4711 Lrcc Focus Feb 2013 Final

7/29/2019 4711 Lrcc Focus Feb 2013 Final

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Chad JordanOwner, Cravings Gourmet

Popcorn & Soda Pop Market

PLUSSpartan Motors CEOSpeaks at Economic Club

Time to Register for101st Annual Dinner

Rich Howard: NewestChamber Team Member

aCravingorSUCCeSS

Chad JordanOwner, Cravings Gourmet

Popcorn & Soda Pop Market


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Tm dmPresident and CEO

Lansing Regional

Chamber of Commerce

Some of the most

encouraging news fromthe survey was that though

executives are cautious aboutthe next six months, they areclearly more optimistic when

looking out over three years.

A recent poll reveals that business executives statewide and in the Greater

Lansing region eel better about the economy than they have in several years.

The poll also suggests that business leaders still eel there is much work to bedone in order or Michigan to be a top location or business growth.

The poll o 3,000 business and non-prot executives was conducted in

December by Baker Strategy Group and the CFI Group o Ann Arbor. Overall,

satisaction with the Michigan business climate scored a 62 out o 100 points.

Though executives surveyed indicated they elt Michigan is moving orward,

they said the state still has a ways to go to be considered a great place and

riendly climate to start a business, and to have a strong and vibrant economy.

The biggest concerns expressed by executives were healthcare costs, employee

benets costs, and a lack o available skilled labor.

Some o the most encouraging news rom the survey was that though

executives are cautious about the next six months, they are clearly more

optimistic when looking out over three years, with the 36-month outlook

scoring 72 out o 100 points.

The survey breaks out the sentiment among executives by region. Though the

overall view o the business climate was in l ine with the statewide totals, there

were interesting contrasts to how Lansing Regional Chamber o Commerce

members view our overall quality o lie compared to the rest o the state.

Business and non-prot executives in the Greater Lansing region gave elevated

marks to our higher education system (84 out o 100) than other regions o the

state. Emergency services (79), hospitals (79) and parks and recreation (76) also

scored quite high in the survey.

Business leaders in this region also rated the local talent pool slightly higher

than other areas o the state (63/61); those relatively weak numbers reinorce the

idea that our ability to retain top talent in Michigan must remain an economic

development priority.

Among the lowest marks given in the survey both statewide and in the Greater

Lansing region was in regards to the condition o our inrastructure (60 out o

100). Those numbers should lend greater urgency to legislative consideration

o Governor Snyders inrastructure plan in 2013, an issue that will be closely

monitored by the government relations team at the Lansing Regional Chamber

o Commerce.

For more inormation or to review the comparable report on the Michigan

Overall Topline Results, please visit www.michigan2013.com

The overall economic picture is improving. It is my hope this survey will serve as

an action plan blueprint to help our state urther improve its business climate.

A Message m T Pst

T Su Ss: BusssClmt imp butM Wk n

Accident Fund ........................................9

Blue Cross Blue Shield ...........................5

C2AE ....................................................14

Flagstar Bank ..........................................7

M3 Group .............................................15McLaren ................................................11

Mercantile Bank...................................BC

MSUFCU .................................................4

WKAR ...................................................10

adverTiSerS

2013B dcts

ofcsBoard ChairPaula Cunningham

Capitol National Bank

PaST ChairNancy McKeague

Michigan Health and Hospital Association

Chair eLeCTBill Kimble

C2AE

LegaL CoUnSeLJeff Hicks

Hicks & Mullett, PLLC

TreaSUrerJeff Fineis

Andrews Hooper and Pavlik

PreSidenTTim Daman

Lansing Regional Chamber

ds dctsinTL BUSineSS ServiCeS

Jean SchtokalFoster, Swift, Collins and Smith, P.C.

governMenT reLaTionSKevin McKinneyMcKinney & Associates

MarKeTing & CoMMUniCaTionJoe Ford

Netvantage Marketing

MeMBerShiP ServiCeSDeb Muchmore

Marketing Resource Group

at-L

FocusediTor

Ross Woodstock

deSign & PrinTingSpartan Printing, Inc.

MaiLingHot Prospects Direct

Cover PhoToTrumpie Photography

Dave BakerFarm Bureau Insurance

Melanie BergeronTwo Men & A Truck

Mark BurnhamMichigan State University

Leslie BroganComcast

John BrownJackson National

Life Insurance

Stella CashSparrow Health System

Shelly Davis-MielockMieshel Image Consulting

Patrick DeanDean Transportation

Andre HutsonConquest Fitness and Health

Dave MulderMeijer, Inc.

Steve ReynoldsAccident Fund Holdings

Patrick SalowMcLaren Greater Lansing

Jason SandersFifth Third Bank

Tim SalisburyPNC Bank

HeatherShawa-DeCookDemmer Corporation

Tom StewartCommon Wealth Enterprises

Bob TreziseLEAP, Inc.

