Grand Rapids Business Journal 03.08.21 by Grand Rapids Business Journal

WHITMER proposes $370M for child care.

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MAR 8, 2021 VOL. 39, NO. 5

The Business Newspaper of Metro Grand Rapids, Holland, Muskegon & West Michigan

THIS WEEK

CONSTRUCTION BECOMES MINISTRY Rockford Construction’s Brad Mathis learned about giving back while working in health care. Page 10

Report reveals needs for future of work Researchers engaged 32,000 people in 10 countries to understand challenges so Steelcase could create solutions. Rachel Watson

rwatson@grbj.com

Better outlook Report shows real estate industry is recovering from shock of 2020. PAGE 3

Tax relief In an IRS about-face, H2-A employers paying sick and family leave wages get credit. PAGE 5

CLASSROOM RELEARNING STEM pilot program searches for successful experience-based classroom initiatives. Page 11

THE LISTS

The area’s top family law ﬁrms. Page 6 The area’s top labor and employment law ﬁrms. Page 7

A new global report by Steelcase reveals those who have been working remotely during the pandemic will be looking for the comforts and convenience of home blended with the community, cultural and productivity benefits of the office when they return to work. Steelcase on Feb. 17 published a report, “Changing Expectations and the Future of Work,” which highlights what workers need to feel safe and comfortable returning to the office near term and what they want in their office going forward. The report found 87% of business leaders plan to allow more flexibility around how, when and where people work, up 38% from April 2020. Only 5% of organizations expect to work from home

Employees are looking for moveable, open and/or enclosed work areas when they return to the oﬃce. Courtesy Steelcase

full time while the vast majority, 72%, will take a hybrid approach, working from both home and office, offering greater flexibility to their employees. That

will have major implications for office space, with 86% of businesses planning to shift their long-term real estate strategy, the report said.

As business leaders navigate these changes, the Steelcase report also details how organizaCONTINUED ON PAGE 4

City seeks state funding for walkway connectivity Construction for Rivers Edge Trail anticipated for spring 2023 if application is approved. Ehren Wynder

ewynder@grbj.com

The Grand Rapids City Commission is seeking $1.2 million in state grants to connect a series of walkways along the Grand River. Commissioners recently held a public hearing on a series of four Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) grant applications for development of a multi-use bike and pedestrian trail along the east bank of the Grand River, to be submitted to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The city’s riverbank walkway was constructed in unconnected segments over several years. The proposed project will close one of the most significant gaps and connect the city’s nonmotorized network to regional trails. The Michigan DNR purchased the former railroad corridor along the east bank of the Grand River between Leonard and Ann streets in 2010. In 2019, the state conveyed the property to the city of Grand Rapids for the purpose of trail development. “This is the last remaining segment of trail connection through downtown Grand Rapids, and once completed it would provide full pedestrian and bicycle connectivity through Grand Rapids all the way up to the White Pine Trail, which is a very significant and important investment,” said

Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Director David Marquardt. The three-quarter-mile section will connect Canal Park to Riverside Park and will close the gap between downtown Grand Rapids and the Fred Meijer White Pine Trial State Park going 92 miles north to Cadillac, as well as connecting to the Pere Marquette State Trail, Fred Meijer Pioneer Trail and Musketawa Trail. The proposed trail design complies with ADA, Universal Design, AASHTO and River for All guidelines. It includes a universally accessible 12-foot-wide concrete shared use trail, universally accessible 14-foot-wide elevated boardwalk, native planting restoration and rain gardens at the bottom of side slopes to manCONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Inside Track ..... 10

‘BREAD ELVES’ spread kindness.

Guest Columns.. 16 Looking back on COVID-19 Change-Ups ..... 18 Calendar .......... 18 Public Record .... 19 Street Talk ...... 23

PAGE 3

Connecting walkways along the river would lead pedestrians to regional trails north of Grand Rapids. Photo by Michael Buck

ALWAYS OPEN FOR MICHIGAN BUSINESSES. As we move through 2021, Michigan businesses will continue to adapt. And the Michigan Economic Development Corporation will be here, helping to connect businesses to new resources, meet new partners and access the additional capital they need from the start. If your business needs support to reach its new potential, the MEDC is available to help in any way we can. Find customized business assistance at michiganbusiness.org/pure-partnership

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

Detailed proposed investments in child care in Whitmer’s 2022 state budget proposal include: • Increase income eligibility for

the Child Development and Care (CDC) program from 150% of the federal poverty level (FPL), $39,300 annually for a family of four, to 200% FPL or $52,400 annually for a family of four from April 1, 2021 through Sept. 30, 2022. This policy makes affordable child care available to an estimated 150,000 more children. Thereafter, income eligibility permanently increases to 160% FPL, or $41,920 annually for a family of four.

• Cover required family contri-

bution copays in the CDC program from April 1, 2021 through Sept. 30, 2022 to reduce the parent portion of child care expenses.

• Raise rates by 10% for CDC

providers, recognizing the increased cost to serve children.

• Pay child care providers on en-

rollment rather than attendance from April 1, 2021 through Dec. 31, 2021 to provide stability and protect providers over a sudden loss of funding if children are out of care temporarily.

• Provide business stimulus

grants to all child care providers to help them remain open and serving Michigan families while Michigan recovers.

• Maintain support for child

mental health by continuing the network of infant and early childhood mental health consultation, which provides mental health consultation to child care providers.

• Provide for the increased

administrative and information technology costs to successfully implement these investments.

MAR 8, 2021

Whitmer proposes $370M for child care Local providers and leaders say the recommended investments are a good start, but more is needed. Rachel Watson

rwatson@grbj.com

As early childhood educators struggle to stay in business, especially due to COVID-19, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s proposed fiscal year 2022 budget includes $370 million to make quality child care more affordable and accessible for Michigan families. Whitmer’s FY 2022 budget proposal, released last month, prioritizes child care as a strategy to support early childhood outcomes and to help Michiganders overcome obstacles to workforce participation. The budget recommendations include $370 million that will temporarily increase the income eligibility threshold from 150% to 200% of the federal poverty line and temporarily waive families’ out-of-pocket copays through fiscal year 2022. Additionally, there is a 10% increase in hourly rates to child care providers. The governor’s recommendation also includes $2.2 million for the tri-share pilot program, a pilot developed by a coalition led by the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce that would split the cost of child care evenly between the family, the employer of the family and the state. “We applaud the governor for her continued dedication to our child care industry and appreciate the continued backing of the nation-leading tri-share pilot program,” the Grand Rapids Chamber said. “We look forward to our

ongoing partnership with the coalition, the governor’s office and other key stakeholders to make Michigan a leader in child care policy and innovation.” Annemarie Valdez — president of the Grand Rapids nonprofit First Steps Kent, which is working to build a comprehensive early childhood system in Kent County — said the business sector depends on child care, and she believes there will be bipartisan support for these increased investments in the FY 2022 budget. “(For) opening up our economy, it’s essential to have child care for families so that people can go back to work and feel confident that their young ones are in quality child care,” Valdez said. “It really is one of those issues that crosses party lines, and we see how important it is, especially when the pandemic first hit and many child care providers had to close. It was critical because they didn’t have children or income at that time. So with the governor’s new budget, to see that she put about $370 million into the budget for child care, that means that more than 100,000 — possibly 150,000 — more families will be able to access child care in an affordable way.” A 2020 fact sheet from Great Start to Quality showed that across the state, the number of child development centers in operation dropped from 4,534 in 2019 to 777 as of July 2020, with 333,335 spaces available in 2019 and only 67,820 spaces available in July 2020. The number of family/ home-based child care providers fell from 4,073 in 2019 to 2,206 as of July 2020, with only 19,242 spaces available in July, compared to 34,314 in 2019. Meanwhile, there are 687,686 children under the age of 6 in Michigan, with 439,038 of those having parents in the workforce, and 309,429 of those at or near the

poverty level. The cost of child care runs in the multi-thousands per year and can range from 27% to 79% of a single parent’s income depending on the child’s age and the number of children enrolled, and from 7% to 21% of a dual-parent household’s annual income, according to the Great Start fact sheet. Valdez said Kent County saw a rate of about 30% of child care providers closing per month even before the pandemic due to increasing costs and insufficient funding. A child care alliance and crisis team First Steps Kent helped form during the pandemic was able to connect providers to critically needed CARES Act funding, other grants, supplies, PPE and more in order to keep child care providers in business. The number of open licensed providers went from about 650 in March 2020 down to about 200 in April, but the alliance has been able to bring almost all of

them back online to date. Still, a pair of local providers say they will need more help to remain open and providing topnotch care. Isabel Blair, owner/director at Mi Casa Es Su Casa Bilingual Family Child Care in Byron Center, said one of the biggest challenges in her situation besides enrollment numbers is the inability to pay competitive wages to her staff, who can make more money per hour at McDonald’s or Target than she can afford to pay them. She said the proposed investments in the FY 2022 budget would help defray the increasing costs of cleaning supplies, food, liability insurance, health insurance and wages at a time when more workers are needed to keep ratios low and everyone properly socially distanced. Even with the proposed investCONTINUED ON PAGE 5

There are 687,686 children under the age of 6 in Michigan, with 439,038 of those having parents in the workforce. Courtesy First Steps Kent

‘Bread elves’ spread kindness Real estate survived 2020 Apple Spice employee and retired volunteer collect extra bakery loaves to feed people in need. Rachel Watson

rwatson@grbj.com

A pair of West Michigan women have stepped up to help their atrisk neighbors with bread donations. Jenny Durfee, a delivery driver and kitchen worker at Apple Spice Box Lunch & Catering Co. in Byron Center, and Bonnie Wiers, a volunteer with Streams of Hope, decided they would help meet the food needs of those struggling financially during COVID-19 by committing to a seemingly small action that’s had a big impact — giving away surplus bread from Apple Spice’s kitchen to neighbors and community members. Nancy Jacobs co-owns the Apple Spice franchise at 701 68th St. SW in Byron Center with her hus-

band, Mike Jacobs. They opened the business — which is a boxed lunch delivery and catering company known for its fresh salads, sandwiches, soups and bread — in 2019 as a second career. Nancy Jacobs is a retired nurse, and her husband was an aerospace engineer. Married 32 years with about 10 years left before they want to retire for good, Jacobs said they prayed about the impact they could have with their Apple Spice franchise. “We figured … let’s do something and do it right to try to not only have a wonderful business, but to bless our employees and to be a blessing to the community,” she said. Jacobs said Apple Spice bakes honey wheat, sourdough and 13-grain bread without preservatives from scratch every day, with the process starting at 4 a.m. when the baker comes in and lasting for about four hours. “We must estimate how much bread we will use each day and add a buffer,” Jacobs said. “This leaves us (with) extra bread at the end of CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

NAI Wisinski report paints positive picture moving forward. Ehren Wynder

ewynder@grbj.com

Extra bread at Apple Spice often is given to neighbors and community members by volunteers. Courtesy Apple Spice Box Lunch Delivery & Catering

Things are looking up for West Michigan real estate in 2021. The latest market reports from NAI Wisinski West Michigan indicated the region overall is weathering the COVID-19 storm. The reports, which covered market activity for the fourth quarter of 2020, found the industrial sector held up extremely well through the pandemic. The fourth quarter overall vacancy rate ended the year at 2.7%, compared to a year-end vacancy of 2.6% in 2019. “Statistically, this is inconsequential,” said NAIWWM Industrial Specialist Stu Kingma. “While we did see some increases in vacancy during the first, second, and third quarters of 2020 that reached as high as 3.6%, the continued resiliency

of the industrial segment of the commercial real estate world left us, at year-end, where we were the year before, which is excellent news.” The continued market strength comes from many sectors of the industrial market, Kingma said, however, regional office furniture manufacturers remain impacted by the pandemic and its work-from-home circumstance. “While there are divergent perspectives on what this means for office space users long-term, we do anticipate that once the pandemic’s grip has loosened, the office furniture segment will rebound and may require additional warehousing space,” he said. Rental rates followed a similar track to the vacancy rate. At the end of 2019, the aggregate rental rate was $4.12 per square foot, and 2020 ended at $4.25. Kingma said this points to a tight market and continued robust activity with tenants. CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

MAR 8, 2021

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

Report reveals needs for future of work CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

tions can design their workplaces for the new world of work. To understand how the pandemic has impacted what people need and expect in the office, Steelcase researchers engaged over 32,000 people in multiple studies conducted in 10 countries over the course of the pandemic — Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Mexico, Spain, the U.K. and the U.S. The report found eight of the 10 countries rated “no commute” as the top benefit to working from home, and 10 out of 10 ranked “isolation” as the top challenge. Steelcase researchers augmented quantitative data about the benefits and challenges of working from home by interviewing people in North America and Europe for deeper insights. They found the experiences people described fell into five patterns or personas: •The overworked caretaker, where the home office is a nonstop flow of competing demands •Relieved self-preservationist, who feels the home office is the only safe place during the pandemic •Frustrated creative networker, for whom the home office is a suspension from normal life and work •Autonomy seeker, who sees the home office as freedom •Isolated Zoomer, who experiences the home office as a lonely cage Christine Congdon, director of global research communications at Steelcase and editor of the report, said employers will need to figure out how to address the takeaways that came out of the mass shift to working from home. “If working from home was a big experiment on a global scale, I think we’re entering a new global experiment, which will be, how do we give workers that kind of autonomy and flexibility to choose what

works best for them, but yet also be able to still feel rooted within the organization and feel connected with their colleagues and have a sense of shared purpose?” she said. Synthesizing the research from the studies in the various countries uncovered five overarching needs that Steelcase concluded will drive new ways of planning and designing offices: employees need to be and feel safe; feel a deep sense of belonging; be productive; be physically, cognitively and emotionally comfortable; and have control over where and how they work. Congdon said safety was the top concern cited by workers in the report, and workplace safety priorities need to grow from merely addressing occupational hazards and fire drills to also thinking about clean air, general cleanliness and disease mitigation strategies. She said it would be a mistake to assume these will be short-term priorities that will go away after the pandemic — for example, people are realizing the safety strategies that prevent the spread of COVID-19 also work for influenza and the common cold — so employers need to be prepared for permanent changes. “Leaders want people to be together, but their old office won’t work for the new reality,” said Gale Moutrey, vice president of workplace innovation at Steelcase. “Now is the time for companies to seize the opportunity to reinvent the work experience and the workplace. This report shows employees don’t want to return to the office they had before; they want to return to something better.” HYBRID DESIGN STRATEGIES The report highlights four ideas to help organizations design their hybrid workplace and support the new employee expectations:

