Grand Rapids Business Journal 10.18.21 by Grand Rapids Business Journal

SXANPRO secures medical device patent.

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OCTOBER 18, 2021 VOL. 39, NO. 21

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

THIS WEEK

HAGEDORN BRINGS ART TO PARTY Entrepreneur uses her education and experiences to create unique fundraisers and community events. Page 11

Donofrio’s plan Head of Business Leaders for Michigan talks ARP, state budget surplus spending strategies. PAGE 3

Home squeeze Rising prices and lagging income are a bad combination for homebuyers. PAGE 3

New Steelcase CEO steps into challenges Sara Armbruster brings diversified background to tackle the future of work. Rachel Watson

rwatson@grbj.com

Sara Armbruster took on every leadership opportunity that came her way at Steelcase before her promotion to president and CEO this month, and she expects to draw on that well-rounded experience as she guides the company into its next era. Armbruster became the first female president and CEO of Steelcase on Oct. 4, taking the reins from Jim Keane, who plans to retire in January 2022. She has a 14-year history at Steelcase, having held global executive leadership roles in multiple businesses, including Steelcase Education, Steelcase Health and PolyVision Corporation, which the company has since divested. Her responsibilities have included leading information technology, global design research, new business initiatives and the company’s global COVID-19 crisis response team. “I have been really fortunate to have a chance to work with cus-

tomers, with dealers, with different internal teams and globally over my tenure at Steelcase,” Armbruster said. “…I think those experiences will certainly be things that I draw on as I now take on the CEO role.”

Armbruster credited her achievement of becoming CEO to hard work and willingness to try everything and lead wherever she was needed, as well as to the fact that she had many mentors, boss-

es and leaders who challenged and guided her along the way. She said one of the things she is passionate about ensuring is CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Ford decision disheartens economic developers

STEADY COURSE Grand Rapids stays true to four-year strategic plan despite COVID-19. Page 4

Right Place CEO: Michigan will need to up its game as automaker invests $11B elsewhere

THE LIST

Rachel Watson

The area’s top business degree programs. Page 6

President and CEO Sara Armbruster said Steelcase built on its 2019 Flex Collection, adding extensions such as the Flex Active Frames, for NeoCon this month. Courtesy Steelcase

rwatson@grbj.com

When Ford announced its decision last month to invest $11 billion to expand in Tennessee and Kentucky over its home state, economic developers across the state felt the “sting.” In West Michigan, The Right Place President and CEO Randy Thelen, like all economic developers and alongside the entire auto industry, was closely following the

pending announcement from Ford as to where it would put its investment in electric vehicles and batteries, but he was not prepared for the news that the company would be investing $11.4 billion in a new mega campus in Tennessee and twin battery plants in Kentucky that would create 11,000 jobs and power the future of the company’s EVs. “It stings, right?” Thelen said. “I mean, Michigan is the home of the auto industry, and here in West Michigan, we have 400 auto suppliers and employ about 40,000 people, and so, as the auto industry shifts, we’ve got to make sure we keep as much of that work as close as possible because we have comCONTINUED ON PAGE 17

Ford plans to build its Blue Oval City campus in Stanton, Tennessee. Courtesy Ford Motor Company

Inside Track ...... 11 Guest Columns.. 18 EITC changes

UMCH works to expand Fresh Market pilot.

Change-Ups ..... 22 Calendar .......... 22 Public Record ... 23 Street Talk ...... 25

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GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

OCTOBER 18, 2021

CEO: One-time funds could transform Michigan Head of Business Leaders for Michigan talks ARP, state budget surplus spending strategies. Rachel Watson

rwatson@grbj.com

Since becoming president and CEO of Business Leaders for Michigan partway through the pandemic, Jeff Donofrio has urged state policymakers to take the influx of money on the table and apply it toward “transformational investments” in the state’s economic future. Donofrio recently spoke to the Business Journal about some ways he believes Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the state Legislature could use funding from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act and the state budget surplus — a total he estimates to be about $10 billion — to help make Michigan a more competitive state and give its residents greater economic opportunity. “Michigan has a once-in-a -generation opportunity to invest in talent development, entrepreneurship and job creation to help us emerge from the pandemic as a stronger, more competitive state,” Donofrio said in late August,

after Whitmer announced her $2.1 billion proposal for how she would like to see ARP funds allocated. “The governor’s proposed investment would help to close the skills gap, remove barriers to work, keep and attract talent, increase entrepreneurship and create jobs in Michigan. We look forward to working with the governor and legislative leadership on these and other transformational investments.” Earlier in August, when Business Leaders for Michigan published the report on its second-quarter 2021 member survey, Donofrio noted ARP dollars could “greatly expand opportunities for Michigan workers seeking to finish their college degree or start a new technical or skills program,” and the state also could “double down on increasing the number of Michiganders that complete training programs, choose to stay after graduation and move back to Michigan from out of state.” He said what the business roundtable means when it comments on Whitmer’s proposal and some of the other ideas and discussions happening in the Legislature is, “we want to focus on transformational investments, and you can help with these one-time dollars (to) do a few things: You could help make Michigan a more competitive state, you can help individuals and businesses close tal-

ent gaps (and) you could help individuals get better career pathways and higher-income jobs. … This is all in the realm of the possible if we invest this wisely. For inDonofrio stance, on talent, you’ve got a million people with some college and no degree in the state of Michigan. Could you help a certain number of them get back into four-year institutions or community colleges and achieve that college credential? Could you help additional individuals find that pathway to an apprenticeship program? … “On entrepreneurship, certainly we can help give mentorship and guidance to new entrepreneurs or existing entrepreneurs. We could help fund and kick off incubators and accelerators that exist oftentimes at universities or with partnerships with industries.” He referred to one such nascent partnership surrounding the future of mobility. Ford Motor Company’s Michigan Central development in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood is partnering with a Brooklyn, New York-based company called Newlab to solve complex transportation problems

related to connectivity, autonomy and electrification. “Newlab has the potential to bring lots of entrepreneurs into Michigan to grow their companies. Helping bring in and fund more of those types of activities would be a great use of, again, onetime dollars,” Donofrio said. Given Ford’s September announcement it will be investing $11 billion in electric vehicle and battery manufacturing in Tennessee and Kentucky over competing sites in Michigan, Donofrio said innovative partnerships and economic development investments are needed more than ever to give Michigan an edge. “The Ford announcement should be a wake-up call for all of us on at least two fronts: One, states around the country are really competing hard for jobs. They’re putting incentives, they’re putting other credits on the table, they’re investing huge amounts of dollars in site preparation for industrial sites and commercial sites, and they’re investing in their systems to make sure they have the best local, regional and statewide economic development organizations. Investments into all of those are going to be important for Michigan to be able to compete for the next decade,” he said. “We look at, in particular, Ten-

Chelsea Carter

ccarter@grbj.com

A Grand Rapids company is on the cutting edge of medical device technology that will allow users access to product information immediately. SxanPro, a small, woman-owned medtech business headquartered here, on Sept. 15 secured a patent for its mobile scanning technology of Unique Device Identification (UDI) barcodes on more than 3 million medical devices. The patent gives SxanPro ownership of the ability to extract data captured from the barcode, including expiration date, lot number, reference number, product description and manufacturer. “We are the first mobile app technology that can scan the manufacturer barcode off of medical devices,” said Ashley Souffrou, founder and CEO. Starting in 2013, the FDA required manufacturers to start putting UDI barcodes on all medical devices — similar to that of a UPC barcode for retail items or food. The intent was to provide rapid and accurate identification of any medical device in order to reduce and prevent medical errors that result from misidentifi-

cation or confusion surrounding the use of a device. “Now that the FDA requires medical devices to include a UDI barcode, manufacturers have to register their products with more than 20 details specific to that product,” said Souffrou. “Our technology gives any user, whether it is a health care facility or a manufacturer, immediate access to this data right from a mobile device.” The technology created by SxanPro allows health care facilities and their supply chain systems to effectively manage their products and inventory, saving countless hours that would have otherwise been spent on manual counting. The technology also reduces waste by providing visibility of current stock and its expiration dates, Souffrou which helps users to make proactive, data-driven decisions about the inventories on their shelves. “We created an app that can scan that barcode ... so that when we scan it, it gives you the visibility into the part number, the description, the manufacturer — all the data that hospitals currently rely on a multimillion-dollar inventory software system to use. So, what we try to do is create an easy-to-use, cost-effective tool that gives hospitals and surgery centers access to this data with-

out needing a multimillion-dollar software system,” Souffrou said. “Hospital systems have very sophisticated inventory management systems, but they don’t capture expiration. So, (if ) the product isn’t being used, it could sit there and expire.” SxanPro serves 10 health care systems in addition to smaller community hospitals with locations in Michigan, Arizona, California, Colorado and Florida. The company’s team has doubled in size over the past year and soon plans to move into an 8,500-square-foot facility to accommodate its rapid growth. “This patent establishes (Souffrou) as one of the very few leading women who will change health care supply management in the years to come,” said Erik Tivin, SxanPro board chair. “In the last decade, women-only investors were named to just 4% of patents issued and SxanPro will go far in disrupting health care supply chain practices to provide more meaningful and practical solutions for health care organizations.” It took 2.5 years to gain patent approval, Souffrou said, and she finds herself as one of very few woman patent holders. “I wasn’t aware of it. I didn’t go after it to say, ‘Oh, this is something that I want to do,’” she said. “It was just some information passed along to us. And I think it’s an interesting number, right? A disappointing number, but then it leads you to ask the questions of why. And so, I’m starting to

Home prices outpace income Average Kent County home price leaps to more than $300,000. Danielle Nelson

dnelson@grbj.com

Michigan ranks 45th among states issuing patents to women. Souffrou said she aims to be a driving force to change that landscape. “I think that for us, we didn’t gain the patent because of the 4%. We found out about that number, and now it’s an initiative that I want to take to, to help grow and develop women, which is always a passion of mine — working with other women business owners — and promoting women and mentoring young professionals as they

The pandemic disrupted a lot of things, but home prices were not one of them. According to the Grand Rapids Association of Realtors, the average home price in Kent County has increased by 25% from January 2019. The average home price in January 2019 was $232,902 and the average home price in August 2021 was $309,530 in Kent County. In the city of Grand Rapids, the median housing price in January 2019 was $159,900 and it is currently $245,000, per REDFIN. “The number of homes at the median price currently available in metro Grand Rapids compared to just two to three years ago has shrunk considerably,” said Seth Bellas, loan officer and branch manager for Churchill Mortgage. “If you’re talking about what the average family can really afford these days, it’s slim pickings, so buyers have to pivot by being ultra-aggressive at eliminating personal debt.” Despite the increase in home prices and limited inventory, wages have struggled to increase, and the pandemic didn’t make it any better as employers were forced to let employees go or furloughed them. According to Bellas, the median income growth from January 2019 to now is 8% in Kent County. The latest data from the website Department of Numbers, which contextualizes public data on economic measures, stated the median household income for residences in Kent County was $66,532 in 2019. “Fannie Mae tracks the average household income in specific areas to determine loan eligibility and they have the current household average income in Kent County for October at $80,800,” Bellas said. “The difference in the average home price is around $77,000 and the difference between the median wages in 2019 and 2021 is around $14,000 during the same amount of time, so the median in home prices is much higher than that of annual wage growth.” He said the available housing inventory shrunk by more than half in the last two years (1.3 months on the market in July 2019 to 0.6 months in July 2021) while debt-to-income ratios rose to levels that disqualified some previously qualified buyers. Nevertheless, Bellas, said more and more people are moving into the Grand Rapids area from places such as Texas, California, eastern Michigan, Chicago and other major metropolitan areas because of job opportunities and quality of

CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

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SxanPro secures medical device patent Founder discovers opportunity to support women in business through technology.

have some of those conversations with the Detroit patent office and with our legal team to figure out what ways, or how I can personally support other women who want to go down this path and this journey, because there isn’t a lot of support. ... You have to have the cash and it’s very expensive. I’d love to be a mentor for women who are in that space who want to take that chance on themselves.”

“Our technology gives any user, whether it is a health care facility or a manufacturer, immediate access to this data right from a mobile device.” Ashley Souffrou

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

OCTOBER 18, 2021

City stays course on strategic plan amid pandemic challenges Core values of accountability and transparency will remain decision drivers. Chelsea Carter

ccarter@grbj.com

Despite the flurry of challenges thrown at state and local officials over the last year, the city of Grand Rapids stayed true to its strategic plan and has a clear path heading into its next fiscal year.

City officials presented their work and accomplishments to city commissioners through the last fiscal year (July 1, 2020-June 30, 2021) and detailed key strategies planned for the 2021-22 fiscal year while remaining true to one of the plan’s core values: accountability. “This report is an accountability of the performance of our organization relative of the goals and objectives that were set in our strategic plan,” City Manager Mark Washington said. “As we continue to look through the

lens of our organization’s performance, we continue to lift our values, which were reinforced through the City Commission … on the values of sustainability, equity, accountability, collaboration, innovation and customer service. We will continue to make sure these are reflected along with our vision and mission in everything we do moving forward.” The city remains committed to its core values being a driving force in its successes as it moves into the third year of its four-year strategic plan. In addition to ad-

hering to the core value of accountability, the city’s core value of sustainability remained a guiding factor in maintaining employment of all city staff. “For sustainability too, there is really fiscal sustainability,” said Sustainability and Performance Management Officer Allison Waske Sutter. “And, of course, the city’s work led by our chief financial officer, Molly Clarin, in terms of maintaining budget during the COVID pandemic with significant income tax shortfalls — we’ve been able to strategical-

t r u e s t o ry

He made it first. We made it last. At the cusp of retirement twenty some odd years ago, a successful executive needed his assets to work harder than ever. He desired to travel widely; spend summers at the family cottage; support favored charities; help the grandkids pay for college; maintain the style of living to which he and his wife had become accustomed; build a new home; and still leave enough in his personal trust to benefit heirs. With stock options, 401(k) and other assets in hand, he turned to us and said, “Put these to work. I trust you.” It was trust well placed. In the ensuing decades, we managed his wealth through three recessions and countless unforeseen events. With investment skill, discipline, and the client’s financial well being at the center of every decision we made, his wealth not only was preserved, it increased. We’re the first to say not every story has such a fairy tale ending. But with client satisfaction rates approaching 100%, and our unwavering focus on integrity and trust, it is safe to say that Greenleaf Trust clients appear to live happily ever after. If you’d like to learn how we can help you achieve financial security from generation to generation, call us. We’ll give you the full story.

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

ly leverage federal funding and ARPA funding where we did not have to lay off any city staff, which is very atypical as most organizations and municipalities did.” As the Business Journal previously reported, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) federal funding enabled the city to maintain funding for its general, Vital Streets, sidewalk repair and capital reserve funds over two years to help remedy drastic losses in income tax revenue. Further guided by its sustainability practices, the city recently announced a carbon goal for municipal operations to have an 85% carbon reduction by 2030 and 100% reduction by 2040. Since 2008, the city has reduced carbon emissions of its municipal operations by 30%, and the construction of a solar plant currently underway will be a guiding force in reducing and ultimately eradicating its carbon impact. City executives also were quick pivot when it came to supporting the business community as exemplified by social zones, small business grants and other similar actions. “Grand Rapids has more social zones and districts than any other city in the state and so we were early and frequent adopters of it, and we think that there’s even more opportunity to help our businesses through the upcoming winter season,” Washington said. “So that continues to remain at the forefront; we’re going to talk about 2022 and how we can even build upon that as we plan for future specific deployments of some of the ARPA funding.” Other highlights included finalizing the attraction of Perrigo’s North American headquarters to the Medical Mile, paying $525,000 in economic recovery grants to 105 small businesses, and implementing the Business Retention & Expansion Program (BRE), which allowed the city, in partnership with The Right Place and Michigan Economic Development Corporation, to complete 52 BRE visits that sought to help leaders understand business needs and connect them to vital resources. “We are working on revising the Local Brownfield Revolving Fund,” said Sutter, “(which) is a policy working to prioritize firsttime developers and projects in our neighborhoods of focus, and we implemented an inclusion plan for our economic development projects that has achieved over $5 million for subcontractors’ commitments.” The Local Brownfield Revolving Fund was established to provide grants and loans to support eligible redevelopment projects within the city and “may also be used to pay for all or part of the cost of environmental assessments for real estate acquisitions,” according to the city’s website. Events, in particular, took a hit over the last fiscal year, dampening another primary economic development driver. After the cancellation of ArtPrize in 2020, the city partnered with Experience Grand Rapids, the Grand CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

financial goals is our top priority Now more than ever, people are looking for help with managing their financial lives. We offer our clients award-winning financial technology so they can control their finances with ease as well as personalized guidance to help them turn their goals into action. And our focus on financial education, including our Better Money Habits® program, helps clients make smart financial decisions and empowers economic mobility for all.

Bank of America is ranked #1:

My teammates and I here in Grand Rapids are proud of the impact we’re making, addressing critical needs and playing a vital role in the community where we live and serve.

Helping clients achieve their #1 in Customer their #1their in Customer #1 in Customer Helping Helping clients clients achieve achieve Satisfaction with Satisfaction with Satisfaction with Helpinggoals clients their financial is achieve our top priority Mobile Banking priority Online Banking Retail Banking financial financial goals goals is is our our top top priority Apps top among among National Advice financial goals is our priority National Banks Banks* is ranked #1: Renee Tabben Bank of America

Now more than ever, people are looking for help with managing their financial lives. We offer our clients award-winning financial Now more Now more than ever, than ever, can people are looking are looking for finances help forwith helpwith managing withease managing technology so people they control their as their financial their financial lives. lives. We offer We offer our clients our clients award-winning award-winning financial financial well more as personalized guidance help them turnwith theirmanaging goals Now than ever, people aretolooking for help technology technology so they so can they control can control their finances their finances with ease with as ease as into financial action. And ourWe focus financial including their lives. offeronour clientseducation, award-winning financial well as well personalized as personalized guidance guidance to help totheir them helpfinances them turn their turn goals their goals our Better Money Habits® program, helps clients make smart technology so they can control with ease as into action. into action. our Andfocus our focus on financial on financial education, including including financial decisions and empowers economic mobility for all. well asAnd personalized guidance to education, help them turn their goals our Better Money Habits® our program, program, helps helps clients clients makemake smartsmart intoBetter Money Habits® action. And our focus on financial education, including Mydecisions teammates and I here ineconomic Grand Rapids are proud of the financial financial decisions and empowers and empowers economic mobility mobility for all.for all. impact our Better Money Habits® program, helps clients make smart we’re making, addressing critical needs and playing a vital role in financial decisions and empowers economic all.impact My teammates My and I here and I in here Grand Grand Rapids are proud aremobility proud of theoffor impact the theteammates community where weinlive and Rapids serve. we’re we’re making, making, addressing addressing needs and playing andare playing aproud vitalaof role vital inrole in My teammates and Icritical herecritical inneeds Grand Rapids the impact the community the community where where we live weand liveserve. andneeds serve.and playing a vital role in we’re making, addressing critical

President, Bank of America Grand Rapids

the community where we live and serve. Renee Tabben President, Bank of America Grand Rapids ReneeRenee TabbenTabben President, President, Bank of Bank America of America Grand Grand RapidsRapids Renee Tabben President, Bank of America Grand Rapids

Bank of America Bank of America is ranked is ranked #1:#1: Bank of America is ranked #1: J.D. Power is a global leader in consumer insights, advisory services and data and analytics.

#1 in Customer #1 in Customer #1 in Customer Satisfaction with Satisfaction with Satisfaction with Mobile Banking #1 in Customer Banking #1 in Customer Banking #1 in Customer #1 in Customer #1Online in Customer #1Retail in Customer Apps among among National Advice Satisfaction Satisfaction with with Satisfaction Satisfaction with with Satisfaction Satisfaction with with #1 in Customer #1 in Customer #1 in Customer National Banks Banks* MobileMobile Banking Banking OnlineOnline Banking Banking Retail Retail Banking Banking with amongSatisfaction with Satisfaction AppsSatisfaction among Apps among among National National Advice Advice with Mobile Banking Online Banking Retail Banking National Banks National Banks Banks* Banks* global leader in consumer insights,Advice Apps amongJ.D. Power is aamong National and data and analytics. National Banks advisory services Banks* J.D. Power J.D. is Power a global is a leader global in leader consumer in consumer insights,insights, advisoryadvisory servicesservices and data and and data analytics. and analytics. J.D. Power is a global leader in consumer insights, advisory services and data and analytics.

Go to bankofamerica.com/grandrapids to learn how we’re delivering in our local communities. Go to bankofamerica.com/grandrapids to learn how we’re delivering in our local communities. Go to Gobankofamerica.com/grandrapids to bankofamerica.com/grandrapids to learn to learn howhow we’re we’re delivering delivering in our in local our local communities. communities. Go to bankofamerica.com/grandrapids to learn how we’re delivering in our local communities. *Tied in 2021 for online banking among national banks. For J.D. Power 2021 award information, visit jdpower.com/awards. Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender © 2021 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

*Tied in 2021 for online banking among national banks. For J.D. Power 2021 award information, visit jdpower.com/awards. Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender © 2021 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

*Tied in*Tied 2021infor2021 online forbanking online banking among national among national banks. For banks. J.D. For Power J.D.2021 Poweraward 2021information, award information, visit jdpower.com/awards. visit jdpower.com/awards. Bank of America, Bank of America, N.A. Member N.A. Member FDIC. Equal FDIC.Housing Equal Housing Lender Lender © 2021©Bank of America 2021 Bank of America Corporation. Corporation. All rights Allreserved. rights reserved. *Tied in 2021 for online banking among national banks. For J.D. Power 2021 award information, visit jdpower.com/awards. Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender © 2021 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

OCTOBER 18, 2021

THE LIST

Top Area Graduate Business Degree Programs (RANKED BY 2020 WEST MICHIGAN ENROLLMENT EXCLUSIVELY IN GRADUATE BUSINESS DEGREE PROGRAMS.) 2020 enrollment in graduate business degree Minimum Program director(s) programs Accreditation undergrad GPA 1

Davenport University 6191 Kraft Ave. SE Grand Rapids 49512 p (800) 686-1600 davenport.edu

Cost per Average time to credit hour complete degree

Minimum managerial experience preferred

Graduate business degree programs offered

Mike Carey

297

IACBE

2.75

$906

2 years

Not required

Master of Accountancy, Master of Business Administration, Master of Management, Executive MBA, competency-based MBA

Baker College Center for Graduate Studies 1903 Marquette Ave. Muskegon 49442 p (855) 487-7888 f 766-2051 baker.edu/academics/graduatestudies

Bart Daig Lesa Louch Chuck Gurden John Vinton Na Li Polly Bashore

278

IACBE

2.5

$695

18-24 months

3 years

Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in information systems, Doctor of Business Administration

Grand Valley State University 50 Front Ave. SW Grand Rapids 49504 p (616) 331-7400 gvsu.edu/seidmangrad

Koleta Moore

212

AACSB

3.0

$773

2 years

3 years

MBA, EMBA, MSA, MST

Central Michigan University Grand Rapids 1633 East Beltline Ave. NE Grand Rapids 49525 p (616) 361-4160 f 361-4170 cmich.edu/grandrapids

Aparna LhIla Kaleb Patrick

AACSB

2.7

$725

2 years

Not required

Aquinas College 1700 E. Fulton St. Grand Rapids 49506 p (616) 632-8900 f 732-4489 aquinas.edu

Linda Hagan

DND

2.8

$570

16 months full time, 27 months part time

2 years

Calvin University 3201 Burton St. SE Grand Rapids 49546 p (616) 526-6000 calvin.edu

Marilyn Stansbury

Other

3.0

$740

12 months fulltime

None

Master of Science in administration, MBA online

Master of Management with concentrations in marketing management, organizational leadership and sustainable business Master of Accounting, Master of Business Administration

The Grand Rapids Business Journal list of top area graduate business degree programs, ranked by 2020 West Michigan enrollment exclusively in graduate business degree programs, is the most comprehensive available. The list is based on responses to Business Journal surveys. The Business Journal defines "West Michigan" as Allegan, Kent, Ottawa and Muskegon counties. The Business Journal surveyed 17 institutions; 6 returned surveys and 6 are listed. To be considered for future lists, email dnelson@grbj.com. DND = Did not disclose

Achieve your dream Whether your dream is to earn a better salary, advance your career or finish what you started, Davenport University can help you get there. We offer career-focused degree programs in business, technology, health and urban education. Take classes full time, part time, online or on campus. With six start dates, you can begin at your convenience and complete your degree at a pace that works with your busy life.

