GLBM June 2019 by M3 Group Publications

JUNE 2019

(PRIDE) IN THE NAME OF LANSING

Marilyn Plummer honors the history of her hometown and the people within it

IN THIS ISSUE • 517 Living: The resource helping Greater Lansing residents live their best lives • Lansing Eastside Gateway to reemerge stronger than ever following tragedy • Holt to receive community-minded upgrades through Revitalize Cedar project

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JUNE 2019 ON THE COVER In The Name of Lansing................................................................... 14

A Source of Current Happenings: 517 Living...................... 24 Lansing Chamber Joins Business Group................................ 28

14 NEWS A New Leg In The Journey of Lansing Eastside Gateway.................................................... 6 $36 Million GM Investment Shows Faith in Lansing.............................................................. 8 Fission with a Vision................................................................................................................................ 10 Holt Realizes it's Potential................................................................................................................... 12

FEATURES She's All About Class............................................................................................................................... 22 Business Calendar.................................................................................................................................... 30 Noteable News.......................................................................................................................................... 32

CORRECTION In the May issue of GLBM, the hours listed for Allen Farmers Market were incorrect. Allen Farmers Market is open Wednesdays from 2:30 – 7 p.m.

Greater Lansing Business Monthly | Volume 32, Issue 6 group

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

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

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COMMENTARY

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

If you’re like me, when you recount your path or career milestones there are many individuals you can clearly attribute support that led to success. They may not have been labeled as a mentor, but he or she may have filled that role. While a mentor can provide invaluable advice, most importantly they are giving guidance on how to evaluate decisions and circumstances for yourself. It’s difficult to find time for a mentoring relationship in today’s frantic business environment. Whether you’re the mentor or you’re seeking a mentor, the issues remain the same: It’s difficult to identify a potential relationship, it may be hard to make the request and it’s nearly impossible to find enough time to dedicate to the endeavor. If you’re seeking a mentor, here are a few tips for finding the right fit and how to make it worth your time and effort. 1. Understand what your needs are prior to reaching out to a potential mentor. It’s important to know what you’re trying to gain and how that person can help you achieve your goals. 2. Make it easy for your mentor to meet with you. Try and work your schedule to coordinate with his or hers. 3. Make an agenda of items to discuss and if your mentor gave you some assignments in the last meeting – be prepared. When considering becoming a mentor, it’s easy to think that the mentees get all the value. However, it is a two-way experience. I believe that everyone has a story, and within it are things that we can learn from. Here are tips for mentors to make the most of their time with a mentee. 1.While you’re in the meeting, try to be present. It’s easy to be distracted by the world and work going on around you. It’s essentially the first lesson you’re providing the person sitting across from you. 2. Ask the mentee’s opinion on the topic, subject or decision. Getting a new or differing perspective is educational and rewarding.

3. Ask the person how you’re doing. Is it a benefit to both parties? And when have you provided the maximum impact and he or she is ready to move on? In my experience, the meetings can become a habit and linger on past their benefit timeframe. (If you’ve become friends, carry on!) When someone asks for your time and attention in mentoring, take it seriously. This is part of someone’s growth strategy. It’s OK to not have time in your life for this commitment and it’s always OK to say “no.” But help redirect the person to someone who may have more time or be a better fit for the person’s needs. We’ve all needed a little guidance at some point, and now might be the time to pay it forward. Be dynamic in all you do.

Doug Klein — Executive Director, Mason Area Chamber of Commerce Mark Hooper — Partner, Andrews Hooper Pavlik Diontrae Hayes — Supervisor, Charter Township of Lansing

Tiffany Dowling | Publisher

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A NEW LEG IN THE JOURNEY OF LANSING EASTSIDE GATEWAY BY TEECE ARONIN

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In the early hours of Feb. 3, a fire destroyed Lansing Eastside Gateway, taking the life of one of its most dedicated staffers, 43-yearold John Bolan – someone Yvonne LeFave, founder of Lansing Eastside Gateway, considered a friend. LeFave’s other business, Go Green Trikes, a delivery service using heavy-duty electricassist tricycles, sustained heavy losses in the fire; however, thanks to a client, Go Green would soon be up and running. As LeFave said, “My clients are wonderful.” That still leaves the future of Lansing Eastside Gateway in question, but that’s starting over, too.

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Lansing Eastside Gateway put retailing within reach of people who might otherwise not get a shot at it. Products for sale there included everything from local honey to original art. It gave entrepreneurs a “leg up,” as LeFave puts it. Cleanup and recycling events have taken place, and as of this writing, LeFave was awaiting a demolition permit. “Lansing Eastside Gateway” and “Friends of Yvonne” are Facebook pages where friends and interested parties document and follow Lansing Eastside Gateway’s progress. Two such friends are Lisa Scieszka-Howard, owner and designer at Smitten with Mittens, and Jill Kazee of

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with LeFave since Lansing Eastside Gateway’s beginnings. The plan is to rebuild on the same site, since the land is paid for and perfect for their needs. Insurance money isn’t enough to rebuild at today’s prices, so work will be done in phases with events and crowdfunding to help.

TRIBUTES TO JOHN BOLAN, WHO LOST HIS LIFE IN THE FIRE, LINE THE FENCE AT LANSING EASTSIDE GATEWAY

The Divine Lotus Tea Room and Spa. Scieszka-Howard makes one-of-a-kind woolen mittens. Kazee focuses on natural relaxation techniques. Both businesses have Facebook pages and both women have been

“The hardest part for me?” added LeFave, who described Bolan as irreplaceable, “Trying to recreate the magic. I know it will be different; you can’t wade in the same river twice, but it’s so tempting to try.”

Phase I will be a 30-foot-by-80-foot pavilion and detached garage for the trikes. Phase II, the main building, might take longer. LeFave and her group are working with Amanda Harrell-Seyburn of East Arbor Architecture, and while LeFave said it’s too early to share preliminary drawings, she added that “they’re stunning … and worth the wait.” “We’ll have some different vendors, some new staff and eventually a new space,” said LeFave. “All of that will create a different dynamic and will affect the community that surrounds it. It may be better for all we know – that’s the hope. But we also hope to retain our core of being a vital, helpful service to those wishing to start a small business or support local businesses on the eastside.”

Teece Aronin is a blogger and columnist. Teece writes a humor/ health and wellness column for the Oakland Press and is the Featured Writer for October at TrueHumor. com. Her artwork is available at the Redbubble.com store, phylliswalter, and Teece seriously considers any request for workshops, coaching and speaking engagements. Read her blog at ChippedDemitasse.BlogSpot.com, contact her at paronin1@gmail.com and follow her on Twitter @taronin.

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$36M GM INVESTMENT SHOWS FAITH IN LANSING BY: ALLISON SPOONER

General Motors announced in February it would invest $36 million in its Lansing Delta Township plant to continue enhancing crossover production. In 2017, the plant began production on two crossovers: the Buick Enclave and the Chevy Traverse, two vehicles that eventually became a huge part of the automaker’s portfolio. Marcos Purty, plant executive director, said he and the team were honored that CEO Mary Barra chose to come to the plant and make the announcement in person. In her media statement, Barra said, ‘‘We are proud of the hard work and commitment of the entire Lansing team and the Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave are important products in our growing crossover portfolio. This investment will allow us to prepare the plant for future crossover production.‘

Purty said the investment shows the people of Lansing the company is doing more, despite layoffs and plant closures around the country. While GM is pulling back production in many other areas, affecting 6,200 jobs and eliminating 8,000 either through buyouts, contractor cuts of layoffs, Purty said the announcement shows confidence in the people and the plant. When speaking about why the investment came to Lansing, he pointed to the fact that GM has always had a very strong presence in Michigan – and when it comes to investment, it always comes back to the people and the product. “These cars are cornerstone products and the people here have proven to produce high quality and deliver on the company promise,” said Purty. He stressed that the team at the plant focuses on safety and quality, and

