GLBM January 2016 by M3 Group Publications

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JANUARY 2016

Lansing Newsmakers of 2015 and 2016 projections

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JANUARY 2016

Lansing Newsmakers of 2015 and 2016 projections

NEWS

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The Greater Lansing Business Monthly (Volume 29, Issue 1)

The Greater Lansing Business Monthly is published monthly by M3 Group at group 614 Seymour 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) 203-0123 or visit lansingbusinessnews.com to subscribe.

News

TEKsystems Opens New Office in Downtown Lansing........................................................... 6 Snyder’s Push Against Refugee Calls its Economic Influence Into Question................ 8

Features

2015 Year in Review .............................................................................................................................. 10 Why Diversity Matters to the Lansing Region.......................................................................... 14 Newsmakers of the 2015 Year ......................................................................................................... 16

Departments Commentary.................................................................................................................................................. 4 Behind the Scenes ................................................................................................................................... 24 Economy ...................................................................................................................................................... 26 Snap Stats .................................................................................................................................................... 28 Man on the Street ................................................................................................................................... 30 Real Estate .................................................................................................................................................. 32 Business Calendar ................................................................................................................................... 34 Notable News ............................................................................................................................................ 36

Postmaster: Send address changes to The Greater Lansing Business Monthly, 614 Seymour Ave., Lansing, MI 48933. Send additional subscription requests and address changes to The Greater Lansing Business Monthly, Inc., 614 Seymour Street, Lansing, MI 48933. Copyright © 2016 The Greater Lansing Business Monthly, Inc. All rights reserved. Editorial Office: 614 Seymour Street, Lansing, MI 48933 lansingbusinessnews.com 2

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2014. It was year of growth success. It . It was a ye developm was also a year of learni ar of ent. Each of ng and th more no ese developm 2015 w ents an t listed elcomes d many su here is rpassed a fresh beginnin A why La each year nn Arbor start an g. It’s an In nsing fo ea in d rl op y 2014, econom we’ve le a new subject to r three years. Th ic th arned in portunity to ta growth. e Lansin Partners es a statew ke lessons g 20 hi w Ec hat 14 and p (LEAP) ide vote e changes are onomic in 2015 En . ap A re d Projec ply thos . t Report leased its 2013 rea At the e pr an en oj Ye ec d no ar ts uncing th Througho of Decem ha announ at ut the be create 2, ve helped th ced the year in organiza e privat LEAP 10 new Dep r, Gov. Snyder and Ec flu tions e sector artment $466,824 5 direct private onomic and de ential people, our area of Talent se ,0 D M ct 00 ev ic or in el velopmen higan Ta jobs and opment have ha direct in Lansing lent In ts in local ec d huge vestmen and th area. effort to on impact t for the e keep Mic vestment Agenc on our overall pr omic growth y in hi ta ga lent deve and ou ogressio Not only lopment n a national lead an r state’ n. is the m tr s an an er si d in tion id-Michi skilled tr from an Many ac gan ades. Th state who fits with busine co is garnered economic stan area thriving ss le are eage in 2014 mplishments sh dpoint, some ad worker r to rece aders in our . Take a ou it 20 ld re di 14 ha ta ti iv be on in . e s look at The MSU expansio ing opti al milest addition jo bs the $100 noted on n anno an al on Spartans s Bowl for d boost es in -million Jackson uncemen the econ to fill availabl th w EPIC-M N t mad e omy, said 24-20 ag e first time sinc on the Rose RA poll. e by Initial pl ational Life ea e 1988, ainst St a recent an rl winning anford. Leader addition s included a 260, ier this year. Senate Gretche As 2014 M 000 squa adjacent in n La ority nsing), w co Whitmer along w re foot look back mes to an en ith an ad to the existing (D-East her serv ho is term-lim d, , facility foot Dat di ited and ic look forw but it’s also an it’s natural to a Imagin tional 80,000 finished spurred e to our stat opportun ar d. g Center squareThis pr e a discus in Decem ity to on the pr oject w si w on and omen’s ber, ill op 1,000 jo access debate Sparrow bs to ou bring an es erty. Pa to ab re H ou in nt ea timated t surance. r hood Affi lth Syst significa bu ild nt grow area and will em lia Pl a br American tes an is generate th in ta city. Jack Civil Libe of Michigan an ned center an and new stan planning to x re so Michiga d th rties Uni dd to severa n is situated cl venue for the n launch on (ACLU e Ave. This office building on alone cancer ose in pr l top-tier ed Right pr ofi bu ) East Mic of t ild ox fo metropo to H universi ing w cu imity 132,000 hi lit ti mission sing on women’s ealth, a nonsquare-f ill include a five- gan was deci an areas for staff es and nearby is to ed health ca oot offi commer story, ded by le uc recruitm of re ce at ci . th e al It bu and info e laws be ’s retail sp ilding w adership mid-Mic ent. 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Just w School e ou St Facility a lo ro north of Lansing Stadium for Rare ate University’ tfield and Mic it is emerging fr t to discuss as Lu gn s (MSU Isotope underw ut higan’s s, this m , home of the om bank will feat ) Beams (F ay and be le gi lo ru ix ure appr slature ng-term ed-use bu ptcy -RIB) is gan its co in June is , ox un co ild looking imately mprehen its acco an ns its roads at a 80 reside ing sive pl July wit d started the bu truction plans an 6,000 sq mpanied by nt h the fir ild $1.2 billi d bridges. This an to improve ua approxim ial st concre ing process in historic plan will on in ad giving re re-feet of co at te pour. ely Knapp’s di en a m ti proposed sidents sure onal fund mercial And the Lansing Building sp un sp co in ec ique, m ace nstitution g throug also ce in dow increase odern liv tacular views h al amen le opening nt the stat a an in ba d g dm llp in Novem brated its gran own sp a e sales ark. Additiona ace conn tax to 7 ent to ber. d reected to l percent. changing options that would the 19-c W it h new re include ent per ga 15-cent sidents co pe llo Federal ming to tax. Thes r gallon diesel ta n gas tax and Cre e taxes w x term grow dit Union (MSU the city, MSU ould incr to a wholesale FCU) ha th plans as ease by 2 s longth e w deman ell. In percent (an aver ds of its grow order to meet in age incr ease of g membership 5 percen t each

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

JANUARY 2016

Planning

makes perfect... photography © marrymemichigan.com

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BUSINESS MONTHLY Publisher: Tiffany Dowling tiffany@m3group.biz Sales Manager: Jennifer Hodges jhodges@m3group.biz Media Specialist: Jill Bailey Account Managers: Megan Fleming Manny Garcia Production Director: Kelly Mazurkiewicz Art Director: Brooke Erwin Brand Manager: Ami Iceman-Haueter Creative Manager: Mark Warner Editor: Alicia Pilmore Web Manager: Skylar Kohagen Event Calendar Manager: Jaime Hardesty

Best Business Resolutions for 2016

ou’re probably just getting off the treadmill fulfilling your personal resolutions this month. That’s great. Keep it up. However, did you set resolutions for your business this year?

The new year can offer business leaders a powerful catalyst for business growth. The only question is which goals to set. For those who are unsure, here are three New Year’s resolutions that I have selected for my company in previous years that can benefit any business regardless of age and industry: 1. Understand company data and systems

You can only create efficient and effective systems or processes if you understand all of the data from your organization. When you learn information about what the company needs to strengthen its bottom line, you make solid choices internally. Without understanding all of the key data and monitoring it consistently, it is difficult to foresee the changes needed before problems arise. 2. Research your customers

I love research. And there might not be more important information in your business than understanding what makes your key stakeholder group(s) tick. Understanding your clients is one of the best ways to improve your product or service. When you know customers intuitively, it’s easy to implement personal touches that can set yourself apart from others in your industry.

GLBM Editorial Board: April Clobes — President and CEO, MSU Federal Credit Union Trish Foster — Senior Managing Director & COO, CBRE|Martin Lisa Parker — Director of Alumni Career and Business Services, Michigan State University Alumni Association Deb Muchmore — Partner, Kandler Reed Khoury & Muchmore Tom Ruis — Vice President, Fifth Third Bank Doug Klein — Executive Director, Mason Area Chamber of Commerce Mark Hooper — Partner, Andrews Hopper Pavlik Diontrae Hayes — Legislative Director for State Senator Coleman Young, II

Correction: For 2015, a record breaking year for tourism, the Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau is projecting between 975,000 to 985,000 room nights regionwide. The 70,000 room nights referenced in an article about regional tourism in the December issue referred only to room nights booked by the bureau’s group sales and sports sales departments.

3. Work on the company — not in the company

As CEOs, it is very difficult to let go of various tasks. After all, no one in the company is as in tune with the business as you are and no one cares more than you do. But, if you often find yourself dealing with areas that are not maximizing your limited time, it may be a great opportunity to change your mindset. When I started my company, I did everything, including the graphic design. Even though I could competently create marketing pieces, I also understood that it wasn’t where I needed to spend my time and I was not the best person for the job. As soon as possible, I replaced myself. The new year is the perfect opportunity to recommit to those factors that matter most to your business success. Whether you choose to emphasize data-driven analysis, knowledge of your customer, a focus on growth and sustainability, or all three, good luck growing your business in 2016. 2016 might also be a good year for a little recognition. The GLBM Entrepreneurial Awards are seeking nominations. Take a few moments and either self nominate or nominate another business through lansingbusinessnews.com. And please attend this amazing event where we highlight the people who are making business happen in our community. These businesses and their leaders are the backbone of the Lansing region. We will hold this annual event at Eagle Eye on March 3. It is one of my favorite nights of the year. Have a dynamic new year,

Tiffany Dowling | Publisher 4

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Align your personal and professional plans today. For a stronger tomorrow.

FirstMerit PrivateBank and Commercial Banking For Jeff, managing personal and business finances on his own was challenging. But with the support of his FirstMerit Bank team of advisors, he was able to use their Treasury Management services to optimize his cash flow, Retirement Planning services* to benefit his employees, and Succession Planning services to ensure his companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s future. So now, Jeff has the support he needs to reach his maximum potential â&#x20AC;&#x201D; both personally and professionally.

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TEKsystems Opens New Office in Downtown Lansing BY S ARAH S PO H N

PHOTO PROVI DED

n today’s ever-evolving technological world, the need for IT techs, systems and maintenance is inevitable. TEKsystems, one of the leading IT staffing and services companies in the country, is soon to call our very own Capital City home. TEKsystems was founded in 1983 by two entrepreneurs in Baltimore, Md., under the AeroTek Company. Its mission was to offer consulting services and an incredible dedication to meeting client needs. According to its website, “TEKsystems is a flagship company of the Allegis Group — the world’s largest talent management company with annual revenue of $10.8 billion in 2014.” TEKsystems is located within the Knapp’s Centre on Washington Square. After opening operations in Grand Rapids in 1994, the IT company will be expanding their offices locally, to Carpenter said. “And with the IT market in Lansing, with our downtown Lansing’s Washington Square this year. customers in that area, it’s gotten to the point where it makes sense to have space in Lansing, to better support our customers Jon Carpenter, director of business operations for TEKsystems, and our IT professionals that work for TEKsystems.” spoke about the local expansion. The office, located at 300 S. Washington Square, is adjacent to other IT and technology companies, making it a great fit for “ WE’LL BE IN A BETTER PLACE TO SUPPORT the space. IT EMPLOYEES THAT CURRENTLY WORK FOR TEKSYSTEMS; HAVING A LOCATION IN LANSING WILL GIVE THEM SOME PLACE TO GO FOR INTERACTION AND RECRUITING WITH OUR MANAGERS, AS WELL AS THE ABILITY TO HOST VARIOUS NETWORKING EVENTS FOR IT PROFESSIONALS IN THE GREATER LANSING AREA.” — JON CARPENTER “We’ve been supporting Lansing for the last 20 years out of Grand Rapids, but we haven’t had a dedicated office in Lansing,” 6

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“We’re excited to be at that location; just geographically, where it is in the heart of downtown Lansing, and within walking distance, there’s a lot of great restaurants, as well as a lot of the clients we support,” Carpenter said. The office is in the newly renovated Knapp’s Centre. According to the Lansing State Journal, the 190,000 square foot art deco department store makeover cost $36 million. The company itself consists of more than 80,000 IT consultants at 6,000 client sites, including 82 percent of the Fortune 500, working with offices and employees in North America, Europe and Asia. Creating long-lasting relationships with 81 percent of the IT workforce, TEKsystems meets and interacts with more than 10,000 professionals face-to-face each week. It’s through these plentiful interactions that the company is able to bring insight

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into the IT labor market and careful selectivity of IT staff and consultants, making the company what it is today — $3.7 billion in annual revenue in 2014. Lansing is proud to have such a successful employer amongst its leading healthcare facilities, entrepreneurs and bustling downtown environment. TEKsystems has been named in FORTUNE magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” for three years in a row. Carpenter spoke about the company’s close-knit ties with other hugely successful corporations. “We currently work with a budding 82 percent of the FORTUNE 500 companies, so we have exposure and a wide reach across the U.S. to attract IT talent,” he said.