Ryan VartoogianSpartan Internet Consulting

Bill WoodburyAuto-Owners Insurance


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News & ets

evenT CoST iS CoMPLiMenTary or TheSe enhanCed MeMBerShiP LeveLS:

Bronze Gold Silver Platinum

WedneSday, eBrUary 6 DeltaGovernment relations Committee,8 9 a.m. Delta Township District Library, Davenport

Drive, Lansing, MI 48917. The Delta Government

Relations Committee meets the rst Wednesday o

each month to provide a orum or business leaders todiscuss important issues aecting Delta Township. To

ensure adequate seating, please RSVP to Jason Green at

[email protected].

TUeSday, eBrUary 12member mixer,5 - 7 p.m., Old Town Marquee. 319 E. Grand

River Avenue, Lansing, MI 48906, located between

the Unicorn Bar and Aggie Maes Bakery in Old

Town. Parking is next to the Chrome Cat across the

street. $10 member, $30 non-member. Includes hors

doeuvres.

TUeSday, eBrUary 19eConomiCClub, 11:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m., Kellogg Hotel &Conerence Center, East Lansing. Speaker: George

Zimmermann, vice president, Travel Michigan.

Program begins at noon; please arrive early or

registration & networking. Single tickets $40, or

tables o 8 $300 (includes lunch). Pre-registration is

required. To register or this event, please visit www.

lansingchamber.org.

ThUrSday, eBrUary 28101stannual Dinner, 5:30 8:30 p.m. Kellogg Hoteland Conerence Center, 219 S. Harrison Road, East

Lansing, MI 48824. With 800+ attendees, the Annual

Dinner is the regions premiere business celebration

and networking event. This program includes remarks

rom the Chambers incoming board Chair, honors the

outgoing Chair and board members, and is ollowed

by the presentation o the Community Service,

Outstanding Small Business and Legacy Awards. This

is also an opportunity to refect on the past years Ten

Over the Next Ten, Celebration o Regional Growthand ATHENAPowerlink and ATHENA recipients.

Early Bird pricing (through Februaruy 8) is $85/

member ticket or $630/table o 8. Ater February 8, the

cost o the event will be $100/member ticket or $800/

table o eight. Non-member pricing is $140. To register

or or additional inormation about sponsorships, please

visit www.lansingchamber.org.

WedneSday, MarCh 6DeltaGovernment relations Committee,8 9 a.m. Lexington Lansing Hotel, 925 S. CreytsRd., Lansing, MI 48917. The Delta Government

Relations Committee meets the rst Wednesday o

each month to provide a orum or business leaders to

discuss important issues aecting Delta Township. To

ensure adequate seating, please RSVP to Jason Green

at [email protected].

ThUrSday, MarCh 7Chamber 360,8 9:30 a.m., Lansing Regional Chamber o

Commerce Insurance Capital Board Room, 500 E.

Michigan Ave., Ste. 200, Lansing, MI 48912. New,

veteran and prospective members are encouraged

to attend Chamber 360 to learn about the ull

range o Chamber benets and how to maximize

your investment. Meet our sta and nd out how

we are working or you through business growth

and advocacy initiatives, exclusive member benet

programs, member exposure, networking andeducational event opportunities. This is a FREE

event, but space is limited. To register or this event,

please contact Jennier Wagemann at 517-853-6456

or [email protected].

ThUrSday, MarCh 7Cbre realestate upDate, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. KelloggHotel and Conerence Center, 219 S. Harrison Road,

East Lansing, MI 48824. Join representatives rom

CBRE, the global leader in commercial real estate

services, as they present Lansing ViewPoint: Trendsin Commercial Real Estate. CBRE will examine how

the local and national commercial real estate markets

are perorming today and discuss what landlords,

tenants and investors can anticipate or the uture o

the Greater Lansing area. $35/members and $45/

non-members. Registration can be completed at

ww.lansingchamber.org.

TUeSday, MarCh 12member mixer, 5 -7 p.m., TBD. $10 member, $30 non-member. Includes

hors doeuvres.

TUeSday, MarCh 19leGislativeDinner, 5:30 8 p.m., Lexington Lansing Hotel,925 S. Creyts Rd., Lansing MI, 48917. The Lansing

Regional Chambers Legislative Dinner unites

Michigans local Chambers and their key business

leaders with legislators and state Chamber ocials

or an evening o networking and spirited discussion.

Admission to this event is separate rom the Michigan

Chamber Legislative Summit. Tickets: $85/single ticket

or $630/table o eight. To register or or sponsorshipinormation, contact Michelle Rahl at 517-853-6457 or

[email protected].

TUeSday, MarCh 26eConomiC Club,11:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m., Lexington Lansing Hotel,

925 S. Creyts Rd., Lansing MI, 48917 (LOCATION

CHANGE). Speaker: Patrick J. Kennedy, ormer U.S.

Representative and national mental health activist.

Sponsored by Capitol National Bank and The Hope

Network. Program begins at noon; please arrive early

or registration & networking. Single tickets $40, or

tables o eight $300 (includes lunch). Pre-registration

is required. To register or this event please visit www.

lansingchamber.org.

