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Celebration of Regional Growth
Salutes: Air Lift Company, Biggby Coffee,Dowding Industries & Gillespie Group
Focus.October.2011
Since its inception in 2006, the Celebration ofRegional Growth has clearly dened itself as theshowcase business and economic celebration forthe Greater Lansing region. In the past six yearsthe Celebration has honored 36 organizations that
have combined to invest more than $1 billion inour region.
The 2011 Celebration of Regional Growth willjoin with the Lansing Economic Club on November10 and pay tribute to four outstanding businessesthat in their own unique manner have made asignicant mark on the Greater Lansing region.
2011 Celebration honorees are: Biggby Coffee,Dowding Industries, Gillespie Group and Air LiftCompany, which will receive the second annualInternational Trade Award.
We couldnt have selected four more deservingorganizations, said LRCC president and CEO,Tim Daman. They reect the entrepreneurial spiritthat is causing a shift in our economic landscapeacross a diverse number of industry sectors.
Air Lift Compa
Air Lift has long been regardedas an industry leader in theengineering of light vehicleair suspension products. The
company is being presented with the InternationalTrade Award in recognition of its growth in
international sales which has led to Air Lift beingone of the rst companies to move cargo throughPort Lansing. Air Lift products are now soldin 33 countries and the company hopes newpartnerships around the globe will increase that
number.
Were trying to align ourselves with keydistributors who are already established in certainmarkets such as Ireland and Australia, said Air Liftpresident & CEO Kevin Mehigh. Working throughthose companies is helping us market innovativeproducts.
Air Lift employs 75 people at its corporateheadquarters on Snow Road in Delta Township.The facility was recently expanded, doubling itscapacity, which should be a sign of more growthin the years ahead.
Biggb Coff
Biggby Coffee has become a householdname in the Greater Lansing region andbeyond. Bob Fish, working with partnersMichael McFall and Mary Roszel,
combined his passion for business andcoffee to open the rms rst store (then knownas Beaners) near the MSU campus in 1995. Fishknew from his days growing up in Europe that theU.S. was lagging in the coffee market.
When the specialty coffee market started toemerge, I saw that as a real opportunity, saidFish, who serves as Biggbys CEO.
To say Biggby has capitalized on the opportunity
would be an understatement. The companycurrently has 137 stores open or under contract.Same store sales in the past 12 months grew11.14 percent, compared to an industry averageof just .05 percent. Biggby, which has a goal ofreaching 300 units by 2015, was recently namedthe fastest growing coffee chain in America byCNBC.
Dowdig Idutri
Dowding Industrieslocated in Eaton
Rapids has transformed its decades-long expertisein machining technologies and repositioned itselfon the cutting edge of the rapidly developing wind
novembernovember2011
industry. Dowding and its subsidiary, Astraeushave developed new technologies that will lowerproduction time required in the manufactureof hubs for wind turbines, and automate themanufacturing process for wind turbine blades.
The new era manufacturing techniques will leadto lower costs for the production of wind turbinesand is making Astraeus competitive on a nationalscale.
It would be neat to think that little ole DowdingIndustries could have a big impact on somethingthat might turn out to be so important around the world, said Dowding Industries president JeffMetts.
Gillpi Group
Gillespie Group is being honoredfor the renovation of the MarshallStreet Armory building onLansings Eastside. GillespieGroup president, Pat Gillespie
who grew up on Lansings Eastside, had a visionto develop the building in a way that protected thehistorical integrity of the Armory and t into thecharacter of the surrounding community.
Gillespie is quick to credit local banks andcredit unions that were willing to work togetherin a creative way to provide nancing for theproject, including Capitol National Bank, SummitCommunity Bank, CP Credit Union and Lake TrustCredit Union.
It is very uncommon for nancial institutions to
work together like this, said Gillespie. Withoutthat willingness, this project would not havehappened.
The Marshall Street Armory will soon be home toseven non prot organizations, which will allowthem to combine ofces and organizations withcommon themes, encouraging collaboration andefciency.
Congratulations to the well deserving 2011
Celebration of Regional Growth honorees andthank you for all you mean to the Greater Lansingregion.
We couldnt haveselected four more
deserving organizations,
said LRCC president and CEO, Tim
Daman. They reect the
entrepreneurial spirit that
is causing a shift in oureconomic landscape
across a diverse number
of industry sectors.
