our workforce strong and healthy so they can continue to provide superior service to our members.”

Jennifer Kluge, president and CEO of the Best and Brightest Programs, said, “Health and wellness programs are at the forefront of every business looking to retain a healthy workforce.

This year’s winning companies represent high standards and an exceptional commitment to their employees’ well-being.”

SPARROW HONORS NURSES FOR EXTRAORDINARY CARE

DAISY Team Winners

DAISY Team Nominees

DAISY Nurse Nominees

A Sparrow Clinton Hospital nurse’s compassionate care of a special patient helped earn her the hospital’s DAISY Award for exceptional nursing skills. Melissa Ball joined the Sparrow Clinton Hospital nursing team in 2005 after working 10 years at Sparrow downtown in the respiratory stepdown unit. Ball gained praise from the family of a hospice patient who spent four days in her care before he died.

The man’s daughters commended her empathetic, reassuring and compassionate disposition.

Also recognized were DAISY nurse nominees Beth Guillaume, Adriann Sanders, Melanie Kotowicz, Tasha Karek, Kelsey Thelen, Cindi Nakfor, Amber Piper and Sarah Veith. Each participant took home a DAISY pin and flowers.

Ball

This year, the Sparrow Clinton DAISY Committee also recognized exceptional achievement by a nursing team. Nominees included the SCH Surgical Services Department, SCH 2-South Cancer Center and SCH Emergency Services Department.

The first DAISY team award was presented to Emergency Services Department nurses for their hard work and dedication in achieving designation as the first Level 4 Trauma Hospital in Region One.

MASON CHAMBER HOSTS RIBBON CUTTINGS

The Mason Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors provided a ribbon cutting Sept.

23 to celebrate for the grand opening of the

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Marco's Pizza ribbon cutting

Marco’s Pizza in Mason. Located at 132 S. Cedar St., franchise owners Donna and Bob Sturgis were assisted by Mike Waltz, Chris Waltz, Elaine Ferris, Jeff Routson, Karen Routson and Beth Yeider. An open house for the community followed the event.

The chamber also provided a ribbon cutting Oct. 1 to celebrate for the grand reopening of the Commercial Bank branch at 661 N. Cedar St. in Mason next to Biggby Coffee. Assisting President Kevin Collison are Mary Tressell, Lindsey Hansen, Kayla Bebow, Jackie Mowery, Ally Whitmore, Laura Roman, Kassie Rhodes, Marsha Rockhold, Kathy Wakefield, Karla Spoor and Ryan Petty.

PLAYMAKERS OPENS NEW COMMUNITY ROOM

In 2011, Playmakers co-owners John Benedict, Brian Jones and Tom Keenoy established the Playmakers Fitness Foundation to inspire the community to move and better itself.

Last month, Playmakers celebrated the grand opening of its new community room, dedicated to serving the local running/walking community and to providing wellness education. The grand opening of the new Playmakers Community Room will also honor the legacy of Curt and Judy Munson, original owners of Playmakers, and their ongoing commitment to the running and walking community.

TESLA SUPPLIER COMING TO LANSING

The Lansing Economic Area Partnership was joined by the city of Lansing in announcing the new distribution operations of Norm Fasteners, a U.S. subsidiary of Norm Group. Norm Fasteners will be chiefly responsible for carrying out a contract to supply fasteners for Tesla’s new Model 3, as well as a contract with John Deere, while also looking to expand business across North America.

“Norm Fasteners is well positioned for continued growth in the global automotive market and sees immense opportunity in other North

American markets as well,” said Koray Gurbuz, America general manager of Norm Fasteners.

“We are excited for the opportunity to partner with LEAP, the city of Lansing, and the state of Michigan to launch our business here in the United States.”

MDHHS EXECUTIVE HONORED

Dr. Eden V. Wells, chief medical executive for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), received the Michigan Association for Local Public Health (MALPH) and the Wells Michigan Public Health Association (MPHA) Roy R. Manty Distinguished Service Award on Oct. 10 during the Michigan Premier Public Health Conference Awards Ceremony in Bay City.