LanSing regionaL ChaMBer o CoMMerCe101ST annUaL dinner

Thursday, February 28, 2013Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center

Early Bird Pricing (until Feb 8): $85/member ticket, $630/table of eightAfter February 8: $100/member ticket, $800/table of eight

$140/non-member ticket

rstt: www.lansingchamber.org

Ctct: Jennifer Wagemann, Manager, Events & [email protected], 517.853.6456

Spssps Stll albl!


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Cmb MlstsWed like to oer a special salute to these great organizations that reached

milestone anniversaries as Chamber members this month. Thank you or your

continued support through the years!

ConSUMerSenergy

74 years

a. dean WaTKinS-eaST,inC.

57 yearsdean TranSPorTaTion,

inC.35 years

inghaM CoUnTy eConoMiC

deveLoPMenT CorP.

30 years

greaT LaKeS exPreSSServiCe, inC.

20 years

diverSiied naTionaLTiTLe agenCy

5 years

A-1 Rent-All Stop

A. Dean Watkins - East,

Inc.A.J. Boggs & Company,Inc.

ACE Cleaning &Restoration

Air Handling EquipmentCo., Inc.

AP Cleaning Company

Blue Care Network oMichigan

Boji GroupCapital Honda

Coldwell Banker HubbellBriarWood

Consumers Energy

Cornerstone WealthPartners

Country Stitches

Crystal Mountain Resort

& SpaDavenport University

Dean Transportation, Inc.

Delta Side BusinessAssociation

Diversied National TitleAgency

Douglas Steel Company

Great Lakes ChristianCollege

Great Lakes ExpressService, Inc.

Hayes Green BeachMemorial Hospital

Hyundai o Lansing

Ingham CountyEconomic Dev. Corp.

Jackson National LieInsurance Co.

Jimmys PubKW Corporation Inc.

Lansing, City o

Magnesium Products oAmerica, Inc.

Michigan StateUniversity Foundation

Modernistic Carpet &Upholstery Cleaning

Mortons Fine Catering

Mount Hope Church

Sams Club

Siena Heights University

Stokosa Prosthetic Clinic

T.L. Hart, Inc.

The Green Door BluesBar & Grill

arTeMiS

TeChnoLogieS,inC.2501 Coolidge Rd.,

Ste. 503

East Lansing, MI 48823

Phone: (517) 336-9915

artemis-solutions.com

CreeKWood

aParTMenTSP.O. Box 305

Holt, MI 48842

Phone: (517) 202-3606

LaonTaine ord

o LanSing5103 S. Cedar St.

Lansing, MI 48911

Phone: (248) 705-3255

Fax: (517) 882-5396

theamilydeal.com

p g f Cw k y cc f --d. t w

y c C cc y. Cc 517.487.6340 f y y q

cg cc.

Welcome nw Mmbs

Thank You rw Mmbs

Federally insuredby the NCUA

517-333-2365 800-678-4968

www.msufcu.org/business

Branch LocationsEastLansing3777 West Rd.

4825 E. Mt. Hope Rd.

523 E. Grand River Ave.

MSU Union, 49 Abbot Rd., Rm. 108

Lansing104 S. Washington Sq.

653 Migaldi Ln.200 E. Jolly Rd.

Haslett16861 Marsh Rd. Okemos1775 Central Park Dr.AuburnHills3265 Five Points Dr.

*Platinum Resource Visa Credit Card currently available to Michigan-based businesses only.

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or around the world, the MSUFCU Platinum

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You Need to Carry


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Government rlts

New State Representative Tom Leonard (R-District93-DeWitt) is settling into his oce and getting

right down to business at the State Capitol. The

Majority Caucus vice chair says its been a whirlwind

getting adjusted to his new schedule, but he is excited

and ready to get to work. His number one ocus will

primarily be on how to continue to create more jobs

and improve Michigans economy. He understands

that while there is no silver bullet answer, Michigan is

uniquely positioned to improve economically during

his rst term and he is eager to be a part o the process.He will also keep a c lose eye on regulatory reorm,

vocational training or a skilled workorce, and public

saety an interest that was well-honed as a ormer

assistant Attorney General. Leonard will also serve

as vice chair o the bi-partisan Capitol Caucus, and

he indicated that there is a great deal o excitement

among the new legislators to address issues and

opportunities or mid-Michigan. The Capitol Caucus

is tentatively planning to meet by the end o January.

Representative Leonards sta is getting adjusted aswell with Phil Goodrich serving as legislative director;

Larry Fouts in constituent relations; and Nick Roberts

(intern) rounding out his team.

The 2013 Chambers o Commerce Legislative Dinner is expected to draw another large crowd o Chamber

ocials rom around Michigan who will be interested to hear how state lawmakers and ocials rom Governor

Snyders administration view the status o key policy initiatives this year. The Legislative Dinner, sponsored by the

Lansing Regional Chamber o Commerce, will be held rom 5:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19 at the

Lexington Lansing Hotel.