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2
Loomis .........................................7
Accident Fund ...........................7
Comcast .....................................8
PNC ...........................................10
Blue Cross Blue Shield .............12
2011Board o Directors
OfcersCHAIR OF THE BOARD
Ron SimonAuto-Owners Insurance Company
PAST CHAIRVic Verchereau
Farm Bureau Insurance Company
CHAIR ELECTNancy McKeague
Michigan Hospital Association
LEGAL COUNSELJeff Hicks
Hicks & Mullett, PLLC
TREASURERMichelle Gallagher
Gallagher & Associates
PRESIDENTTim Daman
Lansing Regional Chamber
Division Directors
INTL BUSINESS SERICESJason Sanders
Fifth Third Bank
GOERNENT RELATIONSKevin McKinneyMcKinney & Associates
ARKETING & COUNICATIONPaula Cunningham
Capitol National Bank
EBERSHIP SERICESSteven HessAccident Fund Insurance Company of America
At-Large
FocusEDITOR
Ross Woodstock
PRINTINGSpartan Printing, Inc.
AILINGHot Prospects Direct
Tim DamanPresident and CEO
Lansing Regional
Chamber of Commerce
Thee orgniztion reect
the economic diverity tht
h become the cornertone
of our region ucce.
The common thred i
commitment to innovtion nd
n entrepreneuril pirit tht
wont be broken.
When we started the Celebration of Regional Growth ve years
ago, it was intended to be exactly what the title of the event suggests a
celebration. Many of us in the community felt we needed to take some
time each year to say thank you to great organizations who have
invested so much in helping to make our region great. They are
organizations that individually have achieved high levels of success intheir own way, and collectively tell a compelling story about the new
economy of Greater Lansing.
Auto-Owners, Delta Dental, Accident Fund, Jackson National,
MSU Federal Credit Union and Greenstone Financial.
Lansing has become the home of a dynamic insurance and nancial
services sector which is fueling our entry into the knowledge-based
economy needed to thrive in the 21st century.
General Motors, Gestamp, Spartan Motors, Demmer, MahleProductsand Emergent BioSolutions.
No more rust belt image. We are international leaders in advanced, high
tech manufacturing with state-of-the-art production facilities and a
skilled labor force that stands head and shoulders above the rest.
FRIB, Liquid Web, Techsmith and Technology Innovation Center.
Were on the cutting edge of world-class research and home to 350
technology companies, many of which are rapidly growing and
developing exciting new products.
Capital Region International Airport, Neogen, Board of Water
and Light, Granger, Sparrow Health System and Ingham Regional
Medical Center.
Our region has become increasingly active in the global economy.
We are leaders in healthcare and clean energy.
Dean Transportation, Peckham Industries, Wieland-Davco,
Christman, Meijer, Wharton Centerand Two Men & A Truck
International.
Companies that reect the ent repreneurial spirit, work ethic and quality of
life that have helped make our region an ideal place to live, work and play.
Add to the list our 2011 honorees: Airlif t Company Biggby Coffee,
Dowding Industriesand Gillespie Group.
These organizations reect the economic diversity that has become the
cornerstone of our regions success. The common thread is a
commitment to innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit that wont be
broken. Each one of these organizations has demonstrated impressive
growth, visionary leadership and a deep commitment to the GreaterLansing region..
Lets have the Celebration continue!
A MessageFrom The President
Focus.October.2011
Celebrating Greatness
in Greater Lansing
Melanie BergeronTwo Men & A Truck International
Lon BohannonNeogen Corporation
John BrownJackson National
Life Insurance Company
Mark BurnhamMichigan State University
Patrick DeanDean Transportation
Joe FordNetvantage Marketing
Pat GillespieGillespie Group
Mark KelloggFraser Trebilcock
Bill KimbleC2AE
J. Peter LarkLansing Board of Water and Light
Deborah MuchmoreMarketing Resource Group
David MulderMeijer
Brian PriesterLSJ Media
Timothy Salisbury
PNC Bank
Jean G. SchtokalFoster, Swift, Collins & Smith
Heather Shawa-DeCookDemmer Corporation
Dennis SwanSparrow Health Systems
Ryan VartoogianSpartan Internet
Advertisers
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3
News &Events
Focus.October.2011
WeDnesDAy, nveBe 16EasT Las / MEa EMET ELaTs CMMTTEE, 8 9a.m. Walnut Hills Country Club, 2874 Lake Lansing Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823. The East Lansing /Meridian Government Relations Committee meets the third Wednesday of each month to provide a forumfor business leaders to discuss important issues affecting East Lansing/Meridian Township. To ensureadequate seating, please RSVP to Jason Green at [email protected].
ThsDAy, DeCeBe 1CaME 360, 8 9:30 a.m., Lansing Regional Chamber of CommerceInsurance Capital Board Room, 500 E. Michigan Ave., Ste. 200, Lansing, MI 48912. New, veteran andprospective members are encouraged to attend Chamber 360, sponsored by ASK, to learn about the fullrange of Chamber benets and how to maximize your investment. Meet our staff and nd out how we areworking for you through business growth and advocacy initiatives, exclusive member benet programs,member exposure, networking and educational event opportunities. This is a FREE event, but space islimited. To register for this event please visit www.lansingchamber.org.
