Crain's Detroit Business, Aug. 5, 2019 issue by Crain's Detroit Business

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‘Minnow swallowing a whale’

How Provost, Torgow grew a tiny Troy bank into a Midwest powerhouse

By Chad Livengood clivengood@crain.com

When David Provost’s non-compete clause in the 2006 sale of his Bank of Bloomfield Hills to Chicago-based Private Bancorp expired, he started getting the itch to buy a small bank in 2007 — just as Michigan’s economy was tanking. “We should buy a bank in Michigan, because nobody’s buying banks in Michigan,” longtime Detroit real

A close friend of TCF chairman identified as co-owner and developer of bank’s new HQ. Page 42 

estate developer Gary Torgow recalls Provost telling him. Torgow, who served on Provost’s board at the Bank of Bloomfield Hills, bought into the idea and the pair identified the brand-new, teeny-tiny First Michigan Bank in Troy,

which at the time had $700,000 in assets and was the smallest bank in America based on deposits. They viewed it as a long-term play in community-based lending and deposits. “We figured it would be years,” Torgow said. “We’ll grow it like he grew Bank of Bloomfield Hills and in 20 years, we’ll have something. “And then the world changed dramatically.”

Twelve years later, Torgow and Provost have their hands on the wheel of TCF Bank, now the nation’s 27th-largest bank with $47 billion in assets and $35 billion in deposits following last week’s merger with Chemical Bank, a century-old financial institution they gained control of during their rapid succession of mergers and acquisitions. SEE TCF BANK, PAGE 42

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HEALTH CARE

Gilbert video offers first look into his recovery Message recorded 6 weeks into rehab By Jay Greene jgreene@crain.com

and Chad Livengood clivengood@crain.com

A video message from Quicken Loans Inc. Chairman Dan Gilbert to his mortgage company’s 17,000 employees last week provided the first glimpse outside friends and family at how his rehabilitation from a stroke is going. The 57-yearold billionaire businessman has been recovering from a May 26 Gilbert stroke at a Chicago rehabilitation center and has made no public appearances or given any interviews. His privately held company has been tight-lipped about his condition or what parts of his body were affected by the stroke. Gilbert has been in rehab for about six weeks since he was discharged from Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak in June. Detroit-based Quicken Loans declined to share the video or allow Crain’s to view it, but Detroit News Editorial Page Editor Nolan Finley said Friday he saw a “snippet” of the video emailed to employees Thursday. Finley said it showed Gilbert seated from the chest up, appearing “to have made great strides in his recovery.” “His face shows no signs of a stroke,” Finley wrote in a column Friday. “His speech is clear, and his voice is strong and steady. He looks somewhat thinner than before the stroke, but not weak or wan.”

Stroke rehab Gilbert’s companies have declined to comment on where he is doing his rehabilitation, but the Chicago location has centered speculation on the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab — formerly known as the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago — ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the country’s top neurology rehabilitation center. SEE GILBERT, PAGE 43

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MICHIGAN BRIEFS

INSIDE

From staff and wire reports. Find the full stories at crainsdetroit.com

Road construction workers go on strike

Some major road projects throughout Michigan were put on hold Wednesday morning after 200 heavy-machine operators went on strike over what they call unfair labor practices. The workers are represented by Bloomfield-Hills based Operating Engineers 324 and work for Indiana-based Rieth-Riley Construction Co., one of the largest road pavers and asphalt suppliers in Michigan. The labor dispute is tied to the four-week lockout that halted 160 road projects throughout the state last September. Operating Engineers 324 struck a deal with the Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association to resume work. While nearly all of the 40 or so companies that participated in the lockout eventually signed new contracts with employees, Rieth-Riley did not. The company’s 200 union employees in Michigan have been working without a contract since June 2018, according to a news release. “The impact could grow larger by the hour. We’re talking about the middle of summer,” union spokesman Dan McKernan said. Rieth-Riley has around 90 projects throughout the state totaling $171.8

CALENDAR

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million under contract, according to data from MDOT.

OPINION

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Michigan cherry farmers seek tariffs on Turkey

RUMBLINGS

WEEK ON THE WEB

Cheap cherry imports from Turkey are threatening farmers in Michigan, who produce two-thirds of the country’s tart cherry supply. Falling profits over the past few years prompted the industry to turn to the U.S. government for help by imposing tariffs on imports, the Wall Street Journal reported. The government said in June there was adequate evidence that Turkey underprices cherries with the help of government subsidies. Michigan farmers produced 300 million pounds of tart cherries worth $56 million last year, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as reported by the Journal. The same amount of product was worth $107 million in 2014. Over the past three years, Turkish cherry imports have nearly doubled annually, with imported product selling wholesale for about 89 cents per pound, according to the USDA. Cherries grown by U.S. processors cost about $4.60 per pound. Michigan farmers say they fear if tariffs are not imposed on Turkey, they will be forced to shut down. “If we don’t have luck with the tariffs, I don’t know how any of us can survive,” said Dorance Amo, a tart-cherry farmer near Traverse City.

OPERATING ENGINEERS 324

Around 200 employees represented by Operating Engineers 324 went on strike Wednesday morning to protest what they call unfair labor practices by Rieth-Riley Construction Co., which is based in Indiana.

100k Venture invests in Flint firm

100K Ventures, an early-stage company accelerator group that includes NBA star and Saginaw native Draymond Green, chose a Flintbased streetwear brand for its first investment. Kalm Clothing LLC is celebrating the investment with its first pop-up, set for Friday at the Ferris Wheel entrepreneur hub in Flint where it is

based, according to a news release. Kalm founder Kiara Tyler moved back to Flint, her hometown, in 2014. In 2016, she released a clothing line out of her apartment, first selling out of her trunk at various fairs, the release said. The 2014 graduate of Notre Dame College in Ohio used social media to get high-profile athletes and other influencers to don her garb: now Grammy-nominated rappers can be seen posting

photos of themselves wearing the company’s clothes. Kalm’s clothing sells for $55-$400, according to the release. It’s only sold online, for now. An investment figure was not disclosed. “All I had to hear was Kiara’s personal story about her upbringing in Flint and I immediately recognized we found a diamond in the rough,” Green, a former Michigan State University and current Golden State Warriors player, said in the release. “Growing up in Michigan, I am especially inspired by Kiara, a true entrepreneur vying for an opportunity.” The for-profit 100K Ventures group comprises business leaders, professional athletes, journalists and entrepreneurs. It announced its launch in December, spearheaded by 32 Ventures founder Robert Wolf, who teamed with Phil Hagerman, founder of Flint-based Skypoint Ventures and co-founder and former chairman and CEO of Flint-based Diplomat Pharmacy Inc. (NYSE: DPLO), a national provider of specialty pharmaceutical services.

NOMINATION

DEADLINE EXTENDED! Notable Women in Law argue high-stakes legal cases, protect intellectual property on behalf of their clients, and are leaders in and outside of the courtroom. Honorees will be recognized in print and online in a special feature on October 28.

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ATI N I M

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ENTREPRENEURSHIP

HEALTH CARE

Binson’s Home Health looks toward growth opportunities By Jay Greene jgreene@crain.com

Binson’s Medical Equipment and Supplies, a family-owned business since 1953 based in Madison Heights, has been hiring workers and expanding to 16 locations in Michigan and one Florida office the past several years as it diversifies beyond traditional home health equipment and supplies. Ken Fasse, Binson’s COO, said the company, which considers itself the “Home Depot” of health care, has doubled in size the past six years to more than $100 million in revenue and 600 employees by focusing on its core supply business, but also expanding pharmacy services to three locations, working more closely with hospitals and adding private-duty nursing, home infusion and sleep apnea care. Justin Mast of Bloomscape in the company’s Detroit WeWork space last year. LARRY PEPLIN FOR CRAIN’S

The seeds of success

AOL founder Case joins startup titans in $7.5 million investment in Detroit-based potted-plant firm Bloomscape By Annalise Frank afrank@crain.com

Bloomscape Inc., a Detroit-based online potted-plant company, aims to grow with a $7.5 million Series A funding round led by AOL co-founder Steve Case’s Revolution Ventures and joined by founders of such e-commerce revolutionaries as Warby Parker and Allbirds. Justin Mast, who comes from a five-generation line of horticulturalists, founded Bloomscape last year. The year-and-a-half-old startup, which operates out of downtown Detroit co-working space WeWork at Merchant’s Row, sells plants on its website and has them delivered straight from greenhouses to consumers’ doors. Bloomscape says Mast created a “first-of-its-kind packaging technology” to ship plants long-distance without hurting them. It

Need to know

 Binson’s has doubled in size the past six years through diversification into home services  The family-owned business now employs 600 with $100 million in revenue  Partners with hospitals and has expanded services into home infusion, private-duty nursing and sleep apnea programs

also offers tips on plant care, with Mast’s wealth of knowledge coming from time spent growing up around his greenhouse — his parents’ business shipped plants to other greenhouses. “Growing millennial interest in plants has created significant pent up demand for a reliable online retailer,” Mast said in a news release announcing the funding round. The company shipped more than 100,000 plants in just more than a year and has generCase ated “millions” in sales, it said in the release. The plant enterprise started with one employee in a small WeWork office and as of January, it was up to 11.

Binson’s also specializes in durable medical equipment, home medical equipment, orthotics and prosthetics. Over the past 12 months, Binson’s also has hired about 50 new employees and plans another job fair this summer to fill more than 29 more open positions in sales, customer service and medical positions, Fasse said. “The company originated out of pharmacy and always had a small pharmacy in Centerline, but we decided to bring more attention to it and now have three pharmacy locations” including Hurley Medical Center in Flint and Ascension Macomb-Oakland Hospital in Madison Heights.

SEE BLOOMSCAPE, PAGE 41

SEE BINSON’S, PAGE 39

NONPROFITS

Brilliant Detroit opening 7 new neighborhood sites this year By Sherri Welch swelch@crain.com

Brilliant Detroit’s newest house in the Fitzgerald neighborhood in northwestern Detroit just opened in June. But each time 19-month-old Jace Christian Polk visits, he goes right for the book shelves in the living room. He picks a book, sits down on the floor and flips through its pages. “That’s foundational, a start,” said his grandmother Darnetta Banks, who’s lived in the neighborhood for 53 years and manages the house for Brilliant Detroit, a nonprofit focused on kindergarten readiness, early literacy and family stability. The house hasn’t even been open two months, but already many chil-

Need to know  Fledgling nonprofit focused on kindergarten readiness, early literacy, family stability  Part of plan to expand to two dozen by end of 2023  Focusing on high-need Detroit neighborhoods but seeking community invitations

dren from the area near Livernois and West McNichols Road love to come there, she said. It’s a safe place where they can get a meal, love and support and have fun while building literacy skills during the summer months when many children won’t pick up a book.

“We’re building some powerful people (who) are going to come out of this community,” Banks said. “When you learn to read, you can conquer the world.” Jace’s family is one of 29 from the surrounding neighborhood already visiting the house for programs aimed at giving them what they need to be school-ready, healthy and stable. The free programs are geared to children from birth to age 8 or third grade and their families. They range from breast feeding support for new mothers and community baby showers to developmental and educational programs, parenting and financial literacy programs for adults. SEE SITES, PAGE 41

SHERRI WELCH/CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS

“When you learn to read, you can conquer the world,” said Darnetta Banks.

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This garage would be demolished and replaced under the plan that would bring an RH store to the city.

Big spending in Birmingham bond proposal campaign I reported last week on the campaign in Birmingham to get a bond issue passed that would pave the way for a new $140 million mixed-use develKIRK opment anPINHO chored by a 55,000-squarefoot RH (formerly Restoration Hardware) store. Rather than rehashing here both sides’ arguments about the measure — it has been heated at times — I suggest you read my story (in last week’s edition or at crainsdetroit.com.) But this piece of news came in after my story had already been filed: the amount of money the developer has been spending on the election. The Birmingham Yes committee, which is pushing for passage of the up to $57.4 million bond issuance, has been funded by the development group Woodward Bates Partners LLC to the tune of $180,000, according to campaign finance documents filed in Oakland County. The amount is substantial. Woodward Bates made contributions to Birmingham Yes on June 12 ($25,000), June 18 ($15,000), June 26 ($19,000), July 2 ($16,000), July 15 (two contributions totaling $50,000) and July 24 ($55,000). The expenditures were for things such as print and digital advertising, mailing and signs, legal counsel, research and media consulting, door-todoor services and campaign consulting. Both sides have differing perspectives on the spending, so let’s queue up the nastygrams. “The cost of the campaign has exceeded our expectations due to the misinformation put out by the opposition. It’s a lot more expensive to try to correct a lie,” said John Truscott, CEO and principal of the Lansing public relations firm Truscott Rossman, which is doing PR for the development group. “Unfortunately the opposition has been successful in confusing people with inaccurate information, so the campaign has had to ramp up the truth campaign.” (Again, read my story for more background.) And here is Clinton Baller, who started the Balance for Birmingham

political committee that is opposing the ballot measure. “I’ve been watching Birmingham politics since 2000, and I’ve never seen anything like this,” Baller said. “The scale of this spending — and I’m sure we’ll see much more when the final reports come out — should concern every voter in Birmingham. You just want to shake your head in wonder. But there’s one thing you don’t have to wonder about: The developers paid $20,000 for this election (not included in the sum above), they are trying to buy our votes, and our elected and appointed city officials haven’t said a thing about it. They seem to be perfectly OK with it.” Balance for Birmingham raised $1,560 during the reporting period, adding to the previous balance of $6,063. The group spent $2,922, almost exclusively on printing and mailing services, bringing its balance down to $4,701. Another opposition group, Birmingham Citizens for Responsible Government, raised $9,430 and had just $761 in the bank. It spent $1,085, mostly on signs, bringing its balance down to $9,106. Most of its contributions during the reporting period were $300 or less, with a handful of $500 and $1,500 contributions.

In other Birmingham bond proposal news A federal judge tossed out a lawsuit by a developer who was not selected to pursue the project last year. The lawsuit was filed against the city of Birmingham, City Manager Joseph Valentine and City Commissioner Mark Nickita by Ara Darakjian of TIR Equities, which proposed a large-scale development. He contended that it was “an unjust, unfair, and unconstitutional ‘competitive’ bidder selection process.” “We believe that the district court did not get this right,” said Brian Saxe, managing partner and owner of the Troybased law firm Rossman Saxe PC, which is representing Darakjian and TIR Equities in the case. “Our clients are exploring all of their options at this time, including seeking immediate redress from the appellate courts.”

Zetterberg lists Bloomfield Hills mansion Henrik Zetterberg, the former De-

troit Red Wings forward who retired at the end of the 2017-18 season, has listed his Bloomfield Hills home for sale for $4.6 million. The listing from Hall & Hunter Realtors says the property has five bedrooms and 6 1/3 bathrooms. The native of Sweden played 1,082 games and racked up 337 goals and 623 assists during his 15-season career with the Red Wings, which began in 2002. An email was sent to the brokers seeking information on the listing. The last time I checked in on the Former Detroit Professional Athlete Real Estate Beat, ex-Detroit Lion Ndamukong Suh paid $1.9 million for a unit in the swank Brookside Residences condominium project in downtown Birmingham.

Woodbridge Street developer selected In March, the Detroit Economic Growth Corp. released a request for proposals from the development community for a small Woodbridge Street property near the Detroit riverfront. Last week, the Economic Development Corp., or EDC, selected Biltmore Development Group LLC of Detroit, which plans to spend $1.5 million to turn the property at 1977 Woodbridge St., which is being purchased for $500,000, into a cigar bar, conference room and barber shop. Biltmore Development is registered to William Smith. Construction is to start in the spring next year, according to a briefing memo to the EDC. The property consists of three buildings totaling 4,800 square feet. The middle building is required to be preserved, while the buildings to the east and west are ancillary and can be demolished, according to the RFP. It sits on a quarter-acre a block from the Dequindre Cut.

Detroit office market slows The annual sales volume for office properties in Detroit is expected to slide 65% from its most recent peak in 2017, as high-end office transactions grind to a halt. An analysis of CoStar data shows the Detroit office market has slowed significantly since the latest expansion, between the years 2014-2017. Kirk Pinho: (313) 446-0412 Twitter: @kirkpinhoCDB

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Osw Rem

Oswald Companies employees treat one another like family: Monday morning meetings are about planning for the week ahead in business while catching up on one another’s weekends.

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Oswald Companies sees risk so its clients can see opportunity. For the second consecutive year, the insurance broker and risk management company placed at the top of the Cool Places to Work in Michigan ranking. Oswald’s Michigan Market Leader, Cathy Kosin, points to one of the company’s core values, “Commitment to Community,” as a key driver of its No. 1 position. In addition to Friday afternoon hacky sack breaks and monthly team-building activities, employees have nonstop opportunities to give back outside the office. They receive one paid day off to volunteer on their own and, as a team, volunteer regularly at Oakland Family Services preschools and Pope Francis Center while also participating in quarterly Days of Caring. Oswald is 100 percent employeeowned. At 10 years, employees are awarded a three-week sabbatical and a $2,500 bonus. “We’ve created a culture that’s magnetic — like a home away from home,” Kosin said. “I fundamentally believe that if you’re going to spend 40 hours a week away from your passions, from your personal life, then it needs to be with people you care about and whom you view as family.” SPONSORED BY:

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Team members at Oswald Companies in Bloomfield Hills enjoy breaks with a game of table tennis, the view from their Woodward Avenue office and various opportunities to volunteer in the community. “Above all, we look for people who gravitate toward helping others,” said Oswald Market Leader Cathy Kosin, right.

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COOL PLACES TO WORK

About this report

OSWALD

Oswald Companies teamed up with 10,000 other metro Detroiters to beautify 300 city blocks in six days as part of the Life Remodeled annual project. Read Oswald’s profile on Page 12.

SMALL EMPLOYER CATEGORY (15 - 49 U.S. EMPLOYEES) 1 AIREA Inc.

12 Ambassador Software

24 Dobrusin Law Firm

2 Manquen Vance & RDS Services

13 Skidmore Studio

25 Stuart Mechanical

14 BlueWillow Biologics

26 Twisthink

15 Allied PhotoChemical Inc

27 AccumTech

16 JB Ashtin

28 Wambatech Inc.

17 SMZ

29 MRPR CPAs & Advisors

18 X by 2

30 MPRO

7 Wilshire Benefits Group

19 Lormax Stern Development Co.

31 Phoenix Innovate

8 Southwest Michigan First

20 Dataspeed Inc.

32 Clarity Voice

9 Armor Protective Packaging

21 Blue Chip Talent

33 Morrey’s Contracting

10 Contract Professionals Inc.

22 Ally Logistics

34 Red Level

11 Apex Digital Solutions

23 Brightwing

35 Broder & Sachse Real Estate

3 HealthRise 4 Zolman Restoration 5 HRPro/BenePro 6 Center for Financial Planning, Inc.

MEDIUM EMPLOYER CATEGORY (50 - 249 U.S. EMPLOYEES) 1 Greenleaf Trust

16 Preh Inc.

2 Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton PC

17 imageOne

3 Marsh & McLennan Agency | Michigan Health & Benefits Team

18 Etkin 19 Community Housing Network 20 Lowry Solutions

30 O’Brien Construction Company Inc. 31 Fieldstone Architecture and Engineering 32 Trion Solutions Inc.

21 Midland Tool & Supply

33 Automotive Credit Corporation

22 Coretek Services

34 MassMutual Great Lakes 35 Work Skills Corporation

9 Sachse Construction LLC

23 Capital Mortgage Funding Powered by Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation

10 Gateway Financial Solutions

24 DP+

11 DaySmart Software

25 Arrow Strategies LLC

12 Xenith

26 Cinnaire

13 NBS Commercial Interiors

27 Oxford Companies

14 Citizens National Bank

28 Spalding DeDecker

41 Cornerstone Community Financial Credit Union

15 Kapnick Insurance Group

29 Farbman Group

42 Interior Environments

4 TowerPinkster 5 Member Driven Technologies 6 Northwestern Mutual — Troy 7 Signature Associates 8 NFP

36 Miller Vein 37 PEA Inc. 38 Pentastar Aviation 39 Billhighway 40 The Senior Alliance, Area Agency on Aging 1-C

LARGE EMPLOYER CATEGORY (250 OR MORE U.S. EMPLOYEES) 1 Oswald Companies 2 Rightpoint 3 Slalom LLC 4 Michigan First Credit Union 5 OHM Advisors 6 Warner Norcross + Judd

9 Mid-America Real EstateMichigan Inc.

17 Plunkett Cooney PC

10 EDSI

18 Aristeo Construction Company

11 Dewpoint Inc.

19 OneMagnify

12 Taubman 13 Renewal by Andersen

20 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

14 SME

21 Burns & McDonnell

7 Atwell LLC

15 Total Quality Logistics

22 Wireless Vision

8 Stout

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23 United Shore

or the seventh year, Best Companies Group of Harrisburg, Pa., produced the ranking of Cool Places to Work in Michigan for Crain’s. Any Michigan company with at least 15 employees could participate. First, the employer provided detailed information on its benefits and policies; next, its employees answered questions about workplace culture, company leadership and other aspects of work in a confidential, 80-question survey. The survey, which sought to determine, among other things, whether employees understand the long-term strategy of the company and whether they feel they are being groomed for future leadership positions, accounted for 75 percent of the final ranking, while the combined scores determined the top companies and the final rankings. Companies paid for the survey; not all companies that applied were chosen as a cool workplace. Some companies have offices outside Michigan; for those companies, even non-Michigan employees were surveyed in order to provide a comprehensive view of overall company policies and culture. Other than total U.S.-based employee counts, all data, including number of millennial employees, is Michigan-specific. Our editorial team produced a snapshot profile of every company in the ranking. Some companies sponsored more complete coverage of their businesses. That custom content is clearly marked throughout these pages as “sponsored” and was produced by Crain’s Content Studio, the marketing storytelling division of Crain’s Detroit Business. Chris Lewis wrote the company profiles from information provided by each company. Amy Elliott Bragg, special projects editor, managed the project. For questions about this report, email Amy at abragg@crain.com. Nominations for Cool Places to Work 2020 will open Jan. 1.