Balance the needs of “we” and “me”: While a common narrative says people want to work in the office primarily for group or social activities, Steelcase data shows employees also want the ability to focus and work in a quiet professional environment. Leaders and employees alike listed collaboration and focus among their top reasons for returning to the office. People said they need to be able to quickly shift between working together and alone and between more structured work and informal interactions. Shift from fixed to fluid: The report finds people in every country reported improved autonomy and work-life balance when working from home, while also struggling with productivity. Leaders can better support employees in the office by creating workspaces that are designed for greater flexibility, giving workers control over their environment. Pre-pandemic, the majority of people wanted to be able to reconfigure their furniture, but only 38% were able to do so. This means equipping workers with highly mobile furniture, power, technology and space division, Steelcase said. Flip enclosed and open spaces: One of the largest changes happening in the office is a shift from offering mostly enclosed collaborative spaces, such as conference rooms, to providing more open and flexible team spaces, Steelcase noted. Meanwhile, spaces for individual focused work are shifting from dense open spaces to more enclosed or shielded places for privacy. This is designed to provide teams with a sense of safety and the flexibility to resize their space based on activities. Braid the physical and the digital experience: As individuals and teams continue to live and work on video, employees will need places to join video conferences without disturbing others in the office. Teams will need to integrate space and technology to create inclusive experiences for those in the office

‘Bread elves’ spread kindness CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

the day.” The bread is only sold same day at Apple Spice, but Jacobs said it can last for up to a week if people refrigerate it. Durfee, figuring perfectly good bread shouldn’t go to waste, decided to start an informal giveaway service in her neighborhood in Gaines Township. “We just noticed that there was a lot of extra bread at the end of the day, and instead of throwing it in the trash every day, (I figured) why don’t we just help somebody out?” she said. “Whatever’s left at the end of the day, I bring it home and I set it out in my front yard on a folding table with ‘free’ signs, and people just come and get it.” There is no charge for the bread, although there is a donation jar for those who are able to give. Any donations collected are then shared with her co-workers, whose work hours have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Durfee said her neighbors, many of whom are elderly, have come to

appreciate the bread stand. She has received handwritten cards in the mail from people — including one from the township, thanking her for her service. In addition to her bread stand, Durfee also makes deliveries with her daughter to Pinegate Mobile Village, a mobile home park just a few minutes away where her mother-in-law lives, along with several elderly and disabled individuals and military veterans. “My daughter will go and knock on the doors and ask them if they would like anything, if they can’t get out of their house. She’ll knock on one door, and they’re like, ‘Oh yes, I’d love to have one,’ and ‘Why don’t you go knock on George’s door? Maybe he wants one; just open the door and ask him,’” Durfee said. In the beginning, Durfee also was making stops at Streams of Hope in Cutlerville, a nonprofit ministry that runs a food pantry. But when COVID-19 hit, the organization didn’t want any outsiders coming in to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.

So instead, Bonnie Wiers, a retired teacher and Streams of Hope volunteer for about three or four years, became the transporter, picking up bread from Apple Spice on Tuesdays and Thursdays — rain, snow or shine — and delivering it to the food pantry, which is open for curbside service from 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays and 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Thursdays. Although Jacobs said Wiers plays an important role, Wiers said she doesn’t necessarily feel she is doing anything special. She believes volunteering not only is the right thing to do but also keeps her young and active. “I’m just a transporter,” Wiers said. “I just take bread from one place to another. It’s a very small part that I play, but I’m glad I can. … The atmosphere here (at Apple Spice) is wonderful.” Jacobs dubbed the two women Apple Spice’s “bread elves” for the service they do for the community. “It’s people like Jenny and Bonnie that make West Michigan the best it can be,” she said.

and remote team members. “Our research finds that taking a laissez-faire approach and simply returning to the pre-pandemic workplace will leave employees frustrated, reduce productivity and create inequities,” Moutrey said. “The need to get it right has never been greater. The organizations that use this moment to create a better experience for their people will be the ones that emerge from this crisis ready to compete and win.” Congdon said one of the biggest surprises for her as the data was coming together was just how quicky workplaces adapted to changing needs of employees, with 87% of employers saying they are going to adopt more flexible work policies. “I think that’s really a silver lining coming out of all of this, that organizations are realizing that they really need to allow people to do what’s going to be able to work for them,” she said. She emphasized that the pandemic brought to the forefront the inherent inequities that arise from working remotely, “because we all have different homes.” “We all have very different life situations. Some people are single, some are married with kids, some have partners, dogs, some people have big homes, some people have small homes. So just the fact that

our homes are different (makes it) inherently unequal. And sometimes those inequalities that are negative are (because) the same people who struggled before the pandemic are struggling at home, and the same people who had advantages before the pandemic are advantaged at home. And so, I think it’s really important that organizations not make assumptions one way or the other or that they not design work policies that kind of force people into one way of working or another,” she said. ABOUT THE RESEARCH Since the onset of the pandemic, Steelcase has been conducting ongoing research to help organizations understand what is really happening to their workforce and the impact it is having on their business. The Steelcase data includes findings from eight qualitative and quantitative primary research studies conducted in 2020. The work was designed to measure the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on work, workers and the workplace. The studies were fielded in as many as 10 countries and have included more than 32,000 participants around the world using methodologies based in the social sciences. The full report can be found at bit.ly/steelcasefutureofwork.

City seeks state funding for walkway connectivity CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

age stormwater, native trees, LED lighting, benches with accessible companion seating, a bike repair station, trash cans and signage. The trail includes three underpasses under Leonard Street, Ann Street and the GR Eastern Railroad bridge and connections to Monroe Avenue and the bike lanes. The total project cost is estimated to be $6,375,435, and the estimated MNRTF grant-eligible project cost is $5,164,819. The project has been broken into four separate trail segments corresponding to four grant applications totaling a request of $1,200,000. Marquardt told the commission the reason for the four separate applications is because MNRTF grants are capped at $300,000 each. The four segments are as follows: SEGMENT 1 Segment 1 connects to the existing trail south of Leonard Street and takes it under Leonard Street Bridge and back up to grade with trail and boardwalk. The total grant-eligible project cost is $1,568,643. SEGMENT 2 Segment 2 runs north of Leonard Street to the railroad property, including a spur to Monroe Avenue and the existing bike lanes. Total grant-eligible project cost is $1,356,176. SEGMENT 3 Segment 3 commences north of

the railroad property to the south side of Ann Street, including eastward along Ann to Monroe Avenue and the existing bike lanes. Total grant-eligible project cost is $665,800. SEGMENT 4 Segment 4 is the trail and boardwalk under Ann Street connecting to the existing trail north of Ann. The total grant-eligible project cost is $1,574,200. The MNRTF requires a 25% match of total project cost for each application. The required match will be met with a combination of parks millage (minimum $75,000 per segment), federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funds and City Capital Reserve appropriations. The city also is working with West Michigan Trails and Greenways for private philanthropic fundraising. Millage funds already have been committed. The city is waiting for the results of the TAP grant application, which was submitted to the Michigan Department of Transportation in October 2020. The project was approved by the Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Advisory Board at its meeting on Jan. 6. The grant submission deadline is for April 1. If the grant is awarded, the city will be notified by December, and the state will give the agreed-upon awards in spring 2022. Construction for the Rivers Edge Trail is anticipated for spring 2023 if the application is approved.

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

MAR 8, 2021

H-2A employers now benefit from tax credit

Help comes for those paying sick and family leave wages for foreign farm workers. Danielle Nelson

dnelson@grbj.com

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) made a rare pivot just weeks into the new tax season, allowing H-2A employers to become eligible for the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) tax credit. The IRS updated its position on Jan. 28, allowing employers who pay wages to H-2A workers — foreign workers who come to the U.S. to temporarily fill seasonal agricultural jobs such as planting, cultivating, or harvesting — some relief after it had been determined that there is a shortage in the U.S. labor pool. The FFCRA was signed into law in March 2020 by former President Donald Trump in response to the deadly coronavirus. It provides small and midsize employers refundable tax credits that reimburse them, dollar-for-dollar, for the cost of providing paid sick and family leave wages to their employees for leave related to COVID-19, according to the IRS. Kimberly Clarke, an immigration attorney at Varnum, said the

FFCRA was designed to give up to two weeks of paid leave to individuals who were either off being tested for COVID-19 or off quarantining because of exposure to someone who had COVID-19. It was a reimbursement opportunity for employers, so they didn’t have to pay employees paid sick leave purely out of pocket without the ability to recoup those funds. However, H-2A employers were initially excluded — unbeknownst to them. “Employers were operating under the assumption that these

Jeff Uherek Regional VP

wages would be a part of what could be forgiven under the employment tax credit,” Clarke said. “So, during COVID there were lots of dollars paid to H-2A workers with the anticipation that they would be covered under the tax credit. I think the (negative impact of the tax credit exemption on Clarke employers) was

raised to the IRS and then the IRS reconsidered.” The reversal on the FFCRA tax credit for H-2A workers is significant because they are generally exempt from paying U.S. Social Security and Medicare taxes on compensation paid to them for services performed in connection with the H-2A visa. Additionally, employers are not required to withhold U.S. federal income tax from compensation paid to an H-2A agricultural worker. Employers can withhold federal income tax if both the H-2A agricultural worker and the

employer agree to withhold, according to the IRS. Nevertheless, H-2A agricultural workers may owe U.S. federal income tax when he or she files a U.S. individual income tax return for the year. According to Rural Migrant News, H-2A workers are in the U.S. for an average of six months, so the 275,000 H-2A jobs certified by the U.S. Department of Labor were equivalent to 137,700 full-time jobs in 2020. H-2A workers filled 16% of the average employment in U.S. crop agriculture in 2020.

YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY HAS AN ADJUSTER,

SHOULDN’T YOU?

$370M for child care CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

ments, Blair said she believes the way child care is perceived needs to change, and professional educators such as herself need to receive more long-term, systemic support. Starr Morgan, executive director of Grand Rapids Early Discovery Center, agreed. She said last year, she received two rounds of Payroll Protection Program funding, Child Care Relief Fund grants from the state of Michigan and a small business grant from the Grand Rapids Chamber to stay afloat, but all of those forms of assistance are temporary, and the child care funding system needs to be updated. Instead of being looked at as babysitters or daycare centers, she believes early childhood educators need more respect and support, and to be classified as salaried, exempt teachers by the government. “Even if everything magically resolves itself with COVID by (this) summer, there’s still so much needed to invest in early education,” Morgan said. She said most early childhood teachers make about $25,000 to $30,000 annually, even with a fouryear degree, and she contends the group of people responsible for the brain development of children in their most formative years should not have to be on government assistance in order to survive. “In the end, it all affects the children the most,” Morgan added.

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GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

MAR 8, 2021

THE LIST

Top Area Family Law Firms (RANKED BY NUMBER OF FAMILY LAW HOURS BILLED IN 2020) W. Mich. managing partner(s) 1

Shaw Law Group PLC 77 Monroe Center NW, Suite 507 Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 281-2600 f 281-0758 adaminquiry@shawlg.com shawlg.com

Year No. of W. Mich. established in Family law hours family law Total no. of W. Mich. billed in 2020 lawyers lawyers

No. of W. Mich. No. of W. Mich. support staff paralegals

Top areas of practice

Ivan Shaw

2007

6,600

DND

Family law, criminal, estate planning, probate

Thacker Sleight PC 445 Cherry St. SE Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 888-3810 f 888-3811 hello@thackersleight.com thackersleight.com

Connie Thacker Allison Sleight

2017

6,200

Family law, collaborative divorce, business valuation

Varnum LLP 333 Bridge St. NW Grand Rapids 49504 p (616) 336-6000 f 336-7000 generalinfo@varnumlaw.com varnumlaw.com

Ronald DeWaard Scott Hill

1888

6,173

161

Corporate, banking, finance and restructuring, litigation, labor and employment, estate planning and trust services

Scholten Fant 100 N.Third St., P.O. Box 454 Grand Haven 49417 p (616) 842-3030 f 846-6621 scholtenfant.com

Robert Sullivan

1957

5,366

Family law, business law, real estate, estate planning and elder law, municipal

Warner Norcross + Judd LLP 150 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 1500 Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 752-2000 f 752-2500 wnj.com

Douglas Dozeman

1931

5,156

223

136

Business and corporate, litigation and trial, human resources, intellectual property, trusts and estates, real estate

Bolhouse, Hofstee & McLean PC 3996 Chicago Drive SW Grandville 49418 p (616) 531-7711 f 531-7757 info@bolhouselaw.com bolhouselaw.com

Mark Hofstee

1977

4,599

Business law, collections and creditors' rights, estate planning, family law, real estate and construction law

Rhoades McKee PC 55 Campau Ave. NW, Suite 300 Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 235-3500 f 459-5102 marketing@rhoadesmckee.com rhoadesmckee.com

Anthony Pearson

1960

4,582

Business and commercial litigation, insurance defense, estate planning and probate, real estate and construction, family law

Avanti Law Group PLLC 600 28th St. SW Wyoming 49509 p (616) 257-6807 f 257-8501 info@avantilaw.com avantilaw.com

Meghan Moore Robert Anthony Alvarez Raquel Guzman Amy Grauman

2010

2,800

Criminal defense, family law, immigration law, labor and employment, business law

Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge 100 Monroe Center NW Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 774-8000 f 774-2461 info@shrr.com shrr.com

Kevin Even Jaron Nyhof Matthew Wikander

1941

2,404

Litigation, medical malpractice defense, health law, legal malpractice defense, business law

Benjamin Zainea Scott Dwyer Joshua Beard

1951

2,348

Business, municipal, litigation, labor and employment, energy and natural resources, family law and trusts and estates

Anne Seurynck

2005

1,327

Business, litigation, municipal law, health care, employment

Matthew DeLange

2008

1,300

Family law, divorce, custody, child support, interstate

10 Mika Meyers PLC

900 Monroe Ave. NW Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 632-8000 f 632-8002 firm@mikameyers.com mikameyers.com

Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith PC 1700 East Beltline Ave. NE, Suite 200 Grand Rapids 49525 p (616) 726-2200 f 726-2299 fosterswift.com

MI Family Law Center 866 3 Mile Road NW, Suite 1 Grand Rapids MI p (616) 528-8877 f 784-5392 info@mifamlaw.com mifamlaw.com

Law group expands Thacker Sleight added Tiffany Burks to its firm in late 2020. She focuses on divorce, child custody and child support matters in the firm’s family law group.

