Grand Rapids Business Journal 09.07.21 by Grand Rapids Business Journal

FORUM visits impacts of Grand Rapids Whitewater Project. PAGE 3

SEPTEMBER 7, 2021 VOL. 39, NO. 18

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

THIS WEEK

LYONS FORGES OWN PATH

The former NFL tight end works with people near or in retirement to protect their investments. Page 11

Adelaide Pointe development takes shape Muskegon waterfront project puts emphasis on inclusivity. Ehren Wynder

ewynder@grbj.com

Seeing green Grand River Greenway campaign reaches $7.2 million fundraising goal. PAGE 3

Offset onset City and energy firm purchase carbon offset credits on path toward net-zero goal. PAGE 3

SMOOTH MOOOVE Milk producers may be in line for $350 million in federal assistance due to pandemic. Page 9

THE LISTS

The area’s top environmental law firms Page 7 The area’s top law firms Page 8

A local developer is pouring $250 million into a multi-faceted development project to revitalize the Muskegon lakeshore. Ryan Leestma and his wife, Dr. Emily Leestma, acquired a 30acre former industrial site on the Muskegon lakeshore and plan to redevelop it into a waterfront community called Adelaide Pointe that will reactivate Muskegon as a destination for water recreationists. Items actively being considered include a 270-slip marina; a mixeduse building with a restaurant, event center and retail space; a 300-unit mass timber condo build-

At the center of the proposal is a 270-slip marina, mixed use building and 300-unit condominium complex. Courtesy Ryan Leestma

ing; three public parks; 72 transient slips; 200 dry slips of in-and-out boat service; and 165,000 square feet of winter boat storage. “A big part of our focus is making this a place where people can go,” Ryan Leestma said. “So, if

you are a boater in Saugatuck or Holland or Grand Haven, it’s very difficult to go to another port and find a place to tie up. Whereas here, between the transient dockage and the marina, we’re going to have over a half-mile of side-tie dockage

that is very easy for people to use, so they always know they can come to Muskegon if they’re out on their boat and they want to have a good time with their friends.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

D.A. Blodgett-St. John’s breaks ground on $10M facility New building will allow nonprofit to integrate all operations into the one Knapp campus. Rachel Watson

rwatson@grbj.com

A local child welfare nonprofit will strive to improve outcomes by creating a more efficient and effective environment for children and families at a single integrated campus. D.A. Blodgett-St. John’s (DABSJ) broke ground Aug. 19 on a $10 million multipurpose facility at 2184 Dean Lake Ave. NE adjacent to the organization’s Knapp Street campus in Grand Rapids, which already houses several sep-

arate residential treatment homes. The new building, expected to be complete in late 2022, will serve as the campus cornerstone, integrating services that were previously at three separate locations, Leonard, Knapp and Fuller, under one roof — an intentional move to improve outcomes for the nearly 7,000 children and families the agency serves annually. Locating all services onto one campus also will save the organization $2 million over the next two decades, according to DABSJ President and CEO Mary Muliett. Launched in August 2018, the Together for Kids campaign has raised more than $9.8 million toward the $10 million goal with the help of nearly 500 separate donors. CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

The integrated campus will feature expanded programming space, administrative offices, and educational and wellness space, including a health clinic, family visit rooms, youth café, activities center, school classrooms, meeting rooms and counseling rooms. Courtesy Integrated Architecture

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GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

SEPTEMBER 7, 2021

Forum visits impacts of Grand Rapids Whitewater Project Lakeshore Sustainability Forum speakers also talked about food process innovation and DEI in Ottawa County. Rachel Watson

rwatson@grbj.com

A forum in Grand Haven highlighted how sustainability-related initiatives — including the Grand Rapids Whitewater project — could impact greater West Michigan and the tri-cities of Ferrysburg, Grand Haven and Spring Lake. Lakeshore Sustainability Forum in August hosted an in-person luncheon — the first sustainability event on the lakeshore since 2019 — at Mulligan’s Hollow Lodge in Grand Haven. Lakeshore Sustainability Forum is a program of West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum supported in part by the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation and the Community Foundation of Muskegon County. Speakers at the event highlighted innovations in food systems sustainability; progress toward diversity, equity and inclusion in Ottawa County; and the downstream effects of the Grand Rapids Whitewater Grand River restoration project. The forum featured Marty Gerencer, executive director of West Michigan Food Processing Association; Clarence Rudat, the newly

Forum participants included, from left, Robyn Afrik, diversity, equity and inclusion director for Ottawa County; Marty Gerencer, executive director of West Michigan Food Processing Association; Clarence Rudat, Michigan State University FARM manager; and Steve Heacock, president and CEO of Grand Rapids Whitewater Project. Courtesy West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum

appointed Michigan State University FARM manager; Robyn Afrik, diversity, equity and inclusion director for Ottawa County; and Steve Heacock, president and CEO of Grand Rapids Whitewater Project. Gerencer and Rudat updated attendees on the West Michigan Food Processing Association and its Food, Agriculture, Research and Manufacturing Center

(FARM), an incubator for food processing innovation and convenient, healthy food development. The 8,000-square-foot flexible manufacturing facility in Muskegon will offer tenants space for commercial grade food processing. FARM will serve as a hub for growing the West Michigan food processing sector through education, capacity building and new

product development for the West Michigan region, as the Business Journal previously reported in a March 13, 2020 article. Afrik introduced Ottawa County’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and highlighted its progress since its inception in 2019. The office is addressing implicit bias in the county’s policies and procedures, developing the county’s

equity plan and helping partner governments do the same. The forum provided attendees the chance to support the office as it creates pathways for inclusion integral to sustainability and economic prosperity. Those who would like to learn more can visit miottawa.org/ departments/diversity or email Afrik at rafrik@miottawa.org. Heacock discussed the Whitewater project and the efforts to restore 2.5 miles of the Grand River to its natural state, including Grand Rapids’ namesake rapids — a project the Business Journal has been following for years. The $45 million endeavor will open access to the river, provide environmental and social benefits and be a commercial asset to the region. Heacock also highlighted the project’s impact for the cities of Ferrysburg, Grand Haven and Spring Lake and other downstream communities. He started with a brief sketch of what the Grand River was like before the city of Grand Rapids was founded and before photography became readily available in the late 1800s — a 600-foot-wide or more body of water settled on the west bank by Native Americans, and which flooded every year and fed surrounding wild rice fields. People who were nearby could hear the rapids from a mile away and know they were approaching the Grand River. “They would listen to the rapids, hear that roar and find their way there. Think about how different that is from today,” Heacock CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

Grand River Greenway campaign hits $7.2M goal City, energy Project will establish public land corridor for trail connecting Grand Haven to Kent County. Rachel Watson

rwatson@grbj.com

The Grand River Greenway Campaign, a fundraising effort launched in 2017 with a goal of financing key land acquisitions along the 36.5mile Idema Explorers Trail, recently achieved its fundraising goal of $7.2 million. The target is deemed critical in leveraging public funding as part of the $21 million Grand River Greenway project. The Grand River Greenway project will ultimately establish a public land corridor connecting Grand Haven to the border with Kent County. The Greenway project is currently ongoing, with over 20 miles of trail in various stages of active design and permitting. It’s possible three segments of trail could be under construction in 2022, which would include over 4.5 miles of new trail construction. “I am so grateful to be a part of this campaign and community that has supported raising over $7 million,” said Samantha Verplank, campaign co-chair. “This funding will have a tremendous impact

creating and preserving green space for future generations in West Michigan.” Monica Verplank, another campaign co-chair, spoke at the dedication event for another trail section. “Earlier this summer, it was wonderful to participate in the dedication of the expanded Bend Area and the opening of the Georgetown segment of the Idema Explorers Trail,” she said. “While it has been great to see these new spaces open for public use and for the community to have bicycle/pedestrian access, the exciting thing is that this is really just the beginning.” The campaign wraps up just as Ottawa County Administrator Al Vanderberg prepares to depart his role to become the Kent County administrator. Vanderberg served on the campaign committee and was instrumental in recruiting committee members, including campaign co-chair and donor Peter Secchia, who died last year at age 83. “I recall with great fondness those early discussions with Peter regarding this project,” said Vanderberg, who had a long working relationship with Secchia dating back to the beginnings of the Millennium Park project on the Grand River in Kent County. “Peter was a visionary and this vision of the Greenway grabbed him. One of the amazing things about Peter was his ability to take a vision and make it a reality. I am thrilled that we are now one step closer and look

forward to seeing various critical Grand River projects develop and connect across West Michigan.” Another key milestone in the campaign was a gift from the Bill and Bea Idema Foundation, a contribution that resulted in the Greenway trail being named in honor of Bea Idema, who has a deep family connection to the river in Ottawa County. “The support of the Idema family has been and continues to be so critical to the success of the Grand River Greenway,” said Kelly Rice, Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Commission president. “A place like Grand Ravines, a highlight of the Greenway, has been transformed and became a community destination with their help.” While fundraising efforts were slowed by the pandemic, several other gifts helped the campaign achieve its final goal, including major gifts from John and Jim Zevalkink, the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, through the Greatest Needs Fund, and others. The Grand River Greenway Campaign was an initiative of the Ottawa County Parks Foundation, which was formed in 2016 with a mission of “bridging community to nature.” “This funding really has opened new possibilities for the parks and demonstrates how we can help connect community to the abundant natural spaces within Ottawa County,” said Bobbi Jones Sa-

bine, Parks Foundation president. “However, this really required a tireless effort by so many. I would like to acknowledge the dedication of this campaign committee.” Other campaign committee members include Myron Aldrink, Dr. Barb Brown, Wendy Creason, Tina Dee, Andy DeVries, Thomas Haas, Tom Jackoboice, Mark Schmidt and Timothy Stoepker. Tom Werkman was formerly on the campaign. Ottawa County Parks Director Jason Shamblin, as well as his predecessor, John Scholtz, both served on the campaign committee. “This is the culmination of 40 years of effort and has built on the vision and work of so many. This achievement will really have a lasting impact on the community for generations,” Shamblin said. “We are striving to have a celebration at our next trail segment dedication — which we hope will be in 2022. “While much has been accomplished, considerable work still needs to be done. However, the Greenway Campaign has put us in a position to be successful. As work continues, there are many additional ways for the community to support the Greenway. Additional naming opportunities exist along the many features and segments of the Idema Explorers Trail, as well as other ways for supporters to make an impact.” People can visit ottawacounty parksfoundation.org if they would like to learn more or donate.

firm offset carbon toward net-zero goal

Purchase of credits is equivalent to removing 2,400 cars from the road annually. Ehren Wynder

ewynder@grbj.com

Vicinity Energy, owner and operator of district energy systems across the nation, announced it has purchased carbon offsets for its Grand Rapids district energy operations, with hopes of offsetting carbon emissions in the city by 95,400 metric tons over a three-year period. The purchase of carbon offsets will allow Vicinity to further support the sustainability efforts of Grand Rapids and the Grand Rapids 2030 District Plan, offsetting carbon emissions by an additional 95,400 metric tons over a three-year period, without any additional cost to customers. “Sustainability is one of the city’s core values,” said Alison CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

SEPTEMBER 7, 2021

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

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GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

SEPTEMBER 7, 2021

Program helps dairy farmers hit by pandemic Milk producers may be in line for $350 million in federal assistance. Danielle Nelson

dnelson@grbj.com

Some dairy farmers may find financial relief through the Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance Program and the Dairy Donation Program that the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced last month. The department will provide about $350 million in pandemic assistance payments to dairy farmers who have been receiving lower value for their products because of the “market abnormalities caused by the pandemic.” According to an Economic Impact of COVID-19 on Michigan Agricultural Production Sectors report last September, dairy farmers are some of the most affected in the agricultural sector. The report stated that dairy production suffered a 25.2%, or $464,342,000, decline in estimated economic output for the Michigan agricultural supply chain. However, Trey Malone, assistant professor for the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University, said the prices are rebounding.

Nevertheless, Joe Diglio, president and CEO of the Michigan Milk Producers Association, told the Business Journal in August that the revenue from higher prices for dairy products are not trickling down to dairy farmers to offset production costs such as animal feed, equipment, machinery repairs and labor at the farm level. The Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance Program will reimburse eligible “dairy farmers for 80% of the revenue difference based on an annual production of up to 5 million pounds of milk marketed and on fluid milk sales from July through December 2020.” The USDA’s new $400 million Dairy Donation Program allows for eligible dairy farmers and organizations to partner with non-profit feeding organizations that distribute food to individuals and families in need. The participants may receive reimbursements to cover some expenses related to eligible dairy product donations. The program was fashioned, in part, by the Michigan Milk Producers Association’s partnership with the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan in response to the Flint water crisis. “MMPA is excited for the launch of this new program, which builds on the significant donation partnerships we have been undertaking in Michigan for CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

Expungement of criminal record to help ‘tens of thousands’ First-time OWI offenders would then be on equal footing to compete for jobs. Danielle Nelson

dnelson@grbj.com

About 200,000 Michiganders will be beneficiaries of the state’s newest expungement law. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently signed legislation that allows for the expungement of criminal records for first-time offenders who were convicted of operating while intoxicated (OWI). “No one should be defined by a mistake they have made in the past,” said Whitmer. “These bills allow Michiganders to move on from a past mistake in order to have a clean slate. We must clear a path for first-time offenders so that all residents are able to compete for jobs with a clean record and contribute to their communities in a positive way.” Individuals who are eligible to have their OWI criminal record expunged are first-time offenders who were operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration

(BAC) level of 0.08 or more. The 0.08 BAC level was set to increase to 0.10 on Oct. 10, but the new law eliminated that possibility. “Michigan is the only state in the country not to have a firm 0.08 blood alcohol concentration limit for operating a motor vehicle,” said Rep. Graham Filler, R-DeWitt. “Eliminating the sunset is not only the right thing to do, but it ensures the safety of those traveling on our roads.” In addition to the 0.08 or more BAC level, first-time offenders who are operating a vehicle while visibly impaired by alcohol or other controlled substance; those who are under 21 years old operating a vehicle with a BAC of 0.02 or more; and those who are operating a vehicle with any bodily amount of cocaine or a Schedule 1 controlled substance are all eligible to have their criminal records expunged after their five-year probation period ends. Individuals who are eligible and interested in having their OWI record expunged must submit a petition to the court, which will be reviewed and determined by a judge. The new law, however, excludes those who have caused death or se-

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SEPTEMBER 7, 2021

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

Grand Rapids couple teaches businesses people-oriented SEO Avalanche Creative focuses on the expertise companies can offer in specific fields. Ehren Wynder

ewynder@grbj.com

Lance and Rayanne Beaudry tripled Avalanche Creative’s revenue and its team in the course of two years, even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Courtesy Avalanche Creative

Grand Rapids, it’s time to celebrate our ROA (Return of ArtPrize). With eager anticipation, we’re delighted to welcome artists and art lovers from our local community and all over the world back to the heart of Grand Rapids for ArtPrize 2021. We know that we will be dazzled, enlightened and sometimes provoked by the creativity that will grace our city in the coming weeks. But most importantly, we will experience it together as a community – something we all need. So, thank you, ArtPrize artists, event organizers and sponsors, for making this year’s ArtPrize one to celebrate. To the Grand Rapids community, it is an honor and privilege to serve you.