By Chris Lewis

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COOL PLACES TO WORK

Special to Crain’s Detroit Business

1. Oswald Companies

Cleveland, Ohio Oswaldcompanies.com Robert J. Klonk, CEO (Based in Cleveland) Catherine Kosin, Senior Vice President and Market Leader (Based in Bloomfield Hills) JJInsurance (Property and Casualty, Life) and Employee Benefits Broker; Retirement Planning Services Ranking in 2018: 1 U.S.-based employees: 392 Michigan-based employees: 23 Millennial employees: 4 Male/female employee ratio: 30/70 Voluntary turnover: 4 percent Paid time off after one year: 27 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 3 Why Oswald Companies is cool: JJ100 percent employee-owned JJFour-week paid sabbaticals after 10 years of service JJStress-relieving benefits like monthly wellness coach visits, free financial planning and an onsite treadmill

2. AIREA Inc.

Southfield Aireainc.com Vinnie Johnson, Chairman and Owner JJCommercial Interiors Michigan-based employees: 26 Millennial employees: 12 Male/female employee ratio: 43/57 Voluntary turnover: 4 percent Paid time off after one year: 28 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 3 Why AIREA is cool: JJEach week, one employee can bring their dog to work on Friday JJAnnual Tigers Opening Day tailgate party for all employees JJStep Challenge: Teams of employees compete for the most steps over a 4-month period; winning teams receive trophies

3. Manquen Vance & RDS Services

Troy Manquenvance.com Mark Manquen, Founder and President J Health Care — Insurance/Services Michigan-based employees: 19 Millennial employees: 7 Male/female employee ratio: 42/58 Voluntary turnover: 5 percent Paid time off after one year: 31 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 2 Why Manquen Vance is cool: J From June to August, employees can leave the office early on Fridays (twice a month)

ARMOR PROTECTIVE PACKAGING

Armor Protective Packaging employees gather for a photo at the company’s annual Zukey Lake Cruise in 2018. JJEmployees can work remotely

every week JJPayroll bonuses are offered twice a year and profit-sharing bonuses are provided when applicable

4. HealthRise

Southfield Healthrise.com David Farbman, CEO JJHealth Care — Insurance/Services Michigan-based employees: 37 Millennial employees: 21 Male/female employee ratio: 54/46 Voluntary turnover: 21 percent Paid time off after one year: 30 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: No Jobs to fill this year: 6 Why HealthRise is cool: JJVoluntary mentoring program for long-term career development JJAll employees are encouraged to play an active role in designing the company’s future JJCareer coaching program promotes short-term skill development

5. Zolman Restoration

Walled Lake Zolmanrestoration.com Jeff Katkowsky, President JJEmergency Restoration Services Ranking in 2018: 38 Michigan-based employees: 23 Millennial employees: 9 Male/female employee ratio: 68/32 Voluntary turnover: 25 percent Paid time off after one year: 26 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: No Flex time options: No Jobs to fill this year: 2 Why Zolman Restoration is cool: JJFour-week sabbatical after 10 years of service JJTeam member happy hours year-round JJWellness initiatives like gym membership subsidies, meditation and weekly fresh fruit delivery

6. Greenleaf Trust

Kalamazoo Greenleaftrust.com Michael F. Odar, President JJFinancial Services Ranking in 2018: 2 Michigan-based employees: 123 Millennial employees: 45 Male/female employee ratio: 44/56 Voluntary turnover: 2 percent Paid time off after one year: 23 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: No Jobs to fill this year: 12 Why Greenleaf Trust is cool: JJPays 100 percent of employees’ and dependents’ health, dental and vision insurance premiums JJMaternity and paternity leave pays full salary for 12 weeks JJAnnual Day of Caring promotes team member volunteerism in local communities

7. Rightpoint

Chicago Rightpoint.com Brad Schneider and Ross Freedman, Co-founders and Co-CEOs (Based in Chicago) Jesse Murray, Senior Vice President and Managing Director (Based in Detroit) JJTechnology U.S.-based employees: 405 Michigan-based employees: 26 Millennial employees: 25 Male/female employee ratio: 78/22 Voluntary turnover: 12 percent Paid time off after one year: 7 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 50-75 Why Rightpoint is cool: JJInnovation Tuesdays: Open sessions where teams can brainstorm and collaborate JJTo get to know them personally, the co-founders meet with every new hire JJBeers and Beats: Friday after work music jam session where everyone’s encouraged to bring their own instruments and enjoy a beverage

MICHIGAN FIRST CREDIT UNION

Michigan First Credit Union employees participate in the annual Ugly Sweater Holiday Celebration Day.

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8. HRPro/BenePro

12. Ho

Royal Oak Hrpro.biz Kristopher Powell, President and CEO JJHuman Resources and Employee Benefit Consulting and Administration Ranking in 2018: 3 Michigan-based employees: 30 Millennial employees: 16 Male/female employee ratio: 9/91 Voluntary turnover: 6 percent Paid time off after one year: 39 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 3 Why HRPro/BenePro is cool: JJNew EAP offers many benefits, including counseling for finances and legal issues JJAlternating Fridays off during the summer JJCEO sends random limericks (usually on Fridays) to employees, permitting them to go home early

9. Slalom LLC

Seattle Slalom.com Brad Jackson, CEO (Based in Seattle) David Rouls, General Manager (Based in Detroit) JJConsulting U.S.-based employees: 6,000 Michigan-based employees: 105 Millennial employees: 63 Male/female employee ratio: 57/43 Voluntary turnover: 5 percent Paid time off after one year: 26 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 40 Why Slalom is cool: JJAnnual retreats for employees’ friends and family members JJThe company regularly promotes social activities after work JJAdoption assistance, such as PTO and agency and travel fee reimbursement

10. Center for Financial Planning

Southfield Centerfinplan.com Timothy Wyman, CFP, JD, Managing Partner JJFinancial Services Ranking in 2018: 20 Michigan-based employees: 28 Millennial employees: 15 Male/female employee ratio: 35/65 Voluntary turnover: 0 percent Paid time off after one year: 27 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: No Jobs to fill this year: 1 Why Center for Financial Planning is cool: JJSocial events like pingpong tournaments, happy hours, curling and fowling JJTwo days of PTO for community volunteering JJIndividualized professional development plans and financial support for education

11. Wilshire Benefits Group

Troy Wilshirebenefits.com David Sokol, President JJHealth Care — Insurance/Services Michigan-based employees: 21 Millennial employees: 5 Male/female employee ratio: 39/61 Voluntary turnover: 9 percent Paid time off after one year: 26 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: No Flex time options: No Jobs to fill this year: 5 Why Wilshire Benefits Group is cool: JJEarly dismissal on Fridays during the summer JJMonthly meetings with the CEO JJPaid sabbaticals

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16. Marsh & McLennan Agency | Michigan Health & Benefits Team

MARSH & MCLENNAN AGENCY

The 2018 Marsh & McLennan employee picnic featured friendly team competition on the kickball diamond and on the volleyball court.

12. Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton P.C.

Troy Gmhlaw.com Rosemary Gilchrist, CAO JJLegal Michigan-based employees: 92 Millennial employees: 23 Male/female employee ratio: 51/49 Voluntary turnover: 0 percent Paid time off after one year: 25 days Paid time off for community service: No Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Why Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton, P.C. is cool: JJWellness program features onsite fitness classes and coaching JJIce cream socials JJCreative workshops like Painting with a Twist and cookie and cupcake decorating

13. Southwest Michigan First

Kalamazoo Southwestmichiganfirst.com Ron Kitchens, CEO and Senior Partner JJNonprofit Economic Development Michigan-based employees: 26 Millennial employees: 11 Male/female employee ratio: 23/77 Voluntary turnover: 7 percent Paid time off after one year: 24 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 2 Why Southwest Michigan First is cool: JJHalf-day Fridays during the summer JJ50 percent off employees’ gym or health club memberships JJEach team member can work from home as needed and exercise and volunteer on company time

14. Armor Protective Packaging

Howell Armorvci.com David Yancho, John Holden and Rob McConnell, Co-owners JJManufacturing Ranking in 2018: 7 Michigan-based employees: 41 Millennial employees: 22 Male/female employee ratio: 59/41 Voluntary turnover: 2 percent Paid time off after one year: 17 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: No Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 2 Why Armor Protective Packaging is cool: JJBreakfast every Friday JJ24 hours of PTO annually to serve and volunteer JJThe company contributes 3 percent to employee 401(k)s, regardless of whether employees contribute themselves

15. Contract Professionals Inc.

Waterford Cpijobs.com Steven E. York, CEO JJStaffing Ranking in 2018: 13 U.S.-based employees: 33 Michigan-based employees: 20 Millennial employees: 22 Male/female employee ratio: 52/48 Voluntary turnover: 5 percent Paid time off after one year: 37 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 152 Why CPI is cool: JJPays 100 percent of long-term disability JJMeditation room JJEmployees receive between two hours and one day off for meeting job requirements

Troy Mma-mi.com Rebecca A. McLaughlan, President and CEO, Health and Benefits JJHealth Care — Insurance/Services Ranking in 2018: 12 Michigan-based employees: 116 Millennial employees: 39 Male/female employee ratio: 33/67 Voluntary turnover: 6 percent Paid time off after one year: 29 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 11 Why Marsh & McLennan is cool: JJJeans every day JJDuring the summer, staff are encouraged to leave the office by 1 p.m. on Fridays JJCurrently piloting a 50/50 at-home/in-office arrangement for all employees

17. Apex Digital Solutions Southfield Apexdigital.com Jason Lambiris, CEO JJTechnology Ranking in 2018: 29 Michigan-based employees: 17 Millennial employees: 12 Male/female employee ratio: 75/25 Voluntary turnover: 9 percent Paid time off after one year: Unlimited Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: No Jobs to fill this year: 5 Why Apex Digital Solutions is cool: JJPaid sabbaticals and volunteer days JJPhilanthropy days allow employees to build bikes for kids JJHumor and downtime are encouraged by playing board games, attending local comedy shows and enjoying a recreation room

18. Michigan First Credit Union

Lathrup Village Michiganfirst.com Michael Poulos, President and CEO J Financial Services Ranking in 2018: 10 Michigan-based employees: 421 Millennial employees: 192 Male/female employee ratio: 35/65 Voluntary turnover: 34 percent Paid time off after one year: 30 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: No Flex time options: No Jobs to fill this year: 70 Why Michigan First Credit Union is cool: J $5,000 annual tuition reimbursement for degree programs directly related to positions J $200 referral bonuses J Fully equipped, state-of-the-art, 24/7 fitness facility onsite, along with an eight-lane bowling alley provided free of charge

Working with regions, employers and jobseekers to overcome their most challenging obstacles.

Honored to be recognized as one of Crain’s Detroit Cool Places to Work!

EDSIsolutions.com

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No. 61

Ally on L

19.

Empowering innovation West Michigan’s Twisthink helps companies bring digital products and services to life By Peg McNichol Crain’s Content Studio

You won’t see any cubicles in the Twisthink office; the company has designed its workplace to naturally encourage imagination, collaboration and creativity — the essential ingredients of innovation. Throughout the office, employees are able to capture ideas on whiteboard walls and tables. Engineers, designers and strategists are sitting side by side collaborating on some of their clients’ biggest challenges. Company Co-Founder Robert Niemiec learned how to live and breathe innovation after being hired in the late 1990s by autoparts maker Ed Prince for the former Prince Corporation (now Johnson Controls). Niemiec and fellow Prince teammates Kurt Dykema and Gordon Stannis created Twisthink in 2001 on the belief that there is great value in twisting together the skills of design, technology and strategy. Discreet reminders of the company’s success are tucked into shelves in the lobby. These are items Twisthink shepherded into reality: miniature prototypes of hospital beds, power tools, bike equipment, a hightech toaster and even a desk that signals

to a worker that it’s time to stand up or get moving. Individually, these may seem small. Functionally, they make peoples’ lives better. That’s Twisthink. Niemiec explained how design thinking helps manufacturers improve internal processes and the experience of every customer, from supply chain to end-user. “The age of user experience — not just having smart phones, but smart lights in a city park, to smart furniture — that’s the opportunity, the opportunity for new business growth,” he said. Twisthink hires people with skills in industrial design, software engineering, hardware engineering, and human-centered design — from entry-level to leadership roles. The company values fresh thinking and is on a mission to diversify its workforce and hire people from all walks of life who see problems – and solutions – from different angles. There are 35 full-time employees and an extended network of freelancers who allow Twisthink to be an agile team, one of Twisthink’s core values. Marissa Gagnon, Twisthink’s Team Resource Lead, said the company looks for people who are “hungry, humble, and smart,”

with “smart” encompassing everything from IQ to emotional intelligence. “Despite the tight job market, we take the time to follow our recruiting process and hire people that align with our purpose and our values,” she said. Twisthink’s open office environment has natural light, a top-notch sound system that plays music throughout the entire office and live plants to keep the team feeling energized. An outdoor deck serves as a warm weather alternative workspace and company gathering place. At Twisthink, the entire team huddles in the kitchen on Friday mornings to share highlights from the week and enjoy a breakfast snack brought in by one of their teammates. The company participates together in events outside of work, including bike rides, golf outings, a family picnic, hockey games and happy hours. During colder months, the team organizes “Souper Fridays,” inviting a local chef to cook fresh soup for lunch. Twisthink also values change, which is shown in its willingness to try new things. For example, last year, Twisthink tested two business prototypes. The first is allowing employees the choice to work outside of the

office once a week, giving them the opportunity to eliminate office distractions and spend more time with friends and family and less time commuting to and from the city. The second is giving everyone paid time off beginning at noon on Fridays during the summer months. Niemiec said he at first hesitated at giving employees summer Friday afternoons off but admitted seeing his employees’ happy faces as they headed out the door to enjoy the short Michigan summers “has been magical.” In addition to the team-building activities and perks for work-life balance, Twisthink offers employees a bi-annual bonus based on the performance of the company. Twisthink’s Team Director, Matt Shinew, explains his best type of day at Twisthink as team members celebrating the launch of a new product they’ve spent months working on. Shinew has been on the Twisthink team since the company was founded in 2001. He stayed for the innovation. “Our team completes over 150 projects a year for our clients; with that many projects, no two days are the same,” he said. “Everyone here has a real passion for helping our clients. When our clients win, we win!”

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COOL PLACES

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No. 55: Midland Tool & Supply Feels Like Home If your boss knows your hot dog order, you might work at Midland Tool & Supply. At the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s headquarters in Oak Park, it wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be unusual to see its president, Brian Boychuk, URDVWLQJ GRJV DQG Ä&#x201A;LSSLQJ burgers during a Friday extended lunch hour. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not a one-off novelty or a show for his staff; the way he sees it, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s entertaining family. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I like to make people feel at home,â&#x20AC;? Boychuk says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I consider the people I work with family. I love to barbecue and I love to entertain, so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s right up my alley to do it here at work as well.â&#x20AC;?

ALLY LOGISTICS

Ally Logistics employees show their catches after a company-sponsored fishing trip on Lake Michigan. See the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s profile on Page 18.

19. TowerPinkster

Kalamazoo Towerpinkster.com Bjorn Green, President and CEO JJArchitecture Ranking in 2018: 43 Michigan-based employees: 150 Millennial employees: 70 Male/female employee ratio: 60/40 Voluntary turnover: 2 percent Paid time off after one year: 23 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: No Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 4 Why TowerPinkster is cool: JJEmployees who work overtime hours can use the time for additional days off JJEmployees receive profit sharing each year JJThe company offers a wide range of voluntary benefits, including legal and pet insurance, identity theft protection and additional life insurance

20. OHM Advisors

Livonia Ohm-advisors.com John Hiltz, President JJArchitecture, Engineering and Planning Ranking in 2018: 11 U.S.-based employees: 445 Michigan-based employees: 310 Millennial employees: 46 Male/female employee ratio: 76/24 Voluntary turnover: 1 percent Paid time off after one year: 24 days Paid time off for community service: No Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 40 Why OHM Advisors is cool: JJEmployees may work from home full time (with permission from their managers) JJOnsite massages once a month JJPingpong table with annual tournaments

21. Member Driven Technologies

Farmington Hills Mdti.com Larry Nichols, President and CEO JJCredit Union Service Organization Ranking in 2018: 55 U.S.-based employees: 135 Michigan-based employees: 114 Millennial employees: 52 Male/female employee ratio: 56/44 Voluntary turnover: 1 percent Paid time off after one year: 29 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 9 Why Member Driven Technologies is cool: JJPays 100 percent of employeesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and dependentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; health and dental insurance premiums JJPTO for volunteer efforts JJOnsite quiet room, featuring deluxe zero gravity massage chairs

22. Warner Norcross + Judd

Grand Rapids Wnj.com Doug Dozeman, Managing Partner JJLegal Ranking in 2018: 18 Michigan-based employees: 404 Millennial employees: 98 Male/female employee ratio: 40/60 Voluntary turnover: 4 percent Paid time off after one year: 26 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: No Jobs to fill this year: 15 Why Warner Norcross + Judd is cool: JJWellness program provides coaches, onsite screenings and yoga free of charge JJFamily get-aways to the Great Wolf Lodge JJCompanywide mindfulness program

Staff barbecues are just one of the perks that made the tool and equipment supplier stand out in Crainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2019 Cool Places to Work survey. Midland Tool & Supply ranked 55th overall, earning praise for paying 100 percent of the health and dental insurance premiums for its 58 employees and their dependents, among other EHQHÄ WV 7KH FRPSDQ\ DOVR

provides free short- and longterm disability coverage, plus 401(k) contributions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every year at renewal we continue to give the best that we can for free,â&#x20AC;? Boychuk says. Other workplace features include endless snacks and breakfast items, frequent catered lunches, holiday meals, team-building events, volunteering days, and the freedom to use company trucks and equipment when needed.

explains. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When you get to a certain age, as far as Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not out meeting new friends. Where do you meet new people? The people you work with mostly. I love hearing that relationships and friendships are being built here at work.â&#x20AC;?

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No. 2: Walking the Talk, Keeping it Real at AIREA Creating cool workspaces is what AIREA does â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and its home is no exception.

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23. Northwestern Mutual — Troy

COOL PLACES TO WORK

Troy Troy.nm.com Brad Seitzinger, Managing Partner JJFinancial Services Ranking in 2018: 39 Michigan-based employees: 222 Millennial employees: 47 Male/female employee ratio: 60/40 Voluntary turnover: 2 percent Paid time off after one year: 30 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 20 Why Northwestern Mutual — Troy is cool: JJEmployees receive a day off annually to volunteer for charity JJVisiting therapy dogs JJPingpong Fridays

24. Signature Associates Southfield Signatureassociates.com Steve Gordon, President JJReal Estate Ranking in 2018: 21 U.S.-based employees: 134 Michigan-based employees: 113 Millennial employees: 24 Male/female employee ratio: 53/47 Voluntary turnover: 7 percent Paid time off after one year: 32 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 5 Why Signature Associates is cool: JJEmployees receive PTO for volunteering JJ16+ days off per year for holidays, along with full days or half days off on Fridays JJUnlimited daily snacks, bagels, fruit and beverages

25. Atwell LLC

C R A I N ’ S D E T R O I T B U S I N E S S // A U G U S T 5 , 2 0 1 9

Southfield Atwell-group.com Brian Wenzel, PE, President and CEO JJEngineering Ranking in 2018: 50 U.S.-based employees: 446 Michigan-based employees: 122 Millennial employees: 54 Male/female employee ratio: 70/30 Voluntary turnover: 9 percent Paid time off after one year: 28 Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 125 Why Atwell is cool: JJEmployees are recognized with gift cards, travel vouchers and payroll bonuses JJBi-weekly beverage and snack cart on Fridays JJEmployees can earn up to $5,000 for candidate referrals

NFP

An employee team from NFP successfully escaped a room during a Team Member Appreciation Week event at Escape The Room Royal Oak.

26. NFP

Royal Oak Cambridge-cg.com Daniel Cornwell, Managing Director JJInsurance (Non-health care) Ranking in 2018: 33 Michigan-based employees: 52 Millennial employees: 28 Male/female employee ratio: 46/54 Voluntary turnover: 6 percent Paid time off after one year: Unlimited Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: No Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 3 Why NFP is cool: JJOnsite happy hours, as well as pingpong, shuffle board and bubble hockey tables JJMonthly onsite masseuse JJTeam Member Appreciation Week: An annual, week-long program features gifts, team building events and stress-relief programs

27. Ambassador Software

Royal Oak Getambassador.com Chase Lee, CTO JJAdvertising/PR/Marketing Ranking in 2018: 52 U.S.-based employees: 35 Michigan-based employees: 27 Millennial employees: 26 Male/female employee ratio: 43/57 Voluntary turnover: 11 percent Paid time off after one year: 35 days Paid time off for community service: No Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 5 Why Ambassador Software is cool: JJEmployees can work from home during different life stages (starting a family, etc.) JJSummer Fridays allow employees to start their weekends early JJAmbassabuddy program pairs new hires with more seasoned employees outside of their business unit

28. Skidmore Studio

Detroit Skidmorestudio.com Andrew Patrick, CEO JJAdvertising/PR/Marketing Ranking in 2018: 6 Michigan-based employees: 16 Millennial employees: 10 Male/female employee ratio: 33/67 Voluntary turnover: 6 percent Paid time off after one year: 28 days Paid time off for community service: No Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 2 Why Skidmore Studio is cool: JJEmployees make meals together and play board games as a group during lunch JJEmployees’ schedules accommodate personal priorities JJEmployees spin a giant wheel for various prizes, including $1,000

29. Sachse Construction LLC Detroit Sachseconstruction.com Todd Sachse, CEO JJConstruction Ranking in 2018: 16 Michigan-based employees: 171 Millennial employees: 74 Male/female employee ratio: 69/31 Voluntary turnover: 14 percent Paid time off after one year: Unlimited Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 15 Why Sachse Construction is cool: JJFour-week paid sabbaticals after 10 years of service JJHappy hour, community, family and volunteer events year-round JJA team member lounge features pingpong and foosball tables, a slushy machine and a fully stocked bar

Preh employees volunteer for the Michigan Humane Society.