Executive team Attorney Patrick Ellis was elected to serve as vice president on Rhoades McKee’s executive committee for a three-year term.

‘Best Law Firms’ Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge was ranked among the top law firms in the United States in the 2021 edition of “Best Law Firms,” which is published by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers.

Attorney named Fellow Mika Meyers’ Elizabeth K. Bransdorfer recently was named a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. She specializes in divorce and family law.

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THE LIST

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

MAR 8, 2021

Top Area Labor & Employment Law Firms (RANKED BY NUMBER OF WEST MICHIGAN EMPLOYMENT LAW HOURS BILLED IN 2020) No. of W. Mich. No. of W. Mich. Practice group Year established employment employment partner in W. Mich. hours billed lawyers

Major employment clients

Areas of expertise

Miller Johnson 45 Ottawa Ave. SW, Suite 1100 Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 831-1700 f 831-1701 millerjohnson.com

Catherine Tracey Mary Tabin

1959

33,385

Spectrum Health, Bronson Health, Employment counsel: workplace investigations, FMLA/ADA, wage Gordon Food Service, Kellogg and hour, privacy, immigration, workplace policies, employment Company, Stryker, Challenge agreements including restrictive covenants, OFCCP, employee Manufacturing, Rettenmaier USA LP, relations, MIOSHA/OSHA for both private and public employers. Hutchinson Aerospace and Industry, Labor counsel: both managing union relationships and remaining Gill Industries, County of union free. Litigation and dispute resolution: alleged claims of Washtenaw wrongful termination, discrimination and harassment, retaliation, FMLA/ADA, contract disputes, EEOC/MDCR/MIOSHA administrative claims and restrictive covenants, including noncompetes

Warner Norcross + Judd LLP 150 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 1500 Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 752-2000 f 752-2500 wnj.com

Amanda Fielder Jonathan Kok

1931

12,476

The Dow Chemical Company, EJ Group, Entergy, Haworth, National Heritage Academies, PADNOS, SpartanNash, Wolverine Worldwide

Work with public and private companies employing union and non-union workforces, providing counsel on hiring, promoting, supervising, disciplining and firing employees. Provide crisis management support in the event of an incident and represent employers before administrative agencies

Varnum LLP 333 Bridge St. NW Grand Rapids 49504 p (616) 336-6000 f 336-7000 varnumlaw.com

David Khorey

1888

10,535

DND

All areas of labor and employment law including: employment litigation defense, strategic labor relations planning and implementation, wage and hour law, workers' compensation defense, workplace safety and health/MIOSHA, harassment, investigations, regulatory compliance

Barnes & Thornburg LLP 171 Monroe Ave. NW, Suite 1000 Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 742-3930 f 742-3999 btlaw.com

Keith Brodie

Mika Meyers PLC 900 Monroe Ave. NW Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 632-8000 f 632-8002 mikameyers.com

Nathaniel R. Wolf

2003

1951

9,236

7,432

The Dow Chemical Company, Firserv Traditional labor, employment litigation, employment counseling, Inc., Flying Food, Froup LLC, Gerdau advice and training, OSHA, EEOC, DOL, FMLA, OFCCP, ADA, wage Special Steel North America, Grand and hour, ULP, union avoidance, FSLA, RIFs, NLRB, arbitrations, Valley State University, Henry Ford collective bargaining Health System, Sparrow Hospital, Northern Lakes Community Mental Health, Hexcel Corporation, Kellogg Company, Mercy Health Partners, MidMichigan Health, Northrop Grumman, NSG Glass North America Inc., Pilkington North America, Shape Corporation and Wolverine Worldwide Inc. DND

Private sector and public sector employers, including colleges and universities, school districts, nonprofits and municipalities; all aspects of labor and employment, including collective bargaining, grievance arbitrations, union organizing and campaign elections, unfair labor practices; wage-hour compliance, immigration and OSHA/MIOSHA matters, employee handbooks, employment agreements, all federal, state and local administrative agencies; employment litigation, including non-compete agreements, unfair competition, trade secret litigation, employee misconduct; health and welfare benefits

Bodman PLC 99 Monroe Ave. NW, Suite 300 Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 205-4330 bodmanlaw.com

John David Gardiner

2017

4,092

TGW Systems, Dematic Corp., Loss Management-side employment law counseling and litigation; Prevention Services; MED-1, DEKSIA, traditional labor relations BDN, Robinson Dental, Great Lakes Periodontics

Rhoades McKee PC 55 Campau Ave. NW, Suite 300 Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 235-3500 f 459-5102 rhoadesmckee.com

Catherine Brainerd

1960

3,283

DND

Employment agreements, non-competes, employment counseling and training, workplace discrimination, labor laws and management, Wage and Hour Act, employment litigation, FMLA, FLSA

Bos & Glazier PLC 990 Monroe Ave. NW Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 458-6814 f 459-8614 bosglazier.com

Bradley Glazier

1995

3,000

DND

Wrongful discharge, sexual harassment, contract breach, FMLA, FLSA, ADA, discrimination

Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith PC 1700 East Beltline Ave. NE, Suite 200 Grand Rapids 49525 p (616) 726-2200 f 726-2299 fosterswift.com

Brian Goodenough

2005

10 Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge

Kevin Even

1941

2,621

DND

American Disabilities Act, acquiring/terminating employees, collective bargaining, employee handbooks, employment practices liability insurance, Family Medical Leave Act, harassment, Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration, National Labor Relations Act, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, union certification issues, discrimination, harassment, unfair labor practices, wrongful termination

Wheeler Upham PC 250 Monroe Ave. NW, Suite 100 Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 459-7100 f 459-6366 wuattorneys.com

Glenn Smith

1883

1,627

DND

Federal sector employment law; federal contracts

Scholten Fant 100 N.Third St., P.O. Box 454 Grand Haven 49417 p (616) 842-3030 f 846-6621 scholtenfant.com

Robert Sullivan

1957

878

DND

Separation agreements, employment contracts, employee handbooks, personnel policies, general employment

Clark Hill PLC 200 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 500 Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 608-1100 f 608-1199 clarkhill.com

Daniel Bretz Beth Kahn Kimberly Moore

2006

DND

Collective bargaining, employee benefits/ERISA, employee handbooks, employment counseling, employment litigation, labor law, title IX compliance and investigations, unfair labor practice charges, wage and hour, workers' compensation and more

Dickinson Wright PLLC 200 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 1000 Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 458-1300 f 670-6009 dickinsonwright.com

Kathryn Wood

1989

DND

100 Monroe Center NW Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 774-8000 f 774-2461 shrr.com

2,796

DND

Employment and labor relations law, employee benefits and ESOPs, employment litigation, workers' compensation

Elected managing member David M. Buday was elected managing member for Miller Johnson. He will serve a three-year term. As an attorney, Buday focuses on labor and employment matters.

Associate attorney Varnum welcomed William J. Whalen to serve as an associate attorney. He has experience in litigation, labor and employment law.

Partner named Fellow Amanda M. Fielder, a partner at Warner Norcross + Judd LLP, was named a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. She cochairs the law firm’s employment litigation practice group.

Chairman and CEO Leonard C. Wolfe is the new chairman and chief executive officer of Dykema. He will serve a t hree-year term.

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MAR 8, 2021

THE LIST

Top Area Family Law Firms (RANKED BY NUMBER OF FAMILY LAW HOURS BILLED IN 2020) CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 W. Mich. managing partner(s) 13 Damon Ver Merris Boyko & Witte PLC

Relocation

Year No. of W. Mich. established in Family law hours family law Total no. of W. Mich. billed in 2020 lawyers lawyers

No. of W. Mich. No. of W. Mich. support staff paralegals

Top areas of practice

Larry Ver Merris Curtis Witte Charles Damon John Boyko Jr.

1914

614

Business and corporate, estate planning, probate and trust administration, family law, bankruptcy

Kotz Sangster 6739 Courtland Drive NE, Suite 102 Rockford 49341 p (616) 552-6400 f 866-6030 info@kotzsangster.com kotzsangster.com

Todd Van Eck

2010

DND

Family law, family trust and estate planning, family business succession planning, corporate law, financial services, construction law

Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone PLC 99 Monroe Ave. NW Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 454-8656 f 776-6322 millercanfield.com

Trent Taylor

1983

DND

Business and finance, employment and labor, litigation and dispute resolution, real estate, tax, family law, estates and trust administration, public finance, public law, intellectual property

Verspoor Waalkes PC 40 Pearl St. NW, Suite 1020 Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 459-6100 f 459-2102 vwlst.com

Edward Talen

1983

DND

Business and corporate, probate and estate planning, family law, construction liens and real estate, civil litigation

Glenn Smith Michael TerBeek

1883

DND

Commercial litigation, business law, insurance defense, estate planning, employment law

825 Parchment Drive SE, Suite 100 Grand Rapids 49546 p (616) 975-9951 f 975-9973 info@dvbwlaw.com dvbwlaw.com

Wheeler Upham PC 250 Monroe Ave. NW, Suite 100 Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 459-7100 f 459-6366 wuattorneys.com

MI Family Law Center moved to a new location at 701 Three Mile Road NW, Grand Rapids.

First woman CEO Megan Norris is the first woman chief executive officer at Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, P.L.C. She assumed her role on Feb. 26.

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Top Area Labor & Employment Law Firms (RANKED BY NUMBER OF WEST MICHIGAN EMPLOYMENT LAW HOURS BILLED IN 2020) CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

No. of W. Mich. No. of W. Mich. Practice group Year established employment employment partner in W. Mich. hours billed lawyers

Major employment clients

Areas of expertise

Drew Cooper & Anding 80 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 200 Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 454-8300 f 454-0036 dca-lawyers.com

DND

1991

DND

N/A

Labor and employment; civil rights; sexual harassment; discrimination

Dykema 300 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 700 Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 776-7500 f 776-7573 dykema.com

DND

1984

DND

Defense of discrimination, harassment, retaliation complaints; employment law counseling and training; drafting handbooks and agreements; compliance with the Family Medical Leave Act, wage and hour law; workplace investigations

Marlo Johnson Roebuck

2013

DND

Fil Iorio

1998

DND

Todd Van Eck

2010

DND

Employment law for management, employment litigation, human resources counseling and administration, labor and employment law, labor and management relations

Norman Hawkins

1952

DND

Brian Schwartz

1983

DND

Jackson Lewis P.C. 250 Monroe NW, Suite 400 Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 940-0230 f 285-7215 jacksonlewis.com Kalniz, Iorio & Reardon, Co., L.P.A. 4981 Cascade Road SE Grand Rapids 49546 p (616) 940-1911 f 940-1942 ioriolegal.com Kotz Sangster 6739 Courtland Drive NE, Suite 102 Rockford 49341 p (616) 552-6400 f 866-6030 kotzsangster.com McShane & Bowie PLC 99 Monroe Ave. NW, Suite 1100 Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 732-5000 f 732-5099 msblaw.com Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone PLC 99 Monroe Ave. NW Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 454-8656 f 776-6322 millercanfield.com

The Grand Rapids Business Journal list of top area labor and employment law firms, ranked by number of West Michigan employment law hours billed in 2020, is the most comprehensive available. The list is based on responses to Business Journal surveys. The Business Journal defines "West Michigan" as Allegan, Kent, Ottawa and Muskegon counties. The Business Journal surveyed 162 law firms; 21 returned surveys and 21 are listed. To be considered for future lists, email dnelson@grbj.com. DND = Did not disclose

New leadership Clark Hill named John Hensien its new chief executive officer. He replaced John Hern, who served as the CEO for 18 years.

Office opening Dickinson Wright acquired Chicago’s Stahl Cowen, adding another office in the Midwest.

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MAR 8, 2021

Real estate market survived a turbulent 2020 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

“We anticipate this strength in rental rates to continue into 2021 given the relative lack of quality available space,” he said. Many transactions also are happening with “off-market properties” that either are not being advertised by way of signs, or simply traded based on relationships and needs that are understood by those keyed into the brokerage community. Pharmaceutical manufacturer Perrigo is investing $13 million into building a 357,000-squarefoot distribution center at 796 Interchange Drive in Holland. The new facility will be the third expansion for Perrigo in the Holland area within the past two years. Construction began in August of 2020 with plans to wrap up and be ready for occupancy this month. Hudsonville Ice Cream currently is working on a $35 million expansion. Hudsonville Ice Cream is building a 156,466-square-foot cold storage distribution center and is increasing its manufacturing capacity at 345 E. 48th St. in Holland. This is the fourth expansion for Hudsonville Ice Cream in the past three years and will create 45 new jobs — increasing its workforce by 47%. The health of retail unsurprisingly remains uncertain, but there were some unlikely positives. Retail holiday sales grew by 3% in Q4, as opposed to the projected 2.4%, signaling stronger than expected consumer resiliency. E-commerce sales also increased 49% year-overyear. Shoppers also began holiday shopping in October, a much earlier start than previous years. However, overall retail sales decreased in December as added measures were imposed to slow the spread of COVID-19, with decreased spending in restaurants and malls. Fast food — and drive-thru locations, especially — unsurprisingly performed well in 2020. Home and sporting goods performed well through the balance of 2020. Retailers in grocery, home improvement, sporting goods, recreational vehicles, pharmacy and discount retailers exceeded 2020 expectations. “Segments of the retail market will continue to be challenged in 2021 by the uncertainty of the government-mandated restrictions,” said NAIWWM Retail Specialist Todd Leinberger. “Those challenges, especially for sit-down restaurants, have been well documented. Further, Junior Box and Big Box leasing has been sluggish in 2020, and the growth plans for many larger format retailers remains uncertain for 2021. Also, there is uncertainty as to the impact that stimulus payments to individuals and small businesses (PPP loans) will have on retail spending and keeping struggling businesses afloat.” Retail vacancy was 7.7% in Q4, compared to 7.8% in Q3, and the average rental rate was $10.82 per square foot, a step down from

$10.97 per square foot in Q3. With the recent closure of Wheelhouse at 67 Ottawa Ave. SW in Grand Rapids, Meritage Hospitality Group plans to convert the space to a Stan Diego Baja Taco Kitchen. There is currently no set date for the space’s reopening, but renovations to the restaurant are underway. This will be Meritage’s second Stan Diego location, the first being at 355 Wilson Ave. NW in Standale. The office market weathered the COVID-19 storm surprising-

ly well, according to NAIWWM reports. Vacancy rates remained low (5.3% in Q4) and lease rates remained strong ($15.64 per square foot.) The vacancy rate at the end of Q4 remained unchanged from the previous quarter, and there also was very little movement in average lease rates over the previous quarter. Most leasing activity in Q4 took place in the suburbs. Some of this activity was attributed to smaller companies relocating from their downtown office spaces to reduce lease expenses and

eliminate parking costs. Comparatively, leasing activity in the downtown core remained slow in Q4 and has remained slow since the COVID-19 outbreak began back in March 2020. One Q4 highlight in the downtown office leasing arena was Lockton Insurance signing a lease for 6,000 square feet at 38 Commerce Ave. SW. “There continues to be strong demand from owner-occupants to purchase good quality office buildings that are vacant and/ or partially leased,” said Jason

Makowski, partner and office specialist at NAIWWM. “Sale prices have remained strong in these cases.” Some notable owner-occupant purchases in Q4 were the sale of a 7,000-square-foot office building located at 3368 E. Beltline Ct. NE for $110.71 per square foot, the sale of a 6,854-squarefoot office building at 580 Cascade West Pkwy. SE for $126.93 per square foot and the sale of a 5,147-square-foot office building located at 1403 60th St. SE for $164.17 per square foot.