WeDnesDAy, DeCeBe 7 ELTa EMET ELaTs CMMTTEE, 8 9 a.m. Lexington Lan-sing Hotel, 925 S. Creyts Rd., Lansing, MI 48917. The Delta Government Relations Committee meets the
rst Wednesday of each month to provide a forum for business leaders to discuss important issues affectingDelta Township. To ensure adequate seating, please RSVP to Jason Green at [email protected].
ThsDAy, DeCeBe 8 2011 aTEa aa PEsETaT, 11:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. Kellogg Hotel& Conference Center, East Lansing. Welcome Nancy McKeague as the 2011 recipient and take a look backat the history of ATHENA at this celebratory event. $55 member, $400 table of eight. To register for this eventplease visit www.lansingchamber.org.
TesDAy, DeCeBe 13 MEME MxE, 5 - 7 p.m., Sponsored by Lisa Wall Interior Design at TheTurner Dodge House 100 E. North Street, Lansing, MI 48906. $10 member, $30 non-member. Includes
hors doeuvres. *EVENT COST IS COMPLIMENTARY FOR THESE ENHANCED MEMBERSHIP LEVELS:BRONZE, SILVER, GOLD, PLATINUM*
ThsDAy, DeCeBe 15 ECMC CL, 11:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m., Kellogg Hotel & ConferenceCenter, East Lansing. Speaker: Richard Yamarone, Bloomberg Economist. Sponsored by Comcast.Program begins at noon; please arrive early for registration & networking. Single tickets $40, or tables of8 $300 (includes lunch). Pre-registration is required. To register for this event please visit www.lansing-chamber.org.
WeDnesDAy, DeCeBe 21 EasT Las / MEa EMET ELaTs CMMTTEE, 8 9
a.m. Walnut Hills Country Club, 2874 Lake Lansing Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823. The East Lansing /Meridian Government Relations Committee meets the third Wednesday of each month to provide a forumfor business leaders to discuss important issues affecting East Lansing/Meridian Township. To ensureadequate seating, please RSVP to Jason Green at [email protected].
Event cost is complimentary or these enhanced membership levels:Bronze Gold Silver Platinum
2011 ATHENAAward PresentationThursday, December 811:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m.
Kellogg Hotel andConference Center
$55 member/$400 table of eight
www.lansingchamber.org
Welcome NancyMcKeague
2011 ATHENA Recipient
WeDnesDAy, novemBer 2 ELTa E-
MET ELaTs CMMTTEE, 8 9 a.m.
Lexington Lansing Hotel, 925 S. Creyts Rd.,Lansing, MI 48917. The Delta GovernmentRelations Committee meets the rst Wednes-day of each month to provide a forum forbusiness leaders to discuss important issuesaffecting Delta Township. To ensure adequate
seating, please RSVP to Jason Green [email protected].
TesDAy, nveBe 8MEME MxE, 5 -7 p.m., Lansing State Journal, 2960 Ena Dr.Lansing, 48917 $10 member, $30 non-mem-ber. Includes hors doeuvres.
ThsDAy, nveBe 10 ECMCCL, 11:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m., Kellogg Hotel
& Conference Center, East Lansing. Celebrationof Regional Growth sponsored by PNC andLoomis, Ewert, Parsley, Davis & Gotting, P.C.Program begins at noon; please arrive earlyfor registration & networking. Single tickets$40, or tables of 8 $300 (includes lunch).Pre-registration is required. To register for thisevent please visit www.lansingchamber.org.
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Thank YouRenewing Members
WelcomeNew Members
Focus.October.2011
Please remember to use the member login portion of the Chamber website to keep
your contact information up-to-date. This will ensure that you receive all Chamber
communications in a timely manner. Contact us at 517.487.6340 if you have
any questions or are not receiving our communications.
834 Design & Marketing
ACE Cleaning & Restoration
Big Apple Bagels
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store- West Saginaw
Executive FAN
Interface Global Alliance
KEBS, Inc.
Keystone Design GroupArchitects
Lansing Mall
Lezotte Miller Public Relations,Inc.
Red Cedar CafeEspresso & Bakery
U.S. Signal
Woodbridge Lansing
Zo Life Spa & Salon
Accident Fund InsuranceCompany of America
AECOM
Aegis Bleu, LLCAldi
AP Cleaning Company
Architectural Solutions LTD
Astera Credit Union
Biggby Coffee #206
Campbell Inc. Press Repair
Capital Area Center forIndependent Living
Capital Area Humane SocietyCapital Area Transportation
Authority (CATA)
Capital Internal MedicineAssociates, P.C.
