GLBM Feb 2019 by M3 Group Publications

FEBRUARY 2019

CYBER INSURANCE

Companies large and small are getting financial protections from breaches by hackers IN THIS ISSUE • Following blaze, Building Twentyone sees rebound with after-school programming for teens • LEAP helps launch program to stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship in the insurance industry • From the comfort of home: Digital delivery services are changing the way consumers shop

JOIN GREATER LANSING BUSINESS MONTHLY as they present the 25th Annual Entrepreneurial Awards Ceremony

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Cocktail hour 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. Awards program at 6:30 p.m. Eagle Eye Golf Club, 15500 Chandler Road, Bath Twp.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

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John Latella is a master of all trades. From business law to business consulting to becoming the president of a business, Latella is a master of negotiation, leadership and customer service. He’s been called a multi-faceted top-level executive who knows his value in a business relationship. Latella’s resume includes former Chief of Senior Crime Unit for the Macomb Senior Crime Unit, former CEO of Garden Fresh Gourmet and current business consultant and angel investor.

Tony Willis is a professional resource charter and economic gardener. Over the past five years Tony has been deeply involved with economic development; specifically, when it comes to developing an entrepreneurial ecosystem for the Greater Lansing Region to foster increased company formation, seed and VC investment, resources to enhance connections between entrepreneurial support organizations, and a culture where people and ideas can move rapidly to the market.

Latella is now the president of McClure’s, a specialty manufacturer of artisan pickled products and bloody mary mixes located in Detroit, Mich.

Tony is currently the Director of New Economy at the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) and President of Lansing PROTO, the regions first startup accelerator program.

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FEBRUARY 2019 ON THE COVER From the comfort of home: Digital delivery services are changing the way consumers shop............................. 6 LEAP helps launch program to stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship in the insurance industry............. 8 Following blaze, Building Twentyone sees rebound with after-school programming for teens......................... 10 Cyber Insurance...................................................................... 14

FEBRUARY 2019

NEWS

Meridian Township receives community certification.................................................. 12

FEATURES The inauguration of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer................................................................ 18 Changing skylines in the Capital City region................................................................. 20 Behind the Scenes............................................................................................................... 22 Visual Breakdown................................................................................................................. 24

CYBER INSURANCE

Companies large and small are getting financial protections from breaches by hackers IN THIS ISSUE

Auto insurance reform likely to see daylight on legislative agenda.......................... 26 Business Calendar................................................................................................................ 28 Notable News....................................................................................................................... 30

• Following blaze, Building Twentyone sees rebound with after-school programming for teens • LEAP helps launch program to stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship in the insurance industry • From the comfort of home: Digital delivery services are changing the way consumers shop

Cover photography by Mary Gajda

Greater Lansing Business Monthly | Volume 32, Issue 2 group

Greater Lansing Business Monthly is published monthly by M3 Group at 221 West Saginaw Street, Lansing, MI 48933. Periodicals postage paid at Lansing, Michigan USPO. USPS number 020w807.

Subscriptions: Subscriptions are available at $22 per year for postage and handling or $38 for two years. Call (517) 203-3333 or visit lansingbusinessnews.com to subscribe. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Greater Lansing Business Monthly, 221 West Saginaw Street, Lansing, MI 48933. Send additional subscription requests and address changes to The Greater Lansing Business Monthly, Inc., 221 West Saginaw Street, Lansing, MI 48933. Copyright © 2016 The Greater Lansing Business Monthly, Inc. All rights reserved. Editorial Office: 221 West Saginaw Street, Lansing, MI 48933 lansingbusinessnews.com 2

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COMMENTARY

Publisher: Tiffany Dowling, tiffany@m3group.biz Sales Manager: Jennifer Hodges, jhodges@m3group.biz Editor: Kelly Mazurkiewicz, kelly@m3group.biz Asst. Editor: Mary Gajda, mary@m3group.biz Media Manager: Jill Bailey Account Managers: Megan Fleming Liz Reno-Hayes Zack Krieger Adam Smith Communications Director: Ami Iceman-Haueter Art Director: Mark Warner Publication Designer: Cody Fell Graphic Designers: Jeanette Wummel Quandrel Ollie Heather Thielking Communications Specialists: Alicia Finch Christopher Nagy Rich Adams Adam Lansdell Photographer: Mary Gajda Videographer: Michael Cagney GLBM Editorial Board: April Clobes — President and CEO, MSU Federal Credit Union Calvin Jones — Government Relations Director, Lansing Board of Water & Light Lisa Parker — Director of Alumni Career and Business Services, Michigan State University Alumni Association Deb Muchmore Consulting — Owner, Deb Muchmore Consulting Tom Ruis — Vice President, Fifth Third Bank Doug Klein — Executive Director, Mason Area Chamber of Commerce

GILLETTE NICKED BY REBRAND AD In a world where you can rarely find two people who can agree on anything, it’s tough to work in a subjective field like journalism and advertising. No matter what we write, there is a faction of the population that disagrees – sometimes strongly. It doesn’t faze me much. After all, I willingly took these roles when I was much younger and a lot less strong than I am today. I believe in getting opinions and listening to perspectives. I love to hear what people have to say and why. It’s important to me to have information so I know how to help build a solid brand, develop a campaign that speaks to stakeholder groups, write an interesting article and provide creative solutions. I’ve learned that one size rarely fits all. I’ve been following the Gillette campaign/brand shift with interest. The press release announcing the campaign stated: “Thirty years after first introducing the tagline ‘The Best A Man Can Get,’ Gillette is taking a fresh look at what it means to be ‘the best’ and how we continue to portray those ideals in a modern way.” Actually, the idea of reviewing your brand for current stakeholders is what I love doing so it definitely makes sense to me. The trickiest part of the branding process, however, is to keep the brand equity that works while evolving the part that doesn’t to help resonate with new or current stakeholders. There is certainly a sweet spot when it comes to the adjustment of a brand. You want to draw attention to the shift, but it is important not to create controversy. If you do, it overshadows what you’re trying to accomplish. The brand director had this to say: “We weren’t trying to court controversy,” said Gillette brand director Pankaj Bhalla. “We were just trying to upgrade the selling line that we’ve held for 30 years – the best a man can get – and make it relevant. I don’t think our intention was to have controversy just for the sake of controversy.” The reality is most people don’t want their favorite brands lecturing them. Many people – me included – are not that interested in celebrity opinions and endorsements, much less commentary from a commodity brand that I may purchase. Don’t get me wrong, I think the intention of the ad was innocent enough and could have been successful if it were more subtle, but it definitely felt like they were chastising their primary demographic out of nowhere. I wouldn’t worry too much. We are a super-forgiving society. If someone loved their products before, they’ll probably go back. I hope so. Advertising is tough and sometimes you just don’t get the message right.

