GLBM September 2014 by M3 Group Publications

BUSINESS MONTHLY G R E ATE R LANS ING

SEPTEMBER 2014

Christina Ferland Talks the Future of Finance In this issue •

AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT THE AIRPORT

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HOUSING AND CONDO MARKETS SHOW IMPROVEMENT

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EASTWOOD EXPANSION CONTINUES

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SEPTEMBER 2014

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G R E AT E R

L A N S I N G

BUSINESS MONTHLY

BUSINESS MONTHLY G R EATER L A N S I N G

News Housing and Condo Markets Show Improvement...................................................................... 6 Lansing’s Economic Future Could Be Up in the Air.................................................................... 8

SEPTEMBER 2014

Construction Continues at Eastwood Towne Center ...........................................................14 Creative Restaurateur Brings New Gastro Pub to Lansing’s Eastern Edge .............16 General Motor’s New Stamping Plant to Add 145 Lansing Jobs ...................................18

Christina Ferland Talks the Future of Finance In this issue •

AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT THE AIRPORT

•

HOUSING AND CONDO MARKETS SHOW IMPROVEMENT

•

EASTWOOD EXPANSION CONTINUES

Features Money Matters: Accounting and Finance Enjoy Growth Amidst Change ................20 From Pizza Delivery Driver to Franchisee .................................................................................. 24

Cover photography by Mark Warner

Departments

The Greater Lansing Business Monthly (Volume 27, Issue 9)

Commentary.................................................................................................................................................. 4

The Greater Lansing Business Monthly is published monthly by M3 Group at 614 Seymour Street, Lansing, MI 48933. Periodicals postage paid at Lansing, Michigan USPO. USPS number 020w807.

Man on the Street .................................................................................................................................. 26

Subscriptions: Subscriptions are available at $22 per year for postage and handling or $38 for two years. Call (517) 203—0123 or visit www.lansingbusinessnew. com to subscribe.

GLBM List ................................................................................................................................................... 28 Regional Rotation..................................................................................................................................... 32 Financial Advisor....................................................................................................................................... 34 Investments ................................................................................................................................................ 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 © 2014 The Greater Lansing Business Monthly, Inc. All rights reserved.

Law at Work ..............................................................................................................................................38

Editorial Office: 614 Seymour Street, Lansing, MI 48933 www.lansingbusinessmonthly.com

Business Calender .................................................................................................................................46

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

Legislative Update ..................................................................................................................................40 Workforce Issues ....................................................................................................................................42 Outlook ........................................................................................................................................................44

Notable News ...........................................................................................................................................48 SEPTEMBER 2014

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Shinberg Insurance is your local independent insurance agency representing Auto-Owners. For all your life, home, car and business insurance needs, contact us today.

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Auto-Owners Insurance received the highest numerical score among auto insurance providers in the North Central Region in the proprietary J.D. Power 2014 U.S. Auto Insurance StudySM. Study based on 44,661 total responses measuring 17 providers in the North Central Region (IL, IN, MI, OH, WI) and measures opinions of consumers with their auto insurance provider. experiences w wProprietary w . L a n study s i n results g B u are s i based n e s on s N e w s . cand o m perceptions of consumers surveyed March-April 2014. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.

C O M M E N TA R Y

G R E AT E R

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BUSINESS MONTHLY Publisher: Tiffany Dowling tiffany@m3group.biz Editor: Emily Caswell emily@m3group.biz Sales Manager: Jennifer Hodges jhodges@m3group.biz Media Specialist: Jill Bailey Account Manager: Manny Garcia Production Director: Kelly Ritter Art Director: Brooke Erwin Graphic Artist: Mike France Web Manager: Skylar Kohagen Event Calendar Manager: Jaime Hardesty

GLBM Editorial Board: April Clobes - Executive Vice President, 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: The July Greater Lansing Business Monthly Real Estate Article titled “Is There Still Pent-Up Demand for Real Estate?” was written by Debbie Barnett of Tomie Raines, Inc. REALTORS. An incorrect byline was published. We apologize for any confusion.

Let’s Talk Numbers

hey say money makes the world go around. And, maybe it does.

But, for as long as I can remember, I’ve favored words over numbers. It isn’t that I didn’t want to work with both equally well, but for some reason numbers only frustrated me. In high school in the late 80s, many teachers told me that if I wanted to make a great living, I really needed to be in the financial industry. It was a great idea, except … I couldn’t put my heart and soul in it. I decided pretty early that I would follow my passion and leave the lucrative career options to those who could ace calculus or deal all day with debits and credits. Resigned to a certain lifestyle, I attended college for journalism and was again told that if I thought I would make money in this field, I was sadly mistaken. Other students looked horrified. I had already been warned. That reality seems okay when you’re in college and poor and frankly don’t know any better. I remember the exact day when I realized that even though I absolutely loved my career choice, changes needed to happen so I could support my family, save for the future and buy a new pair of shoes now and then. I became a woman on a mission. Changing my career path and using my skills wisely was the first step to making a better living while following my passion. Today, the world of finance has changed dramatically and the financial collapse has unquestionably updated viewpoints of the industry. The rebuilding of the sector has created opportunity and organizations need new talent. Young professionals especially question the industry because they became adults during the time of the accounting scandals, financial crisis, bank failures and bailouts. As a result, 21 percent of millennials have decided to avoid the financial services sector, according to Forbes. Studies show young people see the financial services industry as a stepping-stone to other career options. Only 10 percent of younger professionals currently in the industry plan to stay in their jobs for the long term, compared to an average of 18 percent across all industries. I like what our financial professionals say in our cover story about opportunities to specialize in specific areas of interest and also that communication skills are vital for the financial professionals of today. It can set them apart and provide a solid career in the financial industry. I always like to remind students I talk with that along any career path there are opportunities to gain skills that will translate to new and exciting positions in the future, whether in finance or communications or anywhere else. Be dynamic in all you do,

Tiffany Dowling | Publisher

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

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Housing and Condo Markets Show Improvement BY MICKEY HIRTEN

t was a welcome sign of Michigan’s rebounding housing industry that Consumers Energy reported in mid-summer that it had added 200 workers to keep up with demand for utility services. And the strong market for new housing and home remodeling has remained strong through the prime building season. “It’s all going very well,” said Lee Schwartz of the Home Builders Association of Michigan. “Despite problems with the harsh winter, home stats are up. Remodeling is up. That is uniform across the state.” Activity is strongest on the west side of the state, with good growth in the Southeast and in Marquette, Schwartz said. “It is going so well that the biggest problem builders are facing is finding qualified workers. When the downturn hit, a lot of skilled people left the state and they aren’t coming back … The shortages exist in all trades: electrical, mechanical contractors, plumbers, framers, all of them,” said Schwartz, who handles governmental affairs for the 6,000 member association.

It’s a sign of the loosening market that there were slightly more houses available for sale than there were a year ago: 2,492 compared with 2,348. Time on market was 72 days in the second quarter, and the market surplus of 4.75 months was also slightly higher. The real estate company reported that average sold prices increased by about 12 percent in the region. “Housing sales are doing very well as related to the greater Lansing area,” said Robert Hubble, president of Coldwell Banker Hubble Briarwood. “It is stable as far as listings are concerned. What I hear from my associates is that they are getting multiple offers on properties, selling quick and selling closer to the list price.” 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

In the city of Lansing, the average sold price of $103,948 for condominiums reflected a 24 percent year-over-year increase. For the overall market, condo sale prices increased by 5 percent. Communities that showed strong growth were East Lansing, with an average sale price of $136,800, up 17 percent; DeWitt, at $141,500, up 16 percent; Mason, at $103,329, up 14 percent; and Okemos, at $140,957, up 10 percent. Communities posting lower average sale prices included Waverly at $84,889, down 21 percent; and Haslett, at $91,980, down 23 percent. The condominium market is significantly smaller than for single family homes, which can cause wide variations in the reported statistics.

An indicator of the strengthening housing market in Mid Michigan comes from quarterly reports prepared by Coldwell Banker. The real estate company’s second quarter analysis indicates year-over-year improvements across the board. Coldwell Banker placed the total value of residential real estate sold in the greater Lansing market at $171 million compared with $154 million for the second quarter in 2013. It reflects the increase in the average sold price of $131,263, up from $117,486.

The improvements extend beyond single family housing. The Coldwell Banker report indicates that the condominium market, after a sustained decline, has begun to recover. “It has started to come back and they are even building some condominiums,” Hubble said, referring to the period since the economic downturn as “brutal.”

Nonetheless, signs of recovery abound. Hubble said that the trends demonstrated for the first two quarters are continuing through the summer. “Since 2012 we have started to see the turn around,” Hubble said. “The pent up demand was there. But people had to come to grips with the fact that the market was not coming back to where it was.” Hubble said that housing values declined by 40 to 50 percent when the recession started in 2006. “We have regained about 25 percent of the loss. Values have come up considerably in the last two or three years.”

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.

SEPTEMBER 2014

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Lansing’s Economic Future Could be up in the Air An In-depth Look at the Unique Attributes, Opportunities and Challenges of the Capital Region International Airport BY MICKEY HIRTEN

n two frigid cold mornings late last December, 800 die-hard Spartan fans shuffled through Gate 9 at Capital Region International Airport bound for Pasadena and the Rose Bowl. They left Lansing on a wide-body Boeing 747, a big plane, for a small airport with big ambitions. That Lansing could accommodate Atlas Air’s 747, an aircraft also used here by cargo carriers and President Obama when he visited Michigan State University in February, sets it apart from other regional airports in mid-Michigan. It’s just one reflection of a strategic plan to sustain and enhance the 528-acre facility that airport officials and area planners say creates $1 billion in economic value each year for the region. The airport is more than scheduled commercial passenger service. It’s a U.S. Customs Port of Entry, an air cargo distribution hub, an eight-county foreign trade zone and a U.S. Customs Federal Inspection Station. It’s a complex transportation lifeline that airport officials say annually supports 7,400 jobs and $283 million in salaries and wages. “Airports today are such a significant part of the economic development process,” said Tim Daman, president and CEO of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce. “Businesses are looking to locate near public transportation hubs and airports are a part of this mix.” Chris Holman, chairman of the authority that oversees the airport, puts it this way: “If you don’t have an airport, you literally 8

can’t compete at recruiting companies to come here.”

and the umbrella label plays to its international aspirations.

Daman, Holman and others see Mid Michigan’s future in global terms, and Lansing’s international airport as a portal. It positions itself as “Port Lansing,” shorthand for the passenger and cargo hub with unique attributes, opportunities and challenges.

“You can’t just say it’s an airport anymore. It’s much more than that,” said Selig. And by airport standards, Lansing is succeeding.

But success for airports doesn’t come easily, said Robert F. Selig, the airport’s president and CEO. Passenger airlines are fickle, readily changing routes, pricing and affiliations in a fluid marketplace of costconscious customers. When Delta and Northwestern combined operations in 2008, the merger reduced scheduled service in Lansing, reducing price and destination competition. Airports have little leverage with the four major carriers, which literally are in the pilot’s seat. And there are troubles on the horizon. The aircraft work horse of airports like Lansing, the venerable 50-seat jet liner, is at the end of its lifespan; the 100-seat replacement aircraft will make many low-volume routes unprofitable for carriers. And there is a looming pilot shortage. These challenges explain Lansing’s drive to become a true international airport and cargo hub, to leverage its natural advantages, which are service and location. “We are the only airport in Michigan whose primary service area is all land mass,” Holman said. “We have this central Michigan location. For Grand Rapids and Detroit, a good portion of their service is water.” The airport brands itself as Port Lansing

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According to Selig, the Capital Region Airport Authority, established in 1971 with Ingham County and the city of Lansing as founding members, and which also operates Mason Jewett Field, is financially sound. Its operating costs are funded through airport user fees. For the 2014-2015 fiscal year, it’s a $13.8 million enterprise, overseen by a six-member board of directors: three from Lansing and three from Ingham County. There are two ex-officio members representing Eaton and Clinton counties. The airport budget projects operating revenues of $8.3 million, $8.5 million in expenses and is planning for $5.7 million in capital improvements. Local public support comes from a .75 mill levy (75 cents per $1,000 of taxable value), used to defray costs related to airport development, debt service and capital improvements. What helps Lansing succeed is a strategic plan that balances scheduled air service, charter air service, corporate aviation and cargo/distribution. Selig, as he promotes what he calls “The Gateway to Michigan,” frames the airport’s mission in ways that “Provide the highest level of comprehensive aviation and logistics service in the state of Michigan outside of Detroit.” Domestically, this means retaining and expanding passenger and cargo service. For the international market, it means facilities and services, promotion of the Lansing hub, its free trade zone and same or next day cargo delivery within 500 miles of Lansing.

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serve large metropolitan areas. But there are small regional airports: MBS International Airport in Saginaw, Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport and Bishop International Airport in Flint. None are much further than a 90-minute drive.

