MOVER & SHAKER

from Baylife Magazine May/June 2022

NORTHERN ENCOUNTERS

Warren Call

Warren Call MEET

PRESIDENT AND CEO TRAVERSE CONNECT

Back in 2019 Traverse Connect and the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce merged into one organization, why? “It was the culmination of several years of work and planning by a broad group of community leaders. The merger combined the best attributes of the two organizations, creating a modern structure to more effectively address the needs of our businesses and region with a complete set of economic development and chamber services under one roof, allowing the new Traverse Connect to serve as the quarterback organization for the regional economy.” As the President & CEO what drives you every day? “I love complex problems and our work takes place at the nexus where economics, business, finance, and government policy collide and interact in incredibly complex ways. It is always challenging - it’s like playing 3D chess in the dark.”

Are there any words of wisdom you live by? “Always hustle, never quit; ‘can’t’ is not a word in my vocabulary.” What three words best describe you? “Decisive, driven, and focused (perhaps too much sometimes…)” Tell us something that would surprise us about you? “I’ve been in three avalanches (two in Utah, one in Austria). Also, my nightly therapy and decompression is cooking a big, intricate meal to the sound of loud Cuban music.”

If you could have a superpower, what would it be, and why? “To slow down time and savor every experience.” You met your wife at Graduate School in Rome. How did you persuade a fiery Spanish/Southern California girl to move to Northern Michigan? “I am a very, very good salesman; I talked up the benefits for raising kids, prior to moving I only brought her to visit in early August when the weather is perfect, and I promised that we would always take an extended vacation every year in Spain to visit her family.” What would Marina and your kids tell us about you? “I’m far more intense than most people realize. I’m a good skier. I’ve got killer dad jokes.” What is one thing you have checked off your bucket list? “I ran the full Bayshore Marathon. I was a ski bum in Alta. I’ve lived in Rome.”

How would your family spend the perfect Traverse City day? “We are townies (downtown residents) and this time of year it is all about enjoying TC; kick off the day with a walk to Espresso Bay for their iced espresso, then depending on the temperature, either a bike ride on the Tart Trail followed by a picnic at Clinch Park or sailing on the bay. Later, some Spanglish takeout enjoyed on the patio of Left Foot Charley, paired with their award-winning wine made with grapes from our family farm.”