PREH INC.

30. Gateway Financial Solutions

32. BlueWillow Biologics

31. DaySmart Software

33. Allied PhotoChemical Inc.

Saginaw Gatewayfinancial.org Kristin Karwat, President and CEO JJFinancial Services Michigan-based employees: 182 Millennial employees: 109 Male/female employee ratio: 30/70 Voluntary turnover: 30 percent Paid time off after one year: 12 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: No Jobs to fill this year: 27 Why Gateway Financial Solutions is cool: JJAll employees have their birthdays off JJDiscounts on vehicles JJTop performers receive all expenses paid vacations Ann Arbor Daysmart.com Jeff Dickerson, CEO JJTechnology Michigan-based employees: 87 Millennial employees: 81 Male/female employee ratio: 60/40 Voluntary turnover: 2 percent Paid time off after one year: 29 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: No Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 12 Why DaySmart Software is cool: JJOffsite Summer Bash at amusement parks, baseball games, etc. JJAll employees have their birthdays off JJAmple, generous sales incentives

Ann Arbor Bluewillow.com Dave Peralta, CEO JJLife Science/Biotechnology Michigan-based employees: 15 Millennial employees: 3 Male/female employee ratio: 40/60 Voluntary turnover: 13 percent Paid time off after one year: 32 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: No Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 2 Why BlueWillow Biologics is cool: JJStock options for all employees JJTailgates and summer barbecues JJMonthly “all-hands” meetings in which the CEO updates staff on the company’s financial status and operations

Macomb Alliedphotochemical.com Dan Sweetwood, CEO and President JJTechnology Michigan-based employees: 18 Millennial employees: 16 Male/female employee ratio: 88/12 Voluntary turnover: 6 percent Paid time off after one year: 14 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 1 Why Allied PhotoChemical is cool: JJPays 100 percent of employees’ and dependents’ health, dental and vision insurance premiums JJCasual dress JJEmployees regularly eat lunch together; some eat with each other daily

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42. Kapnick Insurance Group

COMMUNITY HOUSING NETWORK

BLUE CHIP TALENT

Management at Community Housing Network surprises the staff with a visit from a Kona Ice truck during a hot summer week. See the company’s profile on Page 19.

Blue Chip Talent team members at the company’s 2018 Woodward Dream Cruise family event. See the company’s profile on Page 18.

34. JB Ashtin

38. X by 2

Plymouth Jbashtin.com Joni Bradley, PharmD, CEO and President JJLife Science/Biotechnology Michigan-based employees: 17 Millennial employees: 10 Male/female employee ratio: 24/76 Voluntary turnover: 22 percent Paid time off after one year: 25 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: No Jobs to fill this year: 2 Why JB Ashtin is cool: JJEmployees can work from home on Fridays JJEmployees take time off a few times a year to give back to the community JJA relaxation room features low lighting, comfortable seating, a yoga mat and an iPad for music/meditation

35. SMZ

Troy Smz.com Jamie Michelson, President and CEO JJAdvertising/PR/Marketing Michigan-based employees: 45 Millennial employees: 12 Male/female employee ratio: 40/60 Voluntary turnover: 8 percent Paid time off after one year: 33 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: No Flex time options: No Jobs to fill this year: 4 Why SMZ is cool: JJAn employee can bring a pet to work every Friday JJIce cream truck every Wednesday during the summer JJContinued coaching in personal development (analytics, digital literacy, presentation skills, technical learning and writing)

36. Xenith

Detroit Xenith.com Ryan Sullivan, CEO JJManufacturing Michigan-based employees: 107 Millennial employees: 68 Male/female employee ratio: 69/31 Voluntary turnover: 10 percent Paid time off after one year: 32 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: No Jobs to fill this year: 10 Why Xenith is cool: JJMobile meditation truck JJFree wellness classes, including yoga and high-intensity interval training JJOpportunity to attend football bowl games (World Bowl, Under Armour Bowl, etc.)

37. NBS Commercial Interiors

Troy Yournbs.com Richard Schwabauer, President JJCommercial Interiors Ranking in 2018: 8 U.S.-based employees: 177 Michigan-based employees: 167 Millennial employees: 60 Male/female employee ratio: 59/41 Voluntary turnover: 4 percent Paid time off after one year: 24 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 6 Why NBS Commercial Interiors is cool: JJAll-expense paid trip to Walt Disney World for behind-the-scenes tour and training JJCafe with fireplace and free Starbucks coffee JJOpen door policy

Farmington Hills Xby2.com David Packer, President JJConsulting Michigan-based employees: 37 Millennial employees: 25 Male/female employee ratio: 83/17 Voluntary turnover: 12 percent Paid time off after one year: 27 days Paid time off for community service: No Telecommuting options: No Flex time options: No Jobs to fill this year: 6 Why X by 2 is cool: JJThe first $200 spent on professional dress clothes is reimbursed 100 percent JJ50 percent of wellness-related expenses are reimbursed JJTraveling employees earn points for each overnight stay, which is redeemable for cash or additional days off

39. Lormax Stern Development Company

Bloomfield Hills Lormaxstern.com Daniel Stern, Partner and Principal JJReal Estate Ranking in 2018: 40 Michigan-based employees: 33 Millennial employees: 9 Male/female employee ratio: 46/54 Voluntary turnover: 1 percent Paid time off after one year: 25 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 3 Why Lormax Stern Development Company is cool: JJPet friendly JJThe office closes at 3 p.m. every Friday JJSummer ice cream cart

40. Citizens National Bank

Cheboygan Cnbismybank.com Matthew E. Keene, President and CEO JJBanking Michigan-based employees: 71 Millennial employees: 31 Male/female employee ratio: 20/80 Voluntary turnover: 16 percent Paid time off after one year: 25 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: No Jobs to fill this year: 2 Why Citizens National Bank is cool: JJAnnual WinterFest event for employees’ families JJ401(k) company match of 5 percent JJAnnual per employee stipend (spent on employees by their managers) for special outings, lunches, etc.

41. Stout

Chicago Stout.com Craige Stout, CEO (Based in Chicago) Cory Thompson, Office Managing Director (Based in Royal Oak) JJFinancial Services U.S.-based employees: 421 Michigan-based employees: 77 Millennial employees: 45 Male/female employee ratio: 63/37 Voluntary turnover: 13 percent Paid time off after one year: 26 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 50 Why Stout is cool: JJPaid sabbatical after seven years at the firm JJDiscretionary time off for salaried employees and option to work from home JJEmployees receive online recognition badges, which are posted on the firm’s webpage for all employees to see

Adrian Kapnick.com Jim Kapnick, CEO JJInsurance (Non-health care) Ranking in 2018: 26 Michigan-based employees: 167 Millennial employees: 59 Male/female employee ratio: 31/69 Voluntary turnover: 10 percent Paid time off after one year: 26 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: No Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 10 Why Kapnick Insurance Group is cool: JJOnce a month, the owners take employees out to lunch JJPTO to volunteer with any organization that employees choose JJEmployees earn points toward prizes like gift cards, jeans days and additional PTO, via Kapnick Klinko

43. Preh Inc.

Novi Preh.com Nick Lontscharitsch, President JJEngineering Ranking in 2018: 70 Michigan-based employees: 69 Millennial employees: 32 Male/female employee ratio: 77/23 Voluntary turnover: 11 percent Paid time off after one year: 35 days Paid time off for community service: No Telecommuting options: No Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 3 Why Preh is cool: JJPays 100 percent of employees’ and dependents’ health, dental and vision insurance premiums JJSummertime company grill-outs JJFoosball table and competitions

44. Mid-America Real Estate-Michigan Inc.

Bloomfield Hills Midamericagrp.com Daniel Stern, Principal JJReal Estate U.S.-based employees: 273 Michigan-based employees: 32 Millennial employees: 9 Male/female employee ratio: 50/50 Voluntary turnover: 9 percent Paid time off after one year: 27 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: No Flex time options: No Jobs to fill this year: 2 Why Mid-America Real Estate – Michigan is cool: JJForgiving time-off policy JJPool table and popcorn machine JJBarbecue Fridays

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45. imageOne

COOL PLACES TO WORK

Oak Park Imageoneway.com Rob Dube, President JJTechnology Services Ranking in 2018: 41 Michigan-based employees: 65 Millennial employees: 29 Male/female employee ratio: 62/38 Voluntary turnover: 5 percent Paid time off after one year: 24 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 3 Why imageOne is cool: JJTeam members receive a paid day annually to contribute to their community JJTraveling meditation truck offers 10-minute meditation sessions JJTo celebrate special achievements, company leaders consistently record personal video messages for employees

46. Dataspeed Inc.

Rochester Hills Dataspeedinc.com Paul Fleck, CEO and Founder JJEngineering Michigan-based employees: 28 Millennial employees: 18 Male/female employee

Percentage of Cool Places to Work that provide any fitness and/ or wellness programs or practices within the workplace 48. Ally Logistics

HRPro/BenePro employees gather for the annual family company picnic. See the company’s profile on Page 12. ratio: 68/32 Voluntary turnover: 3 percent Paid time off after one year: 37 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: No Jobs to fill this year: 6 Why Dataspeed is cool: JJOffers employees assistance toward degrees directly related to their work JJHalf-day Fridays from Memorial Day to Labor Day JJRelaxed dress code

47. Blue Chip Talent

Bloomfield Hills Bctalent.com Nicole Pawczuk, CEO JJStaffing Ranking in 2018: 19 Michigan-based employees: 41 Millennial employees: 26 Male/female employee ratio: 54/46 Voluntary turnover: 8 percent Paid time off after one year: 29 days Paid time off for community service: Yes

HR BENEPRO

Telecommuting options: No Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 7 Why Blue Chip Talent is cool: JJCommercial-free Pandora music is played over the office’s speakers all day long JJIf employees reach their weekly goals, they can leave at 3:30 p.m. on Fridays JJThe company helps employees accommodate home and community commitments

Grand Rapids Allylogistics.com Dan Manshaem, CEO JJTransportation Michigan-based employees: 45 Millennial employees: 41 Male/female employee ratio: 78/22 Voluntary turnover: 0 percent Paid time off after one year: 22 days Paid time off for community service: No Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 10 Why Ally Logistics is cool: JJCasual dress JJEmployees can work from home, work different shifts and travel for work JJArcade style basketball hoops and golf driving nets in the office

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No. 89: Miller Vein’s Close-Knit, Responsive Culture Nick Fenzan was working in the drive-thru lane at McDonald’s when he was recruited by Miller Vein. A group of nurses from the Detroit-area varicose vein treatment center picked up on Fenzan’s standout customer service skills when they stopped at McDonald’s for lunch. They developed a rapport and soon he was invited to apply for a job at Miller Vein’s then newly-opened 7UR\ RIāFH

For example, Miller Vein recently transitioned to a four-day work week after one team reported its success with the practice.

Operations director Melissa Gula, who started at Miller Vein as an ultrasound technician, says the staff also appreciates 100 percent-paid

“ We’ve kind of found our happy place.”

“I was part of the original crew DW WKH 7UR\ RIāFH DQG ZRUNHG DV D medical technician there for about a year,” Fenzan explains.

Fenzan agrees. “I think we’re at another high point in the company’s history,” he says. “Everybody here feels very engaged.”

When the company needed to revamp its medical records program, Fenzan stepped in and implemented a new system. Today he serves as director of IT for the 54-employee-strong company. “Miller Vein recognizes your talent and takes advantage of it,” KH VD\V Ü,WÚV D PXWXDOO\ EHQHāFLDO relationship.” Fenzan’s experience of having multiple career opportunities isn’t unique at Miller Vein; that’s just one reason the company recently ranked 89th on Crain’s 2019 Cool Places to Work in Michigan survey. Another reason, Fenzan says, is the company takes employees’ input to heart.

are genuinely a nice group of people who enjoy what we do and enjoy taking care of our patients. It makes it easy to go to work because we know we’re going to have a good day,” she says. “We’ve kind of found our happy place.” Some days, she says, “we laugh until we cry.”

Ü:H āJXUHG RXW ZH FRXOG GR PRUH appointments by doing four 10-hour shifts and the staff was happy to get four-day weekends every other week. It turned out to be a win-win-win: good for the company, staff and patients alike,” Fenzan says, adding that quarterly company-wide meetings ensure there’s “an opportunity for everyone’s voice to be heard.”

health insurance, paid time off between Christmas and New Year’s Day, retirement contributions, time off to volunteer and an emphasis on work-life balance. Perks like frequent lunches “out of the blue” from Dr. Jeffrey Miller, holiday parties and a family-like atmosphere are popular with staff as well. “It really is a homey atmosphere. We

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71%

49. Etkin

Royal Oak Etkinllc.com Curtis Burstein, CEO JJReal Estate Ranking in 2018: 79 Michigan employees: 55 Millennial employees: 17 Male/female employee ratio: 65/35 Voluntary turnover: 7 percent Paid time off after one year: 28 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 4 Why Etkin is cool: JJOpportunities to work from home JJFour-week paid sabbaticals every 5 years JJHalf-day Fridays in the summer

50. EDSI

Dearborn Edsisolutions.com Kevin Schnieders, CEO JJWorkforce Development and Consulting Ranking in 2018: 37 U.S.-based employees: 680 Michigan-based employees: 59 Millennial employees: 20 Male/female employee ratio: 36/64

Percentage of Cool Places to Work that offer fully or partially paid parental leave for the birth or adoption of a child 52. Community Housing Network

Greenleaf Trust employees give their company a thumbs up. See the company’s profile on Page 12. Voluntary turnover: 8 percent Paid time off after one year: 34 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 5 Why EDSI is cool: JJEmployees can spend up to 20 percent of their work hours offsite JJMeditation space for individual or guided meditation JJGrowth opportunities include career sculpting, mentoring and functional improvement teams

(teams work on issues for the company and present solutions to leadership)

51. Brightwing

Troy Gobrightwing.com Aaron Chernow, CEO JJStaffing Ranking in 2018: 58 U.S.-based employees: 49 Michigan-based employees: 44 Millennial employees: 15 Male/female employee ratio: 45/55

GREENLEAF TRUST

Voluntary turnover: 11 percent Paid time off after one year: 15 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: No Jobs to fill this year: 9 Why Brightwing is cool: JJFoosball and bubble hockey tables JJNew employee, companywide welcome luncheons JJYoga and Pilates classes offered on Mondays and Thursdays

Troy Communityhousingnetwork.org Mark Craig, President JJNonprofit Health and Human Services Ranking in 2018: 30 Michigan-based employees: 90 Millennial employees: 35 Male/female employee ratio: 15/85 Voluntary turnover: 2 percent Paid time off after one year: 13 days Paid time off for community service: No Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 4 Why Community Housing Network is cool: JJOffices are closed on the days that local school districts are closed for snow JJAnnual team building retreat JJPrivacy room with a massage chair

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No. 97

BCB Cros

When work makes a difference For the 92 employees at The Senior Alliance, nature calls. The Wayne-based nonprofit is situated on a 33-acre campus that's more like a nature preserve than an office, with a pond, miles of walking trails and plenty of outdoor gathering space. The organization, dedicated to improving the lives of seniors, ranked among the Cool Places to Work in Michigan for 2019. The natural workplace environment is only one component of what makes it a great workplace. "It's like a family; everyone cares about everyone else," said Tamara Kiger, The Senior Alliance CEO. The organization offers its employees a flexible work schedule and fully paid medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance plans and a generous retirement plan. An employee-led workplace Fun Committee plans social events; an employee-led Service Committee helps employees give back to causes in addition to the organization's own. "If you ever dream about being involved in something bigger than yourself, get involved in a nonprofit," Kiger said. "You're making a difference in people's lives every day."

Employees at The Senior Alliance take a break inside the offices in a spacious employee lounge or outside on a park bench. After work, employees of the nonprofit help honor volunteers with events like a recent ice cream social.

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COOL PLACES 57. Dobrusin Law Firm

Pontiac Patentco.com Eric Dobrusin, Founding Shareholder JJLegal Michigan-based employees: 28 Millennial employees: 8 Male/female employee ratio: 32/68 Voluntary turnover: 3 percent Paid time off after one year: 24 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Why Dobrusin Law Firm is cool: JJCasual working environment JJAccess to professional business coaching JJAbility to work remotely

BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF MICHIGAN

BCBSM employees Kim Mendez and Cle Jackson enjoying themselves at the Blue Cross Walk at Lunch Day festivities. See the company profile on Page 25.

53. Lowry Solutions

Brighton Lowrysolutions.com Michael Lowry, President and CEO JJTechnology U.S.-based employees: 90 Michigan-based employees: 60 Millennial employees: 12 Male/female employee ratio: 50/50 Voluntary turnover: 8 percent Paid time off after one year: 23 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: No Jobs to fill this year: 8 Why Lowry Solutions is cool: JJState-of-the-art, onsite fitness facility with locker rooms and a pingpong table JJAbility to work from home on occasion JJJeans for Charity Friday: Provides employees a break from day-to-day business dress, while also recognizing and supporting local charities

54. Dewpoint Inc.

Lansing Dewpoint.com Kenneth Theis, CEO JJTechnology Ranking in 2018: 82 Michigan-based employees: 278 Millennial employees: 77 Male/female employee ratio: 69/31 Voluntary turnover: 2 percent Paid time off after one year: 29 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: No Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 16 Why Dewpoint is cool: JJFrequent social events JJEmerging Leaders program fosters employees’ leadership skills JJEach employee receives $150 annually to designate to a charity of their choice, along with four hours of paid volunteer time

55. Midland Tool & Supply

Oak Park Midlandtool.com Brian Boychuk, President JJDistribution Ranking in 2018: 45 U.S.-based employees: 58 Michigan-based employees: 56 Millennial employees: 18 Male/female employee ratio: 83/17 Voluntary turnover: 3 percent Paid time off after one year: 14 days Paid time off for community service: No Telecommuting options: No Flex time options: No Jobs to fill this year: 10 Why Midland Tool & Supply is cool: JJPays 100 percent of employees’ and dependents’ health and dental insurance premiums JJCasual, family friendly atmosphere JJEmployees can buy the warehouse’s tools and equipment at the company’s purchase cost

56. Coretek Services

Farmington Hills Coretek.com Ron Lisch, President and CEO JJTechnology Michigan-based employees: 96 Millennial employees: 37 Male/female employee ratio: 79/21 Voluntary turnover: 5 percent Paid time off after one year: 25 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 15-20 Why Coretek Services is cool: JJCoretek Event Center offers games like pingpong, shuffleboard and pool JJHappy hour at 3:30 p.m. on Fridays JJEmployees (and their families) can participate in a one-day goalsetting seminar with one of the industry’s top leadership coaches

58. Capital Mortgage Funding Powered by Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp.

Southfield Lowrateonline.com Harry Glanz, President and Cofounder JJMortgage Banking Ranking in 2018: 31 Michigan-based employees: 53 Millennial employees: 10 Male/female employee ratio: 50/50 Voluntary turnover: 1 percent Paid time off after one year: 17 days Paid time off for community service: No Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: No Jobs to fill this year: 10 Why Capital Mortgage Funding is cool: JJDog friendly office JJMonthly meetings with the CEO JJAnnual tailgates and birthday and holiday parties are companywide events

59. Stuart Mechanical

Auburn Hills Stuart-mechanical.com Ray Barnowske, COO JJHVAC Ranking in 2018: 42 Michigan-based employees: 31 Millennial employees: 7 Male/female employee ratio: 87/13 Voluntary turnover: 17 percent Paid time off after one year: 26 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: No Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 1 Why Stuart Mechanical is cool: JJFour-week sabbatical after 10 years of service JJWellness initiatives include gym membership subsidies and chair massages JJHappy hour, community, family and volunteer events year-round

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60. DP+

COOL PLACES TO WORK

Farmington Hills Dpplus.com Mark Petrosky, CEO JJAdvertising/PR/Marketing Ranking in 2018: 51 Michigan-based employees: 78 Millennial employees: 40 Male/female employee ratio: 44/56 Voluntary turnover: 19 percent Paid time off after one year: 28 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 4 Why DP+ is cool: JJTiki Bar Fridays at the office JJFree financial planning services JJEach month an employee is recognized for extraordinary performance with a $100 gift card and a prime parking spot

61. Twisthink

Holland Twisthink.com Robert Niemiec, Managing Partner JJEngineering and Design Services Ranking in 2018: 69 Michigan-based employees: 34 Millennial employees: 22 Male/female employee ratio: 79/21 Voluntary turnover: 3 percent Paid time off after one year: 22 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 3 Why Twisthink is cool: JJDuring the summer, employees can leave the office at noon on Fridays JJOffers flexible work hours up to once per week JJProvides a 1-to-1 mentorship program so employees can meet with leaders and review performance goals

62. Arrow Strategies LLC

Southfield Arrowstrategies.com Jeff Styers, President and CEO JJStaffing Ranking in 2018: 35 U.S.-based employees: 51 Michigan-based employees: 47 Millennial employees: 28 Male/female employee ratio: 44/56 Voluntary turnover: 30 percent Paid time off after one year: 10 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 5 Why Arrow Strategies is cool: JJCasual dress policy JJOnsite game room JJFree, onsite massages every Friday

OXFORD COMPANIES

FARBMAN GROUP

Oxford employees can receive tickets to every home University of Michigan football and basketball game. Tailgating spaces are provided.