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Tiffany Dowling | Publisher

FEBRUARY 2019

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LEAP LAUNCHES INSURTECH PLATFORM Effort designed to stimulate innovation in the insurance industry BY SARAH SPOHN The Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP), Delta Dental and Farm Bureau Insurance launched a new program, PROTO InsurTech, to inspire and stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship in the insurance industry. This is the first and only startup accelerator program in Michigan focused on insurance tech and digital transformation of the industry, according to LEAP. “The PROTO InsurTech program will provide startup companies with up to $60,000 in exchange for a small equity stake in the company,” said Tony Willis, president of PROTO Accelerator. The four-month program features critical business development, product design and development, consulting, business plan development, marketing, branding, legal and accounting support, and mentoring and guidance from experts. “The idea for PROTO InsurTech evolved as we were looking to expand venture capital (VC)

funding opportunities in the region,” Willis said. “Within the VC realm, Fintech/InsurTech represents 30 percent of deal flow. With this in mind, we wondered how one of our major regional economic pillars, the insurance industry, viewed the InsurTech subgroup and their willingness to engage. So, we reached out to our local insurance companies to start a conversation about how to leverage this opportunity in our region.” After exploratory conversations with local insurance companies about building InsurTech programs, many parties were interested in the idea. Partnering with Delta Dental and Farm Bureau Insurance was a calculated fit for the new program, since both are headquartered in Lansing. The two companies are members of LEAP, and Willis described both as extremely dedicated to the region. “Both companies have a strong commitment to the Lansing region and are invested in its longterm success,” Willis said. “They both share a passion for innovation and understand the need for greater collaboration among insurance companies, embracing the idea that the better the insurance industry does in Michigan, the better Michigan does as a whole.”

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With Michigan becoming known as an insurance hub, and Lansing at the center of that sector, the location for the innovative entrepreneurial program is not only fitting, but it is also expanding. “Lansing is home to eight insurance company headquarters ranging from regional to global in scale that are collectively responsible for over $30 billion in annual premiums/revenue,” Willis said. “But this market segment is not just large, its employment has grown 23 percent, nearly 10 times the national average, over just the past five years. According to data on the LEAP website, Lansing’s fifth-largest employer, by number of employees, was Auto-Owners Insurance Group at 3,700 employees. Jackson National Life Insurance Co. ranked ninth with 2,400 employees. Other top employers include state government, education, health care and manufacturing. Despite the prime location, the availability of a program like InsurTech was not previously seen in the Lansing region. PROTO is a subsidiary based in Lansing’s REO Town neighborhood, growing entrepreneurial ecosystems in the tri-county area.

NEWS

“We’ve never had a detailed program that focuses on a specific industry, offers investment capital, has a curriculum to enhance business development and is backed by industry leaders,” Willis said. Farm Bureau Insurance CEO Don Simon said mentorship opportunities that PROTO Accelerator facilitates is the main reason the company jumped on board early.

Sarah Spohn received her degree in Journalism from Lansing Community College. She’s a concert junkie; living and breathing in both the local and national music scene. She is proud to call Lansing her home, finding a new reason every day to be smitten with the mitten.

“Talent is the most valuable asset at Farm Bureau, and a program such as PROTO InsurTech provides our staff opportunities to engage with products and startups that they would likely not experience elsewhere,” Simon said. So far, the program has seen a diverse group of over 20 applicants, according to Willis. Twothirds of the applicants come from international companies representing IoT (Internet of Things), AI (artificial intelligence), gamification (using game techniques and elements), telematics (a method used to collect information about your driving habits) and more. Once selected, up to two teams will be chosen for the 2019 cohort, which runs from March to July, receiving up to $60,000 for full-time work on their startup.

Executives meet to discuss PROTO InsurTech.

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SIT BACK AND RELAX: Delivery in the digital age BY NICK MCCORMACK When it comes to what one can have brought straight to his or her doorstep, the 2019 consumer is spoiled silly. While extravagant delivered goods are certainly nothing new (in the 1920s any American citizen with $225 and a stamp could have a Thomson submachine gun delivered to his or her stoop), it wasn’t until the advent of the World Wide Web and mobile computing that consumers really started to experience a plush, out-of-store shopping experience. Since these revolutions, the way people shop has fundamentally changed. A great showcase of a specific change can be found in the world of restaurateurs. “In-house” food ordering portals and apps like those used by Domino’s Pizza have put a priority on keeping customers informed at every step of the pizzamaking process. And the consumer appreciates this newfound domain over purchases; recent numbers for pizzas ordered online outpace phone orders by 18 percent. Outsourced online food ordering services such as Uber Eats take things a 8

step further and involve customers in the delivery of their food in addition to its cook time. Uber Eats users are provided with the names, faces and ratings of their “delivery partners” along with their live location en route to the chosen delivery destination. Grocers and big-box chains ride the delivery wave as well, unveiling dozens of uber-convenient services that span their full catalogues. Meijer and Target have employed Shipt to offer their customers onlineordered, same-day deliveries for tens of thousands of products. Kroger developed Kroger Pickup, which lets regular customers submit a regular shopping list to be

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collected and picked up car side at their preferred store. The big change these systems are sure to bring about is how consumers compile shopping lists and subsequently how brand loyal they are. Thanks to systems like Kroger Pickup, large, regular hauls like groceries no longer need to be bought in terms of weekly needs but rather broad

NEWS

yearly consumption patterns (i.e., “what are we missing this week” may turn into “what do we tend to go through the quickest”). Services like Shipt can fit nicely into this framework to fill in any gaps in a vague shopping haul.

Perhaps the broadest way to address the changes in the way we shop is to acknowledge the blatant slant toward handing responsibility to the retailer. Of course, the reigning monarch of this philosophy is none other than the big, bad, orange smile itself: Amazon.com. Amazon Dash Buttons are perhaps the perfect embodiment of consumption boiled down to its most efficient, with all the attention to price and quantity relinquished to the push of a button. But the company does so much more to ease its customers’ shopping experience. If a button seems like a disquieting amount of control over your purchase, you can always court the everpopular Amazon Alexa. With the help of artificial intelligence, customers can order virtually anything with a simple utterance and receive purchase suggestions based on everyday questions. In other words, now consumers can make robots do all of the work that comes with shopping. Another high-tech perk Amazon gives its shoppers is testing out the optics of

their products. Amazon’s AR View uses mobile tech to display virtual models of everything from appliances to décor, allowing customers to shirk hard measurements and planning for a simple augmented reality display. In an age of increasing immediacy, companies have begun to get ahead of the consumer, giving them what they want before they know they want it. While things as trivial as fast food can be tracked down to the moment the pepperoni hits the cheese, behind-the-scenes details for retail goods seem to be the least of the modern shopper’s worry. Whether it’s custom shopping lists on file or remote-controlled online orders, the business of the future has to keep in mind that it’s possible consumers don’t like shopping at all. Nick McCormack is a fourth year advertising management major at Michigan State University and an intern at M3 Group. Rather than fetching coffee, he picks up projects here and there spanning the gamut of M3’s many services. Off the clock Nick explores photography, hiking and lifting.

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ON THE REBOUND Teen center back to helping youth following fire BY KERRY HART WHAT KIND OF PROGRAMS/CLASSES DOES BUILDING TWENTYONE OFFER TO THE COMMUNITY?

Executive director of Building Twentyone Benjamin Schartow

As a safe and supportive teen center with a mission to help create healthy habits and values in students, Building Twentyone proudly offers an after-school program running from 3-6 p.m. for kids in seventh grade to 12th grade. The program provides homework help, tutoring and coaching to help kids find their purpose in the community and in school. Executive Director Benjamin Schartow discussed with Greater Lansing Business Monthly the hopes and hurdles Building Twentyone faces.