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GM CHAIRMAN MARY BARRA

pointed to its excellent track record with customer acceptance. This isn’t the first investment the company has made in the plant. As GM’s newest American plant, opening in May 2006, the Lansing Delta Township Plant has seen more than $600 million in investments and was part of a $5.4 billion investment plan in 2015 that aimed to improve U.S. plants over three years. UAW Local 602 was also pleased with the investment and said it applauded the move on behalf of the entire workforce community. Purty said he and the union chairman are on one team with the employees, and their focus on customer safety makes it a special place to be. Purty said the plant was the first U.S. manufacturing facility to get Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified: one of the most popular green building certification programs used worldwide. The certification helps protect the environment but also generates support from the community and protects those who live around the plant. “It’s special when you combine work practices with a safe environment,” said Purty. While Purty said it hasn’t been easy for employees to see what’s happening across the greater GM family, there was a very positive reaction following the announcement of the investment. The plants being idled produce sedans, which are losing popularity among customers. Purty said he and his team come into work every day and pinch themselves that they produce the Traverse and Enclave. Even though no details have been announced as to what the investment will provide, Purty said, “This will help with further crossover production and that is a morale booster. We feel the future is bright because we do a good job and build two products that are a major part of GM’s portfolio.” Allison Spooner is a writer, storyteller, copywriter, marketing content creator and communicator. . You can find both her professional and her creative writing on her website, www.allisonspoonerwriter. com and follow her musings on Twitter @allyspoon.

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FISSION WITH A VISION Niowave pinpoints next stage of cancer treatment BY: MARK MEYER DR. TERRY GRIMM, CEO & SENIOR SCIENTIST

These days it’s full speed ahead for the selfanointed “Chevrolet of Particle Accelerators,” otherwise known as Niowave Inc. Despite Michigan State University’s Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) being viewed as the Formula One model of scientific accelerator facilities, the little engine that

MIKE ZAMIARA, CFO

could on North Walnut Street in LansingNiowave – continues to set the pace when it comes to adapting superconducting accelerator technology to medical problem-solving. Niowave founder Dr. Terry Grimm and his team of nuclear physicists, chemical engineers, machinists and technicians have focused their

attention on the medical isotope market, and the cancer-fighting community has taken notice. Niowave's mission is to increase production of actinium-225 (Ac-225), an alpha particle emitter with energy so high that it can break bonds in DNA. Ac-225 can be combined with a protein or

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JUNE 2019

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antibody that specifically targets cancer cells, resulting in a revolutionary treatment that is extremely effective at killing cancer cells without doing damage to surrounding healthy cells – an approach known as targeted alpha therapy. Only a few accelerators in the country create high enough energy proton beams to generate Ac-225. Niowave intends to be one of them. “We’re uniquely positioned to do so because of our proximity to FRIB, and because of Terry’s prior work at Michigan State University’s National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory,” said Niowave Chief Financial Officer Mike Ziamara. “We have the ability to apply the research being conducted at FRIB in a way that we believe will be commercially successful.”

following core competencies: •

Niowave is the only company in the world that can build and operate superconducting electron accelerators.

•

Niowave is licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to work with radioactive materials, including uranium.

•

Niowave operates an in-house radiochemistry facility to extract and purify solid, liquid, and gaseous radioactive isotopes.

Earlier this year, Niowave was one of four North American companies to receive Department of Energy funding to produce the medical isotope molybdenum-99 (Mo-99), which is used by hospitals in approximately 80% of all nuclear-imaging procedures.

In a 10-minute video entitled “The Rarest Drug on Earth” (www.rarestdrug.com), a German man in his 70s with stage 4 terminal prostate cancer is riddled with metastatic cancer tumors throughout his body. In 2015 at the University of Heidelberg, the man received a new, untested drug that included a rare, radioactive isotope: Ac-225. Eight months later, all of the tumors had disappeared. Two years later, he was still alive.

Beyond that, Niowave has positioned itself to quickly take the lead in manufacturing alpha-emitters for cancer therapy due to the

According to doctors interviewed in the video, it was very rare to see extended remission with this type of cancer.

“That right there shows the power and potential of Ac-225,” said Ziamara. “The isotope’s ability to seek and destroy the cancerous cells while at the same time leaving the healthy cells untouched.” Niowave has steadily acquired the necessary licensing and has begun testing its system to point where it is ready to share its product with partners who are eager to test the effectiveness of Ac-225 in controlled studies. “The thing that excites me about this work on Ac-225 is that you have these experts from different disciplines coming together to form a product that ultimately could save many lives and benefit our society for many years to come,” Ziamara said. “It also goes to show how technology and research can interact commercially to address real-world issues, such as the therapeutic treatment of cancer and other such ailments.”

Mark Meyer is the former sports editor of the Lansing State Journal. He previously served as senior writer at Truscott Rossman and is currently employed at Michigan State University.

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HOLT REALIZES ITS POTENTIAL

Cedar Street gets a community-minded upgrade BY: NICK MCCORMACK

It is no secret that in the absence of urban planning, infrastructure inevitably mutates into a Frankensteinian hodge podge to the detriment of local economies nationwide. Without a requisite timeout to evaluate and reorganize consumer corridors, local shopping sectors can turn into a tangled mess for the pedestrians who keep them healthy. Officials in Delhi Township recently took it upon themselves to recalibrate their growing community with the intent of molding their downtown sector into the ideal central hub for the surrounding area. The Cedar Street corridor was ripe for intuitive improvements, and in 2015 the Realize Cedar Project got the ball rolling on a four-year initiative that anticipated exciting changes for the area. The Realize Cedar Project is a Delhi Downtown Development Authority redevelopment project that focuses on Holt’s central stretch of Cedar Street, specifically from the town’s namesake road to Aurelius Road. Per the project’s manager, Todd Sneathen, the effort has made several key renovations to the corridor, including condensing the four-lane roadway to a threelane roadway, adding bike lanes and a center left-turn lane, new roadside curbs and gutters, new sidewalks and new general pedestrian areas. In addition to cosmetic changes, the sequence of signals at the new and original junctions were tweaked to accommodate the tighter flow of traffic. Realize Cedar came about as the necessity for a more foot traffic-friendly downtown became apparent to Delhi’s Community 12

Development Team. Delhi Director of Community Development Tracy Miller recalled the project’s infancy, in which township officials toiled to gather public input through both traditional and innovative means before opening up the project for a hands-on community approach. “Public involvement began in 2015, with the formation of a steering committee made up of residents and business owners who helped create the framework for a downtown area that welcomes new businesses and families,” said Miller. “The input of local residents, business owners and other stakeholders played a critical role in shaping Realize Cedar to create a more livable, walkable and safer Cedar Street corridor.” At that point the project was fully realized in its potential to give the community the boost it deserved. “The top priority of Realize Cedar was to create a more livable, walkable and safer community that appeals to all age groups, including millennials, families and seniors,” Miller said. “Realize Cedar will lay the foundation for private investment that will create jobs, spur economic activity and create a focal point for the community.” The full breadth of Realize Cedar’s effects on the community have yet to come to a definitive close, but the area has already begun to feel the change. Miller stated that the project is quickly turning Cedar Street into Delhi’s “front door” – making it an increasingly attractive environment for small businesses, shoppers

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and general pedestrians. Private developers, pop-up shops and special events are already flocking to the corridor. “The new infrastructure will help facilitate Holt Fest, which is a new music and food festival that will take place this summer,” said Miller. “Other community events, such as expanded Food Truck Frenzy events and 5Ks are being planned by others to take advantage of the new Cedar Street.” The completion of Realize Cedar’s reconstruction has no doubt marked the beginning of a new era for Cedar Street’s local economy by priming the area for further development in years to come. The local Quality Dairy has begun reconstruction after its electrical fire in October 2017, with plans to add a patio and drive-thru window to complement its newly upgraded surroundings. Holt residents are also looking forward to the completion of Esker Landing Park, located directly off of the Cedar Street roundabout. Cedar Street frequenters and Holt as a whole have a lot to look forward to moving into what is sure to be a busy summer 2019.