Capital Region InternationalAirport
Cap-Lab, PLC
Cellular & More
Christine A. Tenaglia
Clark Construction Company, Inc.Comprehensive Financial
Services, Inc.
Conlin Travel
Creative Wellness HolisticHealth Center
Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa
DC Engineering, PCDean Trailways of Michigan
Delta Dental of Michigan
Dewpoint
Dimondale Nursing Care Center
Elliott Food Equipment LLC
eM Services, LLC
Encompass/EAP Work-Life& Well Being
Financial Independents, Inc.First National Bank of America
Gerald L. Gilroy, D.O., P.C.
Gillespie Group
Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan
Goodwill Industries CMH
Granger Construction Company
Greater Lansing Paint Company,LLC
Greene Wealth Management
Hacker-King-Sherry Agency, Inc.
Hobbs + Black Architects, Inc.
Holiday Lanes
Holt Church of the Nazarene
Ingham Regional Assisted Living
International Consulting &Contracting Services, Inc.Jungle Jane Promotions
Junior Achievement ofMid-Michigan
Kelley Cawthorne
King Venture (Burger King)
Lisa Wall Interior Design, LLC
M P C Cashway Lumber, Inc.
McCormick Rehabilitation
Associates, Inc.Meridian Primary Care
Michigan Financial Companies
Midwest Communications
Mieshel Image Consulting, LLC
MMI Financial Group, Inc.
NAMI Michigan
Nexcare Health Systems
NorthStar Cooperative, Inc.
Our Savior Lutheran School
Pines Healthcare Center
Pleune Service Company
ChamberMilestones
Wed like to offer a special salute to thesegreat organizations that reached milestoneanniversaries as Chamber members thismonth. Thank you for your continuedsupport through the years!
Portland Iron & Metal, Inc.
Quality Dairy Company
Queue Advertising
Radparts.com, Inc.
Rapids Tumble Finish, Inc.
Rum Runners Dueling Piano Bar& Dance Club
Servpro of Lansing
Shinberg Insurance Agency, Inc.
Small Business Associationof Michigan
Stark Agency, Inc.
T.L. Hart, Inc.Total Validation Corp.
TownePlace Suites by Marriott
Tri-County Ofce On Aging
Veolia Water North America
Wal-Mart
Warner Norcross & Judd LLP
Waterfront Bar & Grille
WELCO, Ltd.
Willingham & Cote, P.C.Woodworks & Design Co., Inc.
WorkHealth OccupationalMedical Center
Capital Area TransportationAuthority (CATA)
35 years
Capital Area Humane Society20 years
Hobbs + Black Architects, Inc.20 years
Comprehensive FinancialServices, Inc.
15 years
Dewpoint15 years
Tri-County Ofce On Aging10 years
Financial Independents, Inc.5 years
Greater Lansing Paint Company, LLC5 years
Junior Achievement of Mid-Michigan5 years
NorthStar Cooperative, Inc.5 years
Servpro of Lansing5 years
Stark Agency, Inc.5 years
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McKeague has been credited with transformingthe culture at MHA, including the establishmentof an Emerging Leaders program for youngprofessionals. She is also being recognizedfor her support of professional women andcommunity involvement, including being the
chair-elect of the Lansing Regional Chamber ofCommerce. McKeagues career will be featuredas the cover story in the December edition ofFOCUS magazine.
The ATHENA award recognizes individuals who excel in professional accomplishments,community contributions and open paths for other
as a sales assistant, where her duties includedauthorizing national contracts, assisting withsales proposals, organizing events such as TheCountry Music Fest, and working with production
staff on commercials.
In the summer of 2010, MacDonald worked asa project management intern for Leo Burnettwhere she assisted in the trafcking of GMC andBuick print, online, and broadcast media andarchived catalogue art. She also participated in
are lower than projected for small businesses inMichigan.
Blue Care also announced that its statewideaverage rate increase for the small-group marketof 50 or fewer employees will be 6.7 percent inthe rst quarter of 2012, the lowest in the past
four years.
The Blues work every day to provide qualityhealth care coverage while balancing costs,Kevin Klobucar, BCN President and CEO, said.
Nancy McKeague Named 2011 ATHENA Recipient
Lansing Regional Chamber Hires Maeve MacDonald as
Marketing and Communications Manager
Blues efforts to hold down costs paying off for many Blue Care Network groups
Nancy McKeague, who has a longhistory of businessa c c o m p l i s h m e n t s ,community service andadvocacy has been
named as the recipient ofthe 2011 ATHENA Award.McKeague, who servesas senior vice president
and chief human resources ofcer for theMichigan Health and Hospital Association (MHA) will receive her award at the annual ATHENALuncheon on Thursday, December 8.