Building Twentyone offers lots of programs, including a CrossFit class at a nearby gym included with membership. We also offer culinary arts and technology classes to expand students’ knowledge base. Elevate is a particularly exciting program based on a coaching structure and mentorship. We provide an adult mentor to a group of seven or eight students for a 10-week life-coaching program intended to get kids going in the right direction. Once the after-school program closes, an indoor skate park opens to the public for a small fee to help support the after-school program. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME A MEMBER? WHAT OPPORTUNITIES DOES MEMBERSHIP PROVIDE? This year the membership program is brand new. We used to offer our classes and programs in more of an a-la-carte format but found that was actually more expensive as some programs were $49 or $100. Now, for just $10 per month – or $85 per year – teens will have access to all Building Twentyone provides as well as a safe space to spend the hours after school.

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ARE SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE TO THOSE IN NEED? We absolutely offer scholarships to those in need. By the seventh and eighth grade, you need to be responsible for yourself, and it is important kids understand everything costs money. There is a one-page application that a student will need to fill out in order to be considered for a scholarship, which helps to show us how motivated they are to participate. HOW CAN SOMEONE DONATE TO BUILDING TWENTYONE? The best way to donate financially is through our website. It costs just $85 to donate a oneyear scholarship for a kid in need, which is actually cheaper than the monthly fee. We are also always looking for volunteers, as that is how we keep Building Twentyone up, running and affordable. We are always looking for people to come hang out with the students, provide tutoring, help with homework or even run a program. The center has gone through some hard times this year, with the building burning down.

NEWS

HOW CAN PEOPLE GET INVOLVED IN THE REBUILDING EFFORTS?

HAS BUILDING TWENTYONE BEEN ABLE TO OPERATE DESPITE NOT HAVING ITS CENTRAL LOCATION?

Building Twentyone is currently looking for a teen advisory council to help us figure out what we will offer moving forward. We are also welcoming donations through physical items, financially and with people’s time. Please check our website to see how you can get involved. We have administrative needs like any nonprofit and are looking to fill a few positions to help with the new center. We are hiring a coordinator and someone to help with development as we grow. Visit buildingtwentyone.org for more information Kerry Hart is a couple and family therapist with a private practice in East Lansing. The only thing she loves more than saving relationships is writing about them. See more of her musings at kerryhartcounseling.com

There was a fire that devastated the building during repair work that had been implemented. We are still operating, but we are now in the building next door. While we were able to reopen just four weeks after the fire, we now need more help than ever. We have a list of items on our website that would be much appreciated if donated – and, as always, we are looking for volunteers to help run the various programs we offer.

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READY FOR REDEVELOPMENT

Meridian Township receives community certification

BY TEECE ARONIN Meridian Township has been awarded certification as a Redevelopment Ready Community. The announcement was made late last year and the designation comes via the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC), an advocate for business development and other key objectives for the state. The certification acknowledges Meridian Township’s commitment to attracting private investment and maximizing its assets. It became official at a Nov. 16 event held in Okemos.

In an interview on Comcast Newsmakers, Buck added that he hopes the Meridian Mall on Grand River Avenue in Okemos will receive any assistance it might need in reinventing itself due to what Buck described as “the changing face of retail.” Many malls find themselves in that position as shopping habits change and more people shop online.

The township has the advantages of being close to Michigan State University and Lansing. It joins 28 other communities that hold the Redevelopment Ready designation after qualifying as “thoroughly prepared” in regard to planning and zoning along with other key elements that eliminate obstacles and encourage investors. Other communities holding the certification include Grand Haven,

Redevelopment Ready Communities is a voluntary, no-cost program offered by the MEDC to help local municipalities build strong supports for redevelopment and investment in their communities. Being a Redevelopment Ready Community means developers can compete for state-funded grants and loans for which they otherwise would not qualify. Meridian Township plans to focus on its Potential Intensity Change Areas, with the aim of infusing additional resources into the township’s downtown and village districts. “This was a collaboration of a great team that truly helped the project along,” said Meridian Township Economic Director Chris Buck. “The residents in our prime community deserve far more from our core areas, and I’m confident we can deliver.”

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Presentation of Redevelopment Ready Community plaque FEBRUARY 2019

NEWS

Grand Rapids, Grayling, Hudsonville, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Pinkney and Ypsilanti. “Our mission at MEDC is to empower communities so they can proactively shape their future; a future built on a solid foundation of retaining and attracting business investment and talent,” said MEDC Senior Vice President Katharine Czarnecki. “We’re pleased to have the first township in the state reach certification, and look forward to working collaboratively with the township and supporting them in their local efforts.” Being the first township to achieve the Redevelopment Ready designation meant meeting a comprehensive assessment involving community and economic development practices matched against Redevelopment Ready best practice standards. It involves embracing qualities such as transparency and efficiency, then integrating them into economic development practices. Certification is a strong indicator that a community has removed the kinds of barriers known to delay or discourage investment.

Teece Aronin is a writer and career coach. She works with individuals from all walks of life, including persons with disabilities and career-changers. Contact her at teecearonin8@gmail.com, and read her blog, Chipped Demitasse at chippeddemitasse. blogspot.com.

CT I O

“While we will continue to have prime standards for development, being Redevelopment Readycertified makes navigating the process to develop in Meridian Township a much easier process,” said Township Supervisor Ronald J. Styka. “Being Redevelopment Ready-certified should drive an even higher level of satisfaction for engagement and support.”

CON

The MEDC has 41 best practices standards so Meridian Township had the added benefit of providing township staff, potential developers and area residents access to a number of updated policies and procedures, including when using the township’s website, meridian.mi.us.

Nicole Noll-Williams speaks on behalf of United States Senator Gary Peters. Also pictured, Meridian Township Economic Director Chris Buck.

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COVER

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Companies large and small are getting financial protection from breaches by hackers Despite our best hopes and intentions, it’s an inevitability in life that bad things can and will happen. We buy insurance for our vehicles, homes, health care and even our lives, all to protect against the potential financial hardships that could come from the events life throws at us. As our society becomes increasingly reliant on technology, a new type of insurance has emerged in terms of significance and necessity: cyber insurance. Prior to 2004, if people’s information was breached or a company stored their information and it was hacked, they personally had to file a class-action lawsuit and go after the company. In 2004 a law was enacted that transferred the liability from individuals to companies. This change caused a need for businesses to transfer that risk to insurance. Cyber insurance started as protection from class-action lawsuits but has evolved to encompass everything from ransomware to identity recovery, covering expenses involved with cyber-related security breaches or similar incidents. Most are familiar with the data breaches of large-scale entities such as Target, Home Depot and most recently Marriott International, which is said to have impacted up to 500 million people.

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Local entities such as the Lansing Board of Water & Light and Michigan State University have also fallen victim to cyberattacks in recent years, exposing thousands of personal records. Cyber insurance coverage provides companies with assistance in the aftermath of a cyberattack, from alleviating the financial burden of notifying employees and customers and monitoring their credit to crisis management and communications. But local insurance experts agree that when it comes to those most at risk, it isn’t always the big fish that become the targets for hackers. “A lot of times people think, ‘We won’t get hacked, we’re so small,’ ’’ said Ben Rathbun, an insurance agent with the Rathbun Agency in Lansing. “I’ve seen companies get hacked that have two employees. The smaller companies are the ones who don’t have enough capital to fight it on their own.” While hackers continue to seek the vulnerabilities of larger companies’ systems, Rathbun said they have realized how easy it is to get into smaller businesses because they don’t have strong security.