Nick McCormack is a fourth-year advertising major at Michigan State University and a freelance contributor for the Greater Lansing Business Monthly. He enjoys covering surfacing trends and local innovators. In his free time, he busies himself with good books, scenic hikes and shooting his bow.

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(PRIDE) IN THE NAME OF LANSING Lifelong Lansing resident and Juneteenth Celebration chairperson brings history to new generations BY: STEFANIE POHL In searching for someone who embodies the spirit of Lansing, one would have to look no further than Marilyn Plummer. A lifelong resident and community outreach coordinator for Mayor Andy Schor’s office, she has played

a major role in the education and celebration of African American history throughout her career. As the Lansing Juneteenth Celebration chairperson and lead staff to the Paving the Way, I-496 research and documentation

project, Plummer continues to honor history right in her hometown. Plummer said she has been inspired by the city’s recent growth and evolution. “I’m

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A SAXOPHONIST PLAYS FOR THE CROWD AT THE 2018 JUNETEENTH EVENT

excited about the city,” she said. “I can appreciate the past and history. There are so many people here, some who actually grew up here and those who migrated here. I like to hear the stories of why people chose to come to Lansing.” Plummer joked that she didn’t have a choice about where she grew up, but she knows she would have ended up right here. She attended Lansing schools and enjoyed spending much of her time outdoors. “What I like about the city are our city parks,” she said. “I grew up spending a lot of time in 16

them. They have a lot to offer. I think the city puts an emphasis on parks and recreation activities.” Much her of family still lives in the city, and it is the city’s abundance of diverse activities that Plummer sees as one of its best attributes. “Lansing is a small-town atmosphere with just enough activity to keep you inspired,” she said. “There are cultural experiences. You don’t have to go far to have an enjoyable time with your family.”

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Plummer seeks out events in the city. She said some of her favorite things are the family friendly events held throughout the summer, including musical festivals and holiday celebrations. “If it’s happening here in Lansing, I want to be a part of it,” she said, adding that she relies on the Arts Council of Greater Lansing’s annual brochure to learn about special events and activities. “I like being a part of that celebration or experience.”

“What I like about the city are our city parks,” she said. “I grew up spending a lot of time in them. They have a lot to offer. I think the city puts an emphasis on parks and recreation activities.”

HISTORY OF JUNETEENTH COVER AND THE LANSING JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION THE TERM “JUNETEENTH” DATES BACK TO 1865, COMMEMORATING THE DATE THAT MARKED THE END OF SLAVERY IN THE UNITED STATES. WHILE PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN’S EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION BECAME OFFICIAL AT THE BEGINNING OF 1863, AND GEN. ROBERT E. LEE SURRENDERED IN APRIL 1865, NEWS OF THE CIVIL WAR ENDING DIDN’T TRAVEL TO TEXAS IMMEDIATELY. UNION ARMY GEN. GORDON GRANGER ARRIVED IN GALVESTON, TEXAS, TO TAKE COMMAND THE FOLLOWING MONTH, SHARING THE NEWS THAT ALL SLAVES WERE FREE. THAT DAY, JUNE 19, 1865, MARKED THE EMANCIPATION FOR THE SLAVES IN TEXAS. THE 26TH ANNUAL LANSING JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION WILL BE HELD JUNE 13-15, WITH THE FIRST DAY OF EVENTS KICKING OFF AT LANSING CITY HALL. FRIDAY NIGHT’S FREEDOM FESTIVAL CONTINUES THE CELEBRATIONS, WHICH CONCLUDE SATURDAY WITH THE AFRICAN AMERICAN PARADE AND FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES IN LANSING’S ST. JOSEPH PARK. THE LANSING JUNETEENTH COMMITTEE ANTICIPATES NEARLY 4,500 PEOPLE WILL ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE IN THE THREE-DAY EVENT. THE LANSING JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION HELPS PROVIDE AN IMPACTFUL SERVICE FOR THE COMMUNITY WITH ITS ANNUAL HEALTH FAIR. HELD DURING THE SATURDAY EVENTS, THE HEALTH FAIR GIVES VISITORS AN OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE HEALTH AND WELLNESS INFORMATION FROM LOCAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. STUDENTS FROM SIXTH THROUGH 12TH GRADE ARE ALSO INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THE JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION THROUGH ITS ANNUAL ESSAY CONTEST AND SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OLIVET COLLEGE AND THE LANSING STATE JOURNAL. ACCORDING TO FOUNDING COMMITTEE MEMBER AND JUNETEENTH EDUCATION COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON DEBRA PLUMMER, THE ESSAY PROMPTS ARE REVIEWED ANNUALLY AND CHANGE EVERY FEW YEARS “BASED UPON WHAT THE SUBCOMMITTEE FEELS WOULD BRING A MORE IN-DEPTH UNDERSTANDING OF THE STUDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE OF JUNETEENTH AND FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO SHARE WHAT THEY KNOW AND FOCUS ALSO ON HOW THIS FREEDOM AFFECTS THEM.” IN ADDITION TO MONETARY AWARDS, INCLUDING SCHOLARSHIPS FROM OLIVET COLLEGE FOR THE TOP TWO WINNERS IN THE 11-12TH GRADE CATEGORY, WINNERS ARE ACKNOWLEDGED AT THE JUNETEENTH OPENING CELEBRATION AND PARTICIPATE IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN PARADE.

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NOT JUST ANY TEAM

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As an original committee member for the Lansing Juneteenth Celebration and its current chairperson, Plummer has played a significant part of that community experience for over 25 years. “The founding member of the Juneteenth Celebration (Gordon Haskins) was a church member of mine, and he was from Texas where it originated,” she said. “Juneteenth was second nature to him; it was like the Fourth of July. For African Americans, Juneteenth is our expression of freedom. It represents a culture, a history and a celebration.” Fourteen years ago, Plummer played an integral role in having Juneteenth recognized as a state holiday in Michigan. In June 2005, then-Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed legislation to officially designate the third Saturday in June as Juneteenth National Freedom Day in the state. At that time, Michigan became the 18th state to do so. In her newest role as lead staff for the Paving the Way, I-496 research and documentation project, announced by Schor in November 2018, Plummer will continue to help educate the community about Lansing’s past. Thanks to a $39,400 grant from the National Parks Service, the city of Lansing will be able to share stories of how the construction of I-496 impacted the city’s African American community in the 1960s. “This project explores the impact the I-496 interstate had on Lansing’s vibrant African American westside community during the height of the civil rights movement,” Plummer explained in her opinion piece for the Lansing State Journal in February. “The personal stories of Lansing’s African American community will be featured through oral histories that will be documented for the final project.” While thousands of drivers use I-496 each day, many are unaware of the over 800 homes and businesses that were demolished in order to make room for the expressway. But Plummer said the construction of I-496 also helped lead to the desegregation of the city. “That’s a separate part of the story, but that was my early childhood in Lansing,” said Plummer. “So, I’ve been able to benefit, but people like my parents and those who are older who had to live through it is another story.” Plummer sees the progress her hometown has experienced over the years as working in tandem with the lessons of Juneteenth.

“For the city of Lansing, like any other city in America, we’ve had some growing issues,” she said. “We’ve all had to learn about becoming a society that is more open-minded and accepting of all people. I think that’s the symbolism of Juneteenth. It’s a rich past of history that shows the path of growth for African American people who have achieved many things … and being able to be a part of this fast-paced, growing society.”

Stefanie Pohl earned a BA in English and Creative Writing from Michigan State University and an MA in Writing and Publishing from DePaul University. She is currently a freelance writer raising her two young daughters with her Spartan sweetheart. Find her musings about motherhood and more on her blog, www.mostefinitely.com. Stefanie has been spelling out her name since 1985.

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VISUAL BREAKDOWN

LET US ENTERTAIN YOU BY: RICH ADAMS Entertainment is subjective to the person being entertained. For example, one who enjoys horror movies may not find ballet as entertaining as a slasher film.