25 Ottawa Avenue SW, Suite 110, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 616.888.3210 greenleaftrust.com

The best place to hide a dead body is page two of Google, according to Avalanche Creative, which is why the Grand Rapids-based search engine optimization (SEO) consultant leverages an empathetic, people-focused approach to helping businesses get in customers’ faces. Founder Lance Beaudry became very interested in building websites in the early 2000s. Although he describes himself as social person, he often would skip social events for projects he was working on. “It was pretty much dropshipping before dropshipping was a thing, slideshows for graduation parties,” Beaudry said. “The most exciting thing for me was building a website for a business, to try to attract people to the website and make money somehow.” Beaudry got away from site building, however. After watching his mother fail at being an entrepreneur, he didn’t see how he could be successful as a web developer. After high school he went to Grand Valley State University for a teaching degree. “I love to teach. I love to break things down, but along the way, I couldn’t scratch that itch of building a website and growing a business,” Beaudry said. He credited the purchase of a $20 book, which rekindled and refined his website building skills. Right out of college, he got a job as a landscaper, but the hard labor made him realize he didn’t want to do it for the rest of his life. In the evenings, he would learn how to code and build websites for people and even made a good side hustle out of it. One website he built in particular, where small- to mid-sized churches could develop their own mobile app, ranked high on Google and taught Beaudry the importance of SEO. “Using Google to learn SEO — there are tons of people willing to share good information about SEO,” Beaudry said. “Tons and tons of trial and error — that’s how the most SEO experts I know today learn. It’s to be good at googling, which is kind of ironic.” In the case of his church app website, Beaudry gave information about what options churches have for building apps and what benefits they can get out of having their own internal app. When people search for those options and benefits, Beaudry’s website would be the first result that popped up. Beaudry eventually sold the website he developed, but its success led him to doing SEO consulting for business clients. His wife, Rayanne, at the time was

working in the nonprofit sector while advising her husband on business practices. “She was free labor for the longest time,” Beaudry said, laughing. “After doing a lot of free labor, I decided I like this,” Rayanne Beaudry said. “We just got to a point where I was like, ‘This is what I want to do. I can help you grow this business.’” With Rayanne on board, Avalanche Creative tripled its revenue and its team in the course of two years, even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I worked with freelancers a little bit before Rayanne, and as soon as Rayanne was in … within a year we had three full-time employees,” Lance Beaudry said. SEO is becoming more important to businesses when promoting themselves, Rayanne Beaudry said. The economy is experiencing a shift in labor, as well as a generational shift. As more young people move into decision-making positions, they’re going to Google first to find resources.

“Using Google to learn SEO — there are tons of people willing to share good information about SEO. Tons and tons of trial and error — that’s how the most SEO experts I know today learn. Lance Beaudry “Maybe the old way of getting noticed is you would go to a trade show, you’d get on the vendor list, you get on the phone with someone, but now if someone is looking for a landscaper or any kind of BTB resource, they’re going to Google,” she said. “We saw that in the last year with the pandemic. Everything went online. If you’re not using your website as an active lead generation source, you’re missing out.” SEO also is one of the few marketing activities that compound over time, Lance Beaudry added. Although businesses can certainly lose visibility if they don’t practice good SEO, the front page of Google is free real estate. It’s also less sales-focused and more people-focused, he added. Companies that leverage SEO well will first educate customers on their services and teach them to come to them if they need help. For example, Avalanche assisted a local landscaping company, Superior Groundcover Inc., in writing a blog about DIY spray-on lawns, or hydroseeding, because many potential customers in Michigan were searching for hydroseeding. “Why would we want the company that offers hydroseeding as a CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

SEPTEMBER 7, 2021

Father and son’s love of flying spills over into law practice Jeff and Ethan Beswick handle complex aviation transactions for Varnum clients. Danielle Nelson

dnelson@grbj.com

Some days you can find Jeff Beswick and his son, Ethan Beswick, in the courtroom. At other times, you might see them in the cockpit of their airplane. Jeff Beswick is an attorney and partner at Varnum where he specializes in business law, real estate, estate planning and aircraft transactions, which includes purchase, sale, fractional ownership, leasing and the operation of aircraft, among other things. He also is an instrument-rated private pilot. Ethan Beswick also is an instrument-rated commercial multi-engine pilot and an associate attorney at Varnum, where he focuses on mergers and acquisitions, tax, real estate and aircraft matters. With their passion for aviation intertwined with their legal careers, they’ve noticed an increase in aircraft transactions since the pandemic started last year. Jeff Beswick said aircraft transactions and activities preCOVID-19 were consistently growing, but at the beginning of the

pandemic and throughout 2020, there was a decline in the number of aircraft transactions and flight operations for both business and personal travel. According to the senior Beswick, in the fourth quarter of 2019 there were 980,000 flight operations and in the second quarter of 2020, there were 510,000 flight operations. So, it was about a 50% decline in flight operations and as flight operations go down, so does the interest in airplane transactions, he said. “Now we are seeing, as we come out of COVID, we are seeing a rebound,” Jeff Beswick said. “We are seeing more transaction activities. People are buying and selling airplanes and moving up to the next-level airplanes. There are more business travels as business travel opens up and also personal use of aircraft because it is an efficient and safe way to get around.” The rebound in flight operations began in the third quarter of last year and continued into early 2021. Jeff Beswick said there have been 910,000 flight operations. Although flight operations have increased, he said there is some hesitancy for international private airplane travel. Nevertheless, with the increase in domestic flight operations, Jeff Beswick and Ethan Beswick said there are some issues purchasers have to be aware of, including purchase agreements, transaction and

closing issues, ownership options and tax benefits of aircraft purchases. Ethan Beswick said the purchasing agreement is a letter of intent, which will set out the basic initial terms where the parties begin to agree on the transaction. Within the purchasing agreement, it must include title search, logbook review, physical inspection, inspections by independent shops/ mechanics, cost to resolve discrepancies, sales and use taxes, avionics, equipment and software. “People can get pretty enamored with the efficiency, fun and joy of traveling by jet airplane and they can forget that they need to protect themselves in the same important ways when they are buying anything else that is a multimillion-dollar investment,” Jeff Beswick said. “Sometimes clients forget that they need to do a thorough inspection of the Jeff Beswick airplane, a thorough inspection of the records of the airplane to see if there is any damage history or problems because they all look pretty sitting out on the ramp, but every aircraft is different, and they need to be inspected. That process typically takes a week or two for a thorough

inspection and sometimes clients do not want to wait that long. “In doing a title search they have to make sure that there is not a lien or a mortgage on the aircraft that needs to be cleared up. Another area of concern is transfer titles because in Michigan, there is a 6% transfer tax, and various (other) states that have transfer taxes. If you are not careful, you can end up paying unnec- Ethan Beswick essary taxes because you pay taxes in the state where you closed on the airplane and you also have to pay taxes somewhere else. The closing location and the states transfer, and sales use taxes come into play and those are areas where clients can make mistakes.” Through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Ethan Beswick said there are currently bonus depreciation opportunities that would be advantageous for clients and individuals purchasing aircraft. “The bonus depreciation will continue for the next few years and then it will phase out through 2027, but there are certainly tax advantages in the near-term of acquiring an aircraft and then depreciating 100% of the cost of that aircraft and offsetting other

taxable gain incentives a company or business clients may have,” he said. “There are also other tax considerations for sales tax, use tax and transfer tax, and proper

“People can get pretty enamored with the efficiency, fun and joy of traveling by jet airplane and they can forget that they need to protect themselves in the same important ways when they are buying anything else that is a multimillion-dollar investment.” Jeff Beswick planning and structuring allow clients to minimize those taxes to the best of their ability. Some states have fly-away exemptions and those allow for an opportunity to purchase an aircraft in a state and so long as the aircraft is removed from that state within a set amount of time, the purchaser is able to be exempt from that state’s taxation. Michigan has a fly-away exemption, as do numerous other states, and that allows clients to avoid double taxation in the acquisition of aircraft.”

Top Area Environmental Law Firms (RANKED BY NUMBER OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAWYERS EMPLOYED IN WEST MICHIGAN) Practice group leader

No. of W. Mich. environmental attorneys

Major environmental clients

Areas of expertise

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

Dennis Donohue

The Dow Chemical Company, Eastman Chemical Company, Graphic Packaging International LLC, LafargeHolcim, Lundin Eagle Mine, NextEra Energy Inc., Perrigo, Pfizer Inc., Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative Inc., Wolverine World Wide Inc.

Representation across the resource, energy, real estate and manufacturing sectors on state and federal permitting, compliance and enforcement issues; legislative policy work; assistance with hazardous waste management, product content regulations, mine permitting and project development, renewable energy, NEPA and NHPA project reviews and compliance, contaminated site remediation (including PFAS), and brownfield redevelopment incentives

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

Matthew Eugster

DND

Air quality, land use permitting, regulatory compliance, waste management, water law, environmental litigation

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

William A. Horn

DND

General environmental counseling, environmental litigation, due diligence, environmental permitting and administrative proceedings, riparian rights disputes, oil and gas regulation, groundwater and surface water use, renewable energy development and permitting and natural resources extraction

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

Phillip Rettig Leslee Lewis

DND

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

Scott Steiner

DND

Due diligence, cleanup projects, environmental insurance claims, permitting, environmental agreements, financing opportunities for contaminated properties, brownfield redevelopment incentives, natural resources issues, regulatory compliance

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

Charlie Denton Tammy Helminski

Barnes & Thornburg represents a broad Environmental litigation, enforcement and remediation, air quality, airport cross-section of local, regional and counseling, corrective and voluntary clean-ups, compliance and national businesses, including leaders in permitting, transactional diligence, PFAS and emerging contaminants, the industry, as well as utilities, pipelines, pollution liability insurance coverage, toxic and hazardous retailers and trade associations materials – domestic and international, waste management, water quality, and federal rulemaking and challenges

Honigman LLP 300 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 400 Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 649-1900 honigman.com

Kenneth Vermeulen

Blarney Castle Oil Co.; Superior Asphalt; Environmental issues with real estate transactions; investigation and StoneCo; Michigan Aggregates remediation of contaminate sites; sediment management; environmental Association; Shape Corp; Lorin permitting, compliance, and enforcement, solid and hazardous waste Industries regulatory compliance; wetland and natural protections; Brownfield incentives and redevelopment, UST regulation; environmental litigation

The Grand Rapids Business Journal list of top area environmental law firms, ranked by number of environmental lawyers employed in West Michigan, is the most comprehensive available. The Business Journal defines "West Michigan" as Allegan, Kent, Ottawa and Muskegon counties. The Business Journal surveyed 161 law firms; 9 responded and 7 are listed. To be considered for future lists, email dnelson@grbj.com. DND = did not disclose

Trustee selected Mika Meyers’ Elizabeth Bransdorfer was selected as a trustee of the Grand Rapids Bar Association Board and the Justice Foundation of West Michigan.

Lawyer of the Year Rhoades McKee’s Scott Steiner, who specializes in environmental litigation, was named a Lawyer of the Year by the 2022 edition of Best Lawyers of America.

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Download this list now at GRBJ.com in Excel or PDF format. The Book of Lists and other lists are also available.

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

SEPTEMBER 7, 2021

THE LIST

Top Area Law Firms (RANKED BY NUMBER OF WEST MICHIGAN LAWYERS) W. Mich. managing partner(s)

Year established in W. Mich.

Consolidation

No. of W. Mich. Total No. No. of W. Mich. lawyers of lawyers support staff

No. of W. Mich. paralegals

Top areas of practice

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

168

228

131

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

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

Ronald DeWaard Scott Hill

1888

125

181

106

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

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

Robert Wolford David Buday

1959

110

Business/corporate, including M&A, real estate, tax, cybersecurity; employee benefits and executive compensation; employment and labor; litigation, including alternative dispute resolution; and private client including estate planning and family law

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

James Stadler

2006

651

Banking and finance, education, labor and employment, litigation, real estate

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

Anthony Pearson

1960

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

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

Benjamin Zainea Scott Dwyer Joshua Beard

1951

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

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

Robert Stead

2003

666

Corporate (including finance, M&A and intellectual property), labor and employment, real estate, environmental, litigation, construction, Native American law, aviation, estate planning, municipal law, conservatorships

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

Leslee Lewis

1989

482

Banking and finance, corporate law, commercial litigation, municipal law and public finance, health care, real estate

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

Anne Seurynck

2005

Business, litigation, municipal law, health care, employment

McShane & Bowie PLC 99 Monroe Ave. NW, Suite 1100 Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 732-5000 f 732-5099 msblaw.com

Michelle Anthes

1952

DND

Real estate, business and corporate law, estate planning, commercial litigation, commercial lending, taxation, dispute resolution, family law

Honigman LLP 300 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 400 Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 649-1900 f honigman.com

Tracy Larsen

2016

324

Mergers and acquisitions, corporate/securities, intellectual property, litigation, real estate

Price Heneveld LLP 695 Kenmoor Ave. SE Grand Rapids 49546 p (616) 949-9610 f 957-8196 priceheneveld.com

Brian Cheslek

1952

Intellectual property

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

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

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

Glenn Smith Michael TerBeek

1883

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

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

Andrew Blum

1983

214

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

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

Floyd Gates Jr.

2017

153

Banking, high net worth, business litigation, labor and employment, intellectual property/ patent

Christopher Kelly Anna Duggins

1948

Business, real estate, estate planning, elder law, public sector and civil litigation

Thomas Behm

1985

Personal Injury litigation, medical malpractice, sexual abuse, commercial/business litigation, creditors' rights

Parmenter Law 601 Terrace St. Muskegon 49440 p (231) 722-1621 f 722-7866 parmenterlaw.com 18

Gruel Mills Nims & Pylman PLLC 99 Monroe Ave. NW, Suite 800 Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 235-5500 f 235-5550 gmnp.com

Warner Norcross + Judd LLP has opened its new Kalamazoo office in the new Warner Building, consolidating an office and its eDiscovery Center in one building that is located at 180 E. Water St. in downtown Kalamazoo.

Board of trustees Varnum labor and employment attorney Luis Avila was named to the board of trustees for Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids.

Partner passes away Honigman partner Carl M. Levin passed away in July. He served in the United States Senate for 36 years. Levin was the longest serving senator in Michigan history.

Expands practice Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, PLC has added attorneys Shamra VanWagoner and Mary Marshall to its trusts and estates, trustee services practice at its Kalamazoo office.

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GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

THE LIST

SEPTEMBER 7, 2021

Top Area Law Firms (RANKED BY NUMBER OF WEST MICHIGAN LAWYERS) W. Mich. managing partner(s) 19

Hilger Hammond PC 220 Lyon St. NW, Suite 410 Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 458-3600 f hilgerhammond.com

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

Top areas of practice

Construction law, complex and commercial litigation, real estate law and development, condominium and HOA law, municipal planning and zoning, general commercial litigation, estate planning, probate and probate litigation, insurance procurement, coverage and defense, employment law and litigation, captive insurance programs, ADR mediations and arbitrations, business law, OSHA and MIOSHA compliance

Mark Hofstee

1977

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

Raymond Schultz

2005

Business and corporate, litigation, real estate, estate and probate, family law

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

Edward Talen

1983

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

Carrier Law 4965 East Beltline Ave. NE Grand Rapids 49525 p (616) 361-8400 f 363-0767 davidcarrierlaw.com

David Carrier

1990

Medicaid, elder law, estate planning, trusts, wills, probate

Terence Linn Frederick Burkhart Karl Ondersma Matthew Kendall

2011

DND

Intellectual property - patents, trademarks, copyrights and related litigation

Keller & Almassian PLC 230 E. Fulton St. Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 364-2100 f 364-2200 kalawgr.com

Todd Almassian

1986

Bankruptcy and creditor/debtor rights law, receivership, business litigation

McGarry Bair 45 Ottawa Ave. SW, Suite 700 Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 742-3500 f 742-1010 mcgarrybair.com

G. Williams

2001

DND

Patents, trademarks, copyrights, litigation

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

Meghan Moore Robert Anthony Alvarez Raquel Guzman Amy Grauman

2010

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

Plachta Murphy & Associates PC 124 E. Fulton St. Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 458-3994 f 458-2410 pmalawpc.com

Brian Plachta Miles Murphy III Bryan Reeder

1996

Estate planning, tax resolution, divorce, general business, litigation

Larry Willey Charles Chamberlain, Jr. Britt Cobb Peter VanGelderen

1996

Criminal defense, white collar criminal defense, tax, health care

Marlo Roebuck Emily Petroski

2013

946

Labor, employment, privacy and data security

Lee Silver Douglas Van Essen

2000

Commercial litigation, general civil litigation, alternative dispute resolution

Barbara Muller-Wilson David Baatenburg

1961

Collections, creditor rights, real estate

Bloom Sluggett PC 161 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 400 Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 965-9340 f 965-9350 bloomsluggett.com

Clifford Bloom Jeffrey Sluggett

2012

DND

Public sector/municipal, riparian/water law, property tax litigation, state and local tax, real estate

Duba & Duba PLLC 220 Lyon St. NW, Suite 530 Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 458-3200 f 458-3203 dubalaw.com

Donald Duba Christopher Duba

2006

DND

Boutique setting inside Amway Grand Plaza Hotel with high-touch delivery model - business transactions, commercial real estate, mergers and acquisitions, succession strategy, wealth and trust planning, family office legal counsel and 2G/3G best practices

Todd Van Eck

2010

DND

Commercial litigation, corporate law/financial services/real estate, family law/trusts and estates, construction law, environmental, labor and employment

Jackson Lewis PC 250 Monroe NW, Suite 400 Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 940-0230 f 285-7215 jacksonlewis.com Silver & VanEssen PC 300 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 620 Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 988-5600 f 988-5606 silvervanessen.com

No. of W. Mich. paralegals

Willey & Chamberlain LLP 300 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 810 Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 458-2212 f 458-1158 willeychamberlain.com 30

No. of W. Mich. Total No. No. of W. Mich. lawyers of lawyers support staff

2008

Gardner, Linn, Burkhart & Ondersma LLP 2900 Charlevoix Drive SE, Suite 300 Grand Rapids 49546 p (616) 975-5500 f 975-5505 gardner-linn.com

New president

Benjamin Hammond Aileen Leipprandt Stephen Hilger Mark Rysberg Daniel Hatch Christopher Nyenhuis

Kreis, Enderle, Hudgins & Borsos PC 333 Bridge St., NW, Suite 900 Grand Rapids 49504 p (616) 254-8400 kreisenderle.com

Year established in W. Mich.