The Lansing location will not only help bridge gaps, but will also be recruiting IT talent, expecting to hire eight more technical recruiters in the Knapp’s Centre office. “We’ll be in a better place to support IT employees that currently work for TEKsystems; having a location in Lansing will give them some place to go for interaction and recruiting with our managers, as well as the ability to host various networking events for IT professionals in the greater Lansing area,” Carpenter said. The team is already excited to be in the new space, referring to the open format as very conducive for the type of environment TEKsystems works in. “Our recruiters and our account managers work in a very collaborative environment, so it supports that environment — being

very open and allowing our team to work closely,” Carpenter said. TEKsystems will be hosting an open house in its downtown location, inviting IT professionals, their clients and guests to come and see the new space, walk through and meet the team. The open house will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 13 from 4 to 7 p.m. at 300 S. Washington Square, Suite 430. For more information, visit teksystems.com.

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.

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Snyder’s Push Against Refugee Calls its Economic Influence Into Question BY EMILY WEN ST ROM

PHOTO BY MARK WARNER

n November, Governor Rick Snyder pulled a 180 on his long-held stance of celebrating immigrants as a source for economic growth, calling upon the federal government to pause immigration of Syrian refugees until the vetting process for immigrants could be examined. The statement was a response to the aftermath of the Nov. 13 terrorist attacks in Paris, which included the discovery of a Syrian passport near the body of one of the suicide bombers. “Michigan is a welcoming state and we are proud of our rich history of immigration,” Snyder wrote in a letter addressed to Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson. “Given the terrible situations in Paris and Lebanon, I am asking for a full review of security clearances and procedures for all refugees who have the potential to be placed in Michigan.” The United States admitted less than 2,000 refugees in 2015, but pledged to take in as many as 10,000 in 2016. Millions of Syrians are trying to escape the war-torn country. In the wake of Snyder’s statement, as many as 30 additional governors also called upon the federal government to take action. Some, such as Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, went so far as to state they will do all within their power to stop any Syrian refugee immigrants trying to enter the state.

THE DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACT MAY BE SMALL , BUT LONG-TERM THERE COULD BE MORE AT STAKE FOR MICHIGAN THAN A FEW HUNDRED NEW IMMIGRANTS.

It was later determined the passport was a fake, but this information did not assuage the governors’ concerns. In fact, Snyder and other governors have continued steadfast in their stances, even as the federal government delivered a written report detailing the vetting procedure and offered to meet as often as monthly to review details about refugees settling in these states, among other measures.

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The governors’ statements echo those of presidential candidate Donald Trump, who told CNBC in mid-November that he believes that refugees should not be allowed into the country at all, saying, “This could be one of the great Trojan horses.” In recent weeks, Snyder has tried to distance himself from Trump, calling his positions on banning all Muslim immigration “absolutely inappropriate,” adding that his views “don’t represent the spirit of America.” However, Snyder continues to hold firm on his decision to not accept refugees in Michigan. “It’s important to note that Governor Snyder’s tone is somewhat different from some other governors on this,” said Dr. Charles Ballard, a Michigan State University professor of economics and director of the State of the State Survey. “It’s fairly mild, in the current [political] climate.” Snyder will still allow some 20 Syrian refugees already cleared and scheduled to enter the state to continue as planned, and merely called for a review of the admittance review process. He also continues to champion immigration in general. Michigan has a long history of encouraging immigrants to settle in the state for economic growth going as far back as the 1890s, according to data from Arab America, and is home to one of the larger Middle Eastern communities in the country. An op-ed article in The New York Times, co-written by David D. Laitin, a professor of political science and co-director of the Immigration and Integration Policy Lab at Stanford University,

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and Mark Jahr, a former president of the New York City Housing Development Corporation, lauded Snyder’s proimmigration position and detailed the potential positive effect immigration could have on the state’s economy — particularly Detroit. The duo posited that Syrian immigrants in particular bring a lot to the table for revitalization, citing a 2003 survey from the University of Michigan that found that the median household income for the Arab-American community was $50,000 to 75,000, and that 19 percent were entrepreneurs. “Gov. Rick Snyder of Michigan, a Republican, has already laid the groundwork,” they wrote. In 2014, Snyder established the Michigan Office for New Americans and called for 50,000 more immigrants to be welcomed into the state as part of an initiative to revitalize Detroit.

Michigan get a proportional number of 2016’s projected 10,000 refugees, that’s still a statistically small 300 individuals. Further more, Ballard said, most of those immigrants would likely settle in Michigan’s Southeast region, where there is already a strong Arab American community, rather than cities like Detroit or Lansing. “I don’t know if it’s much about nothing, but it’s certainly much about not a whole lot,” Ballard said of the potential economic impact. Asked to comment on Snyder’s position change, Laitin deferred to a statement he provided for a Detroit Free Press article. In it, he conceded that the Governor has a responsibility to protect Michigan’s constituents, but warned against isolating Michigan’s ArabAmerican community:

“The real challenge is to retain the trust among the large and loyal Arab-American community in the Detroit metropolitan area that can be called upon through community policing to forewarn authorities of all suspicious activities. “The governor ought not lose that trust by acting in ways that equate Arab refugees with terror. Maintaining Michigan’s cautious welcoming of innocent and devastated refugees is a way to sustain that trust.” All in all, the direct economic impact may be small, but long-term there could be more at stake for Michigan than a few hundred new immigrants. Emily Wenstrom writes about geek culture, creative writing, lifestyle topics and more; she also advises clients in content strategy. Learn more at EmilyWenstrom.com.

To optimize the economic benefits of the plan, Laitin and Jahr cited a number of resources the city would need, among them an increased federal refugee ceiling and an expanded Health and Human Services budget by $1.5 billion among them — and perhaps most notably, accelerated security checks. But Laitin and Jahr maintain it would be well worth the investment. “Syrians would bring new vigor and catalyze its nascent recovery,” the op-ed reads. Snyder’s recent halt to these activities begs a question: If properly supporting an influx of immigrants into the state holds the potential to jumpstart the economy, what effect could shutting them out have? “For Michigan as a state the impact is likely to be quite small,” Ballard said. “I don’t think it damages us to be cautious.” To support this, Ballard looked not to the potential, but the data: Only 20 Syrians came to Michigan in 2015, and should L

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JANUARY

MARCH

• At his 2015 State of the City address, Mayor Virg Bernero encourages Lansing residents to participate in Lettuce Live Well’s “Lansing Loses a Million” campaign

• General Motors announces that the new Chevrolet Camaro will be built at downtown Lansing’s Grand River Plant (Photo provided by General Motors)

• Lansing Board of Water and Light commissioners terminate general manager Peter Lark with a 5-3 vote

• Indiana Governor Mike Pence signs the state’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act into law, causing immediate backlash and boycotts led by those who feel it can be used to discriminate against LGBTQ individuals

• Governor Rick Snyder was sworn in for his second term on Jan. 1 • Carl Levin retires from the U.S. Senate after 36 years of service — he is the longest-serving senator in Michigan history • The New England Patriots come under scrutiny after possibly deflating footballs during the AFC Championship game, a scandal dubbed by the media as “Deflategate” • Two gunmen attack the offices of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo

FEBRUARY

APRIL

• Governor Rick Snyder proposes a $54 billion 2016 fiscal year budget for Michigan with more investments in education and public safety

• Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced her second bid for president via YouTube and Twitter

• Temperatures plummet in Michigan, with some areas experiencing temperatures as low as -31˚F • In a 93-5 vote, the U.S. Senate approves Ashton Carter as the new U.S. Secretary of Defense • The FCC votes 3-2 to regulate internet service as a telecommunication service, thus subjecting broadband providers such as Comcast, Verizon and AT&T to strict government regulation 10

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• Iran, the U.S. and four other permanent members of the UN Security Council, as well as Germany, agree on a detailed, comprehensive framework for the future of Iran’s nuclear program • Riots erupt in Baltimore after 25-year-old AfricanAmerican Freddie Gray dies in police custody

2015 YEAR IN REVIEW

MAY

JULY

• BWL approves a $650,000 settlement with Peter Lark

• U.S. beats Japan in Women’s World Cup 5-2 in Vancouver, British Columbia

• Michigan voters strike down Proposal 1, which would increase the state sales tax to 7 percent in an effort to fund much-needed road work throughout the state • NFL finds New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady guilty in January’s Deflategate scandal, suspending him for four games in the 20152016 season

• In a 45-12 vote by the National Executive Board, the Boy Scouts of America ends its ban on gay adult leaders • Cuba and the U.S. reach an agreement to open embassies in Washington D.C. and Havana

• Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, gives birth to her second child, a girl named Charlotte Elizabeth Diana

JUNE

AUGUST

• Governor Rick Snyder signs controversial legislation allowing adoption agencies that contract with the state to decline service to prospective parents on religious grounds

• Michigan Supreme Court Justice Mary Beth Kelly announces that she will resign and return to private practice

• The U.S. Supreme Court rules that same-sex couples have the fundamental right to marry and that states cannot say that marriage is reserved for heterosexual couples

• Capt. Kristen Griest and 1st Lt. Shaye Haver make history by becoming the first two women to graduate from the Army Ranger School, along with 94 other students. They graduate in the first year that the Army has opened the course to women

• Business mogul and billionaire, Donald Trump announces that he will run for President in 2016 as a Republican candidate • 21-year-old Dylann Roof opens fire at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., killing nine

• Republicans hold first 2016 Presidential Debate in Cleveland, Ohio, featuring the top 10 candidates

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SEPTEMBER

NOVEMBER

• Lansing firefighter Dennis Rodeman dies from injuries he sustained when hit by a truck while collecting donations for a charity

• After losing to the San Francisco Giants in game 4 of the 2014 World Series, the Kansas City Royals return to the 2015 World Series and defeat the New York Mets to win their first title in 30 years

• President Barack Obama announces that the United States will welcome 10,000 Syrian refugees in the coming year • Pope Francis visits the United States for the first time

• ISIS launches three coordinatedattacks in Paris, killing 129 people and wounding hundreds.

• During a press conference, Speaker of the House John Boehner announces that he is stepping down as Speaker of the House and that he will retire from Congress on Oct. 30, 2015

• In the wake of the Paris attacks, 31 governors, including Rick Snyder, say that they will not allow Syrian refugees to resettle in their states

O D

OCTOBER • The Lansing Brewing Company reopens after more than 100 years • Democrats hold their first 2016 Presidential Debate in Las Vegas, featuring former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, former Virginia Senator Jim Webb, former Senator and Governor of Rhode Island Lincoln Chafee and former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley • Hurricane Patricia becomes the most powerful tropical cyclone ever measured in the Western Hemisphere when its winds reach an unprecedented 200 mph

DECEMBER • Defense Secretary Ash Carter made history when he announced that the military would open all combat jobs to women, saying the military cannot afford to shut out half of the U.S. population from fighting on the battlefield • Fourteen people are killed and more than 20 wounded when two people open fire at a holiday party at the Inland Regional Center, a service facility for people with disabilities and special needs in San Bernardino, Calif. All contributions to the timeline were sourced from local, national and international news outlets and modified for use within this article. This timeline serves as an overview and is not a comprehensive collection of events/stories.