Dear Clients, We hear you loud and clear, and we love what you’re saying. Thank you for giving us the privilege of serving you. Sincerely, Greenleaf Trust

Greenleaf Trust Client Survey Results, 2020 99.7% find their client centric team members to be easily accessible 99.7% feel their questions and concerns are answered in a prompt and satisfactory manner 99.3% are satisfied with the frequency of contact 99% feel as though they are treated as a very important client 100% believe we listen to and understand their unique goals and objectives 99.7% believe their accounts are tailored to meet their unique financial goals and objectives 99.3% believe we are successful in meeting their investment needs

Kalamazoo Grand Rapids Birmingham Traverse City Bay Harbor | 800.416.4555 greenleaftrust.com

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

MAR 8, 2021

INSIDE TRACK

Mathis ministers through construction Rockford’s community development and inclusion officer learned about giving back while working in health care. Ehren Wynder

ewynder@grbj.com

hether by managing physicians’ offices for Mercy Health, or in his current role as vice president of community development and inclusion for Rockford Construction, Brad Mathis believes his work truly is a ministry. Mathis comes from a family of health care providers and naturally was drawn to the health care industry. His father was a physician, his mother was a medical librarian, and he also worked in his father’s office throughout middle school and high school. Although Mathis wasn’t necessarily interested in being a physician, working for his father’s practice taught him the business side of health care. “I think any business, whether it’s manufacturing or automotive, it has the opportunity to help people,” he said. “I always found health care was a little bit more direct in that area of service.” The young Mathis also had a unique spiritual upbringing. While his family was Baptist, he went to Catholic schools for elementary and high school. His father, who graduated from Aquinas College and also was the first Black resident physician for Butterworth Hospital, was doing well enough to move his family out of their small home to Forest Hills in 1975. But Mathis’ older brother came home from school crying every day because the other kids in Forest Hills bullied him for the color of his skin. “My parents said, ‘Well, this isn’t working out really well,’” Mathis said. “So, my dad decided, even though he was Baptist just like my mom … he said, ‘The Catholics over at Aquinas were good to me, and they gave me an academic scholarship, and I got some good Catholic friends, let’s try the Catholic school system.” Mathis broke into the health care industry working in strategic planning and managing outpatient physician offices for Mercy Health Saint Mary’s. He was the first manager for Saint Mary’s Browning Claytor office, which served

low-income and at-risk populations, he said. “I was particularly attracted to that, because again, with my father’s practice, the majority of his patients were people of color — African Americans — and about 2530% were on Medicaid, so there was always that value of giving back to the community and serving lower-income patients as well,” he said. “So when I was at Browning Claytor, it was essentially that same value and mission.” Around 1997, when Browning Claytor was first being built, the practice was just a trailer on the west side of Madison Avenue, opposite to where its permanent location would be. Once Browning Claytor moved to the east side, the property the trailer sat on became vacant. There also were about four abandoned homes adjacent to the vacant property, wherein Mathis found the opportunity to address the housing needs of the population. “We were certainly seeing patients every day and addressing their medical needs, but at the same time I was certainly recognizing that health care is probably only about 25-30% addressing what other people’s needs are,” Mathis said. “Their other needs are education, employment and good quality housing. Through the health center at Saint Mary’s I was already trying to hire as many people as possible from the neighborhood, the whole educational system I found was a little bit daunting, but with housing I felt, ‘Well, that might be something I’d be able to do.’” At the time, Mathis also was on the board for Inner City Christian Federation (ICCF) and Jonathan Bradford, who was president and CEO at the time, gave him some tips to get started on his venture. “Truth be told, I didn’t 100% know what I was doing,” Mathis said. “But I did have my real estate license, because a couple years before that … my wife and I were going to buy a house, and I wanted to know as much about purchasing a home as possible.” With the Madison Avenue properties, Mathis and his wife were able to make use of his real estate license. Once they’d bought

BRAD MATHIS Organization: Rockford Construction Position: Vice president, community development and inclusion Age: 50 Birthplace: Grand Rapids Residence: Grand Rapids Township Family: Wife, Andola, and daughter Chamberlain Business/community involvement: Talent 2025; City of GR Racial Equity; Guiding Light Ministries; Catholic Charities West Michigan; Lake Michigan Credit Union-Community Advisory Committee Biggest career break: Working for Saint Mary’s as manager for Browning Claytor Health Center

Earlier in his career, Brad Mathis and his wife, Andola, developed a dozen high quality, affordable homes on Madison Avenue SE. Courtesy Rockford Construction

the property, Mathis connected with some architects to draw up plans for affordable residencies. After scouring his network, Mathis brought on board a partner with a banking background to help him figure out the finances of getting the project off the ground. They were then able to build 12 high-quality, affordable homes. At the time, health care was not as progressive as it is now in terms of looking at all the social dynamics — housing, education, employment, etc. — that impact people’s health. For a while, health care professionals have been in tune to environmental issues like lead, but now health care-led housing is coming more into play, Mathis said. Spirituality also is a major part of Mathis’ work. One of his supervisors during his time at Mercy Health was a nun, Sister Myra Bergman, which made him reflect on his time at Catholic schools. “When I graduated Catholic, there was a nun there, Sister Robert Ann, everyone who’s Catholic in Grand Rapids knows her,” Mathis said. “She was an amazing math teacher, but she was tough! I got good at math b ecause of her, but when I left Catholic Central I said, ‘I’m not dealing with any more nuns.’ Lo and behold, I find myself reporting to the only nun at Mercy Health Saint Mary’s!” Bergman started sharing with him the Catholic perspectives about social justice and caring for the poor. Even as a Baptist, Mathis was inspired to learn more and ended up receiving his master’s degree in theology and health care

from the Aquinas Institute in St. Louis, Missouri. Mathis started getting away from the medical practice management and more into orienting new hires about the Catholic identity and ethics of Mercy Health. He also facilitated the hospital ethics committee and was responsible for the chaplaincy and spiritual care at Mercy Health.

“Whether you’re working for a faith-based hospital or a secular hospital, I truly believe health care is a ministry, and I believe really there’s three ministries out there: health care being one of them, education being the second and construction actually being third. Even Jesus was a builder.” “Whether you’re working for a faith-based hospital or a secular hospital, I truly believe health care is a ministry, and I believe really there’s three ministries out there: health care being one of them, education being the second and construction actually being third. Even Jesus was a builder,” Mathis said. “I’ve had the blessing to be involved in two of those.” Mathis joined Rockford Construction as vice president for community development and inclusion in 2016, where he works to position the company as a servant

to the community at large. For Rockford, community falls into three different arenas, Mathis said. One is the community at Rockford Construction, among its construction, property management and real estate development teams. Second is the trade contractor community Rockford partners with on projects. And third is the broader community, including the West Side neighborhood where Rockford’s Grand Rapids headquarters is and its office location in Detroit. The inclusion part of Mathis’ role focuses on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), something Rockford has been intentional about for the past four years, Mathis said. Three years ago, Rockford launched a program called Dimensions, which was meant to connect with as many minority contractors as the company could find at the time. “In construction sometimes you might do the work, but you might not get paid for 60 days, which is very difficult for some of the companies that are starting off. We had a line of credit — still do — with Mercantile (Bank), so Dimensions participants, these minority- and women-owned companies, can tap into that line of credit so they can pay their team,” Mathis said. Dimensions participants are not expected to only work for Rockford, and the program is set up for minority contractors to succeed with any general contractor they may work for in the future, Mathis added. “Ultimately, the better our entrepreneurs do in Grand Rapids, the better we all do,” Mathis said.

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

MAR 8, 2021

MiSTEM Network examines unconventional learning method Pilot program focuses on experience-based innovation in the K-12 classroom. Danielle Nelson

dnelson@grbj.com

The MiSTEM Network is offering $100,000 in grants to Michigan K-12 science, technology, engineering and math educators to participate in its MiSTEM Playbook pilot. MiSTEM at Grand Valley State University is coordinating the pilot grant opportunity that will provide MiSTEM Network, a state and regional support structure that leverages public and private partnerships to elevate STEM education, the ability to learn from educators who are using problem-, place- and project-based (3-P learning) in the classroom. The 3-P learning approach is based on learning through experience, a shift from the traditional classroom learning structure. Megan Schrauben, MiSTEM Network executive director, said MiSTEM Playbook outlines the strategy required for districts to make a shift toward 3-P learning and can support online, hybrid and informal learning environments outside the classroom. MiSTEM Network programs are targeted toward a specific curriculum in STEM and playbooks are focused on 3-P learning pedagogy. “Recent changes to traditional norms and basic classroom structures that organize public education have been upended due to the pandemic and have unforetold effects on children’s physical health, cognitive development and emotional well-being,” she said. “MiSTEM seeks to cultivate a STEM culture in K-12 classrooms by engaging with local communities, creating collaborative partnerships with businesses and nonprofits, and engaging families to support a student-centered 3-P learning approach. The focus on partnership work in STEM education, for example, can bring critical support to online, hybrid, and informal learning environments outside the classroom.” According to MiSTEM Network, the problem-based portion of 3-P learning is about learning a subject through the experience of solving an open-ended problem found in observation, exploration and experimentation of the matter. The place-based part is aimed at solving community problems. It is seeking learning opportunities from the cultural, economic, environmental and geographical aspects of a community. The project-based portion revolves around creating something tangible, such as a product, performance or event. Based on the 3-P approach, educators can help MiSTEM Network gain more insight into what’s working in the classroom. Before educators are awarded the grants — which will be $10,000

each — there is a competitive nature to the pilot funding opportunity. Interested educators must submit an application and applicants who are selected will be invited to deliver a pitch presentation to the MiSTEM pilot reviewers. It will be a 20-minute “Shark Tank” type of virtual session for reviewers to hear firsthand applicants’ innovative school practices with 3-P learn-

ing. The winners will be awarded $10,000 each for June 2021July 2022. Applicants have until 5 p.m., April 30, to submit their applications at michigan.gov/leo. According to the state of Michigan’s long-term employment projections, STEM occupations are expected to grow by 13% from 2016 to 2026, almost CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

The pilot program is interested in hands-on STEM instruction as opposed to lessons taught with a textbook. Courtesy Megan Schrauben

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GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

MAR 8, 2021

Custer marks 40 years in business Commercial interior solutions provider and furniture dealer has seen accelerated diversification in recent years. Rachel Watson

rwatson@grbj.com

CUSTER MILESTONES

Not every business can stay family owned as the years fly by, but Custer has continued to grow and flourish in its second generation of leadership. The Grand Rapids-based integrated interiors and commercial furnishings company, which is a dealer of Steelcase furniture for the commercial, education, health care and hospitality markets, on Feb. 16 marked 40 years in business, kicking off what will be a yearlong celebration. The company was established by Dave Custer in 1981 as Custer Office Environments, providing West Michigan’s commercial industry with contract furniture from national vendors and serving as the region’s exclusive Steelcase furniture dealer. After four decades, the company has expanded to offer interiors solutions to education, health care, small business and corporate clients. Founded in Grand Rapids, Custer over the years established a physical presence across the state’s west side, opening showrooms in Holland, Traverse City and Kalamazoo, with its headquarters continuing to be in Grand Rapids at two facilities —

its corporate office at 217 Grandville Ave. SW and its warehouse and operations at 320 Hall St. SW. Custer said it is proud to have maintained strong connections to the communities it serves throughout its history, partnering with architecture and design firms regionally to deliver products that fit the client’s vision. Custer’s full-service design department has allowed it to provide customers with specialized design services, such as space planning, finish selection, workplace strategy and change management services, and its portfolio of companies each offer full-service solutions for all customer renovations and new builds, from conception to project completion. In 2016, Dave Custer began transitioning the leadership of Custer to his sons, although he still lends his wisdom and advice to his sons and holds a 1% ownership stake in Custer. Todd Custer stepped into the role of president and CEO in 2017, and majority ownership and leadership is now in the hands of Todd and his brothers, Mark Custer, who is chief revenue officer for Custer family of companies, and Scott Custer, who handles real estate and investments. Todd Custer said his family feels fortunate the business is not only still around, but thriving, 40 years later. “There are a lot of companies that don’t make it for a year, let alone make it to the second generation,” he said. “We’ve been able to do that successfully and we’ve gotten better through that

Top right, trucks roll from Custer’s Grandville Avenue warehouse. Above, a recent install at Byron Center High School. Courtesy Custer Inc.

transition. … My dad laid down a really great foundation and a great infrastructure that we’ve been able to take and grow while maintaining our same core values and our same beliefs of being part of the communities we work in and giving back to those communities.” Although it’s too soon to say for sure, and it’s not a set-instone expectation, Todd Custer said he is hopeful the family business will be carried on for a third generation via the 10 children he and his brothers have between them. “We’re trying to create something, not only with Custer,

but with our sister companies Century (Professional Flooring & Cleaning) and CS Erickson, we’re trying to create an opportunity that’s larger for the third generation to come into,” he said. Mark Custer said it has been a special experience for him, as well, to be part of Custer. “My dad worked really hard for many years to build a solid business to pass off to my brothers and me,” he said. “To have our business as the foundation of our family has allowed us to do many things to give back to the community. We are excited to continue growing and diversify-

ing into additional business opportunities to pass down to the Custer third generation.” Todd Custer said he considers the company’s big milestones to be the events of 2002, when Custer spun its flooring division into Century Professional Flooring & Cleaning, which now operates as a provider of residential and commercial flooring installation and care across Michigan; and in 2017, when Custer facilitated the merger between C&S Electric Services — which it acquired in 2014 — and Erickson Electric to form CS Erickson. CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

Custer has made a number of moves throughout the years, expanding its portfolio of interior services: Early 2000s: Bought downtown Grand Rapids building in which its current headquarters is located.

egade, which earlier this year it sold to New York-based Uhuru Design, a New American design furniture manufacturer.