Farbman Group, based in Southfield, was also selected as a Cool Place to Work in 2018.

63. Taubman

67. Wambatech Inc.

Bloomfield Hills Taubman.com Robert S. Taubman, President and CEO JJReal Estate U.S.-based employees: 357 Michigan-based employees: 205 Millennial employees: 60 Male/female employee ratio: 42/58 Voluntary turnover: 8 percent Paid time off after one year: Unlimited Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 25 Why Taubman is cool: JJOnsite Plum Market with subsidized meals JJSelf-managed time off JJOnsite, full-service fitness center, featuring free classes like Barre, yoga and Bootcamp

64. Cinnaire

Lansing Cinnaire.com Mark McDaniel, CEO JJNonprofit Ranking in 2018: 49 U.S.-based employees: 95 Michigan-based employees: 69 Millennial employees: 27 Male/female employee ratio: 51/49 Voluntary turnover: 3 percent Paid time off after one year: Unlimited Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: No Flex time options: No Jobs to fill this year: 7 Why Cinnaire is cool: JJCompany-paid wireless services, AAA basic membership dues and gym/health club dues JJEmployee-developed and funded scholarship/donation program JJMonthly staff giveaways include suite tickets to local sporting events and airfare and hotel to out-of-state locations

65. Oxford Companies

Ann Arbor Oxfordcompanies.com Jeff Hauptman, CEO JJReal Estate Michigan-based employees: 92 Millennial employees: 25 Male/female employee ratio: 64/36 Voluntary turnover: 32 percent Paid time off after one year: 19 days Paid time off for community service: No Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 10 Why Oxford Companies is cool: JJMonthly visits by a licensed massage therapist JJWeekly personal trainer/certified nutritionist sessions onsite JJThrough the company’s Employee Share Program, every employee becomes an investor in its commercial real estate portfolio

66. AccumTech

Grand Rapids Accumtech.com Patrick Coleman, President JJHealth Care Insurance/Services Michigan-based employees: 17 Millennial employees: 15 Male/female employee ratio: 88/12 Voluntary turnover: 0 percent Paid time off after one year: 30 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: No Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 7 Why AccumTech is cool: JJRotating internal competitions for perks like cash prizes and gift cards JJFrequent offsite activities for employees to relax, socialize and volunteer JJAll employees work a nine-day schedule in alternating weeks so that they’re off every other Friday

Royal Oak Wambatech.com Nathaniel Plane, CEO JJTechnology Ranking in 2018: 81 Michigan-based employees: 21 Millennial employees: 9 Male/female employee ratio: 67/33 Voluntary turnover: 4 percent Paid time off after one year: 37 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 5 Why Wambatech is cool: JJPays 100 percent of employees’ and dependents’ health and dental insurance premiums JJHalf-day Fridays from Memorial Day to Labor Day JJPaid vacations for employees and “plus ones”

68. Spalding DeDecker

Rochester Hills Sda-eng.com Steve Benedettini, President and CFO JJEngineering Ranking in 2018: 60 Michigan-based employees: 83 Millennial employees: 28 Male/female employee ratio: 90/10 Voluntary turnover: 8 percent Paid time off after one year: 24 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 8 Why Spalding DeDecker is cool: JJCompany-sponsored lunch and learn sessions and after-work gatherings JJ100 percent employee-owned JJTuition reimbursement

69. Farbman Group

Southfield Farbman.com Andy Gutman, President JJReal Estate Ranking in 2018: 91 Michigan-based employees: 101 Millennial employees: 26 Male/female employee ratio: 45/55 Voluntary turnover: 20 percent Paid time off after one year: 25 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 10 Why Farbman Group is cool: JJOnsite chair massages JJHalf-day Fridays during the summer JJPersonal and professional growth through Farbman University

70. O’Brien Construction Company Inc. Troy Obriencc.com Timothy W. O’Brien, President JJConstruction Michigan-based employees: 54 Millennial employees: 24 Male/female employee ratio: 80/20 Voluntary turnover: 5 percent Paid time off after one year: 20 days Paid time off for community service: No Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 5 Why O’Brien Construction Company is cool: JJEmployees receive four paid half-day Fridays from June to September JJIn-house fitness room JJEmployee picnics and barbecues are held monthly in the summer

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71. MRPR CPAs & Advisors

Southfield Mrpr.com Angie Mastroionni, Managing Principal JJAccounting Ranking in 2018: 78 Michigan-based employees: 49 Millennial employees: 17 Male/female employee ratio: 49/51 Voluntary turnover: 12 percent Paid time off after one year: 30 days Paid time off for community service: No Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 5-8 Why MRPR CPAs & Advisors is cool: JJFlexible dress policy includes option to wear jeans any day of the week JJContinuous career development conversations and plans of action JJEmployees are exposed to a range of businesses and industries, regarding tax, audit and business advisory

72. Renewal by Andersen Livonia Renewalbyandersen.com Brandon Attard, General Manager JJConstruction Ranking in 2018: 17 U.S.-based employees: 1,245 Michigan-based employees: 72 Millennial employees: 26 Male/female employee ratio: 75/25 Voluntary turnover: 3 percent Paid time off after one year: 31 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: No Flex time options: No Jobs to fill this year: 10 Why Renewal by Andersen is cool: JJTuition reimbursement JJCatered lunches on Tuesdays JJMultiple volunteering opportunities are organized by the company

73. SME

Plymouth Sme-usa.com Mark Kramer, Chairman and CEO JJEngineering Ranking in 2018: 67 U.S.-based employees: 298 Michigan-based employees: 250 Millennial employees: 116 Male/female employee ratio: 78/22 Voluntary turnover: 5 percent Paid time off after one year: 27 days Paid time off for community service: No Telecommuting options: No Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 15 Why SME is cool: JJPays 100 percent of employees’ and dependents’ health insurance premiums JJEmployee-owned and family run JJTwo-day-long companywide professional development conference includes a community service project

74. Fieldstone Architecture and Engineering

RENEWAL BY ANDERSEN

Renewal by Andersen employees donate to the local Gleaners Food Bank.

Auburn Hills Fieldstoneae.com Ryan Rasmussen, CEO and Founder JJArchitecture Michigan-based employees: 94 Millennial employees: 36 Male/female employee ratio: 64/36 Voluntary turnover: 7 percent Paid time off after one year: 23 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes

71%

Percentage of Cool Places to Work that offer telecommuting options to employees Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 6 Why Fieldstone Architecture and Engineering is cool: JJSemi-monthly game night JJMonthly beer cart Fridays JJEmployees are awarded annually for fulfilling the company’s core values

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relyontrion.com H R A d m i n i s t r a t i o n | P a y r o l l & Ta x e s | W o r k e r s ’ C o m p e n s a t i o n Benefits Administration | Regulatory Compliance

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No. 94: Employees Take Off at Pentastar The thrill of aviation attracts them, but thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not what keeps Pentastar Aviationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 250 employees so happy. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no doubt about it: working with and around aircraft is fun. Based at Oakland County International Airport in Waterford and owned by Edsel B. Ford II, you QHYHU NQRZ ZKR PLJKW Ä&#x201A;\ in next â&#x20AC;&#x201D; it just might be Air Force Two. But employees at the business aviation services company say itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the atmosphere of mutual respect and recognition that they appreciate even more than the planes. Their input led to Pentastarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recognition as one of Crainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cool Places to Work in Michigan IRU LWV Ä UVW WLPH RQ WKH OLVW where it is ranked 94th overall. ,WĂ&#x161;V D SRLQW RI SULGH WKDW UHDIÄ UPV the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s core values, says CEO Greg Schmidt. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We take safety and customer satisfaction very seriously, but we try not to take ourselves too

seriously,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have a culture that tries to break down any barriers and reporting structures that donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t promote open communication and collaboration, so people get to do what they love doing.â&#x20AC;? Ideas are embraced, managers are empowered to spontaneously reward employees with gift cards and a peer-to-peer recognition program lets everyone give credit where itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s due. Pentastar also offers a generous paid time off policy, paid maternity and paternity leave, frequent employee events, including a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bring Your Parents to Work Dayâ&#x20AC;? (pictured above) and a Honey Baked Ham gift card for all employees each Thanksgiving.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have so many people who have been here 25, 30 or even 35 years and all they know, live and breathe is aviation. The tools we get to work with are cool in and of themselves, and I think one of the things weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re good at is rewarding and recognizing our employees as often as we can,â&#x20AC;? Schmidt says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We try to be the complete package: a great place to earn a great wage, a place with a good culture, good standing in the community and good contributors to the community. We try to be all of that, and I think most days we do a pretty darn good job of it.â&#x20AC;? SPONSORED BY:

*(FBO) Fixed Base Operation surveys from Aviation International News (AIN) and ProPilot magazine, two of the most respected publications in the aviation industry.

MPRO

MPRO employees at a Michigan State University vs. University of Michigan party.

The

75. MPRO

Farmington Hills Mpro.org Leland Babitch, MD, MBA, President and CEO JJNonprofit Health and Human Services Ranking in 2018: 57 Michigan-based employees: 46 Millennial employees: 15 Male/female employee ratio: 22/78 Voluntary turnover: 11 percent Paid time off after one year: Unlimited Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 4 Why MPRO is cool: JJCasual dress code every day JJEmployees can bring their dogs to work on Fridays JJOption to work remotely when necessary

76. Phoenix Innovate

Troy Phoenixinnovate.com Kirk Vercnocke, CEO JJAdvertising/PR/Marketing Ranking in 2018: 22 Michigan-based employees: 43 Millennial employees: 5 Male/female employee ratio: 71/29 Voluntary turnover: 0 percent Paid time off after one year: 14 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 2 Why Phoenix Innovate is cool: JJEmployees get PTO to work at their favorite nonprofit JJEight-10 commemorative days annually, such as Earth Day and Star Wars Day JJEvery employee receives $400 to spend on apparel upon being hired â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and an additional $100 every quarter afterwards

77. Total Quality Logistics

Cincinnati Tql.com Ken Oaks, CEO (Based in Cincinnati) Kyle Hoogewind, Group Sales Manager (Based in Grand Rapids) JJTransportation Ranking in 2018: 66 U.S.-based employees: 5,500 Michigan-based employees: 92 Millennial employees: 82 Male/female employee ratio: 89/11 Paid time off after one year: 25 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: No Jobs to fill this year: 65 Why Total Quality Logistics is cool: JJIntramural sports programs include co-ed softball and basketball teams JJ5-month training program ensures new employeesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; professional success JJPingpong table at every location; some offices also have pop-a-shot machines, corn hole boards, putting greens and basketball courts

78. Clarity Voice

Southfield Clarityvoice.com Gary Goerke, CEO JJTelecommunications Ranking in 2018: 34 Michigan-based employees: 38 Millennial employees: 15 Male/female employee ratio: 50/50 Voluntary turnover: 5 percent Paid time off after one year: 29 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 8 Why Clarity Voice is cool: JJGame breaks (like giant Jenga) and random parties (such as a chili cookoff) JJSummertime ice cream breaks JJMentorship program helps high-potential employees develop

Det Mor Chr JJC Ran Mic Mill Mal rati Volu Paid one Paid serv Tele Flex Job Wh is c JJW med deliv JJFo year JJS fam year

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COOL PLACES TO WORK

87. Work Skills Corp.

PHOENIX INNOVATE

The Phoenix Innovate Garden Committee shows off its summer harvest.

79. Morrey’s Contracting

81. Trion Solutions Inc.

Detroit Morreyscontracting.com Chris Gould, Vice President JJConstruction Ranking in 2018: 27 Michigan-based employees: 26 Millennial employees: 15 Male/female employee ratio: 96/4 Voluntary turnover: 24 percent Paid time off after one year: 26 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: No Flex time options: No Jobs to fill this year: 5 Why Morrey’s Contracting is cool: JJWellness initiatives include meditation and weekly fresh fruit delivery JJFour-week sabbatical after 10 years of service JJSocial: Happy hour, community, family and volunteer events year-round

Bloomfield Hills Trionworks.com Bonner Upshaw III, CEO and Co-founder JJProfessional Employer Organization U.S.-based employees: 115 Michigan-based employees: 87 Millennial employees: 23 Male/female employee ratio: 22/78 Voluntary turnover: 2 percent Paid time off after one year: 17 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: No Jobs to fill this year: 10 Why Trion Solutions is cool: JJFree 20-minute massages weekly JJWellness and get fit programs offered year-round JJTickets at Work: Discount ticket program for various amusement parks, concerts and sporting events

80. Shift Digital

Bloomfield Hills Plunkettcooney.com Thomas Vincent, President and CEO JJLegal U.S.-based employees: 268 Michigan-based employees: 245 Millennial employees: 61 Male/female employee ratio: 36/64 Voluntary turnover: 3 percent Paid time off after one year: 30 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: No Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 14 Why Plunkett Cooney is cool: JJOnsite massages JJEmployees write personal notes of appreciation for one another JJWell-being program offers monthly challenges, social events, education sessions and surprise activities

Birmingham Shiftdigital.com Steve St. Andre, CEO JJTechnology U.S.-based employees: 481 Michigan-based employees: 443 Millennial employees: 368 Male/female employee ratio: 55/45 Voluntary turnover: 16 percent Paid time off after one year: 25 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: No Jobs to fill this year: 75 Why Shift Digital is cool: JJFree gym membership JJAnnual summer kickball tournament JJEmployees may work from home up to 3 days per month (if permitted by their managers)

82. Plunkett Cooney PC

Trion Solutions employees attend a Detroit Tigers baseball game.

83. Aristeo Construction Company

Livonia Aristeo.com Michelle Aristeo Barton, President JJConstruction Michigan-based employees: 336 Millennial employees: 236 Male/female employee ratio: 77/23 Voluntary turnover: 12 percent Paid time off after one year: 22 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: No Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 15 Why Aristeo Construction Company is cool: JJPays 100 percent of employees’ and dependents’ health, dental and vision insurance premiums JJPaid volunteer days JJAnnual Kids’ Day: Employees gather with their families and friends to enjoy a day of crafts, food and construction fun

84. OneMagnify

Detroit Onemagnify.com Mark Petroff, President and CEO JJMarketing/Technology/Analytics U.S.-based employees: 399 Michigan-based employees: 299 Millennial employees: 182 Male/female employee ratio: 49/51 Voluntary turnover: 7 percent Paid time off after one year: 29 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 25 Why OneMagnify is cool: JJManager nominated Innovation Award and Bravo Zulu, resulting in cash bonuses JJAssociates in Excellence peer-topeer recognition program JJTraining and personal development conferences for employees’ career growth

TRION SOLUTIONS

85. Automotive Credit Corporation

Southfield Automotivecredit.com James Blasius, CEO JJFinancial Services U.S.-based employees: 132 Michigan-based employees: 70 Millennial employees: 17 Male/female employee ratio: 33/67 Voluntary turnover: 7 percent Paid time off after one year: 25 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: No Jobs to fill this year: 25 Why Automotive Credit Corporation is cool: JJOnsite flu clinic, CPR training and 24-hour access to telehealth services JJACC Academy provides employees access to training JJEach employee receives one day annually to participate in a community service event

86. MassMutual Great Lakes

Southfield Greatlakes.massmutual.com Manuel Amezcua, Firm President and CEO JJFinancial Services Michigan-based employees: 114 Millennial employees: 45 Male/female employee ratio: 77/23 Voluntary turnover: 10 percent Paid time off after one year: 40 days Paid time off for community service: No Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: No Jobs to fill this year: 20 Why MassMutual Great Lakes is cool: JJDirect access to leadership JJBreakfast Club: A cereal bar features 25 different cereals every day JJFirm-sponsored community involvement and philanthropy

Brighton Wskills.com Tina Jackson, President and CEO JJEmployment and Training Vocational Services Michigan-based employees: 75 Millennial employees: 26 Male/female employee ratio: 20/80 Voluntary turnover: 5 percent Paid time off after one year: 27 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 8 Why Work Skills Corporation is cool: JJFree yoga classes JJMassage days JJWellness initiatives like stand-up desks and lunch-and-learn classes about healthy eating and stress reduction

88. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Detroit Bcbsm.com Daniel Loepp, President and CEO JJHealth Care – Insurance/Services Michigan-based employees: 7,362 Millennial employees: 1,870 Male/female employee ratio: 31/69 Voluntary turnover: 5 percent Paid time off after one year: 30 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Why Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is cool: JJTuition assistance JJDowntown Detroit restaurant discounts of up to 20 percent JJOnsite fitness classes, including body toning, yoga and Zumba

89. Miller Vein

Farmington Hills Millervein.com Dr. Jeffrey Miller, CEO J Health Care Provider Michigan-based employees: 54 Millennial employees: 17 Male/female employee ratio: 15/85 Voluntary turnover: 8 percent Paid time off after one year: 56 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 5 Why Miller Vein is cool: J Pays 100 percent of employees’ health, dental and vision insurance premiums J Flexible four-day work weeks J PTO to participate in Operation School Bell, which provides needy children with coats, hats, mittens and school supplies

90. Red Level

COOL PLACES TO WORK

Novi Redlevelgroup.com David King, CEO and President JJInformation Technology Ranking in 2018: 63 Michigan-based employees: 47 Millennial employees: 20 Male/female employee ratio: 64/36 Voluntary turnover: 11 percent Paid time off after one year: 18 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 2 Why Red Level is cool: JJ“On the spot” gift cards are given to employees spotted doing great work JJSpecialized trainings for career advancement JJReferral bonuses: gift cards for in-person interviews and $1,000 if recruits are hired after 90 days

91. Broder & Sachse Real Estate

Detroit Brodersachse.com Richard Broder, CEO JJReal Estate Ranking in 2018: 95 Michigan-based employees: 47 Millennial employees: 20 Male/female employee ratio: 51/49 Voluntary turnover: 35 percent Paid time off after one year: Unlimited Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 4 Why Broder & Sachse Real Estate is cool: JJHappy hour, community, family and volunteer events year-round JJFour-week sabbatical after 10 years of service JJWellness initiatives include meditation and weekly fresh fruit and veggie delivery

92. PEA Inc.

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Troy Peainc.com James Butler, PE, President JJEngineering Michigan-based employees: 117 Millennial employees: 40 Male/female employee ratio: 77/23 Voluntary turnover: 9 percent Paid time off after one year: 27 days Paid time off for community service: No Telecommuting options: No Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 23 Why PEA is cool: JJCatered lunch-and-learns every week JJAnnual profit-sharing bonus JJFitness and gym membership fee reimbursement (up to $480 per year)

SACHSE CONSTRUCTION LLC

Sachse Construction hosts its annual Sachse Construction Academy, a program for students and 18- to 24-year-olds looking to work in the skilled trades. See Page 16.

THE SENIOR ALLIANCE

Employees of The Senior Alliance, Area Agency on Aging 1-C, in Wayne dress up to celebrate Halloween.

