JANUARY 2013

IntegrAted StrAtegIeS
Un Consultants Delivering Value
PLUS
Meet our 2013 Board of Directors AthenA Award Luncheon highlights LRC-PAC targets Local elections

CEO, Integrated Strategies

Steve trechA

JANUARY 2013

FOCUS

A Message From the President

the Focus Shifts to 2013

Welcome to 2013! Im sure you have noticed that the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce decided to kick-off the New Year with a new look for FOCUS magazine. We think the attractive new FOCUS will continue to be a must-read with members of our organization and something youll want to keep around the office as a resource for yourself, employees, clients and visitors. In addition to the new layout and graphic design for FOCUS, you will notice several new features that we feel will allow us to highlight the great work being done by our members, provide timely updates on important news from around the region and keep you informed about Chamber events to ensure they are included on your schedule. Many of our members have found FOCUS magazine to be a valued part of their business-to-business advertising program, as evident by the record number of advertisers that participated in 2012. The new layout is designed to offer even more attractive marketing opportunities for your organization. Much like the new and improved FOCUS magazine, we are excited about the prospects for a great year in 2013. The Chambers 101st Annual Dinner, an event that is always a highlight for business networking and member recognition, will take place on Thursday, February 28. Our team has been working hard to make this annual event a very special evening for the business community. The 2013 Economic Club series promises to be one of our best ever, with an outstanding roster of speakers that youll find highlighted in this months FOCUS. In response to feedback weve received from many of our members, the Chamber is also introducing a new Small Business Education Series in 2013. These forums will offer educational programs designed to help our members sharpen their skills in areas including social media, marketing, new trends in human resources, healthcare and more. The coming year will also be a pivotal year in local elections. The Lansing Regional Chambers Political Action Committee intends to be actively involved in supporting candidates in key races that include the mayoral and city council races in the City of Lansing. We head into 2013 with great optimism and tremendous leadership. The Chambers dynamic Board of Directors will be chaired by Paula Cunningham of Capitol National Bank, with Bill Kimble of C2AE serving as chair-elect. Our Chamber Board and staff are committed to providing resources and networking opportunities to help your business grow and flourish. Our team will continue to provide leadership that is dedicated to working towards a strong regional economy which will offer a brighter future for us all.

2013 Board of directors

Officers
Paula Cunningham
Capitol national Bank

BOArd chAIr PASt chAIr

nancy McKeague
Michigan health and hospital Association

chAIr eLect
Bill Kimble
C2Ae

LegAL cOUnSeL
Jeff hicks
hicks & Mullett, PLLC

tim daman
FOCUS President and CeO Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce

treASUrer
Jeff Fineis
Andrews hooper and Pavlik

PreSIdent
tim Daman
Lansing Regional Chamber

division directors
IntL BUSIneSS ServIceS
Jean Schtokal
Foster, Swift, Collins and Smith, P.C.

2
JANUARY 2013

We head into 2013 with great optimism and tremendous leadership. Our team will continue to provide leadership that is dedicated to working towards a strong regional economy which will offer a brighter future for us all.

gOvernment reLAtIOnS
Kevin McKinney
McKinney & Associates

mArKetIng & cOmmUnIcAtIOn

Joe Ford
netvantage Marketing

memBerShIP ServIceS
Deb Muchmore
Marketing Resource Group

At-Large
Farm Bureau Insurance

Dave Baker

Accident Fund holdings McLaren Greater Lansing

Steve Reynolds Patrick Salow

Fifth third Bank PnC Bank

Melanie Bergeron
two Men & A truck Michigan State University

Mark Burnham Leslie Brogan

Comcast Jackson national Life Insurance

Jason Sanders tim Salisbury heather Shawa-DeCook

Demmer Corporation Common Wealth enterprises

John Brown Stella Cash

Sparrow health System

tom Stewart Bob trezise

LeAP, Inc.