Learn more: visit davenport.edu/achieve

President to retire Calvin University President Michael Le Roy will not renew his contract following the 2021-22 academic year. He will be stepping down to be closer with his family in the northwest.

New center opens Grand Valley State University opened the new Daniel and Pamella DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health at its downtown Grand Rapids Health Campus.

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@ GRBJ.com

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

OCTOBER 18, 2021

PROFESSIONAL MBA • Earn your MBA in 22 months while working • Engage with a hands-on capstone consulting project • Tap into valuable community and business connections • Hybrid and remote learning options

THE TRANSFORMATION BEGINS HERE

• Personalized leadership development • Exceptional faculty www.gvsu.edu/seidmangrad

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

POST ESTATE

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GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

OCTOBER 18, 2021

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 Andrew T. Blum 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

Alles Law PC Bosch Killman VanderWal PC Drew Cooper & Anding Gruel Mills Nims & Pylman PLLC Gruel Mills Nims & Pylman PLLC Gruel Mills Nims & Pylman PLLC Gruel Mills Nims & Pylman PLLC Gruel Mills Nims & Pylman PLLC Gruel Mills Nims & Pylman PLLC Gruel Mills Nims & Pylman PLLC Miller Canfield Miller Canfield Miller Canfield Miller Canfield Silver & Van Essen PC Silver & Van Essen PC Sinas Dramis Law Firm The Molde Law Firm Warner Norcross + Judd LLP Willey & Chamberlain LLP Willey & Chamberlain LLP

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Economic report shows highs and lows of comeback Labor shortage, supply chain disruptions will hamper manufacturing output. Danielle Nelson

dnelson@grbj.com

There are some glimpses of economic recovery in West Michigan, but the region has a long way to go as the effects of COVID-19 still loom. Brian Long, director of Supply Management Research at the Seidman College of Business at Grand Valley State University, released the September economic report from the Institute for Supply Management Survey and it shows a mixed bag of results. According to the report, the unemployment rate in the state declined to 4.7%, eclipsing August’s rate, which stood at 4.8%. The unemployment rate for Kent County is 4.1% for the month of September. There was a record-breaking number of job postings. However, individuals are hesitant to return to the workforce. The report cited numerous reasons including concerns that COVID-19 rates will start surging again and unresolved day care issues. Nevertheless, employers are using different tactics to entice individuals back into the workforce

by offering incentives such as higher wages and signing bonuses. As a result, the index of employment is +27, up from +19 in August. Long said there have been Long some temporary layoffs because of the struggling automotive industry that have affected manufacturers and employers worldwide. The issue stems from the shortage of computer chips, which is causing frustration among automotive manufacturers, dealers and customers. The computer chip shortage “could last for at least another year or more,” according to the report. The chip-shortage issue is evident in the third quarter reports from General Motors and Ford, which reported sales were down 33.1% and 27.6%, respectively. Other companies also suffered declining sales in the quarter, including Stellantis (Chrysler) declining 8.8%. Among the transplants, American Honda skidded 10.9%, Subaru dropped 16.5%, Nissan fell 10% and Hyundai-Kia eased by 9.1%. “The entire U.S. auto industry — including the Asian manufacturers, which were doing a bit better than their do-

mestic counterparts until recently — is in an incredibly volatile position right now and we are seeing inflated retail prices across the board,” said Jessica Caldwell, Edmunds’ executive director of insights. Although the auto industry is suffering some setbacks, the manufacturing industry as a whole continues to thrive in terms of demand, but a labor shortage and threat of continued supply chain disruptions threaten the industry’s short-term outlook. The report revealed the shortage of employees has caused an increase in backlogs of work as orders are left unfilled, yet the “prices charged for those goods leaving the factory gate also surged higher again in September, rising at a rate exceeding anything seen in nearly 15 years of survey history.” “With COVID-19 cases showing signs of having peaked early both domestically and globally, some of the supply chain and labor shortage issues should start to ease, in turn taking some of the pressure off prices,” Chris Williamson, chief business economist at IHS Markit, stated in the report. “But a dip in manufacturers’ expectations for the year ahead to the lowest for four months due to supply worries underscores how production is likely to be adversely affected by shortages for some time to come.”

OCTOBER 18, 2021

CEO: One-time funds could transform Michigan CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

nessee and Kentucky, and they had invested a lot of money into site development for years — probably five or six years, if not longer. This is a culmination of some planning that happened maybe starting a decade ago in those states. And that’s why we have to make sure Michigan is planning right now for three to four to five to 10 years (ahead) what we want to look like (and) where the auto industry is moving. “The other wake-up call … is that the acceleration of the transition from internal combustion engine production to electrification and electric vehicles is happening. We have 47,000 jobs here in Michigan that are directly related to producing internal combustion engines, transmissions and drive trains. … Those jobs have a multiplier effect in the community, so it probably represents something like 170,000 jobs here in Michigan that are supported through the internal combustion drive train manufacturing. We have a lot of risk. We’re probably the No. 1 state for those types of jobs, and we have to make sure that the facilities and the people who are working on the lines right now are going to be the best prepared for that new electric vehicle future.” He added the future of mobility also means Michigan will need to invest in EV charging stations so

consumers will be able to buy the vehicles of the future and be able to charge them wherever they go. Donofrio said state leaders should not only consider investments in working adults, businesses and industry, but they should start at the beginning of life. “Our competitiveness over the next 10 years (also) is going to depend on us making smart investments today in talent and economic development in the K-12 systems,” he said. “That’s what this I think (represents), is an opportunity with these ARP dollars and some of the surplus dollars that exist in Lansing today. … If we can do things that help increase the competitiveness of an individual and help them move along their career pathway, that’s going to benefit Michigan in our economy, and it’s going to help communities and people thrive.” After recent meetings in Lansing, Donofrio said he is hopeful the state, regional and local policymakers are thinking wisely about all the gaps that need filling in Michigan’s economy. “The conversation I heard in Lansing is very encouraging around the way people are trying to approach this,” he said. “There’s a lot of money on the table right now, and if we’re smart about it, we can do really great things to help put Michigan on a much better path over the next 10 years.”

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INSIDE TRACK

Hagedorn brings art to the party dnelson@grbj.com

hether it’s fashion, entrepreneurship, painting or cooking, Cynthia Hagedorn has done it all and continues to do so for the benefit of her community. She is the owner of The Property in Lowell, which she uses to have she calls Lawn pARTies so the public and community leaders can paint and eat, all the while raising funds for various programs such as Care on Canvas. Hagedorn is currently enrolled at Cornell University to pursue a certification as a whole food plant-based chef. While she’s doing that, she’s using her love of food and cooking as a fundraiser to help children and adults. The Care on Canvas program is a partnership between Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital and Make-A-Wish Foundation where Hagedorn paints with kids who are fighting cancer. Hagedorn’s venture into entrepreneurship was not something that was foreign to her. The Cadillac native grew up in a family where her parents owned a salon shop in the city’s downtown area. By way of her parents, Hagedorn was connected to her community. That sense of community never left her as she grew older. When she went off to college, Hagedorn knew she wanted to pursue a career in fashion at Northwood University. However, she ended up studying macroeconomics and later receiving a degree in art anthropology from Indiana University Bloomington. “It’s all about understanding the business platform to thrive in the arts,” she said. “Art anthropology connects fashion and design with economics because art anthropology is a study of the arts and how it (creates) bridges for people to understand each other.” When she graduated, she started a business called Time Savers, which was an errand service. She cleaned houses, cooked dinners and shopped for families.

After a few years of running her business, Hagedorn started her family. Her then-husband was enrolled at Western Michigan University to become a physician assistant. She was a stay-at-home mom, but when her entrepreneurial spirit kicked in, she started selling children’s and educational books. After he graduated, they spent two years in Toledo, Ohio, where he worked for a children’s hospital. Hagedorn began homeschooling their children and her teaching method was literature-based. “Whether we were learning about the French culture or Michelangelo, we would always bring in books, whether story books, chapter books, reference books or periodicals,” she said. “The children and I would take trips. Instead of field trips, we would call them our safaris. We would go to the Detroit Zoo, Battle Creek Zoo, Toledo Zoo and the Cleveland botanical gardens. We would go and we would study different topics. We would be gone for a week at a time. Our process for education was called unschooling. It was just let kids be kids. They would play, but also talk to different professionals. Instead of doing science projects in a classroom, we would talk to the scientists at colleges and universities.” While homeschooling was important, Hagedorn said she also wanted her kids to socialize with other children. She decided to start a book club that grew to include 50 to 60 children who were in grade one or lower. They would have different events at least three times per week including Valentine’s Day parties, St. Patrick’s Day parties and other gatherings. Hagedorn continued that tradition of homeschooling when she and her family moved to Holland and when her children got older, she decided to send them to school. Nevertheless, Hagedorn continued a homeschooling program for children who were in elementary school. “They had a lot of programming for children who were in sixth, seventh and eighth grades

CYNTHIA HAGEDORN Organization: The Property Position: Executive Producer Age: 54 Birthplace: Cadillac Residence: Lowell Family: Daughter August and son Alden Community/Business Involvement: Partnerships with Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, Grand Rapids Children’s Museum Biggest Career Break: “When I started Kids Art Fest because it launched me into the community of Grand Rapids. With Kids Art Fest I was involved with so many community leaders.”

When the pandemic ruined a painting project, Cynthia Hagedorn instead delivered more than 200 art kits to children stuck at home.

Entrepreneur uses her education and experiences to create unique fundraisers and community events. Danielle Nelson

OCTOBER 18, 2021

and in high school, but they didn’t have anything for kindergarten, first, second or third grade students and that is really the time when children need to have intime with their friends. That’s why I started that program in Holland,” she said. Although Hagedorn established her homeschooling program, she said she found that she still had a lot of time on her hands, so she took her love for fashion to the streets of Holland and launched an event called Live Mannequin Night where businesses and restaurants would have individuals pose as a mannequin in their window once per year. “I would work with the stores to have people pose as mannequins in their window,” she said. “The individual would stand perfectly still like a mannequin for an hour and a half. We did themes. For example, one of the themes for a wine store in downtown Holland was music. They had a model dressed like Amy Winehouse standing still while holding a glass with wine in her hand. “Each year was a different theme, and each store came up with a new idea or concept based on a theme that related to what they were selling. The idea was that it would give attention to the connectiveness. When people are walking by, they can say, ‘Wow, look at that.’” She produced the event for 10 years in Holland and it is still occurring in the city now. Hagedorn produced Live Mannequin Night in St. Joseph and also in Grand Rapids, which was called Down-

town Live. During that same time period, Hagedorn started a children’s program for the Holland Farmers Market, which included a chef demonstration series. She also became the director of galleries at the Holland Area Arts Council, and she launched a business called Downtown Ducere, where she worked with the visitor’s bureau to give tours of the city. Hagedorn later wanted to focus more on children and healing and through her role at the arts council, she started working with Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital for an artist-in-residence pilot program. Due to construction at the hospital, she decided to put the program on hold. Not long after, she began partnering with other community leaders to produce Kids Art Fest for the first three years of ArtPrize. Kids Art Fest still is taking place during ArtPrize. In addition to producing Live Mannequin Nights, Kids Art Fest, starting Downtown Ducere and conducting homeschool programming, Hagedorn also started camps for kids, taught in classrooms and lectured at libraries, but when the pandemic started, she said she had to “reinvent herself.” Hagedorn was launching a fundraiser at restaurants for her Care on Canvas program, which is an extension of the artist-in-residence program she started at the children’s hospital. The idea of the Care on Canvas fundraiser at restaurants involved Hagedorn partnering with food and beverage establishments to paint inside their space. The pub-

lic could pay to paint based on a particular theme. The pandemic put a halt to that program before it even started. “It was all set to launch and then everything shut down,” she said. “I had a lot of supplies, and I was ready to go. I had everything written out like business proposals and everything. “So, I decided to do a delivery service because all the kids were at home. I was home and I had all the supplies, I delivered them to people’s houses. I did pick-ups and drop-offs. The kits had glue sticks, glitter, coloring sheets, paper and the concept of their theme. It was basically what they would have done at a restaurant. I probably dropped off 200 kits. I delivered 60 kits for Valentine’s Day at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.” Then, Hagedorn decided to create Lawn pARTies at The Property. The Lawn pARTies were based on an artist, such as Van Gogh. All the table settings were centered around that theme. Hagedorn also did other art-related events. Recently, she decided to start tastings, brunch and dinner pARTies, where the funds will go toward Care on Canvas. Those events made use of her work with whole food chef certification. “I have no intentions of doing anything more with that,” she said. “I mainly just want to better the experiences of people who come here. I want to deepen my understanding of cuisine and especially nutrition. It’s just an extra interest in that.”

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GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

OCTOBER 18, 2021

UMCH works to expand Fresh Market pilot South Division food store raises profile among neighbors, adds hours and classes, seeks volunteers. Rachel Watson

rwatson@grbj.com

United Methodist Community House has under its belt just over six months of running its Fresh Market and is in the process of expanding its hours and offerings for residents of 49507. Grand Rapids-based United Methodist Community House in April launched The Fresh Market at UMCH at its owned building at 900 Division Ave. SE in Grand Rapids. The Fresh Market is a pilot program supported by seed funding from Access of West Michigan and other donors, and UMCH is currently working to make it sustainable and long-lasting. Located in the racially diverse 49507 ZIP code that has been called a food desert, the Fresh Market at UMCH — which is open to all — is designed to bring healthy, affordable food options to residents of southeast Grand Rapids, including those who are food insecure. Founded in 1902, UMCH has a long history of taking a holistic approach to meet the evolving needs of its neighbors in southeast Grand Rapids, which now includes the need for affordable food.

UMCH sources mostly organic seasonal produce and some dry goods from Cherry Capital, FarmLink, Groundswell and New City Farm to supply families with healthy options. The market accepts seven forms of payment, including EBT, Snap, MasterCard, Visa, cash and more — allowing for customers to use their government assistance to pay for their goods, and it also offers sliding scale pricing based on household income. Carla Moore, co-CEO of UMCH alongside Eric Williams, said it’s important to note that families and individuals of all income levels and locations are welcome to shop at the market, and that when people who can pay full price frequent the store, it helps generate the revenue to keep it going, which in turn provides greater impact and greater access for families in need. Moore said the pandemic has brought many challenges to the pilot market, which initially was open 4-7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursdays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, but had to reduce its hours down to one day a week — 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays — due to not being able to find enough staff to run it on other days. “It is a pilot program for us, and so that means there have been a lot of learning opportunities,” Moore said. “It is going well in terms of what we’re able to provide, neighbors becoming aware

MISSION motion IN

that we’re actually present, those kinds of things, but there have been some growing pains. This job market is really, really tough right now, and so having the appropriate staff and types of staff to really move like we wanted to has been somewhat of a challenge, to the point where we’re operating under reduced hours.” She said despite the tough labor market, UMCH made enough noise about needing more staff and volunteers that it was able to hire someone, and it has been contacted more frequently by prospective volunteers, as well. To run the shop most effectively, she said UMCH needs about three to four consistent volunteers in the market, as well as paid staff. The Fresh Market planned to reopen a few more days a week as of press time, but Moore said people should continue to check thefreshmarketatumch.com for the latest updates. Moore said it’s rewarding to be involved with The Fresh Market when she thinks about consumers like one woman from the neighborhood who comes in to buy tomatillos that she then incorporates into salsa verde, which she sells in the community as a side business. UMCH also is looking forward to launching health education, nutrition and cooking classes later this fall after seeing some customCONTINUED ON PAGE 21

United Methodist Community House in April launched The Fresh Market at UMCH at its owned building at 900 Division Ave. SE in Grand Rapids.. Courtesy The Fresh Market at UMCH

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OCTOBER 18, 2021

SxanPro secures medical device barcode patent CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

come out of college,” she said. After graduating from Western Michigan University, Souffrou began her first job working for Stryker in its reprocessing division. After seeing the need first-hand for what she refers to as “sustainable solutions that provide cost-savings,” she then started a distributorship where she and her team members represented five small companies that provided solutions in reprocessing, re-sterilization, and buying and selling surplus used supplies. The experience opened her eyes to the amount of time it took to track supplies and also see the high volume of dollars and products wasted in the industry. “It is estimated that $5 bil-

Home prices outpace income

lion are lost annually in hospitals across the country due to product expiration,” Souffrou said. “So, when the FDA started making all these barcode changes, I just started educating myself on what that meant for the industry. Where was all this data being housed? How do you access it? You know, just kind of teaching myself about it,” she said. It was then, after 13-plus years of experience in the medical device and health care industries, that Souffrou decided to take a chance on herself and her idea for

the SxanPro application. SxanPro closed its first investment round in August, giving the company the opportunity to scale, hire, and grow to service hospitals nationwide. Souffrou does her best to maintain a business model that supports both small and women-owned businesses. “My goal has been to keep our business and technology local. So, the businesses that we’ve partnered with, whether they were legal teams or developers, or graphic designers, everybody is right

here in West Michigan. ... I come from a family of entrepreneurs and so I wanted to make sure that we supported other small businesses here in West Michigan, and we continue to do that.” SxanPro also has formed partnerships with local schools such as Grand Valley State University to tap into local talent. “Our business model’s pretty unique where we’re a startup, we’re small business, but there’s a lot of big corporations here that can offer a lot of opportunities for graduates. But to be able to

work for a company that’s in this development stage, I mean, the experience that you get working for a smaller business is fantastic. And we want to be able to provide that opportunity to some of those Grand Valley students, if possible,” she said. SxanPro also is in the process of becoming Women-Owned Small Business certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration. More information on SxanPro is available at sxanpro.com

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life. As a result, they are in search of homes. With limited inventory, home prices continued to move upward during the pandemic, in part because people realized they didn’t want to stay where they were. Although there was a shutdown, it didn’t deter real estate agents from giving tours of homes digitally. “I think that there was a huge increase in buyers flooding the market because they realized, as a result of the pandemic, they were spending Bellas a lot of time in homes or apartments that they didn’t really love,” Bellas said. “They were kind of trapped in those smaller spaces for long periods of time. They didn’t have enough room. They didn’t really have a place dedicated for an office or a work-from-home setup, so there was an increase in competition in the housing market.” That only magnified the discrepancy between home prices and wages, however, and as a result lenders now are trying to help individuals close the gap. “The math is going in the wrong direction, so I think the evolution you’re seeing with many local lenders is an increasing specialization in debt counseling and money management,” said Bellas. “It can seem like a mountain for many first-time and working-class buyers, but it can be done. We recently worked with a couple who took their monthly debt load from a plus $3,500 to under $1,800 while paying off $112,000 in consumer debt. They’re on their way and others can be, too.”

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New Steelcase CEO Armbruster steps into challenges CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Steelcase is a company where people from all genders, backgrounds and identities can share in the same opportunities for growth she was fortunate enough to receive. Armbruster said Steelcase is amid a lengthy diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) assessment process initiated under Keane’s tenure that is revealing its strengths and weaknesses in terms of living up to its core values of empowering and including all people and treating everyone with dignity and respect. “We maintain a strong commitment to moving forward on that journey. A couple of areas where we’ve recently set DEI commitments and focus areas are related to building diverse teams that reflect our communities, ensuring equitable development opportunities — so that ties a little bit back to (my experience); I had great opportunities given to me that helped me develop — but how can we aspire to be a place where everyone has access to opportunities to grow and develop, and then, thirdly, continuing our emphasis on inclusion and making sure that our culture is a highly inclusive one,” she said. “We are working with detailed action plans against each of those areas and really ensuring that we continue to keep our people at the heart of what we do and continue to ensure that our focus on people remains one of the reasons that

our employees find meaning in the work they do and continue to love working for Steelcase.” Armbruster said Steelcase has had historically good retention rates that have slipped a tad recently due to a few factors, including the impact of COVID-19, as well as the global demand for technological skills that have given employees other job opportunities to consider. She said the company does use attrition as an opportunity to hire diverse talent, but Steelcase also is working to diversify its workforce as it grows into new markets and creates jobs in those areas. “The more important way that we’re looking to attract lots of different kinds of people to the organization is through the growth and change in our business,” she said. “As we have the opportunity to explore new types of business or hybrid work or the investments we’ve made in starting to build more of a consumer business … those have created terrific opportunities to bring new people into the organization. Even though we have high retention, we’re still doing new things that allow us to say, ‘Hey, we want to go out and find the best people we can who have expertise in an area that can contribute to our growth.’” Steelcase reported secondquarter fiscal year 2022 results on Sept. 23 that showed orders grew 24% compared to the prior year and 12% over the first quarter, while revenue declined 11% in Q2 compared to the prior year,

which had a stronger order backlog due to pent-up demand from COVID-related manufacturing shutdowns. The company is projecting Q3 revenue growth of 22% to 27% over the prior year based on the current order backlog. Armbruster said the fluctuations in Steelcase’s revenue seem to be par for the course for a global company that is affected by various parts of the world experiencing and recovering from COVID-19 surges at varying times. “Different parts of the world went into the pandemic at different points in time and have started to recover from the pandemic at different points in time, and we’ve also seen some variation in terms of that same dynamic by segment of the market,” she said. “For example, (in) our education business, there’s quite a bit of, in the U.S., federal stimulus money to support investment in education, so we certainly anticipate that education, as a result, will be a strong market segment for a period of time due to that funding. We’re seeing different parts of the business ebb and flow as the whole world works its way out of the pandemic and back to a new normal.” As Armbruster spoke, she was in Chicago attending NeoCon 2021, the commercial design world’s largest conference, which was delayed nearly a year and a half due to the pandemic. The delay, however, gave Steelcase time to perform and analyze volumes of research on

how the pandemic changed the office work landscape, and how the company can make the new hybrid work experience “easy, engaging and equitable.” Fortunately, Armbruster said Steelcase was an early adopter of video telecommunication software such as Microsoft Teams going back a decade, and it was able to continue designing products that integrated well with video technology to help businesses navigate the transition to 100% remote work, then to more of a hybrid model as the world began to reopen for business. For exArmbruster ample, an innovation on display at one of Steelcase’s NeoCon showrooms is a mobile cart developed to pair with Microsoft’s 85-inch Surface Hub, which is used in collaboration studios — the screen size giving virtual meeting participants the opportunity to appear lifesized on the screen — and then it can be moved to other rooms for other purposes. “It creates, to me, a very engaging and natural experience when you’re talking to somebody via video,” Armbruster said. “And then, of course, that device has whiteboard capabilities and a whole host of things that create a really great technology experience for people coming together.” She said among Steelcase’s goals are that every shared space should offer intuitive, easy-to-use, mobile technology. With that purpose in mind, for NeoCon, Steelcase built on its 2019 Flex Collection, adding extensions such as the Flex Active Frames, adaptable, customizable, modular structures that allow for different

shelving, open or closed storage, and infills or insets that allow technology, whiteboards or tackboards to be mounted as needed. The collection also offers the Flex Media Carts that hold monitors up to 65 inches, and the new Flex Perch Stool for touchdown spaces. The latter is made through a partnership with BASF and reduces the use of fossil resources through CCycling, an innovation that transforms post-consumer waste from electronics production — once impossible to recycle into like-new raw material needed for high-quality products — reducing waste and reliance on fossil resources associated with carbon emissions. Armbruster said the Perch Stool fits well into Steelcase’s sustainability goals. “There’s a lot of great user needs that it supports in very active, collaborative types of sessions, but it also has a terrific sustainability message that we’re really proud of,” she said. NeoCon gave Steelcase a chance to demonstrate its relevance and ability to meet evolving needs, Armbruster said, adding she is full of hope for the future. “I feel positive about Steelcase’s future and really optimistic for where the company is headed, because we understand the experiences that people want and need to have to thrive at work, and as Steelcase always has been, we remain committed to being a trusted partner, both to our customers, as well as to the architecture and design community, because everybody is trying to rethink the role of workplace, and they’re thinking about how they shape their culture and what they need to do to thrive in this new era of hybrid work,” she said. “I feel … that we have the insights as well as the solutions to help be that trusted partner and help people move forward.”