The Lansing RegionalChamber of Commerce(LRCC) has hiredMaeve MacDonald
as the new marketingand communicationsmanager.
Maeve MacDonald hasa variety of experience
in print, online, and broadcast media. Shepreviously worked for MacDonald Broadcasting
Blu Car
ntwork willissue refunds
of 2.5 percent of billed premiums to about 5,200small businesses in Michigan with 50 or feweremployees. The total amount of the refund is $7.3million.
By addressing the drivers of health insurancecosts through innovation, making a commitmentto quality and maintaining strong relationshipswith providers, BCN is seeing medical costs that
Membership
Focus.October.2011
women to follow. The ATHENA award was createdby former Lansing Chamber President MarthaMertz in 1982 and has since spread around theworld. There are now more than 6,000 awardsbeing presented in over 500 communities in theUnited States, Canada, China, Russia, the United
Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.
The ATHENA Award luncheon sponsored byTwo Men & A Truck International takes placefrom 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Thursday,December 8 at the Kellogg Hotel and ConferenceCenter. Registration information is located atwww.lansingchamber.org.
a study abroad program in which she developedadvertising campaigns and completed aproduction book for an MSU commercial.
During her senior year at Michigan StateUniversity, MacDonald was the media director forthe American Advertising Federation and workedon an advertising campaign for JC Penny. Prior tothis position, she was a member of the Media/IMCteam and worked on an advert ising campaign forState Farm Insurance.
We provide products that encourage healthybehaviors, programs that promote preventivecare and wellness, and networks of high-qualitydoctors and hospitals. This approach is workingand translates into lower costs for Michiganbusinesses.
Go to MIBenefitAdvisor.com/lansingchamberto learn more about the exclusive Blue Cross BlueShield and Blue Care Network health care plansavailable to members of the Lansing RegionalChamber.
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The Lansing Regional Chamber of CommercePolitical Action Committee (LRC-PAC) has
announced its endorsements in the three racesfor Lansing School Board seats in 2011.Endorsed candidates are:
nicol Armbrutr was appointed to theLansing School Board in January of 2011. As a chair of the restructuring committee,she worked with parents and communitystakeholders to strengthen the Lansing SchoolDistrict. Armbruster serves as vice president of
the Lewton Elementary PTA and is an activemember of the Lansing School District Parentand Community Advisory Council. She receivedher bachelors degree in political science, witha concentration in public policy, from MichiganState University.
Jff Croff is currently vice president of marketingfor Astera Credit Union. He previously workedas community relations administrator for
Peckham, and provided direct care for persons with disabilities for CEO Community Mental
Health. As a father of two students in theLansing School District, Croff aims to bring a
unifying voice to help board members set asidepersonalities, focus on the important issues,and make the necessary decisions that willbenet students.
Ptr spadafor is currently the assistantdirector of government relations for theMichigan Association of School Boards. Hehas also served as the associate director forthe Michigan Elementary and Middle School
Principals Association. Spadafore is a lifelongresident of the capital region, and wishesto bring his expertise in school nance andeducation policy to the Lansing School Board.Spadafore studied social policy at MichiganState University.
Armbruster, Croff and Spadafore are amongcandidates on the November 8 ballot who willbe competing for three, six-year terms on the
Lansing Board of Education.
Lansing Regional Chamber of
Commerce Announces
Lansing School Board Endorsements
Advocacy
Focus.October.2011
Saying they wanted to stay out of the political
fray, Davenport University decided to withdrawits $13 million proposal to renovate the OliverTowers property in downtown Lansing as partof the land swap with the City of Lansing.
Davenports proposal called for the university tobuild a new facility on the Oliver Towers propertyand transfer its current campus near the GrandRiver to the City. After Mayor Virg Berneroannounced his support of the Davenport plan,
Lansing Community College made a cash offerof $2.52 million for the property.
Davenport dropped out of the Oliver Towerbidding after Lansing City Council failed togenerate enough votes to schedule a public
hearing on the Davenport proposal, a failure
that was blasted by Mayor Bernero.This is a sad day for the City of Lansing and asad reection on the continuing dysfunction andobstruction orchestrated by the NO Caucusof Lansing City Council, said Bernero. TheMayor was specically referring to four LansingCity Council members who voted againstscheduling the public hearing; Carol Wood,Derrick Quinney, Brian Jeffries and Eric Hewitt.
In an editorial, The Lansing State Journallabeled the failure to hold a public hearingon the Davenport proposal as a wastedopportunity. The LSJ editorial urged Lansingvoters to make their voices heard during theCity Council election on November 8.