Muller, Baatenburg & Wilson Law Group, PC 979 Spaulding Ave. SE, Suite B Ada 49301 p (616) 454-4401 f 454-9641 mullerfirm.com

Kotz Sangster 3333 Deposit Drive NE, Suite 310 Grand Rapids 49546 p (616) 552-6400 f 469-1553 kotzsangster.com

The Business Journal's list of top area law firms, ranked by number of West Michigan lawyers, is the most comprehensive available. The Business Journal defines "West Michigan" as Allegan, Kent, Ottawa and Muskegon counties. The list is based on responses to Business Journal surveys. The Business Journal surveyed 162 law firms; 35 returned surveys and 35 are listed. To be considered for future lists, email dnelson@grbj.com. DND = Did not disclose

Ben Hammond assumed the new position of president for the Grand Rapids Bar Association. He is a founding member of Hilger Hammond PC, with nearly 20 years of experience.

Retirement Rick Bolhouse recently retired from Bolhouse, Hofstee & McLean after 43 years. He was the founder of the firm.

‘Volunteer of the year’ Keis Enderle shareholder Stephen Hessen was named “Outstanding Volunteer of the Year” and he was the recipient of the National Silver Medallion by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kalamazoo.

Co-chair recognized Willey and Chamberlin’s Julia Kelly received the Grand Rapids Bar Association (GRBA) President’s Award because of her work as the co-chair of the GRBA/ Michigan Indigent Defense Commission committee.

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SEPTEMBER 7, 2021

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GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

INSIDE TRACK

SEPTEMBER 7, 2021

From NFL to finance, Lyons forges own path The former tight end works with people near or in retirement to protect their investments. Danielle Nelson

dnelson@grbj.com

rom the gridiron to the complex world of financial investments, Mitch Lyons is paving a new career path for himself. He is the owner and president of Mitch Lyons Wealth, a virtual financial management company he founded in 2020 after working in the financial industry for more than two decades. He focuses his business on helping clients who are near retirement or in retirement to build their financial portfolios without the help of the stock market. Although he is finding success in the financial world by helping others, entering the financial industry was an afterthought when he was playing football for Michigan State University. The Grand Rapids native was mainly focused on football, playing the tight end position where he excelled in the late ’80s and early ‘90s. He earned a degree in General Business Administration in the process as a Spartan, but he didn’t know what he wanted to do with his degree. “I really didn’t know what I wanted to do,” he said. “I went in initially doing generalized courses and at the end of my sophomore year, I applied to the business school but still had no clue what I really wanted to do. I was just fortunate enough to get in and get a General Business Administration degree and even then, I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I grew up. I was pretty focused on sports. I knew it wasn’t going to last forever, but at the time that was my focus.” Lyons excelled on the football field, gaining the attention of the National Football League. He was drafted in 1993 by the Atlanta Falcons where he played tight end and performed on its special teams for about three years. In 1996, Lyons went on to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers as their

tight end and on their special teams, but after a series of knee injuries, he hung up his cleats just before 2000. While he was playing, however, Lyons dabbled in real estate. He owned six residential properties in the Grand Rapids area. After he retired from the NFL, Lyons continued to manage those properties, but he grew to dislike what he was doing. “I just didn’t want to be taking calls at midnight to fix toilets,” he said. “There is a lot of different ways to make money in real estate, but the residents and the areas I had the (properties) in wasn’t something I wanted to deal with for the rest of my life.” After about four years in real estate, he sold his properties. Lyons was later introduced to the financial world by a former Michigan State football player. He went on to work at AXA Advisors and while there he sold stocks, bonds, mutual funds, security products, life insurance and annuities, which were market-based. After eight years at AXA, Lyons decided to move on to become an independent broker, selling different products from different companies, including Woodbury Financial, LPL Financial and Global Wealth Solutions. He also was a partner at Lyons Kitzrow Wealth Management. After working with different independent companies, Lyons decided to give up his securities license, which allowed him to market and sell investments. He then decided to solely work with people who are nearing retirement or in retirement. In 2019, prior to the pandemic, Lyons was in the midst of thinking about how he could rebrand himself and his business. He decided to start a virtual company, which would allow him to work with people throughout the country. In 2020, he founded Mitch Lyons Wealth, which allows him to focus on people who are nearing

MITCH LYONS Company: Mitch Lyons Wealth Position: Founder and president Birthplace: Ionia Residence: Rockford Age: 51 Family: Wife Angela, and children Taylor, Dalton, Bailey, Jourdan, Trent and Grace Biggest Career Break: Football career: “Having one team in the league that believed in me. It only takes one to get in the league and, fortunately, the Falcons believed in me and drafted me.” Financial services: “Over the last two years, recognizing what I wanted to do and saying, ‘Here is how I want to build my practice going forward. Here is how I want to help people.’ Everything that has happened in the last year for me has been great. I love it in terms of the flexibility it provides like working from home, zooming with people and be able to help without getting out of the house and battle traffic for hours at a time. It has been fantastic. The book has been great from a marketing standpoint and with this documentary coming out, I am super excited for that too.”

Mitch Lyons has written a book about investing and next month will debut a documentary he executive produced on the same subject.

retirement or in retirement. “We’ve all been talked to about plowing money into our 401(k) and accumulating, accumulating, accumulating, and that is great, except when you are nearing retirement. Now your accumulating phase is coming to an end, now it is about distribution,” he said. “How do I distribute this? How do I get money out? How do I do it tax-efficiently? How do I ensure that the market doesn’t tank, and my entire (portfolio) doesn’t go down 35% in the first year of my retirement, which is going to greatly impact your retirement if that were to happen? So that couple who is nearing retirement or just in retirement, that is the person that I will talk with and show them some ways that they can solidify what they have.” Even at or near retirement age, people still have options, Lyons said. “Maybe they still want some of their money in the market. That is fine, they can do that. But for a portion, depending on their risk level, for a portion of it, for example, a 60-year-old, they might want 50% stocks and 50% bonds. ‘We don’t all want it (all) in the stock market, we want some in bonds.’ That was great when bonds paid 6% or 8%. They are not even paying 2% most of the time now because interest rates are so low.” Lyons said that type of information is crucial to investing at a certain age. “So, why would you tie up half of your portfolio in an investment that is not going to earn you anything? And you build up inflation with that. Some of the index strat-

egies that I utilize can provide a much higher return than that. It will not do it every year, necessarily, but over a period of time it is going to outperform what a bond portfolio is going to do right now.” Lyons works with insurance companies that provide either fixed-income annuities or fixed-index life products to his clients. The money that a client invests is tied to the market, but it is not “in” the market and they’ll be able to earn a fixed rate of return on their investment. Even if the market changes for the worse, his clients will not lose money, he said. Likewise, however, if the market explodes by 25%, Lyons said his clients will not realize that full gain. In that scenario they might realize another 9% or 10% return on their investment. To help expand his philosophy and his way of protecting the investments of his clients, Lyons decided to write a book called “Retirement of Steel.” It was published in January. It is, in part, an ode to his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The book provides tips on tax matters and educates consumers on how they can protect their money throughout their retirement. The book also details personal stories about the financial stress he endured and the highs and lows he faced during his NFL career. In addition to his book, Lyon is the executive producer of a documentary that is set to be released in October called “The Baby Boomer Dilemma.” “It focuses on the issues that the baby boomer generation is having as they are heading into

retirement,” he said. “The risk that they face that their parents didn’t really face. The real risk of low interest rates for people who do not want their money in the stock market, and they don’t have a good place to put it because banks are paying 0.3% (interest) and bonds are paying diddly squat.”

We’ve all been talked to about plowing money into our 401(k) and accumulating, accumulating, accumulating, and that is great, except when you are nearing retirement.

The documentary, Lyons said, will feature financial industry experts who will be talking about various aspects of investment risks. “I am excited for that to debut, and I will be able to use that as a marketing tool, which can be educational for my clients and prospects to really understand and recognize what they are facing as they head into retirement and why it makes sense to implement some of the strategies that I am talking about,” he said.

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

SEPTEMBER 7, 2021

Report reveals wetlands’ ecological strengths, threats Audubon Great Lakes, Ottawa County Parks publish biodiversity data on the Grand River Coastal Corridor. Rachel Watson

rwatson@grbj.com

The findings in a new report may help conservationists prioritize areas in Michigan that can increase habitat connectivity and improve wetlands’ ecological resiliency. Audubon Great Lakes, in partnership with Ottawa County Parks and over 20 stakeholders, last month published its Grand River Coastal Corridor: Ecological Assessment and Conservation Recommendations, a comprehensive conservation analysis for the Grand River Coastal Corridor. The corridor is an ecologically significant area the report said is well-positioned to connect people and wildlife across Grand Haven, Muskegon and Grand Rapids through landscape-scale natural area restoration and inclusive recreational access. Using Audubon’s spatial prioritization data of top coastal wetlands for marsh bird conservation, natural inventories, scientific literature, community science data and stakeholder input, Audubon identified priority areas and recommendations for wetland conservation, restoration and management that best sup-

port wildlife while addressing climate resiliency and public health needs of local communities. “The Grand River Coastal Corridor is home to some of the highest quality natural communities in the entire state of Michigan and supports high levels of biodiversity, including sensitive or rare species of conservation concern, and (it) is regionally and globally important for birds,” said Erin Rowan, senior conservation associate at Audubon Great Lakes. “But invasive species, development and climate change have severely degraded coastal wetland habitat, causing significant declines in marsh bird populations and reducing the resilience of Great Lakes communities to a changing environment.” The Grand River Coastal Corridor — which the report shows runs roughly from Muskegon State Park in the north to Port Sheldon Township in the south — is ecologically significant, part of a globally recognized important bird area for migratory and overwintering waterfowl, and also is a core area containing hundreds of acres of the top 20% of Great Lakes wetlands critical for marsh bird conservation in the region, Audubon said. It supports “significant numbers” of migratory birds each spring and fall, serving as a migratory hotspot and stopover site as they rest and refuel on their way to and from wintering grounds. The corridor also provides ecosystem services to communities

The marsh wren is one of 14 species of marsh birds found in the Grand River Coastal Corridor whose populations could be increased through better wetlands management. Courtesy iStock

in the form of stormwater and carbon storage, water filtration and more, making it climate resilient, particularly among the Lake Michigan shorelines. The corridor also holds cultural value for the Gun Lake Tribe for wild rice and fisheries management and restoration. “In order to address these ecological threats at the landscape-scale while conserving the ecological integrity of the corridor, we recommend higher levels of protections for key areas that can increase habitat connectivity and climate flow within the corridor and increase protections for currently unprotected priority wetlands,” Rowan said.

Some of the top priority areas for wetland conservation and restoration included in the report are Ottawa Sands, The Sag, Harbor Island and Dornbos Island. To help promote conservation action across the region, the report identified several action steps that could increase habitat connectivity and increase the region’s resiliency across the coastal zone. • Facilitate the establishment of a diverse collaborative group to address landscape-level issues. Stakeholders of this group would meet regularly to establish a conservation action plan for the corridor that could support and fill gaps in the existing Lower Grand River Organization of Water-

sheds (LGROW) watershed management plan and collaboratively pursue funding to implement it. • As part of the development of a conservation action plan, stakeholders would further define and prioritize ecosystem creation, restoration and enhancement areas. • As part of the development of a conservation action plan, stakeholders would identify specific vegetation and wildlife management strategies for the corridor. Invasive plant removal and management, such as phragmites australis, should be prioritized, as secretive marsh birds and waterfowl prefer to breed in areas without it. Hemi-marsh restoration for marsh birds could be done in conjunction with phragmites management, as it often grows in dense stands. Deer population management also is needed if restoration efforts are going to be effective. Instream restoration throughout the corridor could support the Lake Michigan Lake Sturgeon fishery and wild rice beds. • Support water quality management strategies of stakeholders by incorporating habitat creation and restoration into green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) where possible and encourage the inclusion of GSI in stormwater management plans within the corridor where it currently doesn’t exist. • Establish programs for ongoing monitoring of secretive marsh birds, conservation focal species, CONTINUED ON PAGE 13 S:20.12"

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GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

SEPTEMBER 7, 2021

Adelaide Pointe development takes shape Report examines wetlands CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The city of Muskegon will implement its tax increment financing (TIF) mechanism to reimburse eligible activity costs. The city also will be pursuing state grants and loans to offset the cost of the $250-million development. Some industrial buildings currently on site are going to stay and be redeveloped into boat storage. In addition to new construction, the development team also plans to expand public access to the lake and waterfront. There are three distinct peninsulas on the property that served as logging piers in 1870s. “A lot of people know Muskegon was Lumber Town USA, and we like to think that we provided all the wood to help rebuild Chicago after the great fire,” Leestma said. The property also was the site of the Westran Foundry, which was started in the 1920s. The waterfront used to come halfway down the property as it stands today, but when the foundry started casting steel parts, it would dump the sand from the molds out back and eventually fill in the entire northern half of the site, which will now be space for condos, restaurants and the marina. “I think it’s very cool that the industrial history of the site is actually what is making it as cool as it is for future development,” Leestma said. The easternmost peninsula is public land, but it has been fenced off for several decades and only open to people who were renting a slip. There are currently only about

30 slips in the basin. Adelaide Pointe developers plan to reopen the area to the public as part of the redevelopment project. “The water quality in this particular stretch of basin isn’t all that good, because it’s so long and narrow,” said Greg Weykamp, president of Edgewater Resources, who served as architect for the marina. “That will be increased to about double that width, which will improve water and habitat quality and improve access for boats.” Weykamp said the redeveloped site will have twice as many public trails and twice as much public waterfront as it has now, and all three peninsulas will be open to the public. “This idea of having gated water and gated communities and it’s all mine, mine, mine … that’s not what we’re about. It’s not what Adelaide Pointe is about, and it’s been a really good relationship from the start,” Weykamp said. “We’re very much aligned with the idea that it’s an all-public waterfront.” The marina will serve everybody from $10 kayak or paddle boat renters to super-yacht owners, Weykamp added. The facility also will be ADA-compliant and conform to the highest safety standards per the Michigan Clean Marina Program. The mixed-use structure will feature over 8,000 square feet of ground floor retail and 5,000 square feet of restaurant space on the second floor. The restaurant will have full open-glass doors for waterfront views, as well a green

roof and additional outdoor seating. The event space will be on the third floor and encompass 5,000 square feet. “One of the things that is really important to me is inclusivity, rather than exclusivity,” said Donna Barnett, agent with Stokas Bieri Real Estate, who is handling leasing for the building. “So that’s one of the things we’re working with in finding a restaurant. We want a restaurant that can serve anyone. It doesn’t have to be five-star, white tablecloth … We want something families can feel comfortable coming to … we want it to be a place for everyone.”