PH OTO B Y M A RK WA RNE R

What builds passenger loyalty and solidifies passenger service in Lansing is convenience, said Selig. “You completely avoid the hassle of using a large hub airport. People can park within 100 yards of the terminal. They can get through security screening quickly.” Destinations are also important for success. But finding a balance is difficult. “The more you use the airport, the better services we have,” said Selig. It’s a daunting challenge for Selig, who has been executive director at the airport since 2002, a tenure that began when it was “Regional” not “International.” He has more than 30 years of experience in airport management, most of it at regional operations like Lansing, which he said is large enough to challenge his management skills, yet small enough to stay connected to flying. He has a small administrative staff — just eight people and 41 employees altogether. Before coming to Lansing, Selig was executive director of Rickenbacker Port Authority and Rickenbacker International Airport in Columbus, Ohio, a cargo-dedicated airport, one of the few in the world. His experience there helps explain the focus on cargo in Lansing, where an infrastructure in place and business development programs are poised to accommodate large expansions like Niowave’s new $202 million facility and smaller growth from companies like Executive Fan Tape. SUPPORTING PASSENGERS

It’s on flights to and from Lansing that most people in Mid Michigan experience Capital Region International Airport. They fly on Delta Airlines to Detroit, Minneapolis and Atlanta; on United Airlines to Chicago. Sun Country flies to Washington, D.C. and Minneapolis. Allegiant to Orlando and

Frontier Airlines to resort destinations in Mexico and the Dominican Republic. The airport supports corporate aviation, servicing Dart Container, Jackson National Life, Michigan Veneer and others. Altogether the airport processed 425,000 passengers in 2013 compared with 395,368 in 2012. Selig says between 1 million and 1.2 million people visit the airport annually, primarily from a service area that stretches in a 60 mile radius from Lansing. Traffic increases have been steady, but still fall short of the 700,000 passengers served in 1998 and 1999 when 10 airlines operated from the airport. For airports and administrators and other officials, dealing with airlines is frustrating but vital. “You don’t own the planes. You don’t have anything to say about airline service. It’s like having a bunch of cars and you only own the garage,” Holman said. “For the legacy airlines of the world, if they could have two or three major hubs that everyone drove to and where they could pack their planes, that’s what they would like.” Another challenge for Lansing is the number of airports across the mid section of Michigan. Detroit Metro is by far the largest and Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids is growing rapidly. Both

The airport is actively negotiating with Delta for expanded service to Atlanta and with United for more Chicago flights. It wants year-round service to Florida and more international and west coast destinations. “We still believe on growing from within. We’re focused on working with Delta and United. They are two of the remaining mega-carriers. And we are still talking with American and Southwest (the other mega-carriers) to get scheduled service to the region. We want to supplement that service with the Sun Country and Allegiants of the world,” added Selig. Lansing, like other airports, uses incentives and market research to encourage carriers to provide service. It did this with Sun Country to promote new services at the airport and to ensure a level of traffic. It worked. The carrier has since added its Washington and Minneapolis routes. “Airlines are not inclined to speculate or put service into a community just to see what will happen,” Selig said. “That’s why in the presentation of these things we do the research to identify destinations where we want air service. We take it to the airlines and recruit them to show that the community will use the service. We try to demonstrate that there is a need, but also demonstrate that there are people committed to fly on their planes.”

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Current Airport Facilities PHOTO B Y M A RK WA RNE R

Terminal building: 164,000 square feet Nine boarding gates (five jetways, four regional jet gates) Parking: 1,500 spaces Runways: Primary: 8,500 feet Parallel runway: 3,600 feet Diagonal runway: 5,000 feet UPS shipping crates at the Capital Region Airport. It’s the kind of challenge that keeps airport general managers up at night. Where they are more comfortable — at least for Lansing’s airport chief — is developing and marketing services to business customers. “The airport has done an incredible job reinventing itself. People obsess about passenger service,” said Bob Trezise, President and CEO of the Lansing Economic Area Partnership. “But the airport is about distribution, logistics, private corporate jets, as well as passenger service.” CARGO IS KEY

Capital Region International Airport invested $27.4 million between 2005 and 2012 on air cargo and distribution operations. It extended the main runway to 8,500 feet, a $15 million project that also supports passenger carriers. The airport developed a $5 million federal inspection station with customs, immigration and agricultural clearance facilities. “We have the only one in Michigan,” Selig said. It built a $4 million logistics warehouse to house foreign trade zone inventory, storage and management operations. The facility processes air cargo exports and imports, and provides general warehousing and distribution. The result is that in 2013, the airport handled 44.2 million pounds of cargo, up modestly from 41 million pounds in 2010. What moves through the facilities is high-value, lightweight products like electric components, perishables or 10

materials unsuited to shipping by rail or trucks. It bundles together under the Port Lansing umbrella, a roster of importers, exporters, customs brokers, freight forwarders, truckers and cargo airlines.

U.S. Customs — Federal Inspection Station: • International Passenger & Cargo Clearance • Foreign Trade Zone Global Logistics FTZ Warehouse: 48,000 sq. ft. Developable land: 528 acres

It is Lansing’s sophisticated air cargo opportunities that prompted Niowave to site its new $202 million, 50,000-squarefoot-production facility at the airport. The first phase of the project is scheduled for completion in November and production should begin by year end, said Jerry Hollister, spokesman for the Lansingbased firm. Niowave produces medical and industrial isotopes, many of which are highly perishable. One of the isotopes it manufacturers is Molyddenum 99, widely used as a medical scanning agent. It has a half-life of just 66 hours. “These short-lived radio isotopes have to get out right away,” Hollister said. “One of the reasons we wanted to be near the airport is access. It’s crucial. And the fact that international is that much better.” Niowave’s expansion supports the economic development mission of the airport. It will create 50 to 100 jobs, Hollister said, and provide materials that currently come largely from companies outside of the United States.

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While businesses using Port Lansing have many freight forwarders, truckers and cargo airlines available to move materials, the dominant air cargo carrier is United Parcel Service, which has operated from the airport since 1986. Lansing is the UPS Michigan gateway, the staging point for all in-state destinations. The company flies wide-body Boeing 767 cargo carriers to its Lansing hub; during the busy holiday season, regular service is supplemented with even larger MD-11 freighters, built by McDonald Douglas. “All of the cargo for the state of Michigan flies in and out of Lansing. They break down the large aircraft and move cargo onto 12 or 13 smaller planes that fly through the state to deliver their cargo. In the evening, the freight comes in and is off loaded onto the big jets and shipped out for delivery,” Selig said. UPS is one of the largest employers at the airport, supporting 119 jobs, according to airport statistics. It is an anchor in what airport officials term the Port Lansing Global Logistics Cooperative, a partnership of Michigan businesses that rely on the airport to

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help with their international imports and exports. The program, still maturing and attracting companies like Niowave, illustrate its potential. The cooperative brings together domestic and international air cargo services like UPS, customs brokers, freight forwarders, consolidation and containerization services, trucking, warehousing and other services. Lansing’s focus on cargo — unique among regional airports, Selig said — allowed it to assemble the organization and infrastructure usually found at larger facilities. The goal, what it promotes to businesses, is convenience for transporting and storing freight, particularly international imports. Lansing’s airport bills itself as the only full-service international airport outside of Detroit and Chicago, offering equivalent services as these large air hubs, but without the delays and congestion. Supporting the Lansing airport’s U.S. Port of Entry operation is Foreign Trade Zone No. 275. Established in 1934, and administered by the U.S. Department of Customs and Border Protection, foreign trade zones throughout the country are designed to help businesses compete in the worldwide market by allowing delayed or reduced duties on foreign merchandise. They operate in, or near, ports of entry, support warehousing and production operations, and are considered a potent economic development tool and job creator. The Port of Lansing’s foreign trade zone stretches across eight counties: Ingham, Eaton, Clinton, Livingston, Jackson, Shiawassee, Gratiot and Isabella. It is one of seven foreign trade zones in Michigan, with Detroit the largest. In its 2012 report to Congress, the ForeignTrade Zone Board placed the total value of shipments through Detroit at between $5 billion and $10 billion, accounting for most of the trade zone commerce in the state. The zone in Grand Rapids (Kent, Ottawa and Muskegon Counties) had total warehouse shipments valued between $250 million and $500 million; Battle Creek, supporting Perrigo Co.’s health products operation, had between $500 million and $750 million in total shipments. The other zones operated in

Sault Ste. Marie, Flint, St. Claire County and Lansing are small. The Lansing FTZ, with reported total shipments of less than $500,000, has yet to find its footing. A small company, Executive Fan LCC, which manufactures and distributes products like duct tape or caution tape — all with college logos, was using the zone. It has a licensing agreement with 60

to 70 colleges, said company owner Minh Tran, who founded the company in 2009. The company contracts with manufacturers in China, Taiwan and Vietnam and imports into its Lansing operation four or five shipping containers of its products each year. It has since left the FTZ and is handling its growing business by contracting with an outside-the-zone company. Tran said he has signed an agreement with TOC Logistics

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International to manage his company’s fulfillment needs like warehousing, pick and pack operations and inventory controls. The company’s tape products are sold in college book stores, convenience stories, pharmacies and in WalMart. TOC is the operator of Lansing’s FTZ, which it does in conjunction with its local logistics management operation. It’s a complementary relationship, according to TOC’s local manager Brent Case, both benefiting as the Port of Lansing’s business grows. “When you put freight into Chicago or Detroit, or need to have something expedited, you are just one of thousands of companies. That’s not Lansing. We don’t have that critical mass. We can get things taken care of,” Case said. “The challenge is getting people to change from the way they are doing things, to take the risk. Businesses are just very wary to try something new unless there is a compelling reason.” According to Selig, expanding the airport’s foreign trade zones is one of

the management team’s priorities. “We are in an educational mode. We do our eight county region and have meetings with economic developers and explain to the companies in their area how they can benefit from a foreign trade zone. It just takes time.” What helps cushion the airport as it prospects for new passenger and cargo services, is the millage, which Selig said provides a reliable source of funds. The $4.5 million in millage revenue budgeted for 2014-2015 will be used for capital purchases ($627,347), airport development ($1.6 million), MERS contribution ($500,000) and debt service payments ($1.8 million). But for Capital Region International Airport, the concept of “region” does not reflect taxpayer support. The millage is levied only against taxpayers in Ingham County. Of the $4.5 million, $1.2 million is paid by Lansing residents, $545,592 by East Lansing residents and the remaining $2.8 million comes from Ingham County residents.

A Look At The Airport’s Future

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Airport officials, in a 2003 master development plan, forecast steady growth over the next 20 years: passenger service increasing by 3.4 percent a year and 131,500 annual aircraft activity operations. Changes in the airline industry, business conditions and flying habits affected projections. But as the air travel market changes and investments in services mature, the airport is ready with these improvements. A new terminal would be sited about a half-mile northeast of the current terminal, located approximately at the current State Road line. It would replace the existing terminal, which was built in 1959. The size of the facility and the number of gates will reflect the community’s needs when the new terminal is designed. The airport footprint will expand northward, across West State Road to a line just south of Stoll Road.

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But it can be a distraction. “I don’t bother trying to convince everybody,” Trezise said. “You just go to work and provide the product with a high level of value.” 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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The airport will add a new 9,000 foot-long, 150 foot-wide east-west runway north of the current main runway. It will replace a smaller general aviation 3,600 foot-long east-west runway on the northern edge of the property. The main eastwest runway will remain at 8,500 feet. The airport’s diagonal cross-wind runway, now 5,000 feet, will be extended to 7,785 feet and widened to 150 feet.

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The main entrance to the airport will be reconfigured on DeWitt Road, which will loop to the east, close to Turner Street. This will provide easier access from I-69 and provide a more direct, less congested, route into the facility.

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There will be a new control tower near the site of the current terminal.

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Large cargo facilities will be built between the two large eastwest runways, with aircraft taxi runways added to service the facilities.

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A global logistics park will be built east of the existing terminal building. The airport has 110 acres set aside for this development. It can support 2.5 million square feet of buildings with a projected taxable value of $190 million — $9.5 million in taxes annually to local governments.

If the Capital Region International Airport can develop and expand the way its executives and business leaders hope, there is a grand expansion plan. •

Neither Clinton County nor Eaton County residents contribute in a meaningful way to the airport operation, despite significant benefit. The Airport Authority estimates that the economic impact on Eaton County is about $264 million annually. For Clinton County, where the airport is actually located, it’s about $180 million. Seeking broader support — tax dollars — from the two counties is a long-running issue, especially in Lansing.

SEPTEMBER 2014

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Construction Continues at Eastwood Towne Center BY MICKEY HIRTEN

onstruction of the 125-room Hyatt Place is progressing steadily toward a spring 2015 opening.

The six-story hotel is the centerpiece of a development phase at the north border of Eastwood Towne Center, which also includes a parking garage and residential housing. Both the hotel and the apartment housing complex are expected to be enclosed by October, a target that shifts the focus to finishing the interior, said Roger Rehkopf, president of Orion. He said the company is building Hyatt Place for a group of investors from Minnesota; the residential units are being built for DTN Management Co. in Lansing. The Minnesota group, CSM Lodging, a division of CSM Corporation, announced in April that in addition to its $18.3 million hotel, the project would include 100,000 square feet of “in-line retailing.” CSM Lodging said it was partnering at the Eastwood site with MDG Development, a development and management firm specializing in projects within North America and Europe.

Overhead view of the construction of Hyatt Place.

Rehkopf said that the south side of the Hyatt will have a glass curtain wall; inside will be a swimming pool, which he referred to during the construction period as a “big pond.” When completed, amenities will include meeting rooms, a breakfast area and a small bar, he added.

RE N DE RING AND PHOTO PROVIDE D

For Orion, August ended with workers finishing the fourth floor of the Hyatt. It is a masonry and precast project, said Rehkopf. The walls are block and the floors are precast concrete, a common construction method. Elevator shafts and stairwells are under construction as well as roughed-in electrical systems; cranes have been on site to set upper level steel beams. Throughout the summer, the two Orion projects had about 100 workers on the site.

Rendering of the future Hyatt Place.