Companies with systems that are hacked through ransomware not only lose the money needed to get back control of their systems, but their systems are no longer reliable. La

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“Big organizations have full-time IT people who spend their day monitoring the security. Smaller businesses just don’t have that,” he said. “A company our size, we have 15 employees. If we had to pay $800,000 to notify our customers about a breach, that would put us out of business.”

or clients, you could have a serious liability exposure,” Drayton said.

business access to their computer systems unless a ransom is paid.

Drayton agreed that highly publicized breaches of larger companies give small businesses a false sense of security.

David Drayton, vice president at Lyman & Sheets Insurance Agency in Lansing, said anyone with any type of information stored or that handles financials – from a school to a hospital to a restaurant – has a cyber risk.

“When it happens to the big guys, the small guys think they won’t be a target because they don’t have the money,” said Drayton. “But hackers will take smaller amounts of money, $3,000 or $5,000.”

“Companies with systems that are hacked through ransomware not only lose the money needed to get back control of their systems, but their systems are no longer reliable,” Drayton said.

“If you’re a company that handles personal information, and you have a lot of employees

This money is acquired through ransomware, a malicious software designed to deny a person or

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This means additional costs to the businesses for new software and updated internal systems. Drayton said it’s crucial to have protections in place so the insurance isn’t even necessary, such as changing passwords and being careful about not clicking on links in emails or downloading files from unknown websites.

COVER

Kirk Byrens, a State Farm insurance agent in Okemos, said many small businesses that aren’t covered by cyber insurance policies have difficulty staying intact following a breach.

their internal systems and purchasing new software. And beyond the monetary costs, there is also a reputational cost, as establishments lose the trust of their customers and employees.

That means not only having cyber insurance coverage but reviewing the policies with frequency to make sure all of the bases are covered.

“There are so many small businesses that go under the next day if something bad happens,” Byrens said. “There isn’t the room for error, for the credit cards not being available immediately. You might have to buy all new software, and you might have anxiety that it would happen again.”

Beyond businesses, Byrens said the everyday person is also a potential victim of cyber-related or identity-related scams, with the elderly being a prime target.

“Because the technology and the internet evolve so quickly, it’s important not just to have cyber, but to review it all of the time because your needs change,” said Rathbun. “How people get hacked changes all of the time. Cyber policies are wildly different depending on what company you’re with, so it’s important to make sure your agent knows what he’s talking about.”

Even beyond notifying customers after a breach, companies still have to deal with the costs of closing their business after being hacked, updating

“The scams on the elderly have gone through the roof,” he said. “That’s why I like that we have the addition of cyber extortion coverage through State Farm.” Byrens explained that a common scam is someone calling an elderly person pretending to be a grandchild who has been arrested and needs to be wired bail money. But even as the awareness of cyber scams grows, agents warn that hackers are often several steps ahead of the game. “The moment you hear about a certain identity scam, they’ve already moved onto a new one,” Byrens said. “That’s what is crazy about this stuff. We have to build a coverage for this that is updated every year.” Rathbun agreed: “As businesses get smarter, hackers get smarter.” As we continue to rely on technology and introduce new technologies into our lives, our exposure will only continue to increase. “How do you get to the point where you’re starting to comprehend things like Alexa being able to hear you reading off a credit card number?” Byrens asked. “Every layer that we introduce into our lives with technology, think of that like another door (hackers) have the option to go through.”

With millions of people impacted by data breaches – whether they are business owners, employees or customers – cyber insurance and its protections are certain to become the norm. Both personally and professionally, insurance agents agree that awareness and preparedness are the keys to staying upright when hackers try to bring them down. “Any company that’s not purchasing a policy, they’re not doing so because they don’t have the risk,” said Rathbun. “They’re doing so because they’ve neglected to realize they have the risk in the first place.” Stefanie Pohl earned a BA in English and Creative Writing from Michigan State University and an MA in Writing and Publishing from DePaul University. She is currently a freelance writer raising her two young daughters with her Spartan sweetheart. Find her musings about motherhood and more on her blog, www.mostefinitely.com. Stefanie has been spelling out her name since 1985.

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Feature

THE INAUGURATION OF GOV. GRETCHEN WHITMER Gretchen Whitmer was officially sworn in as Michigan’s 49th governor Jan. 1 in front of a crowd of about 2,000 people who gathered at the Capitol in downtown Lansing. Also sworn in was Whitmer’s running mate, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist. “We may belong to different parties, but we are all here for the same reason. We are proud Michiganders, first and foremost. And we owe it to the people we serve to cast partisanship aside, to roll up our sleeves, to build bridges together,” Whitmer said expressing her gratitude to for those in attendance and asking them to “keep showing passion for our state.”

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CHANGING SKYLINES IN THE CAPITAL CITY REGION Growth is on the upswing from downtown Lansing to the fields of St. Johns BY RICH ADAMS The Greater Lansing region saw a tremendous amount of change in 2018, and the outlook for 2019 indicates the growth will continue, with major construction projects stretching from downtown Lansing to the heart of East Lansing and north to St. Johns. But the changes go deeper than simply erecting new buildings. In 2018, announcements were made concerning professional sports, an urban grocery store and downtown hotel a significant development in East Lansing, and hundreds of new jobs in outlying communities that add to the momentum of the area.

“I happen to believe that the key to our entire three-county region, over time, is the successful development of downtowns Lansing and East Lansing, and all along the connecting corridor of Michigan Avenue,” said Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) President and CEO, Bob Trezise. “It is crucial that the Michigan Avenue corridor look like a big, musical, colorful, tall, crowded, busy place that could belong to any major cosmopolitan area in America, like Columbus, Austin or Madison. “After all, we’re a capitol city, home to a world-class university, home to Fortune 500 national headquarters and – with very robust

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biotechnologies, aerospace, particle accelerators and orthopedics industries in place – we are the most diverse economy in the Great Lakes states. We just need to start looking and acting like it,” Trezise said. Trezise added to the list of developments in 2018 the construction of several high-quality retail and housing structures in East Lansing and plans for McLaren Greater Lansing’s new $600 million hospital, which he said has generated excitement for the city of Lansing and the region.

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The skyline changes to downtown East Lansing, led by Mayor Mark Meadows and the East Lansing City Council, has dramatically elevated the perception of the city of East Lansing.

PHOTO BY: MELIK BROWN

In East Lansing, cranes tower above construction projects that will bring new retail outlets and housing opportunities to the city. “The skyline changes to downtown East Lansing, led by Mayor Mark Meadows and the East Lansing City Council, has dramatically elevated the perception of the city of East Lansing,” Trezise said. The arrival of a major league soccer team and the unveiling of the 600 Block project on Michigan Avenue, which will bring an urban market and new hotel to downtown Lansing, were cited as two of the most significant changes in the city.

”

“Mayor (Andy) Schor is to be commended for an outstanding job of attracting a nationally prominent professional soccer team to downtown Lansing in partnership with Lugnuts owner Tom Dickson,” Trezise said. “Lansing will be the only place in Michigan with a professional soccer team, which is very important for talent and business development throughout our city and region.

• Michigan State University was once again

“Secondly, Lansing Mayor Schor and local developer Pat Gillespie worked together and successfully landed the Capital City Market, a downtown urban grocery store along with the first new hotel in downtown Lansing in decades,” he added. “This mixed-use building is going to propel downtown Lansing and our region to new economic development levels on all fronts.”

Michigan Spartan LLC is building a $470 million dairy processing facility, and Proliant Dairy Ingredients is building an $85 million whey permeate plant on adjacent land.