Davenport University Drops
Out of Oliver Towers Bidding
Lansing City Council
Race Nears Finish Line
Candidate campaigns in the Lansing CityCouncil races are gearing up their get-out-to-vote campaign in the nal days before the
November 8 election. The Lansing RegionalChamber of Commerce has previouslyannounced its four endorsed candidates,
which are:
Rory Neuner, At-Large
Thomas Stewart,
At-Large
Lynne Martinez,First Ward
ALynne Robinson,Third Ward
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InternationalTrade
Focus.October.2011
LRCC has been selected to host the Central MichiganRegional Export Network (REN), which consists of19 counties: Ingham, Eaton, Clinton, Clare, Isabella,Gratiot, Jackson, Midland, Saginaw, Shiawassee,
Arenac, Bay, Genesee, Tuscola, Lapeer, Huron,Sanilac and St, Clair. LRCCs role will be to coordinatecommunication with client companies for training,development of export roadmaps and plans, andconnections to public and private service providersinvolved in global trade. Other regional hosts include
Automation Alley, Van Andel Global Trade Center andNorthern Michigan Council of Governments.
It is signicant that the SBA STEP grant that MEDC
has received will provide funds to hire a full-timeinternational trade manager housed at the Chamber
who will be dedicated to the success of this program,said Brent Case, LRCC vice president for internationalbusiness services. This is a very large undertaking,but central Michigan businesses should know that
we will have the staff resources and nancial supportto enable us to help them achieve their exportingendeavors.
Michigan companies with fewer than 500 employees
can qualify for nancial assistance through the PureMichigan STEP. Qualied businesses will be eligibleto receive reimbursement for specic export volumesrelated to new export business, with prior approval.Examples of activities that could be reimbursed underthe program are: overseas trade missions, overseastrade shows, foreign market sales trips and translationof materials and/or websites.
Organizations located in the Central Michigan region
interested in learning more about the Pure MichiganSTEP should visit www.lansingchamber.org/international-trade or contact Brent Case at [email protected] or 517-487-6340.
The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC)has been named as one of just four organizations inMichigan to help lead a state-wide initiative designedto help Michigan businesses signicantly increaseexports around the world. The Michigan EconomicDevelopment Corporation (MEDC) has launched thestatewide effort, called the Pure Michigan STEP (StateTrade & Export Promotion), which is intended to assistcompanies start or improve exporting activities. Theprogram will also help eliminate barriers to exportingby providing nancial assistance to qualiedorganizations seeking entry and expansion intoforeign markets.
We are honored to be selected for such an importantleadership role in an exciting new program that clearlyhas the potential to dramatically boost exportingopportunities for Michigan businesses, said TimDaman, LRCC President & CEO. MEDCs decisionto work with the Lansing Regional Chamber on thisinitiative is recognition of our successful efforts indeveloping the International Trade Center, and ourpartnership with the Capital Region Airport Authorityto promote Port Lansing and the Foreign Trade Zone.
MEDC will fund the Pure Michigan STEP as a resultof a $1.5 million federal grant received from the U.S.Small Business Administration (SBA) State TradeExport & Promotion grant program. The program isintended to assist business in all stages of exporting,including companies that have never exported, butare interested in learning more, organizations thathave exported on occasion and want to increase theirinvolvement in foreign markets, and expert exportersseeking to expand volume and/or enter new markets.
Participation in overseas trade shows like this one in Chinacould be reimbursed under the Pure Michigan STEP program.
Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce
to Help Lead New State Exporting Initiative
LOOMIS
124W.AlleganSt.,Ste.700Lansing,Michigan48933
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The Lansing ofce of T MEa a TCK welcomes sher-ry Cmpbell as its new businesssales and marketing coordinator.
Miller Cneld announced thatnine of its lawyers from the Lansing ofce wereselected for inclusion in Best Lawyers 2012including: onld . loomberg, ougl .
Crim, illim J.
nhof, Chrito-
pher J. embowki,
Michel J. odge,
rvey J. Meing,
Thom C. Phillip,Clifford Tylor, andsherri a. ellmn.
The Lansing ofce of T MEa a TCK has added John-n Morriett to its ofce team as amove consultant and administrativeassistant.
Trucott omn is strengthening and expand-ing its team with the addition of recent MichiganState University graduate Luren Zdeb as an
vid . uell of Foter, swift, Collin ndsmith, P.C. has been included on Michigan SuperLawyers Rising Stars list for 2011.
Emily hite has joined the cor-porate staff of Lansing-basedrnger Contruction Compny astheir human resources specialist.
Crol a. siemon,who has helpedshape, implement, and improvepublic policy as a leader in childwelfare, juvenile justice, and relat-ed social justice issues for 25
years, has joined Public Policyaocite, nc. as a senior policy consultant.