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2015 YEAR IN REVIEW

ENTREPRENEURS UNITE

GREATER LANSING BUSINESS MONTHLY PRESENTS THE 2016 ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARDS T H U R S D A Y, M A R C H 3 Eagle Eye Golf Club, 15500 Chandler Road, Bath Twp

NOMINATIONS ACCEPTED NOW Once a nomination has been received, follow up contact will be made by a member of the selection committee. Deadline: Jan. 14, 2016

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Why Diversity Matters to the Lansing Region Building a workforce that mirrors its customer base BY MEL ANIE ST ROUSE A N D T E D I PA R SON S

SHIFTING PERSPECTIVES

individual and organizational characteristics, values, beliefs, experiences, backgrounds, preferences, and behaviors.” Diversity is more than just our appearance. Rather, it is where we come from, how we think and react and what we believe in. So, why is embracing diversity important?

Imagine a workplace where all of the workers have similar physical characteristics, have graduated from the same universities in the same fields, hold similar beliefs and come from similar backgrounds. Now, imagine that group of employees trying to solve a problem. They watch and observe before creating and launching a plan suggested by one employee and agreed upon by all, with little discussion or creative collaboration. The plan works and the problem is solved. Where is the problem here? Having a homogeneous workplace, like the one described above, that does not reflect the customer base or community served, creates an environment where it becomes increasingly difficult to come up with creative solutions and to innovate and grow in changing markets; to think outside the box with unique perspectives. “The Lansing region has to present as diverse of a labor market as possible and an environment that is welcoming and inclusive, which represents the many forms of diversity already present in the region. This is vitally important for our region to successfully compete on a global stage,” says Bob Trezise, president and CEO, Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP). WHAT IS DIVERSITY? According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), diversity is defined as “the collective mixture of differences and similarities that includes, for example:

Imagine that homogeneous workplace from above, where every employee had the same skillset, the same background and came up with the same ideas with no deviation from the norm. The workplace will evolve to have a hive mentality; one idea becomes everyone’s ideas without any discussion. There would be no innovation and no creative growth. Everything would be status quo. According to a study from Forbes, companies that are in the top quartile for racial and ethnic diversity are 35 percent more likely to have higher than normal financial returns. It is imperative that businesses understand and embrace diverse trends. WHY HIRE FOR DIVERSITY? Alone, the ethnic makeup in the United States is shifting faster than expected. By 2060, Hispanics are estimated to make up 28.6 percent of the U.S. population, up from 17.4 percent in 2014; Asians are predicted to make up 9.1 percent, up from 5.2 percent; Black or African Americans will make up 13 percent, up from 12.4 percent; and Whites will shift down from 62.2 percent as the majority, to 43.6 percent. In addition, we have an aging population that expects to spend more years in the workforce. According to the 2010 census, the U.S. population is expected

“Lansing has always had a great interest in figuring out how diversity and inclusion makes a difference in the community, and LEAP has rea lly begun to move the ball forward. They said, ‘Diversity is important to us … and we want to be a community that is known for valuing diversity from an employer perspective and from a community perspective. This is a place where you can live and thrive as a community member.’ LEAP’s goal is to make sure all of those things happen. I’ve been working in concert with Tedi to support how we do that, and to ensure that we develop a Lansing that really not only says that we va lue diversity, but we demonstrate it as well.” — Jacqueline Thomas-Hall, Diversity Lansing Advisory Committee Member

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F E AT U R E

to grow 27 percent from 314 million in 2012 to 400 million in 2050. By 2030, more than 20 percent of residents are predicted to be aged 65 or older, this is compared to 13 percent in 2010 and 9.8 percent in 1970.

part of the workplace culture, it is also important to recognize that new employees bring with them a diverse set of ideas.

It is estimated that about 57 million people, or almost one fifth of people in the U.S., have disabilities, with more than half of them reporting that their disability was severe, making up the world’s largest minority group. Building a team of employees that reflects the general population is a crucial element for connecting with the customer base that is more likely to be attracted to a business that they perceive to have similar values.

“Diversity is not just compliance with a written policy, but rather it is about creating a space where all ideas and backgrounds are welcomed and embraced through programming that bolsters diversity and inclusion,” said Tedi Parsons, LEAP’s diversity and inclusion coordinator and administrator of Diversity Lansing. “Diversity is not a check-box item. Diversity and inclusion begins from job descriptions and attracting top talent that affects a business at all levels of operation.”

WE’VE ATTRACTED THE DIVERSE CANDIDATES, HOW CAN WE RETAIN THEM?

WHAT DIVERSITY IS NOT

Diversity is not accomplished with one event and does not happen in a day — it is written into policies and practiced

daily. It is not about special treatment or singling out certain people. It is about more than just the color of our skin, our religious backgrounds, our sexual orientation or anything else that we may use to describe ourselves. Rather, it is about valuing individuals for what they bring to the table and creating a level playing field to make the workplace accessible to everyone, while drawing from their unique backgrounds, beliefs and experiences. When done right, diversity impacts a business’s overall bottom-line. LEAP’s diversity initiative aims to assist businesses in attracting and retaining world-class talent by embracing the core values of a strong workforce the Lansing region already boasts. To learn more or to get involved with LEAP’s Diversity Initiative, please visit purelansing.com/ diversitylansing.

Bringing together a diverse workforce in and of itself will aid in retention by creating an environment that, through inclusivity and improving employee satisfaction, inspires employees to want to stay with a company, thus improving retention for the company and the Lansing region. But it is only the first step in the journey. Coming into a workplace from outside the predominant group can be extraordinarily difficult and can lead to high turnover rates. The workplace atmosphere must graduate into an environment that is inclusive and reflects all of its employees. Inclusion is defined as, “the achievement of a work environment in which all individuals are treated fairly and respectfully, have equal access to opportunities and resources, and can contribute fully to the organization’s success,” according to SHRM. An inclusive environment is maintained when the lines of communication are kept open. Employees who may deviate from the mold in various ways may feel as though their ideas are not worth being heard. This may cause them to blend in with the rest of the employees. While it is important to foster a workplace that encourages new employees to become L

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NEWSMAKERS

OF THE 2015 YEAR

2014. It success. develop m

2015 w e beginnin g we’ve le ar lessons in 2

and projections of those who will make news in 2016 oThrgraonughout

BY AL ICIA PIL M OR E

015 brought change, innovation and many successes to the Lansing area. From businesses opening to new initiatives proposed to improve the community, Lansing’s growth has been exponential. As 2016 gets its start, there is no doubt that the greater Lansing area will continue to grow. But before we look to the new year, it’s important to reflect back on the people and organizations that influenced the area in 2015. New developments and progress on existing developments brought about a shift in energy within the region. Gillespie Group’s Outfield development, a mixeduse building situated north of Cooley Law School Stadium, has transformed before our eyes this year. It is expected to be complete by mid-2016 and will feature approximately 80 residential units; the Lansing Board of Water and Light, along with the City of Lansing and the City of East Lansing announced a new initiative to install solar panels that could power as many as 3,500 homes in the Lansing area each year; and in November, a $6 million plan to redevelop the 2000 block of East Michigan Avenue was announced, which will undoubtedly bring more businesses, jobs and residences to the Lansing area. These are only a few of the developments that have boosted Lansing’s economic 16

growth in the past year and have shown that the Lansing area will only continue to improve. We also saw a boost in Lansing’s auto manufacturing industry in 2015 when General Motors announced that the 2016 Camaro would be manufactured at Lansing’s Grand River Assembly plant. This is the first time since 1992 that the sports car has been produced in the United States, and the first time it has ever been made in Lansing. Production started this summer and the plant hired 450 new workers to accommodate the demand. The new Camaros started hitting dealership lots in early December, and many have already been sold. Businesses have continued to thrive in the Lansing area in 2015, with multiple shops, restaurants and other businesses opening their doors throughout the year, revitalizing the area and making Lansing a place that people want to be. More than 100 years after it closed its doors, the Lansing Brewing Company reopened in the wake of Michigan’s craft beer craze. Gillespie Group invested $1.5 million into the brewing company, and transformed a 7,000 square foot auto warehouse on East Shiawassee into a brewery that has solidified Lansing as a credible craft beer city in Michigan. Other notable bars and breweries that opened

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ization our are a h local ec a on overall p om r ogre in the Lansing area this year include the Beer Grotto and American Fifth Spirits. M

any acc o in 2014 mpl . Take Developments in healthcare also ex continued to enhance Lansing’s economypansion an Jackson in 2015. Sparrow Hospital has continued N I nitial pla ation to grow in the Lansing community with n addition s inclu the opening of several FastCare clinics adjacen aloto ng with throughout Lansing and more plans an ad foot Dat expand are well underway. a Imagin g This pr oject w il With all of the new developments1,0and l 00 jobs to our businesses coming to the Lansingsig area, nificant growth it’s no surprise that Lansing also csaw ity. an Jackson is situa increase in tourism this year. The Greater to sever Lansing Convention and Visitorsm Bureau al top-tier u etropoli n tan area estimated that nearly 5 millionw people s fo as decid have visited the Lansing area in 2015 ed by le ader m -Mic with nearly 70,000 occupied hotelid roomshigan w a s the this erate xpansio and a 60 percent higher occupancy n projec t. than in 2014. Lansing also played host to O t hers ha multiple conventions in 2015, boosting ve ta nsinyear. tourism numbers throughoutLathe g come ken a back as Stadiu This year’s tourism numbers come onmthe started upgrade a $23 heels of two consecutive record-breaking th years in Lansing area tourism. while, M e facility and de ichigan Stat Facility f o r Rare I e Un Looking back at 2015, the uLansing area sotope B nderway awe n d has accomplished so much, but as b e gan its c in Jun on nd start begin the new year, thereJuare soe amany ed the b ly with u i t e first more successes in the Lansing historicarea hto concrete K be had. Lansing napp’s Buildin g also ce o g in Nov lebrated i Mid-Michigan’s higherpenineducation em institutions are set to have a stellar ber. year: Lansing Community College began

NEWS

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2014. It wa success. s year of growth It was a . It was a lso a ye develop ar of lea year of ment. Each of rning an the d m ore not se developmen 2015 w ts and listed h elc surpasse man ere is beginnin omes a fresh s d A w each yea nn Arbo hy Lan y tart and g. It’s an I n r fo r sing e a in r ly opportu e we’ve le a c 2 o n 0 n ew 14, the subject t r three years. Th omic gro nity to t arned in P L a o w a r es a statew n t th. nership ake wha sing Eco lessons 2014 an ide vote e changes are (LEAP) t n o in 2015 m d ic E . a n A r pply th d Projec . ose t Report eleased its 2013 rea At the p r a end of o Year nnouncin je c t Through s have De a nnounce g that L helped out the c r e E d the ne cember, Gov. a A t e P the priv 2,105 d year in organiza Snyder and Ec w Depar ate sect irect priv fluentia tions $466,82 onomic tment o l people o a r and d t our are e 4 s ,000 in fT D Michiga , evelopm a h direct in ector jobs and Lansing n Talent evelopment a alent ents in local ec ave had huge v a e n r s I e t d th n e a m ff v . e o e st nt for th rt to kee on impact p Michig ment Agency in e e on our overall p omic growth t a lent dev and ou an rogressio Not only elopmen an a national le r state’s n. is the m a t t d r a a e n n r s d in it id-Mich skille ion from a Many a igan are n econ state wh fits with busine d trades. This a ccompli o t m h g r ic a ss leade iv o r nered s ing are eage shment n 2014. rs in worker ome ad standpoint, it s should r t o Take a r 2 e r d 0 c etaining itional 14. 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Justinto tthe e e t c r ll he oustudents w t . h e D d a in all fields for off the field. MSU’s Facility for Rare following Lansing S s c e tate Un prepare a h t t roit is e ool Stad field north ofnew year, it lot to dis Lansing iv m e iu c a r e Rare Iso u s n m rIsotope Luisgnutis ity’s (M Dean ofd M s ging fro Beams is well , hgreater workplace. Community that the ome ofLansing region is ichigan’s to the s, clear SU) m bank s as underway will feand this m Beams ( and the le a g lo r ix nd bega pe Education t u is u n e p la r Workforce Development, projected to be finished by June 2022. on a path of continued d g t e c F t t u u y -RIB) is approxim erm, com se buildgrowth. 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COVER

building, from landing the Camaro to more development on the Michigan Avenue corridor to entrepreneurs continuing to launch and grow businesses in our region. What made it possible for you to get where you are today? A: The investment of others, from my parents to mentors at every stop along the way, has allowed me to experiment, fail and eventually succeed.