Some things once considered entertainment are no longer considered entertaining. Until the 19th century, participating in or watching criminals and social outcasts being punished was an acceptable form of popular entertainment.

Forms of entertainment have changed over the years, and so have the ways we enjoy them. What started out as pantomime around a campfire or primitive cave drawings are now movies streamed live on your smartphone.

Storytelling is another early form of entertainment. Tales passed from generation to generation. Storytelling is alive and well today in the form of books, radio, movies, television shows and video games.

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Then there are theater productions. From the Greek dramas of the 6th century B.C. to today’s hip-hop extravaganza “Hamilton,” people have been enjoying actors telling stories as part of live performance.

VISUAL BREAKDOWN

Animal acts have also amused humans for centuries. During the Roman games we had chariot races and later, in the Roman circus, fights between humans and wild animals.

Music has evolved from the drums and chants of ancient times to live concerts, streaming platforms and Sirius XM radio. Today there are more musical genres than you can shake a conductor’s baton at, ranging from classical to indie rock.

Today’s petting zoos are a much tamer version of animal entertainment.

Perhaps the most popular form of entertainment – and storytelling – can be found in movie theaters. From the first motion pictures produced in 1895 by Auguste and Louis Lumière to the modern midnight premiers of 3D IMAX films, movies have held us spellbound for generations.

Immersive entertainment is the newest form of fun. While virtual reality (VR) games and experiences are catching on, price often deters mainstream use. Enter location-based entertainment virtual reality, a place of business that hosts VR experiences, allowing users to physically interact with the environment in a way they can’t in their own home. The business provides the virtual reality equipment and often a custom-designed space to let the user walk freely through the experience.

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FEATURE

SHE’S ALL ABOUT CLASS Goss fights for socioeconomic status for African Americans BY: MARK MEYER

Anika Goss aims high and dreams big. She is an eternal optimist, a tried-and-true believer, whose commitment to carrying out her mission and vision – that the African American middle-class family can make a difference in her life and the lives of others – is unwavering. Goss delivered her message to a select group of Lansing’s policymakers, elected officials and business leaders at Troppo in downtown Lansing on March 20 when she described how 22

the proliferation of Detroit’s African American middle class can benefit not only the region surrounding Michigan’s largest city but the state as a whole. A third-generation Detroiter with a deep background in community development, Goss is the leading voice behind “Growing Detroit’s African-American Middle Class: The Opportunity for a Prosperous Detroit.” The Detroit Future City report, commissioned by the Knight Foundation Fund of the Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan, which

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seeks to explain the link between financial stability for those who live and work in the city with a healthy African American middle class. Goss identified economic opportunity and equality as key aspects of the report that need to be addressed if African American middleclass families are going to remain in or relocate to Detroit. According to the report: “… even though the total number of jobs in the city is expanding, the number of workers who both live and work in the city continues to decline, and the number of Detroiters

FEATURE

who travel out of the city each day for work increasing. The unemployment rate has also declined in recent years, but remains twice as high for African Americans than whites.” For Goss, executive director of the Detroit Future City Implementation Office, the question centers on finding pathways to attract and retain African American middle-class families in Detroit. “Middle-class families, whether they’re in Detroit or the suburbs, all want similar things,” Goss said prior to her presentation at Troppo. “They want a high quality of life. They’d like a diversity of housing. They want a safe, beautiful space that is walkable. They need access to amenities. And they want great places to educate and worship their children.” To get there, Goss said, it will require a comprehensive focus on city neighborhoods in a way that goes beyond the work that has been done previously. “Detroit needs about 33,000 more middleclass households to have the same share of the middle class as the region,” Goss said.

“Without that middle-class stability, the city cannot sustain and build on the economic recovery and success that has taken place over the past decade. “Furthermore, for growth to occur in an equitable and inclusive manner, it’s important that people of color are able to participate fully in the city’s revitalization,” she added. “Many times, companies will relocate to the city and not tap into the existing workforce talent. Many times, those workers will relocate to the suburbs and leave the city neighborhoods behind.” The challenges facing middle-class families in Detroit, according to Goss and the report she discussed, center on high automobile insurance and property tax rates, struggling schools, property blight and vacancy, and lack of retail amenities.

“The Michigan Legislative Black Caucus appreciates the hard work and thought that helped develop Ms. Goss’s excellent presentation,” Neely said in a prepared statement. “One of our primary legislative priorities is economic development, and the Detroit Future City recommendations can be used in other urban areas, such as my hometown of Flint. “We look forward to working with Ms. Goss to actualize the vision.” Editor’s note: Detroit Future City (DFC) was formed in 2013 as a program of the Detroit Economic Growth Corp. DFC became an independent nonprofit in 2015 in order to solidify and amplify its role in Detroit’s revitalization.

Mark Meyer is the former sports editor of the Lansing State Journal. He previously served as senior writer at Truscott Rossman and is currently employed at Michigan State University.

Rep. Sheldon Neely was one of approximately 75 legislators, policymakers and business leaders in the audience at Troppo, and he responded favorably to the Detroit Future City report.

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FEATURE

A SOURCE OF CURRENT HAPPENINGS: 517 LIVING Thanks to Sarah Pierce, there’s a means for everyone in Greater Lansing to live a richer life. It’s 517 Living, a website where users can share and tap into local business offerings and events. “I was looking for ways to live a more interesting life,” she said. “Greater Lansing has a lot of hidden gems, and I had experience with small businesses needing better ways to connect with communities. I can’t recall what exactly prompted me to take that first step of creating a Twitter account for 517 Living, but I quickly added a website with a community-built event calendar and formed a Facebook group.” The site has a Facebook group called 517 Living Community and, as of this writing, it has close to 21,000 members – and is growing every day.

SARAH PIERCE

Pierce said she’s the sole administrator of all 517 Living platforms, but the group and event calendar content is submitted almost entirely by people in the Greater Lansing area. On average, the groups sees 56 posts shared and roughly five to 15 event submissions each day.

“517 Living wouldn’t exist without those contributions,” Pierce said. “It has evolved into a pretty well-oiled, community-operated machine. I’ve spent the past five years chirping in everyone’s ears, private messaging businesses and encouraging people into our group, calendar and other platforms. But now, my overall approach to running 517 Living is pretty organic and laid back.” So, what does a typical 517 Living workday look like? It starts at Pierce’s home over coffee. “I approve posts, publish event submissions to the calendar, respond to messages and brainstorm ways to increase traffic and

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engagement,” she said. “I create giveaways with locally purchased or donated prizes, post networking threads, ‘heart’ and repost #517living Instagram photos, visit local businesses, attend events, enjoy local food and end my day grateful to live in the 517.” Pierce is also a broker for Trade Network (tradenetwork.org) and a cultural mentor for Samaritas (samaritas.org). She said she’s always surprised when she meets a stranger who uses 517 Living. “In the early stages, I sometimes doubted the effectiveness of what I was doing, so it means a lot to hear how 517 Living has helped a small business or about a group member’s great experience at an event discovered through our calendar,” she said. Those stories are great encouragement. “My goals for 517 Living are pretty simple,” Pierce continued. “I’d like to always be growing, adapting and trying new things. I think those are good goals for every aspect of life.” You can check out the 517 Living website at 517living.com/.

S P O N S O R ED

LCC President Elected to National Association By Andy Brent | Photo by Kevin Fowler Lansing Community College (LCC) takes its mission to providing high-quality education that serves and supports midMichigan communities and builds global citizens very seriously. Recently, this commitment to community education was recognized on a national scale. LCC President Brent Knight has been elected to serve on the board of directors for the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). This follows his appointment to the board in August 2018 by AACC’s president and CEO, Walter G. Bumphus. The AACC is the primary advocacy organization for community colleges in the United States. The association represents nearly 1,200 2-year associate degreegranting institutions and the more than 12 million students these institutions serve. “The AACC board of directors’ acts on behalf of our member colleges to create and maintain a vision for AACC and to advocate on behalf of the community colleges we serve,” said Bumphus. “We are thrilled to have Dr. Knight on our board and we welcome his unique talents and leadership in the advancement of the nation’s community colleges in Washington, DC and throughout the country.”