Joeph . eid, founder and CEO ofCpitol n-corp, has been honored with the St. Thomas MoreAward from the Catholic Lawyers Guild.
Kolt Communiction, nc. mediaconsultant o oodtock hasbeen certied as an Associate Cer-tied Coach (ACC) by the
International Coach Federation(ICF). ICF is the largest organiza-
tion of professional coaches in the world.
PEOPLE NEWS
Clrk Contruction
chairman JohnClrk and CEChuck Clrk have
been inducted intothe Michigan Con-struction Hall of
Fame.
After more than 26 years teach-ing at Michigan State UniversitysSchool of Packaging, Profeorsher Pul singh will retire Jan. 1to focus on his international con-
sulting business.
Fourteen attorneys from the Lansing ofce ofFo-ter, swift, Collin nd smith, P.C., have beennamed by Michigan Super Lawyers as top law-yers in the State of Michigan for 2011 including:Chrle E. rbieri, alln J. Clypool, Chrle a.
Jnen, stephen . Jurmu, ichrd Kru, vid
M. Lick, stephen J. Lowney, scott L. Mndel,
ry J. Mcy, Thom . Megher, ougl a.
Mielock, Frnk . eynold, ebb a. smith andsherry a. stein.
MembersOn The Move
Focus.October.2011
Send your news to
Maeve MacDonald
at mmacdonald@
lansingchamber.org
Sherri A.Wellman
W y b d.
Wv z y b.nternet. voice. v. thernet.
For more information, contact your local Business Account Representative
Tim Iversen
248-343-9344
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give a major boost to your bandwidth, without a major boost to your costs.
Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. Call for details. 2011 Comcast. All rights reserved. NPA79426-0012
_ - - _ . . :
Douglas W.Crim
Chuck ClarkJohn Clark
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9
associate account executive, and former legisla-
tive staffer endy Lrner as executive assistantto the CEO.
amnd smith has joined Public Pol-icy Associates asan administrativeassistant. PublicPolicy Associatesalso announced
three promotions:Mtthew rke
and n swneyFrederick havebeen promoted toresearch associateII. scott southrd
has been promoted to senior editor.
octor approch ermtology
is excited to welcome Monet Curryas staff receptionist.
aging service
of Michign hasannounced the fol-lowing promotions:enn Ludlow
Mitchell, s, hasbeen named senior
vice president for performance and education.sheri eiler, CMP, has been named vice presi-dent of business development.
Motion Mrketing nd Medi has announced thefollowing additions to their staff: yn Knott asThe Jammer, Mry McElgunn, Design Chica andsmkee deourbon, Internet Explorer.
Ktlyn icoli is the new clientdevelopment director at the ll-
gher Lw Firm.
illim .J. ull has been named vice president
for advancement atlivet College, according toan announcement by President Steven M. Corey,Ph.D.
Muchmore rrington smlley & aocite
announced thatEvelyn Evie sweeney, amongthe state capitals most admired young govern-ment affairs executives, has joined the rm as alobbyist.
rigmi rin njury ehb Center is excited toannounce the newest member of the Board ofDirectors, r. Jim sylvin, of the Michigan StateUniversitys College of Osteopathic Medicine.
The Lansing lawrm Loomi,Ewert, Prley,
vi & otting,
P.C. is pleased to
announce BestLawyers in Amer-
ica has named Krl L. otting as the LansingBest LawyersLawyer of the Year in Real EstateLaw and Michel . hode as the Lansing BestLawyersLawyer of the Year in Oil & Gas Law.
Compny ew
Modern Healthcare magazine has namedMcLren elth Pln as one of the nations
best places to work in health care, a recognitionreceived by the organization for the second yearin a row.
MegeMker announces that it has receivedtwo 2011 EMPixx Awards for its video produc-tion work.
The staff of the Ms Federl Credit nion throughits Charity Committee recently made a donation toSparrow Hospice. The donation came as a resultof numerous fundraising events organized byMSUFCU staff.
Clrk Contruction has been recognized by Con-structech Magazine as the winner of the SilverVision Award for their work with Beck Technologyin expanding the use of DProler, a program usedto estimate cost as well as create a 3D model ofmultiple buildings.
MatthewDrake
ScottSouthard
SheriDeisler
MaryMcElgunn
Karl L.Gotting
SamskeedeBourbon
Michael H.Rhodes
The information technology attorneys at Fo-
ter swift have launched a blog about the latestissues related to information technology. FindFoster Swifts Information Technology Law Blog atwww.michiganitlaw.com.
C2aE, the architectural and engineering rmresponsible for the design of the interior reno-vations of the Inpatient Mental Health Clinic atthe Ann Arbor Veterans Affairs Medical Center ispleased to announce the project has received an
AIA Grand Valley award.