The Legislative Dinner has been a orum or state lawmakers and administration ocials to discuss leading state

issues with representatives o the Michigan business community and Chamber ocials. In 2012, panelists included

Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville, House Majority Floor Leader Jim Stamas, Bill Rustem, GovernorSnyders Director o Strategy, and Dennis Muchmore, Chie o Sta or Governor Snyder.

The 2013 Legislative Dinner begins with a reception at 5:30 p.m. ollowed by dinner and the guest panel. Tickets

are $85/single ticket or $630/table o eight. Reservations can be made by contacting Michelle Rahl at mrahl@

lansingchamber.org or 517-853-6457.

Stt rpstt Tm LJs Lcl Lslt dlt

2013 Lslt dSt Mc 19

Panelists at the 2012Legislative Dinner

answered a widerange of questions.L-R: House MajorityFloor Leader JimStamas; SenateMajority LeaderRandy Richardville;Bill Rustem, Directorof Strategy for Gov.Snyder; and DennisMuchmore, Chief of

Staff for Gov. Snyder.

Kristin Beltzer (LRCC), State RepresentativeTom Leonard

Learn more today.Contact the Lansing Regional Chamber

of Commerce at 1-517-487-6340 or visitmibeneftadvisor.com/lansingchamber.

Your Chamber Exclusively Endorses

gr wSustainable health caresolutions or your

small business

a healthy work force.

Blue Cross Blue Shield o Michigan and Blue Care Network

are nonproft corporations and independent licensees

o the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

bcbsm.com/grow

R011752

_ .


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Tl Mc ecut t Kt tbu ecmc Club Luc

Spt Mts Ceo: gt Lspesus ecllc

Economic Club

George Zimmermannn o Travel Michigan will be the eatured

speaker at the Tuesday, February 19 Economic Club luncheon. The

Economic Club luncheon will be held rom 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at

the Michigan State University Kellogg Hotel and Conerence Center.

George Zimmermann takes this view o his position as vice presidento Travel Michigan: My job is to increase spending in Michigan and i

what we are doing does not do that, then we should stop doing it.

By all accounts, Zimmermannn and Travel Michigan are doing an

outstanding job in building and promoting Michigans powerul

tourism industry.

During his tenure at Travel Michigan, Zimmermann helped launch the Pure

Michigan branding campaign, which has continued to earn national recognition.

During his Economic Club appearance, Zimmermann will discuss the

Pure Michigan brand and the status o the campaign today, including

its expansion to include economic development and business initiatives

including Pure Michigan Business Connect and Pure Michigan Talent

Connect.

The February Economic Club luncheon is sponsored by Rehmann.

Tickets are $40/individual ticket or $300/table o eight. Tickets can

be purchased at www.lansingchamber.org. For any questions, please

contact Jennier Wagemann, manager o events and programming, at

517.853.6456 or [email protected].

The Chambers Economic Club is dedicated to promoting and stimulating economic

growth through timely and insightul orums presented or personal and proessional

development.

Leadership ensures excellence and excellence always attracts, whether its in each

o us as individuals, in our organizations or prevalent throughout the community.

That was the message delivered by Spartan Motors President and CEO John

Sztykiel to the crowd o 320 at the January Economic Club Luncheon.

We have 1,700 associates across the country and each one o them is a leader,

said Sztykiel. We have people that are passionately committed to leadership.

Spartan Motors, Inc. designs, engineers and manuactures specialty chassis,

specialty vehicles, truck bodies and atermarket parts or the recreational,

emergency response, government services, deense and service vehicle markets.

Sztykiel cited nine qualities that are necessary or great leadership: vision, strategy,

ocus, alignment, dierentiation, speed, passion, perseverance and excellence.

Leadership skills were severely tested at Spartan Motors in 2008 when the

combination o decline in government contracts and the national recession caused

the company to realize they had to transorm their business.

80 percent o our business was government related, and we knew we had to

transorm the organization, said Sztykiel. One o the core reasons businesses

dont evolve is that its leaders dont evolve.

Spartan orged new relationships and moved into new markets as a result o their transormational process o the past ew years. Spartan reported sales o $426 million in

2011, and is ocused on sustaining their position as a global leader in the design, engineering and manuacture o specialty vehicles and chassis.

George Zimmermann

Spartan Motors President and CEO told the January EconomicClub, Dreams become vision and that vision becomes your realitythrough great leadership.


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Membership Scs

We like this state. No, we love this state. Its who we are. It s what drives us.

We also like proving that a bank from right here is better for your business.

Not always an easy task. There isnt a mold, only a model work harder.

Because local matters today and tomorrow. Thanks for letting us prove it.

Personal Mortgage Business Commercial

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(888) 324-4100flagstar.com/businessLike us on

Member FDIC

Local matters.But, you already knew that.


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a C SuccssBenjamin Franklin was credited with the saying, Out o adversity comes opportunity.

For Chad Jordan, the adversity started in 2004 when he lost his job. In many ways, it

was a blessing in disguise because it was a job that Chad didnt care or all that much.

I hated the way it elt, said Jordan. I hated the act that someone else was in controlo my uture.