As the sixth president of LCC, Knight began his journey with the college in 2008, and has made student success his number one priority. He has worked to make tuition affordable, been an advocate for responsible student loan debt, expanded recruitment efforts, and brought cutting-edge technology to LCC campuses so students can more easily achieve their educational goals. Knight’s many accomplishments include his development of strong partnerships, including those with Delta Air Lines, Lincoln Electric and Google. The Early College at LCC for students entering their junior year of high school has received a national ranking for its rigorous academics and accelerated college-style class schedule. In addition, Knight’s visual transformation of the Downtown Campus is highlighted by its arts culture and inviting atmosphere, which includes a kiosk featuring languages from across the globe meant to be inclusive and welcoming to all. Knight’s emphasis on “ambient learning,” the process of people absorbing information from their environment, is seen throughout campus with educational displays on the walls in classrooms and hallways. The beauty of the campus is so prominent Knight was awarded the “Mayor’s Cup for Civic Excellence” in 2015.

LCC Trustee, Robert Proctor said, “The LCC family is very proud that President Brent Knight has been elected to the Board of Directors of the American Association of Community Colleges. The AACC recognizes what the LCC family and the communities served by Lansing Community College have long recognized and appreciated about President Knight. He is a visionary leader whose laser-like focus has been on creating an environment for the development of teaching and learning excellence that is committed to student success. There is no doubt that President Knight will continue to make a significant contribution to the AACC.” Knight holds a doctorate in educational leadership and a master’s degree in business and community college teaching, both from Western Michigan University. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Ferris State University, and was a visiting scholar in strategic planning at the University of Michigan. He received an honorary doctorate of public service from Ferris State University in 2012 and is in his 28th year as a community college president. 

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PK COMPANIES

Building Lansing Up PK Companies is a family-owned and familyoperated group of companies that focuses on providing housing solutions to better fulfill the needs of surrounding communities. Through the creation of partnerships with local companies, conducting focus groups comprised of local residents, and extensive research on an area and its needs, PK Companies strives to add value to the areas it touches and enrich the lives of the residents. Owner Pete Potterpin is a born and raised Michigander who saw an opportunity to make the community he loved newer, brighter and more efficient. After moving to Lansing from the east side of the state in 1966 to attend Michigan State University, he made it his goal to better the community he now calls home and enrich the lives of its residents. WHAT IS PK COMPANIES AND WHAT DOES IT DO? PK Companies delivers housing solutions by bringing multifamily apartments and retail space together. PK goes into the community to see what the community really wants as well as partner with local authorities to come 26

up with solutions to the problems the city may be facing in that particular area. PK finds opportunities to purchase and rehabilitate older properties where it upgrades finishes, HVAC systems and landscaping. PK Companies works as a team to meet the needs of each neighborhood in a coordinated effort to best serve the residents that live there. Most recently PK has revamped East Lansingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s old Bailey School into a senior community. The residents will be able to walk downtown to restaurants and stores to create their autonomy. PK Company had several meetings with the city to develop a housing project that would work best for both the neighborhood as well as the city of Lansing. The company even found a way to revamp the old day care center by adding a new 8,000-square-foot wing to the project. HOW DID PK COMPANIES GET STARTED? PK Companies originated as a property management company overseeing apartment homes and office spaces in the Lansing and East Lansing area. As Potterpin grew his company, he added management contracts along with development and construction

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capacities. Eventually he convinced his wife, Terry, to take over the accounting aspects of the business. Just 10 years ago, their daughter, Lindsay Klug, joined the business and eventually became vice president of operations, overseeing the day-to-day of the management company. A couple of years after Lindsay came aboard, Chris Potterpin joined the company and became vice president of PK Development Group. The Potterpins are proud that their children wanted to be a part of what is now their family business and of all they have added to the success of the company. WORK IS BEING DONE TO BUILD UP OUR CITY. HOW DO YOU FEEL PK COMPANIES CAN ASSIST IN THAT EFFORT? PK currently manages several apartment home communities in the Lansing area, and is working to bring several new developments to life. PK Company hopes to bring new housing opportunities, commercial space and employment opportunities to the city through its developments. In particular PKCompany likes to build up apartment spaces that include retail space beneath. PK Companies likes to

Behind the Scenes

THANK YOU MID-MICHIGAN CHRIS POTTERPIN, LINDSAY KLUG, TERRY POTTERPIN AND PETE POTTERPIN

hold focus groups with local residents to see what kinds of storefronts they would most like to see in that specific community, then bring that dream to life. Pete and Terry Potterpin are proud of the unique dynamic they bring to housing and development in the Lansing community. Delivering multiuse buildings, which can provide housing as well as retail space, is economical to the community, but their family touch provides a sense of self a larger conglomerate may not be able to contribute. The Potterpins take the time to listen to peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs and do what they can, from a commercial perspective, to give the people what they want and to help build up the Greater Lansing area.

for 10 years of support for the DAPPER DADS CHALLENGE AND FASHION SHOW.

Together, we have raised more than $4.1 million in support of womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health programs at Sparrow.

2019 Dapper Dads Jeffrey Abood Joe Arnold Ben Bakken Dr. Richard Bennett Sean Bertolino Kevin Blair Tomas Brown Bill Burke Mark & Joe Burzych Chaz Carrillo Bill Cawood Alando Chappell Chad Clark Mark Clouse Jeffrey Cook

Russell Dawson Patrick Dean Adam Goss Nick Grueser Simon Haddad Andy Hedberg Grant Hendrickson Matthew Heos Dean Holland Myles Johnson Kris Kassel Mark Koerner Ryan Lafontaine Daniel Lovejoy Don McNabb

Kelly Miller Rocco Rucinski BJ Rycus Mayor Andy Schor Ted Seitz Dr. Michael Shingles Don Simon Brian Stevens Jeffrey Straus Karlin Tichenor Barrett Tryon Greg Walthorn Jamell Williams Evan Winters Jose Yanez

Kerry Hart is a couple and family therapist with a private practice in East Lansing. The only thing she loves more than saving relationships is writing about them. See more of her musings at kerryhartcounseling.com

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LEGISLATIVE

LANSING CHAMBER JOINS BUSINESS GROUP TO INFLUENCE STATEWIDE POLICY BY: STEVE JAPINGA As the voice of business for the Lansing region, the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce works relentlessly to help businesses connect, grow and thrive. One of the ways we do that is through advocacy. The chamber helps create a climate for businesses to be successful by working with local, state and federal lawmakers to support our region’s business community. For more than 115 years, the chamber has been a champion for the region, helping increase economic development opportunities, tackling local municipal financial health, supporting regional infrastructure projects, and talent and workforce development efforts in addition to providing a clear voice to lawmakers on regulatory issues impacting our region’s businesses.

2. Increased funding for “Going Pro”– formerly the Skilled Trades Training Fund. This employer-driven, upskilling program has been widely successful with significant potential for growth. 3. Expansion of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include gender identity and sexual orientation. Michigan must have a welcoming and competitive climate to attract and retain top talent from around the state, nation and globe. 4. Maintaining a fair, broad-based and competitive tax structure for Michigan businesses. Our competitive and simple corporate income tax is working for business, and it is working for Michigan.

Although the chamber’s efforts have influenced the success of our state and region throughout our storied history, we still have work to do. This is why the chamber has teamed up with some of the largest, most influential chambers of commerce in Michigan including the Detroit Regional Chamber, Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber, Bay Area Regional Chamber, Grand Rapids Chamber, Flint and Genesee Chamber, Saginaw County Chamber, and Southwest Michigan Chamber. By advocating together, our message will be louder and stronger. This is a unique opportunity to raise awareness and advocate for policies that will positively impact Michigan – creating a stronger environment for businesses and residents to grow and thrive. Employers have indicated that the No. 1 issue facing their business is the need for a high-quality, highly skilled workforce. With Michigan’s infrastructure in its poorest condition in decades, the coalition of regional chambers set this agenda to create meaningful change in 2019.