“This idea of having gated water and gated communities and it’s all mine, mine, mine … that’s not what we’re about.” Greg Weykamp The building will feature a rooftop solar array and mass timber construction, paying homage to the site’s logging history, as well. Architecture services are provided by Architektura PLC in Grand Haven. The condominium building will encompass six stories — with five stories of residential and a concrete podium for parking — as well as a pool area for residents. There will be 45 1,500-square-foot units and 10 18,550-square-foot units with 270-degree views

The façade will face west, presenting a clear view of the Lake Michigan channel and Pigeon Hill. “The entire façade, the entire purpose of it is to capture views to the water and have residents really get as close to it as possible,” said Jason Korb, president of Milwaukee-based Korb and Associates, who is the architect for the condo building. The parking area also includes 59 spaces for vehicles and 72 spaces for bicycles. Vehicle parking is assigned by unit. A typical two-bedroom unit features a resort-style layout with a glass wall leading to a terrace overlooking the water. Units also feature a den area that can serve as an at-home office. “We’re seeing a lot of opportunities, especially post-COVID, to design elements to potentially work from home,” Korb said. Greenridge Realty is currently taking reservations for units. Bradley Company will be the property manager. The timeline from groundbreaking to completion of Adelaide Pointe is contingent on the numerous grants and approvals Leestma and his development team are seeking. The construction timeline for the condo building will be contingent on enough units being pre-sold. “We’re doing everything that we can to remove all the obstacles (so) that we’re able to put in roads and utilities and start construction on the first building in the spring,” Leestma said.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

water quality and macroinvertebrates to fill critical knowledge gaps and guide management actions. • Create outreach strategies and programming to educate the public about the benefits of the corridor and how they can get involved in stewardship and monitoring efforts within the corridor. Earlier this year, Audubon Great Lakes released its vision plan to restore the Great Lakes region, which is available to view at audubon.org/ conservation/great-lakes-restoration. As part of the vision, Audubon used spatial data to outline 12 wetland conservation and restoration priority areas within the Great Lakes region, including the Eastern Lake Michigan shoreline. In this region, Audubon has partnered with Ottawa County Parks since 2018 to protect and restore critical marsh bird habitat at the mouth of the Grand River. Audubon’s report on the Grand River Coastal Corridor was made possible through funding by the Wege Foundation in collaboration with the Ottawa County Parks Foundation and the Ottawa County Parks & Recreation Commission. Complete findings and recommendations in the report are available to view at bit.ly/audubonGRCC.

S:20.12"

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GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

SEPTEMBER 7, 2021

D.A. Blodgett-St. John’s breaks ground on $10M facility CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The campaign was boosted by a $1 million lead gift from the late David Samrick and his wife, Susan, honorary campaign co-chairs. The Samrick family and their company, Mill Steel, have been longtime DABSJ supporters. A health center within the building will be named the David & Susan Samrick Health & Family Center in their honor. Integrated Architecture is serving as the project’s architect. Erhardt Construction is the general contractor. When finished, the integrated campus will feature expanded programming space, administrative offices, and educational and wellness space, including the aforementioned health clinic, family visit rooms, a youth café, activities center, school classrooms, meeting rooms and counseling rooms. The reconfigured campus also

will have upgraded utility systems that will save money over the long term. Additionally, consolidation of services will result in more efficient use of employee time and improve collaboration across the organization, Muliett said. “I’m super excited for all of our (over 350) team members at D.A. Blodgett-St. John’s … because together we’re so much stronger, and this brings all of us to one space, under one roof,” Muliett said. “We’ll be able to bring forward our mentoring program, behavioral health, family preservation, foster care, adoption programming and our residential treatment all to one space to support kids and families in a continuum of care that D.A. Blodgett-St. John’s has done so well for so many years.” Muliett said the need remains high in the region for DABSJ’s services. From 2010 to 2016, the rate of children confirmed as victims of abuse or neglect in Michigan

BY THE NUMBERS DABSJ Together for Kids Campaign Budget Building and campus construction, including large multipurpose facility; parking, landscaping and lighting; walking/biking trail and bridge; and facilities annex: $11 million Technology, security and phone systems: $300,000 Advancement campaign expenses: $200,000 Project total: $11.5 million Less Leonard Street campus sale: -$1.5 million Total campaign goal: $10 million Total raised: $9.8 million

increased by 30%. In Kent County last year, more than 1,800 cases of child abuse and neglect were confirmed, and 400 children were removed from their homes because they were no longer safe. In 2017, DABSJ served 8,784 individuals, and by 2037, that number is expected to grow to 17,568. Muliett said DABSJ will continue to meet the present and future needs of West Michigan’s children and families for safety and well-being with the community’s help. “In 1887, we responded to a need and never looked back. As we work each day to support children and families in our community, I am grateful and humbled by the nearly 500 donors, supporters and foundations who are making this next chapter a reality.” The Together for Kids campaign is chaired by Jim Weaver, president, M-Industries; his wife, Barb Weaver, marketing manager, M-Industries; Charles Lott, senior vice president, Wells Fargo Bank, and his wife, Natalie; and Beverly Grant, community volunteer, and her husband, George. “As we work to provide the very best in programs for vulnerable children and families, I am pleased to be part of an effort that improves outcomes for children from very difficult backgrounds while also saving money over the long term,” Jim Weaver said. “Demand for our programs is increasing,” Beverly Grant added. “Unfortunately, neglect and abuse of children in Kent County continues, and we need to pro-

vide an exceptional safe haven for youth in our area as we remain strong advocates for their care.” The campaign has received support from local and regional foundations, area businesses and community donors. “We have been so fortunate to receive gifts to this important campaign,” Charles Lott said. “Our campaign cabinet is so appreciative to the community for their meaningful gifts to help us reach the finish line.” Barb Weaver described the expansion of DABSJ as “an exceptional opportunity for the community to help build a strong network of support for children and families that are struggling.” “Consolidating all services helps the organization become more effective and efficient in caring for kids. We know that these children and our community will thrive over time,” she said. History of D.A. Blodgett-St. John’s In the 1880s, Grand Rapids was a busy commercial center driven by the lumber industry. Despite the city’s prosperity, an alarming number of children were made homeless and orphaned as epidemics of typhus, diphtheria, scarlet fever and cholera swept through West Michigan. Community leaders called for action. In 1887, a group of Grand Rapids women mobilized under the name of The Children’s Home Society, which soon became the D.A. Blodgett Home for Chil-

dren. Their leaders were Jennie Blodgett and Emily Clark. Jennie Blodgett’s husband, Delos A. Blodgett, purchased a house for their use, which they soon outgrew. In 1908, Delos Blodgett and the couple’s son, John Blodgett, built a large, red-brick institution on Cherry Street, a building that still stands today. Not far away, Bishop Henry Richter and the Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids opened St. John’s Home in 1889, also in response to the number of abandoned children. The “castle,” as it was affectionately dubbed, was made possible by the support of John Clancy, a lumberman. Named for Clancy’s patron saint, the agency served the dual purpose of caring for children and housing the motherhouse of the Dominican Sisters Grand Rapids, who were called to staff St. John’s Home. In 1922, the Dominican Sisters’ motherhouse at Marywood was completed, and the Leonard Street building was devoted solely to the residential care of children. Formed from the merger of D.A. Blodgett for Children and St. John’s Home in 2010, DABSJ supports vulnerable children and struggling families through mentoring, behavioral health and family preservation, foster care, adoption and residential treatment. With the help of community volunteers and through more than 15 programs, DABSJ addresses a wide range of complex needs for kids and families in West Michigan.

TOP LAWYERS GRAND RAPIDS AREA

BASED UPON A SURVEY OF THEIR PEERS Less than 5% of all lawyers licensed in Michigan have received the distinction of being a LEADING LAWYER. Timothy Robert Alles Peter D. Bosch John E. Anding William M. Azkoul Thomas R. Behm J. Paul Janes Scott R. Melton Benjamin W. Mills William F. Mills Norman H. Pylman Robert L. DeJong Joseph Mikhail Infante Stanley J. Stek J. Terrance Dillon Lee T. Silver Thomas G. Sinas Brian A. Molde Richard A. Roane Charles E. Chamberlain Jr. Larry C. Willey

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A lawyer CANNOT buy the distinction of Leading Lawyer. The distinction was earned by being among those lawyers most often recommended by their peers. For a full description of our research process, a complete list of all Leading Lawyers, and to view profiles of the lawyers listed on this page, go to

www.LeadingLawyers.com GrandRapidsBusinessJournal_Sept2021_9.995x6.385.indd 1

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8/25/21 11:44 AM

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

SEPTEMBER 7, 2021

COMMENT & OPINION

GUEST COLUMN Scott R. Carvo and Madelaine C. Lane

Is it time for an eDiscovery audit? I

f the FBI showed up on your door with a search warrant to examine your electronic files, would your employees know how to respond? If you received a subpoena requesting emails, text messages, calendar entries, voicemails or other electronically stored materials, would you know where or how to start looking? If your answer to either or both is no, it is time for an electronic discovery, or eDiscovery, audit. While no one likes to think about litigation, the best time to do so is before being served. Understanding how your company stores data and your policies governing email and devices now can save you time, money and heartache down the road. Five areas of focus When it comes to litigation, the single biggest cost is discovery. With the proliferation of our devices and the explosion of big data, we’re generating more electronic records than ever. A single gigabyte of data equates to approximately 100 bankers boxes of paper documents. Your smartphone alone can hold over 350GB of data – 35,000 bankers boxes. Your laptop, smart watch, tablet and other electronic devices will only increase the size of that data collection. Conducting an eDiscovery audit can allow your organization to identify and leverage your strengths while simultaneously assessing and managing your weaknesses. After an audit, you’ll be in better shape to identify opportunities for costs savings. What’s involved in an eDiscov-

ery audit? The first step is to meet with your team — in-house counsel, information technology staff, human resources and other interested parties — to identify where your information is stored, what is stored and for how long, and what your document collection, review and production processes are. The audit will focus on identifying areas for improvement and efficiency to save you time, effort and money. Have a notification team: Before you can tackle the “what” of eDiscovery, you need to assemble the “who” — as in who you’ll want around the table. Your notification team should be led by legal counsel, either a knowledgeable in-house attorney or experienced lawyers outside your organization. The team should include those responsible for information technology, records, human resources, security and relevant departments where documents may reside. Be sure to engage your communications team; if using professionals external to the organization, having your law firm retain them gives qualified privilege to their work. Understand where your data is kept: After you pull together your team, it’s time to get your arms around exactly what data you have and where it is kept. In addition to hard documents, such as letters and memos, you’ll want to have a good understanding of where your electronic data is stored. And we don’t mean just online documents and emails — think more broadly to include text messages, instant messages or chats, voicemails, security footage, social media posts and

responses, etc. When it comes to storage devices, you’ll need to know how to access cloud servers, laptops, desktops, external hard disk drives, flash drives, CDs, DVDs — maybe even floppy disks, magnetic tape or microfiche, depending on how far back

your data storage goes. You also will want to look at your policies when it comes to personal emails and devices. Review retention policies: After you complete the second step, CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

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GUEST COLUMN Jen Parks

Manage meetings to achieve work-life balance

any team members have been working from home or remotely for well over a year now due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with several companies citing they won’t go back to the office fully in the foreseeable future — if ever. In fact, according to Forbes, the percentage of workers permanently working from home is expected to double in 2021 and 74% of companies plan to permanently shift team members to remote work. Working from home has led many to complain about “too many meetings” to stay connected virtually. HR Executive says 76% of professionals participate in virtual meetings, leading to what many are calling “Zoom fatigue.” But is it more than just being on camera constantly that’s a problem? Could it be that you’re attending too many meetings that aren’t all necessary? Whether your organization is continuing to work remotely or planning on transitioning back into the office, an abundance of meetings can impact work-life balance. Here are some tips to help you and your team cut back on meetings and achieve smarter schedules: Develop a smarter schedule We all want to avoid back-to-back, hour-long video meetings throughout the week. Instead of scheduling meetings for one-hour time blocks, try a 45-minute meeting to give everyone a chance to stand up, stretch and refresh before their next block of

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meetings. Don’t need the full hour? End early or consider scheduling quick 10-to-15-minute touch-bases instead of a full half hour or hour session just because that’s the default calendar timeframe. Build lunches and short breaks into your calendar to get time away from your desk. Also check your team’s calendars to see if you can adjust meetings to every other week. Does it need to be a meeting? Just because everyone can quickly schedule video meetings does not mean every interaction has to be a video meeting. You can convert a meeting to an email, chat or phone call if you have a quick question or not everyone can make the scheduled meeting time. If you need to share data or information, don’t read slides or pages of data out loud to a group. Let team members read or absorb that information on their own time. If you require individual feedback or updates, use email or office instant messenger services to check in with co-workers quickly throughout a project and save any extra disruptions.

Stay organized If you determine you need a meeting, keep it organized so it doesn’t run longer than necessary. When you need to have a meeting, consider the following: set clear, obtainable goals and objectives; share an agenda and any reading materials beforehand; keep it quick and end early if you can; only include necessary participants; and ask for feedback from the group to help you plan and improve future meetings. Delegate Does every single member of your team need to attend every single meeting all together, or can you divide and conquer? For example, if you notice you are double-booked for important meetings, choose which one you want to attend and ask a team member to cover the other. Then, share notes and follow up on action items afterward. Set meeting-free times It’s not always possible, but many teams that do this report better CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

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GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

Lakeshore forum visits impacts of Grand Rapids Whitewater Project CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

said. “Some people go, ‘Why are you doing this (river restoration) and why is this going on?’ and I say we’re not named ‘Great Quiet Pools of Water.’ We are Grand Rapids, and that name ought to mean something.” The settlers who built Grand Rapids did away with the rapids in attempts to make the city a river port. Since the river is not used for that purpose, the restoration of the rapids is eminently doable. “We can’t really make it what it once was, but we can sure try to make it after the spirit of what it once was,” Heacock said. He quoted Ron Yob, tribal chair of the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians, who once told Heacock, “That mist (from the rapids) that goes into the air is the Earth releasing its spirit into the sky.” “I just love that image ... because I share that belief with him,” Heacock said. In the 1830s, the river was full of large boulders of granite and limestone that were later removed to build the foundations of downtown landmarks that still stand today, and the river was then dammed with the creation of the Sixth Street dam and four other low-end dams, making the majority of the river a flat and placid pool along its 18-foot drop in the 2 miles between Ann and Fulton Streets — a “substantial” elevation change, Heacock said, noting the U.S. Canoe & Kayaking Association created a 20-foot drop for the Atlanta Olympics training center, to put it in context. “It’s phenomenal. It creates a great rush of water, this great sound, this great mist that we’re trying to recapture. To be able to capture that in urban areas is just phenomenal, just astounding. I’ve said it’s like we’ve found a coral reef in downtown, or we’ve found a ski hill. It’s amazing that (the drop) exists,” Heacock said. The Grand Rapids Whitewater project’s vision is to restore the rapids by removing the dams and adding hydraulics and rocks to recreate rapids with “accessible waves” for canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding and surfing. The plan is to improve fish and animal

habitat, water quality and river functioning, add safe recreational features, a viable lamprey barrier, and create economic opportunities for all people. “This project is huge. It’s ambitious, it’s visionary and exciting to be part of,” Heacock said. “We do need to create public access for all. Believe it or not … there are areas within biking distance and walking distance of the river with kids who never get to Lake Michigan, who don’t get to the woods. This gives them an opportunity to enjoy water recreation, to be outside, to see what that’s about. And the YMCA … and the public museum are already working on what kind of programs we are going to have for the kids in this community as we push forward.” The initial co-founders of the project, Chip Richards and Chris Muller, had a vision to create a whitewater park they could play on, but as the project evolved over the past dozen years, a broader ecological and sustainability perspective was added. The project engineers and Mark Van Putten from the Wege Foundation, which is involved in the project, encouraged the organizers to consider, “Are we treating this river with the respect it should have and will it be something that 100 years from now still contributes to the community where it flows through?” Grand Rapids Whitewater engaged Ciarra Adkins, equity analyst for the city of Grand Rapids, to sit in on all planning meetings to ensure a DEI lens is used when it comes to hiring contractors and picking vendors, how the river will be used and every other step of the project development. It also hired Skot Welch, of Global Bridgebuilders, as a DEI consultant on the project. Heacock said Al Vanderberg, then Ottawa County administrator who has been selected as Kent County administrator following Wayman Britt’s retirement, wrote Grand Rapids Whitewater a letter explaining the impact the project would have on the tri-cities and other downstream communities. “Basically, what he said is, if you clean up the river and fix it, make it better for fish and other animals in the river in Grand Rap-

ids, it’s going to help the whole river, particularly downstream,” Heacock said. “And that’s right and true, and recreating this rapids environment that once existed but now is gone, pretty much gone in the whole Lower Peninsula, recreating that better creates an ecology that was there at the beginning and will change the nature of the river throughout. That’s true of economic opportunity as well. (With) more people accessing the river … they don’t care where the county line is, and I would assume that people will want to come to all the way to Grand Haven. So, we’re excited about that bit as well.” Heacock said the project will create “all kinds of opportunities” on the shoreline and elsewhere, for recreation and commerce, including extending the trail system in Ottawa County all along Lake Michigan and the river. He said the project has stretched across so many years because it is an iterative process with so many facets, and permissions are required from seven different agencies that sometimes have competing priorities. “FEMA doesn’t want us to put material into the river because it might well raise the water level, but the DNR wants us to put material in so these can fish pass through so they can move up that 18-foot ramp in a better way,” he noted, adding that permits also have been filed with EGLE and a back-and-forth comment process is underway to prove that the project has positive impacts and won’t do harm. “We’re going through all of that discussion and negotiation (but) they’re all busy,” he said. “COVID was very harmful, obviously, and they’re understaffed and overworked. … It’s taken a lot of time, and we’re working to be certain we’re not talking past each other but in fact talking to each other.” Lastly, Heacock said the $45 million project cost is essentially all covered, with $20 million coming from the federal government and the rest already committed from the private sector. More information on the river restoration project can be found at grandrapidswhitewater.org.