2015 S TE PHA NIE AN G E L E XE CU TIV E ED I TO R AT T H E LANS ING STAT E J O U R N A L

Q: Tell us about your organization’s

most notable accomplishment in 2015.

A: It would be hard to choose one notable accomplishment. The Lansing State Journal’s impact is felt daily in the news and information we provide to our community online and in print. Among the highlights are our ongoing coverage of the Board of Water and Light, Michigan State University sports and the overarching community efforts that help move greater Lansing forward. THE INVESTMENT OF OTHERS, FROM MY PARENTS TO MENTORS AT EVERY STOP ALONG THE WAY, HAS ALLOWED ME TO EXPERIMENT, FAIL AND EVENTUALLY SUCCEED. Q: What do you think the biggest greater Lansing business story was in 2015? A: I wouldn’t limit the biggest business news to one story. I would point to the ongoing momentum the region is 18

2015 S TE L L A CA S H VI CE PR E S I D E N T OF D E VE LOPM E N T AN D S TR ATE GI C PARTN E R S H I PS AT S PAR ROW H OS PI TAL

Q: What was the biggest change or challenge that your organization faced in 2015? A: One of Sparrow’s greatest ongoing challenges is that we simply can’t expand fast enough to meet the ever-rising demand for healthcare services. Although this is a good problem to have, it definitely is a challenge and a serious responsibility to those who have entrusted us with their care. We must continually strive to transform care, pursue best practices, and deliver nationally recognized care to improve the health of the midMichigan region.

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Q: What trends were adopted in your industry in 2015 and how do you see those trends changing in 2016? A: One of the biggest trends in national healthcare reform has been the concept of accountable care. Can we better control healthcare costs by preventing avoidable readmissions, eliminating unnecessary tests and encouraging patients to use lower cost care options? The result has been that the healthcare industry is moving toward payment models based on value rather than volume, with incentives based on health outcomes, quality and cost management. We see it as a welcomed trend toward coordinated, patient-centered care that will continue into 2016 and beyond. The use of information technology is another fast-moving trend that is helping to improve patient experience and safety through clinical connectedness and digital technology. We’re proud to say that Sparrow’s IT is ranked in the top 3 percent of all hospital IT departments in the U.S. Sparrow’s use of digital data and electronic medical records are essential to helping transform care for our patients. We are committed to being a technology leader in health care. MY ADVICE WOULD BE TO BUILD A STRONG NETWORK OF KNOWN LEADERS AS A PART OF ONE’S PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. Q: What advice would you give to young people entering the workforce? A: There are many accomplished leaders in every community who are more than willing to share their expertise and experience with young people entering the workforce. All they need to do is simply ask. Therefore, my advice would be to build a strong network of known leaders as a part of one’s professional development.

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Boomer generation working and worshiping alongside those from the Millennial generation. Figuring out how to create a worship service and ministry style that fosters intergenerational connections is a challenge that must be faced head on. Q: Tell us something that people may not know about you.

2015

A: I am a diehard Spartan fan, Chicago Cubs fan and Pittsburgh Penguins and Steelers fan. I know, I know, it doesn’t make sense. That’s an interview for another day.

Q: Tell us about your organization’s most notable accomplishment in 2015. A: Riverview is one church that meets in multiple locations around the greater Lansing area. A few years ago, we chose to give people the opportunity to worship in the same communities where they live, work and play instead of building one large suburban mega church.

Q: What trends were adopted in your industry in 2015 and how do you see those trends changing in 2016? A: Just like many other industries, churches are dealing with historically unprecedented generational diversity that will continue for the foreseeable future. We have people from the Baby

Also, we are expanding our commitment to digital resources. While print remains the foundation for the library system, the use of digital resources continues to soar. We find that our patrons want both, and we will be able offer them what they want, when they want it. It’s a mission we embrace. And finally, each of our branches is developing early literacy initiatives, which includes increasing the number of popular Early Literacy backpacks. We are doing this in conjunction with schools and other community organizations. We feel passionately about our role in strengthening literacy.

NOE L HE I KK I N E N LE AD PAS TO R AT R IVE RVIE W C H U RC H

A year ago, we were in the planning stages of launching our fourth location (we call them “venues”). Our audacious dream was to open somewhere on the western part of the city by the end of 2016. Things went much faster than we anticipated, and in June we acquired a facility on the corner of St. Joe and Canal and opened the doors of our Westside Venue 90 days later. Over 1,000 people attended our first service and since then our ongoing attendance has consistently been over 600.

It will allow us to reach more broadly into our communities, strengthening our connection with the people of Ingham County, bringing the library’s resources — books, movies, technology and other information resources to them.

Q: What will be the biggest hurdle for your organization to overcome in 2016?

2016 MAU RE E N H IRTE N E X E CU TI VE D I R E CTOR AT TH E CAPI TAL AR E A D I S TR I CT L I B R AR Y

Q: Tell us what you plan to accomplish in 2016. A: This is going to be an exciting year for Capital Area District Library (CADL) and our patrons. One of our goals for 2016 is to extend library services beyond the walls. The most visible extension of this outreach will be our new mobile library. People may think of it as the CADL “Bookmobile” but there is so much more to it.

A: While we have many passionate library patrons, there are still people in our communities who don’t recognize the range of services and resources available from CADL. This year, we plan as never before to reach out to those who under use — or don’t use at all — our libraries. We have loyal patrons who only see the familiar and don’t look beyond the books or DVDs they came into the library for. There are others who aren’t aware of the value — intellectual and even financial — that CADL provides. It’s really about telling our story. For 2016 we have developed a new advertising campaign “Everything right here” which is designed to broaden the community’s perception and understanding of what their library can offer. In today’s world, the library competes for people’s time and we want them to think of the library as a ready resource L

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for information and recreation. We have services that can help our communities and they don’t know about them. Q: Tell us something that people may not know about you. A: I did quite a bit of traveling when I was younger and one of my most memorable experiences was traveling across the Khyber Pass in Afghanistan on a crowded bus with the roof stacked high with boxes and crates filled with all kinds of goods being transported to Afghanistan The pass cuts through the Hindu Kush mountains, connecting Pakistan and Afghanistan and has a bloody history. I remember seeing the markers for British regiments killed during the Afghan Wars in the 1800s on this famous road. With all that has happened in Afghanistan in the last several years, it’s hard to imagine that when I visited, a foreign tourist could still board a bus in Peshawar and arrive in Kabul.

A: I believe the greater Lansing business community will grow significantly in 2016. All the signs are there for a tremendous year; unemployment is down, production is up, profits are up, property values are up and the list goes on and on. Most importantly, Lansing continues to benefit from stellar economic development strategy and leadership, as reflected by significant regional investment. I WOULD ENCOURAGE THEM TO ALWAYS BE OPEN TO LEARNING AND SHARING WHAT THEY LEARN. I WOULD

FOLLOW THROUGH ON THEIR COMMITMENTS AND, WHEN

ALWAYS PRESENT A POTENTIAL SOLUTION. Q: What has made it possible to get to where you are today?

B O GA RC IA DE AN O F C O M M U N I T Y E D U CATIO N A N D WOR KF ORC E D E V E LO P M EN T AT LANS IN G COM M U N I T Y C O L L EG E

Q: How do you think the greater Lansing business community will change in 2016? 20

PATRICK L INDEMANN I N GH AM CO UNT Y D R AI N COMMISSIONER

ALSO ENCOURAGE THEM TO

SURFACING A PROBLEM, TO

2016

A: I am blessed to have benefited from educators, employers, colleagues, friends and most importantly my parents, who sacrificed more for me than I will ever know. Secondly, listening to, and empathizing with, my clients and customers helps me to better understand their situations and meet their needs. Q: What advice would you give to young people entering the workforce? A: I would encourage them to always be open to learning and sharing what they learn. I would also encourage them to follow through on their commitments and, when surfacing a problem, to always present a potential solution.

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JANUARY 2016

Q: Tell us what you plan to accomplish in 2016. A: Some of the major projects we’ve already been planning and plan to start in 2016 will require time and attention to see through to their completion. One of the most exciting is the Montgomery Drain reconstruction. This Drain serves the US-127 corridor and Frandor area, and will result in reduced pollution of the Red Cedar River. Also, working closely with the Village of Webberville Council and landowners within the Village, we are going to reconstruct and rebuild the entire Village storm system. This infrastructure is some of the oldest in Ingham County, some of it spans back more than 150 years. This will be a major undertaking. After years of litigation and design, the Groesbeck Park Drain will be completed on the north end of the Groesbeck Golf Course and portions of Lansing Township. This drain will serve fast growing commercial areas west of Wood Street along Lake Lansing Road. Construction will begin in early 2016, and take about two years.

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We CREATE

RENEWAL

What will you CREATE? 517-541-5800 • myalive.com

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NO ONE HURDLE IS LARGER THAN THE OTHERS; EACH HURDLE DESERVES THE CONCENTRATION AND EFFORT NECESSARY TO TAKE THE LANSING REGION ACROSS THE FINISH LINE IN 2016 AND IN FUTURE YEARS.

Q: What will be the biggest hurdle for your organization to overcome in 2016? A: I would say that there is not just one hurdle, but many. In order for some projects to be started or completed in 2016, there are many facets of these projects that need to have public buyin. While these projects are complex in nature, they all require municipal and public support to be a success.

Even if your job is not glamorous — and I’ve had such jobs — be the best worker you can be. Most jobs require teamwork. Be prepared to contribute and to listen respectfully to your team members. Great ideas come from likely and unlikely sources. Be open to the ideas of others and treat them with value. Usually, this courtesy will be returned to you. Most importantly, is to define your passion. Going to your job every day is easier when you feel that your work matters. Consciously consider the vision you have for the world you want to live in and take steps to create those changes. Finally, become comfortable with change. We do things differently today than we did five years ago or even one year ago. The only constant in our world is change, and the pace of change is increasingly rapid. Stay engaged in learning and remain open. Responses have been edited for content and clarity

The first coupe models of the sixthgeneration Camaro began to roll out from Grand River on Oct. 26 to great anticipation, and started appearing in dealerships in November. The convertible and models with the 2.0L Turbo engine are scheduled to release in early 2016. GM ALSO CONTINUES TO MAKE BIG INVESTMENTS IN

INVEST ANOTHER $1 BILLION IN THE STATE BY 2030. Built in 1999, the Grand River site is also the home of the Cadillac CTS and Cadillac ATS family of vehicles. This is the second year in a row GM has invested in the plant. In 2014, GM put $174 million toward bringing a new stamping facility to the plant, which created and retained 145 jobs.

Q: What advice would you give to young people entering the workforce?

To prepare the plant to take on the new vehicle, GM dropped a $175 million investment in the plant for new tooling and equipment, including three new paint systems for Camaro-specific colors, and two robotic framers. In addition to the equipment, GM added 500 new second-shift positions to the plant to accommodate demand for the vehicle. The investment was part of GM’s plan to invest $5.4 billion in U.S. facilities over the next three years.

MICHIGAN, PLEDGING TO

No one wins a race by jumping just one hurdle. To get to the finish line of 2015, we had to jump many complex hurdles. The projects planned for 2016 are extraordinarily complex, involving hundreds of decision makers. No one hurdle is larger than the others; each hurdle deserves the concentration and effort necessary to take the Lansing region across the finish line in 2016 and in future years.

A: Once in a while, success comes easily. Most of the time, though, it does not. For a person entering the workforce who wishes to succeed, my advice is to work hard, expand your skills and education, and be willing to continue that process throughout your working life. Also, be honest with your customers, co-workers and employers. Make the most of the job you have by learning it and doing it well.

Chevrolet Camaro, moving the vehicle from its previous plant in Canada.