2002: Spun its flooring division into Century Professional Flooring & Cleaning, which currently operates as a provider of residential and commercial flooring installation and care across Michigan.

2016-17: Transitioned president and CEO role to Todd Custer and majority ownership to Todd, Mark and Scott Custer.

2014: Acquired C&S Electric Services. 2015: Rebranded its custom design-build capabilities into a business called Ren-

2017: Facilitated the merger between C&S and Erickson Electric to form CS Erickson, which serves clients with power, lighting and integrated technology solutions for the commercial and

industrial industries. 2019: Established a presence out of state by expanding its service territory and opening a new location in Fort Wayne, Indiana, through the acquisition of Steelcase dealership Productive Business Interiors.

to support the Custer family of businesses. 2021: Opened Flooralytics, a fabric and flooring testing lab, at 719 Century Ave. SW in Grand Rapids. The company hopes to be able to host a grand opening for the lab this spring.

2019: Hit $60 million in sales for Custer and close to $90 million in sales for the Custer family of companies.

2021: Expected reopening of renovated showrooms in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids.

2020: Established a shared service entity

Source: Custer

App partners with schools to help visualize financial planning Muskegon makes The Beans available to teachers and students. Danielle Nelson

dnelson@grbj.com

The Muskegon Area Intermediate School District is partnering with The Beans, a financial company that offers schools and nonprofit organizations across the country a web-based application to create personalized visual financial planning. The Beans was founded by former teacher and Oxford researcher Melissa Pancoast in 2016. In addition to the app, which maps

out spending, savings and priorities based on trends from the individual’s bank account, workshops are offered that Pancoast said are based on the work that she did at the University of Oxford in England. “All the work is evidence-based and proven to reduce financial stress,” she said. “The workshop introduces basic concepts of financial wellness and principles and the app backs that up with software and technology that builds a really simple financial plan and gives you positive and proactive support to stay on track with it. Our app and workshops are both very visually compelling. Things are animated, and people get to

see their money and that is a very different experience than interacting with your money in numbers or on spreadsheets.” Laura Kwapiszewski is a substitute English Language Arts teacher who teaches 6th through 12th grades in the Muskegon district. In addition to being a teacher, she also is a student, taking online classes to earn her master’s degree at Concordia University Ann Arbor. She does demos for The Beans, working with local teachers who are earning a similar income to show them how they can delegate their income to improve their savings habits. “(The Beans) sends us text

messages and emails saying, ‘Hey, congratulations, this is how much you have to spend this month or this week,’” she said. “It is very rewarding seeing that. I am very conscious on how I spend (my money) and what I spend it on. I am a hawk when it comes to my credit card. In December, my (credit score) dropped a good 40 points. I was freaking out because it was 40-plus points. I was like, what is going on? I did have my weekly spending go down and I was like, OK, what is going on? As I looked, I saw I spent over the limit on my credit card, but I did pay it off. But because I overspent the limit that they allocated to me, it bumped my (credit score) down,

even though I did pay it off so that limited my spending. (The Beans) would tell me that I am free to spend this much, and normally it would be a couple of dollars higher, so it helped me realize that something was wrong.” “The Beans is helping teachers and others … create a more positive relationship with their finances and a clear, visual road map to navigate their financial lives even more successfully,” said Randy Lindquist at the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District. “For professionals who are lifelong learners, The Beans provides a new way of thinking about and inCONTINUED ON PAGE 19

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GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

MAR 8, 2021

Consumers stays on track to deliver EV fast-charging stations Pandemic and resulting construction slowdown impact utility’s ability to meet goals, but future remains bright. Ehren Wynder

ewynder@grbj.com

2020 didn’t turn out to be the milestone year Consumers Energy was hoping for with its PowerMIDrive program, but the Michigan utility kept some momentum on the road to Michigan’s clean energy future. On the residential side, PowerMIDrive is maintaining a good pace. Jeff Myrom, director of renewable energy customer programs for Consumers, said the program has 548 residential customers throughout its electric service territory as of press time. The Business Journal reported Consumers had approved 387 rebates for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations for homes, businesses, municipalities and multiunit dwellings in January 2020. The PowerMIDrive program offers $500 rebates for residential customers who install an approved, WiFi-connected Level 2 charger in their homes, rebates of up to $5,000 for commercial customers installing a public Level 2 charger and rebates of up to $70,000 for commercial customers installing a public DC fast charger. One of the things Consumers

One of the new charging stations is located in Boyne City. Courtesy Consumers Energy

did last year to help keep the program growing was to add a new alternative for customers who needed to upgrade their charging station, called FleetCarma, Myrom said. The FleetCarma device can easily be installed in the customer’s vehicle and provides an alternative to using the charging station network. “What’s nice about the FleetCarma device is it doesn’t require you to change your charger, but when you leave your garage and are out and about, it sends a cell phone-like data text and allows us to see the times when the vehicle’s charging at home, whereas the network charging station often goes through a cloud service, and we download the data from there,” Myrom said. “It was also good, because a lot of people couldn’t get an electrician in their

house for quite a while as well, if they needed to upgrade their charging station.” Myrom added roughly half of all residential PowerMIDrive customers opted in to the FleetCarma option in 2020. Consumers still has all 200 of the public station rebates committed, which is the same number it reported in 2020. As of press time, 111 of those rebates have been paid. Consumers expected to have all of them done last year, but the state’s stay-at-home orders prevented any construction from being done for several months. Myrom expected the full 200 stations will be installed by this summer. Consumers also saw significant savings on its DC fast charger rebates. When the program

was originally approved, the utility had 24 fast chargers approved for rebates. The utility saw cost savings on average of $60,000 for transformer upgrades on each of the sites that requested rebates. Consumers then took the money and rolled it into additional fast charger rebates, from 24 to now 36. Similar to the Level 2 chargers, Consumers still had the same construction slowdown with the fast chargers. The utility currently has 19 fast chargers rebated and operational and is looking to get all of them running by this summer. Through the PowerMIDrive program, Consumers sees two distinct installations. The most popular would be for two fast chargers, each with up to 62.5 KW charging capacity. Each charging station also typically comes with two types of cords: the combined charging system (CCS), which is standard for the majority of American EVs; and the CHAdeMO, which is popular with some Asian models. “Both of those are different from the Tesla port,” Myrom said. “Tesla has its own proprietary port, and we went with the CCS/ CHAdeMO, because only Tesla can install that version. There are adapters, if you drive a Tesla, to put on a CCS cord to allow it to charge your Tesla.” Consumers also has had customers opt for charging stations with 150-to-175 KW charging capacity, but few EVs on the present market take that high of a charge.

The 19 fast charger rebates that have been completed amount to over $1.3 million, and line and transformer upgrades on each of these sites account for around $760,000 in rebates. Additionally, the new transformers Consumers places serve up to 300 KW charging capacity and will allow for more charging stations to be installed on the site in the future. With General Motors’ announcement that it will offer all zero-emissions vehicles by 2035 and focus attention on EV production, Myrom said Consumers is confident in its current trajectory to meet the infrastructure demand for the growing EV economy. That demand is only going to increase, Myrom said. Before 2020, Consumers saw an average of around 22% growth of EVs in its territory year-overyear. While EVs still only make up around 1% of vehicles on the road, that level of growth means they aren’t going to stay at 1% for very long. Even with the economic slowdown of 2020, EV adoption only dropped to 20% growth, Myrom said. “I think we’re in good shape now. We’re in much better shape after getting this infrastructure up, but GM’s goals are absolutely fantastic, and it does mean we need to keep moving forward with more charging infrastructure,” Myrom said.

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

MAR 8, 2021

COMMENT & OPINION

GUEST COLUMN Jennifer Owens

Reflecting on one year post-COVID-19 onset

y mother is a licensed therapist. She would be shocked to know I am still using lessons from her “free therapy sessions” provided during challenges as I was growing up. As I look back at this past year, her lessons on the stages of grief ring in my head. My mom would say each stage of grief — denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance — is normal and necessary to move past the pain. I remember when I first started hearing about the COVID-19 outbreak in China. In late February 2020, I met with a CEO whose company has a facility in China. He said, “Be prepared — it is only a matter of time until this virus makes it to the U.S.” I didn’t think it would happen. I was clearly in denial. My denial didn’t last long when a few weeks later the governor announced that Michigan was under a stay-at-home order. My phone blew up with calls, emails and texts from concerned business leaders who had no idea how or if they could operate in this current environment. My team worked literally around the clock to study executive orders, federal and state policies, legal and health recommendations and financial support programs. We became new best friends with our county emergency managers and health department leads. They were invaluable to helping us provide clear advice and direction to area employers. Lakeshore Advantage created

a series of weekly ﬂash polls to clearly understand the needs of the business community in real time. We pivoted to a new gap-filling role when we learned that access to personal protective equipment was a huge need for our employers, health care providers and government oﬃcials. My team was amazed at how businesses large and small shifted into action. Employers started making hospital gowns and masks. Distilleries produced hand sanitizer and an area startup created a crowd-sourcing platform to make 3D printed face shields and masks to donate nationwide. This adrenaline-filled time was exhausting and rewarding. I remember thinking if we just keep pushing harder, faster, the end would be in sight. Then, the next stage of grief kicked in — anger. I felt the anger all over the country. There was anger at our politicians for doing too much and/or not doing enough. There was anger for the tremendous injustice and tragedy with the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Riots, protest and political strife could be felt everywhere. There was anger from small businesses, desperate to survive in the midst of shutdowns. My team was on the receiving end of some of that anger as we worked to administer the first of three small business relief grant programs. We received streams of angry emails from frustrated businesses. The funding could only meet a fraction of the business need.

We channeled the anger coming our way. We built a transparent grant review committee and process, modifying for improvement after each program. In our second stage of grants, we laser-focused on diversity, equity and inclusion. I am proud to say over 60% of the funding went to diverse business owners, well above the 30% required goal. After we completed the Michigan Small Business Restart Grant

program in September, I moved into the bargaining phase. I knew our team was pushed beyond the limit reviewing 1,000 grant applications, creating new tools and pivoting to fill the gaps while supporting the needs of their families. I bargained with our team to keep pushing a bit longer, we will soon get to the other side of this pandemic. I bargained with my husCONTINUED ON PAGE 19

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Michigan journalist, kriewall@hotmail.com

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The West Michigan economy will see a bounce in the second quarter. Allow me to demonstrate ...

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GUEST COLUMN Heather Bateman

Title IX was only the start

’m used to being one of the only female head athletic directors in athletic administration, but that doesn’t mean that’s how it should be. Playing college basketball at Oakland University was only the beginning for me. I wanted a career in college athletics. I knew I wanted to help build programs and I knew I would be blazing a path where few women dared to go. Thankfully, things are changing — unfortunately still slowly, to be sure. When I came to Cleary University in 2019, I was the only female in the athletic department, which hosted 17 varsity sports, except for a female dance coach. Cleary University is not unusual in this regard. Even though Title IX was created in 1972, it was not enforced until years later. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) created the Senior Women Administrator (SWA) position for women to have a voice in athletic administration; however, not a lot of departments take this role seriously, so it’s not a

position with an actual voice. College athletics administration is improving, but there are still few women at the helm. And that needs to change. Unless women are advocating for women on the field of play, in the boardrooms, and in the recruiting phase, access for all and equal opportunity won’t happen. Since football has long been an economic driver of higher education institutions, and women don’t normally play college football, we have been left out of the very real old boys club. Thankfully, we’re traveling, we have our own locker rooms and we wear fresh uniforms instead of hand-me-downs from the men’s JV — which is what happened when women’s sports first began to grow. But we still have a long way to go in acquiring a seat at the leadership table, and it’s high time it happened. Because sports isn’t just a fun way to pass the time. It’s symbolic of societal priorities in every corner of this country. American sports comprise more than half of the global sports market. In America, athletics are everything, driving the economy and the media, representing values and becoming a platform for politics. In many ways, our reaction to, participation in and prioritization of athletics defines American morals and ethics. Likewise, sports fans tune in to find meaning and community, along with aﬃrmation of what matters. In the last century, professional sports has grown in reach and popularity, inﬂuencing American cul-

ture. Successful athletes represent the American dream, giving hope to lower-income youth that they might have a chance at fame and wealth. Sports unites people in the way that it is based on agreed-upon rules and structures, and rewards natural talent. With all this in mind, women, as half the population, must play a prominent role in athletic administration — at every level, and certainly in higher ed. When a young adult arrives at university, they are at a pivotal time of life. It’s exciting and scary to leave home. My job is not only to produce a reputable and thriving athletic department, but also to guide student-athletes, help them on their journey, be an available ear. I tell students their No. 1 goal is to graduate — because athletic ability will only take them so far. They must gain knowledge and skills to turn that talent into a career. Athletic and career success alike depend on strong, trusting relationships. Recognizing strengths, knowing when to listen and when to lead, developing routines that make you better every day, these are important lessons for young people. Learning to work in a team setting while excelling in your own skills will take you anywhere you

want to go. Strong athletic directors teach by example, empowering coaches, knowing players’ names, creating self-sustaining programs that represent the university and the community. All the lessons I’ve learned as an athletic director are universal lessons for anyone wishing to achieve success. Why shouldn’t they be modeled by women as well as men? Lessons like: Find your leadership style. Be ethical. Look for both sides of a story and find the truth within each. Support students. Build relationships that build your department, and your institution. Identify outcomes and align them with institutional goals. Take care of the people who take care of you. Treat everyone equally because they are all part of the same team. If we all played by the same rules, we’d see that there is no gender divide in athletic administration, nor should there be. It’s about empowering people and making America truly great — highlighting the talent, determination and grit that keeps us playing. Heather Bateman is director of athletics and vice president and dean of student aﬀairs at Cleary University in Howell.