City stays course on its strategic plan CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI) to create a monthlong event that encouraged the community to enjoy cultural activities, food, music, art and more, all while abiding by COVID-19 safety measures. “There were some huge impacts on special events and that draws a lot of people to our community,” Sutter said. “And so, I think in particular, our office of special events did a phenomenal job working to develop a new engagement called ‘The Bridge,’ (which was) a big partnership with DGRI and other community partners to get people out in frequenting businesses, evening during the pandemic, and doing it safely.” As the city looks ahead to the 2021-22 fiscal year, it plans to

continue to move forward by all means necessary while still abiding by its core values and keeping community members at the center of its work. “I think, big-picture, in terms of looking at both our values and the vision that we set out for our community, those are things that have remained constant and have kept us focused during the crisis,” Sutter said. “And I think we couldn’t have had better timing to have had those in place before the COVID pandemic hit, and I have found a lot of value in our leadership continuing to lead and our organization continuing to embrace those values and embed them throughout our entire organization.” The city’s full strategic plan, as well as its performance dashboard, can be found on the city website at grandrapidsmi.gov/ government.

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

OCTOBER 18, 2021

Ford decision disheartens economic developers CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

panies throughout Michigan and throughout the Midwest serving those facilities. “There may be opportunities for our supply base to serve Tennessee for a while, but over time, what happens is maybe the first model, you can supply with suppliers from Michigan, maybe the second gen, you can supply from Michigan, but by the time the third one comes around, suddenly the supply chain starts to congregate closer and closer to the auto assembly plant. It stings; it hurts — it should hurt. A longstanding, core industry of our state is starting to spread more and more across the country, and we’ve got to find ways to be more attractive and more competitive.” Ford’s plan The two campuses in Tennessee and Kentucky will produce the next generation of electric F-Series trucks and the batteries to power future electric Ford and Lincoln vehicles. Ford plans to make the largest-ever U.S. investment in electric vehicles at one time by any automotive manufacturer and, together with its partner, SK Innovation, plans to invest $11.4 billion and create nearly 11,000 new jobs at the Tennessee and Kentucky mega-sites. An all-new $5.6 billion mega campus in Stanton, Tennessee, called Blue Oval City, will create about 6,000 new jobs and reimag-

ine how vehicles and batteries are manufactured. Blue Oval City will become a vertically integrated ecosystem for Ford to assemble an expanded lineup of electric F-Series vehicles and will include a BlueOvalSK battery plant, key suppliers and recycling. Ford’s new Tennessee Thelen assembly plant is designed to be carbon neutral with zero waste to landfill once fully operational. In central Kentucky, Ford plans to build a dedicated battery manufacturing complex with SK Innovation — the $5.8 billion BlueOvalSK Battery Park — creating 5,000 jobs. Twin battery plants on the site are intended to supply Ford’s North American assembly plants with locally assembled batteries for powering next-generation electric Ford and Lincoln vehicles. Investments in the new Tennessee and Kentucky battery plants are planned to be made via BlueOvalSK, a new joint venture to be formed by Ford and SK Innovation, subject to definitive agreements, regulatory approvals and other conditions. The news comes amid strong demand for the new Ford F-150 Lightning truck, E-Transit and Mustang Mach-E electric vehicles, and it is on top of Ford’s recent announcement to expand production capacity and

add jobs at the Ford Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn. Part of Ford’s more-than-$30 billion investment in electric vehicles through 2025, the investments in Tennessee and Kentucky support the company’s longer-term goal to create a sustainable American manufacturing ecosystem and to accelerate its progress toward achieving carbon neutrality, backed by science-based targets in line with the Paris Climate Agreement. Overall, Ford expects 40% to 50% of its global vehicle volume to be fully electric by 2030. The decision Exectutive Chair Bill Ford told the Detroit News when the news broke that “of course” Michigan was seriously considered for the project, but the state lacked four essential components to land the investment — shovel-ready sites, sufficiently attractive economic incentives at the state and local levels, competitive utility rates for such a large-scale operation, and a workforce trained in the advanced skillsets required in the jobs of the future. Thelen called the decision “a setback for Michigan.” “The automotive industry is Michigan’s game to lose, and we’ve lost the first inning,” he said. “This announcement brings back memories of pivotal moments from decades past in Michigan’s economic history. I was a college intern when General Motors Corp. decided to close the Willow Run

plant in Ypsilanti, which once employed thousands of workers. That decision was a wake-up call to our state, which led to the development of an aggressive and robust set of economic development programs and strategies, which unfortunately have faded over the last decade. “We can’t lose without learning, and if Michigan doesn’t learn from Ford’s decision, we risk further losses. How we respond today will set the course for the next generation of Michigan’s economic future.” The response He said it’s not too late for Michigan to regain its competitive standing for future automotive investments, but the state will have to up its game, providing shovel-ready sites for companies to build EV-related facilities and other large-scale job generating projects; creating or re-creating robust economic incentive tools that measure up to those in competing states specifically designed to lure Michigan companies away; setting competitive economic development utility rates for large-scale projects; and training Michigan’s workforce for these high-tech jobs. “The good news is we are still in the game. With a strong supply chain, available infrastructure and skilled workforce at the ready, we can win future automotive investments. While we may have lost this inning, we can still step back up to the plate next inning ready to hit.” Thelen noted that Michigan

would do well to think long term, making investments today that would reap manyfold dividends, in terms of growing the tax base and revenues, tomorrow. “Ten-plus years ago, Michigan had a set of economic incentives that were compelling. The battery industry started here with several plants around Michigan, including one here in West Michigan,” he said. “We had early adoption of EV investments from the auto companies that solidified, particularly southeast Michigan, for that space. Over time, those facilities started to find themselves in Ohio, in Kentucky, now in Tennessee, now in Georgia and Texas and California, for that matter. So, some of it is, as we saw with the Tennessee announcement, we’ve got to find new ways to be competitive for these projects. Incentives is one big piece of it. And just the way we’ve changed the incentive mix over time, relative to our competitors, particularly in the south, it’s become less and less competitive. … Clearly the Southern states that have been utilizing creative incentives for decades to attract the auto industry and other sectors, they’re not regretting their decisions.” Thelen said he doesn’t believe Ford’s decision necessarily will set a precent for disinvestment in Michigan’s auto industry, as there’s still “no place on the planet” that has a concentration of automotive expertise — suppliers, talent, training and structure, etc. — as great as Michigan’s.

Michigan launched an Industry 4.0 initiative to support small manufacturers. Learn more about the statewide Initiative and the Regional Programs.

Learn more: MGAlliance.org

OCTOBER 18, 2021

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

COMMENT & OPINION

GUEST COLUMN Lou Glazer

Raising EITC would boost state’s economy for all

ow is the time to make fundamental changes in the state’s playbook to increase the economic well-being of all Michiganders. What we have been doing for decades has left too many households struggling, even when the economy by traditional measures was booming, as evidenced by nearly four in 10 Michigan households unable to pay for basic necessities in our robust 2019 economy. It is clear that mid-course adjustments in what we have been doing is not the path to achieving a rising income for all. Rather, we should identify the state policy levers that can have the highest impact on ending Michigan’s two-tier economy, and then go big in pivoting to a new approach to building a market economy that as it grows benefits all. Let’s start with greatly expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit. For example, expanding the state credit from 6% to 60% of the federal credit would increase the average state credit from $150 to $1,500. The EITC is pro work and an incentive to go back to work. Nearly six in 10 Michigan jobs pay less than what is required for a family of three to be middle class ($47,000). The pandemic made clear that these low-wage workers live paycheck to paycheck not because they are irresponsibly buying “unnecessary” luxuries, but because they are in low-wage jobs that leave them struggling to pay for the necessities. The reality is that most of those struggling economically, in good times and bad, are hard-working Michiganders who like us get up every day and work hard to earn a living.

What these lower-wage workers need most is income, not programs. In an op-ed for USA Today entitled “To cut poverty and solve the labor shortage, enhance the Earned Income Tax Credit,” Kevin Seifert, vice president of the American Idea Foundation, a nonprofit headed by former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, writes: “Since 1975, the Earned Income Tax Credit has proven to be one of the federal government’s most effective poverty-fighting programs and enhancing the credit is one of the best ways Congress can ensure a strong, bottom-up recovery from the pandemic. A common-sense expansion of the EITC is precisely the medicine the U.S. economy needs to return to full health. “... For millions of Americans with lower incomes, because of the Earned Income Tax Credit, the more they earn, the larger the benefit they receive. The EITC’s intentional design not only helps employers and their employees but it directly aids families and their children as well. The benefit helps society’s most vulnerable and because it is tied to earnings, it reinforces the values that come with a steady paycheck.” Seifert is right when he writes that the EITC benefits workers, their families and employers. Employers benefit from the incentives to work more, including incentivizing people to return to work, and from the increased demand for local goods and services. The federal EITC was signed into law by President Gerald Ford in 1975. To encourage greater participation in the workforce, the EITC

is based on earned income, such as salaries and wages. Workers receive the credit beginning with their first dollar of earned income; the amount of the credit rises with earned income until it reaches a maximum level and then begins to phase out at higher income levels. The EITC is “refundable,” which means that if it exceeds a lowwage worker’s income tax liability, the IRS will refund the balance.

Research indicates that families mostly use the EITC to pay for necessities, repair homes, maintain vehicles that are needed to commute to work, and in some cases, obtain additional education or training to boost their employability and earning power. Michigan enacted a state EITC in 2006 at 20% of the federal CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

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GUEST COLUMN Dan Corp

When positivity turns toxic

hen we think about a toxic work culture or environment, we generally think of the coworker who regularly complains about anything and everything or the manager who spends far too much time shifting blame instead of solving problems. Toxic negativity may be easier to identify, but it has an equally detrimental counterpart, though more difficult to spot: toxic positivity. What is toxic positivity? It can be hard to come to terms with the fact that a positive outlook could potentially be bad, especially in times of crisis. The greatest difference between being encouraging and falling back on toxic positivity is whether or not negative feelings are actually addressed. Toxic positivity minimizes the challenges and struggles that team members are experiencing. This happens when we fall back on platitudes and positive slogans whenever the team speaks of the

difficulty of their situation. It leaves our team wondering if we really care about how hard this is for them and may lead them to believe you don’t really appreciate what it takes for them to work through it. Organizational psychologist Laura Gallaher said, “If somebody is feeling upset and your response is, ‘Try to be positive,’ you’re basically saying, ‘You’re wrong. You’re wrong for feeling what you are feeling.’ As human beings, we do not respond well to that at all, especially because we’re talking about someone’s subjective experience of the world.” Over time, repeated use of empty optimism discourages employees from saying what they’re actually thinking. So instead of a positive culture, you end up with an inauthentic one, which ultimately fosters more negativity. An example Imagine a manager’s team is going through a rough period of transition. They come to her with their concerns, and instead of addressing their feelings, she says, “I believe in you! You can overcome anything.” Though it may seem encouraging, it fails her team members on several fronts. It doesn’t acknowledge that her team is struggling, so they don’t feel heard. It minimizes the burden they carry, leaving them feeling invalidated. And it glosses over their feelings of distress, potentially leading them to feel like she doesn’t care, eroding

the trust between them. What’s something that the manager could say instead that’s more productive for her and her team? “I’m sorry that you’re struggling. How can I support you? What do you think would help?” In saying this, she acknowledges and validates her team member’s feelings, making sure they feel heard. By offering her assistance, she reaffirms that she’s on their team, and engaging to find a solution shows that she cares about their plight. When the rough period ends, managers following that second mindset are likely to have a stronger, trusting, dedicated team. Shifting to productive positivity Like any other type of leadership work, shifting away from a toxically positive mindset can be difficult to do. The fact that you can’t always predict when rough times will arise makes it even harder, especially when each crisis varies slightly. Whether you’re facing a crisis right now or simply want to prepare for the future, keep these things in mind when leading your team through hard times.

Give hope, but not false hope In a crisis, we want to give hope, but make sure you are rooting that hope in reality. While you don’t want everyone to panic and jump ship, you need to find a way to acknowledge the difficulty you are facing together while pointing to a better future. At the same time, painting an unrealistic picture of the future can do irreparable damage to your credibility, so measure your words carefully. Acknowledge their struggle Often, our desire to point to the hope of a better future keeps us from acknowledging the struggles of the present. While it does no good to wallow in the current difficulty, we shouldn’t ignore it either. If your team is really hurting, or struggling during a crisis, acknowledge that difficulty. Express appreciation for what it is taking for your team to work through the crisis. Avoid using empty expressions Be careful of regularly using pithy, feel-good phrases like: “It could alCONTINUED ON PAGE 19

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GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

OCTOBER 18, 2021

GUEST COLUMN James J. Rabaut

An owner’s representative makes more sense than ever O ver the past several years, it has become more common for owners to engage owner’s representatives on construction projects — and with good reason. Owner’s reps provide any number of invaluable services, from assisting the owner on selection of an architect and contractor to advising on the scope of work to reviewing and testing cost estimates to approval of draw requests. It’s no wonder we are seeing an increase in the use of owner’s reps as construction projects and their delivery methods become more complex, opening owners and investors to increased economic risk. Engaging an owner’s representative is particularly important if the owner does not have the internal expertise or bandwidth to manage the project and perform the necessary review and oversight. Investing the money on an owner’s representative often has a positive overall effect on the project schedule, cost and quality. Following are 10 reasons why owners would be smart to consid-

er engaging an owner’s rep on construction projects: •It places a skilled third-party professional in a central role on the owner’s side of the table. It is critical for an owner to engage legal counsel to advocate for the owner on legal matters. By also engaging an owner’s rep, an owner will obtain a critical eye on many aspects of the project that are not specifically legal in nature, such as design and engineering matters, cost, scheduling, etc. •In cases where the owner does not have the expertise, depth or time to perform the required oversight and management of the project and where the design professional is not fulfilling these roles, an owner’s rep brings its knowledge, judgment and skill to fill the gap. For example, an owner’s representative could confirm required insurance has been obtained, review draw requests to confirm they are appropriate and address construction lien issues. •An owner’s rep could assist the owner and legal counsel with

critical high-level decision-making associated with the project, such as the choice of delivery method, budgeting, review of constructability and the bid process. •An owner’s rep could be a valuable advocate in addressing issues that arise during construction by assisting with required value engineering, managing disputes with the general contractor or the design professional, and troubleshooting on issues associated with required permits. •An owner’s rep could provide practical advice and perspective in managing the project in the context of our current global pandemic. Such advice would be supported by having firsthand experience of the impact of the pandemic on project staffing, supply chain and risk allocation. •An owner’s representative could provide another voice dedicated to keeping the contractor on time and on budget. Owners do not always recognize material issues until they actually impact project cost or timing. A good owner’s rep

GUEST COLUMN Rodger Price

Words matter, but so does understanding them I ’ve been fortunate to learn from many people that understand the power that words can carry. Many have been pastors, some have been social justice activists, several have been political leaders. Maybe it’s just me, but it seems that more and more people are focused on the words we use and how they can inspire, hurt or incite. I think it is good for our society to become more careful with the words we use and better understand the power they can have, for good or ill. A big issue I see, however, is how sloppy and reckless many seem to be on the other side of the coin. I’m referring to the meaning listeners make from people’s words. It seems to me that we should be every bit as careful in the meaning we make from others’ words as we are with the words we choose to use. What does it look like to be reckless with our words? To choose words that feel good, and even right, in the moment without questioning how they will be received by a myriad of people. I might be able to refer to certain people types with no issues for most of the population, but they could cause significant issues for the few about which I’m referring. I should think about that and choose words and phrases that will communicate my message without causing pain, anger or misunderstanding. What does it look like to be reckless in the meaning we make of others’ words? Well, there are several ways this happens. One is to jump to conclusions before the person is even done talking. Are you already jumping ahead to what I’m communicating in this short piece? You

might be thinking, “I know people like Rodger and what he’s about to say,” and then, often without even thinking, reflexively twist my words to match your assumptions. This is reckless and, in my observation of a great many people, very common, especially when you start to listen to the words of politicians and those that report on political matters. (Think: CNN and FOX News.) Another way of being reckless in the meaning we make of others’ words is to listen well and, even if we don’t jump to conclusions, assume we understood the person’s intended meaning. When they say, “Does that make sense?” and I respond, “Yes, it makes total sense,” that doesn’t mean I’m understanding the sense they were intending. My experience has been that both people’s statements might be true, but the sense they both make may not match. It turns out that true communication is tricky (which, ironically, is also true in what I’m trying to communicate through these words). In our LEAD 24/7 class we talk about how challenging truly effective communication is. Two examples that show how important it is stick in my mind. The first is when you hear people describe great athletic coaches, political leaders, or even business leaders, it’s not uncommon for them to say what makes them so successful is they are great communicators. Effective communication is that powerful. The other is when I’ve heard marriage experts say the first thing that starts to break down a marriage is when the two partners no longer communicate well. Again, communication, or the lack of it, carries great impact and power.

So, for West Michigan leaders to be highly effective communicators, we have to choose our words carefully and also check the meaning of what’s being said, especially when something someone says surprises us, or offends us, or incites us. First make sure you’re drawing the accurate meaning of their statements. The best way to test if the meaning I’m making from someone’s words is accurate is to paraphrase back to them what I hear them saying. This is such a good practice that we also teach leaders to ask the people they’re leading to share what they heard, what meaning they made out of important messages. This is hard for busy executives. However, doing it pays two huge dividends: it greatly improves relationships (people feel great about being understood) and much better decisions are made from the accurate understanding of what was being said. If we were talking together, in two-way communication (which has much higher potential for accurate understanding), I would ask you what you think I’m trying to say. Depending on your response, I would agree or try to communicate my message again, maybe in a different way. But we’re not talking together so I can only hope that you’re catching my meaning through these written words. I also hope you find them helpful as you work to be a person worth following in West Michigan!

Rodger Price is the founder and managing partner of Leading by DESIGN, an executive development firm in Grand Rapids.

may be able to anticipate issues and head them off before they become a detriment. •An owner’s rep may help improve communication between and among the owner, contractor and design professional. Since they are part of the construction “club,” an owner’s rep can often quickly cut through formalities and get to the substance of critical issues. •In situations where an impasse has been reached between the owner and the contractor or design professional, the owner’s rep may be able to offer a practical and reasonable compromise that may help the project back on track. •An owner’s rep may assist with review of the plans and specifications for the project. Some of the detail in such documents is often difficult for an owner to understand. In addition, an owner’s rep may review the contractor’s general conditions expenses to confirm that they are appropriate. By having a knowledgeable construction professional as an advocate, owners can obtain greater com-

fort knowing the scope of work is complete and consistent with the design intent. •An owner’s rep could assist an owner in making certain all requirements for completion have been satisfied, placing the owner in the best position to operate the project after completion. This could involve assisting in the development of the punch list and ensuring the contractor has assembled all of the final deliverables required by the agreement, such as the sworn statement, lien waivers, manuals and warranties. Every construction project is different, and every client has different needs. Given the complexity and risks associated with modern construction projects, it often is prudent for an owner to engage an owner’s representative on construction projects. Jim Rabaut is a partner at the law firm Warner Norcross + Judd LLP who concentrates his practice in construction and real estate law. He can be reached at jrabaut@wnj.com.

Raising EITC would boost state’s economy CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

credit. In 2011, the Michigan EITC was reduced to 6% of the federal credit. In 2019, 738,000 Michigan households received the state EITC with an average benefit of $150, for a total cost of $111 million. In Kent County, 44,000 households (14%) received the EITC in 2019 at an average federal credit of $2,367 and average state credit of $142. The combined state and federal credits increased recipients’ purchasing power by $111 million. Raising the state tax credit to a 60% match would add another $63 million in purchasing power to the families of hard-working Kent County residents. Thirty-plus states, as well as

Washington, D.C., offer state EITCs. Of the states with refundable credits and a match for the federal credit, Michigan has the fourth-lowest match. The highest match is 85% in California but only for very low-income earners. Of the states with a match for all federal EITC-eligible households, Maryland currently has the highest match at 45% and D.C. has the highest match for childless households at 100%. If Michigan is serious about having a market economy that as it grows benefits all, now is the time for Michigan to move from the bottom to the top of states’ EITC. Lou Glazer is president of Michigan Future Inc.