2015 GM BRIN GS 2 0 1 6 CA MA RO TO L A N S IN G

Greater Lansing revved up when General Motors (GM) announced an investment in the city in the form of the 2016

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

JANUARY 2016

The plant’s new vehicle comes in six new powertrain combinations, and is already earning buzz and recognition, including the 2016 Motor Trend Car of the Year Award. But the Camaro isn’t GM’s only big news of 2015. The company also ramped up its use of renewable energy this year with a 14-year deal for wind power with EDP Renewables. GM also continues to make

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big investments in Michigan, pledging to invest another $1 billion in the state by 2030.

2016 M S U MA KE S B I G WI N S O N A ND OFF TH E F I E L D

post-doctoral fellow Dayong Wang and PhD student Charles Otto. The program will use face images from surveillance cameras or crime-scene images to determine a list of potential suspects from a database.

Meanwhile, Emergent BioSolutions, a manufacturer of biodefense and commercial products including vaccines, treatment kits and antitoxins, had its anthrax vaccine approved by the FDA for expanded use in November.

Meanwhile, MSU’s Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) continues its development, ahead of schedule for its projected completion by June 2022. When complete, the FRIB will provide intense beams of rare isotopes, enabling scientists to make discoveries about the properties of rare isotopes, while keeping MSU — and Lansing — at the forefront of the world’s nuclear physics research and technology.

In November, superconducting electron accelerator manufacturer Niowave created the medical isotope molybdenum 99, which can help diagnose heart disease and track cancer’s spread in the body. Niowave is also creating a new facility at Port Lansing to manufacture and ship medical radioisotopes around the world to be used in life-saving procedures — an investment of $79 million and 90 local, high-quality jobs.

Until then, MSU continues to top the list of nuclear physics graduate programs and draws on leading minds in experimental and theoretical nuclear physics and astrophysics with its National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory.

Then there’s Michigan Biotechnology Institute (MBI), a Lansing-based think tank that offers de-risking services for biotech companies and has collaborated on key creations such as biodegradable plastics. It also patented AFEX technology this past year, an agricultural innovation that expands the industry’s ability to supply both food and fuel, while also reducing its carbon footprint — a game changer for the industry. It’s no surprise this close partner of MSU was listed among Biofuels Digest’s 40 Hottest Small Companies in the Advanced BioEconomy in November.

Michigan State University (MSU) has made headlines over and over this year, touting its football team’s victory as the 2015 Big Ten Champion. Then, Tom Izzo’s team started the basketball season strong with a number one ranking. But the university is hardly leaving the big accomplishments to its sports teams, and is making a slew of notable accomplishments off the field, too. Among them, MSU’s Food Fraud Initiative defined the term “food fraud,” the intentional use of deception for economic gain involving food, and is also supporting the United States and other countries to create strategies against it. Initiative Director John Spink and MSU program and public health professor Doug Moyer co-wrote an article about the group’s findings, which was published in Food Chemistry Journal. MSU also left a mark on security by licensing a large-scale face-search system developed by biometrics expert MSU Distinguished Professor of computer science and engineering Dr. Anil Jain,

2015 BE CO MIN G TH E “ACCE L E RATO R CA PITA L O F N O RTH A ME RICA”

Additional successes include Lansingbased biotech companies, AquaBioChip, which provides pathogen diagnostics in air, food and water sources; and AntelBio, which specializes in advanced milk diagnostics. The city is making its mark on this booming global industry. “With the FRIB and a growing cluster of companies like Niowave, Lansing is the Accelerator Capital of North America,” said Keith Lambert, Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) Tri-County Development manager.

It’s been a good year for Lansing’s prominent biotech industry. Neogen, a company that develops food and animal safety analysis products, reported record earnings for its 2015 fiscal year. L

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BEHIND THE SCENES

Behind the scenes

Each month, the writers at the Greater Lansing Business Monthly interview an interesting person in the Lansing area to get a glimpse of their lives outside of their profession. This month, we spoke with Jack Davis, attorney at Looms, Ewert, Parsley, Davis & Gotting.

JACK DAVIS By Mickey Hirten

Jack Davis, 76, is an attorney with Loomis, Ewert, Parsley, Davis & Gotting, P.C. He has complemented his success as an attorney with a commitment to the greater Lansing community, where he has chaired the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP), served on the Lansing School District board and chaired the region’s Blue Ribbon Panel to retain General Motors. He was named Boys and Girls Club “Man and Boy Award” winner (1989), is founder and former trustee of the Lansing Community College Foundation, the Okemos Education Foundation, the Opera Company of Mid-Michigan, and Legal Aid of Central Michigan. In June, he will become president of the Rotary Club of Lansing. Why the law? I thought I could probably be good at what lawyers do. I applied for Harvard; 24

I applied for Dartmouth and Princeton, and Dartmouth and Princeton wrote back and said they were sorry. They didn’t have a law school.

You have to be totally committed to put in the time and effort to end up with the best position. That’s the way you are successful as a lawyer.

But it’s nice to have a system where decisions are made not based on power structure, but where there are actually rules in place that govern everybody in a sort of equal way; principles that are based on the moral standards of our society. You advocate for people, and that’s the good part and the bad part, whether you agree with the principles or not, it’s your job. The good thing is that you are advocating for people who may not have representation. The bad part is you are advocating for positions that you personally don’t necessarily agree with.

Is there a typical workday for you?

You have said that your second career choice would be a history professor. Why that field? I wanted to be a history professor, but the politics of being in these academic departments is, well ... So I decided that I would like to make money as well as do something that has a little intellectual bent to it. Is there a particular trait that helps explain your success? I’m apparently good at working arguments and being persuasive. I got that from my high school debate experience. And apparently I have the academic skills. But you have to work very hard; you have to exhaust your intellect and be totally committed to outworking the other side in litigation or contract negotiations.

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

JANUARY 2016

I’m not an early riser. I get up about 8 o’clock and usually right then I start working. Lots of times I work for an hour or so at home. Then I come to the office. There’s a lot of staff and they will have presented papers to me, or documents that I will have to review and judge whether or not they are the right standards. What I’m talking about is the practice of law, getting concepts and proposals from my clients. I will decide which way we want to go and that will be finished by other lawyers or my legal assistants. Then I’ll review it and make edits. I may not get their work product until 6 o’clock at night, which in that case I spend the rest of the evening reviewing it and editing it. It wouldn’t be unusual for me to work until midnight. I’m also very active in extracurricular or nonprofit work, so there are many times when I am out for a meeting and then come back. You have said, “Don’t relax” is your motto. How does your wife, Sue, deal with that? My wife is very cooperative and very supportive. She has her own projects and things she is interested in. She’s got a lot of hobbies. We spend a lot of time together, but during the week I do spend a lot of time on my profession.

BEHIND THE SCENES

When you look at your children, what do you see of yourself?

father working late into the evening and so I kind of adjusted to that.

They are hard working. They are very committed to what they are doing. My son works for a major corporation; my daughter is very active as a volunteer in Charlotte, N.C. They don’t relax very much — they are very interested in making sure that each day has meaning. I think that is similar to both my wife and I. We do not think in terms of six o’clock comes and we are going to watch television. That never occurs to anyone in my family. If you are not out there making something happen in your profession or your community, then you are not living up to your standards.

He wanted me to go into retailing, but I did not like that profession because I saw that it was extremely stressful on him, and very difficult. The competition is so dramatic. It’s not so much based on your individual skills like the law is. It’s based on pricing and what product you bring to the market. It takes a whole different talent. I would rather have the ability to determine my fate based on my own performance.

Wife: Sue Davis

For lack of a better term, you are a “patron of the arts.” What are your artistic talents?

Hobbies: Biking, tennis

THE WHOLE REASON FOR THOSE OPINIONS IS I AM HOPEFUL THAT WITH THE RIGHT CONVERSATION, THE RIGHT LEADERSHIP AND THE RIGHT COMMITMENT, I’M OPTIMISTIC THAT WE CAN GET TO THE LEVEL THAT WE SHOULD BE FOR THE ENTIRE SOCIETY.

Looking in the other direction, what about your parents do you see in yourself? My mother was a classic housewife in the 40s and 50s. [She was] a great mother and very supportive. My dad worked very hard and was very successful. He managed a 14-store jewelry chain in Michigan. In those days, stores weren’t open every night but they were open on Monday and Friday until nine and he had to work on Saturdays. I got used to the fact that you can get along fine with your

I really have not played an instrument. The only thing I have done that you could say was the performance of art was that I’ve been in many theater productions, but not in Lansing. I was in theater in college. I’d like to learn a little bit about playing a piano — my wife plays. She was a singer in the opera here for many years and she is very much into vocal music. Your commitment to children and education is long standing: President and board member on the Lansing School Board, the Lansing Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Lansing Public Schools, work with the Boy Scouts and the Boys and Girls Club of Lansing. Can you reflect on the difference you have made on young lives? If you are going to be successful in dealing with the at-risk population, which is what I have always focused on in addition to the arts … it’s a serious, complicated problem. I have a lot of ideas about it. I’m in one committee after another all the time trying to deal with those issues. And obviously we are not wonderfully successful and the problems are there more today than ever. I think people don’t focus on the fact that for us to have a successful society you can’t have 30 percent of the people doing well and 70 percent not. It’s impossible.

Residence: Lansing

Children: Greg, Jennifer and four grandchildren. Education: Eastern High School (1956), University of Wisconsin Madison (1960), Harvard Law School (1964) Military Service: U.S. Army

Passion: First edition books What is the difference between the optimistic Jack Davis and the realistic Jack Davis? I tend to be very realistic. I tend to be optimistic in the sense that I do think society can reach a better level, so I don’t give up on it. I keep trying and struggling and I will have opinions that are very realistic and direct. They may seem negative; to me they are realistic. The whole reason for those opinions is I am hopeful that with the right conversation, the right leadership and the right commitment, I’m optimistic that we can get to the level that we should be for the entire society. This conversation with Jack Davis has been edited for space and clarity.

Mickey Hirten is an award winning writer and editor. He has been executive editor of the Lansing State Journal, the Burlington Free Press in Vermont, and was the financial editor and a columnist for the Baltimore Evening Sun. He is the current president of the Michigan Press Association. His wife, Maureen Hirten, is director of the Capital Area District Library.

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ECONOMY

Money Where Does it Come From? BY MORDECHA I E . KR E I N I N

Scheme A

efore explaining the role of monetary policy in stabilizing the economy, it is necessary to inquire into the role of money and how it is created. Money is first and foremost a means of payment (otherwise known as a medium of exchange). It is also the yardstick by which the value of goods and services are measured and compared, and is a convenient vehicle for storing wealth for future use. The value of money has nothing to do with the amount of gold backing it. It is measured strictly by the quality of goods and services it buys, otherwise known as its purchasing power. It follows that money value varies (over time) inversely with the rate of inflation. Each country has its own currency. Thus the U.S. uses the dollar ($); 19 continental countries use the euro (€); the U.K. — the pound (£); Japan uses the yen; China — the Yuan; Russia — the ruble; Mexico — the peso; Canada — the Canadian dollar and so on. The value of one currency in terms of another is called an exchange rate, and every exchange rate has an inverse; if £1=$2 than $1=£1/2. If the £ rises in value (appreciates) to, say, $3, then the dollar declines in value (depreciates) in £1/3. Such is the bilateral exchange rate behavior. The exchange rate is one of the most important devices in the economy. AND BECAUSE THE BANKING INDUSTRY IS THE SOURCE OF MOST OF OUR MONEY SUPPLY, IT IS SUBJECT TO TIGHTER REGULATIONS (BY THE FED.) THAN ANY OTHER INDUSTRY. IN GENERAL , THE CENTRAL BANK IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE QUALITY OF MONEY IN CIRCULATION AND FOR THE RATE(S) OF INTEREST PREVAILING IN THE ECONOMY. Historically, money took on a variety of forms. But today money supply in the U.S. consists of paper notes (about a quarter of the total) and checking accounts otherwise known as demand deposits (about ¾). The reason demand deposits can serve the function of money is the existence of a check clearing system operated by the central banks, which is the Federal Reserve (also 26

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

Central Bank

-100

+100

Bank A

Bank B

-100

+100

Jack

Jill

$100 check Scheme A: A Check Clearing

known as the Fed). In the U.S., people, corporations and other economic entities keep checking accounts in banks, and draw on them to make payments or settle debts. Hence such demand deposits are money. In turn, banks maintain reserves against these deposits in the form of cash but mainly in the form of deposits at the central bank (for simplicity, the following discussion ignores the cash component). In fact, the central bank dictates the fraction of people’s deposits that banks are obligated to maintain as reserves. This is known as a mandatory reserve requirement. For example, if deposits in a bank add up to $1,000, and reserve requirements are 10 percent, then that bank must keep $100 on deposit with its central bank. Any such deposit in excess of the required 10 percent is known as excess reserves. Only commercial banks and the Federal government have access to the Federal Reserve. What enables demand deposits to serve the function of money is the check clearing system operated by the central bank. Suppose Jack sends Jill a $100 check drawn on his bank (Bank A) and Jill deposits it in her bank (Bank B). Bank B would send it to the Fed. for clearing and the Fed. would credit Bank B by $100 and debit bank A by $100; transaction complete. Such a clearing system exists in every country, operated by its central bank.