The very day he was terminated, Chad began developing a business plan, which at the

time he considered only as a back-up strategy (I knew I needed a job). Three years

later, Chad started a business selling specialty popcorn. Today, Cravings Gourmet

Popcorn & Soda Pop Market produces and sells 16 favors o popcorn and 150-200

varieties o bottled soda pop rom its operation in Lansings Old Town.

To better understand how he managed to turn adversity into opportunity, it is helpul

to know Jordans background. Chad has spent 36 o his 40 years in Lansing.

He enjoyed a 16-year career in retail, starting as a 16-year old at Go Supermarket

in East Lansing. Chad went on to work at Sams Club and Kroger, where he was

responsible or hiring the management sta or all Kroger stores in Michigan. Along

the way, Chad discovered his passion or marketing and advertising.

In trying to develop an idea or a business, Chad gured it made sense to combine

what he knew and what he loved. His expertise was in retail. He had ond childhood

memories o resh popcorn that was usually made on a stove. The kernel o an idea or

Cravings Popcorn came ollowing a visit to another popcorn store in Michigan.

There was a small problem in getting started and its called having no money. In

struggling to gure out how to get his venture started, Chad became riends with a

couple that had a kettle corn business at the Lansing City Market. Chad purchased

the couples equipment or $5,000 and in 2007, his dream was well on its way to

becoming a reality.

Cravings employee Matt Strickling gets prepared for another busyday at the Old Town establishment.


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Like all start-up entrepreneurs, Chad

had a ew lessons to learn along the way.

Customers told him his original oering

o 30-40 favors were too much. He

whittled his product line down to three

favors. Steadily, the business developed

a ollowing and in 2010 with just

$6,500, Chad opened his new store on

Turner Street in Old Town.

O all the various favors, caramel

popcorn (our varieties) and cheddar

cheese popcorn (ve varieties) remain

the best sellers. The idea to oer glass-

bottle soda pop was to lend to the notion

that the Cravings experience is one or

all ages. The majority o the soda pop

at Cravings is made with cane sugar asopposed to ructose syrup.

We wanted to make something

unique, said Jordan. Its something

special a parent can enjoy with their

kids.

To help grow his business, Chad turned

to the marketing and advertising

experience he learned during his retail career. He had to deal with the stark reality o

building a business on a very small budget. Chad developed a dynamic social mediaprogram that has engaged customers in every acet o his business.

My goal was to build a community around a brand, said Jordan. I a customer is

involved in the development o a business, they will be more likely to support that

business.

Chad uses Facebook to get new ideas or promotions and products and to get eedback

on customer service and other operational issues. A recent Facebook suggestion rom

a customer regarding the current bacon phenomenon resulted in a maple caramel

popcorn with hickory smoked bacon.

I people are talking about it, we eel we should give them what they are interested

in, says Jordan.

Chads business also has a separate Facebook page, Cravings Community Popcorn

Chad Jordan, owner ofCravings Gourmet Popcorn& Soda Pop Market. r y w c. D wy w

dg. Wy g

w y d.

The WorkSafe PeopleThe WorkSafe People

Project, through which the company donates popcorn to various community projects

during the course o the year. Chad also uses Twitter and YouTube, where he

produces what he calls un videos that showcase the Cravings brand and gives the

business a personality.

Cravings Popcorn has grown steadily, experiencing sales growth o over 2000 percent

in the past our years. Chad attributes much o the success to his six employees, who

he says have considerable input into how the business is run.

Without great employees we would not be successul, says Jordan. I treat them

like amily.

Chad also attributes much o his success to his amily, including his wie o 16 years,

Rebecca, and sons Connor, 15 and Brock, 12.

Expansion is very much on Chad Jordans mind. He hopes to open a second store in

2013 in either Okemos or the west side o Lansing. He also plans to begin oering

ranchising opportunities in 2014-2015.

Successul people always seem to gure out how to take the lessons they have

learned in lie and work them to their advantage. For Chad Jordan, the advice

he oers others rom his lessons learned include having a good plan and being

passionate about what youre is doing.

Do something you love and something in which you eel you can be an expert, says

Jordan.

Chad encourages budding entrepreneurs to work on being the best at whatever they

choose to do.

Run your own race, says Jordan. Dont worry about what the others are doing.

Worry about being the best at what you do.

Follow that advice and Chad Jordan bets you wont be let craving success.


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Its not too late to register or the

Greater Lansing regions premier

business celebration and networkingevent o the year - the 101st Annual

Dinner o the Lansing Regional

Chamber o Commerce (LRCC).

This years Annual Dinner will be

held rom 5:15 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. on

Thursday, February 28 at the Michigan

State University Kellogg Hotel and

Conerence Center.