Is it time for an eDiscovery audit? CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16

now might be a good time to review your records retention policies. Too often, organizations don’t pay close enough attention to the types of documents they store nor the lengths they store them. This can result in an overly burdensome discovery process that is needlessly expensive. Federal and state laws mandate certain records be kept for certain lengths of time. For example, attendance records should be kept for seven years while OSHA logs must be kept for six. Some records, such as patents and deeds, should be held permanently. Take this opportunity to review retention policies and shed

documents and files you no longer need to keep. Recognize liability and privacy concerns: You have an obligation to ensure you safeguard the privacy of your stakeholders, so you’ll also want to understand what type of protected health information and personally identifiable information you collect and hold for employees, donors, vendors and others. If your company employs international team members, realize you’ll be subject to the laws of the countries where they live and you operate, which may have far more strenuous privacy measures than U.S. law. Ask for help: Organizations may not have the internal capacity

or expertise to manage an eDiscovery request. Using outside help can save you time, money, frustration and headaches in the long run — and ensure you’re not missing something critical. Outside organizations such as Warner’s eDiscovery Center can use technology assisted review and suggest other cost-saving strategies to streamline the process. Scott Carvo and Madelaine Lane are both litigators and partners with the law firm Warner Norcross + Judd LLP. They are co-partners-in-charge of the firm’s eDiscovery Center. They can be reached at scarvo@wnj.com and mlane@wnj.com.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2021

Program helps dairy farmers hit by pandemic CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

the last several years,” Diglio said. “Our dairy farmer members and others in the dairy sector have long supported giving back to our communities, and this program helps expand our efforts. We thank Senator (Debbie) Stabenow for her leadership in getting this program enacted into law, and we applaud the U.S. Department of Agriculture for its work in implementing this new program, which will aid hunger relief efforts across the country while reducing food waste and supporting local dairy farmers.” Dairy farmers will be reim-

bursed for the cost of milk used to make the donated eligible dairy products and some of the manufacturing and transportation costs. “This program comes at a time when the need has never been greater for fresh foods to help Michiganders,” said Phil Knight, executive director of the Food Bank Council of Michigan. “Michigan’s agricultural community, especially the state’s dairy farmers, have come alongside of us throughout the pandemic. Their partnership means fresh, nutritious food and milk for families, children and seniors.”

Manage meetings to achieve work-life balance CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16

productivity and more focus time for individual work. This can look different for everyone depending on what works best for their team and their roles, but blocking out chunks of your calendar can help you focus on getting things done. Following these tips should help you conquer your schedule and enjoy virtual working. Think of

your time like money — you have to budget it, or you will run out and feel stressed. Take control of your schedule and enjoy the freedom that virtual working provides. Jen Parks is the Director, HR Business Partner at Priority Health. In this role, she helps develop and execute on the human capital components of the Spectrum Health/Priority Health HR strategy.

INDUSTRIAL ENGINEER FOR HUTCHINSON ANTIVIBRATION SYSTEMS, INC. (Grand Rapid, MI) to assist the Industrialization Engg Grp in the intl prdctn of new products & ongoing eval of existing product lines to ensure competitive manufacturing process. Reqs degree & experience.

FOR DETAILS & TO APPLY: bit.ly/HAVS-IndEngg-MI

SEPTEMBER 7, 2021

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

City, energy firm offset carbon toward net-zero CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

Waske Sutter, Grand Rapids’ sustainability and performance management officer. “Since 2008, the city has reduced our carbon emissions by 30%, which exceeds the 26-28% Paris Climate Accord target for 2025, and we remain committed to further reducing carbon emissions,” she said. “Vicinity’s purchase of carbon offsets supports our mutual goals to continue measurable progress toward reducing carbon emissions for both our city government opera-

tions and community in order to achieve the 2030 District’s target of net-zero carbon by 2050.” Vicinity Energy supplies space heating and cooling, domestic hot and chilled water, humidification and sterilization to over 100 facilities located in downtown Grand Rapids. Through its district energy operations, Vicinity currently reduces greenhouse gas emissions in Grand Rapids by 11,000 tons of carbon emissions annually, the equivalent of removing 2,400 cars from the road.

“The city of Grand Rapids and building owners in downtown Grand Rapids have received low-carbon energy from our district network for over a century, and this purchase of carbon offsets reinforces our commitment to the city and our entire Grand Rapids customer base in delivering thermal energy that is both reliable and sustainable,” said JJ Loew, Vicinity Energy general manager in Grand Rapids. “We’re proud to continue our greening efforts alongside the city and all our customers to reduce carbon

emissions and increase climate resilience in our community, so that future generations may thrive here for years to come.” The milestone in Grand Rapids marks another step forward for Vicinity in its efforts to further improve its district energy systems nationwide, including its recent purchase of carbon-free electricity in Baltimore and the integration of renewable biogenic fuel into its energy mix. These collective actions bring Vicinity closer to its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Couple hones businesses’ people-oriented SEO CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

service to write a blog about how customers could do it themselves? Well, these people … they haven’t made up their mind yet,” Lance Beaudry said. “They’re just trying to figure out what does it take to do it themselves. If you lay out the facts — don’t sell Superior’s services — just tell them how to DIY … they’re going to come to the conclusion that, ‘Oh, this company really helped me understand that I do not want to do this myself. Maybe I’ll call them.’” Proper, people-focused SEO isn’t just about tricking the search engine by stuffing certain keywords into a page. It’s about help-

ing the end consumer find exactly what they’re looking for. “A lot of SEOs will panic about Google algorithm updates, but we really don’t worry about that,” Rayanne Beaudry said. “In the end, Google is trying to help searchers find the best content, and so are we. If you’re interested in helping the end user and creating the best experiences for them, you don’t have to worry about Google algorithm updates. They’re only going to be in your favor.” Vanity metrics also are not a sign of good SEO practices, Lance Beaudry added. Just because a website has a high amount of traffic, that doesn’t automatically equal more customers for the

business. It also doesn’t mean anything for a website to rank No. 1 for a keyword nobody searches. “It looks good. It makes the business look good, but it doesn’t equate to generating new business all the time,” he said. Another successful client Avalanche has assisted is White Lake Dock & Dredge, an environmental dredging and marine construction company in Norton Shores. Avalanche helped the company rank above FEMA and Wikipedia when googling the keyphrase “rip rap rock revetment.” “When the shoreline was eroding and people’s houses were falling in the lake, they were calling this company to prevent that from

happening,” Lance Beaudry said. While landscaping makes up a good chunk of the sectors Avalanche services, the bulk of its clientele work in the health care, manufacturing and software industries. “We try not to be too specific to any industries. It keeps us curious,” Rayanne Beaudry said. “I’d say that’s one of our biggest value-adds,” Lance Beaudry said. “If you were to google ‘hydroseeding SEO specialist,’ you wouldn’t find many — well, you would find our website (laughs), but that’s kind of our value-add is we’re SEO agnostic. We can train our team to become experts in very niche industries.”

Law clears records for some OWI violaters CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

rious injuries to individuals while driving intoxicated. “Safe & Just Michigan thanks Gov. Whitmer for signing these popular, bipartisan bills, which represent a long-awaited chance for a fresh start for tens of thousands of Michiganders whose opportunities have been limited by a single old DUI conviction,” said John S. Cooper, executive director of Safe & Just Michigan, a nonprofit that works to advance policies that end Michigan’s over-use of incarceration and promote community safety and healing. “Drunk driving is a serious problem in Michigan, but permanently limiting a person’s ability to work and drive based on a one-time, decades-old mistake does not make sense. People who can show that their DUI conviction was a one-time mistake should have an opportunity to make a fresh start.” This is just the latest expungement effort in Michigan. In April, the Clean Slate Act was signed into law, which allows individuals who committed low-level misdemeanor marijuana offenses and traffic offenses to apply for expungement.

Experience a new destination for senior living, Rivertown Ridge

Distinctive Style. Unmatched Services.

mmerse yourself in the elegant surroundings of Rivertown Ridge’s retirement lifestyle – designed entirely for your happiness and wellbeing. Nestled among wooded grounds in the heart of beautiful Wyoming Michigan, Rivertown Ridge is a boutique senior living community offering independent living, assisted living and memory care services. With its high appointed detail to design and convenience, Rivertown Ridge offers prime shopping and entertainment venues, luxury amenities and a culinary team that is unmatched. No matter where your interests lie, you’ll quickly see all that Rivertown Ridge has developed to energize your body, stimulate your mind and enrich your overall wellness. Come and experience a new destination for senior living. Call now, 616.258.2715 for your no obligation tour to learn more.

3555 Copper River Ave SW Wyoming, MI 49418 616.258.2715 www.rivertownridge.com

Managed by

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REAL ESTATE AND YOU

ARG REALTY – GAYLE HARVEY

22827 MICHIGAN AVE., DEARBORN, MI 48124 | 616-477-3563 | GAYLEHARVEYHOMES.COM | FACEBOOK.COM/GAYLEHARVEYHOMES

Gayle Harvey, with more than 20 years of experience in real estate, specializes in residential and commercial properties as well as corporate relocation. “People are the importance of all real estate,” she says. “Buying and/or selling your property is an emotional process, and it’s important to work with someone you trust who has a proven track record.” Harvey has been the recipient of many sales and excellence awards presented by numerous real estate companies and title

agencies. She’s also recognized as a Real Estate All-Star (Michigan agents with sales in the top 5 percent). If you’re seeking a new home, condo, car wash, restaurant, entertainment facility, or other property, Harvey can take care of you. “I believe in creating positive relationships; it’s key when getting things done,” she says. “At the end of the day, I’m thankful God has blessed me with the ability to do what I love.”

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COSMETIC DENTISTRY

BETSY BAKEMAN, D.D.S. – BAKEMAN ADVANCED DENTISTRY 2757 LEONARD ST. NE, STE. 100, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49525 | 616-940-0481 | BETSYBAKEMANDDS.COM

Dr. Betsy Bakeman is the Face of Cosmetic Dentistry in West Michigan and beyond. The photographs of beautiful smiles that adorn the walls of her office tell the story: Dr. Bakeman is a master in the art and science of cosmetic dentistry. The first Michigan dentist to achieve the distinction of accredited fellow in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Bakeman is honored and humbled each time a patient places his or her trust in her hands. She takes on this responsibility with

personal involvement and profound attention to detail. Dr. Bakeman has assembled a team of highly skilled staff members, outstanding specialists, and exceptional ceramists who work together to provide world-class results. Whether treatment involves correcting the shape and color of the teeth, or more involved management with crowns, bridges, or implants, the goal is always to create a beautiful and highly natural, comfortable, and functional result.

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CANCER & HEMATOLOGY CARE

CANCER & HEMATOLOGY CENTERS OF WESTERN MICHIGAN 5800 FOREMOST DR. SE, STE. 300, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49546 | 616-389-1712

Since its inception in 1979, Cancer & Hematology Centers of Western Michigan (CHCWM) has striven to provide advanced, compassionate care to patients battling cancer. That’s why, in 2016, they partnered with START’s global network of Phase I clinical research sites to create START Midwest. START Midwest, located in Grand Rapids’ Cascade Township, offers CHCWM patients first-ever access to experimental treatments and therapies. Since opening, START’s team of 30 research professionals has served nearly 800 patients and participated in 95

Phase I clinical trials. Doctors Nehal Lakhani, Manish Sharma, and Sreenivasa Chandana lead the charge, giving West Michigan cancer patients hope right in their backyard. “Clinical trials should be considered at every step along the way in terms of cancer treatment, because there’s always room for improvement,” Dr. Lakhani says. Improvements in cancer treatment are being made every day in Grand Rapids, thanks to START Midwest.

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SECURITY

DK SECURITY

5160 FALCON VIEW AVE SE, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49512 | 616-656-0123 | DKSECURITY.COM

DK Security was founded in 1995 by two highly credentialed leaders in federal law enforcement: Bob DuHadway and John Kendall. Since its founding, it has since grown to include more than 2,000 employees. DK is the largest locally owned security company in Michigan and among the top 50 security companies in the United States. “We’re proud to call West Michigan our home, and we’re honored to have so many long-standing partnerships within the West Michigan business community,” says DK’s recently appointed CEO, Sindia Narber.

Grand Rapids-based DK Security provides unarmed and armed security officers, event security, investigations, executive protection, audits, training, background screening, fingerprinting, and loss prevention, and has an anonymous tip line. The company has branch offices in Lansing, Flint, and Detroit. Woman-owned and woman-led, DK Security proudly follows a philosophy of “hospitality security” backed by responsive management and a commitment to the highest standards of client service.

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TALENT

ASHLEY WARD – HIRE FOR HOPE 49 MONROE CENTER ST. NW, STE. 200, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49503 | 616-881-3309 | HIREFORHOPE.COM

Ashley Ward, the founder of Hire For Hope, and her team help companies develop a people strategy that aligns with their business strategy and design winning teams to take their clients to the next level. The firm, a recruiting and talent consulting agency, transforms the way companies identify and optimize their employees using an evidence-based selection model. Ward attributes her company’s 98-percent candidate retention rate for executive searches to that model.

The “Hope” in Hire For Hope, founded in 2017, represents the firm’s mission-driven business model, in which 10 percent of its profit is donated to community partners that help women who are experiencing domestic violence — a cause dear to Ward’s heart. Ward serves as a board member for the City of Grand Rapids’ Downtown Improvement District and was recently named to the 40 Under 40 and 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan lists by the Grand Rapids Business Journal.

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REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT

RYAN LEESTMA – LEESTMA MANAGEMENT 616-633-6020 | LEESTMAMANAGEMENT.COM

Ryan Leestma spent the first 15 years of his career building one of the largest IT companies in West Michigan and received numerous awards, including West Michigan Entrepreneur of the Year. In 2015 he formed Leestma Management and began purchasing commercial investment properties, eventually becoming one of West Michigan’s largest commercial landlords. In 2018, he formed Adelaide Energy and deployed more than 1.25 million watts of solar on Leestma Management’s properties, making it the most

sustainable commercial landlord in West Michigan. Leestma organized one of the very few West Michigan-based Qualified Opportunity Zone Investment Funds in early 2020, and purchased 30 acres of Muskegon Lake waterfront. Known as Adelaide Pointe, it’s a $175 million marine community development project with plans to build the largest marina on Muskegon Lake, as well as 300 condos, 200 in/out slips, 450,000 square feet of vehicle storage, a restaurant, event center, and three public parks

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MICHIGAN AUTO LAW

BRANDON HEWITT – ATTORNEY, COO – MICHIGAN AUTO LAW 212 GRANDVILLE AVE., GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49503 | 616-447-8847 | MICHIGANAUTOLAW.COM | HELP@MICHIGANAUTOLAW.COM

Brandon Hewitt and the personal injury lawyers at Michigan Auto Law help seriously injured auto accident victims recover Michigan No-Fault and Pain and Suffering insurance benefits. Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Hewitt lives the West Michigan mentality of personal responsibility and caring for one another. “Our goal is to educate and advocate,” he says. “When a

traumatic event like a serious auto crash occurs, most people are overwhelmed and scared to call an attorney. We want to replace confusion and fear with confidence and hope. Every phone call is free, and reaching out to an attorney doesn’t necessarily mean filing a lawsuit. Just bring us your questions and we’ll find the answers.”