Shelly Davis-Mielock
Mieshel Image Consulting Dean transportation Conquest Fitness and health

Patrick Dean

Spartan Internet Consulting Auto-Owners Insurance

Ryan Vartoogian Bill Woodbury

Andre hutson Dave Mulder

Meijer, Inc.

AdvertISerS
Blue Cross Blue Shield ...........................5 C2Ae ......................................................7 CAMW ....................................................3 Dean trailways/Black Car .................... BC Flagstar Bank ........................................19 M3 Group ...............................................5 McLaren ................................................11 MSUFCU ...............................................15 Ross Woodstock ...................................16

The FOCUS is on 2013. I hope it is your best year ever.

Focus
Ross Woodstock

edItOr

deSIgn & PrIntIng

Spartan Printing, Inc. hot Prospects Direct trumpie Photography

mAILIng

cOver PhOtO

news & events

Save the dates
101st Annual Dinner: Thursday, February 28 at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center 2013 Legislative Dinner: Tuesday, March 19 at the Crowne Plaza Lansing hotel (formally the Lexington Lansing hotel) Grub Crawl: Tuesday, June 11 at the Eastwood Towne Center Lansing Open: Tuesday, August 20 at Eagle Eye Golf Course ATHENA Awards luncheon: Thursday, December 12 at the Kellogg hotel and Conference Center
thUrSdAy, FeBrUAry 28 101st annual Dinner, 5:30 8:30 p.m. Kellogg
Hotel and Conference Center, 219 S. Harrison Road, East Lansing, MI 48824. With 800+ attendees, the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner is the premier business celebration and networking event in the region. This program honors the outgoing Chair and Board members, includes remarks from the Chambers incoming Board Chair and the presentation of the Community Service, Outstanding Small Business and Legacy Awards. We also honor the previous years 10 Over the Next Ten, Celebration of Regional Growth, ATHENA and ATHENAPowerlink recipients. Early Bird Pricing (before February 8, 2013): $85 individual ticket; $630 table of 8; and $140 nonmember. Regular Pricing (after February 8, 2013): $100 individual ticket; $800 table of 8; and $140 nonmember.

WedneSdAy, JAnUAry 2 Delta Government relations Committee,

8 9 a.m. Crowne Plaza (formally the Lexington), 925 S. Creyts Rd., Lansing, MI 48917. The Delta Government Relations Committee meets the first Wednesday of each month to provide a forum for business leaders to discuss important issues affecting Delta Township. To ensure adequate seating, please RSVP to Jason Green at jgreen@lansingchamber.org.

WedneSdAy, FeBrUAry 6 Delta Government relations Committee,

8 9 a.m. Delta Township District Library located at 5130 Davenport Drive, Lansing, MI 48917. The Delta Government Relations Committee meets the first Wednesday of each month to provide a forum for business leaders to discuss important issues affecting Delta Township. To ensure adequate seating, please RSVP to Jason Green at jgreen@lansingchamber.org.

tUeSdAy, JAnUAry 8 member mixer,

5 - 7 p.m. Doctors Approach. 2685 West Jolly Road, Okemos, MI 48864. $10 member, $30 non-member. Includes hors doeuvres.

tUeSdAy, FeBrUAry 12 member mixer, 5 - 7 p.m., TBD. $10 member, $30 nonmember. Includes hors doeuvres.

Conference Center, East Lansing. Speaker: John E. Sztykiel, chief executive officer and director for Spartan Motors, Inc. Sponsored by Michigan State University International Business College and Global Business Club of Mid-Michigan. Program begins at noon; please arrive early for registration & networking. Single tickets $40, or tables of 8 $300 (includes lunch). Pre-registration is required. To register for this event, please visit lansingchamber.org.

CREAT!NG business opportunity

event cOSt IS cOmPLImentAry FOr theSe enhAnced memBerShIP LeveLS:

Bronze

Gold

Silver

Platinum

JANUARY 2013

tUeSdAy, JAnUAry 22 eConomiC Club, 11:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m., Kellogg Hotel &

tUeSdAy, FeBrUAry 19 eConomiC Club, 11:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m., Kellogg Hotel
& Conference Center, East Lansing. Sponsored by Rehmann. Speaker: George Zimmerman, vice president, Travel Michigan. Program begins at noon; please arrive early for registration & networking. Single tickets $40, or tables of 8 $300 (includes lunch). Pre-registration is required. To register for this event, please visit lansingchamber.org.