Orion’s project adjacent to the Hyatt is a different construction project altogether. “On the residential side we have wood framing on a concrete 14

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

podium. We started the footings and foundations for the hotel last fall and let it set for the winter,” Rehkopf said. “We started the DTN project last fall, did the concrete podium in the winter and started the wood in the spring time.” The five story, 44,000 square foot project will feature 120 apartments.

SEPTEMBER 2014

The Eastwood site will also feature a 121-room Fairfield Inn, part of Marriott International Inc. It is scheduled to open in the fall of 2015 and will be located east of Preyde Boulevard and north of Champps Restaurant and Bar.

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NEWS

Creative Restaurateur Brings New Gastro Pub to Lansing’s Eastern Edge BY ANN H. K AMMER E R

he idea is simple. The atmosphere cozy. That’s how Frank Cheng likes it. And he hopes customers from the neighborhood will like it, too.

“Everyone seemed to want a place like this in this area,” says owner and manager Cheng. “We were always hearing that something like this was missing with all the housing and apartments in the neighborhood. It just seems like a great location.” As it opens, Front 43 is well situated to draw from the aura left by Jimmy’s Pub — a Lansing landmark that moved to Chandler Road when the site was razed for the new retail center in 2011. The adjacent Xiao China Grille and Lounge also attracts customers looking for a place to enjoy food, drinks and time with friends. Cheng got his insights first-hand since he also owns and manages Xiao — Front 43’s next-door neighbor. With a little ingenuity, he says he “downsized” Xiao and made way for his newest hospitality venture. Front 43, Cheng says, is about 1,200 square feet and has seating inside and out. Fortyfive people can enjoy the indoor space while the patio will accommodate 15 more. A bar runs most of the length of the interior, with visible beer taps against the wall adding to the ambiance. Fifteen big screen TVs, including two 80-inchers, provide a panorama of 16

P H OTO B Y M A R K WA R NER

Cheng opened the doors to Lansing’s growing line-up of small, intimate gastro pubs in early August with the Front 43 Neighborhood Pub. Located in the Pointe North Retail Center across from Frandor on East Saginaw Street, Front 43 provides a gathering place in the busy stretch that straddles East Lansing and Lansing, serving up high-end bar food and craft beers in a comfortable, low-key setting. Michelle Cheng in the new Front 43 Neighborhood Pub. visual entertainment, with remaining wall space reserved for neighborhood and local imagery. “It’s very cozy and comfortable and warm,” says Cheng. “I want it to be a neighborhood place, where everybody will get to know everyone.” Front 43 has 20 beers on tap, 18 of which are craft beers; many are brewed in Michigan. Beers will include familiar names such as Bell’s Oberon and Two Hearted Ales, New Holland Dragon’s Milk and Strawberry Brown Ale. Cheng says guests can also enjoy a good selection of wine, and he’s working to bring some local spirits to the mix. “That’s down the road,” he says. “As well as having some live music.” Food-wise, Cheng emulated the gastro pub model and offers up non-traditional bar foods. Mussels, calamari and three-cheese macaroni and cheese headline the menu, as well as half-pound Angus burgers for the heartier appetite.

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

SEPTEMBER 2014

Cheng says he got his love for restaurants from his parents. Originally from New York City, his family moved to greater Lansing in the 1990s to be with other family and friends and to enjoy the friendly business climate. He learned about hospitality by working as a teen in his parent’s Asian restaurants, including China Gardens, then branched out on his own. Cheng says he spends about 10 to 15 hours a day on-site between Xiao and Front 43. He hopes to eventually hire up to 15 staff for Front 43, with two being full-time. “I just like the fast-pace of restaurants and getting to know people and making new friends, too,” says Cheng. “I like taking care of people from the moment they walk in the door.” Ann Kammerer is a freelance writer living in East Lansing. She has written extensively about business people, educators, artists and every day people doing good things in greater Lansing for a couple decades.

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NEWS

General Motor’s New Stamping Plant to Add 145 Lansing Jobs BY KRIS TINE RICHM O N D

eneral Motors recently announced it will start construction on a $174-million stamping facility that will create or retain about 145 jobs.

The new 225,000-square-foot facility, part of the company’s Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant, is expected to be operational by 2016. It will produce stamping components for the Cadillac ATS and Cadillac CTS family of vehicles as well as future product, one of which will be the next generation Chevrolet Camaro. Also, the Grand River plant will be launching the new coupe version of the ATS sedan, which is expected to hit dealers in the

fourth quarter of this year, according to Lansing Plant Manager, Tony Francavilla. “We currently have a stamping facility that supplies our plant in the Delta Township area. It also supplies many of the parts for the ATS and CTS. We expect that we will have a higher demand for exterior body panels, so adding a facility, which doubles our stamping output in the region, allows us to make more parts locally. We expect to save about $14 million annually on our logistics costs,” said Francavilla. “You’ve got to be competitive in order to price your product competitively. Bringing a local stamping facility here allows us to achieve a higher quality product at a greater value for our customer.” Built in 2001, Lansing Grand River is GM’s second-newest U.S. assembly plant and the manufacturing home of the Cadillac ATS, CTS and the CTS V-series performance versions.

Including the new stamping plant, GM has invested more than $530 million in the Lansing facility since 2009. Construction has started on a $44.5-million, 400,000-squarefoot logistics center at the Grand River plant. It will sort and deliver parts to the assembly line when it opens later this year. The facility is expected to employ up to 200 people.

Between the two projects, the plant will add 600,000 square feet, increasing the size of the Grand River facility by about 20 to 25 percent, said Francavilla. “The logistics center will take in the stream of materials coming from all over the U.S. and the world, getting them ready for quick assembly. It will be able to handle a greater variety of suppliers and parts making the work environment easier, more pleasant for our employees. The other part, of it is it allows us to build a greater variety of vehicles on one assembly line, and since the parts are there already and selected, it allows you to build a higher quality of vehicle,” said Francavilla.

The new stamping facility will be a part of the Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant. 18

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

Kristine Richmond is the Public Relations Specialist at M3 Group. She specializes in helping clients tell their stories of changed lives, fiscal success, philanthropic support and more by creating engaging messages that grab customers’ attention and cause them to act.

SEPTEMBER 2014

NEWS

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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

SEPTEMBER 2014

COVER

MONEY MATTERS: Accounting and Finance Enjoy Growth Amidst Change

B Y A N N H . K A M M ER ER | P H OTO S B Y MARK WARNER

NE FOCUSES ON THE PRESENT WITH AN ANALYSIS OF PAST PERFORMANCE. THE OTHER EXAMINES INFORMATION WITH AN EYE TOWARD THE FUTURE. ALTHOUGH DIFFERENT IN THEIR POINTS-OF-VIEW, THE ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE PROFESSIONS ARE INTERTWINED AND INTERDEPENDENT, WITH BOTH INVOLVED IN THE BUSINESS OF MANAGING MONEY.

TO DRILL DOWN, FINANCE ENCOMPASSES THE BROADER STUDY OF MARKETS AND MANAGEMENT OF ASSETS

AND INVESTMENTS, WHILE ACCOUNTING INVOLVES PREPARING OR INTERPRETING FINANCIAL INFORMATION.

AND SINCE BOTH RESIDE IN THE ECONOMIC WORLD, BOTH EXPERIENCE THE EFFECTS OF SIMILAR TRENDS.

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COVER

Paschke, who also directs external relations and community engagement for the Wayne State School of Business, is well aware of the pushes and pulls that affect seasoned, newer and upcoming professionals. And while hot button issues come and go, regulation has always been a constant; it’s just growing in complexity because of the various forces at play. “More and more rules are going out in response to things that have happened, like fraud and bank failings,” he says. “So we put in more rules, but someone in our profession has to figure out how to comply with those rules.” RE GIO N A L A N A LYS IS

Michigan presents additional challenges and opportunities for those working in accounting and finance.

Ferland in her East Lansing office. The Greater Lansing Business Monthly chatted briefly with three industry experts to assess their take on the various forces shaping the finance and accounting world. W HAT’ S TR E ND I N G

Like any business, accounting and finance are not immune from the trend trifecta: globalization, technology and talent availability. In fact, experts agree that a fourth trend impacts the profession: increasing and complex regulation. And if you take a totally macro view, world events — from war to famine to natural disaster — underpin it all. “Because of intense uncertainty in the world, businesses are going to become more strategic in the way they want to operate,” says Naveen Khanna, chair of the Department of Finance at the Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University. “They may get cautious in certain regions of the world ... and it may give us more strength in other areas.” Globalization translates into borderless business relationships, with emerging markets demanding increased knowledge in areas like licensing, taxation, reporting and varying cultural issues. That globalization, too, is often fueled by technological changes that speed up the availability and security of information, and the tasks and analysis provided to clients. “The increased use of technology is driving the industry and allowing for access to more knowledge at your fingertips,” says Christina Ferland, partner, Plante Moran Financial Advisors in East Lansing. “And because of globalization, our profession is working to attract staff who are more diverse.” Randy Paschke, board chair of the Michigan Association for Certified Public Accountants, adds perspective. “Talent is another challenging trend facing our industry,” says Paschke. “It’s hard to find talented people, and the trends we’re facing can sometimes make people stay away.” 22

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

“Michigan has assets that should make us one of the meccas of our country,” says Khanna. “We have a natural infrastructure for tourism and golf, some very livable cities, and we have a pretty educated workforce. We need to believe that our state is worth staying in and coming to.” For finance and accounting professionals, Michigan and Lansing offer unique areas to work in research and development, inventory or supply chain management, or in governmental accounting and budgeting. And those multiple fields create an opportunity. “Specialize,” says Paschke. “Accounting and finance will never go away, but you can specialize by industry, by topic, by government, by international scope. It’s easy to find an area to get excited about.” Ferland agrees that finance and accounting can be exciting and lucrative careers, particularly as professionals hone softer skills. “Communication skills and the ability to consult and identify a client’s needs is critical,” says Ferland. “We constantly recommend that professionals increase their sensitivity to global issues and cultural experiences through travel and education.” PRO F E S S IO N A L F O RE CA S T

All trends considered, people working and choosing careers in the finance and accounting professions can forecast increased growth and stability. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that employment of accountants and auditors is projected to grow 13 percent from 2012 to 2022, and job growth for financial managers and analysts will be between 9 and 16 percent. The employment outlook for personal financial advisors is well above the curve, with a projected growth of 27 percent through 2022. “With the government and companies getting out of pensions or defined benefits, people have to decide how to plan for their own futures,” says Khanna. “That will put a big demand on the kind of expertise that wealth management or investment industry advisers will need to provide.”

SEPTEMBER 2014

Despite trends and the uncertain world, accounting and finance continue to remain among top-tier, high-growth professions. And while core financial competencies and analytics are still integral, the professions need team-oriented, socially adept personnel to provide services to a diverse and growing clientele.

Making more possible...

“I keep telling people that if you’re going into accounting because you want to be in a cubicle, run numbers and not have to deal with others, that won’t be the case,” says Paschke. “If you want to grow, you’ll have to get out from behind that desk, explain things to people and be part of a team.” Ann Kammerer is a freelance writer living in East Lansing. She has written extensively about business people, educators, artists and every day people doing good things in greater Lansing for a couple decades.

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F E AT U R E

From Pizza Delivery Driver to Franchisee Domino’s Pizza Delivers Ownership Opportunities BY KRIS TINE RICHM O N D

very Saturday the Arntson family ordered Domino’s Pizza. As a teenager, Eric Arntson would wait for the delivery driver to arrive, stopwatch in hand. Little did he know that he would one day become a Domino’s Pizza delivery driver himself, and eventually, a successful franchisee.

“My cousin Randy worked for Domino’s Corporate at the time, which is probably why the family always supported Domino’s. It made sense for me to get a part-time job delivering pizzas because Domino’s was cool,” said Arntson. From 1994 to 1997 Arntson continued to deliver pizza and began to develop a love for the brand. Arntson enjoyed the Eric Arntson with the new Domino’s pizza delivery vehicle (DXP.) business and realized that he was good with customers, great at pizza-making and, most importantly, had a ton of fun being Domino’s has an “operator to owner” franchise business model. in the pizza business. He wanted more. According to Domino’s website, 90 percent of their franchisees in the U.S. started out as delivery drivers or pizza makers. Employees “My franchise owner, Tom Damerow, had three stores at the time. learn to run and operate a store or supervise multiple stores, before He was always working. He was a great coach. He and I had a lot in investing in their own stores. common. You could tell he made decent money, he made his own schedule. When I saw Tom, probably right off the bat, I started Just five years after starting as a delivery driver, Arntson purchased thinking about owning my own franchise, but it wasn’t until the his first Domino’s Pizza store. summer of 2006 that I got serious about it,” said Arntson. “I borrowed $10,000 from my dad, which was basically his entire life Arntson worked seven days a week from open to close whenever savings but he believed in me and wanted me to achieve my dream. I school was out. Damerow saw potential in him and thought he was wrote a good business plan and Citizens Bank loaned me the money worth the investment of paying him overtime to deliver and/or run to open my first store in St. Johns. Getting in to the first store is the shifts for him. hurdle. Getting a bank to loan you $190,000 is not easy, especially for a 21-year-old kid,” explained Arntson. In 1997, Arntson became a store manager at the Domino’s Pizza store on Saginaw Highway in Lansing. That was when he decided Arntson now owns and operates five stores (three in Lansing, one that he would one day own a Domino’s store himself. He decided to in Owosso and one in Mt. Pleasant). Future plans include opening switch his major at MSU from pre-med to business and focus solely a store with Domino’s new “pizza theater” concept in downtown on owning a Domino’s Pizza store. Lansing on the corner of Washington Square and Washtenaw Avenue in the old Capital Bookstore building. The store is set to open next “It took me two and a half years to franchise. I wouldn’t be the owner February. I am today without staying there for that time. Our sales increased every month the entire time I worked there as a manager because we “Every Domino’s in the next couple years will be switched over to the gave good product, service and image,” said Arntson. pizza theater concept. Instead of hiding the pizza process, it’s right front and center. It’s completely transparent, wide open, you can see 24

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SEPTEMBER 2014

P H OTO P ROV ID ED

Arntson started as a part-time delivery driver for Domino’s in August 1994, the same month he started attending Michigan State University. He was in MSU’s pre-med program with hopes of becoming a pediatrician. His love for pizza was “all in the family.”

your pizza go all the way down the make line and into the oven,â&#x20AC;? added Arntson. Arntson plans to open five more stores by the end of 2016, to include South Lansing, St. Johns, Alma, Charlotte and Mason, with the help of his new business partner, Mark McHugh, who officially joined him this month. Arntson lives in St. Johns with his wife Stephanie and their four daughters, Abigail (age 15), Megan (age 13), Emma (age 10) and Olivia (age 8). Kristine Richmond is the Public Relations Specialist at M3 Group. She specializes in helping clients tell their stories of changed lives, fiscal success, philanthropic support and more by creating engaging messages that grab customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; attention and cause them to act.