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MICHIGAN SOFTWARE LABS

MARK JOHNSON AND JOSH HULST – THE FACES OF MICHIGAN SOFTWARE LABS 7471 RIVER ST., ADA, MI 49301 | 616-594-0269 | MICHIGANLABS.COM

As managing partners and co-founders at Michigan Software Labs, Mark Johnson and Josh Hulst are key members of the leadership team, with expertise in designing and developing custom software, and oversight of client projects. For more than 11 years, Michigan Software Labs has served clients by developing custom mobile, web, and Internet of Things software for clients ranging from locally owned businesses to Fortune 500 companies. With a thriving team culture, the company has received both the Inc. Best Places to Work Award and 100 Best Workplaces

by Fortune magazine. It was recently named one of Inc. 5000’s fastest-growing companies. Whether you have a custom software project or need advice for growing your business using software, Michigan Software Labs can help. The company has specialized teams for software development, software UX design, and project management, and while it continues to expand nationwide, it remains committed to serving the local community.

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WEALTH MANAGEMENT

MITCH LYONS – MITCH LYONS WEALTH

8080 MYERS LAKE AVE. NE, ROCKFORD, MI 49341 | 866-857-8335 | MITCHLYONSWEALTH.COM

Mitch Lyons began his retirement planning career after suffering a career-ending injury in 1999 as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Faced with how quickly life can change, he’s molded a financial career helping people protect against the physical and financial calamities that can affect their retirement years. Lyons focuses exclusively on helping people nearing, or already in, retirement maximize their retirement income and/or protect their wealth. He recently authored a book, “Retirement of Steel,” which

explains how to avoid the three most destructive forces for a retiree: stock market risk, taxes, and paying unnecessary investment fees. In the book, Lyons discusses the strategies that allow his clients to protect and grow their wealth without any market risk — often free of taxes. He’s also an executive producer on a documentary premiering this fall called “The Baby Boomer Dilemma.” Visit mitchlyonswealth.com to order a free copy of “Retirement of Steel.”

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HEALTH AND FITNESS

MVP SPORTS CLUB

4085 BURTON ST. SE, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49546 | 800-517-7712 | MVPSPORTSCLUBS.COM

As West Michigan’s health and fitness leader, MVP Sports Clubs has provided premier facilities, state-of-the-art equipment, industryleading programming, cutting-edge technology, world-class service, and strong community outreach to the region since 2005. Operating seven facilities within the market, including five fullservice athletic clubs and two boutique fitness spaces, MVP offers a unique experience for all your fitness needs. With flexible

memberships including month-to-month, no-contract options, and insurance-sponsored memberships such as Silver Sneakers, MVP is committed to providing the most innovative solutions to support those who are working to live their best healthy life. Locations include MVP Sportsplex, MVP Metro Club, and MVP Athletic Club in Grand Rapids; MVP Athletic Club in Holland and Rockford; 4G Athletic in Jenison; and Well-Fit by MVP in Grand Rapids.

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RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE

JOHN POSTMA — RE/MAX OF GRAND RAPIDS

4362 CASCADE RD. SE, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49546 | 616-975-5623 | JOHNPOSTMA.COM

John Postma developed a hard work ethic from a young age, paying his way through school by working on a hog and dairy farm. In college, he was challenged by a professor to find a career that played to his strengths and motivated him. For Postma, that was real estate. Early on, he learned the importance of being honest, professional, efficient, and attentive to details. Today, Postma constantly evaluates where his energy and time are focused. He says he quickly learned that you must

take control of your business, or it will control you and your personal life. Entering his 43rd year in real estate, Postma has been the recipient of numerous awards. Last year, he exceeded $1 billion in personal sales — thanks to hard work, persistence, and never losing sight of the big picture. Postma also enjoys giving back to the community, byand servesing on many non-profit boards.

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RESIDENTIAL BUILDING

SCOTT CHRISTOPHER HOMES

620 THREE MILE RD. NW, STE. A, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49544 | 616-784-4500 | SCOTTCHRISTOPHERHOMES.COM

Having a father and grandfather who were builders, Scott Christopher was no stranger to a construction site. After graduating with a degree in construction management and starting his career as a carpenter, Christopher soon recognized there was opportunity for a builder who could take quality and customer service to the next level. In 1982, Christopher opened Scott Christopher Homes; since then, SCH has grown to include a team of 30 people. With fulltime project managers, carpenters, an in-house civil engineer,

estimators, and support staff, plus a full-time custom cabinet shop, SCH can take on projects of every scope and scale. SCH has experience in historical renovations, contemporary new builds, sports barns, urban infill projects, and everything in between. They use creativity and innovation to produce unparalleled building solutions. SCH relishes challenges that push them to be better craftspeople in their trade, and they never settle for what’s been done before.

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CBD

JANET TOMBRE — THE GRASSY KNOLL 1407 ROBINSON RD., GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49506 | 616-419-3364 | OHGRASSYKNOLL.COM

It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost five years since Janet Tombre started The Grassy Knoll! The business opened in 2017, when no one knew what CBD was all about. Today, CBD is a common household name. Last year, COVID-19 resulted in trying times for many businesses. The Grassy Knoll was thankfully able to survive, although many other small businesses did not. The Grassy Knoll has its own brand

of tinctures for pain and sleep, salves, dog drops, and dog treats. It’s a proud member of the Eastown community, and Tombre and her team thank the community for its continued love and support. The Grassy Knoll proudly continues its support of local charities such as the West Michigan Humane Society and the Bissell Pet Foundation. It is excited to be opening a retail facility in Muskegon in September 2021.

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BUSINESS LENDING

UNITED BANK

900 EAST PARIS AVE. SE, GRAND RAPIDS, MI | 616-559-7000 | UNITEDBANK4U.COM

Focused on local economic development, United Bank is an advocate for the diverse needs of a thriving business community. They understand the unique challenges West Michigan businesses face, and offer real solutions to help you succeed. “After working at United for more than 35 years, building relationships is what I value most. Getting to know my clients’ businesses, finding solutions, and celebrating their success is what I love,” says Doris Drain, senior vice president commercial lending.

United Bank’s business lending team serves a variety of needs including business lines of credit, commercial real estate, equipment loans, and more. With flexible terms, competitive rates, local decision-makers, and a quick approval process, they’re dedicated to making West Michigan the best it can be. Member FDIC. Pictured in the photo, above: (Seated, L-R) Jason Smith, Brian Klaver, Joe Crittendon. (Standing, L-R) Sue Rankin, Paul Kramer, Tim Tyler, Doris Drain, Brian Kelly, Andy Bassford.

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BUSINESS BANKING

UNITED BANK

900 EAST PARIS AVE. SE, GRAND RAPIDS, MI | 616-559-7000 | UNITEDBANK4U.COM

Being a local bank is about caring for the business community. United Bank has done just that for more than 130 years, and it continues to be a trusted business banking partner throughout West Michigan. “It’s been rewarding to support the growth and success of so many clients,” says Lisa Banas, senior vice president retail administration. “We have an exceptionally talented team that’s dedicated to serving the diverse needs of our communities.” United Bank is committed to creating solutions to the challenges you face every day, offering a comprehensive suite of business

products and treasury management services that simplify your banking. Start experiencing the difference of banking United. Member FDIC. Pictured in the photo, above: (Seated, L-R) Robin Beckwith, Lisa Banas, Nolan Rauser, Lindsey Younglove, Melodie Niemczyk, Nicolette Happie. (Standing, L-R) Rebecca Leckta, John Knoppers, Terri Prince, Randi Claybaugh, Laree Waanders, Tammy Karas, Ashley Melder, Alex Caceres, Jack Verville.

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

SEPTEMBER 7, 2021

ADVERTISING & MARKETING

Jackie Foss has been promoted to media director of Extra Credit Media Inc., a division of Grand Rapids-based advertising agency Extra Credit Projects. Kalamazoo-based LKF Marketing has developed a WordPress theme that allows for the creation of customizable websites at an affordable price with templated design options created by the LKF team.

ARCHITECTURE & ENGINEERING Barr Engineering Co. in Ann Arbor announced the additions to its Grand Rapids office of Paula Sumrall, air quality scientist, Laura Pinter, project accounting administrator, Matthew Billette, chemical engineer, and Michael Spenle, electrical engineer.

David Krysak joined Progressive AE’s leadership team as director of practice development. Fishbeck announced Greg Ehmke and Josh Rozeboom joined the Kalamazoo office as project managers on the parking and restoration team.

AWARDS

Eric and Becky Vetter and Craig and Jennifer Vetter, owners of Allegra Marketing Print Mail in Grand Rapids, were acknowledged with an annual Sales Pinnacle Award by the Alliance Franchise Brands network.

BANKS

Kalamazoo-based First National Bank of Michigan appointed Bill Manns, president and CEO of Bronson Healthcare, to its board of directors. 50/50 Women on Boards has recog- Manns nized Independent Bank as a “3+” company for having three or more women on its corporate board of directors.

BUSINESS SERVICES

Dave DeJonge has been appointed president of Behler-Young.

SEP 8 Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce Business N Beers Gathering. Meet new people inside and outside the chamber. 4:30-7 p.m., Dave & Buster’s, 3660 28th St. SE, Kentwood. Registration/information: bob@southkent.org. SEP 9 Family Business Alliance Event. Topic is The Leader in All of Us, featuring Medal of Honor recipient and author Clint Romesha. 3:30-6 p.m. Open to public. Cost: $100. Downtown Market, 435 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids. Registration/information: fbagr.org. SEP 10 Pregnancy Resource Center Golf For Life. 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Thornapple Pointe Golf Course, 7211 48th St. SE. Cost: $200/single golfer, $550/foursome. Registration/information: danvosconstruction.com/golf-for-life. SEP 11 Finish The Mission Veteran Relief Fund Freedom Cruise. Start time, 10 a.m., Sparta High School, 475 W. Spartan Drive, Sparta. Rain date, Sept. 12. Cost: free. Registration/information: finishthemissiongr.org/freedom-cruise. SEP 11-18 West Michigan Environmental Acton Council Mayors’ Grand River Cleanup. Sign-up as individuals or small groups. Registration/information: bit.ly/2021GrandRiverCleanup. SEP 13 Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce Government Matters Zoom Meeting with Elected Officials.

Johnston earns Elite Award Andy Johnston, vice president of government affairs for the Grand Rapids Chamber, has been designated a Certified Chamber Executive by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. The association is based in Alexandria, Virginia, and has over 1,600 chambers of commerce and related business and economic development organizations as members, representing more than 9,000 professionals in the industry. Johnston is one of 16 chamber professionals to earn the Certified Chamber Executive designation in 2021. DK Security hired Stephen Corcoran as a marketing coordinator at the company’s Grand Rapids headquarters.

CONSTRUCTION

Owen-Ames-Kimball Co. announced the additions of project superintendents Chris Tobin, Matthew Stoll, Bob Serba, Trevor Anderson, Matthew Gamalski and James Griffith; Josiah Kozicki, assistant project superintendent; Alyssa Rigley, administration assistant; and Jeremy Taylor, estimator.

EDUCATION

Grand Rapids Public Schools announced Coit Creative Arts Academy has been designated Kent County’s first International Baccalaureate World School for the Primary Years Programme, which offers interdisciplinary curriculum programs with a rigorous application process. Hope College Theatre received two national awards from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival for its production of Larissa FastHorse’s “The Thanksgiving Play.” It received a Kennedy Center Citizen Artist Award; junior Lisbeth Franzon of Whitehall was honored for Special Achievement in Stage Management; the college co-received the Golden Keyboard Award; and senior Madison Meeron of Oxford was selected as a finalist for the Musical Theatre Intensive Program.

8-9 a.m. Cost: free. Registration/information: (616) 531-5990 or michelle@ southkent.org. SEP 14 Grand Rapids Opportunities For Women Zoom Webinar. Topic is Interactive Marketing 101, by Yelena Wells, vice president of business development, Elite One Media. 6-9 p.m. Zoom link sent by 2 p.m. day of event. Cost: free. Registration/information: growbusiness.org. SEP 14 Grand Rapids Young Professionals Trivia Night. 6-9 p.m., The Rezervoir Lounge, 1418 Plainfield Ave. NE. Cost: $11, ticket price includes one drink. Registration/information: bit.ly/ GRYPTriviaNight. SEP 14 Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce Workshop. Topic is How To Positively Disrupt And Upshift Your Mindset and Business, by best-selling author Tony Rubleski. 8:15-10 a.m. Cost: $10/members, $15/ nonmembers. Registration/information: bob@southkent.org SEP 15-18 Michigan Inventors Coalition Invent & Entrepreneur Talk. Numerous speakers. Cost: $5. Event is virtual. Begins 5 p.m. Wednesday and ends 1 p.m. Saturday. Information/registration: michiganinven torscoalition.org. SEP 16 North Kent Connect Rocking the Park Fundraiser. Entertainment includes host Sparta funny man Jeff “Spanky” Amlotte, hometown band Gunnar and the Grizzly Boys and The Calendar

Jennifer Hampton of the Hope College physics faculty, who was killed in an automobile accident in Holland on March 14, has posthumously received this year’s Hope Outstanding Professor Educator Award from the graduating Class of 2021. The award is presented by the graduating class to the professor who they feel epitomizes the best qualities of the Hope College educator. Jordan Dischinger-Smedes, AP environmental science and human anatomy teacher at Grand River Preparatory High School, was named the 2021 Michigan Charter School Teacher of the Year by the Michigan Association of Public School Academies. Grand River is a charter school authorized by Grand Valley State University.

ENERGY

Foresight Management added Matthew VanSweden to its team of energy engineering and sustainability experts.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Kalamazoo-based Greenleaf Trust has been named to Inc. magazine’s annual list of the Best Workplaces for 2021. Sarah Pease also has joined the firm as a financial accounting analyst.

FOOD & BEVERAGE

Grandville-based Littlefoot Coffee Roasters is the recipient of the 2021 Entrepreneur of the Year award from the Michigan State University Product Center.

Clergy. Beneficiaries are families in northern Kent County that have basic needs to empower them to find financial independence. Doors open 5 p.m., Rogers Park, Sparta. Cost: $20/ person. Registration/information: bit. ly/2021RockThePark. SEP 17 Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce Workshop. Topic is How To Positively Disrupt And Upshift Your Mindset and Business, by best-selling author Tony Rubleski. 8:15-10 a.m., Crossroads Conference Center, 6611 Clay Ave. SW. Cost: $10/ members, $15/nonmembers, $50/event sponsor, chamber members only. Masks recommended. Registration/information: bob@southkent.org. SEP 17-18 Kohler Expo Fall Bridal Show. DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. Registration/ information: kohlerexpo.com. SEP 18-19 LowellArts Fallasburg Arts Festival. Includes100 fine art and fine crafts booths, live music, food booths supporting local nonprofit organizations, a children’s craft area and traditional craft demonstrations in the pavilion. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Parking: $5/car. Registration/information: lowellartsmi. org/fallasburg-arts-festival. SEP 18-MID JAN Grand Rapids Public Museum Exhibition. Bats: Masters of the Night. Exhibit explains bats are actually gentle, helpful little animals. Hands-on display showcases evening activities of bats, such as echolocation (sonar ability), pollination, diet and flight. Sept. 18 mem-

CHANGE-UPS & CALENDAR

FOUNDATIONS

Danielle R. Brown joined Grand Rapids Community Foundation as finance director.

GOVERNMENT

Michigan,” a step-by-step guide for lawyers working in the field of divorce. The book focuses on practical matters of procedure, strategy, organization and timing.

The Kentwood Police Department received the 2020 Outstanding Traffic Achievement Award from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Advisory Commission in recognition of its school safety campaign.

Real Estate litigator and managing member Sara Lachman’s real estate law and litigation firm’s new address is: Lachman Stuart PLC, Waters Center, 161 Ottawa Ave. NW, in downtown Grand Rapids.

HEALTH

Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge announced attorney Jeremy N. Orenstein has joined the firm’s Grand Rapids office, practicing in the firm’s litigation practice group.

Eastown Veterinary Clinic marked its 10th anniversary as a community-focused veterinary clinic in Grand Rapids. It has grown from a team of four to 33 team members. Emmanuel Hospice has been named for the second time one of West Michigan’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For by the National Association for Business Resources.

HOSPITALITY

Radisson Hotel Group Americas awarded the Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center, operated by Greenleaf Hospitality Group, with three awards: The RHG Americas Hero Award; Hospitality Excellence Award; and General Manager of the Year Award.

INSURANCE

Hastings Mutual Insurance Co. announced Richard Swain as vice president and chief marketing officer. He will be responsible for all marketing department functions for staff in the field and at the home office in Hastings.