FOCUS

Welcome new members

AmerIcAn eAgLe SUPerStOre/BIg FIreWOrKS
901 N. Larch St. Lansing, MI 48906-5229 (517) 574-5138 bigfireworks.com

chamber milestones
rOehmS dAy SPA
2800 E Grand River, Ste. A Lansing, MI 48912 (517) 485-9820 roehmsdayspa.com Wed like to offer a special salute to these great organizations that reached milestone anniversaries as Chamber members this month. Thank you for your continued support through the years!

FOrtIn & ASSOcIAteS, PLc

750 N. Cedar St., Ste. 3 Lansing, MI 48906 (517) 372-6500 fortinassociates.com

the rUmmeL Agency

4121 Hampton Ridge Howell, MI 48843 (517) 898-2214

cAthey cOmPAny
57 years

Better LIFe chOIceS

2114 Hamilton Rd. Okemos, MI 48864 (517) 977-1194

hArrIS APPLIed reSeArch

2933 Crestwood Dr. East Lansing, MI 48823 (216) 409-2726 harrisappliedresearch.com

QUALIty dAIry cOmPAny

53 years

the 2nd tIme ArOUnd

4737 Marsh Rd. Okemos, MI 48864 (517) 349-9377

cLArK cOnStrUctIOn cOmPAny, Inc.

52 years

cAPItAL SteeL & WIre, Inc.

240 Bridge St. DeWitt, MI 48820 (517) 327-6660 capitalsteel.net

mALOney cArPet cOmPAny

52 years

J.S. PecK reAL eStAte LLc

2114 Hamilton Rd. Okemos, MI 48864 (517) 977-1194 jspeckrealestate.com

StArr cOmmOnWeALth
13725 26 Mile Rd. Albion, MI 49224 (517) 862-5590 starr.org

PLAnte & mOrAn, cPAS

35 years

mIchIgAn PLUmBIng SeWer & drAIn cLeAnIng, Inc.

20 years

FOCUS

cOmPOUndS & crOSSBOWS FAmILy Archery center

644 Migaldi Lane, Ste. 500 Lansing, MI 48917 (517) 622-1300 compoundsandcrossbows.com

JOSePh, KrOLL & yAgALLA, P.c.

4121 Okemos Rd., Suite #10 Okemos, MI 48864 (517) 381-2663

gLenn BrOWn PrOdUctIOnS, Inc.

15 years

StrUdeLL StUdIOS
1500 Watertower Place, Ste. 200 East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 908-3951 strudellstudios.com

SymBIOSIS InternAtIOnAL
15 years

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JANUARY 2013

the KnIght cAP, Inc.

320 E. Michigan Ave. Lansing, MI 48933 (517) 484-7676 theknightcap.com

cLIntOn tASK FOrce On emPLOyment, Inc.

10 years

cOUrtLAnd cOnSULtIng
1500 Watertower Place, Ste. 200 East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 371-7810 courtlandconsulting.com

SUPerIOr BUSIneSS SOLUtIOnS

5118 Aspen Dr. Lansing, MI 48917 (517) 394-5557 inkonit.com

LAnSIng PLAtIng cOmPAny

10 years

the KOerner LAW

Group, PLLC 2211 Association Dr., Ste. 200 Okemos, MI 48864 (517) 993-5838 koernerlawgroup.com

PLAStIc & cOSmetIc SUrgeOnS, Pc

10 years

cULverS reStAUrAnt
8488 West Saginaw Hwy. Lansing, MI 48917 (517) 622-4300

tAmAKI
310 N. Clippert Lansing, MI 48912 (517) 483-2650 tamakiroll.com

rUm rUnnerS dUeLIng PIAnO BAr & dAnce cLUB

10 years

tOtAL vALIdAtIOn cOrP.