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MAN ON THE STREET

M AN on the STR E ET Why did you choose your financial institution? COMPIL ED BY K YL E D OWL I N G

“Convenient for my money and loan needs..”

Michael Davis

“My family/wife chose our bank.”

Jim Neal

“It was the most available bank with the most locations.”

Takura Nyamfukudza

“I’m a grad student at MSU, so that helped me choose which institution to use.”

Jessica Gillard

“What helped my husband and I choose was the reputation of the institution.”

Ami Lane-Elliot

“I’m a fan of credit unions because they are member owned.”

Rick Pluta

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

SEPTEMBER 2014

NEWS

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GLBM LIST

Financial Institutions

Name

Headquarters

Phone Number

Website

Astera Credit Union

111 S. Waverly Rd., Lansing, MI 48917

(517) 321-9010

www.asteracu.com

Bank of America

100 North Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28255

(800) 432-1000

www.bankofamerica.com

Capitol National Bank

200 N Washington Sq Lansing, MI 48933

(517) 484-5080

www.capitolnational.com

CASE Credit Union

4316 S. Pennsylvania Ave. Lansing, MI 48910

(517) 393-7710

www.casecu.org

Chase Bank

270 Park Ave., New York, NY 10017

(212) 270-6000

www.chase.com

Charter One Bank

One Citizens Plaza, Providence, Rhode Island 02903

(877) 242-7837

www.charterone.com

Comerica Bank

1717 Main Street, Dallas, TX 75201

800-521-1190

www.comerica.com

Consumers Professional Credit Union

525 W. Willow, Lansing, MI 48906

(517) 372-2400

www.cpcu.co

CP Federal Credit Union

1100 Clinton Rd., Jackson, MI 49202

(800) 554-7101

www.cpfederal.com

Dart Bank

314 S. Park St., Mason, MI 48854

(517) 676-3661

www.dartbank.com

Farm Bureau Family Credit Union

7373 W. Saginaw Hwy. Lansing, MI 48917

(517) 679-5274

www.farmbureaufamilycu.org

Fifth Third Bank

38 Fountain Square Plaza, Cincinnati, OH 45263

(800) 972-3030

www.53.com

First Merit Bank

106 South Main St., Akron, OH 44308

(888) 554-4362

www.firstmerit.com

Flagstar Bank

5151 Corporate Drive, Troy, MI 48098

(248) 312-5400

www.flagstar.com

Gabriels Catholic Credit Union

1901 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI 48912

(517) 484-0601

www.gabrielscu.com

Horizon Bank

515 Franklin Square, Michigan City, IN 46360

(888) 873-2640

www.horizonbank.com

Huntington Bank

17 South High St., Columbus, OH 43216

(800) 480-2265

www.huntington.com

Independent Bank

230 West Main St., Ionia, MI 48846

(888) 300-3193

www.independentbank.com

LAFCU

106 North Marketplace Blvd. Lansing, MI 48917

(517) 622-6600

www.lafcu.com

Lake Trust Credit Union

501 S. Capitol Ave. Lansing, MI 48933

(888) 267-7200

www.laketrust.org

Lansing Postal Community Credit Union

4600 Collins Rd Lansing, MI 48909

(517) 337-0401

www.lpcumi.com

MSU Federal Credit Union

3777 West Rd East Lansing, MI 48823

(517) 333-2424

www.msufcu.org

Option One Credit Union

630 32nd St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49548

(800) 323-2129

www.option1cu.org

PNC Bank

249 Fifth Ave., One PNC Plaza, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

(877) 762-2000

www.pnc.com

Union Bank

1150 Jordan Lake St., Lake Odessa, MI 48849

(800) 500-1583

www.ubmich.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

SEPTEMBER 2014

GLBM LIST

Each month, The Greater Lansing Business Monthly compiles a list relevant to the publicationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s theme. The lists are not comprehensive, but rather, a snapshot look at what is publicly available on various industries and organizations. The following is a list of area financial institutions in alphabetical order.

CEO

Number of Branches

Number of Members

Offer SBA loans

Margo Kleinfelt

24343

Brian T. Moynihan

locations nationwide

N/A

Yes

Paula D. Cunningham

N/A

Yes

Jeffrey Benson

30000

Yes

James Dimon

locations nationwide

N/A

Yes

Bruce Van Saun

locations nationwide

N/A

Yes

Ralph W. Babb Jr.

locations nationwide

N/A

Yes

David E. Kindy

7000

Yes

John Crist

43000

Peter Kubacki

N/A

Yes

Pam MacCready

2000

Kevin T. Kabat

locations nationwide

N/A

Yes

Paul G. Greig

locations nationwide

N/A

Yes

Alessandro P. DiNello

locations nationwide

N/A

Yes

Dan Dowsett

1470

Craig Dwight

N/A

Yes

Stephen D. Steinour

locations nationwide

N/A

Yes

William Bradford Kessel

locations across Michigan

N/A

Yes

Harold Foster

50000

David A. Snodgrass

163000

Yes

Jason Smith

3000

Patrick McPharlin

185000

Yes

Steven Bush

30000

William S Demchak

locations nationwide

N/A

Yes

Cortney Collison

N/A

Yes

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KNOW YOUR WORTH

Whether you are looking to lease, sell or refinance a property, the first step towards maximizing your real estate investment is knowing its true value. CBRE professionals provide the full range of property assessment services, from expert recommendation on asking rental rates to highquality professional property assessments. Call CBRE and get the most out of your real estate investment.

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SEPTEMBER 2014

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

Accurate and reliable valuations are critical to the success of every real estate investment. CBRE has the insight you need to make the right real estate decision. Need an estimate of value? A Broker Opinion of Value (“BOV”) is an educated assessment prepared by a licensed real estate professional as to a commercial property’s current market value based upon a careful assessment of both market and property conditions. Need a formal appraisal? The CBRE Valuation & Advisory Services (“ VAS”) group delivers high-quality valuations that help clients make the right real estate decisions. A nationwide organization of experienced professionals, VAS provides appraisal and consulting services to a broad-based local and national clientele. CBRE|Martin is pleased to announce that VAS Senior Appraiser Dave Mielnicki, MAI, SRA will be joining us in the Lansing office. Mr. Mielnicki brings over 10 years of real estate appraisal experience to the Greater Lansing Area. His transition to the Lansing office ensures clients access to VAS professionals on site in each CBRE office across Michigan.

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1111 Michigan Ave., Suite 201 | East Lansing, MI 48823 w w w . L a n s i n g B u s i n e s s N e w s . c o m +1 517 351 2200 | www.cbrelansing.com

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Lansing: the Comeback Capital!

G N I S N A L E V #LO BY MAYOR VIRG BE R N E RO

f you’ve been around Michigan’s capital city for the past few decades, you know we’ve come a long way. If you are new to the area, you may not know that Lansing is Michigan’s comeback capital! Let me give you just a few reasons why that’s the case. First, our local economy is hitting on all cylinders with new, jobcreating investments by General Motors, Jackson National Life and Emergent Biosolutions. I’m especially proud of GM’s incredible comeback from the near-death experience of the domestic auto industry. Not only are GM and their world-class UAW workforce building some of the best cars in the world — the 2014 Cadillac CTS just won Motor Trend Car of the Year! — but Lansing soon will be the home of the legendary Chevrolet Camaro, one of the coolest cars on WITH MORE PEOPLE, the planet. ESPECIALLY YOUNG Our high-tech sector is also leading the way, with PROFESSIONALS, SOON TO Niowave’s $200 million radiopharmaceutical production facility breaking ground in our BE LIVING IN THE HEART Next Michigan Development Zone adjacent to OF OUR DOWNTOWN, Capital Region International Airport. A host of other cutting-edge technology companies, I CAN’T HELP BUT from Neogen and IDV Solutions to XG BE EXCITED ABOUT Sciences, are driving innovation right here in Lansing. LANSING’S FUTURE. Downtown Lansing is also an important part of our progress with the long-awaited reopening of the historic Knapp’s Centre, including the debut of The Runway, a new business incubator for fashion and design that will be operated by the Lansing Economic Area Partnership. Recently, we’ve also welcomed great new eateries to downtown Lansing like Firehouse Subs, Tom+Chee, Lou & Harry’s and Jersey Giant, adding exciting new nameplates to an increasingly vibrant mix of dining, entertainment and niche retail establishments. Last but certainly not least, Cooley Law School Stadium, home of the Lansing Lugnuts professional baseball team, is getting an extreme makeover with more than $10 million in public improvements, as well as an exciting new residential development that will soon rise up just beyond the outfield fence.

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Led by Lugnuts owner Tom Dickson and Lansing developer extraordinaire Pat Gillespie, The Outfield project will bring dozens of new residents to downtown Lansing with a bird’s eye view of the summer baseball season. Directly across the street, the Gillespie Group’s Marketplace residential project is nearing completion, with a prime location next door to our historic Lansing City Market on the banks of the Grand River. With more people, especially young professionals, soon to be living in the heart of our downtown, I can’t help but be excited about Lansing’s future. When you add the spectacular annual events hosted by your capital city — from the Common Ground Music Festival to our Silver Bells holiday celebration — you can see why Lansing is Michigan’s comeback capital. I cordially invite you to #lovelansing as much as I do! Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero was re-elected to his third term in 2013 and is now serving his ninth year as Lansing’s chief executive officer. Bernero previously served as a county commissioner, state representative and state senator representing Michigan’s capital city. He is married to Teri Bernero and lives in Lansing.

SEPTEMBER 2014

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

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FINANCIAL ADVISOR

You’re Using Your CPA Wrong Four Ways to Gain Valuable Support From a Relationship you Already Have BY ANDREW MEHL , C PA

f you’re limiting your CPA to “only” filing your taxes, you’re overlooking a host of services that could make a significant impact on your personal and professional life. Stop missing out: Review the following list of four essential services your CPA can provide today. When you finish reading, it might just be time to schedule an appointment. 1) STA RTI NG A B U S I N E S S

Approximately 543,000 new businesses start each month. Don’t let that number overwhelm you, though, an even greater number of them close. If you’re doing the math in your head and deciding you don’t like those odds, then consider this: A quarter of new employer firms stay in business 15 years or more. Odds sounding a little better? If you’ve been thinking about starting a business of your own, your CPA is a great place to start. Your CPA can act as an informed and experienced sounding board, likely having worked with many small businesses in the course of his career. He can also help develop policies and procedures such as revenue/expense recognition and equity and compensation, as well as conduct your first-time audit. In addition, your CPA can strategically plan your state and local tax (SALT) approach, which can bring tax savings and efficiencies to your organization. Structuring your business is also an important aspect of getting started, as each one is treated very differently for tax purposes. Let your CPA help you choose the entity that’s the best fit for you. 2) FI ND I NG C A PI TAL

A key aspect of starting a business, or growing one, is identifying sources of 34

capital. Fortunately, there are an assortment of growth funding options available, including crowdfunding (think Kickstarter and Indiegogo, options you’ve undoubtedly come across online), angel investors and venture capitalists. But each option carries its own set of specific rules and regulations. Enter your CPA, who can help walk you through the pros and cons to each. If you choose a more traditional route and look for lending from a bank or credit union, your CPA can help you work through the lending process.

TAXES

3 ) E STATE PL A N N IN G

Whether or not your idea germinates into a living, breathing (and revenue-generating) new business, you’ll still likely have estate planning matters to sort out. What’s the best way to establish your legacy? What’s the best way to provide for your heirs … and avoid related tax-based pitfalls? What amount, and sort, of assets do you want to leave them? Speak with your CPA about determining the value of your estate, how your assets are titled and what beneficiary designations may have already been made. He/she can guide you through the process and help identify qualified financial planners necessary to complete the process efficiently and according to your wishes. 4 ) M AN AGIN G L IF E E V E N TS

The Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale has long been used as a tool to help quantify how much stress an individual faces based on recent life events. From “death of spouse” to “minor violation of the law,” over 40 notable stressors are listed. It should come as no surprise, given the important role

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income plays in our lives, that a CPA can help address situations either caused by, or contributing to, such stressors. A sample list includes changes in marital status (from the aforementioned death of a spouse to a divorce or separation), moderate-to-large loan and change in work status (trouble with the boss, changing to a new role or career, getting fired, retiring). These life events will always be stressful, but regularly working with your CPA will help ensure that your financial life is in order, which allows you to devote more time and effort to other important aspects of your life during such times. Ready to start having more in-depth conversations with your CPA? Place a call today. There’s no telling how many solutions you might discover. Andrew Mehl is a principal and director of tax for the east region at Rehmann. He can be reached at andrew. mehl@rehmann.com.