LEGAL

Plunkett Cooney welcomed attorneys Jason R. Hodge and Bryan Janes to its Grand Rapids transportation law practice group. Magistrate Judge Phillip J. Green is the recipient of the Marion Hilligan Public Service Award, for promoting public health and welfare through law, during the Grand Rapids Bar Association’s The Bar Has Talent gala. Mika Meyers attorney Elizabeth K. Bransdorfer recently co-authored the book “Handling a Divorce Case in

bers only preview before opening to public later that morning. Registration/information: grpm.org/Bats. SEP 21 The Right Place/Feyen Zylstra/The Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center – West In-Person Workshop. Topic is Guiding Small and Midsized Manufacturers By Creating Sustainable Change By Learning About Industry 4.0 Technologies. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Feyen Zylstra Industrial Tech Center, 3085 Walkent Drive, Walker. Cost: $150/person. Registration/Information: feyenzylstra. com/industry-4-0-workshop. SEP 21 Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce Power Happy Hour. Grab your business cards and expand your network. 3:30-5:30 p.., Holland Civic Center Place, 150 W. 8th St., Holland. Cost: $40/members, $55/nonmembers. Information/registration: (616) 928-9101 or Colleen@westcoastchamber.org. SEP 23 Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan Red Shoe Gala fundraiser. Cocktail reception, dinner and live auction. 6 p.m. Cost: $150. JW Marriott, 235 Louis St. NW, Grand Rapids. Registration/ information: bit.ly/2021RedShoe. SEP 23 Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women Zoom Meeting. Topic is Financial Planning for Solopreneurs: Setting Yourself Up to be Successful, by financial success coach Tara Jones-Williamson. Noon- 1 p.m., Zoom link sent by 11 a.m. day of event. Cost: free. Registration/information: growbusiness.org.

Varnum labor and employment partner Elizabeth Wells Skaggs has been recognized by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as a Go To Lawyer for Employment Law. Warner Norcross + Judd LLP has been recognized for the 19th consecutive year as one of the leading law firms in Michigan by Chambers USA 2021. Seven attorneys have been awarded for their work: Douglas A. Dozeman, general commercial litigation; Anthony J. Kolenic Jr., employee benefits and executive compensation; Mary Jo Larson, employee benefits and executive compensation; Heidi A. Lyon, employee benefits and executive compensation; Justin W. Stemple, employee benefits and executive compensation; Stephen C. Waterbury, corporate/M&A; and Lisa B. Zimmer, employee benefits and executive compensation.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Hunter Haley joined DYS Media as public relations manager.

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.

SEP 25 Runway 5K Event. Charity partner: Family Hope Foundation. Registration/ packet pickup, 7 a.m., Gerald R. Ford International Airport. Registration/ information: runsignup.com/Race/MI/ GrandRapids/FordRunway5k. SEP 28 Wyoming Business Leaders Meeting. 8-9 a.m., Marge’s Donut Den, 1751 28th St. SW, Wyoming. Registration/ information: (616) 261-4500 or d.kuba@ instantcashmi.com. SEP 29 Family Business Alliance Comprehensive Strategic Planning For Transition Workshop. Members only. Experts offer insights into NextGen planning in the three critical spheres: family, business and ownership. 8-10 a.m., Cascade Hills Country Club, 3725 Cascade Road. SE. Registration/information: bit.ly/StrategticWorkshop.

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 WHEELER HOLDING CO. LLC, ChoiceOne Bank, Parcel: 411421127005, $1,163,164 GRAND ACQUISITION LLC, Nationwide Life Insurance Co., Kentwood, $15,000,000 VANWOERKOM, Anthony et al, Greenstone Farm Credit Services, Oakfield Twp., $374,408 SLATER, Paul et al, Huntington National Bank, Cannon Twp., $508,500 CEDAR SPRINGS RV RESORT LLC, Lakeside Camp Park LLC, Solon Twp., $908,000 WHEELER HOLDING CO. LLC, ChoiceOne Bank, Parcel: 411421127005, $930,531 LEONARD DEVELOPMENT #2 LLC, Horizon Bank, Parcel: 411324129032, $3,800,000 APPLEGATE, Alan C. et al, CFB Bank, Caledonia, $548,200 THOMASMA, Michael R. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Parcel: 411416427031, $424,175 RATTERREE, Samuel H. et al, Amerifirst Financial Corp., Caledonia, $389,500 2147 HEALTH DRIVE LLC, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Wyoming, $3,720,912 DOUGL MOL PROPERTIES LLC et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Parcel: 411418459015, $1,508,000 TNT KALAMAZOO ENTERPRISES LLC, PNC Bank, Parcel: 411817151038, $1,304,000 GRANDVILLE RETAIL MANAGEMENT LLC, Mercantile Bank, Parcel: 411730277003, $2,060,000 ROCKFORD RIDGE TOWNHOMES LLC, Arbor Agency Lending, Rockford, $1,950,000 FL MI RE 2 LLC et al, Rainbow Hoover LLC, Grand Rapids City, $4,700,000 FL MI RE 10 LLC et al, Book Hill Credit Opportunity Fund, Parcel: 411405230001, $2,000,000 KAVA KENTWOOD LLC, Northern Trust Co, Kentwood, $4,720,000 HEWITT, Brandon M. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, East Grand Rapids, $635,000 DEITTE, Steven et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Gaines Twp., $587,646 WALKER, James M. et al, Hometown Lenders, Parcel: 411425296021, $364,000 HEWITT, Jeffrey M., Lake Michigan Credit Union, Gaines Twp., $482,294 HINKLEY, Andy G., Fifth Third Bank, Parcel: 411324440033, $435,000 MANN, Dharamvir S. et al, Superior National Bank, Cascade Twp., $527,800 HENDERSON, David C. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Plainfield Twp., $376,200 SOUTHLAND, Scott et al, Quicken Loans, Ada Twp., $450,498 ENGLES RENTAL PROPERTIES LLC, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Parcel: 410935426035, $1,440,000 CARTER, Daniel L. et al, ChoiceOne Bank, Ada Twp., $488,000 BORISCH TRUST, Fifth Third Bank, Cascade Twp., $870,000 TRIFOUND HOLDINGS LLC, Kellogg Community Credit Union, Parcel: 411325443012, $360,000 LEINBERGER, Todd et al, Inlanta Mortgage, Parcel: 411432428009, $464,000 LEGARRETA, Ronald et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Cannon Twp., $547,331 JOHNSON, Michael T. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Parcel: 411411477029, $715,000 BURY, Cheryl et al, Huntington National Bank, Lowell, $369,550 ANDERSON, Kelly, Grand River Bank, Courtland Twp., $369,550 MEDEMA, Brent et al, Grand River Bank, Cascade Twp., $505,850 VANECK, Daniel et al, Northpointe Bank, Cannon Twp., $548,250 OLSON, Lawrence et al, Huntington National Bank, Rockford, $407,000 FISHER, Nellie et al, Churchill Mortgage Corp., Plainfield Twp., $353,218 SPRAGUE, John et al, Huntington National Bank, East Grand Rapids, $727,000 HAMMERSLAG, Thomas F. et al, Macatawa Bank, East Grand Rapids, $500,000 WHITMORE HOMES LLC, Lake Michigan Credit Union, East Grand Rapids, $1,669,742 MARKOWSKI, Michael et al, Mortgage Access Corp., Algoma Twp., $370,500 BOUKAMP, Kevin et al, Old National Bank, Cascade Twp., $357,000 STRANGE, Trevor et al, Huntington National Bank, Cannon Twp., $640,000 GOOSEN, Gregory et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Plainfield Twp., $449,274 PAZ, Richel-Framel et al, JPMorgan Chase Bank, Byron Twp., $440,000 HOTCHKIN, Mark A. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Byron Twp., $408,500 BRANDER, Colin et al, Fifth Third Bank, Ada Twp., $418,000 RAVENSWOOD APARTMENTS LLC, Arbor Financial Credit Union, Grandville, $928,000 LINDA, Chris A., United Wholesale Mortgage, Parcel: 411410454005, $532,000 OSTROWSKI, John et al, Huntington National Bank, Cannon Twp., $1,242,000 HANSEN TRUST, TCF National Bank, Cascade

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL Twp., $647,000 JW REMODELING LLC, Lendinghome Funding Corp., Cascade Twp., $357,200 LEWIS, Frank T. Jr. et al, Quicken Loans, Gaines Twp., $400,000 GREGWER, David et al, Quicken Loans, Parcel: 412116253007, $399,750 VANDERWAL, Sarah A., Quicken Loans, Cannon Twp., $375,000 COOK Richard et al, Quicken Loans, Cascade Twp., $380,000 HAFNER, Michael N. et al, Quicken Loans, Cascade Twp., $368,000 PRIMEAU, David, Quicken Loans, Vergennes Twp., $352,397 LEE, Loretta et al, Quicken Loans, Parcel: 411413226008, $576,073 EGAN, John, Huntington National Bank, Cascade Twp., $623,000 KLAASEN, Michael et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Algoma Twp., $513,000 PRESCOTT, Todd et al, ChoiceOne Bank, Ada Twp., $548,250 C DIAMIND INFRA LLC, Deutsch Bank, Caledonia, $665,000,000 2346 3 MILE LLC, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Parcel: 411309126021, $432,000 HOPKINS, Ronald L. II, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Gaines Twp., $635,000 HOEDEMAN, Jack, Mercantile Bank, Algoma Twp., $784,200 ZAMBIASI, Michael G. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Parcel: 411436130014, $375,250 FRAS, Andrew, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Vergennes Twp., $950,000 NGUYEN, Kim T. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, East Grand Rapids, $1,395,000 GRAHAM, David et al, Compass Mortgage, Parcel: 411411202143, $492,000 LITTLETON, Zachary et al, JPMorgan Chase Bank, Ada Twp., $476,800 THOMPSON, Glenn II et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Solon Twp., $365,000 HENNINK, Kathleen R. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Plainfield Twp., $376,000 RIDDLE, Gina et al, Independent Bank, Cascade Twp., $352,000 AUSTIN, Mark J. et al, Better Mortgage Corp., East Grand Rapids, $461,524 KLAVER TRUST, Huntington National Bank, Ada Twp., $385,000 FOUNTAINS INVESTORS LLC, Walker & Dunlop LLC, Parcel: 411811240023, $3,476,000 BANDA, Swetha et al, Allen Edwin Home Builders, Byron Twp., $492,722 BITAR, Bassam et al, DFCU Financial, Caledonia, $374,450 STENBERG, Brock, Neighborhood Loans, Algoma Twp., $451,250 LAPLOW, Joan et al, Mutual of Omaha Mortgage, Wyoming, $477,000 GORBUITT, Adam S. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Alpine Twp., $504,000 DOWNER, Krista et al, Neighborhood Loans, Parcel: 411436378042, $384,750 BOUMAR, Randal et al, Macatawa Bank, Gaines Twp., $350,400 DEJOHN, Travis et al, Quicken Loans, Plainfield Twp., $385,600 SPENCER, Nolan et al, Horizons Bank, East Grand Rapids, $1,320,000 PETERS, Bradley A. et al, United Bank, Parcel: 412116403012, $492,600 HARNEY, Christine et al, Finance of America Mortgage, $548,250 HAWLEY, Kristi, Consumers Credit Union, Sand Lake, $968,700 CHOPP, Justin, Mercantile Bank, Ada Twp., $389,500 MONROE, Eric T., Lake Michigan Credit Union, Byron Twp., $510,000 ELDERSVELD, Mark et al, Independent Bank, East Grand Rapids, $494,250 DEFRANG, Daryl et al, Consumers Credit Union, Algoma Twp., $366,350 THOMAS, Kurt et al, Independent Bank, Cannon Twp., $360,000 FREIBURGER, Sarah J. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Plainfield Twp., $398,331 MCLEAN, Stanley W., United Wholesale Mortgage, Caledonia, $368,000 PHAM, Vien Q., JTB Homes LLC, Cascade Twp., $410,475 PETERSON, Trevor S., Huntington National Bank, Cannon Twp., $642,029 AIS HOLDINGS LLC, Arbor Financial Credit Union, Cascade Twp., $733,150 MARTIN, Ryan C. et al, Fifth Third Bank, Walker, $368,000 MARVIN, Jason, Grand River Bank, Cascade Twp., $882,000 BUCHOWSKI, Scott, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Ada Twp., $800,000 JOHNSON, Brett, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Cascade Twp., $439,850 MASHNI, Jason D. et al, Crosscountry Mortgage, Cascade Twp., $532,000 TURCHET TRUST, Credit Union ,1, Algoma Twp., $500,000 825 NORTHLAND LLC, CIBC Bank, Rockford, $93,000,000 ROSENBOOM, Brandon et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Ada Twp., $769,500 WHEELER, Steven J. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Courtland Twp., $418,715 MESTER, Edward J. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Parcel: 411411327020, $400,000

POWELL, David et al, Neighborhood Loans, Parcel: 411309326021, $460,000 HOFFMANN, David H. et al, Quicken Loans, Parcel: 411411202094, $350,000 KORTYKOWSKI, Bryan et al, Hall Financial Group, Courtland Twp., $383,000 GLEASON, Zachary et al, Quicken Loans, Ada Twp., $548,000 FAILEY, William C. et al Sebonic Financial, East Grand Rapids, $410,000 NOTO, Andrew S., Lake Michigan Credit Union, Alpine Twp., $460,750 KUNCAITIS, Jacob A. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Byron Twp., $399,000 MEYERS, Michael, Pentagon Federal Credit Union, East Grand Rapids, $1,500,000 WEALTHY MADISON APARTMENT HOMES LLC, MSU Federal Credit Union, Parcel: 411430381031, $2,752,500 RICE, Robert S. et al, Consumers Credit Union, Rockford, $366,000 OLDENBURG, Eric et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Plainfield Twp., $490,200 GARWOOD, David et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Caledonia, $627,000 ZEBOOR, Richard A. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Cannon Twp., $451,000 PROSPECT SE APARTMENT HOMES LLC, MSU Federal Credit Union, Grandville, $447,750 BRISTOL, James T. Jr., Grand River Bank, Sparta, $283,900 HAPPEL, Lynn A. et al, United Bank, East Grand Rapids, $768,000 S&T PROPERTY SOLUTIONS LLC, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Caledonia, $850,000 THOMPSON, Erma, Neighborhood Loans, Parcel: 411403125022, $464,000 HEPNER, Jamie J. et al, Guaranteed Rate, Tyrone Twp., $533,900 LEBLANC, Joseph L. et al, Northern Mortgage Services LLC, Parcel: 411429452012, $406,401 WEAVER, Timothy et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, East Grand Rapids, $1,471,000 LEO & ALPINE LIMITED DIVIDEND HOUSING ASSOCIATION LP, Walker & Dunlop LLC, Parcel: 411324101037, $2,050,000 BARNES, Nathan D. et al, Mercantile Bank, Bowne Twp., $513,000 PIKE, Cory et al, Independent Bank, Spencer Twp., $374,200 COLLIER, Olanrewaju A. et al, Bank of America, Byron Twp., $559,200 RODRIQUEZ, Roman G. et al, Comerica Bank, Plainfield Twp., $10,117,500 MAY, Brian et al, Quicken Loans, East Grand Rapids, $801,500 HAGEMAN, Christopher J., Lake Michigan Credit Union, Plainfield Twp., $355,000 ULAGASUNDARAM, Senthilraj, Loandepot. com, Parcel: 411409253023, $394,250 MOERDYK, James, ChoiceOne Bank, Ada Twp., $532,000 STATEN, Jaylin C., Lakeview Loans Servicing, Parcel: 411721302048, $360,254 ARNTZ, Andrew W. et al, Mercantile Bank, Cannon Twp., $1,175,000 SHUBERT, John et al, Consumers Credit Union, Plainfield Twp., $369,000 HILDEBRAND, Raquel et al, Neighborhood Loans, Courtland Twp., $369,550 PARMINTER, Ryan et al, Neighborhood Loans, Kentwood, $351,500 VANDENBROEK, Nathan J. et al, Independent Bank, Ada Twp., $375,000 BOPP, Warren III et al, Independent Bank, Ada Twp., $400,000 BAILEY, Kenneth W. et al, Neighborhood Loans, Cascade Twp., $465,470 BARNARD, Scott R. et al, Mercantile Bank, Cannon Twp., $548,250 SUDBURY, Michael J. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Algoma Twp., $483,265 MATELIC, Thomas M. et al, Huntington National Bank, Cascade Twp., $749,999 ADAMS, Garrett et al Consumers Credit Union, Parcel: 411429227024, $968,700 WHEELER, Ryan K. et al, Mercantile Bank, Oakfield Twp., $448,000 RENNER TRUST, Old National Bank, East Grand Rapids, $1,200,000 TROY, Mark et al, Private Mortgage Wholesale, Gaines Twp., $408,000 ELDRED, Geoffrey P. et al, Macatawa Bank, Lowell, $455,000 REESE, James et al, Finance of America Mortgage, Cannon Twp., $475,000 CUNNINGHAM, Kyle, Lake Michigan Credit Union, East Grand Rapids, $470,500 BAJEMA, Brendon et al, Mercantile Bank, Algoma Twp., $453,000 SMITH, Eric et al, Independent Bank, Plainfield Twp., $501,500 PECK, Anderson S., Lake Michigan Credit Union, Ada Twp., $422,750 20 FULTON STREET EAST LP, Gersham Investment Crop., Parcel: 411430315002, $1,500,000 DEVRIES, Jeffrey M. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Cannon Twp., $374,000 KEYS, Joshua A., Home Point Financial, East Grand Rapids, $506,000 TUORI, Eric et al, Fifth Third Bank, Parcel: 411401101018, $648,000 KOETJE, Jathan et al, Northern Mortgage Services, Caledonia, $363,800 ROERSMA & WURN BUILDERS INC.,