93. Burns & McDonnell

95. Billhighway

97. The Senior Alliance, Area Agency on Aging 1-C

Percentage of Cool Places to Work that allow employees to enroll in the company health care plan on the first day of hire Kansas City, Mo. Burnsmcd.com Ray Kowalik, Chairman and CEO (Based in Kansas City) Ben Nabozny, Department Manager (Based in Detroit) J Architecture, Engineering and Construction U.S.-based employees: 6,105 Michigan-based employees: 20 Millennial employees: 19 Male/female employee ratio: 80/20 Voluntary turnover: 5 percent Paid time off after one year: 23 days Paid time off for community service: No Telecommuting options: No Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 10 Why Burns & McDonnell is cool: J The company’s training team offers 2,500 internal classes annually J 100 percent employee-owned J Its foundation matches employees’ donations in support of their favorite charities

94. Pentastar Aviation

Waterford Pentastaraviation.com Gregory Schmidt, President and CEO J Transportation Michigan-based employees: 237 Millennial employees: 40 Male/female employee ratio: 77/23 Voluntary turnover: 8 percent Paid time off after one year: 22 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 10 Why Pentastar Aviation is cool: J $75 gift certificate for a Honey Baked Ham every Thanksgiving J Discounted programs for cars, cell phones, computers and special events J Massages available every month

Percentage of Cool Places to Work that pay 100 percent of medical coverage premiums for employees Troy Billhighway.com Thomas Bomberski, President J Financial Software Provider Ranking in 2018: 99 U.S.-based employees: 82 Michigan-based employees: 70 Millennial employees: 47 Male/female employee ratio: 50/50 Voluntary turnover: 7 percent Paid time off after one year: 28 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 8 Why Billhighway is cool: J Flexible schedules anytime between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. J Employees can work four 10-hour days during the summer J Wellness professionals provide massage therapy and meditation

96. Wireless Vision

Bloomfield Hills Wirelessvision.com Saber Ammori, CEO JJRetail Ranking in 2018: 53 U.S.-based employees: 3,264 Michigan-based employees: 275 Millennial employees: 277 Male/female employee ratio: 71/29 Voluntary turnover: 76 percent Paid time off after one year: 19 days Paid time off for community service: No Telecommuting options: No Flex time options: No Jobs to fill this year: 1,000 Why Wireless Vision is cool: JJFamily culture JJCloses at 4 p.m. on Fridays JJMonthly breakfasts for top performers

Percentage of Cool Places to Work that pay 100 percent of medical coverage premiums for employees’ dependents

Wayne Thesenioralliance.org Tamera Kiger, CEO JJNonprofit Health and Human Services Michigan-based employees: 81 Millennial employees: 30 Male/female employee ratio: 17/83 Voluntary turnover: 13 percent Paid time off after one year: 39 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 6 Why The Senior Alliance, Area Agency on Aging 1-C is cool: JJPays 100 percent of employees’ and dependents’ health, dental and vision insurance premiums JJOnsite food trucks JJMonthly chair massages

98. Cornerstone Community Financial Credit Union

Auburn Hills Ccfinancial.com Heidi Kassab, President and CEO JJBanking Ranking in 2018: 80 Michigan-based employees: 72 Millennial employees: 24 Male/female employee ratio: 30/70 Voluntary turnover: 16 percent Paid time off after one year: 18 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: No Flex time options: No Jobs to fill this year: 5 Why Cornerstone Community Financial Credit Union is cool: JJQuarterly free massage days JJLunch Local: Reimburses employees who visit local, non-chain eateries JJEmployees can earn up to 16 additional hours of PTO just by volunteering for their favorite nonprofits

99. United Shore

Pontiac Unitedshore.com Mat Ishbia, President and CEO JJFinancial Services Ranking in 2018: 73 Michigan-based employees: 3,166 Millennial employees: 2,713 Male/female employee ratio: 55/45 Voluntary turnover: 8 percent Paid time off after one year: 22 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: No Flex time options: No Jobs to fill this year: 800 Why United Shore is cool: JJDance party every Thursday JJBike/jogging path on headquarters campus JJFor 10-year work anniversaries, employees receive 10 additional PTO days and $2,500

100. Interior Environments

Novi Ieoffices.com Randy Balconi, CEO and Owner, and Steve Cojei, President and Owner JJCommercial Office Furniture Ranking in 2018: 32 U.S.-based employees: 82 Michigan-based employees: 65 Millennial employees: 17 Male/female employee ratio: 32/68 Voluntary turnover: 1 percent Paid time off after one year: 10 days Paid time off for community service: Yes Telecommuting options: Yes Flex time options: Yes Jobs to fill this year: 2 Why Interior Environments is cool: JJExtended maternity leave JJPet friendly JJExtended vacation for long-term employees

ANCE

166

P L E H D E D is NEE

r u o Y

October 4

Manufacturing Day in Macomb County

Manufacturing Day is a celebration of modern manufacturing meant to inspire the next generation of manufacturers. On October 4, Macomb County will celebrate its seventh annual Manufacturing Day. Thanks to the willingness of local companies to get involved, an estimated 2,500 high school students will visit area plants to see the industry in action and learn about career opportunities.

Get involved, help inspire the next generation of your workforce!

Make

Macomb Schools your home

PTO

and r

Businesses interested in joining should call 586.469.5285 or visit

www.MacombBusiness.com Partnership with Macomb Schools and Macomb County Economic Development

C R A I N ’ S D E T R O I T B U S I N E S S // A U G U S T 5 , 2 0 1 9

Blues sued for $40M for alleged unpaid drug-treatment claims

Lending

By Jay Greene jgreene@crain.com

Independent Bank offers a variety of financing options for equipment, commercial real estate, working capital, and more to ensure that if your business has a need, you’ll have a solution. CONTACT YOUR LOCAL COMMERCIAL LENDER TODAY!

Kevin Pierce FVP, Commercial Loans 248.743.4047 IndependentBank.com

Equal housing Lender. Member FDIC

Four substance-abuse treatment centers in Michigan owned by U.S. Addiction Services sued Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan last week for more than $40 million in unpaid claims involving more than 4,000 patients, according to a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan. A spokesman for New York-based law firm Napoli Shkolnik PLLC, which is representing the plaintiff, said one of the providers was forced to close and the other three turned patients away because Blue Cross “refused to provide meaningful coverage for addiction treatment.” Blue Cross said in a written statement on July 31: “We are currently reviewing this lawsuit that was just filed today. It appears to be a complaint by four treatment facilities, three of which are not in our network, and are dissatisfied with their reimbursement. BCBSM is confident it followed all appropriate reimbursement methodologies. Blue Cross believes that the best interests of patients are served when insurers, employers and providers of care work together to keep access to quality care affordable. The insurer added, “Blue Cross is working with community organizations and providers across the state to help address the opioid crisis, including expanding a successful pilot program to treat opioid addiction with two Michigan treatment facilities.” The lawsuit, which is also asking for punitive damages and injunctive relief, contends that the Michigan Blues have either underpaid or wrongfully denied claims related to substance abuse and other behavior-

A lawsuit contends that the Michigan Blues have either underpaid or wrongfully denied claims related to substance abuse and other behavioral health disorders.

Need to know

JJBlue Cross Michigan sued for $40

million by four substance abuse centers JJFour treatment centers allege daily inpatient rates were cut from $900 per day to $150 at height of opioid crisis JJMany patients treated at the centers also received “surprise bills” when coverage was denied, lawsuit alleges

al health disorders. “In the face of the opioid epidemic, it is more important than ever that America’s health insurers play their part in mitigating the havoc that they facilitated by paying for the prescription opioids that precipitated this public health crisis,” Matt Lavin, a partner with Napoli Shkolnik, said in an email to Crain’s. The four centers are Serenity Point Recovery in Marne, which has closed; A Forever Recovery, Battle Creek; Behavioral Rehabilitation Services, Harrison; and Best Drug Rehabilitation, Manistee. U.S. Addiction Services also owns two other treatment

centers in Ohio and Indiana. Since June 2016, Blue Cross allegedly cut benefits and denied claims related to substance abuse and other behavioral health issues, the lawsuit said. Lavin said Blue Cross paid the centers $900 per day for inpatient residential treatment before June 2016, but while the opioid crisis was escalating dropped the per day payment to $150. “In most cases, the rates paid by (Blue Cross Michigan) for these services are below the actual cost to providers of offering services” and below Medicaid rates, the lawsuit said. As a result, some of the patients treated at the centers and their families have been presented with surprise bills when they believed that treatment would be covered. Serenity said in the lawsuit that it has tried to negotiate a settlement but Blue Cross executives rejected the proposal. Jay Greene: (313) 446-0325 Twitter: @jaybgreene

Detroit Metro Airport awarded $21.4M for runway reconstruction By Kurt Nagl knagl@crain.com

Detroit Metropolitan Airport was awarded $21.4 million in grants to support runway reconstruction as one of nine airports around the state receiving federal funding. Metro Airport is among 232 airports around the country awarded a total of $478 million in infrastructure grants by the U.S. Department of Transportation, according to a Wednesday news release. It is the fourth round of funding for the $3.2 billion Federal Aviation Administration Airport Improvement Program. Grants are awarded yearly to airports depending on level of activity and need. The funding is intended to boost economic competitiveness by improving runways, taxiways, aprons and terminals. Around $1.6 trillion in economic activity and 11 million jobs are tied to civil aviation in the country. Metro Airport began in April a $256 million reconstruction of a 70-year-old departure runway scheduled to be complete by November 2020. Other airports in Michigan that received grants are:

DETROIT METROPOLITAN AIRPORT

Detroit Metropolitan Airport in Romulus received $21.4 million in federal funding, which will be used to support its $256 million runway reconstruction project. J Gerald Ford International Airport near Grand Rapids - $11.1 million J Bishop International Airport in Flint - $2.8 million J Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport - $1.5 million J MBS International Airport in Saginaw - $4.6 million

J Chippewa County International in Sault Ste. Marie - $155,325 J Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City - $1.1. million J Alpena County Regional Airport $527,250 J Sawyer International Airport in Marquette County - $678,150

C R A I N ’ S D E T R O I T B U S I N E S S // A U G U S T 5 , 2 0 1 9

CRAIN’S EXCELLENCE IN HR AWARDS 2019

Honoring the human factor

alent: With the unemployment rate at a near-20-year low, there’s no greater challenge in business right now, and nothing more crucial to a company’s success. How do you find your people, hire them, keep them and create a meaningful and happy experience for them in your organization? Having a stellar human resources team helps. For the first time, Crain’s Detroit Business celebrates transformative human resources leaders with our Excellence in HR Awards. In creating this award, we sought to recognize HR leaders who worked closely with other c-suite executives to deliver on a company’s strategic goals. We looked for measurable outcomes, such as reduced turnover, cost savings and a quantifiably improved employee

experience. The winners were selected from nominations by a panel of experienced HR professional judges:  Nikki Kallek, chief human resources officer, Crain Communications  Debbie Shapiro, founder and president, HR Connections Executive Search  C. Elaine Tingle, vice president, HR and Community Relations, Bridgewater Interiors and a 2019 Crain’s Notable Woman in HR Winners will be honored at our inaugual HR Summit on Thursday, Aug. 8, at the Townsend Hotel. Find tickets and more info at crainsdetroit.com/events/2019-hr-summit.

HONOREE PORTRAITS BY ELAINE CROMIE FOR CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Dandridge Floyd

Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and Labor Relations, Oakland Schools

or years, medical insurance premiums at Oakland Schools climbed. The tax-supported public school district, which is headquartered in Waterford Township, experienced a 9 percent average increase in its medical insurance plan each year from 2016 to 2018. Those increases also affected the district’s 650 employees, who were required to participate in a cost-sharing model. Dandridge Floyd, assistant superintendent of human resources and labor relations, recognized the district needed to make a change in the way the organization thought about health care. “High increases with our medical renewals gave us a pretty good idea that our staff wasn’t well,” Floyd said. “We saw that this was an opportunity to create a program that individuals could be encouraged to be involved in and that changes their lifestyle.” The district’s health care renewal document revealed the underlying

Dandridge Floyd

health care issues driving premiums for employees were chronic back pain issues and depression. Knowing sedentary work spaces can contribute to chronic back issues, Floyd and her team took action. Floyd spearheaded the district’s Fit Friendly program, a wellness and fitness initiative for employees that began in 2017. The program provides employees with standing desks and access to exercise equipment that includes stability balls and chairs, workstation elliptical trainers, exercise bikes and treadmills. Floyd said the initiative not only promoted physical activity but increased collaboration among employees. “Now you see employees having meetings on our walking treadmills when they may have sent emails in the past,” Floyd said. “We have this culture and wellness that merged organically and has increased productivity in our employees.”

Floyd also spearheaded the district’s wellbeing committee, which provides emotional health events and activities to employees. For instance, the committee partners with the Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center each summer to allow employees to walk shelter dogs in need of human interaction. The district also hires a mobile meditation truck biweekly during the spring and summer months to provide employees with onsite meditation therapy. As a result of all these efforts, Floyd said Oakland Schools plan renewal rates have been at negative five percent from 2018 to 2019. “Due to the positive rate renewals for this plan, Oakland Schools is able to offer high quality, comprehensive health care premiums to employees at no cost,” Floyd said. “This is unprecedented in today’s health care landscape. In the war for talent, it is a game changing recruitment incentive.” — Rachelle Damico

C R A I N ’ S D E T R O I T B U S I N E S S // A U G U S T 5 , 2 0 1 9

EXCELLENCE IN H

POWER UP MASTER’S DEGREES AND GRADUATE CERTIFICATES Whether you are ready to start, accelerate, or change your career, LTU’s programs are designed to help you balance your social, family, and work life.

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SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN

Possible is everything.

HR INNOVATOR

Felicia Harris

CEO, EverythingHR and EverythingHR Financial Services

hen Felicia Harris couldn’t find a program she liked to help her clients with their administrative HR-related tasks, she created her own app. When she discovered her clients needed a more effective way to train their employees, she opened her own training institute. Harris’ companies, EverythingHR and EverythingHR Financial Services, provide HR services and products to more than 250 businesses and organizations across the nation. EverythingHR assists about a thousand more business owners and workers through incubators, government programs and educational institutions. In 2018, her clients hired more than 500 employees. The company offers insights to a company’s HR department and can act as a sole HR team to smaller companies, providing services such as workforce planning, analytics, training and compensation and benefits. About three years ago, Harris developed the EverythingHR app to help clients improve internal workflow, increase productivity and improve long-term planning. The app is available on QuickBooks online and helps users track HR-related tasks

Felicia Harris

such as employee attendance, key workforce metrics and billable hours. It also has a portal that offers access to training programs for an additional cost. “Those that use the app used to have to go to 4-5 different systems (to complete HR functions),” Harris said. “Now we have a lot of it in one system, making an HR professional’s life a little bit easier.” Training is another area where Harris has excelled. For more than 20 years, she’s offered training services

to thousands of startups and businesses, including the U.S. Small Business Administration, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Great Lakes Women’s Business Council and Macomb Community College. This year, Harris launched the EverythingHR Talent Development Institute, located in Detroit’s TechTown. The institute provides a variety of training programs for companies, including management courses that focus on identifying and improving

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FINDING AND GROWING TALENT

Beaumont Health

eaumont Health’s recruiting and development efforts have decreased turnover and strengthened its employees. As the largest health care system in Michigan, Beaumont generates about $4.7 billion in annual net revenue. The health care system consists of eight hospitals, 145 outpatient sites and 38,000 employees. Aaron Gillingham, senior vice president and chief human resources officer at Beaumont, said Beaumont hires as many as 8,000 new positions each year. One way Beaumont has attracted talent is through its administrative fellowship program. Each year, 5-10 fellows are invited to work in different areas of the hospital to develop skills that prepare them for a career in health care. The two-year post-graduate program offers fellows clinical shadowing, mentoring and other learning and development opportunities. “Our goal is ... making an investment in the fellows and (to) provide them lots of great experiences they would not normally receive,” Gillingham said. Gillingham said Beaumont has committed to hiring a diverse workforce by partnering with organizations to recruit veterans, individuals with disabilities and even those seeking asylum in the United States. The health care system has hired em-

Front row from left: Sheran Bly, Lori Veliu, Gianna Ferrarotti, Liz O’Malley and Aaron Gillingham. Back row: Jennifer Mattucci, Lisa Ouellette, Pandora Walker, Betsy Schulte and Susie Boyd.

ployees through a partnership with Freedom House Detroit, a temporary home for indigent survivors of persecution from around the world who are seeking asylum in the U.S. and Canada. Beaumont has been active in recruiting high school and college students. For instance, Beaumont has hired more than 29 graduates of the Project SEARCH program, a professional internship program that enables high school students with disabilities to learn job skills and earn

paid job experience. “I think it’s important that we’re looking across all of our demographics in terms of where people come from in order to fill the opportunities we have,” Gillingham said. Beaumont has also committed to developing its talent base. One way it has achieved that is by participating in the national School at Work program, which helps advance the careers of entry-level employees who don’t have a college degree. Forty percent of employees who participat-

ed i bee tion “Th may gan T tion emp Co. wor ly in tion on G as a ees. “W have gan offs, Det B and utin over of th ings The perc “W this we’v grow caus Gilli emp care ees.”

C R A I N ’ S D E T R O I T B U S I N E S S // A U G U S T 5 , 2 0 1 9

NCE IN HR | 2019

usiusiEcoion, ness nity

EvInechiety nies, that ving

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HOW TO CONNECT WITH PURCHASERS TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS

EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE

leadership skill gaps. “Business owners need to not only invest in themselves, but invest in their employees,” Harris said. “That’s where your revenue comes from, because you need them to get your product or service out to market if you’re going to scale your business.” Harris also uses technology to provide educational information to business owners. She provides daily finance and business tips via social media, sends out regular newsletters and hosts online workshops and webinars. This year, Harris launched her own podcast, the EverythingHR Podcast. The weekly show on BlogTalk Radio features experts across a variety of industries, including HR. “Things are ever-changing that are out of (a business owner’s) control, and you have to be up to date on what those changes are,” Harris said. Through Harris’ strategic HR planning, EverythingHR saved clients more than $1 million from May to December 2018. “As a heavily federal and state regulated motor carrier, we recently had the pleasure of working with Felicia and using EverythingHR services to assist us with a workmen’s compensation underpayment claim. Not only have our issues been resolved, but we saved over $60,000 and have been educated on how to perform better,” said Raluca Caraba Chit, president of ROC Express Inc. — Rachelle Damico

ed in the educational program have been promoted to higher-wage positions at Beaumont. “These are experiences employees may not be able to access at other organizations,” Gillingham said. The health care system took action to help Detroiters in need of employment when General Motors Co. announced it was laying off workers in 2018. Beaumont publicly invited workers to apply for positions at Beaumont and was listed on General Motors’ career website as a resource for affected employees. “When things happen locally, if we have the resources to help other organizations that are impacted by layoffs, we do it because we’re fellow Detroiters,” Gillingham said. Beaumont credits its recruiting and developing efforts as a contributing factor to its annualized turnover rate of 14 percent. Forty percent of the health care system’s job openings are filled by internal candidates. The health care system also has a 4.4 percent vacancy rate. “With the unemployment rate in this local area of under 3 percent, we’ve got to make sure that we’re growing and investing our talent because the labor market is so tight,” Gillingham said. “We want to be an employer of choice and offer great career opportunities for our employees.” — Rachelle Damico

Johannah Schiffer

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Director of People and Places, Telemus Capital

hen Johannah Schiffer joined Telemus Capital five years ago, the independent wealth advisory firm was looking to grow. The firm staffed about 30 employees and had clients based primarily in Michigan. Telemus also struggled with employee engagement. Just 56 percent of its employees reported they were satisfied with their employer in a 2016 companywide survey. It needed a human resources leader that would not only process payroll and administer employee benefits, but drive company culture. That’s where Schiffer came in. Since joining the Southfield-based firm, Telemus has grown to 45 employees and added additional offices in Ann Arbor, Chicago and Los Angeles. The firm services more than 600 clients across the country and manages about $2.8 billion in assets. As director of people and places, Schiffer put processes in place to improve the firm’s culture and brand and enrich the lives of its employees. One such improvement was a performance tracking and review process. Employees meet quarterly with their managers to review their business and professional development goals. They also meet twice a year to review and discuss their overall performance. Employees are also recognized for their hard work with thank you cards or awards. “Historically, employees reported to multiple managers, which caused confusion, inconsistent experiences and a lack of accountability,” Schiffer said. “Now each employee has one direct manager who is their coach.” Schiffer also established a career

path to partnership for the firm’s advisers to ensure they knew what would be expected of them long term and how to achieve it. “If an employee knows what’s expected of them — whether that be so they can do well in their roles or grow and develop into new opportunities — they know they’re making an impact to the bigger picture,” Schiffer said. Leaders are also held accountable for their performance. Partners receive feedback from their peers and other employees so they know their strengths and where they can improve. “As an organization we believe it is important that all employees, regardless of job level, know what they do well and how they can continue to improve,” Schiffer said. In addition to establishing accountability at the firm, Schiffer led the implementation of a company intranet in 2015 called Telemus Connection, which employees can use to celebrate personal achievements such as work anniversaries and birthdays. She also revamped the company bonus program in 2015 so employees are eligible to receive a percentage of their base pay based on their performance metrics. Since Schiffer implemented these processes, the firm’s employee engagement score has improved year-over-year for the past three years. This year, 94 percent of employees indicated they were satisfied with their employer. “At Telemus we sit at a roundtable where everyone’s contributions are valued and individual and collective efforts can impact the company’s success,” Schiffer said. — Rachelle Damico

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EXCELLENCE IN HR | 2019 OVERALL EXCELLENCE

Trinity Health — Michigan

rinity Health — Michigan has put forward many human resource efforts that have benefited the health care system, its employees and its surrounding communities. The Livonia-based nonprofit, which includes Mercy Health and Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, serves communities in western and southeast Michigan. The nonprofit consists of more than 22,500 employees spanning eight hospitals, nine outpatient health centers, 12 urgent care facilities and more than 35 specialty centers. Trinity’s HR team filled more than 7,400 positions within Michigan in 2018 alone. Led by Trinity’s HR department, Trinity signed on to be an employer for Gov. Rick Snyder’s Marshall Plan. The 2018 law pledged $100 million in state funding to bolster career-oriented school programs and train students for high-demand jobs over five years. Trinity’s HR department provided students with access to apprenticeships, job shadowing and facility tours for students, parents and educators. “It was important for us to partner with our government officials to help address the talent skill shortage,” said Ane McNeil, regional chief human resource officer. “In health care, it’s critical for us to fill entry-level positions such as technical jobs, medical assis-

includes professional development opportunities, including leadership development forums hosted at each hospital. The forums have offered management training to more than 1,100 manager-level and director-level employees. “Everything that we do is in direct connection with the HR professionals that we have,” McNeil said.