When positivity turns toxic CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

ways be worse!” “Well, at least...” “Look at the bright side!” While an optimistic outlook can be beneficial for getting through difficult times, the words are empty and generally unproductive. While the intent may be to boost morale, overuse feels inauthentic and ultimately minimizes feelings and concerns without addressing them meaningfully. Be honest and transparent We have to use our best judgment regarding how much information to share, but too often, leaders become increasingly secretive during crises. Where there are gaps in the information they’re given, your team will inevitably fill them with their own story. This is a breeding ground for misinformation, gossip and rumor to flourish.

If there are details you can’t share, take a moment to evaluate what information you can provide to your team. If you don’t have answers for them, be transparent in telling them so. Honesty and transparency can greatly help to build trust in a difficult time. Rough patches are inevitable, but it’s entirely possible to come out on the other side with a more closely-knit team. When leading, authenticity and honesty can get you incredibly far, in difficult times just as much as in good. By supporting your team with the correct tactics and mindset, you can help them learn and grow beyond what they ever could have imagined. Dan Corp is president of Advanced Time Management, a workforce management consulting company with an office in Grandville.

OCTOBER 18, 2021

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

GUEST COLUMN Brad Pnazek

GUEST COLUMN

Support investing in our environment and our economy Be proactive with inside I sales reps

n recent years, extreme weather incidents have become standard, recurring events across the country. Right here in Michigan, wildly fluctuating temperatures are damaging our fruit crops and reducing yields for our farmers. Heavier-than-usual rainfall has led to dangerous flooding and damage to our roads, bridges and agricultural fields. Water levels in the Great Lakes rise and fall unpredictably, with consequences for our water supply and the homes dotting the shoreline. Not only are these events heartbreaking and dangerous for the people, infrastructure, and communities they impact, but they’re costly as well. Over the last five years, climate disasters in the U.S. have cost us $600 billion. It doesn’t take a Ph.D. to understand that this kind of spending year after year is not sustainable. These disasters are actively diverting funds away from other important programs and initiatives we care about. What if we didn’t accept this as our future, and instead made proactive investments to prevent future maligning effects of climate change and make our economy more resilient to these disasters, all while putting people to work in the process? President Joe Biden’s Build

Dave Kahle

Back Better agenda will do just that, providing billions to develop and implement the clean energy solutions necessary to make real cuts to our emissions and boost the American economy. The job creation potential of a clean economy is immense. A hundred years ago, people traveled on horseback and stable hands were responsible for caring for those horses. When cars were invented, we transitioned. Just as the transportation revolution changed the circumstances for workers a century ago, the energy revolution we are now in can transition our workforce from legacy technologies to the clean energy sectors of the future. The Build Back Better Act before Congress now makes those exact investments. Parts of the bill, like the Rural Partnership Program that provides $5 billion for rural revitalization, or the $27 billion for a clean energy accelerator, would ensure that low- and middle-income communities, communities of color, rural communities and places that once called fossil fuel hubs home don’t lose their economic engines. In my own experience, I’ve seen how bringing clean energy projects to different parts of the country has brought significant economic development along with it. Installing so-

lar or wind power on a family farm, for example, provides additional streams of reliable income that aren’t based on fluctuating grain prices. Areas heavily dependent on agriculture can export electrons alongside their corn and soybeans, providing a way to hedge future costs and expenses and keeping the farm in the family. Investing in climate solutions also means investing in American competitiveness and not letting a massive economic opportunity for our country go overseas. Today, we are far behind other countries in terms of clean energy, and the number of American jobs in these industries pales in comparison to China, Brazil and many European countries. The Build Back Better agenda would drive investments in clean energy, the electric vehicle industry and climate-smart agriculture technologies. More than 113,000 Michiganders across all 83 counties work in clean energy, which is certainly a strong start. Build Back Better would expand the clean energy workforce here in Michigan and throughout the country. Just one program, the Clean Energy Performance Program, which will help utilities transition to clean energy, has the potential to create 8 million jobs nationally and an astounding

$1 trillion in economic growth and modernize our electric grid. For years, there has been a common narrative that doing what’s best for the economy and doing what’s best for our environment are at odds. This is a false narrative, and a dangerous one at that. Every year that goes by we are paying the price — quite literally — as we watch money burn up in smoke or get washed downstream or out to sea. And our workers, businesses and planet cannot afford to keep footing the bill. It’s time we stop holding ourselves back from a future that is looking to move on without us leading the way. For all the stories and anecdotes I’ve heard about America being the bastion of innovation, research and progress in the 20th century, it appears we are willing to cede the stories of the 21st century to others. By passing the Build Back Better agenda, we have the opportunity to choose both our economy and our environment. Protecting our planet and its resources is about protecting our businesses and economy, too. Grand Rapids resident Brad Pnazek is director of development at U.S.-based renewable energy company Leeward Energy. The views expressed here are his own and not necessarily those of the company.

GUEST COLUMN Fred Otterbein, Leeandra Dunn and Brent Feyen

Streamlining title and survey services A s a society, we influence many use restrictions and rights affecting properties. These include easements, restrictive covenants, special tax exemptions, zoning and use stipulations, building codes, curb-cuts, environmental laws, opportunity zones, property associations, historic districts and other property mechanisms that determine use rights and limitations. The essence of the lyrics found in the song, “People Make the World Go Round,” by the early ’70s R&B group the Stylistics, exemplifies people’s varied perspectives and interests when it comes to shaping the world of real estate. It is a characteristic that makes the property research process increasingly more complex and critical when making the right planning decisions about business and development real estate. While a variety of property information is available to us from governmental and private firms, real property title research and land survey information is fundamental to any subsequent research we may choose to pursue. Fortunately, a complete information reconnaissance of real property today may not be necessary to accomplish the level of property understanding required by most people. If you don’t currently own the subject property, a good first step would be to visit the county equalization department and/or the local municipal tax assessment department to obtain the tax I.D. and legal description for the property you want to identify for further research work.

Next, a title examiner can provide information regarding the ownership of the parcel (deed), legal description and other matters of record. Title-related research can be invaluable with due-diligence matters, tax and zoning/use appeals, the appraisal and marketing of property, seller and buyer representation, and much more. Let’s take a closer look at how specialized title and survey services can be helpful in making decisions about typical issues affecting business real estate. A Title Search Summary (TSS), aka an “informational commitment” or “preliminary title work,” gives the complete picture of what’s happening with a parcel of land (developed or not) and provides the underlying supporting documents. It is provided at a reduced rate and provides the current vesting, underlying land contracts and/or leases, liens, easements, building and use restrictions, and any environmental matters of public record. This non-insuring product carries a work fee that varies based on the type of property being researched and could be credited toward a policy premium if it gets converted to an actual commitment for title insurance within one year of the initial issue date. Lenders and attorneys often use a TSS so they know exactly what other matters may be affecting the subject property before they move ahead with the foreclosure process. Municipalities also order a TSS when they are contemplating doing work in, on or around a specific area for special projects where they need to see the complete picture of what is

affecting the subject land. There are a number of other uses for the TSS, but the customers most frequently asking for them are lenders, attorneys, real estate agents, surveyors and developers.

Drawing a picture Surveyors using a TSS often can locate and prepare a drawing of a critical item of interest within a property that is manifest in the TSS. This information is particularly helpful when locating an abstract property object, such as an easement. Physical as well as abstract points of interest can easily be isolated on a property drawing and then managed. Examples of such objects of interest include a private drive or utility easement, a street-side commercial sign pylon, a proposed expansion to the existing building (maybe for an office or loading dock), and other improvements and use limitations or rights. All of these can be identified without the cost, time and detail involved in a full boundary survey. For example, a developer would not want to expand an office area in a building without first determining if there are any conflicting property rights, such as a utility easement that runs across that part of the parcel. Title and land survey professionals, working together, can help with those types of determinations. Using a TSS, a surveyor also can determine the legal description of the property, its boundaries and whether it’s comprised of multiple parcels. How many exceptions are listed in the TSS? How many of these affect the subject property? Without

performing a field survey, the surveyor should be able to determine the location of any exceptions and/ or restrictions. Is the property burdened by any blanket easements? This type of easement is very common in conveyances to utility companies. An easement that permits a route of utility poles and wires across the property may burden the entire property. If so, the surveyor often can work directly with the utility company to release a portion of the easement and limit its effect to the line of existing poles and greatly reduce the burden on the property. These are just a few examples of the insight you can gain when your surveyor reviews the TSS prior to committing to the time and expense of a field survey. The subject matter of this article is for general purposes only and not intended for specific property applications. Talk to your attorney and other real property professionals; specialized title and survey services may offer you some practical business and development real estate options. Fred Otterbein is an associate broker with Liberty Realty Corp. MI with four decades of experience in the areas of commercial, industrial, waterfront and special project real estate. Leeandra Dunn is a commercial title examiner with over 21 years of experience and is an associate owner of Transnation Title Agency. Brent Feyen, P.S., is the assistant survey department manager/ project surveyor with Exxel Engineering Inc. and has over 17 years of experience as a professional land surveyor.

Q. How can we get inside sales to do some proactive sales activities each day? We expect our inside salespeople to use some of their time to shift into the proactive mode to make outbound phone contact to existing and new business. But it is hard for them to do this regularly. A. I wish I had $5 for every time I came across this question. I would have retired years ago. Let me answer it in two ways. First, how do you get inside sales to be proactive? Answer: You don’t. It is far easier to refloat the Titanic than it is to get a group of essentially reactive customer-service-type personalities to change their mode of operation and make proactive phone calls. That’s because of the personality of the typical inside/ customer service person. Generally, the people who fill these positions are very reactively oriented. By that I mean that if a customer comes to them with a problem, they will knock down walls to fix the problem and help the customer. They are great helpers and problem-fixers. That personality characteristic is one of their strengths, and one of the reasons they are good in that job. However, if you ask them to make 10 phone calls to people who are not expecting the call — proactive calls, in other words — they will lose sleep the night before worrying about it. And tomorrow, when they are supposed to do this proactive calling, they will discover that the amount of other work they have to do has swelled up and crowded out the time that they had dedicated to proactive phone calls. They rarely get to it because “other stuff” gets in the way. So, the first answer is, “Don’t bother trying.” You will be swimming against the current, expending great quantities of time and energy trying to make something work that is probably not going to work. You’ll find yourself and your inside salespeople becoming increasingly frustrated. Instead, hire someone who can be totally dedicated to proactive work. Keep their job description pure: no reactive stuff, only proactive calls. There is a rule here: When a person has responsibility for both reactive and proactive calls, the reactive will always swell disproportionately, crowding out the proactive. Now, it may be that the circumstances of your situation will not allow you to hire a new person and create a new position. If that is the case, then you need to consider my second answer. How do you get inside sales to be proactive? If you must, you follow these guidelines: Make the task extremely specific. It is not, “Proactively call 10 people and see if they need anything.” Instead, the task should be, “From 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. every Tuesday, call the 10 people on the list I give you, and make this 50-word presentation which I have written CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

UMCH works to expand Fresh Market pilot CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

ers’ reactions to unfamiliar foods they didn’t know how to incorporate into meals, such as eggplant. “We’re in the process of organizing those so that we can begin to engage (residents) in other ways. Besides being a consumer and coming into this space … (they’ll be able to access) things that are even more meaningful and (we’ll be) helping to establish and really build and strengthen that sense of community along the South Division corridor,” Moore said. “What greater way than to bring people together than over food?”

“Typically, in food justice spaces, there really isn’t a voice of people of color, and this is an outlet for that voice.” Carla Moore Moore said by offering this education, UMCH hopes to disrupt patterns of unhealthy choices, like running to the Burger King just down the road instead of buying and cooking healthy food. She said she believes the Fresh Market already is doing a good job listening to its customers and engaging them, but more work lies ahead. “Typically, in food justice spaces, there really isn’t a voice of people of color, and this is an outlet for that voice,” she said. “We keep a running list of items and things that they would like to see, and the inventory is really being informed by the desires of the consumer. But there’s going to be an educational learning curve that has to take place, because we’re dealing with people’s hab-

its, preferences and the way that they’ve been ingrained about to think about nutrition and food. … “We’re really focusing on what are those ways that we can help the community embrace good food values. Good food values are broad, right? Yes, it’s about food and food quality and access to food, but it’s also about the system by which food is delivered, produced and who is able to access it. It’s really understanding our definition of ‘good’ around food and bringing the community along with us.” Moore said she is thankful others in 49507 also are trying to increase food justice for underserved and vulnerable populations, such as Alita Kelly and Khara DeWit, co-founders of the South East Market, a for-profit store that sources from local, minority- and women-owned farms that put an emphasis on sustainability and affordability. “That is an absolutely fantastic program. It’s a little bit different of a model, but it is very complementary, and we are positioned quite a ways apart, so we’re impacting two different immediate neighborhoods,” she said. “We really view them as a partner in the fight for justice.” Moore said the team at UMCH is pleased with The Fresh Market’s progress and confident in its future. “The market has really been a process of learning and growing, and we just couldn’t be more pleased or blessed; we just couldn’t feel any better about the response that we have been receiving from our immediate neighbors and just the relationships that we’re being able to build,” she said. “It’s amazing, it really is, and we’re having a good time.” More information about United Methodist Community House and its programs is at umchousegr.org.

Be proactive with inside sales reps CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20

out, word for word. The more specific is the task, the more likely it is to happen. Train them in the task. Don’t expect that they automatically know how to do what you want them to do. One of the reasons that they are uncomfortable making proactive out-bound calls is that they have little experience and virtually no confidence. You have to inject some confidence into them. Confidence only comes from one of two places: experience or practice. So, provide them some practice. Hold a two-hour training session. Have everyone role-play the phone call several times. Identify all the possible responses. Create strategies for each. Get them to memorize the script. Help them to feel confident in making the call. Measure and publish their progress. Keep track of how many

calls each person makes, and how successful each call is. Share those numbers with everyone in the group. Reward all success. When someone has a successful call, praise that person in front of everyone. Lavishly reward them for doing what you asked them to do. Success begets success. Make a big deal of everyone’s success so that they feel more capable of doing this job. As you can see, this is a lot of work and requires high-touch involvement on management’s part. It may be that the cost, in time and effort, is more than the potential reward. Back to my answer number one. Dave Kahle is an author, consultant and speaker who has presented in 47 states and 11 countries, improved the performance of thousands of B2B salespeople and authored 13 books. Receive his insights on a regular basis here: https://www.davekahle.com/ subscribe-daves-e-zines/.

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ACCOUNTING

Adam Holka joined Pennell CPA as director of operations. DeHoek & Co. PLLC moved to 2025 E. Beltline Ave. SE, Suite 204. Staff accountant Jonathan DeHoek recently received his CPA certificate. Plante Moran announced Adam Stevenson and Diana Verdun are now partners in the firm’s Grand Rapids office. Stevenson specializes in audits for large hospitals, health systems and health care organizations across the United States, and Verdun is in charge of human resources.

ADVERTISING & MARKETING

Clutch, a leading ratings and reviews platform for IT, marketing, and business service providers, recently named Kalamazoo-based LKF Marketing to its 2021 Top Advertising & Marketing Agencies in Michigan list.

AWARDSIntegrated Services of

Kalamazoo announced local disability advocate and ISK board member Sarah Carmany of Kalamazoo won the 2021 Betty Williams Champions of Equal Opportunity Award from the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, an annual award that recognizes a leader and self-advocate with a long record of advocacy success who promotes NACDD’s values of self-determination, independence, productivity and inclusion. City of Grand Rapids civil engineer Michael Staal is the recipient of Michigan’s Watershed Management Professional of the Year Award.

BANKING

Bank of America over the summer had Grand Rapids-area high school students Daniela Castro-Pumay, a senior at Grand Rapids City High, and Alexis Miranda, a senior at Grand River Preparatory High School, take part in its program for leadership, civic engagement and workforce skills-building with the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. The student leaders were paid $17 per hour for 36 hours per week for eight weeks.

CONSTRUCTION

CD Barnes Construction announced

OCT 18 West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum Event. Topic is Living Building Challenge. Featured speakers include Andrew Queenan, Pure Architects, and Allmon Forrester, director of facilities, planning and sustainability, John Ball Zoo. Noon-1:30 p.m., The Bissell Treehouse at John Ball Zoo. Registration/ information: bit.ly/WMSBFOctoberForum. OCT 20 Builders Exchange of Michigan Webinar. Topic is Planroom Training For General Contractors. 3-4 p.m. Cost: free. Registration/information: (616) 9498650 or courtney@grbx.com. OCT 20 West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum Lakeshore Community Sustainability Panel. A discussion on the need for a community sustainability plan in the tri-cities area of Grand Haven, Ferrysburg and Spring Lake. Noon-1:30 p.m., Grand Haven Community Center. Cost: $16 online, $21 event/ members; $24 online, $29 event/nonmembers. Registration/information: bit.ly/ WMSBForum.

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

Hansen named BTI Client Service All-Star Warner Norcross + Judd LLP partner Shane B. Hansen was selected as a 2021 BTI Client Service All-Star for mergers and acquisitions. Hansen was chosen based on in-depth and independent interviews with corporate counsel conducted by BTI Consulting Group. Client Service All-Stars are attorneys with an exceptional understanding of the client’s business, excellent legal skills and strong client focus. Hansen concentrates his legal practice in the securities industry focused on corporate and regulatory matters for broker-dealers, investment advisers, mergers and acquisitions, and banks.. Todd Oosting has been appointed president and CEO; Tom Berry has transitioned to vice president and COO; Lynne Blondell has been hired as project manager; and Tom Minnema, Ken Medema and James Phelps joined the company as superintendents.

EDUCATION

Brooke Odle, assistant professor of engineering at Hope College, received an Up and Comer Oosting Award from the American Society of Biomechanics. The award intends to foster mentoring and networking of early-career faculty and post-doctoral trainees with ASB Fellows of similar research interests. Grand Rapids Public Schools announced four recent bond-funded school projects received LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program: Southwest Middle High School – Academia Bilingüe earned silver certification; Buchanan Elementary School, Ottawa Hills High School and Grand Rapids Public Museum High School earned LEED’s basic certification status.

Sense Bootcamp: Risk Management. 1-2 p.m. Cost: free. Registration/information: bit.ly/2021RiskWebinar. OCT 21 Grand Rapids Public Museum Virtual Backyard Stargazing Program. Featuring NASA’s James Webb space telescope launch. 6 p.m. Cost: $2/members, $4/ nonmembers. Registration/information: grpm.org/Calendar. OCT 21 Wedgwood Christian Services Anniversary Celebration. 6:30 p.m., Gerald R. Ford International Airport Amway Hanger. Cost: $100/person. Registration/information: (616) 942-2110 or advancement@wedgwood.org. OCT 22 Express Employment Professionals 25th Anniversary Client Appreciation Open House. 4-7 p.m., Express Employment Professionals, 1760 44th St. SW, Wyoming. Registration/information: (616) 281-0611 or Ana.Nichols@ ExpressPros.com.

OCT 21 AMDG Architects October In-Person/ Zoom Speaker Series. Topic is Career Advice From God, by Shonn Colbrunn, executive director, Hope College Boerigter Center for Calling and Career. 12:30-1:30 p.m., AMDG Architects, 25 Commerce SW, Suite 300. Cost: free. Registration/information: bit.ly/ OctoberSpeaker.

OCT 22-31 LowellArts Theatre presents “Don’t Touch That Dial! A Classic Radio Show.” Three pieces from the 1930s will be performed, including “The Shadow: The Silent Avenger,” “Who’s On First?” and “Fibber McGee and Molly: Fibber’s Closet.” Friday and Saturday, 7 p.m., Sunday, 2 p.m., LowellArts Gallery, 223 W. Main St., Lowell. Cost: $12/advance, $17/door. Registration/information: (616) 897-8545 or lowellartsmi.org.

OCT 21 Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women Webinar. Topic is Business

OCT 25 Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce Breakfast With Legislators. Establish

FINANCIAL SERVICES

The Windquest Group, a privately held investment firm, announced Dick DeVos will step down from his day-today role as president but will remain chairman of the board. Greg McNeilly has been appointed president and CEO.

FOOD & BEVERAGE

Founders Brewing Co. is the recent recipient of six Craft Beer Marketing Awards: Best Tap Handle design/ Unique Gold; Best Tap Handle Design/ Unique Global; Best Logo Design/ Use of Icon Gold; Best Logo design/ Typography Gold; Best Original Video/ Series Gold; and Social Media/CauseRelated Platinum. Nora Robinson joined Nothing Bundt Cakes Grand Rapids as manager and Ashley Dore as assistant manager with a focus of leading the bakery’s wedding business.

FOUNDATIONS

Chaney Bear joined the Kalamazoo Community Foundation as human resources manager. Fremont Area Community Foundation’s board of trustees selected Shelly Hendrick Kasprzycki as the organization’s new president and CEO.

GOVERNMENT

CHANGE-UPS & CALENDAR

troller by the Kent County Board of Commissioners.

LEGAL

Barbara J. Kennedy joined Wheeler Upham PC as a senior associate. Kennedy is a civil litigator with experience primarily in professional liability, domestic relations, landlord/tenant, general civil litigation and professional licensing matters. Keller & Almassian PLC has been regionally ranked as a 2021 Best Law Firm by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law as well as Litigation-Banking & Finance. Attorneys Todd Almassian, bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights/insolvency and reorganization law litigation-banking and finance, and James Keller, bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights/insolvency and reorganization law, were recognized as 2022 Best Lawyers. The firm also hired Brandon J. Stewart of counsel and Andrew J. Villanueva as an associate attorney, Plachta Murphy & Associates PC changed its name Reeder to Reeder Plachta Murphy PC. Bryan D. Reeder has been added as a shareholder.

LEISURE & RECREATION.

The Grand River Greenway Campaign announced its fundraising effort launched in 2017 with a goal of financing key land acquisitions along the 36.5-mile Idema Explorers Trail has been reached. The campaign recently achieved its fund-raising goal of $7.2 million, which is 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.

Al Vanderberg, former Ottawa County administrator, has been appointed Kent County administrator/con-

NONPROFITS

relationships with key decision-makers. 7:30-9 a.m., Amway World Headquarters. Cost: $25/members, $35/nonmembers. Registration/information: bit.ly/ LegislatorBreakfast.

OCT 30 Ottawa County 231 10K and 4 Mile River Run. Runs/walks begin at 8:30 a.m., Connor Bayou County Park, 12945 North Cedar Drive, Grand Haven. Registration/ information: bit.ly/2021RiverRun.

OCT 25 Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce 11th Annual Epic Awards Gala. 5:308:30 p.m., JW Marriott Grand Rapids International Ballroom. Cost: $80/members, $110/nonmembers. Registration/ information: grandrapids.org/event/ epic-awards. OCT 26 Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce Power Lunch. Expand your network. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Macatawa Golf Club, 4600 Macatawa Legends Blvd., Suite No. 1, Holland. Cost: $35/members, $50/nonmembers. Registration/ information: (616) 928-9101 or colleen@ westcoastchamber.org. OCT 26 Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women Webinar. Topic is How To Build A Strong Business Foundation. 11 a.m.noon. Cost: free. Registration/information: bit.ly/2021StrongFoundation. OCT 26 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. OCT 27 Builders Exchange of Michigan Webinar. Topic is Planroom Training For Suppliers and Manufacturers. 3-4 p.m. Cost: free. Registration/information: (616) 949-8650 or courtney@grbx.com.

Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore announced Vivian TerMaat has

NOV 2 Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce West Michigan Minority Contractors After Hours. 3:30-5 p.m., Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce. Cost: free. Registration/information: bit.ly/2021AfterHours. NOV 3 Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women Webinar. Topic is Effective Communication For Uncertain Times. 9-10 a.m. Cost: free. Registration/information: bit.ly/2021UncertainTimes. NOV 3 West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum Lakeshore Green Drinks Networking. 5-7 p.m., Pigeon Hill Brewing. Cost: free, beverages available for purchase. All are welcome. Registration/information: bit.ly/ LakeshoreGreenDrinks. NOV 8 Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce Government Matters Zoom Meeting with Elected Officials. Bring your top issues and interact with policy-makers. 8-9 a.m. Registration/ information: 616-531-5990 or michelle@ southkent.org. NOV 9 Family Business Forum Annual FBF Public Event. Learn how Fidelitone transformed its company from a phonograph needle manufacturer to

assumed leadership of the organization as chief executive officer, succeeding interim CEO Mary Charles. TerMaat comes to GSMISTS from Wedgwood Christian Services where she served as the chief advancement officer. The Rotary Club of Grand Rapids announced Paula Jastifer, city assessor for the city of Grand Rapids, will serve as the club’s 2021Walker 22 president. She has been a Rotarian since 2003.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Truscott Rossman promoted Allie Walker to vice president and Amy LeFebre to senior director, West Michigan. The firm launched two new divisions: a fully dedicated crisis management team and an enterprise-level digital storytelling team.

RESTAURANTS

Smokey Bones hired Anthony Thomas as general manager of its 4875 28th St. SE location.

TECHNOLOGY

Michigan Software Labs, a software consulting company that specializes in making apps, is now located at 7471 River St. SE in Ada. Coopersville-based IT Resource Inc. announced a strategic partnership with Community Bankers of Michigan. The alliance enables members of CBM to implement the latest and most comprehensive technology solutions that will monitor IT infrastructure, protect data and manage risk and compliance.

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.

a third-party logistics provider. 7:3010:30 a.m., Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. Registration/information: bit.ly/2021FamilyTransformation. NOV 9 Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce Wake Up West Coast In-Person and Livestream. Network and learn about best business practices. 8-9 a.m., Haworth Hotel, 225 College Ave., Holland. Cost: $35/members in person, $50/nonmembers in person, $10/ members livestream, $20/nonmembers livestream. Registration/information: (616) 928-9101 or colleen@westcoastchamber.org. NOV 9 Women In Successful Enterprises 4th Annual Small Sharks In The Big Lake In-Person and Online Event. Nonprofits will “pitch the tank” for funding consideration. 5:30 p.m., Rockford Construction, 601 First St. NW. Registration/information: wiseconnections.org.

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.

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

PUBLIC RECORD

FERMIN, David et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Parcel: 411412226005, $795,000 PULLING, Andrew R., Lake Michigan Credit Union, Ada Twp., $412,000 VANTILL, Matthew et al, West Michigan Community Bank, Parcel: 412107200047, $400,000 LOYL HOMES LLC, VanderPol Holdings LLC, Bowne Twp., $1,000,000 EVERGREEN TOWNHOMES LLC, First National Bank, Parcel: 411403426112, $14,300,000 LATO, Jeremy S. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Wyoming, $416,000 BAILEY, Joseph et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Cascade Twp., $729,000 HILLER, Timothy D. et al, Simmons Bank, East Grand Rapids, $548,250 HAFFENDEN, Pamela, T2Financial LLC et al, Cannon Twp., $496,500 SWEENEY, Edward P. et al, Fifth Third Bank, Parcel: 411425201021, $460,000 REINKE, Tonia et al, Guaranteed Rate, Algoma Twp., $356,165 DAY, Brandon et al, Benchmark Mortgage, Rockford, $345,795 VERSLUIS, Adam A. et al, Benchmark Mortgage, Walker, $352,000 HUIZINGA, Edward F., Fifth Third Bank, Bowne Twp., $789,000 LUNDEEN, Peter et al, Independent Bank, Plainfield Twp., $390,000 PIERCE, Tyler et al, Neighborhood Loans, Kentwood, $392,000 MATTHEWS, Matthew, Independent Bank, Wyoming, $362,000 SCHIFER, Terry D., Luminate Home Loans, Plainfield Twp., $400,000 MCCAMBRIDGE TRUST, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Cannon Twp., $500,000 ROSTOW, Vincent, Mercantile Bank, Tyrone Twp., $580,000 ELLERBEE, David W. et al, Independent Bank, Cascade Twp., $400,000 HANUMARA, Praveen et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Tyrone Twp., 352,000 JACOB, Joseph M. et al, Arbor Financial Credit Union, Parcel: 411426252009, $374,156 DITONTO, Alec et al, Rocket Mortgage, Ada Twp., $548,250 BURDICK, James V. et al, Quicken Loans, Algoma Twp., $397,600 DUFON, Joshua J. et al, Mercantile Bank, Algoma Twp., $414,000 BROOKS, Erik M. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Ada Twp., $548,250 WEBB, Sarah A., Lake Michigan Credit Union, Parcel: 411508451028, $608,000

MORTGAGES

Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds SHAWN HOSPITALITY INC., United Bank, Cascade Twp., $2,000,000 5695 WEST RIVER DR HCB LLC, Mercantile Bank, Parcel: 411020226039, $1,980,000 EMMETT PROPERTIES LLC, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Parcel: 411429306011, $3,000,000 NICKERSON, Joel P. et al, Mercantile Bank, Solon Twp., $356,250 DWIGHT BALDWIN LLC, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Parcel: 411429302028, $3,000,000 LEESE PROPERTIES LLC et al, Macatawa Bank, Parcel: 411815101041, $2,000,000 GRAND RAPIDS HOME LLC, ChoiceOne Bank, Parcel: 411808178048, $1,200,000 WALBEEK VENTURES LLC, Arbor SFR, Parcel: 411712207013, $1,025,000 HILLVIEW TOWNHOUSES LLC, Holland Home, Grand Rapids City, $2,100,000 PRISM VENTURES LLC et al, Dart Bank, Parcel: 411815102001, $2,500,000 METTERNICK, Timothy J. et al, Heartland Home Mortgage, Bowne Twp., $364,000 PRISM VENTURES LLC, Dart Bank, Parcel: 411815102001, $880,781 2525 INDIAN TRAILS TRUST, JPMorgan Chase Bank, East Grand Rapids, $3,000,000 CANRE HOLDINGS LLC, Comerica Bank, Kentwood, $1,761,000 AIRWEST PROPERTIES LLC, Mercantile Bank, Kentwood, $3,750,000 ELDEE GROWERS LLC, USDA, Sparta, $362,500 RANGE AT ALPINE LLC, ChoiceOne Bank, Alpine Twp., $487,500 NP MAPLEWOOD LLC, Capital One, Byron Twp., $6,626,000 SINGH, Amandeep, Primelending, Caledonia, $355,410 SWAN ALPHA FIRST LLC, Southern Michigan Bank & Trust, Tyrone Twp., $6,400,000 HINCKA, Brittany J., Neighborhood Loans, Algoma Twp., $349,200 MCMAHON, Paul et al, Huntington National Bank, East Grand Rapids, $548,250 LARRSON, Hans M. et al, JPMorgan Chase Bank, Cascade Twp., $500,000 TOTH, Allison et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Cascade Twp., $484,000 RILEY, Michael L. et al, PNC Bank, Parcel: 411034304015, $463,000 CVD HOLDING 6975 LLC, Old National Bank, Gaines Twp., $571,200

COMBS, John B. et al, Neighborhood Loans, Parcel: 411435307019, $360,000 FERGUS, Alexander J. et al, United Wholesale Mortgage, Rockford, $370,000 SYTSMA, Michael et al, Huntington National Bank, Parcel: 411325287017, $600,000 WESSELINK TRUST, Independent Bank, Cascade Twp., $548,250 EDWARDS, Joey L. et al, Mercantile Bank, Parcel: 411401101026, $528,000 RAJASEKARAN, Surender et al, Fifth Third Bank, Cascade Twp., $710,000 VANSINGEL, Daniel et al, Grand River Bank, Byron Twp., $876,000 VORWALLER, Charles B. et al, Union Home Mortgage Corp., Caledonia, $500,000 TENDERO, Antonio R. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Ada Twp., $616,000 KENNEY, Ryan et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Parcel: 411411402030, $1,442,260 LOPER, Jennifer D., Fifth Third Bank, Gaines Twp., $390,000 WALKER, Mark, Rocket Mortgage, Gaines Twp., $375,250 STARK, Brenden et al, Consumers Credit Union, Plainfield Twp., $722,400 GOSTENIK, Kevin B. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Ada Twp., $600,000 WHITE, David et al, Fifth Third Bank, Caledonia, $383,250 GLADSTONE, Lukas et al, Independent Bank, Byron Twp., $489,300 MEEKS, Jason, Neighborhood Loans, Algoma Twp., $403,750 STERNBERG, Kristine et al, Carrington Mortgage Services, Caledonia, $380,000 OECHSLER, Ryan, Grand River Bank, East Grand Rapids, $514,100 KESSLER, Elizabeth A. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Parcel: 411436202002, $394,250 HANSEN TRUST, Hall Financial Group, Oakfield Twp., $437,000 FUGIT, Sara B., HUD, East Grand Rapids, $540,000 KELLEY, Lawrence S., Huntington National Bank, Parcel: 411324286032, $442,000 ZMUDA, David P. et al, United Wholesale Mortgage, East Grand Rapids, $428,000 HAWKINS, Kirwin et al, Filo Mortgage, Plainfield Twp., $410,000 GONZALEZ, Alfonzo et al, Fifth Third Bank, Parcel: 411324310003, $2,207,700 PALAZZOLO TRUST, Huntington National Bank, Byron Twp., $348,000 POUR MICHIGAN REALTY LLC, Isabella Bank, Nelson Twp., $500,000 HERP, Kelsey A. et al, Success Mortgage Partners, Byron Twp., $364,000

OCTOBER 18, 2021

ALLEN, Eugene H., HUD, Parcel: 411816127003, $412,500 SHOCKLEY, Daniel et al, Rocket Mortgage, Ada Twp., $544,000 STEENWYK, Robert, Polaris Home Funding Corp., Ada Twp., $402,550 PROOS, Gary S. et al, Mercantile Bank, Cascade Twp., $450,700 HUMPHREYS, Peter N., Independent Bank, Plainfield Twp., $405,000 ROTHBART, Scott et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Parcel: 411403452048, $505,000 WILSON, Kevin T., Lake Michigan Credit Union, Byron Twp., $418,000 LJ FARMS LLC, West Michigan Community Bank, Parcel: 411215400001, $736,000 BRANDINGER, Anders P. et al, Independent Bank, Ada Twp., $362,500 CIMITILI, Maria et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, East Grand Rapids, $825,000 BROOME, David T. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Cascade Twp., $534,202 SENAY, Blake et al, Huntington National Bank, Byron Twp., $506,425 WHEELER, John et al, Mercantile Bank, Ada Twp., $500,000 JAMES, Kenneth et al, Rocket Mortgage, Parcel: 411909325024, $484,000 TROUT, James et al, JPMorgan Chase Bank, Grand Rapids City, $405,887 VORCE, David B., Independent Bank, Cannon Twp., $664,000 NORDER, Garrett C. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Walker, $455,000 SMITH, Joshua R. et al, CIBM Bank, Parcel: 411414227034, $616,000 NEWBERG, Robert N. et al, Finance of America Mortgage, Cannon Twp., $451,271 SIMON, Michael et al, ChoiceOne Bank, Byron Twp., $426,000 LEE, Amy et al, Federal Savings Bank, Plainfield Twp., $347,200 MICKELSEN, David B. et al, Independent Bank, Ada Twp., $429,000 STEKETEE, Stevens C. II et al, United Wholesale Mortgage, East Grand Rapids, $354,500 STAUFFER, Mark E. Jr. et al, United Wholesale Mortgage, Caledonia, $482,000 MUELLERLEILE, Philip et al, Consumers Credit Union, East Grand Rapids, $437,000 KHALILI, Mohsen et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Parcel: 411411202056, $357,600 DOOD, Shane et al, Better Mortgage Corp., Vergennes Twp., $452,288 GJORGJIEVSKI TRUST, JPMorgan Chase Bank, East Grand Rapids, $400,992

HENLEY, Mark P. et al, Northern Mortgage Services, East Grand Rapids, $441,300 MITCHNER, Landon D. et al, West Michigan Credit Union, Kentwood, $425,600 KRUG, Laura D. et al, United Bank, East Grand Rapids, $412,500 RICKARD, Robert et al, Hometown Lenders, Parcel: 411434301021, $548,200 BRUMMEL, Brad et al, Consumers Credit Union, Ada Twp., $362,484 MARMOL, Maria et al, Top Flite Financial, Kentwood, $362,484 KING, Daniel et al, Huntington National Bank, Parcel: 411427301008, $1,175,000 KONWINSKI, Kyle P., Rocket Mortgage, Parcel: 411904127008, $441,100 STANFORD VAUGHN DEVELOPMENT LLC, Forenergy Capital, Lowell, $500,000 ALECCIA, Michael A. et al, Home Point Financial, Cascade Twp., $381,250 LACIC, Brandon et al, Mercantile Bank, Oakfield Twp., $437,000 ANNEN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LLC, Horizon Bank, Parcel: 411324305009, $620,000 VERDUIN, Emily et al, Inlanta Mortgage, Parcel: 411410276044, $382,500 CALHOUN Michael A., Lake Michigan Credit Union, Parcel: 411432429002, $352,000 RADEMAKER, James E. II et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Byron Twp., $380,000 MCGRAW, Michael R. et al, Fifth Third Bank, Cannon Twp., $379,000 MYERS, Neil C. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Algoma Twp., $454,910 CLARK, Travis et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Caledonia, $522,500 BUDZYNSKI, Tammy J., Northern Mortgage Services, Parcel: 411408104016, $468,750 RAYMOND, Gregory et al, Flagstar Bank, East Grand Rapids, $548,250 STANGE, Trevor et al, Huntington National Bank, Cannon Twp., $371,425 HAW TRUST, Huntington National Bank, Parcel: 411435151008, $1,000,000 SARE, William, Hometown Lenders, Algoma Twp, $375,900 BRADFORD, Scott et al, Neighborhood Loans, East Grand Rapids, $411,000 ANNEN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LLC,

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.

Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Publication Title: Grand Rapids Business Journal Publication Number: 004-085 Filing Date: 09/30/2021 Issue Frequency: Bi-Weekly Number of Issues Published Annually: 27 Annual Subscription Price: $59.00 Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication 401 Hall Rd SW Ste 331, Grand Rapids MI 49503 Contact Person - Michelle VanArman Telephone - 248-691-1800 x187 8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher 5750 New King Dr., Ste. 100, Troy, MI 48098 9. Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor 5750 New King Dr., Ste. 100, Troy, MI 48098 Publisher: John Balardo Editor: Tim Gortsema Managing Editor: Tim Gortsema 10. Owner: Gemini Media LLC 5750 New King Dr., Ste. 100, Troy, MI 48098 John Balardo 5750 New King Dr., Ste. 100, Troy, MI 48098 Stefan Wanczyk 5750 New King Dr., Ste. 100, Troy, MI 48098 11. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages or Other Securities. Stefan Wanczyk 5750 New King Dr., Ste. 100, Troy, MI 48098 12. Tax Status: Not applicable 13. Publication Title: Grand Rapids Business Journal 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: October 2021

15. Extent and Nature of Circulation a. Total Number of Copies (Net press run)

Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months

Average No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date

4,998

5,000

778

776

2,127

2,189

2,992

3,039

80 1,715 0 0

103 1,662 0 0

e. Total Nonrequested Distribution (Carriers or other means)

1,795

1,765

f. Total Distribution

4,787

4,804

g. Copies not Distributed

210

180

h. Total

4,997

4,984

i. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation

62.50%

63.26%

b. Legitimate Paid and/or Requested Distribution 1) Outside County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541 2) In-County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions stated on PS Form 3541 3) Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Paid Distribution Outside USPS® 4) Requested Copies Distributed by Other Mailed Classes Through the USPS

c. Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation d. Nonrequested Distribution (Samples, complimentary, and other free) 1) Outside County Nonrequested Copies Stated on PS Form 3541 2) In County Nonrequested Copies Stated on PS Form 3541 3) Nonrequested Copies Distributed Through the USPS by other Classes 4) Nonrequested Copies Distributed outside mail (trades shows, etc...)

2021-22 BBTE Fellows presented by Building Bridges Through Education, powered by the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Cultivating the next generation of Latinx Talent Our mission is to help grow a dynamic and inclusive workforce in West Michigan and impact the workplace by cultivating a Latino talent pipeline. BBTE’s goal is to prepare and connect high potential Latinx college students with the tools and opportunities to reach their career goals while educating and encouraging business to invest in their communities by creating job and internship opportunities.

Jessica Ledesma

Holva Dalmasi

Ashley Soto

Jesús Delgado

Program Manager

Success Administrator

Success Navigator

2021-22 BBTE Fellows Business/STEM Fellows: Adrian Carrasco: • Grand Valley State University • Chicago, Illinois • Class of 2021

Andrea Pantoja: • Grand Valley State University • Grand Rapids, Michigan • Class of 2022

Brandon De Martinez: • University of Michigan • Caledonia, Michigan • Class of 2023

Ingrid Gomez: • Western Michigan University • Lambertville, New Jersey • Class of 2022

Jose Galvan • University of Michigan • Detroit, Michigan • Class of 2023

Kennia Cifuentes • University of Michigan • Grand Rapids, Michigan • Class of 2022

Maribel Suarez Munoz • Western Michigan University • Lawton, Michigan • Class of 2024

Marisol Benitez • Ferris State University • Holland, Michigan • Class of 2023

Rebecca Herrera • University of Michigan • Bayonne, New Jersey • Class of 2022

Stella Rodriguez • Grand Valley State University • Kentwood, Michigan • Class of 2022

Health Science Fellows: April Garcia • Grand Valley State University • Chesterfield, Michigan • Class of 2023

Arely Fernandez • Grand Valley State University • Grand Rapids, Michigan • Class of 2025 Fernando Garcia • Hope College • Grand Rapids, Michigan • Class of 2022

Brookelyn Lorenz • Ferris State University • Muskegon, Michigan • Class of 2023

Guadalupe Luna Arroyo • Southwestern Michigan College • Grand Rapids, Michigan • Class of 2024

Elianai Orozco • Western Michigan University • Pullman, Michigan • Class of 2024

Erick Guzman • Western Michigan University • South Haven, Michigan • Class of 2024

Isabel Guerra • Grand Valley State University • Muskegon, Michigan • Class of 2022

Sheila (Nikki) Castro • Grand Valley State University • Wyoming, Michigan • Class of 2022

Lauren Toledo • Grand Valley State University • Holland, Michigan • Class of 2025

Yareli Alvarez-Herrera • Davenport University • Byron Center, Michigan • Class of 2024

Nursing Fellows: Adamaris Rivera • Grand Valley State University • Grand Rapids, Michigan • Class of 2023

Jennifer Ayala • Grand Valley State University • Grand Rapids, Michigan • Class of 2025

Social/Public Service Fellows: Abylene Vargas Leon • University of Michigan • Grand Rapids, Michigan • Class of 2023

Clarissa Mata • Michigan State University • Jenison, Michigan • Class of 2023 Michelle Herrera • Western Michigan University • Shelby, Michigan • Class of 2023

Jazmin Martinez • Hope College • Holland, Michigan • Class of 2022

Susely Lopez- Salvatierra • Western Michigan University • Grand Rapids, Michigan • Class of 2022

Jessica Cortes • Western Michigan University • Hartford, Michigan • Class of 2022 Sydney Perez • University of Michigan • Chicago, Illinois • Class of 2023

Mariana Ramirez- Franco • Aquinas College • Holland, Michigan • Class of 2023

Yasmine Soto • Ferris State University • Grand Rapids, Michigan • Class of 2023

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

STREET TALK

Healing hearts and minds

Violence prevention.

he Biblical phrase (Luke 4:23), “Physician, heal thyself,” often is quoted in reference to doctors, nurses and other medical personnel suffering from burnout. Spectrum Health took that advice to heart and is being recognized for its efforts. Spectrum is a recipient of the American Medical Association’s 2021 Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program. The national distinction recognizes health systems with a demonstrated commitment to preserving the well-being of health care team members by engaging in proven efforts to combat work-related stress and burnout. Spectrum is one of 44 health care organizations across the country to be recognized this year. “It’s truly an honor to receive such important recognition from the AMA, and we are committed to continuing our work to help support all of our frontline team members,” said Dr. Joshua Kooistra, senior vice president and chief medical officer at Spectrum Health. “COVID has tested us all, but it’s the people on our front lines who are, most often, feeling the extreme mental effects of the pandemic, and it’s our responsibility to ensure their well-being is intact.”

BUSINESS JOURNAL STAFF

Since the pandemic began, the health system has implemented several resources to help support team members including a “well-being index” that regularly gauges how well clinicians are doing both physically and mentally, as well as offering community building programs, support groups, promoting mindfulness and launching a peer-support pilot program. A national study examining the experiences of physicians and other health care workers who worked in health care systems during the COVID-19 pandemic found that 38% self-reported experiencing anxiety or depression, while 43% suffered from work overload and 49% had burnout. Kooistra added that while the health system has been seeing similar burnout and stress trends, feedback from the index continues to shed light on what helps and what doesn’t. For example, an overwhelming majority of respondents said it was their Spectrum Health colleagues that helped improve their sense of well-being the most. “I am grateful to Dr. Kristin Jacob, Courtney Hilbert and our team at the Office of Physician & APP Fulfillment who are dedicated to the well-being of our physicians and combating stress and

burnout with proactive, innovative efforts that take into account this important feedback,” Kooistra said. “It’s because of these initiatives that continue our momentum to make Spectrum Health a great place to work.” Hello, awards An annual Thanksgiving talent recruiting event series has received acclaim from the International Economic Development Council. Back To Michigan, a collaborative, statewide event spearheaded by Hello West Michigan and The Right Place, was awarded a silver and bronze ranking by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) at the council’s 2021 annual conference. Hello West Michigan convened the Back To Michigan Host Organization Committee, which came together during COVID-19 to host Back To Michigan, a series of virtual career fairs for people interested in relocating to Michigan. The virtual event concept is based on ReThink West Michigan, the award-winning in-person event Hello West Michigan and The Right Place host yearly on the night before Thanksgiving. The Back To Michigan Host Organization Committee won silver

in the Regionalism and Cross-Border Collaboration category. The Back To Michigan event series won bronze in the Innovation Programs and Initiatives category. “Our committee came together during COVID and consisted of a dozen host organizations, most of whom had never worked together or even met each other,” said Rachel Gray, executive director of Hello West Michigan. “Together, in collaboration with the state of Michigan, we organized an event series that resulted in over 2,000 registrants and multiple hires. The Back To Michigan Host Organization Committee is helping to alleviate one of the most critical challenges regions are facing right now: attracting talent.” IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development Awards recognize the world’s best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials and the year’s most influential leaders. Twenty-five award categories honor organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban and rural communities. Awards are judged by a diverse panel of economic and community developers, following a nomination process held earlier this year. IEDC received over 500 submissions from four countries. “The winners of IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development awards represent the best of economic (development),” said Tom Kucharski, 2021 IEDC board chair and Invest Buffalo Niagara president and CEO. “This year more than ever has presented opportunities to innovate, impact and progress the cities, neighborhoods and communities around us.”

