Letter From The Editor

Responsibility weighs heavily

If you’ve made it this far through COVID-19, congratulations. And if you think you’re going to make it through to the other side of the pandemic, the chances are good that one or more of the 200 people listed in these pages either have helped or will help you reach that goal.

The Grand Rapids 200 represents the cream of the crop when it comes to leadership in West Michigan. These are the people making decisions every day that affect not only them and their business or organization, but the entire business community.

This is the second edition of the Grand Rapids 200. Many of the people featured in this edition appeared last year as well. While some may criticize that, we don’t believe in giving out “participation trophies.” You have to earn your place in this publication. It’s not something we put to a vote of the people. These individuals are selected by the Editorial Department based on our news coverage, source networks and general knowledge of the inner workings of West Michigan.

There are 21 new people profi led in this edition. A glance at the headlines of 2020 will tell you in which sectors they serve.

Health care, social justice and racial equity are three topics of national discussion as well as right here in West Michigan.

Did you really think Adam London, Kent County’s top health offi cial, could be excluded during the worst health crisis of the last few generations? Neither did we.

The same goes for Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Payne, who this year has been at the forefront of community policing efforts designed to quell some of the worst unrest West Michigan has seen since the 1960s and create better relationships between offi cers and citizens. He’s on the list, too.

Graci Harkema makes the list for her efforts to bring diversity, equity and inclusion to the business community. These are subjects that should be topof-mind for every employer, and the infl uence of Harkema and others with similar mindsets — and skills — are the people who will drive that change.

A 10% “turnover” rate also is indicative of stability. Some, like Dick DeVos and Birgit Klohs, have been infl uential in West Michigan for decades. Others, like Tory Richardson, make the list by virtue of the roles they recently have assumed in the community.

Richardson’s statement that Gerald R. Ford International Airport should be the “front door” to West Michigan shows he understands the responsibility he has been given.

There are many others besides the 200 profi led here who make West Michigan a great place to do business and live. Their roles are no less important. A community is an assemblage of its various — and varied — parts and counts on contributions from everyone.

The people listed in these pages, however, might feel a bit more pressure to perform than the average person on the street.

These 200 leaders do not shirk responsibility; they welcome it.

Tim Gortsema

Editor, Grand Rapids Business Journal tgortsema@geminipub.com

PUBLISHER: JOHN BALARDO ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER: JASON HOSKO

EDITORIAL

EDITOR: TIM GORTSEMA DIGITAL EDITOR: TOM MITSOS STAFF REPORTERS: DANIELLE NELSON, RACHEL WATSON, EHREN WYNDER

DESIGN

CREATIVE DIRECTOR: LINDSAY RICHARDS ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR: KEAGAN COOP

SALES

GENERAL INQUIRIES: ADVERTISINGSALES@GRBJ.COM ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: JENN MAKSIMOWSKI ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: TODD ANDERSON, JESSICA LAIDLAW, RENEE LOOMAN, MADDY MESSERLY RECEPTIONIST/OFFICE ASSISTANTS: ELISSA STONG, KATRINA PESHKA TO ORDER REPRINTS: RECEPTIONIST, (616) 459-4545

PRODUCTION

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR: JENINE RHOADES SENIOR PRODUCTION ARTIST: ROBERT GORCZYCA PRODUCTION ARTISTS: STEPHANIE DANIEL ADVERTISING COORDINATOR: DANIELLE SZATKOWSKI ADVERTISING DESIGNERS: CHRISTIAN LOTT, DANIEL MOEN, AMANDA ZWIREN

WEB

DIGITAL STRATEGY DIRECTOR: NICK BRITSKY WEB PROJECT LEAD: MATTHEW CAPPO WEB PROJECT ASSISTANTS: MARIAH KNOTT, LUANNE LIM, BART WOINSKI

IT

IT DIRECTOR: JEREMY LELAND

CIRCULATION

DIRECTOR OF AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT: MICHELLE VANARMAN CIRCULATION MANAGER: RILEY MEYERS CIRCULATION CUSTOMER SERVICE: (866) 660-6247

MARKETING

MARKETING & EVENTS DIRECTOR: MARY SUTTON MARKETING & EVENTS MANAGER: ANDREA STRAW MARKETING & EVENTS INTERN: AUBREY WILSON

ADMINISTRATION

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS: KATHIE GORECKI PUBLISHING COORDINATOR: KRISTIN MINGO ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATES: NATASHA BAJJU, ANDREW KOTZIAN, KATIE WEST

PUBLISHED BY GEMINI MEDIA, LLC

CEO: STEFAN WANCZYK | PRESIDENT: JOHN BALARDO