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GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

MAR 8, 2021

GUEST COLUMN Dr. Bethany Beard

Why you should be vaccinated against COVID-19

’m an emergency room physician. You’ve probably heard a lot from people like me over the past year. Frontline medical professionals have used every means we could think of, from social media to newspapers, to share with our communities the challenges facing local hospitals during COVID-19 and explain how you can help us save lives. For everyone who has foregone a family tradition, donned a mask when going out in public and made other personal sacrifices to help stop the spread of this deadly virus, thank you. You’ve enabled our hospitals keep up. Unfortunately, the job is not done. I realize that everyone is chafing at the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions and frustrated by the

impacts on their relationships. But there is one sure and safe way out of this tragedy — rapid, widespread vaccination. The development of COVID-19 vaccines in less than a year was a scientific marvel. Now, getting shots in the arms of as many Americans as possible can enable us to achieve herd immunity within months and stop COVID-19. This is an urgent mission and we need everyone’s help. First of all, please educate yourself about the COVID-19 vaccines and keep an eye on updates so you know when and where you can be vaccinated. Right now, vaccines are being given to frontline health care workers and nursing home residents in Michigan, but other seniors and high-risk

individuals will be eligible soon. Secondly, share what you know about vaccines. It’s vital that accurate information reach all parts of our communities. Our neighbors need to know that millions of vaccine doses have been safely administered. Some patients do experience mild side effects, usually after the second dose, but a day of feeling under the weather is worth it for the near-perfect protection that vaccines provide against severe COVID-19. If you have loved ones or friends who are nervous about being vaccinated or have questions, direct them to reliable resources, such as www.michigan. gov/coronavirus. Because vaccine misinformation, if it leads too many Michiganders to opt out,

will allow this pandemic to rage on, harming all of us. Finally, take time to give thanks where it is due. To the scientists who created the approved vaccines and the new ones still in the pipeline. To the vaccine companies that invested in manufacturing facilities in advance, not knowing if they’d be used, so they could start making doses immediately upon approval. And to the distributors who have taken on the extremely complex task of getting those vaccines to the health care professionals in hospitals like mine and other facilities all across the country to be administered as quickly as possible. The end-to-end process of vaccine distribution is unbeliev-

ably complicated and relies on a wide variety of logistics expertise. Fortunately, we have resources we can count on, the same ones that ensure ﬂu vaccines make it to pharmacies and doctors’ offices each fall and that hospitals and other providers are always stocked with the full complement of medicines patients need. All their work on vaccine creation and dissemination would be for naught, however, if Michiganders fail to make vaccination a top priority and thereby allow a deadly pandemic to continue. So please, take it from a doctor — get the shots. Dr. Bethany Beard is a pediatric emergency room physician in West Michigan.

GUEST COLUMN Rodger Price

West Michigan should be hotbed for best leaders in the country W

hen we launched Leading by DESIGN back in 2014, we did so with a clear sense that West Michigan has a special history with great leaders. We were drawn to the idea of building on that legacy and taking it to a new level. Our purpose is to help so many West Michigan leaders discover and develop their unique design

that this area would have a similar relationship to leadership that Silicon Valley has to technology. We believe that West Michigan could, and even should, be the hotbed of the best leaders in the country. Is this delusional or do you agree that West Michigan really has something special that we can build on to be the best in the country? (And in case you’re wondering,

I’m not originally from here.) So, what is leadership? Is it one of those things that is virtually impossible to define, but you know it when you see it? I think maybe it is, which is why there are tens of thousands of books describing it. It was Albert Einstein who said, “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.” This describes my approach

to most things, at least for starters. So, for starters, let me posit that 80% of organizational leadership can be defined by three simple concepts: 1. Being a person worth following 2. Building an amazing team 3. Creating clarity around who we are and where we’re going as a team

It’s that simple and it’s that hard. So, what do you think are the most important characteristics for being a person worth following? I suspect if I asked 10 people, I would get 10 different lists, but there would be many similarities. For me, starting with these three goes a long way: CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

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GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

MAR 8, 2021

Hall launches Healing Connection Bethany Hall, a licensed family nurse practitioner in Grand Rapids specializing in Complex Developmental Trauma, has launched Healing Connection, a trauma-informed resource for training and advocacy for childhood trauma-related education. Healing Connection supports children and adolescents who have experienced childhood trauma by raising community awareness. It seeks to create community partners through centers of worship, schools and families that are trauma-informed. Healing Connection offers services to those who have an influential role in a child’s life, including parents and guardians, foster care providers, adoptive families, educators, social workers and daycare providers, among others. ACCOUNTING

EHTC announced Heather Kelbel as the firm’s newest partner.

ARTS

Portage-based Air Zoo announced the operational stealth fighter Lockheed F-117 Kelbel Nighthawk, Tail #817 (nicknamed Shaba) is the latest addition to its collection.

AWARDS

Cedar Springs Brewing Company is the recipient of two gold medals for its Küsterer Pils (Bohemian Pilsener) and Eire Irish Stout (Classic Irish Dry Stout) from the 2020 U.S. Open Beer Championship. Kalamazoo-based LKF Marketing recently received a Gold Hermes Award and an Award of Distinction from the Communicator Awards for commercials created for Premier Vein Center from

MAR 8-24 Grand Rapids Public Museum AfterSchool Education Classes. For students in grades 3-5. The museum will serve as a learning lab, while interacting with artifacts and specimens, and conducting experiments to explore science, history, culture and more. Museum educators will lead small-group, hands-on learning experiences tied to classroom curriculum objectives. 4-5:30 p.m., GRPM, 272 Pearl St. Capacity limited to eight students per session. Cost: $20/members, $25/nonmembers, per class. Information/registration: grpm.org/educlasses. MAR 8-APR 24 Lakeshore Museum Center Quilt Exhibit. Displaying the work of the late Rosie Lee Wilkins in Who is Rosie Lee Wilkins: Piecing Together Her History. Cost: free/ members and those living in the area, $5/non-Muskegon County residents. Information/registration: (231) 722-0278 or lakeshoremuseum.org. MAR 8 World Affairs Council of Western Michigan Great Decisions Series 2021 Live Stream. Topic: Sustainable Globalization Post-COVID-19, by Julia Luscombe, managing director of strategic planning, Feeding America. 6-7:15 p.m. Cost: free/members, $10/nonmembers Information/registration: worldmichigan. org/greatdecisions2021. MAR 9 People First Economy Live Stream Annual Meeting. Hear what Local First and Good For Michigan are doing to build an economy that puts people first. 6 p.m. Registration: bit.ly/YouTubeLocalFirst or bit.ly/FacebookLocalFirst. MAR 9 The Institute for Supply Management Greater Grand Rapids Zoom Panel Discussion. Topic: Career Development. 4-5 p.m. Cost: free/members, $35/ nonmembers, $12/students, retirees. Information/registration: ismggr.org/ meetinginfo.php.

the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals. The World Affairs Council of Western Michigan announced the late Ambassador Peter F. Secchia is the 2021 recipient of Secchia its annual HillmanOrr Award for his efforts to bring global awareness and international understanding to the West Michigan community.

BUSINESS SERVICES

Gallagher Uniform recently received the Hygienically Clean Certification for Food Safety from the Textile Rental Service Association. Muskegon Area First announced it is doing business as Greater Muskegon Economic Development. The name change comes with a complete rebranding of the organization, including a new logo, new marketing materials and a new

MAR 10 Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce OutPro Zoom Meeting. Focus: Celebrating transgender and non-binary individuals, with local advocate Skyler Blankenship. 4:30-6 p.m. Cost: free/ members, $25/nonmembers. Registration: grandrapids.org/event/outpro-2/. MAR 10 W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary Online Birds and Coffee Walk, featuring W.K. Kellogg Biological Station educators Lisa Duke, Kara Haas and Misty Klotz. Chat will center on woodpeckers, including Red-bellied, Hairy, Red-headed and Pileated woodpeckers, and Northern Flickers. 10 a.m. via Zoom. Cost: free and open to the public. Registration required at (269) 671-2510 or birdsanctuary@kbs. msu.edu. MAR 11 Builders Exchange of Michigan Virtual Legal Series Lunch and Learn. Topic: Standard Contract Terms. Noon-1:30 p.m. Cost: free. Information/registration: (616) 949-8640, courtney@grbx.com, or home. grbx.com/event/legal-series-lunch-learnmarch. MAR 11 Family Promise of Grand Rapids Virtual Gala. Night to feature music, a gift box for each household, Shining Star Award recipient, the Nikole Canute Scholarship Award and the Fund the Mission Auction. 7-8 p.m. Cost: $100 per household. RSVP by March 1 to (616) 608-8905 or kate@ familypromisegr.org. MAR 11 Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce Virtual Business Exchange. 10:30 a.m.noon. Cost: $15/members, $25/nonmembers. Information/registration: grandrapids. org/event/business-exchange-2021-03-11. MAR 11 Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women Webinar. Topic: Recharging When You Are Emotionally Drained, by Valencia Agnew, owner, Adolescent and Family

website: developmuskegon.org. The Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce’s theme for 2021 is “TRANSFORM” an acronym that means Technology Readiness Adapt Now Success Future Opportunities Reinvent Muskegon. Also, the chamber welcomed 2021 board chair Dave Hazekamp (Hazekamp Meats/Premier Foods) and announced the addition of Jennifer Loechle as executive manager and innovation leader.

CONSTRUCTION

EV Construction recently hired Mike O’Connor as a project manager in Holland for the facilities services division, Rick Boone as a firestopping technician and Erik Butzer as an assistant project manager. In its Coldwater office, Mark Bates joined the company as a project manager, Rob Cline in the carpentry division along with apprentice Coe Szafranski and Erica Haney to assist in the office.

EDUCATION

Aquinas College’s new scholarship has surpassed $1 million raised. It was created by alumni and friends, is the largest of its kind at Aquinas, and is named in honor of Sister Mary Aquinas Weber who has dedicated more than 75 years to serving the college and the Greater Grand Rapids community. Grand Rapids University Preparatory Association recently hired Christina Arnold as interim executive director. The nonprofit has a public-private partnership with Grand Rapids Public Schools to operate Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy. Hope College junior Josephine Surel recently won first place in the Materials Engineering & Sciences 1 category at the AIChE Annual Meeting and National Student Conference of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. Jordan VanHemert of the Hope College music faculty has been recognized as an Henri Selmer Paris saxophones per-

Behavioral Health Services. 11 a.m.-noon. Cost: free. Registration: bit.ly/3uoMnxK. MAR 11 GVSU Van Andel Global Trade Center Virtual 22nd Annual Michigan Automotive Suppliers Symposium. 8 a.m.noon. Cost: $145/members, $195/nonmembers. Information/registration: bit. ly/2NGv36C. MAR 11 St. Cecilia Music Center Virtual Concert Series. Jazz pianist Robin Connell. 7 p.m. streaming for free. Information/registration: scmc-online.org. MAR 14 Grand Rapids Public Museum Live Interactive Program Via Facebook. Artist Sean Kenney shares his experience as a professional artist working with LEGO bricks, a behind-the-scenes tour of his studio space, and questions and answers by viewers in real time. 1 p.m. Information/ registration: facebook.com/GRMuseum. MAR 15 World Affairs Council of Western Michigan Great Decisions Series 2021 Live Stream. Topic: The Melting Arctic, by Bob Hollister, GVSU Arctic Ecology program, and Kaare Erickson, the Inupiat Organization. 6-7:15 p.m. Cost: free/ members, $10/nonmembers Registration: worldmichigan.org/greatdecisions2021.

CHANGE-UPS & CALENDAR

forming artist by the musical-instrument company Conn-Selmer.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Suzanne Stepan and Christie Dando have joined Greenleaf Trust as vice president, senior wealth management adviser and client service specialist–conversion, respectively. The Holland branch of Wells Fargo Advisors welcomed Kurtis Abraham as a financial adviser, senior vice president– investments.

GOVERNMENT

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has appointed Kids’ Food Basket president and founding CEO Bridget Clark Whitney as the state’s representative to the Michigan Community Service Commission for her expertise in the educational, training and developmental needs of youth, particularly disadvantaged youth.

Rogers

Grand Rapids Chief of Police Eric Payne announced the promotion of Captain Kristen Rogers to deputy chief of police.

Lynn Heemstra, executive director of Our Community’s Children and a nationally known advocate for youth and children, announced her retirement after 22 years of public service. Heemstra was hired in 1998 to establish a new office as a joint venture between the city and Grand Rapids Public Schools intended to promote equitable access to opportunities that prepare young people for college, work and life.

HEALTH

Corazon Inc., a national leader in services for the cardiovascular specialty based in Pittsburgh, has granted accreditation to the PCI and EP Programs at Mercy Health Muskegon.

MAR 17 Talent Innovation Network of West Michigan Virtual Conference. Topic: SkillSense and Enabling Accomplishment, geared toward professionals in K-12 and postsecondary settings. 9-10 a.m. Information/registration: bit.ly/SkillSense. MAR 18 Acton Institute Online Conference Series. Topic: Why Black Lives Matter, by Anthony B. Bradley, professor of religious studies, The King’s College. Noon-1 p.m. Registration: acton.org/2021/BradleyALS. MAR 18 Builders Exchange of Michigan Virtual Employer Education Series. Topic: Workplace Accident Prevention. 8:309:30 a.m. Information/registration: (616) 949-8640, home.grbx.com/event/workplace-accident-investigation MAR 19 Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce 3rd Fridays Virtual Luncheon Via Zoom. Event includes breakout rooms, showcase presentations and a $25 drawing to be awarded. 11:30 a.m.1 p.m. Cost: $10/members, $5/showcase presentations. Information/registration: (616) 531-5990 or bob@southkent.org.

MAR 16 Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce West Michigan Minority Contractors Zoom Meeting. 3:30-5 p.m. Cost: free. Information/registration: grandrapids.org/ event/wmmc-2021-03-16.