OCTOBER 18, 2021

For 2021, several regions are hosting in-person and virtual events for Back To Michigan. West Michigan’s regional event, ReThink West Michigan, will be held Nov. 10 and Nov. 24. Safe at home Safe Haven ministries recently celebrated its 30th anniversary and received a valuable gift along the way — federal funding to expand telehealth and mobile advocacy for individuals suffering from relationship or domestic abuse. “These additional resources provide a critical opportunity for mobile advocacy to increase access for victims to connect with resources and support survivor-driven planning for safety with an interconnected network of people and organizations in our community,” said Safe Haven’s executive director, Rachel VerWys. Safe Haven, which was first named Ramoth House, once had the capacity for just three individuals and their children. Thanks to a move in 2018 to a new facility with the help of capital campaign funding, Safe Haven now has the ability to provide a safe shelter and services for up to 56 individuals, including children. A safe space in the community is needed indeed as 2,715 crisis contacts were received last year through the organization’s 24/7 phone, text or web crisis support, allowing Safe Haven to serve 790 households for approximately eight nights at a time. Safe Haven also joins forces with community partners to stop violence at the source by providing prevention and training initiatives at schools, churches and businesses.

09 OF 11

HOME AND FAITH IN RECOVERY. A spotlight with Peter Albertini

Peter Albertini’s service on the board of Guiding Light comes at the intersection of housing, recovery and grace. The New York real estate broker was the trailing spouse when he and his wife, Christine, moved to Grand Rapids in 1992 for her opportunity to lead an entrepreneurial company within Steelcase. After stints in the Army and then in advertising, Albertini had landed on real estate, selling condos and townhouses in New York City – a portable career he could transition to West Michigan when the couple moved. Albertini remembers being struck by the absence of those experiencing homelessness when touring the city that ﬁrst time with a real estate agent. His guide waved away his concern breezily, noting, “Oh, we don’t have any homeless here” – and Albertini realized certain worlds don’t intersect in Grand Rapids. The couple bought a house and set about making West Michigan their home. He joined the team at Westdale Realty, which was the largest residential real estate agency at the time. They adopted two children from Kazakhstan. He enrolled at Aquinas College, earning a degree in theology.

Albertini volunteered, serving on more nonproﬁt boards than he can easily recall. About seven years ago, he met a Guiding Light board member while serving on the board of the Alano Club, a Grand Rapids nonproﬁt that supports addiction recovery, and accepted the invitation for a tour.

Men in Recovery spend the ﬁrst four to six months in an intensive residential program that combines evidence-based practices, lifecoaching, therapy, support groups, spiritual direction and other resources needed to help them build a life worth staying sober for.

“We lived in Heritage Hill, and I drove by all the time, but I really didn’t know what Guiding Light was about,” Albertini recalled. “I went down there, and we had a talk – he told me, ‘We need people like you on the board,’ so I joined.”

“You immediately join a family when you come to Guiding Light,” Albertini says. “You all know you are in the same point in the arc of your recovery. You’ve mostly bottomed out. You’re stripped of all designations. Right then and right there, you are all equals.”

At that point, Albertini had been sober for 36 years, a decision made during his earlier career in advertising. He credits a friend in New York for inviting him to his first support group meeting, where he “found the light” and decided to quit drinking. The mission of Guiding Light particularly resonates with Albertini, who has served the organization in several roles, including on the executive board and as general secretary. He has been active with the development committee, helping with the real estate acquisitions that would allow for the expansion of its sober living community, Iron House. “Alcoholism and addiction do not discriminate,” Albertini notes. “Addiction reaches into every part of the community and every part of any family. It’s chronic and progressive. Unless you intercept it and continue to do the work, you don’t recover. “I saw that Guiding Light had a history and a mission, and a number of people who were committed to keeping it supported and successful. Recovery is their forte. Their ambition is not just to get people into an environment where they can get and stay sober, but to actualize a lifestyle and help them identify a path so they can continue that journey successfully.” A key to that success, Albertini realizes, is having a safe place to call home, a job to provide financial support and a sense of faith to serve as your compass. “If you have no credit or have gone through bankruptcy and have bad credit, you can’t do anything – you can’t get a car, find an apartment or land a job,” Albertini says. “Guiding Light helps men find a spiritual path that allows them to walk through their lives and be responsible. “The Recovery program enables them to develop some savings, pay off debts and work to establish a credit history by paying rent. They’re able to continue to find their way through the larger community of those in recovery.”

Guiding Light’s program is free of charge to participants, who are expected to commit their full time and attention to their recovery. Men in the program attend group and individual therapy sessions with a licensed counselor specializing in addiction. They also have weekly sessions with a life coach and a spiritual director, as well as daily personal contact with outside community support groups who are all committed to their recovery. Men who complete the Foundations portion of the program have the option to move to Iron House, a sober-living apartment setting that provides a safe and secure environment in a residential area outside the inner city. Albertini knows the concept of home is central to the success of Guiding Light’s Recovery program – as is a commitment to faith. “Home is important for a recovering alcoholic,” he says. “To not have some place to go at every level when you are looking for support, advice and a relationship with God is just devastating. Guiding Light gives you that ﬁrst sense of home and that ﬁrst sense of community.

‘‘

Guiding Light has done more than just help people get sober. It’s given them a place where they can develop their own spiritual path.

Through the guiding light of God’s Spirit, Guiding Light partners with individuals to fulfill their God-given potential through rescue, recovery and re-engagement in the community. GIVE SECURELY ONLINE AT GuidingLightWorks.org/Give

”

“It has raised their consciousness – and the consciousness of the community. Alcoholism is more than a disease. It’s an opportunity for people to dig down and ﬁnd their own capacity to have a spiritual connection.”

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A Force of Change in West Michigan Congratulations to Megan Rydecki, Community Affairs Manager in Kent and Montcalm counties for Consumers Energy, for being named a Grand Rapids Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree. As a Grand Rapids native with two degrees from Grand Valley State University — and now as chair of its board of trustees — you’ve spent the past 15 years as a relentless advocate for West Michigan. It’s a role you play to perfection. First as director of Wyoming’s Downtown Development Authority, and then as its assistant and deputy city manager, you made Wyoming a better place to live, work and play. As is your trademark, you brought Wyoming’s businesses, residents, community organizations and local and regional partners together to find common ground and power progress. As business development manager with The Right Place, you helped to secure investment and jobs in West Michigan. You also grew West Michigan’s technology, workforce development and talent attraction capabilities. Now as our Community Affairs Manager in Kent and Montcalm counties, you’re a true champion for our customers. You exemplify what it means to care for the communities we serve and lead the clean energy transformation. Put simply, you are a force of change in West Michigan, and we’re glad you’re here. From all of us at Consumers Energy, we celebrate you.

Megan Rydecki Community Affairs Manager, Kent and Montcalm counties, for Consumers Energy

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

Honorees 31

Miriam Cuevas Language services manager Spectrum Health

Jamon Alexander President, CEO West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology

CJ DeVries Owner GRNow/Innovative Social Exchange MKTG/Catalina & Ora Hat Co./Glamp Rapids

Nathan Baar Founder, CEO HealthBar Emily Babson Director of organizational development and leadership training Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital

Nathan Blury Co-owner/Co-founder Saint Liberty Whiskey/Original Tin Cup Co. Jasmine Bruce Public arts manager Lions and Rabbits Center for the Arts RC Caylan Creative director, fashion designer, founder RC Caylan Atelier LLC Patrick Cisler Executive director Lakeshore Nonprofit Alliance Community SPOKE

Tyler Doornbos Co-founder, partner Well Design Studio

44 Terry Rostic

Founder, CEO/Community relations leader Black Calder Brewing Company/ Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Megan Rydecki Community affairs manager Consumers Energy

40 Madelaine Lane

Archie Sudue Designer, owner Mel Styles

Partner Warner Norcross + Judd LLP D.L. McKinney Director of drop-in/Co-founder, principal consultant A.Y.A. Youth Collective/Paradigm Shifts Consulting Ingrid Miller Executive director Uptown Grand Rapids

Ashleigh Evans Founder InBooze

Ericka Thompson Poet Laureate, artist, teacher Kyd Kane Poetry LLC

46 Jorel Van Os

Chief information security officer Acrisure

Eleanor Moreno Chief operating officer Grandville Avenue Arts and Humanities

Gleason Director of education The Diatribe Inc.

Alexa Kramer Director of government affairs Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce Erin Lane Assistant U.S. Attorney U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Michigan

Ryan Erickson Vice president, co-founder Packaging Compliance Labs

Nikeidra Battle-DeBarge Coordinator/Co-founder, executive director Wedgwood Christian Services/ New Destiny Pathways Matt Baxter CEO Wedge

Destiny Adams CPS intake specialist/owner State of Michigan/The Traveling Hair Boss

Charissa Huang Shareholder Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge Mark Jesin Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Advanced Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Studio

Jane Newton Associate vice president of people services Creative Dining Services Stephen Panaggio Partner, creative director Voyage Pictures

Mark Johnson Co-founder, managing partner Michigan Software Labs

Patrick Parkes Absolutely Accessible Kent business development coordinator Disability Advocates of Kent County

Alita Kelly Co-founder South East Market

Keyuana Rosemond Chief innovation officer Health Net of West Michigan

Lauren VanKeulen CEO A.Y.A. Youth Collective

Kyle VanStrien Co-owner, co-founder Long Road Distillers Andrea Wallace CEO Opnr Ashley Ward Founder, owner, CEO Hire for Hope Cameron Young Digital marketing specialist Behler-Young

CONGRATULATIONS 2021 - 40 UNDER 40 – BUSINESS LEADERS –

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GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

40 Under 40 Business Leaders knock it out of the park

o steal a phrase from the sports world, the lineup for the 2021 Grand Rapids Business Journal 40 Under 40 Business Leaders is loaded. From affordable housing and child care to streamlined health care and DEI, the 40 members of the 2021 class are an issue-focused group who are using their skills and talents to make West Michigan a better place. And they’re not shy about putting everything they have into the effort. “I knew that what I was doing was completely outside myself and would affect thousands of lives,” said Emily Babson, director of organizational development and leadership training for Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, when discussing her role in opening the hospital’s COVID Vaccine Clinic. “I felt so honored that our executive team thought highly enough of me to put probably the most important project of the decade in my hands.” It’s fair to say putting any significant project in the hands of these 40 people is a good business decision. Why? Because they are resilient. At least two members, Nathan Blury and Terry Rostic, mentioned being let go from previous organizations and how crushing that was for them personally. Rather

than dwell on the negative, however, both used the opportunity to start their own businesses, both of which are unique to West Michigan. This year’s group also is adept at multitasking. Multiple members hold down two or more positions, not because they have to, but because their varied interests demand that they spread themselves out. Destiny Adams, for example, is a Children’s Protective Services intake specialist for the state of Michigan. She’s also an entrepreneur who uses her business, Destiny Adams & Company LLC, to educate new business owners on how to create marketing strategies, business plans and international contacts to ensure long-term success. Both roles are vital to who she is. “I am a giver at heart,” she said. “Through my work with CPS, I enjoy helping families achieve positive outcomes, which has transferred over to my business.” When the pandemic hit, CJ DeVries, who owns and runs several businesses, knew from experience the fear and uncertainty facing business owners during a unique time in history. She used her business, GRNow, to promote other businesses that were struggling by creating a comprehensive online list of dining establishments in Grand Rapids and their takeout procedures, outdoor

dining options and hours of operation. “We did not take any advertising dollars from suffering businesses and instead offered our services free of charge — most times with me consulting them on ways to get more people in,” she said. That type of selflessness is why DeVries, and the others on this list, are bright lights in Grand Rapids’ future. They care more about community than individuals (especially themselves) and are tireless in their efforts to make Grand Rapids a better place for everyone who lives here. The individuals mentioned above are not intended to be the “all-stars” on this year’s team. Rather, they are indicative of what is a very strong lineup from top to bottom for the 2021 Grand Rapids Business Journal 40 Under 40 Business Leaders. Take a moment to read their stories on the ensuing pages. I think you’ll agree that every one of them knocks it out of the park. Tim Gortsema Editor Grand Rapids Business Journal

Distinguished Alum brings unique medical technology here Anthony Chang plans to open BAMF Health on Medical Mile next year. Chelsea Carter

ccarter@grbj.com

ANTHONY CHANG has come a long way in five years. Chang, a member of the 2016 class of the Grand Rapids Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Business Leaders, is the founder and CEO of Bold Advanced Medical Future (BAMF) Health, a company working to transform systems used for diagnosis and treatment for patients with cancer, Parkinson’s disease, PTSD, depression, cardiac disease and more. He’s also the Business Journal’s 2021 Distinguished Alumnus and will address this year’s 40 Under 40 class during a celebration beginning at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 26, at GLC Live at 20 Monroe in downtown Grand Rapids. “I left academia to start a company that is literally trying to — just can’t stand for the status quo. Patients are dying every single day. We know we have something, we can help them, but there’s nothing we can do about it (right now),” Chang said. “And so, by starting this company, we are literally trying to make sure these new technologies are available and accessible to all patients, and that’s what we’re going to do. These are the things that are very hard to do, but this is the

right thing to do. And these are things that need to be done. That’s why we started.” BAMF Health is scheduled to open in mid-2022 in the Doug Meijer Medical Innovation Building on Grand Rapids’ Medical Mile. The location is intentional. “I’ve been to so many places in the United States and also around the world, and I do think Grand Rapids is a very unique place. ... The biggest thing that attracted me here is because of the good heart of people and what we’re building over here in the Medical Mile,” said Chang. “I have a deep belief in the vision of the Medical Mile. We have an educational system, medical school, graduate school and different medical professional schools. We have a great hospital system, cancer center, cardiac center and a children’s hospital. We have research organizations (such as) MSU, Van Andel Institute. This is a great foundation over here.” The technology BAMF brings to the table features molecular imaging and molecular-targeted radiation therapy known as theranostics: the first treatment of its kind in the United States. Chang said it has “the ability to offer the right patient the right diagnosis and offer them the right treatment at the right dose at the right time,” while also identifying diseases in early stages at the molecular level. “I have a deep belief in the application of imaging in clinical medicine, because I keep feeling like a lot of times in clinical

Anthony Chang, founder and CEO of BAMF Health, is this year’s Distinguished Alumnus. Courtesy BAMF Health practice, we treat patients blindly. We don’t know what we’re fighting for. We keep guessing; doing the trial-and-error method,” said Chang. “And so, there must be a better way — and through the imaging and using different types of imaging modalities, we can use a non-invasive way to catch a disease earlier and really know what’s going on in a patient’s body and use that as a method and information to treat the patients.” Chang, a native of Taiwan, said BAMF expects to employ 200-250 people and also should attract more international doc-

tors, students and patients to Grand Rapids through its molecular imaging clinic and advanced therapeutic clinic. Despite all the high-tech treatment and care that BAMF plans to unveil next year, Chang said his message to this year’s 40 Under 40 class will be pretty simple. “A leader needs to lead. No. 1, make sure you have the right visions; No. 2, have the courage to do the right things, to do the big things, to do the hard things. Because that’s what the world needs, and that’s how we can make the world a better place,” he said.

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

Jamon Alexander, 37

Destiny Adams, 30

President, CEO West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology

CPS intake specialist/owner State of Michigan/The Traveling Hair Boss DESTINY ADAMS IS ENJOYING her successes as she strikes a balance between being a business influencer and content creator and working as a child welfare specialist on behalf of the state. Yahoo Finance dubbed her among the Top 10 Female CEOs to Watch and she was featured in the CNBC Millennial Money series earlier this year. “This has caused my business to land brand deals and partnerships with large companies such as Google, Alibaba, Shopify, Wix, GoDaddy and Intuit QuickBooks,” she said. “I am making a difference in my community by being able to provide free business advice and content to new entrepreneurs.” Adams uses her business, Destiny Adams & Company LLC, to educate new entrepreneurs on how to start and grow a business by creating marketing strategies, business plans

and sourcing international products through her YouTube channel, e-books, workshops and vendor trips. Within the past year, Adams said her YouTube channel has grown to 25,000 subscribers, resulting in more than 12,000 sales and 500,000 video views. Adams has been a CPS intake specialist for 12 years. She investigates, assesses and follows up on complaints of abuse or neglect of children. She also petitions and testifies in court on progress and services rendered to children and families. “The biggest influence in my life is my surroundings,” she said. “Seeing where I come from motivates me to work harder at achieving my goals. I am a giver at heart. Through my work in CPS, I enjoy helping families achieve positive outcomes, which has transferred over to my business.”

JAMON ALEXANDER’S DESIRE to impact Grand Rapids has only strengthened during the past year as he stepped into a new leadership role. Alexander became president and CEO of West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology (WMCAT) in March, following in the footsteps of last year’s 40 Under 40 Distinguished Alumnus and keynote speaker Daniel Williams. Previously, Alexander served for six years as WMCAT’s director of workforce development. “To me, this work is personal,” he said. “WMCAT’s Teen Arts + Tech Program is engaging teens (who) walk the high school halls I once walked. Our Adult Career Training Program is helping families like the one I grew up in move toward economic security through meaningful employment. Our Step Year program provides a space for young adults with big ideas to find their unique post-secondary pathway.”

Alexander’s greatest motivation is to correct systemic discrimination in Grand Rapids by providing equitable access to opportunity. He serves as co-founder, board co-chair and community outreach chair of Business Leaders Linked to Encourage New Directions (BL2END), as a member of the Grand Rapids Chamber’s Create Great Leaders Advisory Council and as a board member with the city of Grand Rapids’ Board of Zoning Appeals. He previously was involved with Invest Health, a national collaborative funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that brings together stakeholders to address social determinants of health; the Equity Action Team for the Essential Needs Task Force (ENTF), Kent County’s workforce development system; and the Equity Advisory Team for KConnect’s 4th-12th grade workgroup.

Nathan Baar, 34 Founder, CEO HealthBar

Emily Babson, 34

Director of organizational development and leadership training Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital ONE OF THE BIGGEST SHOCKS to Nathan Baar’s life also turned out to be his biggest break. After spending the first 12 years of his professional life with Metro Health, he received notice in May 2020 that he had been let go. “It was brutal and immediate, and I felt like I was lost for a short period of time,” he said. “The amazing part of it all is that on that very same day, May 5, I received the official letter in the mail that HealthBar was recognized as a business in the state of Michigan.” Baar said he had applied for his business license in April 2020, not knowing the events that were about to unfold in early May due to the pandemic. “Out of grief and loss came the opportunity to create a business, and honestly a movement, that I feel will change the face

of health care both locally and nationally,” Baar said. With locations in Grand Rapids and Holland, HealthBar offers customized health care solutions to businesses and schools across the state. The company initially started to provide services related to COVID-19 testing, but now it also provides accessible, affordable and convenient health care at each of its drive-through locations. “I’m most proud of starting my business last year during one of the most difficult times to do so,” Baar said. “Considering that in just a little over one year, HealthBar has 16 employees and over 325 contracted clinicians, it’s quite amazing to look back at the growth we’ve experienced.” HealthBar ended its first year with over $3 million in revenue.

PRIOR TO BEING OFFERED her current role, Emily Babson was a recruiter on Mary Free Bed’s talent acquisition team. She had been in that role four years, but it had become very apparent only a small portion of her job was recruitment. “I was spending most of my time in talent development, mentoring and coaching,” Babson said. “Although it wasn’t in my job description, I naturally became the person people sought out for professional development, mentoring and advice about exploring career advancement opportunities.” Mary Free Bed previously used a national consultant to conduct its customer experience and leadership training, but Babson became such a champion of these initiatives, the organization decided she should run it. “It was initially intimidating, because this new role required me to hold Mary Free

Bed leaders accountable for our leadership expectations, and at the time I didn’t have experience being a formal leader within the organization,” she said. “I asked one of our senior leaders, ‘How am I going to influence people who have been doing this longer that I have?’ Her response? ‘You already have, and now is your chance to show us formally what you have in you.’” In winter 2020, Babson was tasked to lead the opening of the organization’s COVID Vaccine Clinic. “From writing the documentation needed to become a vaccine provider on Thanksgiving Day, I knew that what I was doing was completely outside myself and would affect thousands of lives,” she said. “I felt so honored that our executive team thought highly enough of me to put probably the most important project of the decade in my hands.”

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

Nikeidra Battle-DeBarge, 39

Matt Baxter, 27

Coordinator/Co-founder, executive director Wedgwood Christian Services/New Destiny Pathways NIKEIDRA BATTLE-DEBARGE is still standing, still a leader in the fight against human trafficking. While the pandemic was making 2020 one of the most difficult years ever for nonprofits, Battle-DeBarge continued her work as the award-winning Manasseh Project coordinator for Wedgwood Christian Services, a key player in the battle to end human trafficking in West Michigan. In October last year, Battle-DeBarge got good news: Kent ISD received a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Trafficking in Persons that Wedgwood’s Manasseh Project and Solutions to End Exploitation (SEE) are now leveraging to create prevention education in schools to stop exploitation. Battle-DeBarge will be the lead trainer implementing a skillsbased human trafficking prevention curricu-

CEO Wedge

lum while also assisting in the development of a school safety protocol. “The significance of providing this type of education in the school systems with vulnerable youth who were most affected by the pandemic is unparalleled,” she said. “This grant opportunity will give me and my colleagues an opportunity to be proactive versus reactive.” Battle-DeBarge also serves on Wedgwood’s Diversity Council, is a member of the YWCA Health Equity Task Force, the city of Grand Rapids’ Human Trafficking Work Group, the SEE Human Trafficking Coalition and volunteers in multiple other capacities in the community. Additionally, she is co-founder and executive director of New Destiny Pathways, which has provided safe, clean, affordable housing and life skills training to over 50 young women aging out of the foster care system since 2012.