Trezise noted population growth in the metropolitan statistical area for Lansing and East Lansing has grown for four consecutive years, which changes the demographics of the area. “We rose from No. 98 to No. 21 in the nation for GDP (gross domestic product) growth of hightech companies in 2017. Our GDP led all of West Michigan in 2017 – the latest year of figures released this year,” Trezise said. The Greater Lansing area also:

• Led the state in critical skill degrees and

certificates conferred between ages of 20 and 64. • Was fourth in the state in both per-capita personal income growth and labor force growth in 2017. • Led the entire state, substantially, between 2012 and 2017, in private sector employment growth.

ranked as the top physics program in the U.S., one place ahead of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

In St. Johns, ground was broken for two dairy plants that are expected to create 300 jobs by the end of 2020 and help stabilize milk prices in Michigan.

Looking ahead, Trezise said growth will expand throughout the city. “I think Mayor Schor continues to go do a great job leading a major effort to redevelop strategic areas of south Lansing, commercial corridors across the city and our downtown,” said Trezise, noting that LEAP has played a major leadership role in most of the improvements. “Hopefully, there could be additional significant projects in downtown Lansing.” Rich Adams is a communications specialist at M3 Group and was a print and broadcast journalist for more than four decades. When he is not watching his beloved Chicago Cubs, he is counting the days until spring training begins.

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BY TEECE ARONIN | PHOTO BY MARY GAJDA

JUSTINE K. BELL

WHAT SPECIAL NICHE OFFERINGS CAN YOU BRING TO THE TABLE?

Insurance Agent Cedar River Insurance Agency Justine K. Bell is an insurance agent with Cedar River Insurance Agency in Okemos where she uses her knowledge and experience to help clients understand the things that can seem incomprehensible for people outside the industry. She sat down with us to share her perspectives about her work – what challenges her about it and the meaning she finds in it. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DOING WHAT YOU DO AND WHAT GOT YOU INTERESTED IN INSURANCE SALES? I started working in the insurance field in January of 2016. After college, I became a professional animal-shelter employee in Richmond, Indiana, where my husband, Nate, and I lived. There wasn’t a lot to do there, so he and I spent a lot of time saving animals. When we moved to Michigan, I adjudicated grants for Capital Area Humane Society, but when our son, Harrison, was born, I like to say that I had to find my “big girl job.” Working in insurance gives me that same feeling of helping people while affording day care and the other expenses that come with adulting. 22

By the way, it’s interesting that you used the word “sales” in your question, because that’s something I struggle with. When I started in the insurance industry, I had a bit of an identity crisis, fearing I’d be perceived as the negative stereotype some people associate with sales. I worried that I might lose some credibility. I’m more motivated by the education part of an appointment and am happier when a client walks out of my office understanding why they did or didn’t take the policies I had to offer. I made a promise when I started this that I would do the right thing for the client every time. I have enrolled clients in policies that I am unable to get paid on because it was the correct thing for them. It’s not my preference, of course, not to be compensated, and most of the time we have the companies and policies our clients need. But I always operate client-first, self-second. Partially because of this, I think I have the best clients because people know when you’re trying to do right by them and can become even more amazing to work with because of that.

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I have all four insurance licenses – health, life, property and casualty – so I can do just about anything, which is great for my clients. While I do mostly health care now, people who like working with me and Cedar River can bring all their insurance together so they only need to call one place to get answers. But I think one of the best things about working with me is that I am both curious and persistent. If I don’t know the answer to something, it becomes a mystery and I want to know the answer. The same goes for claims; if you have something that doesn’t make sense, I need to get to the bottom of it and make sure that it makes sense. WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB? The best part is that I get to help people when they are feeling the most vulnerable. Health care can be scary for people, both because it’s confusing and because it’s such a large part of their budget. Health care is, on average, the third highest cost a family has. And in a lot of cases you can only change your health insurance plan once a year, so there is a lot of pressure to get it right. In an appointment, we talk about a lot of things. First, what plans are available to you? Are there any doctors or

Behind the Scenes

prescriptions that need to be covered by the plan that you choose? How do you use health care throughout the year? What is your risk tolerance versus budget? Each appointment is like a puzzle, where I have to fit the pieces together to make the perfect health care situation. Then we get all the applications filled out and the client is on their way. I’m proudest when they look up, surprised, and ask, “Wait, is that all?” It’s because they expected it to be difficult and complicated but found it to be pleasant and understandable instead. IS THERE A PARTICULAR SITUATION OF WHICH YOU’RE PROUDEST? Almost all of my appointments make me happy because most people come to me stressed, and I love having the opportunity to calm their nerves, organize their thinking into specific needs and help them translate that into a plan. The clients who stand out the most are a family I started working with last year when they lost coverage unexpectedly. They needed help finding a new plan because the husband was on a medication costing over $5,000 per month. When you need a medication that is that expensive, you often base the insurance company plan around it, so we did a lot of research to make sure we had a full understanding of how that was going to

work. We got them placed in a plan and spent months following up on appointments and medications to make sure everything got paid correctly. We talked so often that we started joking that we were becoming best friends. That connection was something I was grateful for later that year when the husband was diagnosed with a rare and serious form of cancer, and I was one of their first phone calls. Again, we spent time working with the plan to make sure treatments and hospitals were covered. Now they’re thinking about moving out of state to continue treatment there, and I’m helping them find a local agent who can be a resource to them throughout the treatment process. Even though I think this is the best decision for them, I was telling them the other day that I’m going to miss them. I have so much enjoyed feeling like a part of their team in trying to tackle this cancer.

and son, I know how that feels. It’s a lot of pressure. And many people consider women more empathetic, so I think it helps me connect with my clients. Talking about your health can be a very personal thing, and you want to work with someone you trust and feel comfortable sharing with. I also think that coming into the health insurance space after the Affordable Care Act is an asset for me. Everyone feels pretty strongly about it, but love or hate the ACA, it’s the law of the land at the moment. I’m very comfortable with the technology involved and how the plans work because, for me, it’s always been this way. Because I have that comfort level, I’m more relaxed and can focus more energy on helping my clients relax, too. I think some of my clients come into my office each year just so they don’t have to fill out the application at home – I’m a much faster typist!

WHAT MAKES YOU DIFFERENT?

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WHO WAS STRESSED OUT ABOUT HEALTH INSURANCE?

If you sit in on an insurance conference, the first thing you’ll notice is that there aren’t that many women. The second is that there aren’t a lot of younger people there. I think that my gender and age benefit me most of the time. Often, the person coming forward to get health care for a family is the wife, and since I’m the person who makes the insurance decisions for my husband

The long-term stress of not moving forward or asking for help is much worse than the shortterm stress of doing something about it. Health care can be scary. But moving forward and finding someone to help you can make all the difference.

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MUST-HAVE INSURANCE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE According to the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency, any business that employs one or more people for at least 20 weeks in a calendar year is required to pay unemployment insurance to cover that employee’s jobless benefits.

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION INSURANCE The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs requires businesses to carry workers’ compensation insurance if: • You are a private employer regularly employing one or more workers 35 hours per week for 13 weeks or longer • You own a private business and employ three or more workers at one time, including part-time employees • You are an agricultural business with three or more employees who work 35 hours or more per week for 13 weeks • You employ domestic servants for 35 hours or more per week for 13 weeks • All public employers

AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE Michigan law requires all drivers in the state carry minimum automobile insurance. If a car or truck is used for business, eInsurance recommended purchasing a commercial vehicle insurance policy.