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This is our chance to come together and demand long-term, sustainable solutions to the challenges and opportunities facing our state and communities. Together we will work collaboratively to ensure our regions continue to grow and prosper. The chamber looks forward to continuing to work with our regional chamber colleagues to help the Lansing region reach its full potential.

Bottom Line, We Help You Focus On Yours Patty Barnas, Market President Lansing

The organizations support the following priorities that are vital to Michigan’s progress: 1. Increased and dedicated revenue stream for state and local roads and infrastructure. Funding for a comprehensive, statewide infrastructure fix is nearly impossible unless a needed dedicated revenue stream is identified and enacted.

5. Supporting Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Pathways Education Attainment Strategy, modeled after Tennessee’s successful Promise and Reconnect programs. In order to move Michigan forward, we must unite around a shared vision for upskilling our workforce and increasing degree attainment.

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Jennifer Marsh, Vice President Commercial banking

Together, We are First. Loan Production Office | 330 Marshall St. Suite 200 | 517.319.8000 | fnbmichigan.com JUNE 2019

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ultimately, the end result of the training is increased quality products, produced more efficiently, and providing superior customer service to the customers.â&#x20AC;? -Sheri MacDonald, 21st Century Plastics Going Pro Talent Fund Employer

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

BUSINESS CALENDAR

JUNE 2019 June 3, 2019

JUNE 3

FOUNDER BRAINSTORMING SESSION, LANSING Are you thinking about starting a business? It may be more difficult than you think. The Founder Brainstorming Session is for people thinking of starting a business but need help with some of the more challenging aspects of beginning. Every week, founders come together in these brainstorming sessions to help each other move forward. Visit eventbrite.com for more information. June 4, 2019

JUNE4

CONCUR USER TRAINING, EAST LANSING The Travel at State Project team offers biweekly half-day training sessions in a computer lab. These sessions are strictly for

Colleges/MAUs that have been invited to or have completed the implementation of Concur (Request and Expense). Morning and afternoon sessions are available. Visit this event on eventbrite.com for more information. June 8, 2019

JUNE 8

STEP INTO YOUR GREATNESS NOW!, HOLT Join Joe Rangel with the Og Mandino Leadership Institute as he helps people “Step Into Your Greatness.” Learn the skills that will help you become the greatest you that you can be. Learn to be purposeful with “People Connections” and understand the “Power of Passion.” Visit eventbrite.com for information. June 11, 2019

JUNE 11

IIBA MID-MICHIGAN CHAPTER MEETING, EAST LANSING

Come join the regular IIBA Mid-Michigan Chapter for networking, light food and featured discussions. You do not need to be a current IIBA or Chapter member to attend. The featured speaker will be Kim Cordes, senior business analyst at Dewpoint in Michigan. Dewpoint provides IT assessment, project management, digital transformation and a range of tailored professional and managed service solutions utilizing local resources with global experience. If you have related questions or special requests, please contact programs@mid-michigan.iiba.org or visit midmichigan.iiba.org. June 20, 2019

JUNE 20

THE DRINKING LUNCH, LANSING There was a time when it was expected that you’d have a few at your business lunch and then it vanished. The Drinking Lunch is proud to be bringing back the afternoon libation,

Taking care of business means taking care of the people who make it run. Local. Personal. Flexible.

Physicians Health Plan Everything you want a health plan to be. phpmichigan.com/employers 30

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BUSINESS CALENDAR

without the judgment. So, bring your business cards, and raise a toast to The Drinking Lunch. Visit TheDrinkingLunch.com for more information about this event. June 20-21, 2019

JUNE 20 - 21

2-DAY FACILITATING RESTORATIVE CONFERENCES, EAST LANSING Participants will be trained as Restorative Justice (RJ) Conference facilitators. During the RJ Conference, harmed parties have the opportunity to tell those responsible how they have been affected. Those responsible can gain empathy and understanding, not only for those directly affected but for family, friends, coworkers, etc. Then the responsible parties have a chance to make amends and shed the “offender” label, hopefully breaking the cycle of violence, misbehavior, and/or disruption. For more information about restorative practices, please email us at RJ@MSU.edu.

WHERE BUSINESS GETS DONE #LOVELANSING, MICHIGAN

JUNE 21

JUNE 26

MICHIGAN KATA PRACTIONER DAY, LANSING

CONNECTIONS AND COFFEE, DEWPOINT, LANSING

Rick Fleming and the Michigan Lean Consortium present Michigan Kata Practioner Day for Kata explorers, beginners and experienced learners. The theme of this event will be Acculturation of Scientific Thinking using Toyota Kata. They will be looking into concepts such as how to keep improvement and innovation going, how to align the organization so that daily improvements move towards strategic goals and how teams can work to develop solutions scientifically, instead of using preconceived solutions. Visit this event on Eventbrite or michiganlean.org for more information.

Be an active member of Lansing’s dynamic business community. Connections & Coffee, presented by Greater Lansing Business Monthly, is a free networking breakfast for all local business individuals. Meet people from diverse industries to add to your network, reconnect with friends and find local resources. Email Kelly@m3group.biz to RSVP and for more information.

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CINCINNATI 300

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Access to Thought Leaders at Michigan State University L

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NOTABLE NEWS

BURGESS NEW VENTURE ANNOUNCES COMPETITION WINNERS

The following Michigan State University student startups took home top prizes: First place: $15,000 (sponsored by MSUFCU): SKOOP SKOOP specializes in mobility advertising with electric bike taxi fleets. Each vehicle has digital advertising displays attached to the exterior and interior.

BNVC WINNERS POSE WITH SCHOLARSHIP CHECKS

Burgess New Venture Challenges (BNVC), announced the winners of its first annual contest. “Building Michigan State’s entrepreneurship program is a continuous labor of love,” said alumnus Robert “Bob” K. Burgess, an accomplished business leader and longtime university adviser. “It’s a privilege to see our students embracing the entrepreneurial mindset, finding success and honing lifelong skills.” The BNVC is a collaboration between Spartan Innovations and the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

problems in industrial settings. BioSolutions and Crown Mallard scored the People’s Choice Awards, each team receiving $1,000. CRYSTAL AWARDS RECIPIENTS HONORED AT COMMUNITY RECEPTION

Second place: $10,000: Perch Perch is an online talent solution for academic research groups, university departments, programs, and industrial research and development companies. Third place: $5,000: Zonder Zonder is a mobile application that gamifies travel, creating a unique travel profile for each user. Fourth place: $3,000: Classii Classii serves as a social learning network aiming to strengthen the academic community. Fifth place: $2,000: EMAGE Technology EMAGE Technology is building a wireless auto-diagnostics tool to provide a solution to ongoing pipeline safety and reliability

CRYSTAL AWARD WINNERS LINE UP WITH AWARDS HONORING THEM FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO EAST LANSING

Three recipients were honored at a Crystal Awards community reception in April for their contributions to community life in East Lansing. Crystal Awards nominations are submitted by community members and reviewed by a community selection committee. This year’s Crystal Award recipients are:

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NOTABLE NEWS

Luke Hackney, who was recognized for being an advocate for downtown East Lansing. Hackney is one of the original founders and the current CEO and president of RetroDuck; a custom screen-printing company that has been an anchor small business in downtown East Lansing for 14 years.

member at Michigan State University and a tenured associate professor in the MSU College of Natural Science’s Department of Integrative Biology.

expanded assortment of product, innovative technology, and nationwide logistics and support to customers in the Flint, Saginaw and Midland areas.