FINANCIAL ADVISOR

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INVESTMENTS

Retire with Confidence BY S TEPHEN L . HIC KS, J D, MB A , MS, C PA ; ROG E R L . M ILLB RO O K , JD, CPA / P FS ; W. J OS EPH IRIS H, C PA /PF S; Z AC H A R Y H . A R MST RO N G

e recognize that retirement is not simply a goal but a state of mind. How best to enjoy one’s retirement? With enthusiasm and peace of mind. Simply put, “to retire with confidence.” This article explores best practices in relation to financial and retirement planning for those individuals and families saving for retirement, approaching retirement or already retired. LOW C OS T I NS TI T U T I O N AL INVE S TI NG

Commissions (or loads) are a real and significant drag on a portfolio’s performance. Commissions are common with actively managed retail mutual funds and are often classified as Class A, B or C. These fund designations have nothing to do with the quality of the funds or its performance, and instead they merely signify how the commission will be paid to the broker. This commission is paid on top of the annual expense charges of the mutual fund. We have similar thoughts and, to be certain, even more heightened concerns with annuities. An annuity is an insurance product that, with limited exception, we do not recommend to investors. We could ask you to take our word on it but, instead, we encourage investors to review the State of Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Services’ unambiguous warning letter to the public on annuities entitled, Seniors Beware: Variable Annuities May Not Make Sense For You!, as well as other warnings and alerts from various governmental agencies regarding annuities including, at the state level, the Michigan Attorney General — Bill Schuette, and at the federal level, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the United States Security and Exchange Commission (SEC). The best practice for low cost investing is passive institutional investing (wholesale) 36

as opposed to retail investing described above. The problem for investors is that most advisers have limited or no access to passive institutional investments. Investors should seek out fee-only (not merely fee-based) fiduciary advisers who offer 100 percent passive institutional investments that are low cost, no-load, penalty-free investments. TAX MA N AGE ME N T O F I N VE S TME N TS

Tax management consists of designing investment portfolios utilizing an optimal balance between investment performance (including expected return and risk characteristics) and the attendant tax consequences specific to a particular investor. It is the systematic and continual application of evolving tax strategies based upon new information, changing tax rates and laws and the needs particular to the investor. At its core, tax management concerns itself with after-tax returns over time. Tax management is not simply a product. It is a process that comes directly from applied research found in professional journals and academic literature. As such, we recommend that you work with investment advisors who are also Certified Public Accountants (CPA). E S TATE PL A N N IN G

The modern estate plan consists of a revocable living trust, pour-over wills, durable powers of attorney for property, healthcare and mental healthcare. A more involved estate plan arrangement for tax planning would include the use of A/B trusts, irrevocable trusts, qualified gifting strategies, family limited partnerships or a family foundation. Regardless of the type of estate plan that you have or will require, it is vital that your estate plan and retirement plan are seamlessly integrated and kept up-to-date. Without excluding other well-qualified advisers, such as CPAs, we

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recommend working with wealth advisers holding law degrees to best coordinate efforts with your estate lawyer or your existing estate plan. After all, a wealth adviser with a law degree speaks the very same language as your estate lawyer. TH E WE A LTH A DVISER OF CHOICE

A fee-only fiduciary adviser is an adviser who has the highest legal duty to his client, and accordingly, can have no undisclosed conflicts of interest with his client, offering only objective and truly independent advice and operate with complete transparency and disclosure to the client of all fees, costs, expenses, expected rates of return, risks, etc. A fee-only fiduciary adviser is not a broker whose limited duty is merely “suitability.” Investors receive far more utility in an adviser who must, by operation of law, put his client’s interest first and not his fee. There is simply no substitute for substantial education, training and experience. An adviser needs all three to be truly successful for his client. In his well-regarded and top selling book, The Millionaire Mind, Dr. Thomas J. Stanley, professor and prolific author on the affluent, makes clear that today wealthy investors almost always look to investment advisers who are lawyers and/or CPAs and seldom engage financial planners and brokers. Such sentiment has been echoed by many academics and practitioners, especially in recent years as the complexity of finance, law, accounting and taxation has turned financial advising into a rigorous profession.

FOCUSED LEGAL STRATEGIES

Editor’s Note: The ideas expressed in this article are those of the author(s) only.

FOR YOUR BUSINESS » »

Stephen L. Hicks, JD, MBA, MS, CPA; Roger L. Millbrook, JD, CPA/PFS; W. Joseph Irish, CPA/PFS, and Zachary H. Armstrong are FeeOnly Fiduciary Investment Advisers with Siena Wealth Advisors. Siena is consistently recognized by CPA Wealth Provider and Accounting Today magazines as one of the Top Investment Advisory Firms in the United States. Only five firms in the State of Michigan have been so recognized. Siena advisers can be reached at info@ sienainvestor.com.

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Trademarks and Copyrights How Knowing the Difference Can Help Your Business BY J.J. BURCHMAN

o you own a business, perhaps with its own logo, tagline or offering its own unique service? If so, have you thought about whether or not you may need the protection of a trademark or copyright? If you haven’t, now is the time to do so.

protects the form of expression rather than the actual subject matter. For example, a copyright could protect a particular flyer describing a business’ products from being copied but could not prevent others from writing a description of their own regarding the product. Copyrights are registered with the Copyright Office of the Library of Congress, as opposed to trademarks, which are registered with the USPTO.

Many people are confused when it comes to trademarks and copyrights, and what advantages and protections each may hold for a business. Copyrights and trademarks can be an important part of a business’ marketing efforts and result in increased sales and profits for a business. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) defines a trademark as “a word, phrase, symbol and/or design that identifies and distinguishes the source of the goods of one party from those of others.” The USPTO defines a service mark as “a word, phrase, symbol and/or design that identifies and distinguishes the source of a service rather than goods.” The simple difference between the two is that one is used with respect to goods, while the other is used with respect to services. Traditionally, the term “trademark” refers to either a service mark or a trademark. While a trademark does not have to be registered, either with a state or with the USPTO to be enforceable registration has the benefit of notification to the public. Registration is a presumption of ownership, whether within a state or nationwide if registered with the USPTO, and potentially the exclusive right to use the mark with respect to the goods or services detailed in the trademark registration. This allows a business to prevent a competitor from siphoning off sales using a confusingly similar mark. The USPTO defines a copyright as something that “protects works of authorship, such as writings, music and works of art that have been tangibly expressed.” A copyright owner has the exclusive right to reproduce the work, to prepare or license derivative works, and to either display or perform the work publicly. A copyright 38

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For businesses, a copyright would be appropriate to protect art (i.e. an advertisement promoting the company), an advertising jingle, or print or media recordings that promote the business. In contrast, a trademark is used to protect specific words, phrases and logos that promote the business. In either case, a copyright or trademark is a valuable asset of your business just like inventory, accounts receivable or equipment. As such, especially if it is associated with a product or service that your business anticipates making or providing, it should be protected with federal or state filings, as applicable. In some instances, both trademark and copyright protection are advisable for a business, depending on the needs of the business and the types of materials being used. It is recommended that a business undergo an analysis and consultation with an experienced trademark and copyright attorney if it feels it may need both trademark and copyright protection. Fraser Trebilcock attorney, J.J. Burchman is a business lawyer with experience in both private practice and as in-house counsel for a public corporation. He has advised clients of all sizes, from single-member limited liability companies to national and international publiclytraded companies in matters ranging from commercial litigation, real estate matters, entity formation, contract review and drafting, loan documentation, and mergers and acquisitions. You can contact J.J. at 517-377-0817 or jburchman@fraserlawfirm.com.

SEPTEMBER 2014

L A W AT W O R K

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Get your new business moving in the right direction with MSUFCU’s startUP Loan. Use the funds to purchase equipment, rent space, or for whatever you need to make this the year your company takes its next big step. www.msufcu.org/business • 517-333-2365 All loans are subject to credit approval. Origination and other fees may apply. MSUFCU employees, board members, and their families are not eligible to apply for the startUP Loan. Federally insured by NCUA. w w w

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BULLY

News, Notes and a Few Comments From the State Capitol BY ROB BAYKIAN

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his next rest area brought to you by…” That’s what we may soon be seeing along the freeways of Michigan. The state has been looking for ways to buffer the cost of maintaining Michigan’s roadway rest areas, along with the state’s 14 welcome centers. So they’ve been searching for a contractor, actually a company that would handle the marketing and other needs that will bring Michigan’s 20th century rest areas into the 21st century. To do that, the areas will be sponsored. To the motorist it will be low key, since no advertising at the rest area can be seen — under federal law — from the freeway itself, save for the sponsor’s name on the ramp sign. But inside you may see kiosks with internet-connected weather, travel and tourism information, along with plenty of accompanying advertising. Welcome centers could also become hot spots for the internet. Bill Wahl of the Michigan Department of Transportation says a sponsorship deal won’t raise enough money to fully maintain the rest areas (“it will be a fairly small percentage” of what is needed, he says). He admits they’re “still in the learning stage” when it comes to sponsored rest areas, since the idea is new. But Wahl notes that some states “are really diving into this” right now. He also says that while those who currently handle the gardening and rest room maintenance will continue to do so, the cost of those duties would be at least partially offset by the sponsorship. He could not say how much revenue sponsorships will bring in. 40

And for the record, vending machines have been under the control of the Michigan Commission for the Blind for many years (per state law), and any rest area sponsorship deal will not affect that arrangement.

N E W E F F O RT A IMS TO DECREASE CYBE R BU L LYIN G

P O SS IBL E CH A N GE S A H E A D IN F I R EWO RK S L AWS

Senator Glenn Anderson (D-Westland), recently made a bit of noise when he announced a bill to effectively repeal Michigan’s new fireworks law, which added certain firecrackers (short of M-80s and Cherry Bombs) along with certain aerial devices, to the list of fireworks that consumers could buy and use in Michigan. He says there have been too many injuries, and too many complaints from residents about the noise. Whether or not his proposal stands any chance of passage is a wide open question, although he believes he’ll have bipartisan support for the idea. As for a possible compromise, such as keeping the law in place but also allowing local communities to ban fireworks usage outright, he says no way. The lawmaker notes that in highly populated areas, such as the Detroit and Grand Rapids areas where cities butt up against one another, a ban by one government and no ban by the city next door would be ineffective. Personally, I think local communities should be allowed to ban the usage outright (24/7/365) regardless of what happens with Anderson’s bill. I don’t believe that the use of explosives is the only way to define a community.

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There’s a new effort underway to support victims of online harassment, by classifying cyber bullying as a civil rights violation. It’s spearheaded by the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, which says their mission is to protect all victims of online harassment. ADC Michigan Director Fatina Abdrabboh says as technology has advanced, so has the method of harassment and bullying. She says that currently, one group that has been victimized in increasing numbers has been Muslim and Arab residents of Michigan and elsewhere in the US. Abrabboh believes there should be legal consequences to the attacks, to keep cyber hate crimes from growing. Attacks, she says, have been based on a variety of things, including gender, lifestyle, ethnicity or beliefs. Her group wants legislation that will criminalize cyber bullying, revenge pornography and other cyber sexual assaults.

N E W PRO GRA M A IMS TO BUILD “CU LTU RA L CO MP ET ENCE”

Meanwhile, the Michigan Department of Civil Rights has been conducting advisory programs in a project called “Building Cultural Competence.” While

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the department usually bases its efforts on the state civil rights law, this project is designed to help employees and others know about different cultures and backgrounds, and how to interact with customers of different cultures. The department recently completed a program helping employees at the Wayne County Airport Authority. Officials believe the program is essential for functioning in an increasingly diversified country. Civil Rights Deputy Director Leslie Fritz says the program has been effective, although she wishes there was even more funding for it. “I wish we had the resources and the people to do more,” Fritz says. D ISABI LI TY R I GHT S CO M P L AI N T S INC RE A S E

Civil rights complaints have been trending fairly consistently in Michigan over the past two years, as two-thirds of them continue to be in the area of employment, relating to things like job promotions, hiring and firing and officials say they expect that trend to remain consistent. However, the type of complaint that’s increasing in number faster than any other has been in the area of disability. It now is number two on the list, right behind race.

and the faith in that system. Which is, it seems, the things Bitcoin advocates are also striving for. However there are still tons of questions, including those dealing with the illicit drug trade, online gambling, etc. Some worry that Bitcoin and its brothers and sisters in the crypto-currency world like Litecoin, could allow illicit operators to work further from the view of authorities.