Shana Lewis-Welch

Front row from left: Lance Pittman, Amanda Reynolds, Ane McNeil, Keyanteé Davis and Nicole Smith. Back row: Ryan Brown, Ashlee Senn, Tammy Brokaw, Jackie O’Brien and Erika Calhoun.

tants and even food and nutrition service jobs that are critical for patients throughout the healing process.” Last year, Trinity received a threeyear, $1.7 million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to advance racial equality by helping 50 employees per year move from entry-level roles into middle-skill roles with higher wages. The program also helps create pathways to health care employment for 300 individuals from underserved communities by providing them with

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access to resources and opportunities to improve their skills and education. “Employing these individuals helps to reduce homelessness and poverty levels when we can take care of those that are living around the hospital,” McNeil said. In addition to filling positions and hiring new talent, the HR department established a support structure for colleagues to encourage career development and ensure they have the resources needed to be successful. That

Special recognition: Shana Lewis-Welch, Executive Director of Talent Acquisition As the executive director of talent acquisition for Trinity Health — Michigan, Shana Lewis-Welch has been active in many of Trinity’s regional programs and spearheaded Trinity’s career development center. Under her leadership, Trinity partnered with government officials in Michigan and Washington, D.C., to develop the first U.S. Department of Labor Medical Assistant Appren-

ticeship program. The program, which is on its fourth graduating class, was created to meet local health care providers’ need for qualified medical assistants and prepare participants for a career in health care. Two years ago, Lewis-Welch piloted Trinity’s evidence-based selection process to eliminate unconscious bias during the hiring process. The tool evaluates candidates’ skills, knowledge and abilities, removing names and appearances altogether. Trinity credits the process with reducing first-year turnover by nearly six percent, reducing the time it takes to fill vacant positions by 14 percent and leading to a cost savings of an estimated $2 million per year. It also increased minority hires by 18-38 percent. “We went through a redesign of our talent acquisition processes and decided that we wanted to put processes in place that would ensure we were hiring the very best talent to care for our patients,” Lewis-Welch said. “It also significantly reduced the unconscious bias that exists in most hiring processes. In doing that, we have been able to hire significantly more diverse individuals.” — Rachelle Damico

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Lisa Tolbert

Director of Human Resources, Barton Malow Co.

hough Barton Marlow Co. has a long history of diversity and inclusion efforts, the company didn’t always have consistent goals and objectives for those efforts. The Southfield-based construction company, which employs more than 2,000, made the commitment beginning with its 2018 fiscal year to put a D&I strategic plan in place. Lisa Tolbert, director of human resources, took ownership of that goal by establishing a D&I community within Barton Malow. The community established three sub-councils tasked with improving D&I efforts for its salaried workforce, business and supplier community and trade workforce. Each subcommittee includes a group of 8-10 individuals from various levels and areas of the company who meet at least once a month to brainstorm and drive D&I initiatives. “I think it’s important to invest in D&I not only as a monetary investment, but to allow people the investment of time and resources,” Tolbert said. “These are the team members within the organization that experience it, feel it and see it.” This month, the D&I community is launching a companywide new hire ambassador program that connects new hires with team members who have been with the company for at least two years. Those team members, or ambassadors, help new hires navigate the first 90 days at the company, offer mentoring and answer any questions or concerns.

Lisa Tolbert

“For us it was about making connects within the organization and making sure everyone feels included,” Tolbert said. The D&I community is also working to launch employee resource groups to promote a sense of belonging among its employees and create relationships with people of similar backgrounds. One resource group the community is exploring aims to support women who are preparing for maternity leave or have recently returned to work after having a baby.

“We want to be a support system by understanding and recognizing some of the anxieties that may be associated with leaving or preparing to come back,” Tolbert said. Tolbert also helps distribute monthly articles on the company intranet that celebrate D&I. For instance, the company recognized LGBT pride month in June. “Just that small effort has received a lot of good feedback,” Tolbert said. “People appreciate they are being recognized and acknowledged.” — Rachelle Damico

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CRAIN'S LIST: LARGEST LOCAL AUTO DEALERS Company Address Rank Phone; website

Top executive(s)

Ranked by 2018 revenue

Revenue ($000,000) 2018

Revenue ($000,000) 2017

Percent change

Number of dealerships

Number of new vehicles sold, leased 2018/2017

Number of used vehicles sold 2018/2017

The Suburban Collection 1795 Maplelawn Drive, Troy 48084 (877) 471-7100; www.SuburbanCollection.com

David T. Fischer, chairman and CEO; David T. Fischer Jr., president and COO

$2,619.7

$2,294.2

14.2%

35,830 36,785

23,228 22,240

Victory Automotive Group Inc. 46352 Michigan Ave., Canton Township 48188 (734) 495-3500; www.victoryautomotivegroup.com

Jeffrey Cappo president

1,864.6 B

1,760.3 B

5.9

42 B

37,093 B 35,915 B

NA 19,400 B

LaFontaine Automotive Group 4000 W. Highland Road, Highland Township 48357 (248) 887-4747; www.thefamilydeal.com

Michael LaFontaine chairman/owner

1,021.9

925.2

10.5

16,976 15,533 B

9,026 8,497 B

Feldman Automotive Inc. 30400 Lyon Center Drive East, New Hudson 48165 (248) 486-1900; www.feldmanauto.com

Jay Feldman chairman and CEO

918.0

742.9

23.6

10 B

13,712 B NA

9,523 B NA

Southfield Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram 28100 Telegraph Road, Southfield 48034 (248) 354-2950; southfieldchrysler.com

Chris Snyder general manager

441.5 C

435.0 C

1.5

NA NA

Jim Riehl's Friendly Automotive Group Inc. 32899 Van Dyke Ave., Warren 48093 (586) 979-8700; www.jimriehl.com

James Riehl Jr. president and CEO

359.4

297.4

20.8

NA 5,679

NA 2,913

Elder Automotive Group 777 John R Road, Troy 48083 (248) 585-4000; www.elderautogroup.com

Tony Elder, president; Robert Elder, vice president

336.5 C

331.5 C

1.5

NA NA

Stewart Management Group Inc. 20844 Harper Ave., Suite 100, Harper Woods 48225 (313) 432-6200; www.gordonchevrolet.com

Gordon Stewart president

330.5

350.1

-5.6

5,970 6,674

3,468 3,769

Prestige Automotive 20200 E. Nine Mile Road, St. Clair Shores 48080 (586) 773-1550; www.prestigeautomotive.com

Gregory Jackson chairman and CEO

306.5

350.1

-12.4

8,301 9,726

1,497 1,867

Snethkamp Automotive Family

Mark Snethkamp president

268.0 C

264.0 C

1.5

NA NA

Buff Whelan Chevrolet

Kerry Whelan president

243.3

261.6

-7.0

NA 7,149

NA 1,101

Royal Oak Ford/Briarwood Ford

Eddie Hall Jr. president and CEO

230.8

198.8

16.1

NA NA

Matick Automotive D 14001 Telegraph Road, Redford Township 48239 (313) 531-7100; www.matickauto.com

Karl Zimmermann owner and operator

217.3

233.6

-7.0

4,589 4,952

2,473 2,750

Pat Milliken Ford Inc.

Bruce Godfrey, chairman; Brian Godfrey, president

195.0

190.0

2.6

4,217 4,551

1,133 1,047

Bowman Chevrolet

Katie Bowman Coleman president and owner

170.6

172.3

-1.0

3,189 3,700

1,305 1,177

Ray Laethem Inc.

Jeff Laethem president

157.6

146.5

7.6

3,416 NA

803 NA

Jeffrey Tamaroff Automotive Family 28585 Telegraph Road, Southfield 48034-1928 (248) 353-1300; www.tamaroff.com

Jeffrey Tamaroff, chairman and CEO; Marvin Tamaroff, chairman emeritus; Eric Frehsee and Jason Tamaroff, vice presidents Donald Milosch president

153.0

159.9

-4.3

4,082 4,053

2,277 2,163

148.8 C

146.6 C

1.5

NA NA

Woodward Ave., Highland Park 48203 10 16400 (313) 868-3300; www.snethkampauto.com Van Dyke Ave., Sterling Heights 48313 11 40445 (586) 939-7300; www.buffwhelan.com Woodward Ave., Royal Oak 48067 12 27550 (248) 548-4100; www.royaloakford.com

Telegraph Road, Redford Township 48239-1492 14 9600 (313) 255-3100; www.patmillikenford.com Dixie Highway, Clarkston 48346 15 6750 (248) 575-5000; www.bowmanchevy.com Mack Ave., Detroit 48224 16 18001 (313) 886-1700; www.raylaethem.com

17 18

Milosch's Palace Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge Inc. 3800 S. Lapeer Road, Lake Orion 48359 (248) 393-2222; www.palacecjd.com Avis Ford Inc.

Walter Douglas Sr., chairman; Mark Douglas, president

128.7

128.5

0.2

NA NA

Gorno Automotive Group

Ed Jolliffe president

125.0

130.0

-3.8

NA NA

Village Ford Inc.

James Seavitt president and CEO

122.9

127.8

-3.8

1,636 2,589

785 726

Roseville Chrysler Jeep Inc.

Michael Riehl president

115.6

106.3

8.7

2,578 2,648

527 587

Bill Perkins Automotive Group 13801 S. Telegraph Road, Taylor 48180 (734) 287-2600; www.taylorchevy.com

Bill Perkins president

110.1 E

167.6

-34.3

2,222 3,485

1,739 2,925

Michael Bates Chevrolet

Michael Bates owner

88.7 C

87.4 C

1.5

NA NA

Glassman Automotive Group Inc.

George Glassman president

74.1

62.9

17.8

1,891 1,585

756 693

Telegraph Road, Southfield 48034 19 29200 (248) 355-7500; www.avisford.com Allen Road, Woodhaven 48183 20 22025 (734) 676-2200; www.gornoford.com Michigan Ave., Dearborn 48124 21 23535 (313) 565-3900; www.villageford.com Gratiot Ave., Roseville 48066 22 25800 (586) 859-2500; www.mikeriehls.com

Allen Road, Woodhaven 48183 24 23755 (734) 676-9600; www.michaelbateschevy.com Telegraph Road, Southfield 48034 25 28000 (248) 354-3300; www.glassmanautogroup.com

Want the full Excel version of this list — and every Crain's list? Become a Data Member: CrainsDetroit.com/data This list of local auto dealers is an approximate compilation of the largest such businesses in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw and Livingston counties. Dealership companies must have local stores to be included on this list. Penske Automotive Group is not on this list because, while it is locally headquartered, it doesn’t have local car dealerships. It is not a complete listing but the most comprehensive available. Unless otherwise noted, information was provided by the companies. Actual revenue figures may vary. NA = not available.

B Automotive News. C Crain's estimate. D Includes George Matick Chevrolet, Matick Toyota and Matick Auto Exchange. E The Merollis operation was sold October 2017. LIST RESEARCHED BY SONYA D. HILL

C R A I N ’ S D E T R O I T B U S I N E S S // A U G U S T 5 , 2 0 1 9

Atwater Brewery entering red-hot hard seltzer business

Is the Burden of Your Employees’ Student Debt Impacting Your Business?

By Dustin Walsh

dwalsh@crain.com

Detroit’s Atwater Brewery is joining the fast-growing hard seltzer market by launching its own line of spiked sparkling waters. The brewer hopes to carve out market share as the local option for the 5 percent alcohol beverages as national players dominate across the U.S. “We’ve been working on this for about eight months,” said Mark Rieth, Atwater’s owner and CEO. “I’ve never seen anything like it in my 20 years of business in this industry, something like this come in and completely dominate so fast.” Sales of the fizzy water beverages skyrocketed this year to roughly $550 million and could grow to a market size of $2.5 billion by 2021, according to analysis by investment and financial services firm UBS Group. White Claw, the hard seltzer brand owned by Mark Anthony Brands, dominates the market with a 50 percent market share. The Boston Beer Co., otherwise known as Samuel Adams, is the other major player with its Truly line of hard seltzers. Comstock Park-based Perrin Brewing Co., owned by Colorado’s Oskar Blues, launched its Clear Cost hard seltzer brand earlier this year. Grand Rapids Brewing Co. also released its own line in June. Rieth called hard seltzers a “lifestyle choice” as more drinkers are looking for low-calorie, low-carbohydrate choices. Atwater Seltzers have 100 cal-

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Atwater Brewery’s new line of hard seltzers includes mango, cherry and lime flavors.

Need to know

JJFlavors will include mango, cherry and lime JJDesigned to carve out local market share JJU.S. hard seltzer sales expected to reach $2.5 billion by 2021

ories in a 12-ounce can. The entry into seltzers was a low hurdle as the process is similar to brewing beer, required no additional equipment investments and uses the fruit Atwater already uses in its beer. The seltzers are brewed at its Jos. Campau location on Detroit’s riverfront and at its contract brewer, Brew Detroit.

While Atwater’s beer is distributed in 15 states, Rieth doesn’t anticipate the seltzer line expanding beyond regional distribution any time soon. The more regional effort is in line with Atwater’s renewed strategy. Only a few years ago, the brewer had plans to expand distribution and brewing operations to several states including North Carolina and Texas. It ultimately abandoned that effort to improve margins, Rieth said. “We pulled out of some markets because there’s so much competition,” he said. “We regrouped locally. Ultimately, we’re more profitable: in fewer states, but selling more product.”

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Electronic Payments, Data Privacy and Security Law Experience

Cleary University launches tuition benefits program with Team Schostak

In Your Corner.

By Annalise Frank afrank@crain.com

Cleary University has launched a new tuition-assistance program — structured like a subscription — for employers, and the first participant is Team Schostak Family Restaurants. Employees of the Livonia-based, 170-restaurant group will get thousands of dollars in tuition covered for a range of online associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees — as well as onsite culinary programs in Detroit. The Howell-based nonprofit business school launched the program late last month. The Tuition Benefits Program creates a new stream of students for the university and reflects a growing link between post-secondary education and private workforce development. Cleary also wants to help tackle the “college debt crisis” by offering new avenues for working adults to earn degrees, said Jayson Boyers, Cleary’s president. “Education needs to be accessible and it can be accessible through private partnerships between college and industry,” Boyers said. “I believe these partnerships can be built up … so that employers can really attract and retain employees through giving them an education benefit that helps put them in a good position instead of burying them in debt.” Boyers declined to comment on financial details. But he said the companies contribute annually based on a “subscription service” model, paying

Contact Jill Miller at jmmiller@varnumlaw.com n WENDY’S

Livonia-based Team Schostak Family Restaurants is launching a free tuition program for its employees, including those at 56 Michigan Wendy’s locations.

Need to know

JJOlga’s Kitchen owner and Wendy’s restaurant operator is offering free tuition to employees JJCleary sees collaboration between

education institutions, businesses as way to help alleviate “the college debt crisis”

based on total employment regardless of how many employees actually take part in the program. For 7,000-employee Team Schostak, the move is part of a larger push to invest in training and talent development. “We spend a lot of time organiza-

tionally on giving people a purpose. Something to strive for and something to be part of,” said Mark Schostak, the restaurant group’s executive chairman. “If our number one core value is our people ... this scholarship program really falls right into that and allows us to talk the talk.” The Cleary classes add a new element to Team Schostak’s training and development as it seeks to get employees ready for promotions and more generally stem the fast-food industry problem of turnover. Annalise Frank: (313) 446-0416 Twitter: @annalise_frank

Data Security and information law, privacy policies, breach notification requirements Electronic payments, mobile payments, electronic fund transfers, stored value cards Aviation law, aircraft acquisitions, disposition, operation, leasing and financing, FAA filings, International Registry requirements Tier 1 Metropolitan Ranking in Corporate Law and Commercial Litigation 2019

C R A I N ’ S D E T R O I T B U S I N E S S // A U G U S T 5 , 2 0 1 9

Black-owned business coalition launches survey to gauge opportunity Need to know

By Kurt Nagl knagl@crain.com

A recently formed coalition of blackowned businesses is pushing to give minority companies more opportunities to participate in Detroit’s development boom. The nonprofit Detroit Coalition for Economic Inclusion, formed in November under the National Business League, launched a study last month to gauge how members of the black business community feel about their opportunities in the city. Between 300 and 600 black business owners based in Detroit or who do work in the city are expected to participate in the survey, which will be finished Aug. 13, said Greg Bowens, media spokesman for the coalition. Upon completion, the coalition plans to use the data to spur action. “DCEI will announce the results and begin pressing for positive, sustainable change in the public/private sectors,” Bowens said in an email. “This will include a list of the top 10 most exclusionary projects happening in the city.”

JJDetroit Coalition for Economic Inclusion formed under National Business League in November JJCoalition consists of 35 organizing members JJ300-600 black business owners being surveyed

The survey is being driven by the feeling among many business leaders that black-owned businesses have been or are being left out of big projects in a majority black city, such as the construction of Little Caesars Arena, the proposed Hudson’s site skyscraper and the demolition of Joe Louis Arena, according to a Tuesday news release. “Our early survey data suggests there is a tremendous gap with blackowned businesses participating in Detroit’s development renaissance,” Ken Harris, president and CEO of the National Business League, said in the release. “Few black business owners surveyed feel as if the local economy is inclusive and equitable.”

ALTARUM

This map shows the number of untreated individuals with mental illness and substance use disorder and the percent of those who are untreated.

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Report: Many substance abuse, mental health patients go untreated in Michigan By Jay Greene jgreene@crain.com

More than 650,000 people in Michigan with a mental illness and over 500,000 with a substance use disorder fail to receive any treatment for their conditions, according to a new study by Altarum, an Ann Arbor-based nonprofit health care consulting institute. Altarum found that the highest percentage of people who go untreated for mental illness are the uninsured (65 percent) and Medicaid enrollees (49 percent). But for a substance use disorder, the percentages are higher for the privately insured (87 percent) and Medicare Advantage enrollees (80 percent). “Substance use disorders and mental illness have been on the rise in the United States and Michigan and policymakers are looking for practical solutions. This research characterizes the unmet need and provides insight into strategies likely to be effective in closing the gap in behavioral health care,” Emily Ehrlich, director of Altarum’s Center for Behavioral Health, said in a statement. The study was commissioned and funded by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, a foundation set up when Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan converted into a nonprofit mutual insurer in 2013. Altarum officials said the purpose of the study is to better understand the current state of access in order to address gaps in care amid rising rates of behavioral health-related conditions in Michigan and across the United States, especially among young adults.

Need to know

J Highest percentage of untreated for mental illness are uninsured; for substance use, percentages are higher for privately insured J Strategies to improve treatment include recruiting more providers, expanding school access J Report prepared by Altarum Institute and funded by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund

“This report provides a critical baseline for understanding and improving behavioral health care access in Michigan.” Becky Cienki

“This report provides a critical baseline for understanding and improving behavioral health care access in Michigan,” Health Fund Program Director Becky Cienki said in a statement. “We now have a clearer picture of the gaps and barriers to treatment, and we’ll use the insights and recommendations from this study to guide the Health Fund’s grantmaking strategy.” Following are some key findings: J 46 percent of people with anxiety disorders, 53 percent of people with depressive episodes, and 85 percent of people with alcohol use disorders are not treated for their conditions.

J A shortage of psychiatrists and other behavioral health providers limits access to services. The shortage is especially acute in the northern half of the Lower Peninsula and parts of the Upper Peninsula. J Michigan has 11 child and adolescent psychiatrists per 100,000 people, far short of the recommended ratio of 47 to 100,000. J Central Michigan has the largest share of untreated individuals with a mental illness (41 percent) and West Central Michigan the largest share of untreated individuals with a substance use disorder (83 percent). The study also includes analysis of data from the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which shows that cost of care, lack of transportation and public awareness and perceptions about behavioral health care are also barriers to access. Recommendations include: J Increasing retention of behavioral health providers in Michigan J Removing restrictions on the scope of practice to fully leverage all members of the health care team J Using lay providers such as peer support specialists J Using telemedicine to reach people in rural areas and those unable to travel J Expanding access to services in schools J Integrating primary care and behavioral health care delivery. Altarum plans a webinar Aug. 8 to present the findings of this study and to answer questions.

Jay Greene: (313) 446-0325 Twitter: @jaybgreene

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Continental Structural Plastics to acquire AMI Manchester By Kurt Nagl

Need to know

knagl@crain.com

Auburn Hills-based Continental Structural Plastics Inc. has agreed to acquire AMI Manchester LLC. Continental will purchase the assets of the Manchester-based metal stamping company, including its 90,000-square-foot headquarters and manufacturing plant in Washtenaw County, according to a news release. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The new company will do business as CSP Stamping with the legal name of Continental Structural Plastics Manchester LLC. It will be owned by the Japanese chemicals giant Teijin, which bought Continental in 2017 for $825 million. The AMI deal adds 70 employees to Continental’s payroll. Continental has more than 4,300 employees around the world. The deal also brings Continental a wide range of metal stamping capabilities. AMI runs press sizes ranging from 32 to 600 tons and operates a full-service die maintenance department. “This acquisition allows us to bring these stamping operations in-house, securing our supply of needed parts and protecting our ability to provide on-going, uninterrupted shipments to our customer base,” Continental

JJContinental to acquire 90,000-squarefoot plant in Washtenaw County JJAMI has 70 employees, range of metal stamping capabilities JJContinental supplies composite components to auto and other industries.

“This acquisition allows us to bring these stamping operations in-house, securing our supply of needed parts and protecting our ability to provide ongoing, uninterrupted shipments to our customer base.” Steve Rooney

CEO Steve Rooney said in the release. Continental supplies composite components to the auto industry, as well as heavy truck, HVAC and construction industries. The company had been on the brink of insolvency due to equipment failures and staffing issues. The pair of executives credited with saving the company retired shortly after the Teijin takeover.