10 years

eAgLe Bend PrOPertIeS

2114 Hamilton Rd. Okemos, MI 48864 (517) 977-1194 jspeckrealestate.com

neOterIc cOnSULtIng
2211 Association Dr., Ste. 200 Okemos, MI 48864 (517) 883-5839 neotericconsultingllc.com

AdvAnced mAnAgement, Inc.

5 years

the WOOLLey LAW FIrm, PLLc

4601 W. Saginaw Hwy., Ste. E-4 Lansing, MI 48917 (517) 575-7660 thewoolleylawfirm.com 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.

AUtO-LAB (cOmPLete cAr cAre center)

5 years

BreSLIn StUdent eventS center

5 years

the emBASSy grILL

5421 W. Saginaw Hwy. Lansing, MI 48917 (517) 323-9960 theembassygrill.com

nOrthStAr cAPItAL
180 W. Michigan Ave., Ste. 800 Jackson, MI 49201 (517) 783-5325 northstar-capital.com

dOWdIng IndUStrIeS
5 years

FLOOrIng AmerIcA cArPet StUdIO

5 years

FOrce By deSIgn
333 Albert Ave., Ste. 600 East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 927-3505 forcebydesign.com

PArAdISe FUnerAL chAPeL

Administrative Center 3137 Pennsylvannia Ave. Lansing, MI 48910 (989) 754-4826

h & h mOBIL
5 years

OPPOrtUnIty reSOUrce FUnd

5 years

SPArtAn SIgnAtUre cAterIng

5 years

thank You renewing members

A-1 Rent-All Stop A/V Consultants & Rentals Clark Construction Company, Inc. Clinton Task Force On Employment, Inc. Coldwell Banker Hubbell BriarWood Conway CPA & Associates PLLC Cottages Decorating Cracker Barrel Cumulus Media Dale Carnegie Training/ Ralph Nichols Corp. Dart Development Group David Chapman Agency, Inc. Dible Builders, Inc. Doctors Approach Dermatology & Laser Center Dowding Industries Eaglevision eM Services, LLC Eyde Company (The) Farm Bureau Insurance Financial Strategies Corporation of Michigan/New York Life Flooring America Carpet Studio Franchino Mold & Engineering Friedland Industries, Inc. Gallagher & Associates CPAs, PLC Glenn Brown Productions, Inc. Godfrey Wise Berg, CPAs & Advisors, LLC Gordon Food Service Marketplace Great Lakes Horticultural Services Greater Lansing Chapter United Nations Assn.USA H & H Mobil Holt Senior Care and Rehab Integrated SCM Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center Keystone Design Group | Architects Kingsley Moving Systems Lansing Plating Company Liberty Coin Service MacIntyre & Cowen ReMax Grand River Maloney Carpet Company Midwest Collaborative for Library Services Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, P.L.C. MSU Forest Akers Golf Courses Opportunity Resource Fund Pace & Partners, Inc. Plante & Moran, CPAs Plastic & Cosmetic Surgeons, PC Portnoy & Tu, DDS, PC. - Family Dentistry Preuss Pets Publicom, Inc. Purity Cylinder Gases, Inc. Quality Dairy Company Reid Machinery, Inc. Rum Runners Dueling Piano Bar & Dance Club Sams Club #4781 Shaheen Chevrolet, Inc. Spartan Motors Inc. Spartan Signature Catering Stamprite Supersine State Farm InsuranceGreg Lemanski Sweetie-licious Bakery Cafe SYMBIOSIS International T. A. Forsberg, Inc. The Doctors Company The Summit Sports and Ice Complex Aim High Sports Tomie Raines, Inc. Total Validation Corp. Vertalka & Vertalka, Inc. VisionCare Associates, P.C. Watertown Charter Township XIAO China Grille & Lounge

gr w
a healthy work force.
Sustainable health care solutions for your small business

ACE Cleaning & Restoration Advanced Management, Inc. AMPM, Inc. Andrews Hooper Pavlik PLC APCO, Inc. Auto-Lab (Complete Car Care Center) Baker Drivetrain Breslin Student Events Center Burcham Hills Foundation Capital Insurance Services, Corp.