Attorney General Bill Schuette is advising Michigan citizens to consider all the risks before purchasing any virtual currency, such as “Bitcoin” or “Litecoin.” Schuette says people should know that virtual currency does not have the same safeguards as hard currency. He is advising everyone to educate themselves “prior to putting their hard-earned dollars into a virtual wallet.”“Virtual” or “digital” Rob Baykian is director of currency, such as Bitcoin and Litecoin, is not news and operations at issued or backed by the United States or any the 67-station Michigan other government. Radio Network. He has been covering the Capitol since He notes that it is also unregulated and 1981. uninsured, which means that consumers and businesses alike have limited recourse if they have a Need help balancing your problem. Unlike the dollar, which retirement income and expenses? is legal tender, no one is required to accept virtual currency as a form of payment. While not tangible currency, virtual currency is bought by transferring real money through an exchange Gain access to over 25 years of or to an individual, and is stored financial experience and knowledge at on computers or held by the Michigan Money Management. purchaser or a third party in a socalled virtual wallet, according to We specialize the AG. in 401k and IRA accounts and So if the marketplace perceives will work with that it has value, virtual currency you to identify can be transmitted and exchanged your retirement in lieu of hard currency for goods expenses and and services. And it can also be income needs. exchanged for hard currency. We’ll create a personalized Bitcoin advocates believe that retirement plan digital currency puts them on that you can be the brink of a new generation of Tom Small, CFP®, AIF® confident in. financial services, noting that open source software architecture along 735 W. Lake Lansing Rd. #100 with many other types of internet E. Lansing, MI 48823 technology was questioned (and (517) 349-7111 dismissed) in its early days. Tom@MichiganMoneyManagement.com www.michiganmoneymanagement.com And as we know, since the U.S. left Registered Representative: Securities offered through Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisor the gold standard in 1971, even Representative: Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered the value of the US dollar is largely Investment Advisor. Cambridge and Michigan Money Management, LLC are not affiliated based on the stability of the system w w w

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Finance Jobs are in Demand BY EDYTHE HATTER -W I L L I A MS

he world of finance is driven by numbers.

And the world of financial jobs can be broken down by the numbers too. According to State of Michigan Labor Market Information data, greater Lansing’s “Financial Activities” industry boasts more than 14,000 local jobs, and that’s not counting the thousands of jobs embedded within other industries such as local Treasurer’s Offices (government), or countless CFOs, controllers and accountants at manufacturing, IT, health care and other businesses throughout the region.

Company, a defense contractor and industrial corporation, asked 1,000 middle schoolers if they’d rather eat broccoli or do a math problem, a majority said broccoli. And while I’m sure nutritionists think that response is great, it’s also reflective of a societal aversion to one of the most in-demand skill sets in America. In 2010, a Change the Equation survey found almost one third of Americans would rather clean their bathrooms than do a math problem. Ouch. So, what can we do to help our kids compete for the jobs of the future?

We don’t all have to be bankers or accountants to embrace math in A search for the keyword “finance” on Pure Michigan Talent the home. We can pay closer attention to the little comments that Connect turns up 141 openings posted slip out under our breath. We can nix “I hate within the past 30 days in this knowledge math” from our collective vocabulary. We W H AT E V E R I T I S , W E economy field. Search “banking” and you’ll can involve our children in everyday math turn up another 130. that makes our lives better, like calculating H AV E TO D O S O M E T H I N G a sale price, figuring out gas mileage or D I F F E R E N T LY TO E N S U R E And yet, in its 2014 survey of talent shortages, balancing a checkbook. Manpower Group named accounting and O U R N E X T G E N E R AT I O N I S finance staff on its top 10 list of the hardest We can also approach our students’ math BUILDING THE PIPELINE to fill jobs, alongside well documented — and with enthusiasm. We can display geometric far more frequently talked about — hard to fill proofs on the fridge as proudly as we would O F TA L E N T F O R T H E S E occupations such as IT and engineering. an art project. We can talk to our children’s IN-DEMAND JOBS OF THE teachers to ensure we’re not feeling The demand for finance jobs is unlikely to wane. intimidated or out of our league in helping F U T U R E . I T ’ S U P TO U S Between 2008 and 2018, STEM occupations with homework. We could even take a math TO C H A N G E T H E M AT H including finance are predicted to grow by class ourselves as a refresher. 17 percent, while other occupations will only H AT I N G PA R A D I G M . experience 9.8 percent growth, according to Whatever it is, we have to do something U.S. Department of Commerce estimates. differently to ensure our next generation is building the pipeline of talent for these in-demand jobs of the future. With local banking, finance and insurance giants such as Jackson It’s up to us to change the math-hating paradigm. National Life Insurance, Accident Fund Insurance Company of America, Auto-Owners Insurance and MSU Federal Credit Union, as Our children shouldn’t have to choose — they should be able to enjoy well as a host of other small, mid-sized and large employers in the their math, and eat their broccoli too. industry driving this job growth, insurance and financial services has often been talked about as one of the core pillars of growing and strengthening greater Lansing’s economy. Yet, we have to have — or be able to attract — the talent to fill these jobs. And while there are relevant degree and training programs in the region at Michigan State University, Lansing Community College and beyond, if kids have already decided they hate math by the time they’re in eighth grade, our chances of them becoming an actuary get pretty slim.

Edythe Hatter-Williams is the chief executive officer of Capital Area Michigan Works!, a talent investment network that partners with businesses to develop recruiting and retention strategies and partners with job seekers to enhance education and career opportunities. On the Web at camw.org.

And kids hating math is exactly what’s happening. When Raytheon 42

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East Lansing 1600 Abbott Road (517) 664-1912

Okemos 2151 W. Grand River (517) 853-5960

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Michigan’s Economy and Job Market Have Come a Long Way BY MICHAEL ROGE R S

n enlightening new report from the Michigan Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives vividly shows the turnaround in the state’s economic outlook and job market since 2010. You can find the “Key Labor Market and Economic Metrics July Update” at http://tinyurl.com/BLMISIreport or read a nicely done summary by Rick Haglund on MLive.com.

62%

50%

The charts in the report really bring the statistics to life. They show trend lines finally taking a turn for the better around four years ago. •

The state unemployment rate is lower by 3.8 percentage points since December 2010. Yes, Michigan’s unemployment rate continues to run above the national average but the chart shows that’s been true nearly every year since 1976 (with the brief exception of a short time period between about 1995 and 2001.)

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The Labor Force Participation Rate, a measure of the labor force as a percent of the 16+ civilian non-institutional population, bottomed out and started arcing upward around 2010.

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Payroll jobs show a steady upward slope beginning four years ago.

Small business employers have played a big role in growing the job market. Nearly a third of small business owners in a recent Small Business Association of Michigan “Barometer” survey (smallbusinessformichigan.org/#news) said they hired more workers in the past six months. That’s up from three years ago when only 12 percent said they increased hiring. Thirty-seven percent plan to hire more employees in the coming six months (compared to 29 percent in June 2013.) This is an important trend because over half of Michigan’s private sector workers are employed at small businesses. In the Small Business Association of Michigan survey, small employers expressed concern about access to qualified personnel. Thirty-two percent said access was “only fair.” It’s a lament that we at the association hear from our members in Mid Michigan and across the state. Small businesses of all kinds complain that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find the kind of good workers who can step in and contribute to help grow a small enterprise. Reflecting this tightening job market, 34 percent of small business owners in the survey said they plan to increase wages in the next six months. 44

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Small business owner’s expectations in the next six months; Left, sales increase. Right, profit increase.

In other Barometer survey results, small business owners said that over the previous six months: •

Forty-five percent said sales had increased (compared to 42 percent in December 2013).

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Thirty percent said profits had increased (up from 29 percent in December 2013).

Looking forward over the next six months: •

Sixty-two percent said they expect sales to increase (compared to 48 percent in December 2013).

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Fifty percent said they expect profits to increase (compared to 36 percent in December 2013).

The Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives report and our own Barometer survey provide additional evidence that backs up the optimistic feedback we’ve been getting for months from our members. Entrepreneurs are clearly responding to a much improved tax and regulatory climate in the state by increasing hiring, creating jobs and boosting wages.

Michael Rogers is the vice president communications for the Small Business Association of Michigan

SEPTEMBER 2014

For our 90th Birthday

O U T LO O K

We Celebrate our Partners Old and New

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BUSINESS CALENDAR

September 2014 BUSINESS EVENTS

9/8 & 11

SKILLED TRADES TRAINING FUND INFORMATION SESSION,

LANSING. Capital Area Michigan Works! will host two information

sessions at their location, 2110 S. Cedar. In anticipation of Skilled Trades Training Funds being awarded this year, it is important to understand all the opportunities available and the process for submitting a successful application. Attend one of these sessions to learn the correct information to share with employers. Session one is Sept. 9 at 3:30 p.m. and session two is Sept. 11 at 10:30 a.m. Please RSVP to tsand@camw.net or call (517) 492-5516.

9/16 & 21

ALS SUPPORT GROUP, HOLT.

The ALS of Michigan, Lou Gehrig’s disease will host a Lansing support group on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Holt United Methodist Church, located at 2321 N. Aurelius Road. The group is for pALS (person with ALS) and their families. Gain the opportunity to exchange information and resources, and to share concerns and address issues related to living with ALS. Call (800) 882-5764 or visit www.alsofmichigan.org.

9/16-18

strategies in his workshops. Attend workshops from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. The cost to attend is $98/ first registrant from organization and $56/each additional person. To register, call (517) 372-2424, email lisa@michiganpress.org or visit www.michiganpress.org.

9/24 CREDIT

BEFORE

CAPITAL,

LANSING.

Credit Before Capital is a necessary element for new and existing entrepreneurs looking for the capital necessary to start or improve a business or just individuals wanting to purchase an asset, such as a home or car. This six-session course facilitates the understanding of credit and lending while assisting entrepreneurs and individuals with how to discover and improve their existing credit history and score, which is an essential prerequisite to attaining capital. Classes are from 6 to 8:45 p.m. at the Entrepreneur Institute’s offices, located at 105 W. Allegan Suite 10. The cost to attend is $100/ person. Seating is limited, so reserve your space today. For more information, visit www.yourfoundationforbusiness.com.

9/19

Kory Wertz, Andrea Kerbuski, Anna Warbach and Devon Bradley at the GRC business breakfast on Aug. 5.

ORGANIZATION SKILLS FOR THE OVERWHELMED, EAST LANSING. Attend this

powerful workshop and learn how to stay organized. You will gain the ability to look at your calendar and gain free time daily, be able to de-junk and simplify for good, get and stay on top of a demanding workload, learn tricks for getting out from under all of the clutter at your desk, and discover new tech tools that will lighten your load instantly. If you put off getting organized, are consumed with email, phone calls and meetings, are unable to do other work, are nervous to throw away papers because you don’t want to forget something and feel stressed just walking up and looking at your desk, then this is the workshop for you. This session will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. The cost for the session is $199/ person. Call (800) 258-7246 or visit www.nationalseminarstraining. com for more detailed information.

LANSING. Join the Michigan Press Association for Ad-Adaptation:

9/30

Promoting Growth in Today’s Newspaper Advertising and presenter, Joe DeBiak at the Breslin Center for this exciting opportunity. DeBiak is the CEO and founder of the Center for Advertising Effectiveness and presenter of the nation’s No. 1 print and web advertising strategies. Learn his researched, tested and scientific

being taken seriously, feeling self-conscious, dealing with other people’s anger, speaking in front of a group, controlling one’s emotions, receiving criticism, getting cooperation, setting limits and taking the floor. Do any of these sound familiar? These are the top ten communication hurdles that women in the workplace face.

AD-ADAPTATION: PROMOTING GROWTH IN TODAY’S NEWSPAPER ADVERTISING, EAST

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

SEPTEMBER 2014

COMMUNICATION SKILLS FOR WOMEN, LANSING. Confronting or criticizing others, not

Attend this one-day session and you will gain the valuable knowledge to be able to overcome these obstacles. This session will be held at the Radisson Hotel, located at 111 N. Grand Ave., from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. The cost for this workshop is $49/person. Call (800) 556-3009 or visit http://events.careertrack. com/291070.

10/15

Andrew Abood F o r L C C B o a r d o f Tr u s t e e s LCC Alumnus Lifelong Lansing area resident

MICROSOFT EXCEL CLASS, EAST LANSING.

Learn all that you need to know to go beyond the basics and become a powerful Excel user. In this course, you will learn how to spend less time on your worksheets, discover the most underutilized tools and how to use them, how to customize your toolbar, link worksheets and so much more. This informative course will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. The cost is $139/person. If you are unable to attend this session, you can also take this course on Demand. For more information call (800) 258-7246 or visit www.nationalseminarstraining.com.

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BRD PRINTING ADDS SALES EXECUTIVE AND CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE BRD Printing, Inc., a Lansing-based commercial printing company, welcomes sales executive Ron Cook and customer service representative Barbara Matheson to its staff. Born and raised in Lansing, Cook comes to BRD excited about this new opportunity. He has over 33 years of prepress and printing experience, including 16 years with Riegle Press in Flint. Cook is married to his wife Ann, and has one son, Nolan, a student at MSU. In addition, he is an avid golfer and is actively involved with the Knights of Columbus, an organization that focuses on charitable community projects. MSUFCU APPOINTS ROBERT M. WISEMAN TO SERVE AS CHAIRMAN OF SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE Wiseman has worked with Michigan State University, where he has been a professor, since 1998. He currently serves as the Eli Broad Legacy Fellow of Management in addition to serving on a number of boards and committees. Wiseman also has a long history of research, focusing on strategic risk and decision making, executive compensation and corporate governance. Serving on MSUFCU’s Supervisory Committee since 2011, Wiseman holds

GOVERNOR RECOGNIZES BURCHAM HILLS’ QUALITY CARE Burcham Hills Center for Health & Rehabilitation, as part of the Capital Area Collaborative for Care Transitions, has received MPRO’s 2014 Governor’s Award of

Cusmano Kandler & Reed, a Michigan governmental relations firm, recently announced its new name, Kandler Reed Khoury & Muchmore, with the addition of respected public affairs veteran Deb Muchmore to the firm’s partnership. Muchmore will join long time partners Bill Kandler, Gary Reed and Ron Khoury.