With 800+ attendees, the Annual

Dinner has long remained a must-attend program in the business

community. In addition to connecting

with business leaders, the Annual

Dinner oers an opportunity

to recognize the outstanding

accomplishments o the Greater

Lansing business community. The

program will honor the outgoing LRCC

chair and board members, includes

remarks rom the incoming boardchair, Paula Cunningham, and includes

the presentation o the Community

Service, Outstanding Small Business

and Legacy Awards. We will also take

time to recognize the 2012 10 Over

the Next Ten recipients, Celebration o

Regional Growth honorees, as well as

the ATHENA and ATHENAPowerlink

recipients.

Early bird pricing or the AnnualDinner is available until February 8 at

the rate o $85 or individual tickets

and $630 or a table o eight. Regular

pricing (ater February 8) is $100 or an

individual ticket and $800 or a table

o eight. Non-member pricing is $140.

Registration can be completed at www.

lansingchamber.org.

The Annual Dinner also representsa premier marketing opportunity or

organizations interested in making those

crucial business-to-business connections.

Sponsorship inormation can be

obtained rom Jennier Wagemann at

[email protected] or

517.853.6456.

Many thanks to those sponsors already

supporting the LRCC Annual Dinner,

including:

goLd SPonSorSAuto-Owners Insurance

Sparrow Health System

Two Men and a Truck

SiLver SPonSorSEmergent BioSolutions

Loomis, Ewert, Parsley, Davis

& GottingFraser, Trebilcock, Davis & Dunlap, P.C.

WKAR

Bronze SPonSorSCapitol National Bank

Fith Third Bank

Huntington Bank

SMaLL BUSineSS SPonSorWarner Norcross & Judd, LLP

Band SPonSorLAFCU

Membership Scs

rst T t 101st Ls rlCmb Cmmc aul d

One o our newest members was kind enough to share his

impressions about the importance o membership in the

Lansing Regional Chamber o Commerce.

Joining the Chamber is one o the nest things I could

have done or my business; the small investment that I

made has already paid or itsel ater only a short amount

o time. I challenge the reader to show us another

organization which has such a high level o respect, and

can enhance your business with the benets o the Lansing

Regional Chamber o Commerce.

For me to say that the Chamber is just another association

would do it injustice. I attended my rst member mixer

and I must say that it was a watershed event. I met so

many great proessionals which I am condent will assist

or have an impact in catapulting my business into the

uture.

The Chamber has so many resources that I arrived with 25

o my business cards, and within the rst hour they were

all given to prospective clients, riends, and ellow business

people in Lansing.

Christopher Harris

CEO, Harris Applied Research

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Membership Scs

Lansing Regional Chamber o Commerce (LRCC)

president and CEO Tim Daman is pleased to announcethat Rich Howard has been hired as vice president o

business development. In this position, Howard will be

responsible or overseeing LRCC membership growth

and retention eorts, as well as maximizing member

investment opportunities.

Rich Howard has more than 22 years o experience

working with public school districts, nonprot

organizations, and nation and statewide associations,

said Daman. His demonstrated leadership abilities will

be a tremendous asset in helping the Lansing RegionalChamber o Commerce grow the organization and deliver

more value to our members.

The Lansing Regional Chamber o Commerce is the premier business advocacy

organization in the Greater Lansing region and it is a privilege to join this great

team, said Howard. The Chambers most important role is to serve our members,

and we will strive to ensure that we are providing programs and services that meet

the needs o business organizations in the region.

Howard has served as chie nancial ocer o the Lansing Economic Area

Partnership (LEAP, Inc.) since 2011. He also served as interim president and CEOduring a leadership transition at LEAP, Inc. and coordinated all administrative and

und development-related activities or the Lansing Promise, an award promised

to graduates o public and private schools within the boundaries o the Lansing

School District. Rich also served as vice president o strategic initiatives at Lansing

Community College, and has also served in executive roles at Grand Valley State

University and Baker College o Owosso.

Rich holds a Bachelors Degree in Communications and a Masters Degree in

Counseling rom Michigan State University. He is currently a licensed proessional

counselor in the State o Michigan and serves on the board o several nonprots.

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Caring forour communityAt McLaren Greater Lansing, we are honored to provide

our community exceptional health care across many areas:

State-of-the-art cardiovascular care

featuring a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Cardiac Center

of Excellence, as well as expert care from the physicians of

McLaren Cardiovascular Group and McLaren Cardiothoracic

& Vascular Surgeons

Minimally invasive and robotic surgeries

offering patients shorter hospital stays, less pain and scarring,

quicker recoveries, and overall better outcomes

World-class cancer care through McLaren Cancer Institute

the largest cancer care network in the state, including McLaren

Medical Oncology Associates, an outpatient facility where

oncologists, nurses and the cancer treatment team take pride

in being part of each patients family support system

McLaren Orthopedic Hospital

the states largest dedicated orthopedic hospital and third busiest

joint replacement facility, as well as a Blue Cross Blue Shield of

Michigan Blue Distinction Center for knee and hip replacement

Comprehensive womens health services

for all stages of life provided in a comfortable and inviting

atmosphere, as well as a birthing center that combines a

compassionate labor and delivery team with a warm,

soothing setting

To find a physician, visit mclaren.org/lansingdoctors.