Your Chamber Exclusively Endorses

Capitol Income Consultants Cathey Company CBRE

Learn more today.

Contact the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce at 1-517-487-6340 or visit mibenefitadvisor.com/lansingchamber.

Brand Development Marketing Campaigns Video Production Social Media Public Relations Website Creation

MARO Employment and Training Association Martin-Waymire Advocacy Communications Meiers & Lombardini Insurance Services Michigan Academy of Family Physicians Michigan Christian Campus Ministries

bcbsm.com/grow
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
R011752

517.203.3333 www.m3group.biz 614 Seymour Ave. Lansing, MI 48933

Michigan Plumbing Sewer & Drain Cleaning, Inc. Michigan Virtual University

R011752_FOCUSAd.indd 1

12/11/12 4:52 PM

JANUARY 2013

FOCUS

RedHead Design Studio

Board of directors

Paula cunningham to Lead chamber Board in 2013 Bill Kimble to Serve as chair-elect
Paula Cunningham of Capitol National Bank has been elected Chair of the 2013 Board of Directors for the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce. Cunningham succeeds Nancy McKeague of the Michigan Health and Hospital Association who will remain on the Board serving as past chair. Bill Kimble of C2AE will serve as chair-elect in 2013, and will be in line to serve as board chair in 2014. It is an honor to lead this great organization and to work with such a talented Board of Directors, said Cunningham. This upcoming year is filled with many exciting challenges and opportunities for us to help move our region forward. Cunningham and Kimble will lead the 29-member LRCC Board, which includes six new members: Andre Hutson, Conquest Health and Fitness; Bill Woodbury, AutoOwners Insurance; Patrick Salow, McLaren Greater Lansing; Shelly Davis-Mielock, Mieshel Image Consulting; Stella Cash, Sparrow; & Tom Stewart, Common Wealth Enterprises.

FOCUS

6
JANUARY 2013

Paula Cunningham Board Chair Capitol National Bank

Nancy McKeague Past Chair Michigan Hospital Association

Bill Kimble Chair Elect C2AE

Jeff Hicks Legal Counsel Hicks and Mullet PLLC

Jeff Fineis Treasurer Andrews Hooper and Pavlik

Tim Daman President Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce

Joe Ford Division Director, Marketing & Communications Netvantage Marketing

Jean Schtokal Division Director, International Business Services Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith P.C.

Deb Muchmore Division Director, Membership Marketing Resource Group

Kevin McKinney Division Director, Government Relations McKinney & Associates

At-LArge
Dave Baker, Farm Bureau Insurance Melanie Bergeron, Two Men & A Truck Mark Burnham, Michigan State University Leslie Brogan, Comcast John Brown, Jackson National Life Insurance *Stella Cash, Sparrow Health System *Shelly Davis-Mielock, Mieshel Image Consulting Patrick Dean, Dean Transportation *Andre Hutson, Conquest Fitness and Health Dave Mulder, Meijer, Inc. Steve Reynolds, Accident Fund Holdings *Patrick Salow, McLaren Greater Lansing Jason Sanders, Fifth Third Bank Tim Salisbury, PNC Bank Heather Shawa-DeCook, Demmer Corporation *Tom Stewart, Common Wealth Enterprises Bob Trezise, LEAP, Inc. Ryan Vartoogian, Spartan Internet Consulting *Bill Woodbury, Auto-Owners Insurance * denotes a New Board Member

Membership Services

(expanding our base)

Burley-Guminiak & Associates, Consulting Engineers is now C2AE.
C2AE welcomes the staff and clients of Burley-Guminiak & Associates, Consulting Engineers to the C2AE family. A Michigan-based architectural, engineering, and planning firm, C2AEs expertise has continually grown since 1966. By keeping people firmly at the center of every design, C2AE delivers projects that thrive. A true balance of scale and agility allows us to handle complex assignments and tailor unique solutions, elevating a diverse range of clients. Our New York office will have access to the quality and expert services that C2AE is known for. This expands our specialized team of water and wastewater engineers, furthering our knowledge and ability to serve more water and wastewater clients than ever before.