DBI ACQUIRES CHOICE OFFICE PRODUCTS

FORMER RADIO BROADCASTER HART MOVES ON TO TELEVISION

Patricia Robinson, recognized as a good neighbor and advocate for trees in the Brookfield Heritage Neighborhood. Robinson has also served on the Brookfield Heritage Neighborhood Association’s board various times and has actively represented the association at various East Lansing City Council, East Lansing Planning Commission and Meridian Township board meetings when items were on the table for consideration that could impact the neighborhood.

DBI, an office supply and furniture dealer with headquarters in Lansing, has acquired Choice Office Products, which has current offices in Flint and Saginaw.

Former Lansing radio personality Deb Hart has moved to television, co-hosting “Morning Blend,” which airs during morning newscasts on WSYM-TV Fox 47.

Will Kopachik, recognized as a hard-working community volunteer who has provided his time and expertise to furthering the scientific knowledge and literacy of East Lansing students. Kopachik worked to create a local Science Olympiad team, so that high school students would have an additional science experience that they wouldn’t otherwise have in a normal curriculum. Kopachik is a retired faculty

“Between Deb’s upbeat personality and her chemistry with co-host Bob Hoffman, she really is the perfect addition to our team,” said Gary Baxter, vice president and general manager of the station. DEB HART

This acquisition leverages the strength of the two companies and enhances service offerings,

Hart also is a yoga instructor at Hilltop Yoga in Lansing, as well as at a studio in Lansing and other spaces.

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McGary serves as the assistant manager for the Marsh branch, where she leads her team to enhance organizational performance including professional development, compliance operations, and providing superior service to potential and existing members. MSUFCU ANNOUNCES PROMOTION OF FIVE EMPLOYEES April Clobes, president and CEO of Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU), has announced the promotion of five employees to management positions: Ana Hattey, Christopher Inman, Tanya McGary, Chloe Merindorf Norton and Ashley Ward. According to MSUFCU, Hattey serves as a manager in the eServices department, where she oversees live chat operations while coaching and developing the eServices team. Inman serves as a manager in the eServices department, where he trains and develops employees, providing them with the tools, insight and confidence necessary to assist members through live chat, message response, and online loan and account applications.

Merindorf Norton serves as a management development associate, where she is gaining knowledge in preparation to manage a team (or department) of credit union employees. Ward serves as manager of the headquarters branch, where she oversees member services, including managing branch operations, supervising employees, and offering appropriate credit union products and services. PARTNERSHIP WILL RETURN PROPERTIES TO BENEFICIAL USE The Ingham County Land Bank has recently partnered with NAI Mid-Michigan/TMN Commercial to help achieve its mission to return tax-reverted, purchased, donated and unclaimed land to more productive use. The land bank had sought a commercial real estate firm that could deliver qualified buyers to

repurpose or develop over 30 commercial sites in Ingham County, such as Pleasant Grove Elementary School and the former RC Cola bottling plant. “Through our competitive procurement process, we identified NAI as both knowledgeable and on point in the local commercial real estate market. We look forward to leveraging their expertise in moving properties back onto the tax rolls and benefitting neighborhoods,” said Jeanna Paluzzi, executive director of the Ingham County Land Bank. David Burns, the Land Bank’s real estate specialist, is looking forward to focusing on the commercial portfolio. “The Land Bank has a strong reputation for high-quality rehabs and new residential construction. NAI will help us attract buyers for interesting and sound redevelopment of our commercial properties,” said Burns. LAW SCHOOL TAPS MCGRATH AS PRESIDENT AND DEAN Western Michigan University Cooley Law School’s board of directors recently announced that James McGrath, professor of law and associate dean for academic support and bar services at the Texas A & M University School of Law, will serve as the school’s next president and dean. “I am excited for this opportunity to work with faculty and staff who are dedicated to Western Michigan University Cooley Law School’s mission of access to the legal profession and modern program of instruction,” said McGrath. “We will all work together to make our law school a model for the future of legal education.”

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The Michigan Municipal Electric Association (MMEA), a Michigan trade association of 40 locally owned electric utilities, has announced Katie Abraham as its new executive director, following appointment KATIE ABRAHAM by the MMEA board of directors in 2018 and a five-month leadership transition period that began last October. Abraham succeeds Jim Weeks, who now retires after leading MMEA since 1996.

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The MMEA board stated: “We are pleased to announce Katie Abraham as MMEA’s new executive director. Katie brings substantial experience and knowledge in the energy and environment spheres, and fresh ideas for moving the association forward. We believe Katie is the right leader for MMEA. She will continue to strengthen our mission of member service; pride in locally owned and provided safe, affordable and reliable power; and advancing the energy field for rewarding job and career opportunities. From small towns to big cities, local power utilities work to promote economic vitality, community well-being and environmental stewardship.”

Credit Union) communities. OU Credit Union is a trade name of MSUFCU. “The Desk Drawer Fund was established to further our dedication to our local communities,” said Whitney AndersonHarrell, Desk Drawer Fund executive director. “MSUFCU has always embodied a culture of philanthropy, and we will continue to lead the way in encouraging investment in our community. We are excited to empower those in our community to achieve their goals and dreams."

The aim of the fund is to provide support to as many local organizations as possible to impact the maximum number of community members. According to MSUFCU, the five philanthropic pillars are: arts & culture; stable housing; empowering youth; financial education; and fostering entrepreneurship. “Establishing the Desk Drawer Fund helps expand our philanthropic impact in areas vital to vibrant communities,” said April Clobes, MSUFCU’s president/CEO. “With the support of our MSUFCU and OU Credit Union

Abraham serves on the board of directors of Advancing Women in Energy, which encourages energy and energy-related careers for women. She is a strong supporter for young people seeking careers in the energy field, and promotes STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education as the route to the great jobs and careers of the future.

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Burcham Hills marks 45th year in health care, senior living options

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With a $29 million expansion in the works, Burcham Hills of East Lansing celebrated its 45th year of service during an anniversary event on Friday, April 12.

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“With every year and every milestone, Burcham Hills improves its ability to serve the community,” says Pam Ditri, executive director. “We continue to make significant investments to offer health care, rehabilitation and senior living options that our community wants and needs.” When the project is completed, StoneBriar at Burcham Hills will feature 44 new, upscale independent-living apartments with either a patio or balcony, underground parking and a new main entrance with porte-cochere. MSUFCU ESTABLISHES A FOUNDATION: DESK DRAWER FUND

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Michigan State Federal Credit Union has announced the creation of the Desk Drawer Fund, a foundation supporting the MSUFCU and Oakland University Credit Union (OU L

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communities, we will continue fulfilling our core value of giving back where our employees and members live and work.” VERIZON RIBBON CUTTING IN MASON ASSISTING DEBBIE ALLEN WAS MIKE WALTZ, MARY TRESSEL, ANDREW PETERS, DEBBIE KEYES, AARON FIELDER, JON BREIER, KARLA SPOOR, MARK VOSS, ELAINE FERRIS, NICK STRUNK, HANNAH WARVEL, MARY BREIER, JOHN HAYHOE, VICTORIA BOWERMAN, KATHY BAKER AND TODD WALLIS.)

The Mason area Chamber of Commerce ambassadors and the Holt Business alliance provided a ribbon cutting April 8 to celebrate the relocation of Verizon – the Wireless Zone of Mason to 132 S. Cedar St.in Mason.

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION BREAKS GROUND ON ROTARY PARK The Community Foundation celebrated the start of construction on Rotary Park, with a groundbreaking ceremony on April 23. Rotary Park, in downtown Lansing on the Grand River, stretches from the Lansing Center to the Shiawassee Street bridge.

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“Rotary Park is the first of many projects we are planning to create a vibrant, urban core in our region where people want to visit and live,” said Laurie Baumer, Community Foundation executive vice president. “I am thrilled that we have taken the next step to create Rotary Park by breaking ground on the project site,” said Mayor Andy Schor. “Lansing’s time is now and the transformation of Lansing’s riverfront is an exciting part of all the growth in the city.” In 2017, the Foundation embarked on a major placemaking initiative to revitalize Lansing’s riverfront with the ultimate goal of creating places where workers and businesses want to locate and grow. After two years of fundraising and planning, the Foundation’s first riverfront development project is underway. “We know that our businesses need workers, and we know workers want to live in vibrant, thriving communities,” added Baumer. “Our riverfront projects will infuse energy into this region, attracting people to visit and enticing them to stay.” The Foundation has raised over $1 million to date for all riverfront projects and has also committed $1.5 million in matching those funds dollar for dollar, bringing the total riverfront investment to $2.5 million.