The MALPH and MPHA executive committees selected Wells for the honor due their high regard for her achievements, passion and commitment of excellence in the field of public health.

Your focus and hard work are an inspiration.

Your commitment to this community inspires us all!

BEST WISHES from your colleagues at

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Your Brand Media

M3 Group specializes in grabbing the attention of customers for our clients. Our secret is our ability to integrate eye-catching visuals and engaging media content to ensure that your vision becomes a reality.

Through the development of multimedia content and strategic placement, we’re able to accurately portray your brand’s message, while creating a memorable, long-lasting impression.

Put your brand above the rest with comprehensive media services from M3 Group, Lansing’s premier full-service agency. For more information, visit us online at m3group.biz or give us a call at 517.203.3333.

NOTABLE NEWS

“Dr. Wells consistently provides local public health departments and practitioners timely – usually immediate – intelligent, expert, reliable and compassionate support for the entire array of expected and unexpected community health issues that arise daily in our state,” said Dr. Annette Mercatante, president of MALPH. “Her contribution to the health and well-being of the people of Michigan is huge and greatly appreciated by all those privileged to work with her and should be acknowledged on behalf of every person who lives or works in Michigan.”

LANSING CHEDDAR’S TEAM MEMBER AWARDED TOP HONOR

Heather Chahin, Lansing resident and certified culinary team leader at the local Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, has been presented with one of the company’s top honors, the Heart-of-House Team Member of the Year Award for her work as a culinary professional.

The award honors employees who inspire growth in themselves and others, take accountability to

deliver on key results and promote excellent performance.

“Heather is an exception individual with several positive characteristics that make her worthy of this award, but the one that sticks out to me is determination,” said Erik Kritz, managing partner of the Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen. “A dream does not become reality through magic.

It takes sweat, determination and hard work. We are thankful for Heather’s commitment.”

ALZHEIMERS AND DEMENTIA CARE CENTER OPENS

Robinwood Landing's New Location

Robinwood Landing Alzheimer’s Special Care Center opened Oct. 10 with a ribbon cutting by the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce and an open house. The center is designed for comfort, care and quality of life for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Robinwood Landing is located on Lake Lansing Road in Lansing.

FRANCHISE ATTORNEY JOINS LAW FIRM

BIG ENOUGH TO SOLVE ANY PROBLEM. CLOSE ENOUGH TO SPOT IT. Sophisticated enough to advise you on matters like cash management and ensuring access to capital. Involved enough in your business to know what questions you should be asking.

Just one of the many differences between bankers and Horizon Advisors.

HorizonBank.com

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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

888-873-2640

NOVEMBER 2018

Franchise attorney John A. Forrest has joined Fahey Schultz Burzych Rhodes PLC as of-counsel.

Forrest concentrates his practice in the areas of franchise and distribution, commercial contracts, business planning and corporate law. Forrest has over 35 years of experience representing and advising established and start-up franchisors in all aspects of franchise, business opportunity and distribution law. He has extensive experience in drafting franchise- and distribution-related documents, including franchise agreements, area development agreements, agreements relating to the sale of company-owned stores and the purchase of franchise stores, finance documents, and promissory notes.

Forrest has authored several published works, including “Covenants Against Competition in Franchise Agreements” for the second and third editions of the Michigan Chapter of the American Bar Association Forum on Franchising, the Michigan Business Formbook for the ICLE and several other franchise-related articles.

NOTABLE NEWS

www.martinpropertydevelopment.com

HOW DO YOU MAKE YOUR REAL ESTATE PROJECT A REALITY?

For over 30 years, we’ve represented owners and occupiers as project managers.

From inception to completion, we’ve brought their project to life.

Start your project with a call or email today.

Jason M. Brunette Director of Project Management P 517.319.9260 jason.brunette@martinpropertydevelopment.com