Nathan Blury, 36

Co-owner/Co-founder Saint Liberty Whiskey/Original Tin Cup Co. IF YOU’VE ENJOYED taking your drink from the bar to the edge of the river along Canal Park, or at any Grand Rapids’ refreshment zones, you have Nathan Blury to thank. Blury’s group, DrinkGR, worked to champion the re-launch of the hospitality sector out of the pandemic through the expansion of the city’s social zones and refreshment districts. “What was originally just three areas on the east side of the river — minus a small blip on Bridge Street — now includes 105 city blocks! I am proud to say that almost every on-premise licensee has the equal opportunity to participate in a refreshment area because of that expansion,” Blury said. Blury boasts an eclectic career in the beverage business. He is the co-founder of the Original Tin Cup Co., a Michiganbased drink ware company and Kickstarter

Top 100 Project of 2017, and the co-owner of Saint Liberty Whiskey, a craft distillery that honors women bootleggers from the Prohibition era. Additionally, Blury is a social media personality and creator of the “Cocktail and Conversation” and “Drink With Nate and Katie” blog pages, as well as a contributor to several local TV stations. Although not an area native, Blury said his “adopted West Michigan family” has been a major influence on his professional life. “The people of West Michigan have shown me the importance of adapting and being open to change,” Blury said.” In my time here, I have seen the birth of ArtPrize, a wild expansion of breweries and now distilleries. Hospitality and community support of those in need has also been a major influence in my life.”

MATT BAXTER IS A serial entrepreneur who started his first business at 15 and now runs a thriving human resource technology startup. Baxter started Stony Pointe Lawn Care at age 15, owning and operating the company for over six years before selling it in July 2015. That same year, at age 21, he started Wedge — initially called The Competitive Wedge — a video screening solution for recruiters and interviewees that helps companies “make authentic connections with candidates — anytime, anywhere, on any device.” Given the overnight move to remote hiring during the pandemic, and the ongoing shift toward a hybrid workforce, Baxter said Grand Rapids-based Wedge is in an ideal position to continue its growth. He recently led a $1.6 million funding round for Wedge and has so far raised $2.6 million in angel

and seed funding. Baxter said the support is well-timed, as industry analysts predict the U.S. is entering one of the hottest job markets in a decade. Since founding his company, Baxter also has established over 10 strategic partnerships with applicant tracking systems, HR software providers and HR consultants that have equipped Wedge with process automations and extended candidate profiles. Baxter is a board member of the Michigan Center for Economic Innovation and a member of Wedgwood Christian Services’ NextGen Board, as well as a middle school lacrosse coach in Zeeland. He hosts the podcast “The Matt Baxter Show,” which spotlights people who have found their purpose, and is author of “The Hiring Knot,” a forthcoming book on modern recruiting.

Jasmine Bruce, 25

Public arts manager Lions and Rabbits Center for the Arts

JASMINE BRUCE IS USING HER TALENT as a visual artist to push forward social justice. Bruce is the public arts manager for Lions and Rabbits Center for the Arts, a nonprofit organization that offers accessible arts education and programs to individuals in the Grand Rapids area. She leads over 100 artists in creating murals, installations and 3D work. This is not the first time she is leading a group of artists, however. During the social unrest of 2020, Bruce worked with Hannah Berry, the founder of Lions and Rabbits Center for the Arts, community leaders and organizations on an initiative called Windows GR, a public art activation project. She helped to lead over 100 artists to paint more than 300 boarded-up windows of businesses in downtown Grand Rapids that were shattered during the riots last year to shed

a light on police brutality and protests that were happening around the country. “I would soon learn it was the first of many events/initiatives I would lead in my hometown, from Open Windows at Rosa Parks, Women’s Way and After Dark, to teaching WMCAT students and speaking for panels at GRAM and AIGA West Michigan,” she said. “In a bittersweet way, it catapulted my career and reach as an artist and social activist to be able to push social change through my work.” Bruce also is the executive director of Element 7, a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous People of Color) arts community in Grand Rapids that focuses on affecting social change.

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

RC Caylan, 39

Patrick Cisler, 35

Creative director, fashion designer, founder RC Caylan Atelier LLC RC CAYLAN’S PASSION for fashion is woven into his DNA. He is the son and grandson of women who worked as seamstresses in the Philippines. That influence is visible in the type of clothing he designs. “(I am) inspired by the female physique and glamour,” he said. “(I) put more emphasis on women’s fashion. Being very sensitive to my female clientele’s wardrobe desires and needs, producing a masterpiece on each project is (my) constant objective. (I am) your meticulous kind of designer.” Caylan opened his first brick-and-mortar business, RC Caylan Atelier LLC, last year at the Breton Village Mall in Grand Rapids after enjoying continuous success in the fashion design industry. His designs have been worn by more than 100 celebrities including Grammy Award winners Carrie Underwood and Erika Ender;

Executive director Lakeshore Nonprofit Alliance Community SPOKE Emmy Award winners Anne Winters, Anne Heche, Maye Musk, Monique Coleman and Heather Hemmens; and actress and philanthropist Holly Robinson Peete and more. Caylan’s works have appeared in numerous publications around the world including British Vogue, Glamour Bulgaria, Grazia UE, Cosmopolitan Mexico, L’Officiel Australia, Basic Magazine, CBS Watch! magazine, d4mag and more. While he is enjoying the success of his career and striving to become better at his craft, Caylan also is giving back to his community. Biannually, he hosts fundraiser fashion show events to help various organizations throughout West Michigan. RC Caylan Atelier also is a member of the Grand Rapids Chamber, which supports over 2,350 business in West Michigan.

PATRICK CISLER’S PASSION for increasing health equity at a systems level was put to the test during the COVID-19 vaccine rollout this year. As executive director of Community SPOKE, a nonprofit that breaks down barriers between sectors to solve the region’s human services challenges, Cisler worked with the local health department and community to ensure the most vulnerable populations were getting vaccinated. “In early January, when the local public health department began to administer vaccines based on the tiered priority guidelines, my organization was able to come alongside them and help guarantee that they were being as equitable as they could with what limited vaccine they had,” Cisler said. “To accomplish this, the health department would allocate a certain percentage of each week’s vaccine …

and we would work through various nonprofits, churches and other grassroots connections to make sure that primarily BIPOC, individuals with language barriers and individuals with lack of technology methods were getting equal access to the limited vaccine supply. Thanks to our relational capital with so many of these grassroots partners, we were able to make these important connections.” His efforts were rewarded when hundreds of vulnerable citizens each week got vaccinated. Cisler also convened weekly calls with stakeholders and the health department to ensure vaccination clinics were operating safely and inclusively. The work continues to this day. He also is a board director for Spectrum Health Zeeland Community Hospital, board chair of Ottawa Food, and a Leadership Council member of Housing Next and Holland/Zeeland Model Communities.

Miriam Cuevas, 36 Language services manager Spectrum Health

CJ DeVries, 37

Owner GRNow/Innovative Social Exchange MKTG/Catalina & Ora Hat Co./Glamp Rapids

FINDING COMMUNITY IN A different culture is challenging enough, let alone being able to access health care, but Miriam Cuevas is using her own experience to help Spectrum Health support an underserved populace. A first-generation immigrant from Honduras, Cuevas moved to the U.S. as a young adult and entered the workforce as a community interpreter. Although she already was fluent in English, it was a challenge for her to build a community and meaningful connections. “I was in a new country, a new culture, different norms and way of life,” she said. “I had to do what I could to navigate systems and find a place for myself.” Cuevas said she realized her potential for professional growth when she first started working for Spectrum Health. As manager for Spectrum’s Language Services Department, Cuevas works to create

equitable access to health care by providing language access support to a community that speaks more than 200 languages or communicates via American Sign Language. “I never thought I would be in a position that influences how we serve an underserved community in 14 hospitals and over 200 clinics,” Cuevas said. “I feel that I am living my purpose of doing good for others that count on my work and advocacy to access something so precious that is health care.” Cuevas has received numerous awards and recognitions during her tenure at Spectrum Health, including: • Cultural Intelligence Certified Facilitator • Bronze Certified Process Improvement • Spectrum Health Executive MBA Scholarship recipient • Graduate of the Ferris Emprende Leadership Program

CJ DEVRIES SPRANG INTO ACTION when small businesses had to resort to pick-up orders and outdoor dining during the pandemic. She used her business, GRNow, to promote other businesses that were struggling with the pandemic. DeVries created a comprehensive list of outdoor dining establishments in Grand Rapids that people could choose from. She created content that provided takeout, outdoor dining and restaurant updates. DeVries also shared with people ways they could help local businesses such as by buying gift cards and posting the information of businesses on social media. “We did not take any advertising dollars from suffering businesses and instead offered our services free of charge — most times with me consulting them on ways to get more people in,” she said. “I listened to

the community and what the businesses needed. They couldn’t do it all without help, so I stepped in.” DeVries also worked with organizations such as Windows GR as a media resource to shine the spotlight on the events and projects the arts organization was working on to help underrepresented populations in Grand Rapids. “I acquired GRNow because of my passion for Grand Rapids,” she said. “This city is a work in progress — filled with so many people that care deeply to make it an epicenter of inclusivity. These inclusive stories, events and projects are what resonate with me and what I try to spotlight. Owning a company that is focused on building up businesses was my dream, and I believe I found it with GRNow and my marketing company Innovative Social Exchange …”

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

Ryan Erickson, 34

Vice president, co-founder Packaging Compliance Labs

Tyler Doornbos, 38 Co-founder, partner Well Design Studio

WELL DESIGN STUDIO broke $1 million in revenue last year, which isn’t a lot of money for the business, but it’s a significant milestone for its co-founder, Tyler Doornbos. “A million has meant that we’ve created excellent, stable jobs for a (growing) group of wonderful, local people who we could not have done this without,” he said. “It’s meant that we’ve worked on scores of impactful projects that have profoundly affected the region and that have made life better for people here.” The story of Well Design Studio began when Doornbos met his future business partner, Josh Leffingwell, on Twitter in 2010. The two were kvetching about Grand Rapids’ poor bicycle infrastructure. The partnership led to more than a decade of working in urbanism, community work and business. When Well Design was first get-

ting started, the group put in a bid to work on the Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s Challenge Scholars program. “We were easily the newest, smallest studio that put in a bid,” Doornbos said. “We knew it was a big deal for us, and we put our all in. To their credit, the GRCF team saw something in us and our work to date, our commitment to community, and they gave us a chance. They hired us for the project, and it jumpstarted our firm’s growth and work.” Doornbos also created Beer O’Clock GR, a happy hour/social events website he built with friends he knew in Portland, Oregon. “We loved the happy hour and city life sites that we found there and got together to build one to support our city’s growing restaurant and bar scene,” he said.

Ashleigh Evans, 37

jobs we have created within a few short years, allowing dozens of families in the community to have stable and secure footing they can rely on,” he said. Outside of his profession, Erickson also is supporting individuals who need a helping hand. He is the husband of a disabled military veteran. His wife is a 12-year Army National Guard veteran who was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. When she returned, she developed a chronic illness related to her military service. Despite the disability, the Ericksons recently were able to help another veteran who was struggling financially because of mental health issues by furnishing an apartment. “Even now, despite her illness, she continues to be a champion for our local veterans and is always finding opportunities to enhance the lives of those around her,” he said.

Gleason, 34

Founder InBooze

AS A MOTHER OF FOUR Ashleigh Evans is channeling her passion for cocktails into a thriving business where people can enjoy their favorite mixed drinks at home. “By infusing with simple fruits, spices and herbs, you know exactly what is in your cocktail,” Evans said. Evans founded InBooze in October 2018. The company started off mostly on Etsy and at local craft shows. When the pandemic left everyone drinking at home in 2020 and national media coverage picked up on her story, the brand exploded, and Evans went from zero to 200 stores carrying her products. InBooze was featured on the Oprah stocking stuffers list in November of last year, and in December, Evans’ business was chosen for Ayesha Curry’s new store and website in Oakland, California.

RYAN ERICKSON IS MAKING AN IMPACT in the health care industry in more ways than one. He is the co-founder of Packaging Compliance Labs, a health care packaging design, development and validation firm that places an emphasis on patient safety and FDA compliance for sterile medical device products. In 2020, Erickson and his partner expanded their business by creating Packaging Compliance Medical, a contract manufacturing/packaging business that supports small businesses that are in the process of launching new medical technologies in the market. Along with being able to work with medical manufacturers to ensure that products are properly packaged to meet federal standards, Erickson said he is proud of the employment opportunities he has been able to provide. “I’m most proud of the 30-plus full-time

Director of education The Diatribe Inc.

“Although I am an underdog in the city, I have been quietly building an empire with InBooze,” she said. “I believe my hard work and contribution to the community are something special. I use as many other local vendors as possible, from produce, printing to marketing. I love West Michigan and it’s an amazing place to start a small business.” By the end of 2020, InBooze moved to its new headquarters in Grandville, which features a commercial kitchen, warehouse and a soon-to-open storefront. InBooze uses as many locally sourced items as possible, including Michigan apples and cherries. Items are sliced and dehydrated in the commercial kitchen, then pouched by hand. Every kit is made and shipped from the company HQ.

GLEASON IS NOT AFRAID of sharing it all — triumphs and defeats — if it means helping others feel comfortable sharing their own. They is a poet and also director of education for The Diatribe, an organization dedicated to empowering youth and young people through poetry. Their love for poetry opened the door to sharing their stories of struggles, rejections, beauty and confidence in their queer identity. Gleason, along with other artists who are part of The Diatribe, garnered the attention of local educators who wanted them to talk to their students about their careers as artists. Since then, The Diatribe has ballooned into something greater than a single entity. The Diatribe now develops its own spoken word lesson plans on a variety of topics including racial discrimination, gender inequality, LGBTQ rights, representation, trauma, grief and mental illness.

The organization has provided programs such as spoken word-based assemblies and workshops to over 20 schools and more than 5,000 students over the last three years. Last year, The Diatribe’s free programming was downloaded over 100 times in 10 states and served thousands of students. “By sharing our own stories and struggles, from growing up in homes rooted in physical and sexual abuse to struggles with self-harm and coming out as queer, we create an environment where our students feel comfortable to do the same,” Gleason said. “Through poetry, they are able to process grief and trauma and be truly heard by their peers, educators and communities. Administrators have told us that the culture of their school has changed for the better after working with The Diatribe Inc.”

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

Charissa Huang, 37

Mark Jesin, 39

Shareholder Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge CHARISSA HUANG IS AN ATTORNEY and shareholder at Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge, but when she goes to work, she represents more than just her clients. Huang also represents the LGBTQ+ community. “As one of the very few LGBTQ+ women of color who routinely represents the interests of a diverse array of clients in courtrooms across West Michigan, I am aware that litigators like me are underrepresented both in courtrooms within our metro area and nationwide,” she said. “While hard work is being done within the legal industry to create more diverse and inclusive access to justice for all, the broad acknowledgement within our business community of my work in this area would be truly impactful.” Since 2011, Huang has been representing survivors of sexual harassment and abuse, discrimination and retaliation at work and

Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Advanced Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Studio school. She also is dedicating her life to representing the LGBTQ+ community outside the courtroom. Huang is a member of boards representing the Grand Rapids Pride Center, Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce OutPro Council and Grand Rapids Public Schools Foundation. She has served as the board treasurer for the Grand Rapids Pride Center for three years. During her time on the board, Huang has helped to spearhead two of the largest Pride Festivals in the center’s history. She also has been a part of providing support groups for youth, young adults and people of color in the LGBTQ+ community. Huang spent the last year with the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce OutPro Council, educating leaders in the Grand Rapids business community on how to understand LGBTQ+ consumers.

MARK JESIN SAID HIS GREATEST professional accomplishment is seeing a smile on his patients’ faces. “Oral surgery is scary, and to be able to comfort patients so they can have a safe and positive experience never gets old,” he said. “Whether I am performing routine extractions, complex wisdom teeth removal or advanced full arch restoration surgeries, my team and I connect with people first and foremost, which is critical to ensuring a successful surgical result. It is this empathetic approach to dentistry that makes all the difference.” After practicing in Grand Rapids for six years, Jesin opened his own practice three years ago, with a vision of creating a practice known for innovation, empathy and patient safety. The practice’s Smile Again program each year provides one local recipient with a $50,000

smile makeover as part of Jesin’s desire to give back to the community. Jesin is board certified in oral and maxillofacial surgery and dental anesthesia, both in the U.S. and Canada. Other accomplishments include being a diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS), a fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada (FRCDC), a diplomate of the National Dental Board of Anesthesiology (NDBA) and a fellow of the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology (ADSA). During his residency, Jesin served as chief resident at Boston Medical Center, where he earned his certificate in general surgery and was awarded first prize from the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology for his research on the anesthetic management of patients on psychotropic medications.

Alita Kelly, 31

Mark Johnson, 37

Co-founder South East Market

Co-founder, managing partner Michigan Software Labs MARK JOHNSON STILL CARRIES his old Blockbuster Video card as a reminder of how disruption in the technology sphere can either make or break companies. “(Blockbuster) really thought they were invincible,” Johnson said. “Netflix said, ‘Hey you should buy us for $50 million.’ It wasn’t even that much, but Blockbuster said, ‘No, go take a hike.’” Using the failed video rental company as a parable, Johnson’s work philosophy is about making companies “undisruptable” by challenging them to disrupt their practices early on and adopt technology innovations before it’s too late. Together with his business skills, and his friend and business partner Josh Hulst’s technical background, the two started Michigan Software Labs in 2010. “My biggest professional break was meet-

ing my now business partner, Josh Hulst,” Johnson said. “He was someone who I could fully trust and serve along with.” Michigan Software Labs develops custom mobile, web and Internet of Things (IoT) software for clients ranging from locally owned businesses to Fortune 500 companies. Michigan Software Labs won the Inc. Best Places To Work Award in 2019 and 2020 and was rated a Global Technology Leader by Clutch in 2019. The company also was ranked No. 1 in the U.S. by MobileAppDaily for iOS and Android application developers. Johnson himself was recognized as one of the Grand Rapids 200 Most Powerful Business Leaders by the Grand Rapids Business Journal. He also is a member of the Forbes Technology Council and a frequent writer and speaker on topics involving technology and culture in business.

ALITA KELLY SAW A NEED for greater access to fresh, nutritious, affordable, culturally appropriate and locally grown food in her neighborhood of 49507, and she went all-in to meet it. Kelly co-founded the socially conscious, food justice-focused South East Market with Khara DeWit in 2020 and opened the store to the public in January. South East Market sources its products primarily from Black, brown, indigenous, local or women-led farms and businesses, particularly those that respect environmental sustainability, and store employees help educate customers on how to use and cook with unfamiliar ingredients not typically found in the under-resourced neighborhood. Residents of 49507 tend to have higher instances of stress- and dietary-related conditions such as high blood pressure,

diabetes and obesity, and this is something Kelly hopes South East Market can help alleviate. She also aims to start a cooking demonstration kitchen and a gardening pilot program to increase food sovereignty on the southeast side. “As women of color, (DeWit and I) had a lot of statistics against us, but we’ve made a way and we are doing it with essentially no debt and ownership of the full equity of our business,” Kelly said. “We’ve mobilized thousands of pounds of local food from an area that has not had the types of food we carry for decades.” Kelly also serves the community as vice chair of the city of Grand Rapids’ Urban Agriculture Committee, president of the Boston Square Business Association and co-facilitator/co-founder of the National Young Farmers Coalition-West Michigan chapter.

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Alexa Kramer, 28

Erin Lane, 37

Director of government affairs Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce

AS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC shone a spotlight on the nationwide child care crisis, West Michigan had a tireless advocate for greater investments on behalf of working families: Alexa Kramer. In 2020, Kramer created a statewide coalition of business representatives, legislators, civic leaders, children’s advocacy groups and researchers to study the issue and produce a solution. As a result of their work, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer allocated $2.2 million in her fiscal year 2022 budget proposal to fund a tri-share pilot program that splits the cost of child care equally between an employer, the employee and the state of Michigan. “Alexa has made access to quality, affordable child care a top priority for business leaders in West Michigan,” Whitmer said. “Under her leadership, she has organized a diverse

Assistant U.S. Attorney U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Michigan coalition that has helped Michigan launch the first in the nation child care tri-share model. This program launched earlier this year, and it has already exceeded expectations. Alexa was key in developing the model, advocating for an appropriation, and partnering to ensure a successful implementation.” The pilot already has garnered national recognition from groups including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Skills Coalition. “We are seen as a true leader in child care innovation nationwide because of my coalition and its work,” Kramer said. She also serves on the board of Walker Charter Academy, Wedgwood Christian Services NextGen Board, the Child Care Innovation Fund Advisory Council and is the business lead for the Pre-Natal to 3 policy group in Michigan.

ERIN LANE HAS DEDICATED her life to enforcing the law and being a champion of justice throughout the world. Her career as an attorney has spanned far and wide, including Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Honduras and Michigan. Lane worked 10 years for the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. Lane collaborated with Afghani justice professionals to implement a nationwide rule of law program that trained hundreds of prosecutors, defense attorneys and judges to promote progressive justice reforms in the country. She allocated grant funding to a Congolese doctor who provided health care to survivors of sexual assault. While in Honduras, she helped her Honduran co-workers design

programs to reduce homicide rates in the city of San Pedro Sula. Lane said while she was there, San Pedro Sula was known as the murder capital of the world, but its reputation changed as she and her team worked to reduce homicides by 85% in the city. When Lane returned to Michigan in 2019, she became an assistant U.S. Attorney for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan. Since then, she has successfully prosecuted individuals who have committed such crimes as drug trafficking, arson, bank robberies and illegal use of weapons. “I am a native Grand Rapidian,” she said. “I am dedicated to implementing all the lessons that I learned during my years overseas to promote community resiliency, justice and peace in this community that I love.”

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Madelaine Lane, 39

D.L. McKinney, 35

Partner Warner Norcross + Judd LLP

WHETHER SHE IS arguing a case in a courtroom or performing opera on a stage, Madelaine Lane always remembers the words of her voice teacher and coach, Nicholas Loren. “Nicholas has taught me how to live life beautifully, whether I am singing, preparing for the courtroom or enjoying dinner with family or friends,” she said. “Our work together underscores how much we need to appreciate the journey, not just the final destination.” Lane’s journey as an attorney began at Warner Norcross + Judd, and throughout her career at the law firm, she has taken on many titles. She now serves as the co-chair of the firm’s white collar criminal defense and investigations practice group and regulatory and compliance practice group, tri-chair of the data analytics and eDiscovery practice group, co-partner-in-charge of Warner’s eDiscovery Center and deputy general counsel.