401 W. Greenlawn Ave., Lansing, MI 48910 | (517) 975-6000mclaren.org/lansing

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PeoPLe neWSg r Cct, a young proessionals

networking organization, has elected its 2013 board

o directors: Mc Mtt, president (Merrill

Lynch); gbll Js, secretary; Pt tl,

treasurer (Doctors Company); nm But,

communications chair, (Martin Waymire);a

r, special events chair (Capital Area IT Council);

B gll, networking programs chair (Fraser

Trebilcock); rcl zlst, membership chair

(MSU); Mtt Subsk, sponsorship and nance

chair (Maner Costerisan); anda Kbusk,media chair (Capital Area Michigan Works!);

d Lck, a shareholder

in st Swts Lansing

oce, will teach a course on

Public Private Partnerships

(P3) to law students at

the University o Western

Ontario. Mr. Lick will be

joined by the Canadian

Consulate General RoyNorton, who will address the

class.

Publcm, ic., a ull-

service marketing and

communications rm, has

promoted S hks

to administrative accounting

assistant.

T aSU gup, an employee owned corporation

that provides services to the insurance industry

and sel-insured organizations, elected its 2013

ocers and ESOP Committee. The 2013 Board o

Directors is as ollows: T oC Lrs,

Jms r. Mttws, Km Plk and db

Cls. The ollowing individuals were elected as

ocers o the corporation or 2013: db Cls,

president, S htm, secretary/treasurer,T oC Lrs, chairman andJms r.

Mttws, vice chairman. The Board appointed

the ollowing to the ESOP Fiduciary Committee:

db Cls chair, Cl hs, C

Js andau Pk. The Board elected the

ollowing as ESOP Trustees:Jms r. Mttws

chair and S htm. The ollowing

individuals were appointed to the ESOP Advisory

Committee: Ts Cp chair,Jul Sms

and Kst Spl.

The local CPA and business advisor y rm oM

Csts is pleased to announce thatJ

all, CPa, CgM and B Twll, CPa,

have been promoted to senior manager.

Throughout 2012, MSU l Ct U

oered a variety o special promotions to celebrate

its 75th anniversary. MSUFCU recently announced

the winners o its two 75th anniversary grand prizes:

Pl num, who won a $7,500 Classic Travel

package, and Mcl husck, who won a $7,500

git card to Wheat Jewelers.

Tw M a a Tuck, a

home and business moving

company, is pleased toannounce the addition o a

new employee at the Lansing

oce.am Wls

was recently hired as a move

consultant.

J yu is one o the newest additions to the

e Ptsps team, assisting as a marketing

and public relations intern.

Jssc st also joins e Ptsps as a

public relations intern.

T gt Ls

Ct vsts

Buu is pleased to

announce that sales manager

ht Cp Km

recently earned the highly-

regarded Certied Meeting

Proessional designation rom

the National Convention

Industry Council.

T Cptl aMuctu Cucl

has named Mcll

C as the new

executive director.

om B iju

rbltt Ctis excited to announce the

addition od. rbcc

Wtt as the new medical

director. Rebecca Wyatt,

D.O., specializes in Physical

Medicine and Rehabilitation

at Michigan State University.

L Bl, branch manager or

Cts Bk in Lansing,

has received the companysprestigious Business Banking

Certicate. The certicate,

which takes up to a year

to earn, requires successul

completion o a series o

educational classes combined

with hands-on training while

working with business owners.

Mcll Bb has been named the new vice

president o agent services at gtus.

M Csts is pleased to announceJ

L. Stl, CPa as a new principal eective January 1,

2013.

y & y, CPas &

Busss Csultts,

is pleased to announce

that Su Sp has

joined the rm as marketing

director.

Members o T M

d Lck

S hks

am Wls

ht Cp Km

Mcll C

d. rbcc Wtt

L Bl

Su Sp

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Congratulations toJssc Wstm-Su,

occupational therapist at om B iju

rbltt Ct, or achieving her certication

as a Certied Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS).

The Lms, ewt,

Psl, ds & gtt

P.C. law rm is pleased

to announce thatJck C.

ds has been named the

2013 Board Chair or the

Lansing Economic AreaPartnership (LEAP, Inc.)

Bts Sulus, a project

engineer at Mtlst

ittl ic., was

recently recognized by The

Manuacturing Institute,

Deloitte, University

o Phoenix, and the

Society o ManuacturingEngineers with a Women

in Manuacturing STEP

(Science, Technology, Engineering and Production)

Award or her excellence and leadership in

manuacturing.

abm & g, P.C., Ctf Publc

accutts, is pleased to announce 2013 promotions

at the East Lansing oce:J Smt, CPa,

was promoted to manager andal W was

promoted to senior auditor.

St Wlk has joined M Csts as a

business solutions specialist.

Stunned by the tragedy in Newtown, Conn., olt

Cll senior Ptt g, Lansing, elt compelled

to do something to help. She designed a T-shirt

honoring the 26 victims six women, 12 girls, eight

boys which she began selling on Facebook. The

project has now raised more than $4,000 or the Sandy

Hook Support Fund administered by the United Way

o Western Connecticut, with orders coming in rom 38

dierent states. Patty hopes to raise $5,000 by Feb. 22,

the nal day to purchase a T-shirt.