Architecture, Engineering & Planning c2ae.com 866.454.3923

Michigan: Lansing Gaylord Grand Rapids Escanaba Kalamazoo New York: Canton

JANUARY 2013

FOCUS

reaching new heights

economic club

Spartan motors ceO John Sztykiel to Kick Off 2013 economic club Luncheon Series
Spartan Motors, Inc. (SMI) CEO John Sztykiel will kick-off the 2013 luncheon speaker series of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Economic Club. The initial Economic Club luncheon of 2013 will be held Tuesday, January 22 at the MSU Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center.

tUeSdAy, JAnUAry 22
John Sztykiel, CEO, Spartan Motors, Inc. Sponsored by: MSU International Business College & Mid-Michigan Global Business Club

thUrSdAy, nOvemBer 21
Celebration of Regional Growth Awards Sponsored by: Loomis, Ewert, Parsley, Davis & Gotting P.C., & PNC Bank

tUeSdAy, FeBrUAry 19
George Zimmerman, Vice President, Travel Michigan Sponsored by: Rehmann

thUrSdAy, decemBer 13
2014 Economic Forecast TBD We have an exceptional speaker lineup for the 2013 Economic Club speaker series, said Tim Daman, LRCC President & CEO. Each speaker will bring a set of unique experiences, knowledge and insight that promises to be informative and beneficial to the Greater Lansing business community. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for the 2013 Economic Club series. Tickets are $40 per event or $300 for a table of eight. Tickets can be purchased at www.lansingchamber.org. Economic Club luncheons are held from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at the Michigan State University Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center. For any questions, please contact Jennifer Wagemann, Manager of Events and Programming, at 517.853.6456 or jwagemann@lansingchamber.org.

John Sztykiel

mArch 14 Or mArch 21
TBD Sponsored by: Capitol National Bank

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JANUARY 2013

Sztykiel has nearly two decades of management experience at Spartan Motors. He began his career at SMI as director of marketing for the Companys diversified products group before being promoted to executive vice president and then to vice president of sales. He has served as the Companys president and chief operating officer for 10 years, leading Spartan Motors through one of its most dynamic periods of growth. The 2013 Economic Club lineup also includes top executives of Dart Container, Travel Michigan, the Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delaney, MSU Athletic Director Mark Hollis, and a joint presentation by executives from the Mayo Clinic and Sparrow Health System. The current speaking line-up for 2013 includes:

APrIL 18 Or APrIL 25
TBD Sponsored by: The Eyde Company

FOCUS

thUrSdAy, mAy 23
Jim Lammers, Vice President & General Counsel Dart Container Sponsored by: Fahey Schultz Burzych Rhodes PLC

thUrSdAy, SePtemBer 12
Jim Delaney, Commissioner, Big Ten Conference Mark Hollis, MSU Athletic Director Sponsored by: Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C.

thUrSdAy, OctOBer 17
Joint Presentation from Mayo Clinic & Sparrow Sponsored by: Sparrow Health System

Fifth third economist Forecasts economic Upturn in the Second half of 2013
The second half of 2013 is looking favorable for an economic upturn, assuming Congress and the President dont step off the fiscal cliff. That was the message delivered to the December Economic Club luncheon by Mitch Stapley, chief fixed income officer for Fifth Third Asset Management. We are really seeing signs of improvement, said Stapley. 2013 without the fiscal cliff should be better in the second half of the year. Stapley said that in talking with business people around the country there is strong sentiment that the economy is looking better, but that positive feeling has been clouded by uncertainty in recent months because of the fiscal cliff and approaching healthcare changes in 2014. One of the most important things we can do is to give people some clarity, said Stapley. They want to know, what are my taxes going to be? Stapley told the Economic Club audience there are many positive indicators that point to a strong second half of 2013, especially the uptick in the housing market coupled with low interest rates, a growing export market and an uptick in manufacturing and auto sales. We are seeing more optimistic signs than we have in a long time, said Stapley.