OPTIONAL INSURANCE HEALTH INSURANCE Small businesses with fewer than 50 full-time workers are not subject to the Affordable Care Act’s employer-shared responsibility provision.

CYBER LIABILITY INSURANCE Cyberattacks can bring business to a standstill. Cyber liability insurance can prevent financial disaster in the event of a malicious attack, according to BankingSense.com. First-party cyber liability insurance accounts for costs the business would have to lay out to respond to a loss of client or employee information, according to the Washington Post.

SMALL-BUSINESS OWNER’S INSURANCE According to the Hartford, small-business owner’s insurance is recommended if: • The business has a physical location, including working out of the home or rented or owned office space • There is the possibility of being sued by a customer injured at the work space • The business space has assets that can be stolen or damaged

AUTO INSURANCE REFORM LIKELY TO SEE DAYLIGHT ON LEGISLATIVE AGENDA BY STEVE JAPINGA Throughout the 2018 general election campaign in Michigan, one key issue that emerged among both Democrats and Republicans was the growing cost of auto insurance to consumers. Michigan has some of the highest insurance rates in the United States, according to Insure.com.

trail, specifically as it relates to residents in the city of Detroit. Whitmer indicated that she wants to see real relief and not just a temporary solution.

Many contend that Michigan’s no-fault auto insurance system, which provides unlimited lifetime medical benefits to auto accident victims, is the reason insurance rates are among the highest in the nation. Others contend to the need for additional transparency and accountability within the insurance sector. Nearly everyone agrees on the need for a concentrated effort to crack down on fraud, which also has led to increased insurance risks.

Whatever solutions state lawmakers agree upon, it is a policy item worth keeping an eye on in 2019.

There have been multiple efforts from the insurance sector, health care professionals and consumer groups to provide reforms to Michigan’s no-fault auto insurance system to ease insurance rates for drivers. During the last two decades, those efforts have failed to materialize due to the complexity of the matter. It became even more complex at the end of the 2018 lame-duck legislative session when Quicken Loans founder Dan Gilbert implied he would support a ballot initiative in 2020 to address the high cost of auto insurance. The question remains: Will there be a collaborate effort to make meaningful changes in 2019? Both Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake, and Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield, R-Levering, have signaled that insurance reform is a top priority for the Republican state Legislature. More recently, Shirkey confirmed the signal, saying the reform will be his caucus’ “No. 1 priority.” Additionally, Shirkey said he believed the reform would rank highly in the House. Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer also discussed this issue on the campaign 26

THE INSURANCE CAPITAL OF MICHIGAN Lansing is recognized as the Insurance Capital of Michigan, making any insurance policy issues in the state Legislature especially important to our region. Greater Lansing is home to leading insurance providers including Jackson National Life Insurance, AF Group, Delta Dental, AutoOwners Insurance, Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan and Michigan Millers Mutual Insurance. The Lansing insurance sector accounts for more than 10,000 jobs, representing nearly 20 percent of the total insurance workforce in the state. To ensure continued growth, there has been tremendous collaboration between the business and education communities in our region to attract future talent to the industry. Some examples of this collaboration include:

• Insuring MI Future is an organization that

works to attract young talent to a career in the insurance industry in Michigan. • Olivet College, which has a top-ranked insurance and risk management program, partnered with the Lansing School District and Charlotte Public Schools. • Lansing Community College and Michigan State University have recently launched new insurance programs and degrees.

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• The Lansing Economic Area Partnership

recently launched the PROTO InsurTech Program, which focuses on growing insurance technology companies in the Greater Lansing region. InsurTech is a business accelerator platform offering equity investment, expert guidance and connectivity with insurance industry leaders to technology startups geared toward insurance solutions.

As the state Legislature begins its work in the 100th legislative session, we encourage Whitmer, legislative leaders and the Capital Caucus (Senate and House members representing the capital region) to look at the collaborative examples being done right here in the Lansing region as it relates to partnerships and achieving real solutions related to insurance, health care, talent and workforce development. Steve Japinga is Director of Government Relations for the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce. He is responsible for developing and managing the Chamber’s policy priorities as well as monitoring local, state, and federal issues that may impact the business community and the Greater Lansing region. He is a graduate of Michigan State University and lives in Lansing with his wife Katherine and dogs, Charlie and George.

LEGISLATIVE

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Capital Area Michigan Works! is a proud partner of the American Job Center network. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this piece will be made available in an alternative format upon request to Capital Area Michigan Works! Relay Center. Call 711 or 844-578- 5653 (Voice and TDD). Funding for L a n and s i n Human g B u s i Services, n e s s N eand w s . c o m Capital Area Michigan Works! is received in part from the U.S. Department of Labor, the State of Michigan Department of Health the Talent Investment Agency. An Equal Opportunity Employer/Center.

BUSINESS CALENDAR

FEBRUARY 2019 FEBRUARY 5

STUDENT WORKSHOP: CREATING A WEBSITE AND A BRAND, LANSING Spartan Innovations has developed a workshop series to help entrepreneurs follow the road to success. In this workshop, CEO and owner

of Michigan Creative Brian Town will show guests the options for making their own website, what they need to do before building, hiring a designer and the various online web-building apps. You will also learn how to empower your staff and customers to know who you are. Visit this event on Eventbrite.com.

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STARTUP WEEKEND EAST LANSING WINTER 2019 Participants create working startups during Startup Weekend and can collaborate with like-minded individuals outside of their daily networks. All teams will hear talks by industry leaders and receive valuable feedback from local entrepreneurs. The weekend is centered around action, innovation and education. Whether you are looking for feedback on an idea, a co-founder, specific skill set or a team to help you execute, Techstars Startup Weekends are the perfect environment in which to test your idea and take the first steps toward launching your own startup. If you have dietary restrictions, email Katie Chalker at chalkerk@ spartaninnovations.org. For all event details, visit communities.techstars.com/events/14029.

FEBRUARY 13 DISABILITY EDUCATION SERIESSESSION II: INCLUSIVE HIRING PRACTICES, OKEMOS Over 21.4 percent of todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s workforce in the United States consists of people with a disability who represent a significant and largely underutilized resource for businesses. Many disabled people are underemployed or unemployed. With more attention now on the disability community and a shrinking labor pool, employers are taking a serious look at hiring and retaining people with disabilities. This halfday workshop will give supervisors, managers, diversity practitioners and human-resource professionals the tools and resources needed for creating a more welcoming and diverse workplace. Session II focuses on inclusive hiring practices and ways you can utilize these in your everyday hiring and recruiting practices, creating a more inclusive and welcoming workplace. Join us for a VIP lunch immediately following Session II where the discussion will continue with the keynote speaker and panelists. Lunch attendees will help set the discussion for the next event, Session III. Visit this event on Eventbrite.com.

BUSINESS CALENDAR

FEBRUARY 13 WORKING WITH DIFFICULT PEOPLE As a career professional, you work with many different types of stakeholders. Some can be delightful and even a dream to work with, making your job that much more enjoyable. On the flip side, there are some who are difficult. Join author and speaker Mimi Brown as she delivers an energetic and interactive presentation called “Slaying the Demanding Dragons: How to Wow, Woo, Win Over, and Even LOVE the Hard-to-Please-Client, Boss and Coworker.” You will discover the seven types of difficult people and how to work with them, learn client-centric communication skills to diffuse any tense situation, how to find positive resolutions for client complaints and end on a positive note, and tips on how to manage job-related stress with ease. Find more information about this event on Eventbrite.com.

the afternoon libation – without the judgment. Bring business cards and raise a toast to The Drinking Lunch. Visit TheDrinkingLunch.com for more information. Guests’ email will be added to the mailing list. Visit this event on Eventbrite. com for more information.