CoMPany neWSPublcm, ic., a ull-service marketing

communications rm, was chosen rom among 11

contenders to provide public relations services to

support the grand opening o Cabelas Outpost Store in

Saginaw.

y & y CPas is helping to advance Michigans

growth by nurturing companies through pro bono

services under the Pure Michigan Business Connect

initiative. This initiative, developed by the Michigan

Economic Development Corporation (MEDC),

connects early-stage Michigan companies with

proessionals who will provide legal, accounting and

other services at little to no cost. Over the next ve

years, Yeo & Yeo will donate up to a grand total o

$250,000 in services to select Pure Michigan BusinessConnect program participants.

LaCU has purchased a reestanding building in

Mason to oer members easier access and additional

services. Currently located inside the Mason Meijer

store, the LAFCU branch will be expanding and

relocating to a acility at 750 N. Cedar St., next to

McDonalds and just o U.S. 127 in Mason.

olt Cll was recently awarded a $5,000 grant

rom Stt m isuc Cmps in supporto its Char les Trubac Endowed Scholarship. Trubac,

who previously served as regional vice president o State

Farm, is a trustee emeritus o the college and a ounding

member o its Risk Management and Insurance Center.

Clk Cstuct Cmp ocials proudly

joined in the celebration marking the grand opening o

the renovated Michigan State University Union. Clark

Construction served as Construction Manager on the

MSU Union project.

On January 3, the U.S. Department o Energy

announced that it has awarded nms and

MBi up to $2.5 million to develop new enzyme-based

technologies to convert corn stover into sugars or

subsequent conversion into biouels.

A new year heralds in a new NAME or Aging Services

o Michigan, now known as LAgeMc.

Inormation about its new initiatives can be ound at its

web site, www.LeadingAgemi.org.

Plt M PLLC, one o the nations largest

certied public accounting and business advisory

rms, has been named or the 15th consecutive year

to FORTUNE magazines list o the The 100 Best

Companies to Work For.

T gt Ls Ct vsts

Buu is pleased to announce that it has successully

achieved re-accreditation rom the Destination

Marketing Accreditation Program.

McL gt Ls was recently awarded

Primary Stroke Certication rom the Healthcare

Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP), an

independent accreditation organization recognized by

the Centers or Medicare and Medicaid Services.

ast Ct U has put the nishing touches on

its newest location, 5615 W. Saginaw Hwy. in Lansing.

The new branch opened January 22, 2013. Asteras

Waverly Rd. location has transitioned to entirely

administrative unctions.

MSU l Ct U (MSUFCU) recently

partnered with Michigan State Universitys University

Housing, Child and Family Charities, and Auburn Hills

Fireghters Helping Hands or its 2012 Giving Tree.

Sixty children rom MSUs University Housing and

ninety-our children rom Child and Family Charities

received gits rom their holiday wish lists. Fivechildren rom the Auburn Hills Fireghters Helping

Hands program received gits, and a check or more

than $1,100 was also presented to this organization.

Members o T M

Jck C. ds

Bts Sulus

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14/16

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ARy2013

FOCUS

Chamber i act

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w Dc ac fcy 2685 Jy rd, ok.

keeping things onthe up-and-up.

(and the down-low)

Reaching new heights,

building stronger foundations,

elevating human achievement.

Architecture, Engineering & Planning

c2ae.com 866.454.3923

Michigan

Lansing Gaylord

Grand Rapids Escanaba

Kalamazoo

New YorkCanton

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15/16

15

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ARY2013

FO

CUS

Chamber i act

group

M3 Group is a full-service

branding agency rallying

together to move businesses

forward. To add momentum

to your branding efforts, give

us a call at 517.203.3333 or

check out www.m3group.biz

to learn more about what we

can do for you.

BRAND FORWARD

614 Seymour Ave. | Lansing, MIP 517.203.3333 | F 517.203.3334

www.m3group.biz


16/16

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGEPaidLANSING, MI

PERMIT NO. 622

The Stadium District

500 East Michigan Avenue, Suite 200

Lansing, MI 48912

Ph. 517.487.6340

lansingchamber.org

Address Correction Requested

to get youHere There.

517.853.2700www.mercbank.com

At Mercantile Bank, we know that when

you succeed, we succeed. Thats why

we are here to offer you innovative

banking solutions, tailored to your

needs. So whether you are looking for

a business loan, a home mortgage or

personal banking services, discover a

local bank thats focused on you and

where you want to be. Mercantile Bank.

Here to get you there.

(L-R) Standing: Annie Wittenberg, Tom Hoban, Brad Wahr

(L-R) Sitting: Mark Conn, Heidi McNaughton

3737 Coolidge RoadEast Lansing, MI 48823

4711 Lrcc Focus Feb 2013 Final

Documents

Transcript of 4711 Lrcc Focus Feb 2013 Final