MAR 22 World Affairs Council of Western Michigan Great Decisions Series 2021 Live Stream. Topic: China in Africa and The Case of Ghana, by Elizabeth Aseidu, professor of economics, the University of Kansas. 6-7:15 p.m. Cost: free/members, $10/nonmembers Information/registration: worldmichigan.org/greatdeci sions2021.

MAR 17 Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce ESOP Quarterly Meet-Up Zoom Meeting. Exploring issues and questions surrounding employee stock ownership plans. 7:45-9:30 a.m. Cost: $45/members, $65/nonmembers. Information/registration: grandrapids.org/event/esop-quarter ly-meet-up.

MAR 23 Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce Live Broadcast. Topic: Health Care Summit 2021: The Future of Health Care and What the Pandemic Has Taught Us. 8-10 a.m. Cost: $50/members, $75/ nonmembers. Information/registration: grandrapids.org/event/2021-health-caresummit.

Deputy Chief David G. Kiddle has retired from the Grand Rapids Police Department after 28 years of service. He has been named the director of security and emergency preparedness for Mercy Health Saint Mary’s. Hulst Jepsen Physical Therapy has opened two additional locations: 610 Baldwin St. in Jenison and 345 Fuller Ave. NE in Grand Rapids, for a total of 18 locations in the Greater Grand Rapids area. Priority Health named Praveen Thadani the company’s new president,

LEGAL

Bodman PLC announced intellectual property attorney Monica J. Stover has joined the firm as a senior attorney in the Grand Rapids office. Chase Bylenga Hulst PLLC changed its name to CBH Attorneys and Counselors or CBH, and has hired attorney Steve Rayman of Kalamazoo to supplement the firm’s bankruptcy and restructuring practice. Gruel Mills named Thomas J. Worsfold and Laura B. Danielson partners. Holland-based Lighthouse Immigrant Advocate hired Eva S. Alexander as executive director. Judge William G. Kelly of Kentwood’s 62-B District Court has retired. Kelly served the Kentwood community as the CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

CHANGE-UPS POLICY: The Business Journal welcomes submissions to the Change-Ups section. Send announcements concerning personnel changes, new businesses, changes of address etc. to Change-Ups Editor, Grand Rapids Business Journal, 401 Hall St. SW, Suite 331, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 or email bjchangeups@grbj.com.

MAR 23 Wedgwood Christian Services State of the Child Online Panel Discussion. Event will bring local teens together with experts to talk about the challenges kids and families are facing because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 4 p.m. Information/ registration: wedgwood.org/sotc. MAR 25 Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce Business Growth Series Zoom Meeting. 1-3 p.m. Cost: $15/members, $25/nonmembers. Information/registration: grand rapids.org/event/business-growth-series. MAR 25 The Institute for Supply Management Greater Grand Rapids Virtual 18th Annual Midwest Supply Chain Management Conference. Gain exposure to over 200 West Michigan manufacturers and suppliers; promote your products/services. 8:30 a.m.-1:45 p.m. Information/registration: ismggr.org/ meetinginfo.php. MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS Information: Stephanie Bradley, (616) 233-3577 or sbradley@experiencegr. com. MAR 11-13 Alliance of Confessing EvangelicalsByron Center CALENDAR POLICY: The Business Journal welcomes submissions to the calendar section. Send items to Calendar Editor, Grand Rapids Business Journal, 401 Hall St. SW, Suite 331, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 or email bjcal endar@grbj.com. Submissions must be received at least three weeks prior to the event. The Business Journal calendar posted on the publication’s website (grbj.com) includes listings for events extended beyond those printed in the weekly publication that are limited by space restrictions.

PUBLIC RECORD MORTGAGES

Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds FARRELL, Patrick et al, Neighborhood Loans, Parcel: 411324453151, $401,250 HAMMING, Steven G. et al, Finance of America Mortgage, Parcel: 411419351008, $370,000 DEAN, David P. et al, Mercantile Bank, Vergennes Twp., $443,000 MARTINEZ, Jeremy J. et al, Envoy Mortgage, Wyoming, $387,000 LUETTKE, Brian C. et al, BNC National Bank, Caledonia, $812,500 KAISER, Carolyn, Greenstone Farm Credit Services, Cannon Twp., $700,000 KRAMPFE, Aaron E. et al, Old National Bank, Cannon Twp., $510,400 LANGE, Joseph et al, Consumers Credit Union, Walker, $505,750 DILORENZO, James J. et al, Cornerstone Mortgage, Cascade Twp., $342,000 ACKERMAN, Amy J. et al, Old National Bank, Cascade Twp., $780,000 ZDC PROPERTIES LLC, TCF National Bank, Plainfield Twp., $573,000 JAROSCH, Nicholas R. et al, Caliber Home Loans, Cascade Twp., $317,200 FREEL, Timothy D. et al, Fifth Third Bank, Vergennes Twp., $340,000 FISHER, Leandra L., VanDyk Mortgage Corp., Parcel: 411404276056, $386,650 HANCZEWSKI, Marc D. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, East Grand Rapids, $510,000 KILEY, Duane E. et al, Independent Bank, Byron Twp., $318,150 GETZ, Stephanie, Huntington National Bank,

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL Byron Twp., $459,450 NOVITSKY, William S. et al, Mercantile Bank, Algoma Twp., $306,400 MCCARTHY, Paul A., Mercantile Bank, East Grand Rapids, $342,000 O’TOOLE, Jason et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Parcel: 411427126005, $316,000 BAKER TRUST, Independent Bank, Cannon Twp., $1,250,000 CANNON, Thomas J. et al, Benchmark Mortgage, East Grand Rapids, $396,000 ELLIS, Gary et al, Heartland Home Mortgage, Oakfield Twp., $301,500 RAMIREZ, Victor et al, Heartland Home Mortgage, Sparta, $325,200 MCSWEEN, Matthew et al, Huntington National Bank, Parcel: 411414327047, $410,989 WOOD, James et al, Guaranteed Rate, Algoma Twp., $365,261 MOTYCKA, David S. et al, Omega Lending, Cascade Twp., $301,500 DRISCOLL, Christopher J. et al, Neighborhood Loans, Cascade Twp., $427,500 PHILIPS, Colin et al, Neighborhood Loans, Courtland Twp., $510,400 NEITZEL, Drew A. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Ada Twp., $460,000 CENTER, Patrick et al, Neighborhood Loans, Parcel: 411414327046, $431,965 TOTH, Dennis et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Courtland Twp., $335,000 WEAVER, David T. et al, Benchmark Mortgage, Plainfield Twp., $359,100 VANBRONKHORST, Andrew J. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Parcel: 411425251004, $392,400 ROHR, Anthony P. et al, Success Mortgage

Partners, Courtland Twp., $498,750 MISSAD, Nicholas, JPMorgan Chase Bank, Parcel: 41143330301, $352,600 STEEBY, Jeffrey R. et al, North America Savings Bank, Parcel: 411425480044, $426,000 KOLANOWSKI, Andrew et al, North American Savings Bank, Parcel: 412117276008, $350,000 RIES, Steven et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Parcel: 411401202003, $368,000 PANTLIND, John W. et al, Bank of America, East Grand Rapids, $411,150 BLASIUS, Scott et al, Clearpath Lending, Condo-Summerset, $443,908 BAKER, Kelli, United Bank, Cascade Twp., $360,000 DEMPSEY, Susan M. et al, Loandepot.com, Vergennes Twp., $422,000 KAPPRAL, Andrew et al, Primelending, Parcel: 411709340018, $315,425 NAGY, Jan J. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Cannon Twp., $701,240 MOORE, Keith et al, Veterans United Home Loans, Caledonia, $540,778 BAD CREEK 1 LLC, Lake Michigan Credit Union, East Grand Rapids, $453,184 CARMPTON, Scott R., Finance of America Mortgage, Ada Twp., $375,000 BISSELL, Adam, CIBC Bank, Cascade Twp., $396,200 SCHLANDERER, Joyce L. et al, Quicken Loans, Parcel: 411425476002, $351,875 MCDONALD, Kevin R. et al, Old National Bank, Gaines Twp., $306,000 LEJA, Randall M. et al, TCF National Bank, Parcel: 411407401057, $392,500 HOLMBERG, Dirk, Neighborhood Loans,

Cascade Twp., $300,971 BOMER, Jon M. et al, Quicken Loans, Byron Twp., $342,450 ASGEIRSSON, Theodor, Flagstar Bank, East Grand Rapids, $382,000 JACQUES, Ashley M. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Caledonia, $363,750 SCHUT, Ryan et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Cannon Twp., $510,400 ALBRECHT, Travis et al, Neighborhood Loans, Kentwood, $308,750 BENGTSON, Bradley et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Grattan Twp., $504,000 QUIST, Theodore Sr. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Parcel: 411409177005, $318,250 SHEEHASE, Kyle, Old National Bank, Wyoming, $313,500 STEHOUWER, Benjamin J. et al, Loandepot. com, Parcel: 411432435012, $300,000 BC BISHAL et al, Better Mortgage Corp., Parcel: 411425295009, $369,193 NACHBAR, Jeremy et al, Mortgage 1, Sparta, $415,000 DCV4 LLC, Horizon Bank, Plainfield Twp., $1,240,000 PONCHAUD, George et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Parcel: 411234325015, $316,000 THOMPSON, Beau J. et al, Wells Fargo Bank, Byron Twp., $327,800 SMITH, Bradley G. et al, ChoiceOne Bank, Parcel: 411412276010, $391,000 KNECHT, Suzanne I. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Parcel: 411428426046, $365,700 BERJAOUI, Wael, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Ada Twp., $432,500

MAR 8, 2021

PECK, Robby M. et al, Finance of America Mortgage, Solon Twp., $305,950 LAMBERT, Jeffrey T., Mercantile Bank, Plainfield Twp., $670,000 HANSEN, Edward C. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Cannon Twp., $510,000 MCDERMOTT, William et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, East Grand Rapids, $320,000 PECHA, John C. Sr. et al, Veterans United Home Loans, Parcel: 412320461016, $315,811 TABACZKA, Linda L., Independent Bank, Cannon Twp., $364,000 CLAUSEN, Gregory et al, Prmelending, Parcel: 411022120009, $329,600 GORANSON, Hank N. et al, Home Point Financial, East Grand Rapids, $319,500 EGGEBEEN, Kevin T. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Byron Twp., $303,300 MERCHANT, Rusty et al, Huntington National Bank, Vergennes Twp., $732,000 PETERSON, Erik C. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Parcel: 410724300046, $467,000 BLACKMORE, Andrew et al, TCF National Bank, Plainfield Twp., $645,000 BAYON TRUST, Michigan First Credit Union, Wyoming, $331,094 OETMAN, Doug et al, Grand River Bank, Caledonia, $455,000

PUBLIC RECORD AVAILABLE ONLINE: For the full version of this week’s Public Record, visit the Grand Rapids Business Journal’s website at grbj.com.

Reflecting on one year post-COVID-19 onset CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16

band who was bearing all the load of home schooling our three boys. I bargained with myself, privileged and honored to serve the business community, and fortunate for my employment, while feeling the drain that perpetual work and worry causes. Then, months went by and the second wave hit, along with depression. We faced holidays without our families, and lost people we love. This, for me, was the hardest phase. I knew my job was to keep morale up for my team and our business community, yet it was hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I remember the defining moment that pulled me out of the gray. I received a weekly Spectrum Health Board of Directors email from Dr. Daryl Elmouchi at the end of 2020. The email closed with a story. He said, “One of our cardiologists told me that when he got the phone call to schedule his vaccine, he and our contact center employee cried on the phone together. For our teams who have seen so much death, this can be an almost spiritual event.” I sat at my desk crying along with our health care heroes knowing the end was in sight. There was a light at the end of this tunnel. Then came acceptance. Part of acceptance for me is accept-

Custer marks 40 years in business CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

Combining the two companies allowed both to take on larger projects and later to integrate Custer’s technology capabilities into CS Erickson’s portfolio of services. CS Erickson currently serves clients with power, lighting and integrated technology solutions for the commercial and industrial industries. Also in its portfolio of brands is Worklab by Custer, a co-working and meeting space at 99 Monroe Ave. NW, and Flooralytics, a

new fabric analytics and flooring testing lab launched in late 2020 that became fully operational in January in a renovated facility at 719 Century Ave. SW. Todd Custer said the company is working on more organic growth strategies through a relatively new side of the business: transformation services and change management. He sees those services as essential during a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is forcing employers to reimagine their workspaces and commercial interiors yet

ing that things will never go back to normal. Yet, noticing and appreciating the small things that have returned, like watching my boys play inside basketball and soccer. While I don’t remember my therapist-mom telling me what to expect beyond the final stage of grief, I see myself now experiencing deeper appreciation. Appreciation for the grit and determination exhibited by West Michigan business and community leaders to persevere and guide their teams through disappointments, pivots and uncertainty while processing their own stages of grief.Appreciation for our diverse manufacturing base that

helped to create some economic stability through the COVID-19 crisis as reported by 120 companies pre- and post-pandemic onset in the regional Business Intelligence Report at bir.lakeshoreadvantage. com.Appreciation for the scientists and all those involved in manufacturing and distributing the light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel vaccine right here in West Michigan. •Appreciation for our health departments and health systems that are vaccinating the most vulnerable populations and as supply increases, soon collaborating with employers to administer this vaccine to agriculture and food processing essential workers

starting this month. My team has accepted that our new normal offers opportunities to laser focus on priorities that matter now more than ever before. These include access and affordability to higher education and high-speed broadband. We appreciate the strengthened and new partnerships built during this crisis as we emerge stronger and smarter, looking forward to an economically vibrant West Michigan future.

again. With businesses returning to work, he said the company stands ready to guide clients through new ways of working and building connections with clients and employees. “If (companies) are reducing their real estate, it might mean (fewer) dedicated workstations or dedicated offices, but more collaborative community space and places where people can come in and they can connect and they can collaborate and they can have a really good experience,” he said. He noted Custer is currently working to renovate and reinvent all of its showrooms to showcase the new way of working and new experience that employees are going to want in order to return to the office. This year, Custer will open the doors of its new Ka-

lamazoo showroom on the 15th floor of the Exchange Building, as well as unveil a refreshed Grand Rapids showroom with updated technology, collaborative furniture solutions and a residential look and feel. “People don’t want to go back to their old environment. They want to go back to a new experience,” he said. Mark Custer added that other goals the company has include continuing to build out Custer’s family of companies through its shared service team, as well as developing its property in downtown Grand Rapids “to be a mixed-use concept that will play off the riverfront development across the street on the city land.” More information about Custer is at custerinc.com.