Lake Michigan Credit Union, Parcel: 411028156001, $365,925 WILEY, Matthew R. et al, Inlanta Mortgage, Vergennes Twp., $417,230 ROERSMA & WURN BUILDERS INC., Lake Michigan Credit Union, Parcel: 411028156001, $404,707 STURGIS, Jason, United Wholesale Mortgage, Parcel: 411431255021, $350,000 JACOBSEN, Dan et al, Quicken Loans, Parcel: 411935300042, $357,500 BRONX BOMBERS & CO. LLC, Grand River Bank, Parcel: 412123127004, $1,200,000 GIBSON, Karl et al, Quicken Loans, Byron Twp., $380,000 ROERSMA & WURN BUILDERS, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Parcel: 411105480003, $438,875 WHITEFIELD, Curt J. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Caledonia, $481,222 AVILA, Marc et al, Finance of America Mortgage, Byron Twp., $436,000 ROERSMA & WURN BUILDERS INC., Lake Michigan Credit Union, Parcel: 411105477003, $454,650 DEBOER, Paula, US Bank, Plainfield Twp., $417,500 PEDERSON, Randall J. et al, Mercantile Bank, Caledonia, $363,750 EERDMANS, Andrew, Hometown Lenders, Parcel: 411706376003, $360,000 GORING, Karl et al, Fifth Third Bank, Cascade Twp., $400,000 WALSH, Brian, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Caledonia, $459,000 BUCHANAN, Robert J. et al, Old National Bank, Cascade Twp., $450,000 HENNIG, Michael et al, Team Mortgage Co., Lowell, $470,000 INTERRA HOMES LLC, West Michigan Community Bank, Algoma Twp., $681,497 BERKMOPAS, Duane C. et al, Fifth Third Bank, Cascade Twp., $417,240 WALSH, Meggen et al, Fifth Third Bank, Ada Twp., $377,050 GRINVEST LLC, Bank of Michigan, Grand Rapids City, $350,000 GERARD, Christopher et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Algoma Twp., $430,000 RIVERLANDS LLC, Mercantile Bank, Parcel: 411025190002, $993,792 4131 PROPERTY LLC, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Wyoming, $1,504,000 BECKHAM, Clarence L. et al, Omega Lending, Cascade Twp., $465,000 HOLT, Brian C. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, East Grand Rapids, $1,289,600 SENG, Ah et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Parcel: 411436226013, $355,500

CO-PARTNERSHIPS FILED

Co-partnerships filed with the Kent County Clerk BLACK RIVER DISTRIBUTING, 4727 Clyde Park SW, Wyoming, Sally Mulder, Randy Loper HEALTH CONNECT, 4727 Clyde Park SW, Wyoming, Sally Mulder, Randy Loper NAIL CREATIONS, 4485 Canal SW, Grandville, Chau Nguyen, Bao Hoang OMEGA INK, 812 Butterworth SW, Alison S. Wilcoxson, Timothy J. Reed RENEE J. PHOTOGRAPHY, 4700 Brooklyn SE, Kentwood, Renned McCaul, Jeffrey McCaul SHEBONGA INDIGENOUS PAINTERS 350 Quimby NE, Kelly L. Keith, Brandee L. Keith THE FRACTAL CO., 249 Murray SE, Bryant Langdon, Matthew Thomas THE STICKER GARAGE, 1519 Turner NW, Jose G. Abreu Battle, Alicia M. Sommers VNTG POINT, 517 Humbolt SE, Garret Veurink, Andrea Veurink

ASSUMED NAMES FILED

Assumed names filed with the Kent County Clerk ABM CONSTRUCTION, 3789 Mayberry Court SE, Kentwood, Andrew B. Miller ART AND SOUL BY MICHELE, 178 Lincoln Court, Rockford, Michele Thompson Karopzcyk BIHOMORA HANDYMAN & JANITOR, 144 Southbrook SE, George M. Bihomora BLESSED BANDZ, 366 Carriage Lane SW, Sabrina A. Barbera BOB MORGENSEN BUILDER, 10538 Swem NE, Rockford, Robert L. Morgensen BORIS PUBLISHING, 7312 Willard SE, Elizabeth Meyette BSI GROUPS AND ASSOCIATES, 1128 Sigsbee SE, Erskin L. Stanley Jr. BUDGET PRINT, 5095 Village Station Court, Caledonia, Collen Shoaf CALEDONIA PRINTING, 5095 Village Station Court, Caledonia, Colleen Shoaf DONALD ENSLEY JR. PAINTING CO., 8220 Wabasis NE, Rockford, Donald Ensley Jr. EAST TOWN PUBLISHING, 4269 Indian Spring SW, Grandville, Richard W. Reuther ELITE SOFTBALL – POLMATEER, 1811 Griggs SE, Holly Polmateer ETERNAL COFFEE, 3979 West River NE, Comstock Park, Paul Ce EVOLVE SALON, 4484 Cedar NE, Daniel L. Eggers HAMELIND CATTLE CO., 8369 Buckstone Court NE, Jacob A. Hamelind KELLEE’S CLEANING SERVICES, 2129 Holliday SW, Wyoming, Kellee L. Gifford

SEPTEMBER 7, 2021

KIM’S NAILS & SPA, 4763 Wilson SW, Grandville, Le T. Tran LADY LOVE BY PRICE ENTERPRISE, 1117 Wealthy SE, James O. Price LOOK AT ‘ER HOME INSPECTIONS, 1049 Park SW, Gary W. Jensen II MARK’S PAPER & PAINT, 4825 Ashley, Belding, Mark Dams MELANATED MOMS ON THE MOVE, 1423 Edward SE, Jimerka Ford MESSIAH CLOTHING CO., 366 Carriage Lane SW, Sabrina A. Barbera MICHIGAN OVERSTOCK LIQUIDATION, 3939 Michigan NE, Angela M. Nieves Velentin RHE’S COSMIC SALES 13186 Pinewood, Gowen, Marie A. Moore SERVICEMASTER RESTORATION BY THE DISASTER RESPONSE, 3063 Broadway SW, Grandville, Jared Huisken SHEBONGA, 350 Quimby NE, Kelly L. Keith SMART SPEEDY CLEANER, 1070 Clancy NE, Dennis L. Logins SMOKERZ LOOT, 248 N. Kenbrook, Robert Green THE COMMON & GENTRY CARRIAGE CO., 3665 15 Mile, Kent City, Connie Elasser THE SIDING CO., 115 Cromwell SE, Dyanna Lee VICTOR CARMONA SERVICES, 733 McKendrick SW, Victor Carmona Hernandez WALSH DECORATING, 4500 Knapp NE, Martin D. Walsh WEST MICHIGAN SIGNING AGENTS, 5144 Amanda SW, Grandville, Kirk P. Bloomquist WILLIAM KING CONSTRUCTION AND CONCEPTS, 2238 Horton SE, William J. King 2 ARMED SECURITY, 1216 Copper SE, Brian Collins AMERICAN JAZZ BAKERY, 323 Scott NW, Edward H. Reed B.J.R. CUSTOM HOME, 8935 Stanchion SW, Byron Center, Brian J. Roelofs CAROL BRINK EDUCATIONAL TESTING, 6435 Leisure Creek SE, Caledonia, Carol Brink CK REMESH, 572 W. 136th St., Grant, Christopher A. Kenway CLASSIC FOOD CO., 5060 Amanda SW, Grandville, Michael Volk CMM WELDING AND FABRICATING, 8776 Edgerton Court NE, Cedar Spring, Christopher S. Modzeleski COMPUTERTECHS ONSITE, 1410 Sherwood SE, Carleton J. Brown CORNER HAIR DESIGN AND SPA, 48 W. Lake, Sand Lake, Denise Hawley DEBORAH HOAG PHOTOGRAPHY, 36 Portsmouth NE, Deborah K. Hoag E&J GLOBAL, 4671 Devonwood Court NE, Lois M. Hicks FLAVOR SAVERZ, 1130 Baxter SE, Marcrease J. Witherspooon FLY TEEZ, 3935 Raven SW, Wyoming, Blanchetta C. Scott FORREST PRODUCTS, 1480 Grand River Drive, Ada, Forrest A. Groendyk I.T. SOLUTIONS, 135 E. Main, Caledonia, Steven C. Gilbert INEZA FAMILY DAYCARE, 475 60th SE, Kentwood, Laetitia Nirazibera J&A BUILDING SERVICES, 298 48th St. SE, Alicia Ramos JB BUILDERS, 10861 Belding Road NE, Belding, Joseph Lono JENNIE’S FITNESS, 823 Dickinson SE, Jennie V. Colar JUST AS I AM, P.O. Box 8861, Victoria A. Stapleton KRISTI RICHARDS HAIR, 639 Eastern NE, Kristina Richards KUUMBA ACCESSORIES, 3612 Ridgeway SE, Charlaine C. Morton MEL’S NUTRITION, 944 Grandville SW, Elsey M. Ramos MIND MATTERS, 1289 Perkins NE, Amy Barto MOST WANTED ROOFING, 1915 18 Mile, Kent City, Calvin Carlson NIMBUS OF WEST MICHIGAN, 3848 Leonard NE, Henry G. Fuhs Jr. PURRDY NERDY, 2651 Clyde Park SW, Wyoming, Kristin Jacobs RIVERTOWN APPRAISAL SERVICES, 3351 Shoshone SW, Grandville, Richard B. Annable SRJ INVESTMENT CO., 690 Braeside SE, Byron Center, Janice R. Philippe TC VENTURES, 137 Maplebrook NE, Temela Castaneda THE THRIFTY CHICK, 450 S. State, Sparta, Julie Gahagan TWO-TWO3, 1066 Sweet NE, Shana R. Felton WEST MICHIGAN PURSUIT, 725 2nd St., Cedar Springs, David E. Andrus WINE & WICK, THE CANDLE EXPERIENCE, 218 Madison SE, Shantell M. Streur YOU PLAY WE PRAISE, P.O. Box 8861, Victoria A. Stapleton

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.

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

SEPTEMBER 7, 2021

Taste of Hollywood comes to Grand Rapids Pediatric strength.

on’t be surprised if you start bumping into a few Hollywood types around town pretty soon. Principal photography is scheduled to begin this month for “Block Party,” a family comedy in the vein of “Barbershop” and “The Best Man Holiday.” African American-led production company Branch Out Productions has started pre-production on the movie, which will be filmed in Grand Rapids. The company also is hiring a Michigan-based casting director. Female-owned Branch Out Productions launched with a goal to make Michigan a hub for diverse actors, producers and filmmakers. Branch Out seeds and develops film and television projects for mainstream audiences created and curated by culturally diverse filmmakers and content creators. The story is the creation of Grand Rapids native and Branch Out Productions President Lisa Mathis. The film will be directed by the highly regarded Dawn Wilkinson. As of late last month, the production company was in final negotiations with several well-

BUSINESS JOURNAL STAFF

known actors, including Antoinette Robertson, Oscar-nominated Margaret Avery, Birgundi Baker, Emmy-nominated John Amos, Luenell and Charlyne Yi. Additionally, Mathis said the film will feature a variety of local actors and performers to round out the ensemble cast. “Our comedy, ‘Block Party,’ is set in Michigan, so it is important to add in as much regional flavor as possible,” said Mathis. “We’re making an extra effort to cast locally while bringing more jobs to Michigan to strengthen our hub for diverse actors, producers and filmmakers. We believe casting local actors is good for the economy and good for creativity.” The movie follows Harvard grad Keke McQueen, played by Robertson, who is eager to pursue the next stage of her life away from her beloved hometown of Grand Rapids for a lucrative career in Atlanta. But when she discovers that her once sharp Grandma Janice (Avery) is showing early signs of dementia, Keke puts her career at stake to save her grandma’s annual Juneteenth Block Party. During this time, in all the mayhem, Keke

falls back in love with her hometown and its people. Much of the photography is scheduled to take place this month at various Grand Rapids locations. Those interested in following the movie’s progress can check in on Instagram, @branchoutfilm, or visit the production company’s website at www.BranchOutFilms.com. ESSENTIAL SERVICE West Michigan Works! is accepting nominations for its 2021 Beverly A. Drake Essential Service Awards. The annual awards program recognizes frontline workers for going above and beyond. Honorees will be announced in November, recognized at an upcoming The Economic Club of Grand Rapids meeting and presented a $100 Meijer gift card. The nomination deadline is Sept. 21. “The past two years have shined a light on the significance of hardworking frontline workers, and they undoubtably deserve to be recognized,” said Mark Bergsma, chair of the West Michigan Works! workforce development board. Essential Service Awards categories include administrative/

office worker, skilled labor, nonprofit, cleaning/housekeeping/ groundskeeping, child care, food service, government, health care/ elder care, hospitality, retail and transportation. “As we continue navigating the pandemic, we need to recognize the countless behind-the-scenes essential workers who keep our businesses and communities strong,” Bergsma said. To be eligible for an Essential Service Award, individuals must have at least two years of employment with their current company; hold a nonmanagerial position; and exhibit pride in their job, a positive attitude, strong work ethic and effective time management. To learn more about the Essential Service Award or to nominate a frontline worker, people can visit westmiworks.org/esa. STANDING TALL A new life-size sculpture capturing the spirit and strength of pediatric patients at Bronson Children’s Hospital now stands on the grounds of Bronson Methodist Hospital at the corner of Vine and Jasper streets. The sculpture, created by artist Josh Diedrich, was unveiled on Aug. 24. The piece includes realistic bronze figures of six children. One of the images is a depiction of an actual mom with her baby born at Bronson. Other figures are loosely based on pictures that were submitted by parents of Bronson Children’s Hospital patients. This sculpture was funded through the Bronson Health Foundation in large part by the Polzin Family in memory of John Polzin who passed away in 2017. He served

STREET TALK on the Bronson Health Foundation Board of Directors from 1987-2015. “This piece honors John as he exemplified the healing power of kindness and humble generosity in our community to support Bronson’s youngest patients,” said Terry Morrow, vice president of development, Bronson Healthcare. “We honor John and his wife Kay for this donation and their longtime commitment to ensuring Bronson Children’s Hospital is fully prepared to care for children in our community.” Diedrich began the sculpture in his studio just before the start of the pandemic. He said after the first day of quarantine, he hauled the figures to his house. “I began adding clay to the statues in my living room,” he said. “I spent the next five months sculpting them from home … I was a patient myself for several long periods as a child as I needed to have my hands reconstructed. It’s my hope that every child going into the hospital can find themselves somewhere in the piece.” The sculpture is made of cast bronze, done in the traditional lost wax method. The statues are attached to a 2,000-pound pedestal made of cultured stone, ultra-high-performance concrete, over a steel framework. “We hope this sculpture serves as a visually pleasing landmark for Bronson Children’s Hospital,” Morrow said. “It reflects the commitment Bronson has made to being southwest Michigan’s only children’s hospital. Our dedicated pediatric and neonatal staff go above and beyond to provide specialized services and care for our young patients every day.”

Grand Rapids Business Journal 09.07.21

Articles inside

Street Talk