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Rotary Park’s contributors include Rotary Club of Lansing Foundation, Delta Dental of Michigan, Dewpoint, Red Cedar Investment Management, Auto-Owners Insurance, Gillespie Group, Team Lansing Foundation the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau, and several Capital Region community foundations.

MSUFCU RECOGNIZED WITH ATHENA ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP AWARD Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) was recognized March 28, 2019, with an award from ATHENA Award® Program for Organizational Leadership. This is based on its commitment to support female

MSUFCU'S APRIL CLOBES RECEIVES HERATHENA AWARD

professionals, such as appointing women into management positions and donating to community organizations. “We are honored to receive this award in recognition of our history of hiring and promoting women into leadership roles, and

our commitment to the community,” said April Clobes, president/CEO of MSUFCU. “Seventy percent of management positions at MSUFCU are held by women, which is reflective of overall employee base —70% of which are women.” MCNABB COMPLETES GOLDMAN SACHS DETROIT PROGRAM Don McNabb, CEO and principal scientist of Triterra, was among the 15th cohort of graduates who recently completed the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business program at Wayne State DON MCNABB University. It took the participating business leaders nearly four months and roughly 100 class hours studying a business and management curriculum that covered accounting, human resources, negotiation and marketing, and other topics. The program also offered one-on-

one business advising, advice and accounting workshops from Goldman Sachs professionals. “The 10,000 Small Business program has changed the way I think about growing our business,” said McNabb. “Throughout the program, I have acquired relevant knowledge and obtained skills that will be put into place over the next six to nine months to help us position Triterra for sustainable growth over the next several years.” BILLS RESIGNS AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SUSAN G. KOMEN MICHIGAN The Susan G. Komen Michigan affiliate announced that Erica Bills has officially resigned from her position as executive director effective May 31. She has been the executive director for two years. Bills plans to remain involved with the affiliate. “Serving as the executive director of Komen Michigan has been one of the greatest honors and privileges of my professional career,” Bills explained in her statement. “However, with the recent change in the status of my health, I needed to assess where my time needed to be spent to ensure my health. I have no doubt that the affiliate will continue providing the

Dina Maneval Accountant

“I started working with the endangered peregrine falcon 10 years ago when one of our employees said, ‘there are falcons on the Eckert Power Station roof, let’s do something about it.’ So I went to the roof that day. We made a nesting box, placed it up on the 10th floor, and mounted the falcon cam. Fifty eggs later, success will come when the peregrines are not endangered anymore, and we can say we helped.”

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outstanding services to the individuals in the state of Michigan. The dedication of our team to Komen’s mission drove us to achieve greater results and increased statewide collaboration. For this, I will be forever grateful.” In a statement, board President Chuck Christmas said, “We are very grateful for Erica’s tremendous efforts and steadfast leadership she has provided while serving as our executive director. We very much appreciate her relentless passion and dedication to the Komen mission and to our staff. While we are saddened to see Erica resign as our executive director, we understand and appreciate her decision to give priority to her health and the well-being of herself and her family.”

CT I O NE

“We are thrilled to announce that we are bringing a family-owned, farm, home and outdoor retailer to Lansing to serve the community and surrounding areas,” said Matt Whebbe, chairman and CEO at Big R. “We plan to carry all the mission-critical supplies our customers need to live the outdoor lifestyle: pet and animal supplies, farm equipment, sporting goods, workwear, tools, lawn and garden supplies and a whole lot more.” Lansing's Mayor Andy Schor was pleased with the use of the space. "This is a very active retail space on the south side of Lansing, and I am excited that we will again have this building utilized," said Schor. "We welcome Big R to Lansing and are eager to see the positive impact they will have on Lansing residents and shoppers.”

CAPITAL AREA HEALTH ALLIANCE LAUNCHES EDUCATION SERIES The Capital Area Health Alliance (CAHA) launched a series of education and networking events in April 2019 to promote “whole person care” in the Greater Lansing area. Whole person care recognizes that the best way to provide care for people is to address their medical, behavioral and socioeconomic needs. The series is intended to increase awareness and understanding of concepts and strategies that support whole person care. The topic of the April 24 session was “The Whole Person Care Team,” with presenter Christopher G. Wise, president of Wise Healthcare. Two additional education and networking events are planned in 2019, with dates and topics to be announced. According to CAHA Executive Director Kathy Hollister, “People’s health needs have become increasingly complex; medical, behavioral, social and economic concerns all weave together to influence health. CAHA hopes that these learning opportunities can inspire additional collaboration to address the full

CON

MARTIN COMMERCIAL COMPLETES DEAL BRINGING RETAILER TO SOUTH LANSING

Martin Commercial Properties announced Big R Stores Inc. has purchased the former Sam’s Club at 340 E. Edgewood Blvd. in south Lansing. The 11.5-acre, 135,000-square-foot location will be the first for the farm-home retailer in Michigan. Shawn O’Brien of Martin Commercial represented the seller, Wal-Mart Stores.

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Be an active member of Lansing’s dynamic business community. Meet people from diverse industries to add to your network, reconnect with friends and find local resources. Join us for Connections & Coffee presented by Dewpoint.

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KNAPP’S CENTRE, SUITE 200 300 S. WASHINGTON SQUARE L ANSING, MICHIGAN 48933

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JUNE 2019

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DATE Wednesday, September 18, 2019 Hawk Hollow Golf Course First time golfers welcome! cawlm.com/lady-classic

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spectrum of needs affecting the health of our community.”

ensure that there is a supportive environment for children and their families who are facing hardships.” From January through March, CASE employees had the opportunity to raise funds for Ele’s Place through special events and activities, including bake sales, participating in “Dress Down for Charity” days, partnering with AmazonSmile and more.

CAPTION: CASE HOSTED A FORMAL CHECK PRESENTATION FOR ELE’S PLACE APRIL 24.

CASE CREDIT UNION RAISES OVER $4,500 FOR ELE’S PLACE

“Together we are building a stronger tomorrow by strengthening the community in which we live and work ,” said Jeffrey Benson, president and CEO of CASE Credit Union. “These past few months demonstrate the efforts of our employees who proudly support Ele’s Place’s mission.”

CASE Credit Union recently donated more than $4,500 to Ele’s Place – a local healing center that creates awareness of and support for grieving children, teens and their families. “When a child experiences a life-changing situation, the impact is emotionally devastating and has a profound effect on his or her life,” said Cindy Kangas, director of development of Ele’s Place. “We are so thankful for the employees at CASE Credit Union to help

MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP TO RECEIVE $645,000 FOR TRAILS PROJECT

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JUNE 2019

The Ingham County Board of Commissioners has awarded Meridian Township $645,000 from the Ingham County Parks and Trails Millage for the construction of Phase 2 of the MSU to Lake Lansing Trail connector project. The second phase will provide 1.2 miles of paved trail from Park Lake Road to Okemos Road through private property including Campus Hills Apartments and the Rysberg Land Preservation property. “This has been a long time coming. The study conducted by the Ingham County trails millage consultant ranked this project as the highest trail priority in Ingham County,” said Chief Engineer Younes Ishraidi. “Having this trail connect Michigan State University to Lake Lansing is not only a great enhancement for non-motorized users, but an important link with the university, business community and residential areas.” In November 2014, Ingham County voters approved a new millage to support the development of a countywide regional trails and parks system.

Your Business. Your Way. MSUFCU has the products and services you need for successful daily operations. From savings options to loans and lines of credit, MSUFCU is your business resource for financial stability. msufcu.org/business â&#x20AC;˘ 517-333-2424, option 5

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