The addition of Muchmore enhances KRKM’s public affairs, public relations, lobbying and association management capabilities. She also will expand the firm’s ability to provide strategic planning and other communications disciplines. KRKM’s continued emphasis

BRD has been in business for nearly 40 years, and is a full-service commercial printing company complete with design, up to 40-inch offset printing, digital printing, mailing and variable data capabilities. BRD Printing is located at 912 W. Saint Joseph St., in Lansing, just east of Martin Luther King Blvd.

a bachelor of business administration with an emphasis in management from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, a master of business administration with an emphasis in organizational theory from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a Ph.D. in strategic management from the University of Minnesota.

INTRODUCING KANDLER REED KHOURY & MUCHMORE

Muchmore

Matheson has over 20 years of experience in the field, starting her career in traditional typesetting and paste-up. She then built and ran her own successful freelance graphic design business for 10 years before becoming a partner at a design and marketing firm. Living and working in the Lansing area all her life, she has long-standing relationships with many local designers and printers in the area and has a keen eye for troubleshooting jobs and explaining processes to clients.

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Excellence for outstanding achievement in improving care transitions. To receive the honor, the Collaborative submitted three interventions employed in the Lansing area to reduce readmission within 30 days of discharge back to the hospital. One of the interventions submitted was Bridging Medications across Settings of Care designed by Burcham Hills and Sparrow Hospital Pharmacy. The intervention assures that patients transitioning to Burcham Hills Center for Health & Rehabilitation have a reconciled medication administration list and 48 hours of medications to avoid gaps in administration and reduce pain.

on its clients’ success includes association management, with Marcy Lay directing the division since the founding of the firm in 1995. Muchmore brings a 20 plus-year career as a public affairs strategist at Marketing Resource Group, long recognized as one of Michigan’s most effective public affairs and political consulting firms. She is a recognized spokeswoman for state and international companies, including those in the natural resources, energy and economic development fields. Kandler Reed Khoury & Muchmore is a non-partisan government relations, public affairs and association management firm representing statewide, national and international companies, associations and grassroots campaigns. Visit online at ckronline.com.

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Burcham Hills is a continuum-ofcare retirement community providing quality retirement living in its Resident Center and short-term rehabilitation and skilled nursing care in its Center for Health & Rehabilitation. A not-for-profit organization, Burcham Hills was founded in 1974 in East Lansing and offers the most flexible range of senior housing options on a 38-acre campus and the highest quality standards in retirement living. CAPITAL REGION COMMUNITY FOUNDATION WELCOMES NEW CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Matthews

CAPITAL REGION COMMUNITY FOUNDATION’S $75,000 IMPACT GRANT WILL HELP ‘HEAL THE HOUSE’

The “Heal the House” project is a cohesive plan to rehabilitate the 15-year-old house that hosts families who have critically ill children receiving medical treatment in our local hospitals and clinics. It will transform the House into a place that keeps parents in a positive, proactive mindset to help their children heal. It also will enable more family members to stay at the House.

The Capital Region Community Foundation has chosen the Ronald McDonald House of Mid-Michigan (RMHMM) as the recipient of its $75,000 impact grant for 2014.

C A MERON M ACKINTOSH ’S SPECTA CUL A R NEW PRODUCTION OF

A N D R E W L L O Y D W E B B E R ’S

The Capital Region Community Foundation is pleased to welcome Emily L. Matthews as the foundation’s new Chief Operating Officer. Matthews begins her work with CRCF on July 28.

Matthews’ role is a newly-created position within the Community Foundation, responsible for managing the foundation’s day-to-day administrative operations. In addition, she will provide organizational and systems support for the foundation’s donor relations efforts. Prior to joining the Capital Region Community Foundation, Matthews served as associate general counsel for Delta Dental of Michigan, one of the largest dental plan administrators in the nation. She started her legal career as a summer associate with Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C., and was later elected partner there. She is a past committee chair for the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Economic Club committee, and she was named one of the Chamber’s “10 Over the Next 10” young professionals in the Lansing area. Matthews earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and her juris doctorate from the Indiana University School of Law. She lives in Laingsburg with her husband, attorney Aaron Matthews. Learn more online at www.crcfoundation.org.

APRIL 1 - 12

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The cost of this major rehabilitation project accounts for half of the House’s annual operating budget, so the $75,000 impact grant from the Community Foundation was essential. The grant requires the Ronald McDonald House to secure an additional $75,000 in matching funds, doubling the grant’s impact to $150,000 for the organization. Those matching funds are coming from Ronald McDonald House Charities of Outstate Michigan. ELE’S PLACE NAMES NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR Dan Layman has been named the new Managing Director of Ele’s Place, a healing center for grieving children and teens. Layman will oversee the Lansing branch of Ele’s Place, which has two additional locations in Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids. Layman succeeds Lori Bosch, who will

remain with Ele’s Place part time in donor relations. With 20 years of experience working with hospice organizations in Lansing and Southeast Michigan, Layman possesses an understanding of the impact grief has on families and the larger community. Layman brings expertise in business development, strategic planning, community relations and staff development to the Ele’s Place team. Layman received his MBA from Michigan State University and his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan. For more information, visit www.elesplace.org.

relations boutique announces a move to accommodate its growth and evolution. Hannah Leibinger joins the agency as account strategist just as Piper & Gold heads to Old Town, Lansing to set up shop. The agency will take up residence at 313 ½ E. Grand River in Lansing in the historic Comfort Station. After two years at Lansing’s first business incubator, the Center for New Enterprise Opportunity (NEO Center), the move signifies Piper & Gold’s ‘graduation’ from the entrepreneurship program.

PIPER & GOLD PUBLIC RELATIONS EXPANDS AND MOVES TO OLD TOWN LANSING As Piper & Gold Public Relations welcomes a new team member, the Lansing-area public

Leibinger

obtained

Leibinger was previously the communications assistant at Capital Area Michigan Works! She joins the Piper & Gold team after recently graduating from Michigan State University, where she bachelor’s degree in

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SEPTEMBER 2014

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communications and a specialization in public relations. GREATER LANSING FOOD BANK ANNOUNCES THE APPOINTMENT OF NIKALI LUKE TO THE GLFB BOARD OF DIRECTORS Joe Wald, Executive Director of the Greater Lansing Food Bank, announced the appointment of Nikali Luke to the organization’s Board of Directors.

Salons) and his entrepreneurial client, Molly Chan. Chan, a mom of three and savvy businesswoman, found herself in Buccilli’s chair twice weekly when her husband was sick, indulging in blowouts and referring to his chair as her “happy place.” A self-professed “blowout addict,” Chan began brainstorming with Buccilli and the modern salon concept of HEAT was born. Buccilli serves as Chief Stylist, while Chan oversees business operations.

In addition to the full menu of daily services, HEAT will also offer incredible tailored packages and specials including: •

Memberships for the wonderfully “addicted.”

•

Girls Night Out private parties perfect for brides, bachelorettes, birthday girls, book and wine clubs, and more!

Luke is the President and Co-Owner of Simplified Accounting & Tax Service PC where he specializes in individual and corporation income tax preparation. He is a Certified Public Luke Accountant (CPA) licensed in Michigan and Illinois. Simplified Accounting has offices in Lansing as well as Owosso, DeWitt, Williamston, Charlotte, Delta Township and Eaton Rapids. Mr. Luke resides in Williamston with his wife, Nora and almost two year old son, Lenix. The Greater Lansing Food Bank (GLFB) was created in 1981 to meet a need in the Greater Lansing community that became critical during the major recession of the early 1980’s. HEAT BLOW DRY AND BEAUTY BOUTIQUE OPENS IN THE MAC ATHLETIC CLUB HEAT Blow Dry and Beauty Boutique, the first of its kind in Mid-Michigan, opened its’ doors in August. Offering blowouts, haircuts, hair styling, make up application, Botox and hand treatments, this finishing salon is an affordable luxury every woman deserves to experience. Located on the first floor of the MAC (2900 Hannah Blvd.), HEAT is the perfect stop for members before exiting the club, and an accessible beauty indulgence for non-members. HEAT is the brainchild and collaboration of stylist Dan Buccilli (formerly of Douglas J w w w

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Bridal Boot Camps in conjunction with The Mac.

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Botox treatments to complement a blowout aka, “Blow-tox.”

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Combined service deals such as a “Glow and Blow” spray tan/blowout combo.

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Monthly fitness and beauty dual events

in conjunction with The Mac. Visit www.heatblowdry.com information.

for

LAFCU BRINGS ‘INTERACTIVE TELLER’ TECHNOLOGY TO MEMBERS

LAFCU is the first financial institution in mid-Michigan to deploy interactive teller machines (ITMs). Three state-of-the-art teller machines are being used at LAFCU’s Mason branch office to personalize remote banking by blending technology and human interaction.

ITMs offer two-way audio and video interaction with a teller located at a remote site. A teller physically located at LAFCU’s main branch in west Lansing controls the machines at the Mason branch. The Lansing-based credit union plans to add five units next year as it continues to increase the number of member service locations within its 11-county territory. At present, LAFCU’s ITM machines have video tellers available during regular hours. The LAFCU branch office in Mason is located at 750 N. Cedar St. To learn more about LAFCU’s services, visit www.lafcu.com or call (517) 622-6600. THE LANSING CITY MARKET WELCOMES NEW MERCHANTS WITH RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY Lansing City Market, Downtown Lansing’s home for a growing community of entrepreneurs, recently celebrated five new small business owners. They include:

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MICHIGAN RETAILERS INTRODUCE BUY NEARBY GUY

Michigan Retailers Association’s “Buy Nearby” campaign recently introduced its new mascot and released new economic data underscoring the important benefits of shopping in Michigan. The mascot, dubbed Buy Nearby Guy, is an 8-foot-tall representation of a shopping bag in the shape of Michigan, colored blue to mirror Michigan’s lakes and skies.

James P. Hallan, president and CEO of Michigan Retailers Association (MRA), and local retailers introduced Buy Nearby Guy at news conferences in Detroit, Lansing and Grand Rapids. They also released new economic data showing that consumer support of Buy Nearby could add billions of dollars in economic activity and tens of thousands of new Michigan jobs. The study by East Lansing-based Anderson Economic Group found that Michigan in 2015 would gain an estimated 74,639 additional jobs and $9 billion in additional economic activity, including $2.5 billion in additional wages the new workers would earn, if Michigan consumers bought from retailers in Michigan rather than from “remote” sellers. The Buy Nearby campaign is an ongoing, year-round, feel-good campaign intended

to create excitement about the great shopping in Michigan and the advantages of supporting retailers and communities in Michigan. About half of every dollar spent in a Michigan store goes back into the local and Michigan economies, and more than 866,000 Michigan jobs are directly dependent on retail sales. The Buy Nearby campaign notes that if Michigan consumers switched only one in 10 of their purchases from out-of-state merchants to retailers in Michigan, our state would gain more than $900 million in increased economic activity and 7,463 new jobs. Switching one in five purchases would mean more than $1.8 billion in increased activity and 15,000 new jobs. Retailers and communities can contact BuyNearbyMI@retailers.com to request to host Buy Nearby Guy.

Experience matters. In fact, it may be the most valuable commodity in today’s rapidly-changing business world. As long-time consultants within the Lansing business community, we understand the challenges and opportunities you face. Contact me today to learn how our innovative approach to serving clients — as well as our continued commitment to Lansing — can lead to a one-of-a-kind experience for your business.

Dick Henderson, CPA Principal richard.henderson@rehmann.com 517.316.2471

4086 Legacy Parkway, Lansing rehmann.com

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For Crepe Sake Owners Mark and Deborah Owen opened For Crepe Sake after noticing a lack of crepes and gluten free foods in the Lansing Area. Mark, who suffers from Celiac Disease, was determined to offer gluten free options that taste delicious. For Crepe Sake offers fresh sweet and savory crepes as well as Zingerman’s Coffee. Dublin Jerky Company Run by Bruce Patulski, the Lansing City Market is the newest location for Dublin Jerky Company. With over 60 varieties of jerky, including beef, turkey, venison, ostrich and python, the store brings the original up North taste down South. In addition, Dublin Jerky Company sells peanuts, brats, custom t-shirts and mopeds. Wildtree Wildtree is a source of all-natural food with no chemicals, preservatives or MSGs. The Lansing City Market location was started by independent rep Greg Miller as a way to take

the stress and struggle out of dinner for the average person.

antibiotics. Reiner’s Meat Shop is the first Lansing location for the couple and the second in Michigan.

L & J Sales: Bella Soaps and Lotions Janet Riffel Ozanich of L & J Sales: Bella Soaps and Lotions first ventured into soap making special gifts for guests at her daughter’s wedding. Overwhelmed by positive reviews, she expanded her repertoire of goods and began selling at craft shows before opening a storefront in the Lansing City Market.

MSUFCU ANNOUNCES NEW CIO AND VP OF REMOTE SERVICES MSU Federal Credit Union is pleased to announce the promotions of Samantha Amburgey to Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Dennis Dorogi to Vice President of Remote Services.