Director of drop-in/Co-founder, principal consultant A.Y.A. Youth Collective/Paradigm Shifts Consulting However, Lane said her biggest accomplishment in her legal career was being appointed to Warner’s management committee, which is comprised of 10 members who oversee the firm’s strategic vision and day-to-day operations. Her passion for singing has led her to perform in various places in West Michigan and Europe, as well as Carnegie Hall. Nevertheless, Lane said performing with the Kent Philharmonic Orchestra is her biggest accomplishment yet in her opera career. “For both of these accomplishments, I was able to reflect on the journey, as my voice coach Nicholas Loren has taught me,” she said. “In each area, I found myself at a spot of appreciating the mastery of skills that enabled me to reach these twin career pinnacles — enjoying the journey as much as the achievement.”

tug to apply for a role at Grand Rapids HQ that would provide a platform to help youths who also experienced trauma, mental illness, addiction and housing instability. Deeply rooted in community, McKinney serves as chair of the Continuum of Care Youth Committee, member of the Urban Core Collective Transformational Leaders Program Dream Team and the LGBTQ+ Health Consortium, vice president of Business Leaders Linked to Encourage New Directions (BL2END) and committee member of the Young Professionals of Color Conference founded by Cascade Engineering. In addition, McKinney and their spouse, Jazz McKinney, co-founded Paradigm Shifts Consulting, which focuses on family rights, access to health care, Native justice, and eliminating transphobia, homophobia and racism in West Michigan.

Eleanor Moreno, 33

Ingrid Miller, 38

Chief operating officer Grandville Avenue Arts and Humanities

Executive director Uptown Grand Rapids

INGRID MILLER is described by her nominators as a strategic systems thinker who leads by example. Miller’s big break came when she landed the job of executive director of Wayland Main Street/Downtown Development Authority in 2015, a role she held for four years. During her tenure, she won a $200,000 Facade Restoration Initiative grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and leaned on her intuition to build programs to better serve the community. In 2019, Miller became the first executive director of the newly formed Uptown Grand Rapids Inc., which is the umbrella organization for the East Fulton, East Hills, Eastown and Wealthy Street business districts that together serve over 300 businesses. Miller said she is most proud of her accomplishments during the pandemic, including

D.L. MCKINNEY LEVERAGES personal experience to help vulnerable young people emerge from homelessness. McKinney, whose pronouns are they/them, works as drop-in director for the nonprofit A.Y.A. Youth Collective, which was formed to better address youth homelessness through a merger last year between 3:11 Youth Housing and Grand Rapids HQ. McKinney, who identifies as queer, transmasculine and disabled, works with at-risk youths ages 14-24 experiencing housing instability or homelessness. “Within my work alone, our organization engages with nearly 400 youth per year, and historically close to 74% of those youth are youth of color, and over 34% identify (as having) a gender or sexuality within the LGBTQ+ community,” McKinney said. McKinney’s background was in lab services at Spectrum Health before they felt a

creating small business virtual mixers; helping businesses navigate relief programs and trainings; organizing the first social zones in the Uptown district; hosting a safe, socially distanced shopping event; and more. She also spearheaded a new diversity, equity and inclusion task force for Uptown GR, including a DEI audit, monthly board trainings and small business training. “These efforts were in addition to keeping my organization’s primary mission and vision consistent so that when, not if, things returned to normal, we could move forward without skipping a beat. And we have,” she said. Miller also is a member of the Urban Land Institute Michigan Women’s Leadership Initiative and the Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. Goal 4 Alliance, in addition to the boards she serves on related to Uptown GR.

ELEANOR MORENO is on a mission of putting people first in the same way that others have done for her. She is the COO of Grandville Avenue Arts and Humanities (GAAH), a place that provided her with stability when she was growing up through its educational programs at the Cook Arts Center and the Cook Library Center. “The last 10 months here at GAAH have been the most amazing time ever,” she said. “I grew up spending so much time attending both of our facilities, it created a foundation to seek higher education and a professional career. That foundation and support brought me back to join as a board member and then shift to serve as the director at the Cook Arts Center. It was a beautiful moment to then shift into the opportunity to serve as COO.” As the COO, Moreno manages the teams and facilities at the Cook Arts Center and Cook

Library Center, including the Cook Library Summer Clubs, Cook Library After School, Arts Summer Programs, Teen Leaders, After School Arts and Girls Rock! GR. In addition to her role at GAAH, Moreno, who identifies as queer Afro-Latino, has collaborated with community organizations such as Thirteen Moons Kitchen, Auntie’s House and the Food Liberation Network, which she founded. The organization was awarded $100,000 to focus over the next year on redefining the food system and how it will work for minorities. Plans include hosting BIPOC vendor nights at the Fulton Street Farmers Market and providing five farmers, vendors and producers with licenses to sell their products.

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Congrats 40 under 40! Here’s to the growth of your future. ubmich.com

Warner congratulates

Madelaine Lane

Grand Rapids Business Journal’s

“40 Under 40” Class of 2021!

wnj.com

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Jane Newton, 39

Stephen Panaggio, 31

Associate vice president of people services Creative Dining Services JANE NEWTON HAD been at Creative Dining Services directing its human resources department only nine months when the pandemic hit and the company’s source of income dried up. Colleges and universities went remote, camps and conference centers closed and in-person dining shut down. Newton and her team were faced with how to care for employees during an overnight emergency. “All of a sudden, we didn’t have work for people and did not know how long that would be. I am proud that we are a company that cares for our people and can quickly rally together,” she said, noting HR developed a Benefits Premium Relief Fund so any employee who was temporarily laid off would have health care premiums covered. That same year, Newton helped Creative Dining initiate a diversity, equity and inclu-

Partner, creative director Voyage Pictures

sion journey, starting training from the top downward and sharing her personal experience as an Asian American woman following the spa shooting in Atlanta. In fall 2020, she conducted 16 90-minute roundtable sessions with 160 managers and corporate participants for 240 DEI training hours. The company also coached its frontline team members in DEI customer service best practices. Then, Newton engaged Skot Welch, of Global Bridgebuilders, to integrate DEI as a business practice across the company. In May, Newton was appointed a board member for TrueNorth Community Services to help with its DEI plan. She also has been a volunteer and is a sustaining member of the Junior League of Grand Rapids and is a deacon at Living Water CRC.

STEPHEN PANAGGIO never had the intention of becoming a business leader; he just wanted to be the best filmmaker he could be. While fulfilling his goal, Panaggio unintentionally added the role of business leader because of his accomplishments in the film industry. He has been entrusted with bringing stories to the big screen and that wasn’t more evident than during the pandemic last year. One accomplishment of note was starting a nonprofit called the Kala Project that created films for cause-based organizations and human-interest stories across the country. “We created about 10 films in total that touched countless lives,” he said. Panaggio said his biggest career break was being able to secure a travel show with the Korean branch of the largest and oldest U.S.funded international broadcaster. That opportunity allowed him to serve as

the creative director, creating a 52-episode travel show in two languages — English and Korean. He and his team were able to travel throughout the country, from as far west as Alaska to as far east as Maine. He and his partner have been able to build Bradley Productions and Voyage Pictures. Panaggio has filmed and edited weddings, commercial projects and short documentaries, among other things. “I’m very proud of the relationships I’ve been able to curate with contractors, co-workers, collaborators and employees,” he said. “I’ve been able to learn how to lead creative teams, manage a variety of people from a variety of disciplines and make tough decisions along with my business partner.”

Keyuana Rosemond, 33 Chief innovation officer Health Net of West Michigan

Patrick Parkes, 33

Absolutely Accessible Kent business development coordinator Disability Advocates of Kent County

PATRICK PARKES HAS A BIG GOAL in his current project — to make Grand Rapids a city renowned for its accessibility and inclusivity. Parkes, who has cerebral palsy, said his biggest influence in life was finding an educational home at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, from where he earned two degrees and is working on a third, a Master of Business Administration. Parkes said the university has a “storied history” of equipping and empowering future professionals with disabilities, a message that taught him his disability was “a powerful identity and simply a natural part of human diversity.” Wherever he goes, Parkes either works in or volunteers in spaces that help change the landscape for individuals with disabilities. His current role at Disability Advocates of Kent County is no different. Since last year, he has worked on the Absolutely Accessible

Kent project to educate public and private sector entities on the business case for accessibility and universal design. Parkes also is a commissioner for the East Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Commission and has been board vice president and an athlete representative for USA Boccia since 2018, a position he took up while an athlete for the organization. He competed for the U.S. National Team in the wheelchair sport of boccia at the 2019 Americas Regional Championships in Sao Paulo, Brazil. A former resident of Kansas City, Kansas, Parkes was named to the Class of 2017 Rising Stars by The Independent: Kansas City’s Journal of Society as a public policy expert and nonprofit volunteer.

KEYUANA ROSEMOND has been building the framework for Health Net’s DEI approach long before her current position. Rosemond joined Health Net in 2014 as program coordinator for the FitKids360 program, where she developed training materials and lesson plans, maintained daily operations, established relationships with physician partners and referred entities to recruit participants. After Rosemond was promoted to FitKids360 program manager in 2016, the organization applied for the inaugural round of the Michigan Health Endowment Fund’s Nutrition and Health Lifestyles grant cycle and was awarded a substantial amount of funding, which allowed the expansion of FitKids360 services to Northern Michigan, Lansing and Detroit/Wayne County. “It was the first large-scale expansion proj-

ect that I facilitated and managed throughout the process,” Rosemond said. Since starting her role as chief innovation officer, Rosemond has developed the organization’s DEI strategies and approach, which included the revision of Health Net’s organizational values that drive all programmatic and community work. “I am most proud of the work Health Net is doing in the diversity, equity and inclusion space that I have been leading and developing since 2015,” Rosemond said. “As a masculine-presenting Black queer woman in Grand Rapids, many members of my community are marginalized and systemically excluded from networking, recognition and employment/entrepreneurial opportunities … Representation and visibility matters and inspires future generations to believe they can achieve and be recognized as well.”

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Terry Rostic, 38

Megan Rydecki, 39

Founder, CEO/Community relations leader Black Calder Brewing Company/ Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital BY CO-FOUNDING MICHIGAN’S first Black-owned brewery, Terry Rostic said he was most proud that his creative abilities have brought people to the craft beer industry who typically have been ignored or who didn’t feel welcome. “My life is now centered in working to bring people together and inclusion,” he said. “I have been able to do that in an industry where, out of 8,000-plus businesses, less than 70 look like me or are from my culture. I have been able to authentically represent my own community, including others who have initiated a much-needed conversation. I like to think of myself as a catalyst in the West Michigan craft beer scene.” Despite being let go from a previous position as human resources project manager at Rockford Construction in 2019, Rostic said it was a great moment for him to focus on his

Community affairs manager Consumers Energy

dream of starting a brewery. “It was devastating at the time and hard to process, but my faith carried me through,” he said. “In less than a year after that unexpected news, I started the first Black-owned brewery in Michigan, and I’ve sold out of every beer my partner and I created.” Rostic also serves as community relations leader for Mary Free Bed, where he led COVID-19 response teams and tracking during the height of the pandemic. “What I thought was a dire moment when my role was eliminated at Rockford Construction turned out to be what might be my biggest professional break, because it made me hungrier for success, and it allowed me to see how difficult times can be turned into something better.”

MEGAN RYDECKI said her personal mantra is to love God and love people, so it’s probably no surprise she’s mostly held roles in public service and community development, where she can tangibly carry out this mantra. As community affairs manager for Consumers Energy, Rydecki serves as the utility’s face and voice in Kent County, developing effective relationships and engaging with local government, business and community stakeholders. She also provides strategic leadership related to corporate philanthropy, so funds align with company and community priorities. “I am privileged to hold a place of influence in our community, and I am passionate about using my various platforms to make life in West Michigan better for everyone who lives here,” she said. Rydecki said her greatest professional accomplishment was becoming board chair

for Grand Valley State University and recently being reappointed to that position by her peers for a second year. “GVSU is a leading public institution, and I have the great privilege of collaborating with the president and my fellow trustees in leading our efforts to educate students to shape their lives, their professions and their societies,” Rydecki said. “From tuition and board rates, to financing buildings, to setting high level strategy and hiring presidents — the final decisions fall to us.” During her tenure on the board, Rydecki was one of just two trustees on the search committee that hired President Philomena Mantella and assisted with transition and onboarding. She also was a significant voice in the Belknap neighborhood development, which included the Raleigh Finklestein building and forthcoming affordable housing.

Ericka Thompson, 34 Poet Laureate, artist, teacher Kyd Kane Poetry LLC

Archie Sudue, 36 Designer, owner Mel Styles

WHILE MANY BUSINESS OWNERS closed their doors permanently during the pandemic, Archie Sudue was just opening his. Sudue opened his storefront business, Mel Styles, after operating out of his home since he launched it in 2017. Mel Styles is a custom clothing store that sells hand-tailored suits for men and women. Sudue always has had a passion for fashion stemming from his grandfather, a Vietnam veteran, who he watched polish his shoes and iron his shirts. “His routine and words stressed the importance of always looking responsible,” Sudue said. “… This perception inspired me to always be well-dressed. Being well-dressed boosts your confidence and self-esteem.” Sudue worked as a stylist at Men’s Warehouse and at Macy’s tuxedo department. He was recognized as an emerging designer during New York Fashion Week and Miami’s

Art Basel Fashion Show. Sudue also is using his passion for fashion to help others. “I’ve helped and continue to help improve my community by giving back my time and knowledge to help the next generation. I do more than just sell suits,” he said. “I teach and encourage young men to dress well, while providing affordable custom suits. Each year during prom, I provide up to seven suits for the less fortunate kids to be able to attend prom. Annually, I put together a charity fashion show at DeVos Place featuring 15 to 20-plus local designers and business owners.” Sudue also has volunteered with The Glimpse of Africa, Passion for Fashion Annual Charity Show, Mel Styles back to school barbecue for kids, Urban League and Young Men Dress Well mentorship program.

ERICKA THOMPSON uses her words to paint stories that have lured audiences near and far, and her gift of creativity has not gone unnoticed. The Grand Rapids Public Library crowned her Poet Laureate of Grand Rapids this year after performing at numerous venues including SiTE:LAB, Fountain Street Church, Amway Grand Plaza, DeVos Place, Grand Rapids Pride Festival, Intersection, Masonic Temple, Trinity United Methodist Church, Michigan State Capitol Building, Creston Brewery, South East Market and GLC Live at 20 Monroe, among other places. During her three-year term as Poet Laureate, she is charged with being an ambassador of poetry and engaging Grand Rapidians of all ages and walks of life in creative projects and programs. However, for Thompson, the role is not anything new to her.

She has been a part of The Diatribe, which is a group of nontraditional teaching artists who facilitate after-school programs, assemblies and writing workshops that are rooted in poetry. This year, however, she is doing it a little bit differently. “I’ve been learning and teaching their content,” she said. “This summer they trusted me and allowed me to start teaching my own content. As a child, my dream was to teach, and when life didn’t afford me with the capacity or the financial access to further my education, I had to drop out. I followed my heart and passion, and with that I get the opportunity to love on the young people in my community with poetry, mindfulness and intentionality.”

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CONGRATULATIONS

LAUREN AND DL! AYA Youth Collective is proud to be led by two of GRBJ's 2021 40 Under 40 Awardees: CEO, Lauren VanKeulen (she/her) and Director of Drop-In, DL McKinney (they/them). AYA (As You Are) is a non-profit in Grand Rapids that creates communities, rooted in belonging, for youth 14-24 years old experiencing homelessness and/or instability to own their future. Learn more at www.ayayouth.org

Lauren VanKeulen

DL McKinney

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

Lauren VanKeulen, 35

Jorel Van Os, 37

CEO A.Y.A. Youth Collective

Chief information security officer Acrisure JOREL VAN OS IS MOTIVATED by fighting cybercrime in an era when hacks and leaks are all too common. Despite high demand for information security professionals, Van Os said breaking into the industry remains difficult — which makes landing a job leading all IS operations at a top 10 global insurance brokerage at the age of 35 even more noteworthy, which Van Os did in 2019. Since then, he has built a department of employees with technical skill sets who understand the business and its needs while building on Acrisure’s cybersecurity foundation. During the past year, he spearheaded the deployment of Acrisure’s Cyber Security Blanket, a program that ensures Acrisure and each of its partner offices have the tools to mitigate risk and stay compliant with cybersecurity regulations.

Van Os has deep experience in information security from 10 prior years spent at the data protection firm U.S. Signal, plus three years before that at another company. He cites performing an emergency mitigation on behalf of a financial institution with a data breach in under an hour as one of his great accomplishments. “With all of the hacks and breaches in the news, sometimes things can look bleak, but I know that together, we can turn the tide against cybercrime,” he said. Van Os serves on several boards, including WORK+SHELTER, a women’s shelter he co-founded in New Delhi, India; Abounding in Love, a cleft pallet surgery charity started in Grand Rapids and based in the Philippines; and the Grand Rapids chapter of the National Organization for Women.

IN ADDITION TO Lauren VanKeulen’s role facilitating an environment of belonging for over 450 youths and 26 staff members, she works to collaborate with common-cause organizations in the Grand Rapids community, rather than seeing other service providers as competition. Formed in 2020 out of a merger between Grand Rapids HQ and 3:11 Youth Housing, A.Y.A. Youth Collective exists to create safe spaces for youth in crisis to belong, be themselves and build a future. Since June 2020, A.Y.A. has supported 355 unique youths in Drop-In and has housed 30 youths and 10 children. Within the next three years, A.Y.A. hopes to have 70 units (bedrooms) of housing available to youth and to serve an average of 600 youths per year at Drop-In. VanKeulen co-founded 3:11 Youth Housing in 2012 to address youth homelessness, and

she oversaw the merger between 3:11 and HQ that was done to provide a “cohesive, streamlined approach” to connect youth with services and housing resources. The organization also partners with similar organizations in the area to achieve its mission. According to her nominator, Missy Jackson, A.Y.A. board chair, “Lauren navigated the merger with grace and courage. Merging two healthy nonprofits into one is no small task. She rose to the challenge and ensured that the youth A.Y.A. serves were at the center of every step in that process.” Alongside serving as a board member and vice chair of the executive committee for the Kent County Coalition to End Homelessness, VanKeulen is a board member of the Housing Stability Alliance and Jubilee Centers International.

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Kyle VanStrien, 36

Andrea Wallace, 38

Co-owner, co-founder Long Road Distillers

AN INVETERATE 40 under 40 alum, Kyle VanStrien still is not content to rest on his laurels, but the pandemic brought a tidal wave of challenges to the co-owner of Grand Rapids’ award-winning Long Road Distillers. “We’ve all experienced extreme challenges over the past 16-plus months due to the COVID-19 crisis, but few industries have been harder hit than the hospitality industry,” VanStrien said. “We have been forced to make difficult decisions daily (sometimes hourly) to protect the health, safety and livelihoods of our families, employees, guests and community.” Since March 2020, Long Road closed its doors twice, laid off nearly all of its employees twice, rehired them twice, shifted from producing award-winning spirits to making hand sanitizer, began offering to-go cocktails and cocktail kits, moved quickly to offer outdoor seating in the streets and sidewalks where it

CEO Opnr

never existed before, moved a tasting room from one city to another and opened a new tasting room in a new town. “For over a year, my responsibilities as a business leader couldn’t be shut off, set aside and picked back up again after a vacation or sabbatical,” VanStrien said. “More than ever, our employees have relied on us to make the right decisions.” The distillery came back with a vengeance in 2021, though. This year, Long Road joined other businesses that announced they were raising base wage for all employees to $15 an hour, and opened its fourth tasting room in downtown Cadillac. VanStrien also was instrumental in the creation of the Michigan Restaurant Promise, a coalition of over 500 Michigan restaurants and bars that made a commitment to follow safety best practices.

ALTHOUGH THE MUSIC INDUSTRY was one of the most affected industries during the pandemic, Andrea Wallace has emerged bigger and better. She recently was appointed CEO of Opnr after it acquired her startup Fourtifeye in June. Wallace founded Fourtifeye, a data aggregation platform for musicians, in 2019 when she was able to get her startup accepted to the Capitol Records/Motown Music Tech startup accelerator. When the pandemic hit, she began questioning whether her work in music and data was in vain, but when an opportunity to be acquired by Opnr came along, she ran with it. Opnr is a cloud-based application that connects musicians with performance opportunities and local concert organizers. “I’m passionate about highlighting why the creative economy is so important everywhere,

but especially here in West Michigan,” she said. “It’s unfortunate that so many who work in creative fields find themselves having to move to another location to pursue their passions. I was one of those people. I left for Los Angeles and also lived in Detroit ... and I came back.” Along with being the CEO of Opnr, Wallace is a DJ known in music circles as SuperDre. She has played at The Pyramid Scheme, Brewery Vivant and The Intersection, among other venues. In addition to establishing her career in the music industry, Wallace is the product development manager at Emergent Holdings, which creates insurance products, technology solutions and services for stakeholders such as employers, individuals and other partners. Wallace also is an investor and partner in Motu Viget Spirits, a wine and spirits company in Grand Rapids.

Ashley Ward, 31 Founder, owner, CEO Hire for Hope

Cameron Young, 35 Digital marketing specialist Behler-Young

ASHLEY WARD continues to be reckoned with when it comes to contributing to her community. A domestic violence survivor, Ward in 2017 founded Hire for Hope, an executive search firm that gives 10% of its profits to anti-domestic abuse agencies in Grand Rapids and this fall selected the YWCA West Central Michigan as its exclusive beneficiary. Not only does Ward run a business that this year is on track to donate $25,000 to charity, she also met her 2019 goal of having over five employees — she had at least nine as of this summer. She now owns a property at 49 Monroe Center Ave. NW in downtown Grand Rapids that houses Hire for Hope and extends leases to other single-office tenants. Ward’s nominator described her as having “an infectious drive and natural ability to get the job done,” with “business acumen and zeal.”

In addition to her business accomplishments, Ward is active in the community, serving as a member of the Grand Rapids Sister Cities International committee for the sister city of Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico — a job that involved traveling with the mayor on a friendship visit to Zapopan. She also is a member of the Grand Rapids Downtown Improvement District Board, president of the 49 Monroe Center Condo Association, volunteers at domestic violence agencies and speaks on the topic in the community, and she was a 2020-21 member of the Mayor’s NextGen Advisory Board. “Overall, it is my goal to make an impact and be a catalyst for growth and change in our community,” she said.

THE PANDEMIC has been a challenging time for Behler-Young, but with Cameron Young at the digital marketing helm, the company was able to quickly pivot and enhance its online strategy, product offerings and platform features to better serve customers, who can be technology-averse at times. As a result, Behler-Young’s online sales volume nearly doubled in the past year and a half, and the company as a whole experienced its best year ever in 2020 and is on pace to eclipse that in 2021. “I’m proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish and the effect I’ve had on our community, both professionally and with organizations I’ve been involved with,” Young said. “I have experienced some challenges, but I have tried to use my hurdles as growth and learning opportunities and then

go on to better our community for people in similar situations.” Young served for nine years on the board of directors for Disability Advocates of Kent County, during which time the organization almost doubled the size of its current budget. He currently is co-chair of a $2.5 million campaign to fund a move to a new location for DAKC. Just prior to the pandemic, Young joined the board of trustees at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. “We serve as advisers and financial stewards for the hospital, and as a former patient, I take that role seriously,” he said. “The hospital is in great shape, and the improvement in culture from 14 years ago when I spent three months there as an in-patient is amazing.”

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