FEBRUARY 25 BUILD A BETTER LANDSCAPE BUSINESS, LANSING The owners of a top-100 landscape company

THE MOST TRUSTED NAME IN

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FEBRUARY 20 SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH /SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER 101 AND DOD PROGRAM OVERVIEW, LANSING The government’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs make over $3 billion in high-risk, nondilutive (e.g., free) capital available annually to innovative small companies. The process is complex, but the impact of receiving millions of dollars in funding is worth the effort. This Lunch & Learn program will provide basic information about the two programs including eligibility and ownership requirements, how SBIR and STTR differ and selecting the right agency for your technology. Then it will focus on the Department of Defense SBIR/STTR programs with an overview of DOD components and how its programs differ, finding a topic for your project, the importance of contacting the technical point of contact and how to influence future topics. Attendees may also find out about the Michigan SBIR/STTR Assistance Fund and how it can coach participants through development of a competitive, compelling proposal. Training is at the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, 500 E. Michigan Ave., Suite 200, in the secondfloor board room.

FEBRUARY 21 THE DRINKING LUNCH, LANSING There was a time when it was expected that you’d have a few at your business lunch – and then it vanished. This program is bringing back

open the hood on their operations and explain the systems that got them to the top. Bring your numbers (all financials are kept confidential) and learn the simple systems proven to build more efficient, more productive landscape companies. It couldn’t be easier. Invest a single day of your time and you will create a budget for profit and develop a real planning and estimating system for your company, ready to be used the very next day. Visit golmn.com/workshops for more information about this event.

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NOTABLE NEWS

INGHAM HEALTH PLAN APPOINTS NEW DIRECTORS The Ingham Health Plan Corp. has named the following community partners to the board of directors:

• Dale Thompson, Thompson

Nevin

Monroe

McLaren Greater Lansing chief financial officer • Nevin Brittain, Health Numeric chief executive officer • Barb Monroe, Great Start to Quality Central Resource Center program director The Ingham Health Plan Corp. is a nonprofit that provides access to basic medical and dental care for low-income uninsured Ingham County residents. It celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2018. Additional details are available at ihpmi.org.

MSUFCU EARNS BEST CREDIT UNION AWARD FOR THIRD YEAR For the third consecutive year, Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) has been named as one of the Credit Union Journal’s Best Credit Unions to Work For. The award acknowledges MSUFCU’s value of investing in its employees’ well-being and development while generating an engaging and motivating environment through which employees can stand out.

of Weather Vane Roofing, Jodi Somerville of Mason Public Schools/Michigan Steam Engine and Threshers Club, Melanie Squires of Dart Bank, and Don Waskiewicz of Deep Blue Insights. Current member Jamie Robinson of Darrell’s Market/Bestsellers had her term extended. The new members will take the spots held by retiring board members Mark Voss of Mark Voss Agency, Ian Richardson of Doberman Technologies, Kassie Rhodes of Dart Bank and Ron Drzewicki of Mason Public Schools.

“We want to be a place for employees to continually develop and enhance their skills,” said Silvia Dimma, MSUFCU’s chief human resources officer. “Through internal programs focused on wellness and professional development, we inspire employees to improve both their personal wellbeing and professional growth.”

NEW DIRECTORS ELECTED TO MASON CHAMBER

Petty

“Mark, Ian, Ron, and Kassie have each held key leadership roles during their tenure on the board and will continue to be invaluable to the chamber as seasoned volunteer leaders,” said Doug Klein, chamber executive director.

The 13-member board of directors of the Mason Area Chamber of Commerce has four newly elected members with terms that began Jan. 1. An additional member had her term extended. At its annual meeting, the chamber membership certified the election of new members Ryan Petty

Experience That Matters

Somerville

Squires

Waskiewicz

Robinson

Patty Barnas Commercial Banking 517.318.3344 plbarnas@fnbmichigan.com

CAPITOL MACINTOSH RECEIVES 2018 BEST OF LANSING AWARD Leading the Lansing Loan Production Office for First National Bank of Michigan is Patty Barnas, a veteran banking professional in the area. In addition to lending to many different industries, Patty also specializes in healthcare and higher education financing and understands that helping clients secure financing to fulfill their business goals is about trust. She’s worked diligently to earn the trust of her commercial clients by providing exemplary service and financial solutions for over three decades.

Together, We are First.

fnbmichigan.com | 330 Marshall St. Suite 200, Lansing | 517.319.8000 30

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LPO

Capitol Macintosh has been selected for the 2018 Best of Lansing Award in the Computers category by the Lansing Award Program. The annual Lansing Award Program recognizes companies that have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. Multiple sources of information were collected and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2018 Lansing Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners were determined based on the information gathered

NOTABLE NEWS

both internally by the Lansing Award Program and data provided by third parties.

DEAN TO LEAD LANSING CHAMBER BOARD Patrick Dean of Dean Transportation will serve as the 2019 chair of the board of directors for the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce. Dean succeeds April Clobes of Michigan State University Federal Credit Union, who will remain on the board as past chair. Wendy Hamilton of TechSmith will serve as chair-elect and is in line to serve as board chair in 2020. In addition to Dean, Clobes and Hamilton, chamber board officers in 2019 will be Steve Owen of Foster Swift Collins & Smith, David Baker of Farm Bureau Insurance and Tim Daman, chamber president and chief executive officer. The chamber welcomed five new board members including Dr. Kathleen Wilbur of Michigan State University, Jeff Metts of Dowding Industries, Kirk Ray of McLaren Greater Lansing, Ken Misiewicz of Pleune Service Co. and David Lewis of AT&T.

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ACKNOWLEDGED FOR CLASSROOM EXCELLENCE

term on the board of directors of the Michigan Economic Developers Association.

Michigan State University and the Eli Broad College of Business were acknowledged for excellence in the classroom as one of the 2018 Top Prahinski 50 Undergraduate Professors. Carol Prahinski, a supply chain management professor at the Broad College of Business, was voted faculty member with the greatest impact on student experience by the 2018 Broad College graduating student body. Prahinski credited her hard work with the Toastmasters program, where she is a leader for her success.

Horvath has been with the Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership for over 16 years, and works to attract, retain and expand contributory businesses and jobs in Shiawassee County, with a current focus on talent development.

ATTORNEY APPOINTED TO ADVISORY COUNCIL AT ALBION Fraser Trebilcock attorney Thaddeus E. Morgan was recently appointed to the advisory council for the Gerald R. Ford Institute for Leadership in Public Policy and Service at Albion College.

HORVATH ELECTED TO TERM ON MEDA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The advisory council focuses on offering students the ability to learn and grow from working in a wide range of industries, with the goal of increasing their professional network and knowledge of the global society, all while attending Albion College.

Justin Horvath, president and chief executive officer of the Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership, has been elected to serve a three-year

In 2015, Morgan was selected as Lawyer of the Year in Lansing for Construction Litigation by Best Lawyers.