SPOTLIGHT Leader of Lakeshore Legal stepping down after 25 years

The executive director of a Warren-based legal aid firm is stepping down after more than 25 years with the organization. William Knight Jr.’s last day at Lakeshore Legal Aid was Wednesday, according to a news release. Lakeshore CEO Ashley Lowe on Knight Thursday took over the executive director role in addition to her current duties. The nonprofit law firm provides free civil legal services to seniors, people with lower incomes and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, the release said. “Lakeshore’s goal is to improve the legal standing of each person who seek our help, and to remove the barriers and obstacles they face as they struggle to remove themselves and their families from poverty. I am grateful to have been a part of such an impactful organization, supported by the many compassionate and hard-working staff,” Knight said in a release. Knight has more than 35 years of litigation experience. During his time at Lakeshore, Knight oversaw the design and execution of the Counsel &

Advocacy Law Line, the release said, an attorney-staffed hotline that provides legal advice, brief service and referrals for people with lower incomes and seniors. He also formed a collaborative law student clinic alongside Western Michigan University’s Cooley Law School to offer free legal assistance to low-income family law clients, among other achievements, the release said. Lowe joined the Lakeshore in 2016, after it received a grant from Washington, D.C.-based Legal Services Corp. She has had an instrumental role in Lakeshore’s expansion over the past three years, according to the release.

SME hires its first CFO

Southfield-based SME has hired automotive supplier executive Craig Connop for the newly created position of CFO. He will take on management of the manufacturing professionals association’s finances from Vice President of Finance Julie Duff. In addition to management of SME’s finance department, Connop will assume oversight and responsibility for information technology and assist in managing the finances of the SME Education Foundation. Duff will continue in her current role, supporting Connop, said Christopher Barger, senior director of communications.

“SME continues to proactively strengthen our organization and position ourselves to support the manufacturing industry through dramatic change and well into the future,” Sandra Connop Bouckley, SME’s CEO and executive director, said in a news release. “Having Craig as our chief financial officer represents our commitment to fiscal responsibility and stability in support of our mission. (He) is an accomplished and trusted leader with both the experience and vision to ensure SME’s ability to support our strategy.” Connop and Bouckley held executive roles at GKN Driveline in 201516. Connop, 49, brings more than 25 years of experience in managing finances for manufacturing companies to SME. He’s served for the past two years as the vice president of finance at Stoneridge Control Devices, a tier-one automotive supplier with more than $500 million in annual operations. Before that, he was the CFO and vice president of finance and IT at GKN Driveline Americas in 2013-16. And he held executive roles at GKN Sinter Metals from 2002 to 2013.

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BINSON’S FROM PAGE 3

“We have so many patients receiving products from us monthly, either retail or mail order, this was just another opportunity to provide another service and convenience factor,” he said. “We are also providing services to physicians with medicine reconciliation and providing patients with their current list of medications, which is helpful when they go see the doctor.” Binson’s sells 18,000 prescriptions and medications each month and serves 50,000 diabetic patients and 70,000 sleep apnea patients. It also serves more than 1,000 walk-in patients each day. Last year, Binson’s expanded to Ann Arbor and in June opened an office in Brighton to help service University of Michigan Health System, which in the past year terminated its durable medical equipment, respiratory and home supply business line, Fasse said. “That created an opening for Binson’s, and we worked with them as they were transitioning (and are helping) some of those patients,” said Fasse, who also is president of Northwood Inc., an affiliate of Binson’s that is a benefit administrator and provider network manager for health plans and auto and workers compensation carriers. Binson’s also is working more closely with many other hospitals, including St. Mary’s in Livonia and Hurley Medical Center, to provide immediate durable medical equipment services, including oxygen to patients when they are discharged. “We are on site or near some hospitals for timely discharge of their patients,” Fasse said. “We have prefilled vehicles to support their needs because they need to make sure patients are not readmitted or they get financially penalized.” In 2012, the durable medical equipment industry was shaken when Medicare began a competitive bidding contracting process. Many smaller, regional equipment companies went out of business or sold to larger companies. Medicare’s competitive bidding program, which was mandated by Congress more than a decade ago, was intended to save Medicare $1 billion annually. Three large hospital-based systems in 2013 merged DME operations into Hart Medical Equipment Co. after they failed to win competitive bids: Henry Ford Health System, McLaren Health Care and Genesys Health System. “We won contracts, but at least three providers closed their doors,” said Fasse. “They couldn’t get scale.” Two of the companies that closed were Motor City Medical in Madison Heights and Mitchell Home Medical in Ann Arbor. Fasse said Binson’s is bracing for a new round of Medicare competitive bidding contracts. In 2021, Medicare will start a new round of bids, which will be more of the same but also require providers to give discounts for all products in all categories, Fasse said. “Medicare thinks they will get more consistent outcomes and force every item to be consistently priced,” he said. Home medical equipment vendors provide a variety of supplies such as hospital beds, portable oxygen systems, diabetic products, knee braces, commodes, walkers and blood pressure monitors.

“Sleep apnea patients have doubled over the past year and we uptake more than 1,000 new patients per month.” Ken Fasse

Growth areas Treating patients with respiratory problems, including sleep apnea, providing home infusion therapy and private duty nursing are major growth areas for Binson’s as care moves to the home site. “Sleep apnea patients have doubled over the past year and we uptake more than 1,000 new patients per month,” said Fasse, who said he has been a patient for 20 years. “Diagnosis with obstructive sleep apnea has been growing as people are recognizing they have a problem and CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure mask connected to an air pump) technology has improved.” For example, data from CPAP technology can be tracked during the night and fed to a center that aggregates it and directs it to doctors and nurses for review. Doctors can assess patient care much more effectively. Of the 18 million people living with sleep apnea, fewer than 50 percent regularly use their CPAP mask while sleeping at night for various reasons, including lack of comfort and claustrophobic feelings. Home infusion therapy is getting a boost as health insurers such as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Priority Health and a growing number of others are beginning to create incentives for patients to get infusion therapy at home rather than at more costly outpatient hospital departments, Crain’s has reported. “We had only dabbled in home infusion and now we are offering it in Southeast Michigan and into Genesee County” through Binson’s Pharmacy, Fasse said. “We provide a full range of services for home infusion — medications, nursing support, DME. Everything is consolidated for patient convenience.” Home infusion includes care for patients diagnosed by physicians with infections; multiple sclerosis; cancer and cancer-related pain; gastrointestinal diseases or disorders, such as Crohn’s disease or esophageal cancer, that result in nutrition-related problems; congestive heart failure; and immune disorders. Along with home health and pharmacy services, Binson’s also has expanded its private-duty nursing services in Southeast Michigan. Besides home health aides and companions, registered nurses and licensed practical nursing services are available, he said. “We started early in 2019, and we have increased our run rate north of $1 million so far,” Fasse said. Looking ahead, Fasse said Binson’s is looking to expand its offices into several midwestern states that are under review. It already has an office in central Florida in Longwood and is considering Jacksonville, Tampa and along the Treasure Coast of Florida. Jay Greene: (313) 446-0325 Twitter: @jaybgreene

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SITES

English as Second Language courses. It then turns to a network of 85 other educational and social services providers to deliver the needed services. At the same time, the houses provide an opportunity for families and the community to connect. “Organizations provide programs and services; community is there for each other,” Eggleton said. “We provide both.” The holistic approach is needed to turn around literacy and education scores in the city and to help lift families out of poverty, Eggleton said. The 2017-18 M-STEP test of third-graders in Detroit showed 15.7 percent were reading at grade level. Within that, just 11.3 percent of third-graders in Detroit Public Schools

Community District were reading at grade level, while 21.2 percent of third-graders in Detroit charter schools were reading at grade level. That compares to 44 percent reading at grade level or better statewide. And 60 percent of kids in Detroit live in poverty, according to data collected by the Hope Starts Here early childhood education effort funded by the Kresge and W.K.Kellogg foundations. “You need a lot to change that,” Eggleton said.

Eggleton, 60, co-founded the nonprofit three and a half years ago with board chairman Jim Bellinson, managing member at Birmingham-based Riv-

erstone Growth Partners, and his wife, Carolyn Bellinson. At Jim Bellinson’s suggestion, Brilliant Detroit decided to locate its services right in Detroit’s neighborhoods. The couple provided a $250,000 seed grant and by the end of last year, there were four houses. Now there are seven in the Fitzgerald, Cody Rouge, Southwest, Central, Osborn, Brightmoor and Springwells neighborhoods. The nonprofit looks for communities with at least 125 children younger than 8 and neighborhood buy-in to support the site. Its first four houses exceeded that, serving a combined 4,000 children and adults last year, Eggleton said. Typically, the organization invests about $75,000 to rehab each house, acquired from the Detroit Land Bank or a private owner, and another $150,000$175,000 to operate it each year. It acquired the Fitzgerald house from Century Partners, which transferred the deed it got from the city to Brilliant Detroit for $2,000, Eggleton said. Brilliant Detroit is operating on a $2.5 million budget for this year and projecting $4 million next year once it’s opened another four houses. It’s looking at four prospective neighborhoods for those: Dexter-Linwood, Ravendale, Chandler Park and Morningside. “We won’t go into any neighborhood without three years of funding,” Eggleton said. “That gives us the ability to show the neighborhoods we are really committed to growing.” The Bellinsons are leveraging their relationships to bring support to the fledgling nonprofit, and Brilliant Detroit hosts “friend raisers” to bring support to its work. About 15 foundations and 350 donors are now supporting the organization, she said, with individual donations accounting for over half of its budget. ”Brilliant Detroit’s model presents an opportunity to connect families to programming right in their neighborhoods,” said Jeff Miles, senior director of United Way’s Center for Early Childhood Excellence, in an emailed statement. “This type of place-based effort certainly has a place in the early childhood ecosystem and can serve as a launching pad for effective programming.” Brilliant Detroit’s approach of only going where it’s invited is significant because it signals that it’s looking to build relationships with residents and listen to their needs, even on things like the best times to offer programs for parents, said Larry Burns, president and CEO of the Children’s Foundation, which made a $50,000 grant last year to fund the purchase of a house in the Springwells neighborhood. “It’s important to have more buy-in

Local Revolution

“(Bloomscape) is another example of companies that are choosing to start their organizations in Detroit and are able to attract the capital to grow their companies from both in state and out of state,” she said. Alongside Washington, D.C.based Revolution, funders for the round include New York-based Endeavor Global Inc. and a host of weighty startup founders: Eventbrite co-founder Kevin Hartz; Joey Zwillinger, co-founder of online shoe seller Allbirds; Away Luggage co-founder Jen Rubio; Quora co-founder Charlie Cheever; Warby Parker co-founders Neil Blumenthal and Dave Gilboa; and Jeff Raider, co-founder of shaving startup Harry’s, according to the release. “With high-impact entrepre-

neurs like Justin building truly innovative companies, we see enormous potential for Detroit’s growing ecosystem and beyond,” Endeavor co-founder and CEO Linda Rottenberg said in the release. Case, known best for America Online, which he co-founded in 1985, started Revolution in 2005. He is chairman and CEO, working with and investing in founders to build long-lasting enterprises, according to Revolution’s website. Case also launched Revolution’s Rise of the Rest, a startup pitch competition that has traveled to Michigan. Revolution is also an investor in Bedrock Manufacturing, the Plano, Texas-based parent company of Shinola/Detroit LLC. Case is scheduled to speak at the Detroit Homecoming VI event Sept. 19, produced by Crain’s Detroit

FROM PAGE 3

There are also family bonding activities like movie, karaoke and game nights and “literacy nights” that turn reading into fun, like using a recipe to make a tasty treat, outdoor play areas for children, community gardens and a signature orange door at each house. Central to the model is buy-in from the community. Brilliant Detroit builds relationships in the neighborhood, then seeks an invitation to bring its programs there. It hires local residents to help renovate its houses, seeks their input on unique needs and hosts monthly dinners to build community. Located near Livernois and McNichols, the house in the Fitzgerald neighborhood is Brilliant Detroit’s seventh in the city and the third it’s opened so far this year. Brilliant Detroit plans to open four more before year’s end, and by the end of 2023, another 13 for a total of two dozen homes across the city to help fill gaps in high need areas, co-founder and CEO Cindy Eggleton said. It’s investing $1 million to renovate and launch operations at the seven new houses this year. “We believe this is a way to help change Detroit,” Eggleton said. “We need a different way to provide services for people ... where they can feel a part of it.”

Jace Christian Polk, 19 months, enjoys some books at Brilliant Detroit.

ZAK BRATTO

Approach Past the bookshelves and comfortable couches in the living room of the Fitzgerald House is a big kitchen table for homework with bowls of ice cold bottled water and healthy snacks, a kitchen and bedrooms turned into small and large meeting rooms. Upstairs is a play area, a breast feeding room, and in a large open space, another big table surrounded by chairs for reading and other activities. “Early childhood policy suggests you need education, health and family support programs to get kids ready for kindergarten,” said Eggleton, who has served as chief strategy officer at Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries and senior director of community impact for United Way for Southeastern Michigan, among other positions. Each Brilliant Detroit site provides programs that have proven success, including parent education, nutrition, after-school literacy, physical activity and financial counseling, Eggleton said. But the nonprofit also asks each community to share its unique needs. In one neighborhood that might be GED programs; in another it might be

BLOOMSCAPE FROM PAGE 3

Bloomscape’s greenhouses are near Grand Rapids, where Mast grew up. He previously told Crain’s he wanted his business to be in “downtown Detroit with all the energy that is there. We also felt that being here would give us access to resources outside of the city.” Case’s Rise of the Rest fund is among national organizations looking outside heavily saturated startup hubs on the coasts to places like Detroit that “don’t have as much capital, but have a lot of really good meat on the bones” in terms of talent and product quality, said Emily Heintz, a venture-capital expert who launched a startup-ecosystem data company called EntryPoint.

SHERRI WELCH/CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS

CEO Cindy Eggleton: “We believe this is a way to help change Detroit.”

AOL co-founder Steve Case's investment firm Revolution isn't new to investments in Michigan startups. Among other local companies it has helped fund: J Detroit-based “stock market of things” StockX J Detroit-based online ad-making company Waymark J

Ann Arbor-based Sahi Cosmetics

J Guardhat, an industrial safety equipment and software maker with offices in Detroit and Chicago J Bedrock Manufacturing, the Plano, Texas-based parent company of Shinola/ Detroit LLC J Traverse City-based satellite communications company Atlas Space Operations

Funding

from people in the community,” he said. “Without (it), I don’t think the community will participate at the level needed to have the type of impact Brilliant Detroit is hoping to have.” The organization’s collaboration with other service providers is also notable, given that they can do more together than separately, Burns said. “What we will do now as we continue our relationship with Brilliant Detroit is try to get more concrete evidence of how successful they are ... but everything we’re hearing is positive, both from other funders and other agencies.”

Measures It’s early, but Brilliant Detroit’s programs offered with partners are already starting to show results, Eggleton said. J Children whose caregivers participated in the LENA Start program — which combines wearable talk pedometer technology with a curriculum to teach groups of parents simple strategies to build early language skills in infants and toddlers and is offered by Black Family Development — are gaining over 1.5 months of developmental skill every month. J Students participating in a Center for Success tutoring program offered at four Brilliant Detroit sites have increased their reading skills, on average, by two grade levels, per a midyear assessment. J Parents participating in the nationally known Raising a Reader program aimed at developing routines for book sharing and reading aloud found that parents increased their reading minutes by 58 percent over a one-year period. For the Fitzgerald neighborhood, where 300 people showed up for the grand opening of the house, Brilliant Detroit has been “a godsend,” Banks said. The new house and programs Brilliant Detroit has brought to the community mean a lot to the neighborhood because they are in alignment with what residents were trying to do as part of the broader revitalization project in Fitzgerald, Banks said. The community wanted to set up a homework club to help with literacy, she said. Brilliant Detroit “brought about everything we were envisioning for the neighborhood and the families within it.” “Brilliant Detroit has the resources and partners for us to make the things the community needs ... and wants happen.” Sherri Welch: 313 (446-1694) Twitter: @SherriWelch Business. A local booster helped introduce Bloomscape to Revolution. The Ann Arbor-based Renaissance Venture Capital Fund creates a yearly list of the 50 “hottest” startups in Michigan raising money and sends it to more than 100 national funds, including Revolution, said Christopher Rizik, Renaissance CEO and fund manager. Revolution “liked what they saw” in Renaissance’s description of Bloomscape, Rizik said. Renaissance’s list and other introductions led to around six investments over the last six months, he said. Dollar figures range from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions. Annalise Frank: (313) 446-0416 Twitter: @annalise_frank

C R A I N ’ S D E T R O I T B U S I N E S S // A U G U S T 5 , 2 0 1 9

N.Y. developer, Torgow friend co-developing bank he By Kirk Pinho

interview with Crain’s last week. “Somebody I’m certain our developer is very proud to be associated with as an investor.” Chemical Bank and TCF finalized a $3.6 billion all-stock merger on Aug. 1, creating a bank with $47 billion in assets and $35 billion in deposits, the 27th-largest nationwide. Torgow and Werdiger are active with Agudath Israel of America, which describes itself as a “diverse cross section of leading Orthodox rabbis, activists, philanthropists and everyday community members.” Its advocacy includes education and social services, and it has been active in securing public funding for religious schools, according to a 2017 Washington Post story. Last year, Werdiger was chairman of its board of trustees and Torgow, a member of the board, served as chairman for its annual event in New York City. In addition, photos of the two men at the White House during the Obama administration are posted online. Werdiger called Torgow a “close, loyal friend” in a Hamodia newspaper article last year and said that his and Torgow’s relationship goes beyond friendship and into politics and public policy.

employees and was founded in 1983. “He’s a very prominent national businessperson, company and investor,” Tom Shafer, the former Chemical Bank CEO who is moving into the president and chief operating officer position with the new TCF Bank, said in an

Shafer said he, not Torgow, was responsible for selecting the site where the new headquarters will be built. It is owned by GPC Adams LLC; city land records say the two properties that comprise the site — 2047 Woodward Ave. and 25 W. Elizabeth St. — were last sold in 2013 for $4.25 million. He also said other properties were considered but none met all of the bank’s requirements for its move from Midland to Detroit. He did not elaborate on what other properties were considered or what its requirements were. “We’ve been dealing with this, I would say, obvious and visible relationship since we chose — specifically, I chose — that location,” Shafer said last week. “We worked with our board

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the firepower to buy those banks. And that’s what really what got us to the opportunity.” Donnelly, who has done past banking deals with Provost, said Torgow, Provost and their management team that includes COO Tom Shafer and CFO Dennis Klaeser went through a “boot camp” on buying failed banks. “Once they learned that hand-tohand combat about how to do one of these FDIC transactions, they had a very proprietary skill set that very few banks in the country had,” Donnelly said. Provost spent 13 years at the former Manufacturers National Bank in Detroit (which later was acquired by Comerica Bank) before he founded the Bank of Bloomfield Hills in 1989. After he engineered the acquisition of Citizens First, Provost telegraphed their strategy in an interview with Crain’s — nine years before he became the new executive vice chair of the 500-branch TCF Bank. “We’d love to have a Michigan-based Midwest bank,” Provost said in 2010. By the spring of 2011, First Michigan’s acquisition of community banks outside of Michigan necessitated a name change, an arduous process in the highly regulated banking industry.

The two business partners came up with the name Talmer — a combination of the first three letters of the last names of Provost’s grandfather (John Talmage) and Torgow’s grandfather (M. Manuel Merzon). In the years following the Citizens First acquisition and other purchases of bankrupt or failed banks, the newly renamed Talmer Bank and Trust’s leaders worked on building a brand, said JoAnne Huls, who was the bank’s chief of staff from 2011 to 2017. “They went about it by thinking about the communities that they served,” said Huls, who is now Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s chief of staff. “Because of that, their success came right along with the community’s success. And people trust them.” In February 2014, Talmer went public on the NASDAQ stock exchange with a $250 million public offering. In August of that year, Talmer acquired First of Huron Corp. of Bad Axe and its wholly owned subsidiary, Signature Bank, adding to Talmer’s branch network scattered across the Thumb. That same year, Midland-based Chemical Bank was in the midst of its own rapid expansion, buying Coldwater-based Monarch Community Bancorp Inc. and Traverse Citybased Northwestern Bancorp.

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kpinho@crain.com

A close friend of Chemical Bank’s chairman is the other owner of a limited liability company that is developing and will own the Detroit-based bank’s new headquarters downtown. Sol Werdiger of New York City was identified as being a 50-percent owner of an entity called GPC Adams LLC that stands to earn hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue in the long term under a lease agreement for the 20-story building planned for the corner of Woodward Avenue and Elizabeth Street. Chairman Gary Torgow’s five adult children — Elie Torgow, Yoni Torgow, Rachel Torgow Krakauer, Moshe Torgow and Jacob Torgow — are the other 50-percent owners of GPC Adams through an entity they own called Park Elizabeth Associates LLC, which is a member of GPC Adams, according to filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The deal has drawn attention because of the relationship between Gary Torgow and the group that will be the new TCF Bank’s landlord. Corporate governance and real estate experts say the company appears to have followed rules for disclosure and vetting such transactions and the lease seems to be a fair deal. Chemical Bank has said in filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that Torgow “recused himself from all Board deliberations related to this lease agreement, and none of (the) adult children are directors, officers or employees of (Chemical Financial Corp.) or Chemical Bank. The Audit Committee of the Board [of which (Gary) Torgow is not a member] also approved this lease agreement.” Chemical Bank’s audit committee includes lead independent director Franklin Wheatlake, chairman of Reed City-based Utility Supply and Construction Co.; Dow Chemical Co. CEO James Fitterling; former General Motors Co. human resources chief Barbara Mahone; former Auto Wares Inc. executive Larry Stauffer; and Dow

Deal negotiation

A rendering of the planned headquarters in downtown Detroit, produced before the TCF merger was announced.