Cpitol tionl nk awarded the ChildrensEducation & Admission Program at the Impres-sion 5 Science Center with a $1,000 donation tohelp children in need.
Cpitl are nited y has received assistancefrom the rnger Foundtion to help reach their2011 goal. The Granger Foundation announced
it will match donations for any organization thatconducts a rst-time fundraising campaign withintheir organization up to $20,000.
An anonymous donor has agreed to match allcontributions up to $20,000 to the Cpitl arenited y (Ca) omen Lederhip
Council.
Clrk Contruction has been selected as Con-struction Manager for an experimental mesocosmfacility at the Central Michigan University (CMU)Biological Station on Beaver Island.
McLren elth Pln has been named a Pinna-cle Award winner by the Michigan Association ofHealth Plans for its MedCheck program.
Creer Quet Lerning Center announced that itis working with Jackson Public Schools in a pilotprogram that places trained medical assistants in
area schools.
Emergent iosolution nc. landed a $1.25 bil-lion contract to supply the federal governmentwith the BioThrax anthrax vaccine.
AmandaSmith
Dana SwaneyFrederick
Deanna LudlowMitchell
Ryan Knott
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Bloomberg Economist to Present 2012 Economic
Forecast at December Economic Club Luncheon
Bloomberg senior economist,Richard Yamarone willpresent his 2012 economicforecast as keynote speakerat the December EconomicClub Luncheon on December15. The Economic Clubtraditionally features an
economic outlook from a leading economist forits year-end event.
Richard Yamarone is an economist who has morethan two decades of experience and focuses onmonetary & scal policy, economic indicators,xed income, commodities, and generalmacroeconomic conditions for Bloomberg Brief:
Economics, a daily newsletter that featuresanalysis, data and news on the forces shapingthe global economy. Mr. Yamarone and theBloomberg Briefs economics team providein-depth analysis of macroeconomic data, policyand trends and how they will impact nancialmarkets.
The December Economic Club, sponsored byComcast Business Class will be Thursday,
December 15 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center.Tickets are $40 or $300 for a table of eight.Registration information can be completed atwww.lansingchamber.org.
EconomicClub
Focus.October.2011
Sparrow Health System CEO Dennis Swan toldthe Lansing Economic Club on October 6 thathealthcare costs may be the single largest issuein the United States. Swan said that the recentlyenacted federal healthcare reform doesnt doanything to address costs.
No matter what you think of the Affordable CareAct, its time to show some backbone as a nationand make some changes.
Swan said one change that should become partof the healthcare system would be for greaterprice and cost transparency, which he said willcause consumers to become more engaged intheir own health care decisions.
Swan noted that Sparrow has over $1 billion
in net annual sales, $500 million in payroll,900 physicians and 822 beds serving patientsin the region. Sparrow is also in the midst of
Sparrow CEO Calls Healthcare
Costs Biggest Issue in U.S.
implementing a $100 million dollar investment inelectronic medical records.
Despite the emphasis on technology and criticalissues such as controlling healthcare costs, Swansaid Sparrows emphasis is rst and foremost onpatients.
We always believe the most important person inthe room is the patient, said Swan.
LSJ Media reaches 8 out of 10 adults every
week. Put LSJ Media to work growing your busi-
ness with an extensive news & media portfolio.
(Omniture, 2011 & Wilkerson, 2008)
7 millionpage viewsLSJ media is the Lansingregions #1local sourcefor news & information.
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ChamberIn Action
Focus.October.2011
Nancy McKeague of the MichiganHealth and Hospital Associationhelped lead a discussion onhow healthcare reform will affectemployee benet programs andconsequently the ability to attractand retain talent.
Regional leaders in health care, legal andinsurance industries focused on the challengesassociated with healthcare reform at the fourthannual Healthcare Forum sponsored by the
Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The staff at Red Cedar Caf Espresso & Bakery celebrate the openingof their establishment at 1331 East Grand River in East Lansing.Pictured left to right: John Creighton, Tony De Luca (LRCC), TroyCrawford, Bob Anderson, East Lansing Mayor Vic Loomis, Tony
Anderson, Sarah Morris, Cassie Anderson, Angie Anderson, SarahAnderson, Luxie Vang, Heather Patton, and Mary Stucko (LRCC).
Alisa Bennett of Blue Cross Blue Shield spoketo forum attendees about the 2014 mandatesassociated with federal healthcare reform.
Fourth Annual Healthcare Forum
Greg Rhodes of Mercer Consultingdiscussed the resources, benets and
incentives involved with preventativehealth and wellness.
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PAIDLANSING, MI
PERMIT NO. 622
The Stadium District
500 East Michigan Avenue, Suite 200
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