JANUARY 2016

ECONOMY

The single bank can loan out a maximum of the amount of its excess reserve. To show this, suppose the mandatory reserve requirement was 10 percent of demand deposit. Consider the position of Bank B in Scheme A (check clearing). After receiving Jill’s deposit of $100 and depositing it at the Federal Reserve, the bank has $100 in deposits of the public (Jill), and $100 in reserves, of which $10 is required reserves (10 percent of $100) and $90 is excess reserves. Banks are eager to lend money because that’s how they make a profit (on the interest they charge). Suppose the bank loaned out $95 to various customers. These borrowers write checks totaling that amount to a variety of other people who in turn deposit them in their banks. With thousands of commercial banks existing in the United States, none of this money (or a very small part of it) is likely to return to Bank B. So Bank B is now short of required reserves: It needs $10 to cover Jill’s deposit of $100 and is left with only $5 ($100-$95). Thus the single bank can only loan out the amount of its excess reserve. But what is true of the single bank is not true of the entire system of thousands of commercial banks, because the $95 that Bank B loaned out are redeposited somewhere in the system. That is why the banking system as a whole is the major source of our money supply. Indeed, any time a bank makes a loan it is made in the form of a demand deposit against which the loan owner can write checks. So when banks make loans, they create money. And because the banking industry is the source of most of our money supply, it is subject to tighter regulations (by the Fed.) than any other industry. In general, the central bank is responsible for the quality of money in circulation and for the rate(s) of interest prevailing in the economy. Much of the conduct of monetary policy is done by the Fed.’s control over the banking system. Mordechai Kreinin is a University Distinguished Professor of Economics, emeritus at Michigan

State University and past President of the International Trade and Finance Association. He is the author of about 200 articles and books about economics, including the widely used text, International Economics. He can be reached at kreinin@msu.edu or by cell phone at (517) 488-4837.

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Greater Lansing at a Glance MICHIGAN RETAILERS ASSN. INDEX Oct. 2015

Sept 2015

Oct. 2014

Sales

54.1

51.1

50.3

Inventory

55.6

55.4

53.9

Prices

54.3

53.5

46.8

Marketing/promotion

64.1

57.9

63.8

45.8

Hiring Plans

AVERAGE WEEKLY WAGES FOR ALL INDUSTRIES BY COUNTY Lansing area, 1st quarter 2015 (U.S. = $1,048; Area = $909)

Clinton $785

Values above 50 generally indicate an increase in activity

BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS LABOR FORCE DATA

Oct. 2015

Sept 2015

Oct. 2014

Civilian Labor Force (1)

n.a

(P) 240.9

243.7

Employment (1)

n.a

(P) 232.0

(P) 231.6

Unemployment (1)

n.a

(P) 8.7

(P)12.2

Unemployment Rate (2)

n.a

(P) 3.6

(P) 5

Eaton $831

Ingham $943

Source: U.S. BLS, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.

WAGE AND SALARY

Oct. 2015

Sept 2015

Oct. 2014

Total Nonfarm (3)

(P) 231.4

228.5

228.2

(P) 1.4

1.2

(P) 7.7

7.7

(P) 6.9

6.9

(P) 20.9

(P) 11.2

6.6

(P) 34.7

34.7

(P) -1.7

(P) 2.7

2.7

12-month % change

(P) -3.6

-3.6

Financial Activities (3)

(P) 15.6

15.6

12-month % change

(P) 2.6

2.6

(P) 22.1

21.9

(P) -0.5

-1.4

(P) 31.4

30.9

(P) 0.3

0.3

(P) 20.7

20.3

(P) 6.2

4.6

(P) 10.6

10.5

(P) 1.9

(P) 65.0

63.2

(P) -0.8

-0.2

12-month % change Mining, Logging, and Construction (3) 12-month % change Manufacturing (3) 12-month % change Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (3) 12-month % change Information (3)

Professional and Business Services (3) 12-month % change Education and Health Services (3) 12-month % change Leisure and Hospitality (3) 12-month % change Other Services (3) 12-month % change Government (3) 12-month % change

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7.2

18.8

35.3

2.8

15.2

22.2

31.3

19.5

10.4

65.5

S N A P S TAT S

Each month, the Greater Lansing Business Monthly compiles statistics showing the growth of the greater Lansing area from month to month. This information is not comprehensive, but rather, a snapshot of the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growth throughout the year. The following is a look at the advances some of Lansingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest businesses have made in the past two months.

GLAR

Oct. 2015

Sept 2015

Oct. 2014

Active Listing Count

2346

2559

2739

Active Listing Volume

400.1

433.3

426.7

665

n/a

727

New Listing Volume

106.4

n/a

107.4

Average Listing Price

$171K

$169K

$156K

$106

$105

$101

Days in RPR

104

Months of Inventory

Pending Sales Count

580

467

308

Sales Volume

65.9

70.6

Percentage of Listing Price

96.8

97.2

New Listing Count

Average Listing / sq. ft.

KEY STOCKS MONTH-END CLOSE Auto

Nov . 2015

Oct. 2015

Nov. 2014

Spartan Motors

3.63

4.13

5.01

General Motors

33.81

34.91

33.43

Emergent BioSolutions

37.67

32.15

24.86

Neogen

59.06

54.05

44.31

Gannett (Lansing State Journal)

17.08

15.82

n/a

Gray Broadcasting (WILX)

16.75

15.89

17.06

Media General (WLNS)

15.53

14.86

15.31

Bank of America

17.43

16.78

17.04

UPS

103.01

103.02

109.92

Home Depot

126.91

112.3

78.18

Kroger

37.66

37.8

59.84

Macy's Inc.

39.08

50.98

64.91

Wal-Mart Stores

58.84

57.24

87.54

Tech

Media

Jobs

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MAN ON THE STREET

M AN on the STR E ET 2015 best questions and answers COMPIL ED BY KYL E D O W L I N G, GL B M’ S MA N O N TH E S TR EET

What are your thoughts on life insurance? Should people have it? “Well, I have it because I have three kids. Two are in college and you never know what could happen. You want to make sure your kids are covered and protected; accidents happen.”

Larry Ward What type of businesses would you like to see come to the area? “I want a grocery store downtown, and more retail on Washington Square, but no new sandwich shops. The ones we have are great but we don’t need any more.”

Chris Harkins What Skilled trade do you think is the most important to have in the Lansing area? “In terms of skilled trades, I would say that all skilled trades are important. We are working on passing legislature to support skilled trades all over Michigan. Skilled trade are important to meeting the needs of the area. My father was a skilled trades worker and I support them.”

Senator David Robertson Do you prefer to buy cars from foreign or Michigan companies? Why? “I have only bought one care and it was made in the U.S., but I think that most companies are international now so it’s not like you’re buying local. There’s no farmers market for cars.”

Nathan Santelli Do you think that people should be required to take a business or personal finance class in high school or college? “I am an educator and know that graduate requirements are locally set, so some school systems require so much, while others require less. If they have the capacity, then yes.”

Teri Thompson

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

JANUARY 2016

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Rising Star EB-5 Real Estate Development Financing BY TRICIA FOST E R

hat do Warren Buffet, Bill Gates and Sheldon Adelson all have in common (besides billions)? They are all in favor of the EB-5 program, as backed in a New York Times op-ed quoting both its direct and indirect benefits, including supporting domestic job creation and increased contribution toward the U.S. GDP. Rising Star: EB-5 Real Estate Development Financing is a fast growing financing vehicle currently in high demand by high net worth individuals overseas seeking both immigration and investment options. EB-5 has emerged as a viable capital source for U.S. commercial real estate development and contributed more than $4 billion to construction projects between 2010 and 2013. Helping to fund development projects coast to coast, EB-5 is most often used for gap financing and paired with other debt and equity sources, although it can account for a project’s entire funding. The EB-5 Visa: EB-5 stands for “EmploymentBased, the Fifth category.” Administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), it is an immigration program created by Congress in 1990 to stimulate the U.S. economy through job creation and capital investment by foreign investors. The development must create or preserve 10 fulltime jobs within two years. Upon the successful documentation of the job creation, the immigrant investor becomes a full EB-5 Visa resident of the U.S. Investment Thresholds: EB-5 provides permanent residency to foreign nationals who invest at least $1 million in a development that creates or preserves a minimum of 10 full-time jobs. The investment threshold is lowered to $500,000 for businesses located in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA), defined as rural areas or areas with unemployment rates at least 150 percent of the national average. Nighty-eight percent of EB-5 projects from FY2014 are located in a TEA. Moreover, construction is a straightforward approach to meet the job requirement criteria, and most EB-5 funds end up in incomeproducing real estate developments.

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

Indiscriminate Financing: Although it can take upwards of six months or longer, EB-5 financing will consider out-of-thebox investments that many banks will not consider. EB-5 will make loans to projects in secondary and tertiary markets at leverage levels at which most banks will not be able to compete, as it does not discriminate projects in the same manner as our commercial banking system. The decision process contemplated

JANUARY 2016

R E A L E S TAT E

by the individual EB-5 investor can be summarized as follows:

creating jobs and stimulating economic growth.

• Criteria 1 — Will the project create

As the program continues to be refined and made more transparent and effective, it should remain a viable alternative financing tool for commercial real estate development in the U.S.

the necessary jobs so that an EB-5 Visa can be secured? • Criteria 2 — Will I get my investment

Tricia Foster, CPM®, ACoM® is Senior Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer at CBRE|Martin.

returned with no loss of principle? • Criteria 3 — Will I get a return on

my investment?

Product Categories: EB-5 financing has been seen in virtually all product categories, such as office, industrial, retail, hospitality and multifamily. The program is versatile in funding projects of various types, scales and financial structures. Larger products tend to be mixed-use with both residential and commercial components, along with the requisite infrastructure work. Who provides this capital to area developers? USCIS-designated Regional Centers have been established in almost every state and act as a clearing house, promoting projects that meet the requirements needed for foreign investors to secure EB-5 Visas. Legislation and the future of EB-5 Financing: Several bills have been introduced to reform, limit fraud and further expand the program in 2016. While termination of the program is a possibility, it is unlikely as many studies have supported the role EB-5 financing plays in funding real estate development,

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The China Boom: Chinese nationals have constituted more than 80 percent of EB-5 immigrants since 2012 and are primarily motivated by non-financial benefits associated with access to U.S. lifestyle, education and mobility.

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Some EB-5 investors only care about hitting Criteria 1 and securing the EB-5 Visa; losing $500,000 is looked at as the cost of citizenship in the U.S. Yet demonstrating that all three criteria can be met will expedite the execution of the EB-5 process.

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BUSINESS CALENDAR

January 2016 BUSINESS EVENTS

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LANSING COLLABORATION CELEBRATION, LANSING. Join the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum for Lansing Collaboration Celebration and help them celebrate the Lansing region and its many successes. Enjoy refreshments and hors d’oeuvres. This event will take place at the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum, located at 240 Museum Dr., from 5 to 7 p.m. Please RSVP by Jan. 8. For more information, email autos@reoldsmuseum.org or call (517) 372-0529.

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MLK LUNCHEON, LANSING. Please join the Greater Lansing Area Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission for the 31st Annual Celebration Luncheon in memory and celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The luncheon will be held at the Lansing Center, located at 333 East Michigan Avenue, beginning at 11 a.m. For more information, call (517) 483-7400.