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MASON’S HOMETOWN STARS HONORED

Ford

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Each year, the Mason Area Chamber of Commerce recognizes excellence in the Mason area at an awards dinner. Awards are presented for Citizen of the Year, Excellence in Education, Minshall Excellence in Business, the President’s Award and Special Recognition. The chamber’s 2019 Annual Awards Dinner was held Feb. 7 at the Eldorado Golf Course Banquet Center. The following awards were presented:

Union board of directors and management have announced that MSUFCU will open a branch at 2313 Cedar St. in Holt in early 2020. This will be the credit union’s 21st branch. The Holt branch will provide MSUFCU the opportunity to expand its services to nearly 74,300 members living within 10 miles of this location.

• Kerry Minshall: Citizen of the Year Award • Cori Thackery: Excellence in Business Award • Cortney Ford: Excellence in Education Award • Don Waskiewicz: President’s Award • Ginger Kenney: Special Recognition Award • Sycamore Creek Garden Club: Special

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“We are looking forward to joining the Holt community with this new branch location,” said April Clobes, MSUFCU president and CEO. “We have a growing number of members within Holt and they have been requesting a local branch to serve them. “

Origami Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center welcomed Chanin Heise as its new director of development and communications.

Recognition Award for organizations

The annual event is presented and sponsored by select chamber members.

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Heise comes the center from MB Financial Bank, where she was the marketing communications and advertising manager. Her previous experience includes her time as the community giving manager at the Dart Foundation and major gifts officer at the American Red Cross. Heise

“Chanin’s enthusiasm, passion and positive attitude paired with her 20-plus years of experience in the industry make her the perfect fit for this role,” said Tammy Hannah, president and CEO of Origami Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center. “We strive to educate the community on brain injury and where to get the proper rehabilitative care. Chanin has already made significant gains toward reaching that goal.”

MSUFCU RECEIVES DIVERSITY STAR AWARD

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In recognition for creating a diverse and welcoming workplace, Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSUCU) has earned the 2018 Regional Diversity Star Award from the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP). This award recognizes companies that promote diversity that attracts talent of those who want to work and succeed, having a direct impact on the local economy. “We are very much honored to receive this award from LEAP,” said Silvia Dimma, MSUFCU chief human resources officer. “A diversified workforce translates into increased innovation, higher levels of creativity and unique approaches to various opportunities, all of which allow us to better serve

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NAI MID-MICHIGAN LEASE AND SALE ANNOUNCEMENTS NAI Mid-Michigan/TMN Commercial announces the following:

• The sale of 2105 University Park Drive in

Okemos to Discount Tire. Jim Vlahakis represented the seller in this 12,500-squarefoot transaction. • Volunteers of America-Michigan recently signed a long-term lease for 10,200 square feet at 6102-6110 Abbot Road in East Lansing to be used for administrative offices. Steve Slater represented the landlord and Dave Robinson represented the tenant in the transaction. • Creative Nail Salon has entered in to a long-term lease at Chandler Lofts, a new off-campus student housing development. Tanner Lundberg represented the tenant in the transaction. Creative Nail Salon will open sometime in 2019.

• The sale of a large 83,400-square-foot

warehouse facility at 2101 W. Willow St. in Lansing. Steve Slater represented the seller in the transaction. • Advanced Cardiac and Vascular Amputation Prevention Centers has entered in to a longterm lease at 3370 E. Jolly Road in Lansing. Jim Vlahakis and Eric Chagnon represented both the landlord and tenant in this transaction. • Capital Area Physical Therapy Associates has signed a long-term lease at 830 W. Lake Lansing Road in East Lansing. Jeff Shapiro represented the landlord in the transaction and NAI Mid-Michigan/TMN Commercial provides property management services for the building. • The sale of 1868 Holloway Drive in Holt, a 12,000-square-foot warehouse/office building. Seller BSM Properties shall lease back the property short-term. Nick Vlahakis represented the seller in the transaction. • The sale of 681 Dart Road in Mason to buyer BSM Properties from seller Michigan Carpenters Council Apprenticeship and Training. Nick Vlahakis represented both the buyer and seller in the transaction. • Meridian Eyecare Vision and Learning Center recently renewed its lease at 1669 Hamilton Road, Suite 210, in Okemos. Steve Slater represented the landlord in the transaction.

REHMANN EXPANDS LEADERSHIP TEAM, PROMOTES ASSOCIATES Financial services firm Rehmann announced the expansion of its leadership team and the promotion of nearly a dozen associates. Newly promoted Greater Michigan associates include Janelle Clouse, accounting solutions senior; Jamie Dodge, professional support manager; Suzanne Herrera, retirement plan administration manager; Louise Howard, assurance and financial reporting senior; Lisa Kirsch, assurance and financial reporting senior; Dave Kloc, retirement plan client transition manager; Michelle McCormic, accounting specialist III in accounting solutions; Ashley Pearson, marketing manager; Devin Pitkowicz, advisory and tax services manager; Rebekah Trevino, assurance and financial reporting in-charge; and Louise Weeks, accounting specialist III in accounting solutions.

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Fox 47 (WSYM-TV) has hired meteorologist Brett Collar to replace outgoing

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evening meteorologist Dustin Bonk. Collar graduated from Central Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in meteorology. Following that, Collar spent a number of years at TV stations in both Texas and Ohio.

WILX ANNOUNCES ADDITION TO ON-AIR STAFF Ida Tedesco will join co-anchor Kirk Montgomery and chief meteorologist Darrin Rockcole on “News 10 Today” from 4:30-7 a.m. Mondays through Fridays starting March 4. She will also contribute special Tedesco reports and stories for WILX-TV’s new 90-minute evening newscast from 5-6:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays on a regular basis. “We are excited to welcome Ida to our morning show. She is joining an award-winning experienced team on one of the top-rated newscasts in our market. We think she’s a great fit for the station and our community.” said WILX general manager Debbie Petersmark.

EYE CARE PROVIDER RELOCATES TO LARGER LANSING OFFICE Rx Optical, Michigan’s leading eye care provider, announced it has relocated from its existing Lansing office location to a new, 4,000-squarefoot, state-of-the-art facility at 5204 W. Saginaw Highway in Lansing. The strategic move from their previous office location at 6001 W. Saginaw Highway is in response to a need to accommodate its growing patient base in the Lansing area. Rx Optical’s Dr. Melissa Kong is now accepting patients at the new office. The updated, free-standing location will provide eyeglass lens manufacturing and fitting, medical patient care, eye care solutions for adults and children, contact lens fitting, and adjustments and repairs. “Rx Optical has had a presence in Lansing since September 1993, and because we are dedicated to providing the highest level of service to our patients, we felt that now was the right time for a relocation,” said Rx Optical Vice President of Marketing George Jepson. “This new space will allow us to accommodate for more patients and improve access of care.”

KOOIMAN PROMOTED TO MSU CHIEF EXTERNAL RELATIONS OFFICER Jerry Kooiman, a longtime Michigan State University College of Human Medicine assistant dean, has been promoted to chief external relations office and given additional Kooiman responsibilities overseeing the college’s relationships with health systems and other external partners. “As a community-based medical school, the partnerships we have with hospitals for medical education and research across the state are critical to our success as a medical school,” Kooiman said. “Our statewide footprint gives us the opportunity to transform health statewide.” His duties include advising Dean Norman J. Beauchamp Jr., M.D., on strategy development as the college expands its partnerships. Kooiman also oversees relationships with life sciences industries interested in collaborating with the university to commercialize research discoveries.

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