Reiner’s Meat Shop [Formerly R & R Farms] Owners, Reiner and Colletta Wedel, began raising and processing their own meat after suffering from allergic reactions to meat bought from mainstream supermarkets. Reiner’s Meat Shop specializes in pork brats, venison, jerky, chicken, beef, snack sticks, free range eggs, wild caught fish and more. All meat products are farm raised and USDA inspected. All animals are grain or grass fed, and free of fillers, steroids and

Samantha Amburgey has been with MSUFCU since July 2004, where she previously served as Senior Vice President of Remote Services before being promoted to MSUFCU’s Chief Information Officer. As CIO, Amburgey will take the lead in moving MSUFCU forward with the advancing technology of the times. Dennis Dorogi has worked at MSUFCU since September 2008, formerly working as the Assistant Vice President of Remote

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SEPTEMBER 2014

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Services before being promoted to the Vice President of Remote Services. In his new role, he will oversee MSUFCU’s eServices and Call Center departments. LEMANSKI STATE FARM INSURANCE AGENCY RECEIVES 2013 CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE AWARD

management consulting services to small, medium and large businesses as well as government and nonprofit organizations. EAST LANSING SAYS FAREWELL TO PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR FOLLOWING 20 YEARS OF SERVICE

Following 20 years of dedicated service, East Lansing Department of Public Works Director Todd Sneathen is moving on to a new career opportunity with Hubbell, Roth & Clark, Inc. Sneathen began his career with the City of East Lansing in 1991, serving as a design engineer with the Department of Public Works (DPW) through 1997. During that

The Greg Lemanski State Farm Insurance Agency received the 2013 Chairman’s Circle Award. The exclusive award goes to only the top 5 percent of agents in the U.S. and Canada for State Farm Mutual Insurance Company based on Service, Sales and Customer Satisfaction. SUPERIOR DATA STRATEGIES CONTINUES GROWTH WITH TWO NEW HIRES Greater Lansing’s booming IT industry continues to develop, and it’s evident at Superior Data Strategies, where two new hires, Sean Caswell, and Vanessa Cabrera, have recently joined the team. Caswell and Cabrera will join founder Aaron Fuller, Brian Lund and Kevan Shea to round out the SDS team. Caswell, previously an intern at SDS, will serve as the associate consultant for SDS, building customized databases for SDS clients. Before joining SDS, he worked in data management at Jackson National Life Insurance. He is a recent graduate of Michigan State University’s College of Engineering. Caswell

Cabrera joins the SDS team as the office administrator. Cabrera will maintain SDS’s client accounts and manage accounts payable and receivable. She joins the SDS team with more than 10 years of experience in both management and administration. Superior Data Strategies provides data architecture, enterprise architecture, data warehouse, data analysis and IT w w w

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time, among several other duties, Sneathen helped administer and coordinate the dayto-day operations of East Lansing’s $19 million multi-contract combined sewer overflow abatement project. Sneathen returned to the City of East Lansing in 2000, serving as the assistant director of DPW from 2000-2003. He was later promoted to director, serving in that Sneathen leadership position from 2003 to the present. DPW Infrastructure Administrator Ron Lacasse will serve as the interim director of the department while the City continues its search for DPW’s new director. CAPITOL NATIONAL BANK PRESENTED 21 CHARITIES WITH DONATIONS TOTALING $41,340

Capitol National Bank recently presented 21 Greater Lansing schools and charities with a check totaling $41,340, a result of proceeds donated during the Capitol National Bank Capitol 5K and Charity Challenge Raffle held on June 20. Anyone over the age of 18 was able to participate in the Charity Challenge Raffle. With their purchase of a $10 raffle ticket, they were given the ability to designate the donation to a school or charitable organization of their choice. As a result of the raffle, the following schools/ charities received a portion of the proceeds: Angel House, Animal Placement Bureau, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lansing, Ele’s Place, Families Against Narcotics, Friends of Ingham County Parks, Grace Foundation, Haslett Band, Junior Achievement of Mid-Michigan, Lansing Catholic Central Girls Basketball, Lansing Ophthalmology Regional Eye Care Center - Mikey’s Fund, Lansing City Rescue Mission, Firecracker

Foundation, Olivet Boy Scouts, REACH Art Studio, Ronald McDonald House, St. Mary’s School - Williamston, St. Thomas Aquinas School, St. Vincent Catholic Charities, Wildcats Cheer Pride Boosters and Wounded Warrior Project. PARAMOUNT COFFEE EXPANDS MANUFACTURING, DISTRIBUTION OPERATIONS Paramount Coffee, Michigan’s premier coffee roaster, is expanding its manufacturing, distribution and shipping operations at two Lansing sites in order to accommodate growing nationwide sales. The company has acquired a 58,000-squarefoot building at 5133 W. Grand River Ave., near Capital Region International Airport in Lansing. The site will house all of Paramount’s distribution and shipping operations and corporate offices, previously based at its manufacturing plant near

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912 West St. Joseph, Lansing, MI 48915

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downtown Lansing. The manufacturing operations will remain at the 130 N. Larch site, but will expand with additional space and equipment. Paramount has acquired the Abrams site property adjacent to its headquarters on Larch Street, allowing the manufacturing operations to expand from approximately 80,000 square feet to 100,000 square feet. In addition to Lansing, Paramount has offices in Chicago and Charlotte, North Carolina. The company, founded in 1935, employs 85 people in Lansing, up from 79 in 2011.

PACE is a Medicare and Medicaid program that has operated around the U.S. since the 1970s, with eight existing PACE centers in the state serving approximately 1,000 seniors. This will be the Greater Lansing Area’s first PACE center and it will serve clients in Ingham, Eaton, Clinton counties. Within five years, the Lansing center is predicted to serve over 225 seniors and create more than 75 jobs.

CBRE represented both parties in the transaction, with Lisa Allen Kost representing the landlord and Amy RichterPerkins providing site selection and tenant representation services. While the opening of a new PACE facility is a lengthy and complex process requiring both state and federal approval, the site selection and lease negotiation process proceeded smoothly as

Paramount’s growth has been fueled by a successful strategy of increasing its presence regionally and nationally through marketing to large retailers, convenience stores, private label customers and distributors and directly to consumers on the Internet. CBRE NEGOTIATES 17,000 SQ. FT. LEASE FOR SENIOR COMMUNITY CARE CBRE|Martin (CBRE) is pleased to announce that Senior CommUnity Care of Michigan has leased 17,000 sq. ft. of office space at 1921 Miller Road in Lansing. Located at the corner of Miller and Aurelius Roads on the city’s south side, Senior CommUnity Care will operate as a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) and will provide community-based, integrated care for frail, low-income seniors who face health challenges but want to live in their own homes. The center will be a joint effort by three nonprofit organizations: Volunteers of America (VOA), the Ingham County Medical CareFacilityandUnitedMethodistRetirement Communities Inc. The center will feature a medical clinic, adult day center, therapy suite, kitchen and offices for physicians, social workers and other professionals. All services, including transportation to and from clients’ homes, will be coordinated through a comprehensive, interdisciplinary team approach.

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both parties were eager to bring this facility to the Lansing area. The PACE program is slated to begin operations in the spring of 2015.

YMCA OF LANSING RECEIVES GRANT FOR REFUGEE ACCULTURATION PROGRAM The YMCA of Lansing has been awarded a $15,000 grant from the Capital Region Community Foundation to fund its Refugee Family Strengthening and Parenting Skills Program, which will serve refugee families relocated to the Lansing area.

There are nearly 400 to 700 refugees who relocate to the greater Lansing area each year, with limited resources available to help with acculturation. The program will begin in mid-July, and will be held at the Downtown YMCA on Tuesday evenings from 6-7:30 p.m. Dinner and childcare will be provided. Preregistration for the program is required. To find out more, visit www.ymcaoflansing.org. NEW PROJECT EXECUTIVE JOINS KRAMER MANAGEMENT GROUP

Autumn Redman 14 years of service

New name. Same friendly faces. Firstbank is becoming Mercantile. The best relationships get better with time. They grow. Become stronger. That’s true in banking too. At Firstbank, we’re growing. In fact, we’re getting a new name. Mercantile Bank. As Mercantile Bank, we’re bringing great new things to your banking relationship, while staying committed to the personal service you enjoy. Firstbank is becoming Mercantile Bank, and we’re still all about you.

For more information about the merger, visit Merc-FirstMerger.com. 58

The 12-week-long curriculum will teach families the skills necessary to strengthen bonds and improve communication between family members, and teach parents to advocate for their children. Families will learn American cultural norms that help adults obtain jobs and thrive in their new community.

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Dan Rooney, LEED AP joins Kramer Management Group as a Project Executive. In this role, he’ll manage the construction of the new McLaren Hospital and Rooney Cancer Center in Port Huron, Mich.. He will also manage construction of new facilities for McLaren’s Karmanos Cancer Institute. Prior to Kramer Management Group, Rooney graduated from Michigan Technological University with a degree in civil engineering and worked with The Christman Company and Boss Engineering. In his new role, he will represent Kramer Management Group’s clients through all phases of their construction projects. WELL-KNOWN COMPANY HIRES NEW EMPLOYEE FOR REVISED POSITION AT LOCAL FRANCHISE Two Men and a Truck, a well-known home and business moving company, is pleased to announce a change to the Lansing franchise. The position originally known as the Marketing Coordinator has evolved into what is now the Community Engagement Specialist.

April Johnson has been hired to fill this revised position for the Two Men and a Truck Lansing franchise. Johnson, originally from Lansing, comes from the senior housing industry and has experience in both the community relations and marketing fields. As the Community Engagement Specialist, Johnson will be responsible for developing relationships with potential customers, attending community events, and coordinating donation requests. Two Men and a Truck is the largest franchised moving company in North America. It includes more than 300 locations and more than 1,400 trucks on the road. Each location is independently owned and operated, and sells boxes and packing supplies. Locations complete home and business moves, as well as packing and unpacking services.

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Take charge of your own legacy. Call or visit our website today! 120 N. Washington, Suite 805 Lansing, MI 48933 P: 517.853.2570 I F: 517.482.9006

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Design

The perfect fit. hello@capital-imaging.com 517.482.2292 capital-imaging.com

Our design and print services are a perfect fit for your project. Professional graphic designers work alongside skilled print technicians every step of the way to ensure a high quality end product. After all, you didn’t go into business to worry about this, but we did. So, contact us today to get started!

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MSUFCU ANNOUNCES PROMOTIONS OF FACILITIES OPERATIONS ASSISTANT MANAGER AND CONSUMER LOANS OPERATIONS ASSISTANT MANAGER MSU Federal Credit Union is pleased to announce the promotions of Brian Grapentien to Facilities Operations Assistant

Siena Heights University Offers Master of Arts degrees in: • Clinical Mental Health Counseling • Teacher Education • Organizational Leadership • Higher Education Leadership • Health Care Leadership • Educational Leadership: Principal

Manager at MSUFCU’s Headquarters and Kyle Wright to Consumer Loans Operations Assistant Manager. Brian Grapentien has worked at MSUFCU since September 2013, and was previously a Facilities Maintenance Specialist before being promoted to Facilities Operations Assistant Manager. He has a Facility Management Certificate (CT) from Ferris State University. Kyle Wright has been with MSUFCU since January

Unleash Your Potential wHat Makes us different…

“My classes are fabulous at Siena Heights University. We learn from our peers and share our experiences with one another. We can bounce ideas off each other and put practical ideas to work right away! If you are considering the Graduate College at Siena Heights University, I would definitely pursue it!

— Jenna Borck Organizational Leadership Student

Specialist of Arts degree in: • Educational Leadership Why Siena? • Courses designed for working adults • Evening and weekend courses • Small class sizes • Individualized academic advising • Blended and online courses

new CliniCal Mental HealtH Counseling PrograM…

“If you want to explore cutting-edge understandings from counseling, neuroscience and spirituality on how to help ALL human beings access mental health regardless of what they have been through or are going through, then Siena’s new Clinical Mental Health Program will be perfect for you. We keep a passionate focus on releasing the resilient spirit in humanity.” — Dr. Linda Pettit, Ed.D, Counseling Psychologist Dean of the Graduate College and Director of Counselor Education

Now accepting new students! COntACt US tOdAy!

877.438.1596 or graduatecollege@sienaheights.edu

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2012, formerly serving as a Financial Services Representative before being promoted to Consumer Loans Operations Assistant Manager in the Management Development Program. MSUFCU APPOINTS BLANCK, VILLARRUEL AND ZAYKO TO SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE Patrick McPharlin, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MSU Federal Credit Union, is pleased to announce the appointment of Sarah Blanck, Kristine Zayko and Francisco Villarruel to MSUFCU’s Supervisory Committee. Blanck has been with Michigan State University (MSU) since 1997, currently serving as the Budget and Personnel Officer for the Office of the Provost. Blanck Blanck received an associate of arts in liberal arts from Oakland Community College and a bachelor of arts (BA) from Michigan State University. Villarruel has served MSU since 1988 in a variety of positions. He currently serves as a Professor of Human Development and as the University Outreach and Engagement Senior Villarruel Fellow. Villarruel received a BA in developmental psychology from the University of Michigan, a master of science (MS) in assisted computer learning and language from the University of WisconsinMadison, and a Ph.D. in child and family studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Zayko has been with the MSU Office of the General Counsel since 1998, currently serving as the Deputy General Counsel. She received a BA in English from Michigan Zayko State University and a Juris Doctor (JD) from the University of Michigan.

Networking matters

At AT&T, we know that making connections is critical to success. In mid-Michigan and across the nation, we link businesses with their customers and the world through our wireless network with access to the nation’s largest Wi-fi network. It’s just another way we help our customers stay connected.

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THE RIGHT TEAM FOR REAL RESULTS Serving as trusted commercial real estate advisers to the Greater Lansing Areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most notable companies is a role we take seriously. Backed by the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most powerful real estate platform, our talented team is committed to delivering superior results. For every client, on every assignment.

CBRE|Martin +1 517 351 2200 www.cbrelansing.com

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