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MSU MUSEUM’S CHOCOLATE PARTY BENEFIT, EAST LANSING. Watch as local restaurants, caterers, bakers, candy makers and more share their tasty creations with they key ingredient being chocolate as they compete by sculpting chocolate masterpieces. The MSU Museum Chocolate Party Benefit will be held at the Kellogg Center from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. The cost to attend this event ranges in price from $25-$75/person. Proceeds from the event will benefit the proper care of the Museum’s collections. For more information, call (517) 432-4655, email secordm@msu.edu or visit museum.msu.edu.

COF

GRAND RIVER CONNECTION, LANSING. Join the next Grand River Connection at the Lansing Brewing Company, located at 518 East Shiawassee Street, from 6 to 8 p.m. Enjoy some networking and make some connections. For more information, visit grandriverconnection.com.

CONNECTIONS & COFFEE, LANSING. Spend your morning with GLBM for Connections & Coffee. Enjoy some networking, bagels, coffee and a brief ten-minute presentation. Connections & Coffee will be held at the University Club of MSU, located at 3435 Forest Road, from 8 to 9 a.m. For more information, visit lansingbusinessnews.com or call (517) 203-3333.

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JANUARY ECONOMIC CLUB, EAST LANSING. Join the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce and presenter Mark Reuss, President of General Motors North America at the January Economic Club. The event will be held at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, located at 219 South Harrison Road, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For more information, please call (517) 853-6463, email trichardson@lansingchamber.org or visit lansingchamber.org.

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Sweet Encounter pitched the winning business idea at the Hatching Finale.

JANUARY 2016

Michigan State University Federal Credit Union

Sue Hansen

Business Loan Development Officer

MSUFCU Is Pleased to Introduce Sue Hansen Sue brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to MSUFCU’s Business Services department. She has worked in commercial lending for the past 21 years, and in her role at MSUFCU, looks forward to establishing and enhancing relationships with local community members, partners, and businesses.

Contact Sue with questions about your business’s financial needs—whether setting up an account, the need for financial resources, planning for future growth, or just to welcome her to MSUFCU’s Business Services department!

As a graduate of Michigan State University, Sue is looking forward to helping Michigan businesses succeed.

sue.hansen@msufcu.org • 517-333-2365

Contact Sue today.

Federally insured by NCUA

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SWEET ENCOUNTER PITCHES WINNING BUSINESS IDEA AT HATCHED The Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) and Spartan Innovations hosted the Hatching Finale, called “Hatched” on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015 at University Club of MSU in Lansing. More than 250 people came to see the 12 Hatching finalists of 2015 compete to win the $10,000 grand prize. The winning business idea came from Nikki Thompson Frazier, owner of Sweet Encounter, a boutique style gourmet bakery/café specializing in scrumptious, madefrom-scratch, gluten-free desserts. Frazier was also the winner of the InnovateHER Challenge, a national business pitch competition hosted by LEAP and the U.S. Small Business Administration held on Nov. 11, 2015. The 2015 Hatching finalists were Rob Zondervan, SteriDev; Shannon Long, Brew Export; Franz Narowski, Safety Sit; Scott Swarthout, Scratch X; John Foxworth, Cutting

LOCAL NOTABLE NEWS: CONQUER BUSINESS ACCELERATOR LAUNCHES AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY The Conquer Accelerator program at Michigan State University is now accepting applications for their first intensive summer series. Designed to help both newer and established companies overcome business hurdles, Conquer emphasizes smart planning and growth, extensive mentorship from an experienced bench of professionals and structured educational components. Any qualifying business may apply to join Conquer; an existing affiliation with Michigan State University is not required. For startups from Michigan State University, the Conquer Accelerator serves to fill a final gap in the development cycle of student startups in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Accepted teams will work through a 10week program starting May 2016. Five teams will be accepted and provided with $20,000 in funding, mentorship, 36

the Cable; Lauren Olsen, Remark Clothing; Dave Gutow, Legacy Shave; Sean Fochtman and Caleb Andrew, Spray ‘N’ Play; Alex Smith, Jim Nugent Instrument Works; Matt Carroll, AddMe; Nikki Thompson Frazier, Sweet Encounter; and Connor Sisco and Caroline Deak, PokerFace. The Title Sponsor and host for Hatched was the University Club of MSU. Other event sponsors include Michigan State University (MSU) College of Engineering, Vertafore, Venturit, MSU Federal Credit Union, MSU Broad College of Business Institute for Entrepreneurship, Lansing Regional SmartZone, Common Wealth Enterprise and Loomis, Ewert, Parsley, Davis & Gotting, P.C. The Hatching is part of a community-wide effort to support local entrepreneurs and make the Lansing region a great place to start a business. This event helps move new, local business ideas from concept to reality, and provides winners with funding, legal support, market research, office space and more. For more information, visit thehatching.org.

a creative working space, support and resources to enable them to grow their startup company in exchange for 5 percent equity. Built with a strong bench of more than 40 entrepreneur and business leader mentors, each of the 10 weeks in the Conquer program focuses on completing specific goals, as well as working with mentors and instructors on topics like fundraising, technology and sustainability. Conquer culminates in demo day presentations with investors. Ideal Conquer candidates will have worked through the MSU Hive, Hatch program, taken Business 201 and be prepared to pitch in business competitions. Companies not affiliated with Michigan State University that wish to participate in the program must have a product prototype or service, and meet a set of development criteria. The 2016 program runs May 30 through August 5. Applications and more information may be found on conqueraccelerator.com

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

JANUARY 2016

STATE BAR OF MICHIGAN ELECTS NEW PRESIDENT FOR 2016

Lawrence P. Nolan, president of the Eaton Rapids law firm of Nolan, Thomsen & Villas, P.C., and current Chairman of the Board of Directors of Western Michigan University Cooley School of Law, has been sworn in as PresidentElect of the State Bar of Michigan at its annual meeting in Novi. Nolan has served as past president of the Ingham County Bar Association, the Cooley American Inns of Court, the Ingham County Bar Foundation and the Diocese of Lansing Catholic Lawyers Guild. Nolan is set to become only the 82nd President of the State Bar of Michigan in September 2016. Nolan was listed by Best Lawyers in America as Lawyer of the Year in Personal Injury Litigation in the Lansing area for 2016.

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SKYVUE ON MICHIGAN GETS UNDERWAY

WILLINGHAM COTÉ ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD MEMBERS

As of Dec. 11, the demolition of the former Story Oldsmobile facility on Michigan Avenue was underway. The deconstruction of the Story buildings is the next step in the $77 million SkyVue on Michigan project, following months of work and cooperation between project developers RISE Real Estate, the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP), the City of Lansing, Lansing Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (LBRA), Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ).

Willingham & Coté, P.C. is proud to announce its 2015/2016 board members. Michael Stephenson is the firm president; Curt Hadley is Vice President; Scott Breen is the Treasurer and Torree Breen is serving as Secretary.

The board is responsible for guiding the strategic direction, overseeing policy and procedures, as well as ensuring the fiscal health of the firm. Each member serves a one-year term. Willingham & Coté, P.C is proud to serve the greater Lansing community for more than 50 years. They provide

The SkyVue on Michigan project is being built by RISE Real Estate of Atlanta, Ga. RISE plans to construct a 667,000 square foot, nine-story, mixeduse building featuring 359 residential units and a retail component, as well as parking on the north end of the development, which is adjacent to the Frandor Shopping Center. “RISE’s SkyVue development is a welcome addition to this key corridor by complementing the exciting Red Cedar Renaissance and Midtown projects, while eliminating a blighted property on the Michigan Avenue Corridor,” said Mayor Virg Bernero. “This development will help redefine the corridor as a bustling, central hub of activity — a truly global village — for professionals, students, visitors and residents of metro Lansing.” “Our firm is excited to be underway with this transformative redevelopment occurring along the Michigan Avenue Corridor. We are appreciative of the visionary leadership of Mayor Bernero and LEAP and look forward to seeing SkyVue on Michigan rise up along Michigan Avenue,” said Matthew Marshall, vice president of RISE. The development is scheduled to be completed by the summer of 2017.

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clients unparalleled expertise in the areas of alcohol beverage law, appellate law, business law, commercial litigation, estate planning, family law and real estate law. To learn more, please visit them at willinghamcote.com. CRISTO REY COMMUNITY CENTER’S FAMILY HEALTH CLINIC WELCOMES NEW DOCTOR

Leisure-Martins

Cristo Rey Community Center’s Family Health Clinic (CRCC) is extremely excited to welcome Dr. Aimee Leisure-Martins, D.O. to the clinic.

Dr. Leisure-Martins grew up in Marquette, Mich. and attended Michigan State University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her pediatric residency at the MSU/Sparrow Pediatric Residency Program. Her passion for healthcare and service was ignited over several opportunities to contribute to the compassionate healthcare of underserved populations in Honduras, Brazil and refugee communities in Lansing, MI. Dr. Leisure-Martins’ love for children and a clinical rotation in rural Kenya helped spur her decision to specialize in pediatric care.

York Stock Exchange/SIPC, has been named to the firm’s 2015 Chairman’s Council in recognition of proven dedication to his clients and a continued desire for professional growth. This is Doug’s eighth year achieving Chairman’s Council status. Chairman’s Council honors are presented only to those financial advisors who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to personalized client service. Membership is based mainly on education, credentials, assets under management and fiscal year production. Re-qualification is required annually since prior membership is no assurance of future membership. Adler, who joined Raymond James in 1993, has more than 23 years of experience in the financial services industry. He offers a comprehensive range of investment and financial planning alternatives for individuals and businesses. LANSING COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION’S HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE LARGEST EVER

Dr. Leisure-Martins is a wonderful and powerful addition to CRCC’s Family Health Clinic’s mission to provide basic medical care to underserved populations and is accepting new pediatric patients now. Cristo Rey Community Center accepts everyone in need, even if they do not have insurance.

The StarZone shined at the Lansing Community College Foundation’s annual Holiday Open House held on Thursday, Dec. 4. The event showcased the new on-campus resource center for students, proudly named the StarZone.

DOUG ADLER, AAMS, WMS ACHIEVES MEMBERSHIP IN RAYMOND JAMES & ASSOCIATES’ 2015 CHAIRMAN’S COUNCIL

More than 200 guests were in attendance to support the Foundation, including Lansing Community College (LCC) President Dr. Brent Knight and other distinguished LCC employees, Foundation board members and many supporters.

Doug Adler AAMS, WMS, a senior vice president, investments and managing director at the 1400 Abbott Rd., Suite 100, East Lansing office of Raymond James & Associates, Inc., member New 38

The annual event serves to thank foundation donors for their dedication and support of the Foundation and its mission to help make education

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JANUARY 2016

accessible to all Lansing area students. Donations collected by the Foundation directly impact students’ lives by providing those in need with an opportunity to attend college. The StarZone is part of an initiative that has transformed teaching and learning on campus for decades to come. Generous funding of $1.3 million was provided through private donations to the Lansing Community College Foundation capital funds. Initiatives like these provide students with access to new technology and continually support their pursuit of higher education. The Lansing Community College Foundation manages the generous financial support from the community and provides an integral and critical service in this region that helps fund the future for generations to come. MICHIGAN WOMEN’S HALL OF FAME NAMES NEW MUSEUM EDUCATOR The Michigan Women’s Historical Center and Hall of Fame (MWHOF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Caitlyn Perry Dial as Museum Educator. In Dial 2016, MWHOF plans to provide more family and youth programming in relation to the new exhibit, Great Girls in Michigan History, which opens in March 2016. Adding Dial to the staff is the first step in that process. Dial has a B.A. in history from Michigan State University and a master’s degree in History from Wayne State University. She is currently a PhD Candidate in Public History at Western Michigan University. Dial has more than eight years of experience working in museums and historic homes. She most recently worked as Curator at the Heritage Museum and Cultural Center in St. Joseph, Mich. There, she piloted several programs that attracted families and young visitors to the museum’s exhibits and programs.