Chemical vice president Jeffrey Tate;. A message left with Werdiger, the founder and CEO of New York Citybased children’s sportswear maker Outerstuff LLC, was not returned last week. The company says on its website that it has licenses to produce apparel

with Major League Baseball, the National Football League, the National Hockey League and National Basketball Association, as well as Major League Soccer and the U.S. Olympic Committee. Sports Business Daily in 2016 reported that Outerstuff has 350

TCF BANK FROM PAGE 1

The arc of how these two businessmen amassed one bigger bank after another through more than a dozen deals follows the economic casualties of the 2008-2009 banking crisis, the changing face of retail banking and involves what one industry observer calls a combination of risk-taking, serendipity and nerve. “They caught lightning in a jar when we hit the downturn,” said John Donnelly, managing partner of Donnelly Penman & Partners, a Grosse Pointebased investment banking firm. The world-changing moment for Provost and Torgow came in 2010 when the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. put up for auction a series of failing community banks in Ohio, Wisconsin and Michigan. First Michigan Bank was a onebranch bank at the time with 30 employees and $75 million in assets. The failed banks First Michigan bought up included Peoples State Bank in Madison Heights, Community Central Bank in Mt. Clemens and the 22-branch Citizens First Bank in Port Huron. “The strategy was there was a need in Michigan that no one was willing or

Torgow

Dahl

able to fill,” Provost said. “Not Comerica. Not the Huntingtons. Not the Chases. No one would really invest money in Michigan in those days.” But billionaire New York financier Wilbur Ross did. Ross, now the U.S. secretary of commerce, put up $50 million of the $200 million in capital from institutional investors in April 2010 through his firm, W.L. Ross & Co. LLC, and took a seat on First Michigan’s board. “We didn’t think Michigan was going to zero, which was the prevailing wisdom at the time. And we believed in Dave (Provost) and Gary (Torgow),” Ross said at a February 2016 Crain’s M&A event. “Banking is the most management-intensive business in the world, and we believed in their management.” First Michigan Bank’s capital fundraising closed on the same Friday in

Shafer

Provost

April that regulators swooped in and closed the troubled Port Huron bank. First Michigan was the only bank that bid on Citizens First. With Ross’ money at their back, Provost, Torgow and their team engineered a feat that was unthinkable in the shellshocked banking world at the time: A 3-year-old bank with $100 million in assets acquiring a long-established bank with $1.1 billion in assets. “The turning point was the Citizens Port Huron transaction,” Donnelly said. “You literally have a minnow swallowing a whale.” Torgow attributes their ability to buy failing banks to the fact that their bank was the “only really clean platform that was able to bid” because they were not encumbered with bad loans like other financial institutions. “And we went to the marketplace and raised a lot of money, and we had

CHEMICAL BANK

C R A I N ’ S D E T R O I T B U S I N E S S // A U G U S T 5 , 2 0 1 9

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and our audit committee to make sure that every aspect of the relationships that are associated with this are wellknown, well-documented and highly visible to the governance process of our publicly traded company and our regulated company. “We worked with the Federal Reserve to make sure they understood the relationship. We’re very proud of the governance and the governance process that we went through in identifying this property, the design of it and now the construction of it for the city of Detroit.” Southfield-based Signature Associates Inc. was contracted to help with site selection. GPC Adams is an affiliate of Sterling Group, the Detroit-based real estate company that Gary Torgow started in the 1980s. It is now owned and run by his children, Torgow told Crain’s. “I have no ownership of the Sterling Group. I divested myself” in 2009, Torgow said. “When we came together and became full-time here, we had a really good team and my kids over there. They have complete ownership of it. I have no ownership in the (headquarters) building, no ownership in the company, and they’re actually doing a pretty good job without me.” Under terms of the lease, GPC Adams is to collect $35 per square foot for the building’s 199,370 square feet of office space, $50 for each of the 3,801 square feet of retail and $300 for each of the 311 parking spots, making a 2022 first-year rent collection of about $8.29 million if the entire building is leased. Annual 2-percent rent increases are built in to the lease. GPC Adams is set to earn $232.65 million, split 50-50 between Park Elizabeth Associates and Werdiger’s ownership entity. There are also four seven-year renewal options at the end of the 22 1/2 years. The total rent for a 50-year lease with the four seven-year options exercised is not known; rent in those four terms would be set at 95 percent of the fair market rent at the time. However, if it simply increased at a 2-percent rate ev-

ery year for the 50 years, the total rent would be $712.1 million, Crain’s calculated. According to the Southfield office of brokerage firm Newmark Knight Frank, the average asking rent for existing Class A office space was $26.58 per square foot in the second quarter. However, new office construction asking rates are considerably higher, with Dan Gilbert’s and the Ilitch family’s new office space asking for rents in the high $30s to low $40s per square foot, sources have previously said. Sam Munaco, a longtime Detroit commercial real estate broker focused on tenant representation, said the lease is a fair deal between Chemical Bank and GPC Adams. “It is readily apparent that this lease was fully vetted and negotiated in good faith between the respective parties,” said Munaco, president of Southfield-based brokerage firm Advocate Commercial Real Estate Advisors of Michigan LLC. He said the $35 per square foot is consistent with the market rate for new construction and that other critical terms, such as Chemical Bank’s right to contest property taxes, are built into the lease. Cindy Schipani, the Merwin H. Waterman Collegiate Professor of Business Administration and a professor of business law in the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, also said the lease and development deal seems to have been appropriately reviewed and approved. “They determined that this was the best deal for the company and that they shouldn’t not go forward just because of the conflict,” Schipani said. “It looks like they went through the property analysis and proper steps.” However, she said, ongoing diligence is needed. “What’s important to keep in mind is that they need to be vigilant on this. Other issues are most likely to come up, and any issue that comes up that’s connected to this company apply.”

In January 2015, Chemical Bank bought Holland-based Lake Michigan Financial Corp. and its $1.2 billion in assets. That set the stage for the Talmer-Chemical merger in August 2016 as Chemical — with $9.2 billion in assets — was nearing the $10 billion asset trigger for additional federal regulatory scrutiny. The merger helped both banks offset additional compliance costs, while also avoiding being swallowed by a national bank. By then, Talmer’s branch network was largely concentrated in Southeast Michigan and the Thumb, while Chemical was spread across the rest of the Lower Peninsula. “It was a perfect merger for us of two companies that also didn’t overlap,” Torgow said. The Talmer-Chemical merger was touted as a “merger of equals,” an approach Provost took as he sought out the next bank tie-up: Wayzata, Minn.based TCF Bank. Leaders of both banks emphasized that their merger will help scale growth and accelerate strategic planning. They have said both banks had little overlap at the retail level, while TCF folds in a commercial and industrial leasing and financing business that Chemical Bank lacked. “It doesn’t mean shedding any of

those businesses that we had,” said TCF Bank CEO Craig Dahl, who now reports to Provost and Torgow in the post-merger management structure. “Everything we had going in we’re going to have, it’s just going to be much more diversified.” The merger may have been of equally valued banks. But the banks followed very different paths to their merger. TCF, which was chartered as a national bank in 1986, grew organically over the years, a contrast to Chemical’s merger-fueled hyper-growth. “Dave continues to tell me we’ve got to be acquisition-ready,” Dahl said. The new TCF Bank has “a lot of runway ahead of them” for future mergers or acquisitions, Donnelly said. “They’re a predator now,” Donnelly said. “It’s no longer a Cinderella story. It’s time-tested now.” Given the evolution of their bank, Provost has a good reason to be ready. “You never know when the next acquisition is going to come,” he said. “You never know.”

Kirk Pinho: (313) 446-0412 Twitter: @kirkpinhoCDB

Tom Henderson contributed to this report. Chad Livengood: (313) 446-1654 Twitter: @ChadLivengood

GILBERT FROM PAGE 1

A spokesman for the center said no one by the name of Dan Gilbert was listed in the center’s patient directory, but hospitals commonly keep VIPs and celebrities off publicly facing patient lists. An official at Beaumont Hospital, where Gilbert was treated immediately after the stroke, declined to comment on where he was discharged to. Jeffrey Kutcher, a former University of Michigan neurologist who now is global director of the Sports Neurology Clinic in Brighton and two locations in Utah said Shirley Ryan is widely recognized by neurologists as one of the best facilities in the country for neurological rehabilitation. “There are many great places to go in Michigan, but I am not surprised” if Gilbert went to a top facility out of state, he said. The AbilityLab opened a new, $550 million center and took its new name in 2017. It features five stateof-the-art patient care facilities called Innovation Centers and treatment areas known as “ability labs.” The five Innovation Centers are Brain, Spinal Cord, Nerve, Muscle & Bone and Pediatric; cancer care is included in each. The ability labs are Think & Speak, Arms & Hands, Legs & Walking, Strength & Endurance and Pediatric. The institute is known for translational medicine — an approach that aims to put interdisciplinary teams together in a way that puts research and treatment together to speed the development of new therapies.

Treating strokes Stroke recovery can be a long and uncertain process. Gilbert’s nearly month-long care at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, where he spent time in an intensive care unit, indicated to Kutcher that Gilbert most likely had a blood clot removed from his brain in an emergency procedure. In a statement to the media June 20, Jay Farner, president of Quicken Loans Inc., said Gilbert was discharged the previous day from Beaumont, where he underwent a “catheter-based procedure.” That sort of procedure is typically used to clear blockages caused by clots. Kutcher, who said he has no independent knowledge of Gilbert’s stroke or treatment, said there are many different types of strokes and levels of seriousness. “The first thing is ‘stroke’ is a very broad term. There are many different types of strokes. Hemorrhagic, or bleeding stroke. Ischemic stroke, or lack of blood to the brain caused by a blockage, or clot. So there are a lot of variables,” said Kutcher. “It depends where it happens in the brain.” Stroke is an interruption of blood flow to the brain that causes a loss of neurological function that can occur with little or no warning. Ischemic strokes, which is possibly what Gilbert suffered, make up about 87 percent of all stroke cases. Some patients who suffer strokes see a complete recovery of function, and sometimes consequences can be lifelong.

About stroke rehab At inpatient rehabilitation facilities, stroke patients typically spend three to five hours in daily therapy, said Ali Zein, a licensed occupa-

tional therapy specialist and clinical rehabilitation manager of the neurosciences center at DMC Rehabilitation Institute. Zein said he has no knowledge of Gilbert’s stroke, but said the average length of stay for stroke patients ranges from 10 days to three weeks. When a stroke patient is admitted, Zein said, the rehabilitation team conducts an evaluation to determine what treatments are needed and measure how severe the effects of the stroke are. The evaluation may take 48 to 72 hours, with treatment provided at the same time. “No two strokes, blood clots or bleeds, are the same,” he said. “The biggest requirement is all patients must receive at least two different therapies. Either (physical therapy) and (occupational therapy), or speech, to meet CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) guidelines.” Team members include a physical medicine rehab doctor, a certified rehab nurse, along with occupational, physical, recreational and speech therapists. Family members are often encouraged to participate in exercises and be present for support. “Each patient is evaluated for physical therapy, getting out of bed, out of shower, completing grooming activities,” Zein said. “How they go up and down stairs. Speech therapy is important because most strokes (cause) swallowing deficits. We might need to modify the diet if we see patient is aspirating fluids or foods.” Treatment includes training to relearn tasks such as climbing stairs and maintaining balance, the AHA/ASA says. Rehab providers also provide a stimulating environment with books, music and virtual-reality games to increase patient engagement. “The goal is to discharge the patient home or to the next level of care as functional as possible,” Zein said.

Business moves In Gilbert’s absence, his companies have been making some major business moves. Last month, Gilbert’s Bedrock LLC real estate company purchased the 265-room Courtyard by Marriott hotel on Jefferson Avenue from an affiliate of General Motors Co. In late June, the venture capital-fueled StockX e-commerce platform that Gilbert co-founded hired a new CEO to take over day-to-day operations of the Detroit company that shares office space with Quicken Loans executives at One Campus Martius. Prior to his stroke, Gilbert had been reportedly heavily involved in steering the growth of StockX, a stock market-like online commerce platform for selling luxury and highly collectible consumer goods. In mid-June, while Gilbert was still hospitalized at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Quicken Loans agreed to pay $32.5 million to settle a federal lawsuit tied to Federal Housing Administration lending standards. Gilbert had long vowed to never settle the lawsuit brought by the U.S. Department of Justice over Quicken Loans originating hundreds of FHAbacked loans between September 2007 and December 2011 to borrowers who overstated their income to qualify for the loans. Jay Greene: (313) 446-0325 Twitter: @jaybgreene Chad Livengood: (313) 446-1654 Twitter: @ChadLivengood

H crainsdetroit.com Editor-in-Chief Keith E. Crain Publisher KC Crain Group Publisher Mary Kramer, (313) 446-0399 or mkramer@crain.com Associate Publisher Lisa Rudy, (313) 446-6032 or lrudy@crain.com Managing Editor Michael Lee, (313) 446-1630 or malee@crain.com Product Director Kim Waatti, (313) 446-6764 or kwaatti@crain.com Digital Portfolio Manager Tim Simpson, 313-446-6788 or tsimpson@crain.com Creative Director David Kordalski, (216) 771-5169 or dkordalski@crain.com Assistant Managing Editor Dawn Riffenburg, (313) 446-5800 or driffenburg@crain.com News Editor Beth Reeber Valone, (313) 446-5875 or bvalone@crain.com Senior editor, Chad Livengood, (313) 446-1654 or clivengood@crain.com Special Projects Editor Amy Elliott Bragg, (313) 446-1646 or abragg@crain.com Design and Copy Editor Beth Jachman, (313) 446-0356 or bjachman@crain.com Research and Data Editor Sonya Hill, (313) 446-0402 or shill@crain.com Newsroom (313) 446-0329, FAX (313) 446-1687, TIP LINE (313) 446-6766

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C R A I N ’ S D E T R O I T B U S I N E S S // A U G U S T 5 , 2 0 1 9

THE WEEK ON THE WEB

RUMBLINGS

Detroit City FC still plans on going pro

Art Van Furniture CEO out after just over year

JULY 26 - AUGUST 1 | For more, visit crainsdetroit.com

etroit City FC still has a plan to go pro after the abrupt dismantling of a hybrid tournament that was supposed to help it transition from semi-professional this fall. The wildly popular Hamtramck-based soccer team announced last week that the National Premier Soccer League is relaunching the Founders Cup as the Members Cup after five teams pulled out of the original tournament. The six-team tournament, designed to be the precursor to a new professional league, is no more, but fall matches will move forward, just with a different mix of teams, said Sean Mann, CEO of DCFC. Mann characterized the development as a speed bump more than a roadblock to going pro. The big missing piece for professional status has always been finding a high net worth investor to buy into the team, he said, and that could be close to happening. “For us, we’re working to line up that investor, that partner that would have that certain net worth. That’s the task at hand,” Mann said. “We’re moving the conversations forward. There is no guaranteed timeline (for going pro).” Mann said he is hoping to reach an agreement with an investor in the next month, at which point the team will lay out its plan for 2020. He declined to provide the name of the potential investor or any other details about the talks. The undoing of the Founders Cup came down to liability insurance, Mann said. Like other teams in the league, DCFC was after professional contracts for its players in the Founders Cup, but the insurance carrier for the U.S. Adult Soccer Association refused. “That carrier did not want to touch professional contracts,” Mann said. “This is gonna be a transition year,” he said. “It was always kind of a bit of a hybrid, but it took a different twist.” The Members Cup calls for DCFC to play five home and five away games, according to a post on its website. The Founders Cup included the same number of home and away games. However, instead of opponents Miami FC and Miami United, the team will now play against Napa Valley 1839 FC and Pontiac-based Michigan Stars FC, which is back after a year off. The blip is unlikely to make many enemies among the team’s fiercely loyal fan base. DCFC averages nearly 6,000 fans per home game at Hamtramck’s Keyworth Stadium, which is the highest in its league. The team also commands strong corporate support from companies such as Stroh’s Brewing Co., Strategic Staffing Solutions, Henry Ford Health System and MotorCity Casino Hotel.

BUSINESS NEWS J A new brewery and restaurant are heading to Detroit’s Midtown neighborhood. Smith & Co. is scheduled to open in September and Nain Rouge Brewery will open next door “in the coming months,” according to a Wednesday news release. The 7,000-square-foot restaurant at 664 Selden St. will offer an “inventive

LARRY PEPLIN FOR CRAIN’S

Detroit City FC announced last week that the National Premier Soccer League is relaunching the Founders Cup as the Members Cup after five teams pulled out of the original tournament.

Detroit digits A numbers-focused look at last week’s headlines:

$21.4M

Grant money awarded to Detroit Metro Airport for runway repairs

300M

Pounds of cherries produced by Michigan farmers last year

$2.45M

Retirement payout for Ex-MSU President Lou Anna Simon

take on Detroit cuisine.” The kitchen will be led by Greg Antioho of Blue Tractor BBQ & Brewery in Ann Arbor. J The Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit will be played May 25-31 next year, a month earlier than the inaugural PGA Tour event this year. The schedule change was made to accommodate the Tokyo summer Olympics, scheduled for July 24-Aug. 9 next year, according to an announcement from the PGA Tour. Golf was reinstated as an Olympic game in 2016. J Vice President Mike Pence is scheduled to speak in front of the Detroit Economic Club on Wednesday at the Westin Book Cadillac hotel in downtown Detroit. Pence will speak at noon for a half-hour. J Federal prosecutors in Detroit are seeking a 15-month prison term for a labor leader who conspired to enrich himself and others by having Fiat Chrysler Automobiles pay for meals, golf and other perks. Norwood Jewell was a vice president at the United Auto Workers until last year. J A recently formed coalition of black-owned businesses is pushing to give minority companies more opportunities to participate in Detroit’s development boom. The nonprofit

Detroit Coalition for Economic Inclusion, formed in November under the National Business League, launched a study last month to gauge how members of the black business community feel about their opportunities in the city. J Former Michigan State University President Lou Anna K. Simon is getting a retirement severance worth $2.45 million over three years and other perks for formally retiring from the university after stepping down as president 18 months ago in the fallout over the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal. J United Way for Southeastern Michigan has secured a new threeyear, $300,000 sponsorship from Roush Industries to upgrade the Detroit-based 2-1-1 health and human services call center and system. Those technology upgrades will improve community response by providing high-level data and could allow social services providers manage their own data needs in the future.

TRANSPORTATION NEWS J Crews will begin widening a shoulder on a segment of I-75 in Oakland County this month in preparation for a $1.4 billion multi-year project to rebuild more than 5 miles of pavement. J Metro Detroit’s transit service providers have been awarded $2.6 million in federal grants to buy up to six all-electric buses and charging infrastructure. The Detroit Department of Transportation and the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation will team with DTE Energy Co. and manufacturer Proterra Inc. to bring the new technology to Southeast Michigan. J As Ford Motor Co. bears down on a self-imposed deadline to field robotaxis and driverless delivery vehicles in two years, the automaker has acquired a small defense contractor in Southeast Michigan whose experience could help get auto-piloted cars on the road.

onald Boire is leaving Art Van Furniture LLC a little more than a year after joining the longtime Warren-based retailer. The furniture and mattress seller announced Boire’s exit and other leadership changes, including the departure of its chief merchandising officer, Thursday. Boire, a former Barnes & Noble Inc. CEO and longtime retail executive, started at Art Van in April 2018 as president and CEO. Art Van expects him to “transition out” of the role in coming weeks and the company’s board of directors employed a search firm to find his replacement, the company said in a press release. A reason for the split was not given. Diane Charles, Art Van’s vice president of corporate communications, said the company declined to comment. Boire is the second top executive to leave Art Van since its founder, Art Van Elslander, died in February 2018 at 87. Boire succeeded Kim Yost, who announced his retirement as CEO later that month. Van Elslander’s death came the year after he sold Art Van to Boston-based private equity firm Thomas H. Lee Partners LP in 2017 for an estimated $550 million.

Boire said last year that he expected to lead Art Van brands through a period of substantial change in the industry, which has seen the increasing appeal of e-commerce and Boire disruptive brands such as Wayfair and Casper, according to Retail Dive, a trade publication. Art Van also hired Chris Pelcher to become executive vice president and chief merchandising officer to replace Gail Galea, who left the company. “Many” other leaders have left since the private equity firm’s acquisition, Furniture Today reported. Pelcher was general manager of Art Van-owned Levin Furniture and Wolf Furniture and will continue leading its operations as part of his new role. Gary Van Elslander, son of the company’s founder and a board member, has taken on the newly created role of board chairman. The company said he will offer advice derived from his many years with the company. Art Van has 190 stores in nine states operating under several brands.

Bockart

McGrath

International brokerage Savills opens Detroit office S

avills plc, one of the world’s largest commercial real estate brokerage firms, has opened an office in Detroit. Formerly Savills Studley Inc. until March, the London-based company is open in WeWork space at 19 Clifford St. downtown following the hiring of Gregory Bockart Jr. and Peter McGrath from the Southfield office of Colliers International Inc. It’s the latest large international brokerage to set up its own outpost in the area, following Avison Young and Cushman & Wakefield in the last several years. Other new brokerages have emerged as well. “Detroit has experienced an exciting transformation that has reimagined downtown and shifted market dynamics over the past 10 years,” George Kohl, executive vice president who oversees Midwest opera-

tions for Savills, said in a press release. “Bringing on exceptional talent like Greg and Peter reflects the firm’s commitment to delivering local expertise globally and deepens our investment in Midwest business hubs.” The two-person team will focus on tenant representation, investment sales and other areas. Bockart, 36, is now executive managing director for Savills, leading the local office, while McGrath, 33, is associate director, heading up business development, market research and corporate real estate, according to the release. Their last day at Colliers was July 19; the Savills Detroit office opened July 24. According to trade publication National Real Estate Investor, Savills is the sixth-largest brokerage firm in the world with total 2018 transaction volume of $82.92 billion.

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