Whitington

named ArtPrize 2.0 executive director

Catlin Whitington has been selected by the ArtPrize 2.0 steering committee as its new executive director. Whitington recently was vice president of campus operations for Austin’s Long Center for the Performing Arts, where he managed all aspects of event and facility operations and championed public engagement and access for the performing arts. Prior to joining Long Center, Whitington was planning manager for the South by Southwest Conference and Festivals in Austin, Texas. ArtPrize 2.0 will take place Sept. 14 through Oct. 1.

Government

The city of Grand Rapids achieved the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its FY2023 Fiscal Plan, marking the 35th consecutive year the city has received this prestigious award.

Health

Bronson Healthcare and Acadia Healthcare Co. named Deb Rozewicz, RN, chief executive officer for Bronson Behavioral Health Hospital, a 96-bed inpatient behavioral health hospital being built in Battle Creek.

Cascade Trails is the recipient of A Place for Mom’s 2023 Best of Senior Living Award, a ratings and reviews site for senior care providers in North America, featuring over 14,000 senior living communities.

Grand Village recently received A Place for Mom’s 2023 Best of Senior Living Award.

Natalie Ryder, administrator of Ascension Borgess Allegan Hospital in Allegan, Ascension Borgess-Pipp Hospital in Plainwell and Ascension Borgess-Lee Hospital in Dowagiac, has been named by Becker’s Hospital Review to its 2023 list of Rural Hospital CEOs to Know.

StoryPoint Rockford received A Place for Mom’s 2023 Best of Senior Living Award.

The American Cancer Society in Michigan announced the appointment of board member Jeffrey MacKeigan of Grand Rapids, assistant dean for research, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.

The Center for Physical Rehabilitation announced the development of its Sports Academy, which provides rehabilitation for athletes led by sport-certified specialists that includes a team of physical therapists, athletic trainers and certified strength and conditioning specialists. Its director is Rebekah VanZegeren, a certified bike fit and gait analysis specialist. The Center for

Physical Rehabilitation also hired Jenison clinic director Dustin Karlik

Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital and Spectrum Health Zeeland Community Hospital, both part of Corewell Health, are included as two of only 101 hospitals in the U.S. on Money.com’s first-ever Best Hospitals for Bariatric Surgery list. Money.com, in partnership with The Leapfrog Group, indicated the standards included safety, performing a high enough number of the procedures to give patients the best odds of a good outcome and keeping patients safe from errors, infections and complications.

Wixom-based HNC Virtual Solutions recently appointed Rockford resident and seasoned health care finance executive leader Mary Anne Jones to its board of directors.

Insurance

Gibson announced the addition of Chuck Burnham as a sales executive in the property and casualty practice.

Portage-based J.M. Wilson hired Paige Craft as assistant surety underwriter and Lesley Boles as personal lines underwriter.

Legal

Hilger Hammond hired attorney Jeremy Orenstein, an experienced civil litigator who is well-versed in complex commercial cases, property disputes, catastrophic injury defense, and related appeals, and Stacey Knowles, a seasoned lawyer in commercial real estate transactions, contracts and corporate transactions.

Kelly Hollingsworth, a partner with Warner Norcross + Judd LLP, has been honored by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as one of its Up and Coming Lawyers for 2023.

Plunkett Cooney Grand Rapids attorney Lisa Hall was elected to serve her first term on the firm’s board of directors.

The East Grand Rapids Public Safety

Department received reaccreditation from the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission.

Varnum partner Kevin Macaddino has been named to the Michigan Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame for his notable cases, mentorship, community involvement and work with local, state and national bar associations. Intellectual property attorney Staci DeRegnaucourt has been named to the 2023 World Trademark Review 1000, a research directory focusing exclusively on trademark practices and practitioners. DeRegnaucourt is one of only five Michigan attorneys with a Gold ranking.

Warner Norcross + Judd LLP partner Andrea Bernard has been selected for Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s 2023 Hall of Fame.

LEISURE & RECREATION

The Muskegon YMCA announced Gabe Gerlach has been appointed CEO of the organization. She succeeds Bruce Spoelman, who retired from the YMCA after the 24 years in the organization including 19 in Muskegon.

MANUFACTURING

Holland-based FlexPost Inc. has been included in Inc. Magazine’s 2023 Inc. 5000 Regionals: Midwest list, after ranking regionally and nationally in both 2021 and 2022.

Ludington-based FloraCraft has promoted James Morkert to vice president of people, safety and culture. Morkert will collaborate with executive leadership to implement FloraCraft’s mission and goals through talent management, assess organizational success and market competitiveness, and analyze data.

NONPROFITS

Comprehensive Therapy Center announced the promotion of Ellen Sawyer from interim executive director to executive director. Ronald McDonald House Charities West Michigan announced Beth Stewart has joined the nonprofit’s finance and investment committee and Solmeris Hernandez joined its governance committee.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Leigh Ann Towne joined SeyferthPR as a senior account executive after spending 11 years at WXMI-TV (FOX 17) as a reporter, anchor and host of the station’s lifestyles program, Morning Mix.

REAL ESTATE

Ross Mortgage Corp. announced the additions of Melissa Ketchel as a loan partner and Brad Stinson as branch manager, who will bring his expertise in VA loans to the West Michigan community.

RETAIL

Blain’s Farm & Fleet has been named by Forbes magazine as one of America’s Best Mid-Size Employers for the fifth year in a row.