N O TA B L E N E W S

The mission of the Michigan Women’s Historical Center and Hall of Fame is to promote the equality of women by honoring the history and celebrating the accomplishments of Michigan women. The Michigan Women’s Historical Center, located at 213 W. Malcolm X Street in Downtown Lansing, is home to the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame, featuring more than 290 honorees past and present, changing history exhibits and a fair trade gift shop. Museum hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 12 to 4 p.m. and the 1st Sunday of every month, 2 to 4 p.m. It is closed all major holidays and holiday weekends. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for students (6-18) and free for children 5 and under. The Michigan Women’s Historical Center & Hall of Fame is operated by the Michigan Women’s Studies Association, a nonprofit 501c3 organization.

Once up and running, TechTransport will provide:

• Digital classes in basic computer

literacy for high school students and adults

• A mobile teaching platform that

includes robotics, digital media, game design, animation programming, web and app development, 3-D printing and much more

• Financial literacy workshops, in

partnership with MSUFCU • College readiness workshops, in

partnership with the Capital College Access Network

ITEC RECEIVES GRANTS FROM THE RODGER AND KATE GRAEF FAMILY FOUNDATION AND THE CAPITAL REGION COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

The Information Technology Empowerment Center (ITEC), a Lansing-based nonprofit organization, has been awarded a $11,300 grant from the Rodger and Kate Graef Family Foundation and a $15,000 grant from the Capital Region Community Foundation. Funding will support the completion of ITEC’s new TechTransport bus, a mobile learning lab designed to bring technology to Lansing-area residents with limited access to home computers and the Internet. With TechTransport, ITEC will be able to expand its reach in the Lansing community providing enriching STEM education programs to 2,500 students annually. ITEC expects TechTransport to be on the roads of Lansing starting in February 2016.

From project management to creating an online marketing strategy—learn it from lynda.com. This online collection of video tutorials is free with a library card at cadl.org/lynda Capital Area District Libraries

Everything…right here. L

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• After-school tutoring programs in

math and science • GED preparation • Entrepreneurship classes • Field trips

“We really appreciate these foundations for joining us in getting TechTransport on the road,” said Kirk Riley, ITEC’s executive director. “TechTransport is sure to be the place where students come to dream and to do. We want to plant a seed in students that a career in a STEM field is definitely possible.” SAGINAW OAKLAND COMMERCIAL ASSOCIATION LAUNCHES CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT POINT WEST ART AND TRAIL PROJECT The Saginaw Oakland Commercial Association (SOCA) recently announced a new fundraising campaign through the

Michigan-based crowdfunding platform, Patronicity. The campaign will support the Point West Art and Trail project at the western Lansing city limit. The Point West Art and Trail project will consist of a new one-mile multiple-use trail within Dunnebacke and West Side Parks and will connect to a gateway public art project at the triangular plot of land where Saginaw Street meets Oakland Avenue. The project is a collaboration between three Lansing organizations: SOCA, the Old Oakland Neighborhood Association (OONA) and the Westside Neighborhood Association (WNA). If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $13,000 by Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) will provide a $13,000 matching grant with funds made possible by the Public Spaces Community Places program. To date, the campaign has raised 40 percent of its goal thanks to the community’s generosity. For project details and to donate please visit patronicity.com/pointwest.

LEAP ANNOUNCES MICHIGAN’S FIRST PRODUCT STARTUP ACCELERATION PROGRAM The Lansing region leads the state of Michigan in product-based startup support with the addition of Lansing PROTO, announced today. Lansing PROTO provides an important and innovative resource to Lansing’s entrepreneurial ecosystem that is already in place. Lansing PROTO, which is a Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) initiative, is an acceleration program put in place by the regional economic development agency to support physical productbased companies specifically, as they move from concept to market. Lansing PROTO will provide equity funding of $15,000 each to three product-based startup companies to participate in an intensive eight-month long program beginning in February 2016. Companies that apply for the program will be screened and vetted based on qualifiers such as feasibility, scalability, etc. The three selected companies will have

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

STATE NOTABLE NEWS:

SNYDER NAMES HOLLAND COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Governor Rick Snyder has announced that veteran journalist Meegan Holland will serve as Snyder’s new communications director. Holland previously worked with the Booth News Service, which covered statewide issues and government for The Grand Rapids Press, The Flint Journal, The Kalamazoo Gazette, The Saginaw News, The Bay City Times, The Muskegon Chronicle and The Jackson Citizen-Patriot. She became The Grand Rapids Press’ online editor in 2007, and in 2012 returned to Lansing to head MLive’s Lansing Hub. Earlier this year she joined Secretary of State Ruth Johnson’s communications team.

access to many resources including product development and design consulting, rapid prototyping, business plan development, marketing and branding, legal support, accounting support, continued mentoring and guidance, and access to capital. Upon completion of the program, the participating companies will either be prepared to go to market, already in the market or positioned in the market to be licensed by an existing company. “Lansing PROTO is the state of Michigan’s first physical product startup acceleration program. Lansing will now join the ranks of Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Ann Arbor which each have their own excellent accelerator programs for startups,” said Bob Trezise, President and CEO of LEAP. “The current entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Lansing area is robust and strong. This program will offer services for a niche group of startups to partake in and continue the region’s ‘maker’ reputation proudly. Once again, it’s a new Lansing region.” Companies or entrepreneurs interested in applying or learning more about Lansing PROTO, please visit purelansing.com/lansingproto. The application deadline for Lansing PROTO is Jan. 28, 2016.

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N O TA B L E N E W S

Holland, who started on Dec. 7, replaces Jarrod Agen, who is now Snyder’s chief of staff. Snyder’s press secretary, Sara Wurfel, left at the end of December to become vice president for public affairs at Truscott Rossman. Dave Murray, deputy press secretary, took over her post. Communications staffers Laura Biehl and Anna Heaton were named deputy press secretaries.

the health insurance industry that include leading the individual consumer division, project management office and corporate strategy departments for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. She holds a B.S. in business administration from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree from Wayne State University.

JOAN BUDDEN NAMED PRESIDENT AND CEO OF PRIORITY HEALTH Richard C. Breon, president and CEO of Spectrum Health, the parent company of Priority Health, announced that Joan Budden was named president and CEO of Priority Health, one of Michigan’s largest health plans. Budden accepted the position, having served as Chief Marketing Officer for Priority Health since 2009. Budden assumed her new responsibilities in January. Budden’s responsibilities as Chief Marketing Officer included leading Priority Health’s individual, group commercial and government programs segments. She also led the development of the company’s Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act strategy resulting in Priority Health being named the state’s benchmark health plan and becoming a statewide leader on the topic of health reform. Additionally, under Budden’s leadership, Priority Health developed a number of innovative tools and programs that have demonstrated its commitment to consumer engagement and transparency, contributing to the company’s unprecedented growth and ensuring its members have the resources to receive convenient, highquality care at the best price. Budden has more than 25 years of health insurance experience. She has held a number of leadership and executive management positions in

REPORT: 300+ BUSINESSES IN MICHIGAN’S CLEAN ENERGY SUPPLY CHAIN More than 300 Michigan companies serve clean energy markets, providing jobs to people across the state who are manufacturing, financing, designing, engineering, installing and maintaining

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renewable energy projects here and across the region, a study released on Dec. 3, 2015 by the Environmental Law & Policy Center found. The report identified at least 187 Michigan companies involved in the state’s solar energy supply chain and at least 133 companies involved in the state’s wind power supply chain. While the state’s clean energy economy has been one of Michigan’s fastest growing sectors in recent years, legislation being considered in Lansing threatens to slam the brakes on continued growth, some business owners warn. “I would be hiring an additional installation crew, a crew manager and a full-time office manager if it wasn’t for the legislation that is being promulgated in Lansing,” said Mark Hagerty, president of Michigan Solar & Wind Power Solutions in Commerce. “A revised energy bill being considered here

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in Michigan would substantially reduce the amount solar customers receive for the peak electricity they put on to the grid. That’s going to make a lot of customers delay investing in solar, which will have impacts at my company and all throughout our state’s solar supply chain.” For a PDF of the report or embeddable Google maps of the companies listed, visit elpc.org.

in other medical fields and, most importantly, improving patient care. Dr. McNamara joined Spectrum Health as a staff physician in 1987. From 2000 to 2011, he held the title of Chief of the Division of Cardiology. Since 2002, he also has served as Spectrum Health’s Medical Director of Cardiology Services.

Since 2010, he has served as one of the founding co-directors of Spectrum Health’s Frederik Meijer Heart and Vascular Institute. Selected to lead the fellowship program is Nagib Chalfoun, MD, FHRS, a board-certified cardiologist and electrophysiologist and Fellow of the

SPECTRUM HEALTH ANNOUNCES CARDIOVASCULAR FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM Spectrum Health today announced the creation of The Richard McNamara Cardiovascular Fellowship Program, a three-year training program named after a highly respected Spectrum Health cardiologist with nearly thirty years of service to West Michigan patients and to the organization. The program initially will serve three new cardiology fellows per year, with the first cohort expected to start in 2017. Over time, the program is expected to grow to serve more physician residents looking to specialize in cardiology and cardiovascular medicine. The program is being funded in part through a $5 million endowment created by generous donors. Cardiology fellowships consist of three years of training in cardiovascular medicine. Fellowship programs are viewed as a necessary component of comprehensive specialty programs and a key to attracting and recruiting talented physicians. Darryl Elmouchi, MD, division chief, cardiovascular medicine, Spectrum Health Medical Group, said the cardiovascular fellowship is the bedrock for future training programs in cardiothoracic surgery and subspecialty training, including interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, advanced heart failure and transplant. The program also has important implications for developing additional fellowships

FOCUSED LEGAL STRATEGIES FOR YOUR BUSINESS Foster Swift business attorneys regularly counsel business clients on: » » » »

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Heart Rhythm Society, who completed his own cardiology fellowship at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York and a clinical cardiac electrophysiology fellowship at University of Michigan.

HONIGMAN AGAIN EARNS RECOGNITION BY DETROIT FREE PRESS AS A TOP 25 LARGE WORKPLACE IN MICHIGAN FOR 2015

Detroit Free Press 2015 Top Workplaces in Michigan, and the only law firm named in the large company category. The list includes many of Michigan’s most prominent and innovative companies.

Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system based in West Michigan. For more information, visit spectrumhealth.org.

For the fifth consecutive year, Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP was ranked among the top 25 large companies in the

More than 1,500 companies and 61,000 employees in Michigan participated in the survey. Employee survey responses, including comments on the individual’s job and opportunities for career advancement, are the criteria for the rankings.

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Honigman has been recognized as one of the Best and Brightest Companies To Work For in Metropolitan Detroit, West Michigan and nationally by the National Association for Business Resources. Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP is a business law firm serving clients locally, nationally and internationally. Headquartered in Detroit, the firm has offices in Ann Arbor, Bloomfield Hills, Kalamazoo and Lansing, Mich., and in Chicago, Ill. GRAND HOTEL ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF JENNIFER MOECKEL AS SALES MANAGER Grand Hotel announced the appointment of hospitality industry veteran Jennifer Moeckel as sales manager with a specific focus on the corporate and association markets in Michigan.

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Moeckel will work primarily from the hotel’s sales office in Okemos, joining Grand Hotel Director of Sales Annie Farrell and fellow Sales Managers Kristin Charlton and Jane Thomas. Grand Hotel, America’s Original Grand Hotel, has been one of America’s premier summer vacation spots since it opened on July 10, 1887 to receive vacationers who arrived by lake-steamer or by rail. Today the island is accessible only by ferry or airplane. Grand Hotel is located on Mackinac Island, Mich. The 390-room hotel is a National Historic Landmark and a proud member of Historic Hotels of America.

PHP works for you. Physicians Health Plan is local. For 35 years we’ve been a part of your community and we take pride in helping you and your neighbors get the coverage, care, and personal service you deserve. That’s why our plan includes: » New Sparrow FastCare Centers, including one in downtown Lansing, for physicals and minor injuries or illnesses. » Choice of doctors with no need for in-network referrals. » Coverage for emergencies at work, at home, and at play – in every state and 196 countries around the world. » Helpful service. But don’t take our word for it … listen to our members. Our customer service scores are some of the highest in the state. You have a choice, and who you choose matters.

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