App partners with schools to help visualize financial planning

MiSTEM Network examines unconventional learning method CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

double the 7% overall growth expected during that period. Some of the STEM occupations are in the computer and mathematical, architecture and engineering, and life and physical science fields.

In addition to the MiSTEM Playbook pilot funding opportunity, MiSTEM Network provides other resources for students and educators. “MiSTEM offers opportunities for every student in Michigan to engage in STEM programs

through STEMworks-certified programs such as Code.org, MiSTAR, Camp Invention, Cereal City Science and Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative, just to name a few,” Schrauben said. “MiSTEM offers professional development for Michigan edu-

cators that spans from urban to rural communities. It supports districts with STEM-based community events, field trips and in developing critical relationships with STEM-oriented businesses, organizations and higher education.”

Jennifer Owens is president of Lakeshore Advantage, a nonprofit economic development organization serving primary employers in Allegan and Ottawa counties.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

teracting with your finances.” In addition to working with Muskegon Area Intermediate School District, Pancoast has been partnering with the Boys and Girls Club of the Muskegon Lakeshore and the Michigan Community Health Worker Alliance. According to a recent survey conducted by The Beans, nearly 50% of respondents, most of whom are teachers, health workers or nonprofit workers, have lost some income due to the pandemic. “Given the right tools, planning and encouragement, we’ve seen that members are able to continue their momentum despite this unprecedented time in history,” Pancoast said. “We’re on a mission to alleviate financial stress for some of the hardest working professions out there, doing work that has never been more urgent than today.”

You can help support Michigan’s premier free-market by... premier You can helporganization support Michigan’s free-market organization by... You can help support Michigan’s premier free-market organization by...

Receiving our policy research regarding education, environment, labor, criminal justice,research fiscal and health issues. Receiving our policy regarding education, environment, labor, criminal justice, fiscal and health issues. Mackinac.org

Mackinac.org Receiving our policy research regarding education, environment, labor, criminal justice, fiscal and health issues.

Mackinac.org Following our legal cases, filed pro bono by the Mackinac Center Legal Foundation behalf of clients challenging government Following our legaloncases, filed pro bono by the Mackinac Center overreach across Michigan. Legal Foundation on behalf of clients challenging government overreach across Michigan. Mackinac.org/litigation

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Following our legal cases, filed pro bono by the Mackinac Center Legal Foundation on behalf of clients challenging government overreach across Michigan.

Mackinac.org/litigation Reading our news website, Michigan Capitol Confidential, which scrutinizes officials Michigan and government Reading ourelected news website, Capitolbureaucracies. Confidential, which scrutinizes elected officials and government bureaucracies. MichCapCon.org

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MichCapCon.org Joining Opportunity Michigan, a network which empowers individuals to advance the principles of individual liberty. Joining Opportunity Michigan, a network which empowers individuals to advance the principles of individual liberty. OpportunityMichigan.org

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Advancing liberty and opportunity for Michigan’s OpportunityMichigan.org peopleliberty through research and education. Advancing and opportunity for Michigan’s people through research and education. Advancing liberty and opportunity for Michigan’s people through research and education.

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16

city’s first and only district court judge since 1979. Mika Meyers PLC announced Dominic T. Clolinger joined the firm as an associate. Clolinger focuses his practice on civil litigation and municipal law. The following attorneys were elected to the firm’s Management Committee for calendar year 2021: Benjamin A. Zainea (chair), Scott E. Dwyer and Joshua D. Beard. The city of Kentwood welcomed Judge Amanda Sterkenburg to 62-B District Court. She succeeds retiring Judge William G. Kelly. Warner Norcross + Judd LLP announced the addition of attorney Lucy J. McManaman based in the firm’s Grand Rapids office.

LEISURE & RECREATION

The Ottawa County Parks & Recreation Commission announced Pigeon Creek Park is now open from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. year-round. After daylight savings time each year, the LED trail lights will turn on at dusk and remain on until the park closes.

MANUFACTURING

Caledonia-based Aspen Surgical Products Inc. announced the acquisition of Protek Medical Products Inc. based in Coralville, Indiana, a global manufacturer of single-use ultrasonic probe covers and needle guides. Grand Rapids Chair Co. launched a new brand named Only Good Things in response to the need for versatile, high-quality, design-forward solutions for the home.

MILITARY

Grand Rapids native and Petty Officer Third Class Cutter Bullen recently received a Flag Letter of Commendation from the Chief of Staff, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO in Sigonella, Italy. Bullen is currently serving as a

Construction Electrician responsible for electrical work. Grand Rapids native and Electronics Technician 2nd Class Michelle Heintzelman has earned her basic interpretive historian qualification aboard USS Constitution. Heintzelman is a 2005 graduate of Caledonia High School.

NONPROFITS

The Gun Lake Tribe announced it has donated $14,339 to Community Action of Allegan County, pursuant to a legal agreement to direct unclaimed or forfeited funds left at the Gun Lake Casino to nonprofit organizations or charities. The Tribe selects which charitable organizations receive the funds. First Steps Kent Board of Commissioners announced the addition of board members Claire Guisfredi, North Kent Connect, and Kelsey Perdue, Michigan League for Public Policy.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Shandra Martinez Communications; Jessica Meldrum, National Heritage Academies and GVSU; and Lisa Taylor, Sabo PR.

RESTAURANTS

Grand Rapids’ Culver’s of Cascade is the recipient of the Our Town America’s Small Business Resilience Award.

RETAIL

Peter Soderberg joined Audio Advisor as a sales consultant.

TECHNOLOGY

Ada-based Emylla LLC is a recently launched data and technology firm that combines deep business experience with advanced data science to help clients maximize value from data. Emylla provides businesses with a competitive edge by developing and implementing transformative data and analytics strategies, including AI, machine learning, robotic process automation, data pipeline engineering and systems integration.

Long-time media and public relations professional Tim Dye announced the opening of Dye Communications LLC, a PR and strategic communications firm. The new firm offers a range of internal and external communications services including media relations, media coaching, issue management, crisis communications, digital media strategies, community relations and business publication support.

IT Resource Inc. recently celebrated its 20th anniversary.

The West Michigan Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America announced its 2021 officers and board members. Board officers: president Kim Skeltis, Blue Blaze Public Relations; president-elect Andria Romkema, The Right Place Inc.; secretary Kristen Krueger-Corrado, Grand Rapids Public Library; treasurer Adrienne Wallace, GVSU and BlackTruck Media + Marketing; and immediate past president Amanda St. Pierre, Aquinas College. New board members: Rick Chambers, Rick Chambers & Associates LLC; Jason Manshum, 45th Parallel Strategies and GVSU; Shandra Martinez,

WEBSITES

Jonathan Joshua joined Micro Visions Inc. as an IT systems administrator. Service Express has been recognized as one of Michigan’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the Nation by the National Association for Business Resources. The Kent County Health Department and a consortium of West Michigan health departments, hospitals, health care providers, universities and others have launched VaccinateWestMI.com where area residents can find the latest information about the COVID-19 vaccine. The site includes information about vaccine availability, local distribution plans, safety and efficacy, and will be updated regularly as new information becomes available.

MAR 8, 2021

West Michigan should be hotbed for best leaders in the country CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

1. Someone who cares more for the mission, the team and their customers than for themself. 2. Someone who works hard at being real, transparent and authentic in all of their relationships. 3. Someone who works hard at working hard. What attributes would be on your short list? (And how are you doing at living them out?) Next in our simple model is how do you build a great team? We can learn a lot from the sports arena here. You have to recruit really well because you won’t succeed unless you get the right kind of people on your team. Thankfully, there are a lot of the right kind of people in West Michigan and they come in all shapes, sizes and colors. You also have to “de-cruit” people if they end up not being a great member of the team. Of course, you have to do this with fairness, compassion and dignity, but you need to do it if you want a great team. Two more pieces of building a great team are to develop each of the individuals on your team and develop the team as a whole unit. Each of these is hard to do, especially when you have so many tasks to complete as you work in your business. But you also need to make the time to work on your business, which is the job of someone who is committed to leading,

not just managing. And finally, how do you create the clarity needed to say who we are and where we’re going? Focus on these three things: 1. What are we here for, or what is our purpose? For us, it is to help West Michigan become the hotbed of the best leaders in the country. 2. Where are we going, or what is our vision? For us, it is to serve 1,000 West Michigan leaders by 2027, one leader at a time. 3. And finally, how will we behave as we pursue our vision, or what are our core values? Naming and then working hard to live into clearly defined values is the start of building a great culture. As important as solid strategy is for an organization, Peter Drucker believed that, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” I agree. So, what could result from thousands of West Michigan leaders pursuing this simple model of being a person worth following, building a great team, and creating clarity around purpose, vision and values? We think it could be a significant gift to our world and we find it to be a worthy pursuit for our own journeys. We hope you will join the movement, regardless of how you would choose to do that. Rodger Price is the founder and managing partner of Leading by DESIGN, an executive development firm in Grand Rapids.

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Go to: businessforumusa.com/grandrapids Renée Mauborgne

Renée Mauborgne is a professor of strategy at INSEAD and was named the No. 1 Most Influential Management Thinker in the World by Thinkers50. She is co-author of the international bestseller Blue Ocean Strategy, which has sold over 4 million copies.

MARCH 10

12PM

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

STREET TALK

Meijer sets supplier diversity event Cancer initiative.

n the heels of a similar successful event last year, Meijer Inc. announced it will host a second supplier diversity event in May, giving diverse-owned businesses nationwide the opportunity to showcase their offerings for interested Meijer merchants. After meeting with nearly 250 diverse suppliers at its first Supplier Diversity Summit in November, the retailer plans to meet with even more at its upcoming multi-day virtual event. “Supplier diversity, much like our overarching diversity and inclusion efforts, is not about checking boxes or a ‘one and done’ mentality — it’s about ensuring our partnerships reflect our customers and communities,” said Peter Whitsett, Meijer’s executive vice president of merchandising and marketing. “By continuing to recruit diverse vendors through these events, we are creating a pipeline of diverse partners that will better serve our customers and communities for years to come.” The May 4-6 virtual event will focus on the following categories: •Beauty and personal care •Over-the-counter and wellness •General merchandise •Grocery Certified minority-, LGBTQ-, woman-, veteran- and disabil-

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ity-owned businesses with retail-ready products in those categories can apply by Monday, March 8, for consideration here (rangeme.com/meijerdiversity). “Our Supplier Diversity Summit was incredibly successful, and we are excited to begin working with many new partners as a result,” said Jamie Akemann, group vice president of indirect procurement and supplier diversity. “However, it takes time to go from meeting a new vendor partner to carrying their product in hundreds of stores. By holding this second event, and future supplier diversity events, we ensure a consistent flow of new products and partnerships that empower diverse suppliers and create positive economic impacts in our communities.” Meijer is partnering with RangeMe, an ECRM company and online product sourcing platform, to manage all product submissions by qualifying and connecting suppliers with the appropriate buyers. Once applications for the event are submitted, Meijer teams will review and select the vendors they would like to meet with virtually through the ECRM Connect meeting platform. Suppliers not chosen for the event still will be accessible through RangeMe and may be reviewed by Meijer

merchants again in the future as business needs change. While they may not qualify for May’s event, diverse vendors carrying services or products outside of the categories mentioned above can submit their information for consideration through the retailer’s prospective vendor page. CANCER CARE Bronson Health Foundation (BHF) announced the launch of the public portion of its Cancer Care Campaign and the initiative already has a good start. Through significant support during the initial phase of the campaign, BHF received more than $9 million from individuals, families, businesses and foundations. Now, a community-wide public initiative is underway to support meaningful and equitable programs and services for patients undergoing cancer care at Bronson. “Philanthropic support and community engagement fuels our providers and directly connects to our patients,” said Terry Morrow, vice president of development at Bronson Healthcare. “As a locally owned and operated system, Bronson is committed to implementing a bold vision for cancer care and giving back to the community that continues to in-

vest so generously in our future.” The Cancer Care Campaign supports the following priorities: •Establishing the new Bronson Cancer Center in Kalamazoo. Located in the Frank J. Sardone Pavilion at Bronson Methodist Hospital, the new outpatient facility provides medical oncology, hematology and infusion services. Community support enhances the healing environment and offers supportive services like survivorship, palliative care, nutrition counseling and healthy living activities. •Reinvesting in the Bronson Cancer Center in Battle Creek. At this established site, the Cancer Care Campaign already has supported the purchase of a Varian TrueBeam Linear Accelerator and Varian HyperArc — leading edge radiation technology. Philanthropic support also purchased a new electronic record system, which improves coordination and communication between system-wide providers as well as patients. Additionally, several facility updates will be completed using donated funds. •Building a supportive future for children at the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Clinic. Through fundraising efforts, a new child and family psychologist will be available for cancer patients and their caregivers at Bronson Children’s Hospital. This professional will support young patients and their caregivers and provide guidance that encourages learning, development, and resilience during and beyond a child’s cancer journey. •Advancing an equitable future for cancer care across the Bron-

MAR 8, 2021

son Healthcare system. Exploring barriers to access and treatment among vulnerable community members will ensure Bronson’s regional cancer care program is serving all people equitably. The campaign will support a demographic analysis and community outreach strategy to advance equity-oriented solutions in Bronson’s cancer program. Further, funding to address critical patient needs like transportation, medication support and nutritional supplements continues to be raised through the campaign. Kim Nuyen, president of Moore Electrical Service Inc., and his wife Valerie made a leading $1.25 million investment in Bronson’s vision for cancer care. “My family has confronted the realities of cancer treatment,” Nuyen said. “Making this gift is meaningful as our community builds a better and more coordinated vision for cancer care. Facilities and spaces really matter during a patient’s time of vulnerability, and Bronson is delivering the healing environments that our families, friends and neighbors deserve.” Other donors to the Cancer Care Campaign include the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, The Maxon Foundation at US Bank, Bronson Battle Creek Hospital Community Partners, Havirmill Foundation, Frank Sardone and Susan Fall, Suzanne Upjohn Delano Parish Foundation, Dorothy U. Dalton Foundation, Friends and Family of Mall City Mechanical, CSM Group Inc., W.S. and Lois VanDalson Foundation, Miller Johnson attorneys and Josh and Pamela Weiner.

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