Fifth Third Asset Management economist Mitch Stapley told the December Economic Club audience: We are seeing more optimistic signs that we have in a long time.

Membership Services

AthenA Award Luncheon honors Stella cash

Stella Cash was honored as the 2012 ATHENA Award recipient at the third annual ATHENA Award luncheon, held December 6 at the Kellogg Center at Michigan State University. Cash currently serves as vice president of development and strategic partnerships at Sparrow Health System. She also enjoyed three successful careers at Michigan State University; first as director of the MSU Dietetic Program; later in the Department of Radiology; and finally, leading the MSU Alumni Association. Stella also has a long history of community involvement and mentoring other women. Reflecting on her roots growing up in what she called sub-rural Arkansas, Stella proudly credited her father, who despite his own third grade education, insisted that Stella receive a college degree. Stella told the crowd that her degree served as the foundation of her life. It showed me what someone with limited ability can do with their life, said Stella. Stella and her husband of 50 years, Jerry Cash, moved to Michigan in 1975. In accepting the award, Stella noted that Michigan is her home. This community is the community of my family, said Stella. I cant thank you enough. The annual ATHENA event also served to recognize the Chambers ATHENAPowerlink winners: Heidi Brumbach of Technish Creative (2012) and Jane Mitchell of Jungle Jane Promotions (2013).

Get ready for the business networking event of the year! The 101st Annual Dinner of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC) is scheduled for Thursday, February 28. The Annual Dinner will take place from 5 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at the MSU Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center. Registration can be completed at www.lansingchamber.org. LRCC is encouraging nominations for Community Service and Outstanding Small Business awards, both of which will be presented at the Annual Dinner.

The nominees for the Community Service Award will be evaluated using the following criteria: An outstanding individual who has given of their time and expertise in making the Lansing region a better community; Selected for accomplishments above, beyond and outside their own field of endeavor; Person selected must demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in their business and profession throughout their entire career, and be of sound moral character; and Additional consideration will be given to nominees who are Chamber members.

The 2012 Annual Dinner award winners, l-r: Jeff Stevens, Maner Costerisan (Legacy); Dr. Marcy Street, Doctors Approach (Outstanding Small Business); and Bob Hoffman, Wharton Center (Community Service).

The recipient of the Outstanding Small Business Award is a local small business that has demonstrated stability, innovation, commitment to community, ability to overcome challenges and commitment to diversity. Award qualifiers: Must have 2-64 full-time equivalent employees (including all independent contractors); Business is physically located in the tricounty region; Minimum of three years conducting business as both a legal and active owner; During those three years, the business must have been local for the entire period; and During those three years, the business must have remained in the same general industry.

Nominations are due by 5 p.m. on January 25 and should be mailed to Lansing Regional Chamber Awards, PO Box 14030, Lansing, MI 48912; faxed to 517-4846910; or emailed to mrahl@lansingchamber.org. The Chambers Legacy award will also be presented at the Annual Dinner. The Legacy Award honors a long-time Chamber member organization with an established history of outstanding support for the Chamber and the Greater Lansing region.

JANUARY 2013

101st Annual dinner Slated for February 28

FOCUS

2012 ATHENA recipient Stella Cash and Dr. MaryLee Davis, the very first ATHENA recipient (1982) and the person to nominate Stella for the 30th ATHENA Award.

Members of the Integrated Strategies team gather for their morning meeting in the Huddle Room, l-r: Donna Kreps, Tony Fedewa, Ivan Keener, Keith Henry, Erik Trecha and Jeff Brown.

Integrated Strategies
Un Consultants Delivering Value
It doesnt take long to realize that Integrated Strategies is not your typical consulting firm. In large part thats due to the fact that the companys co-founder and CEO, Steve Trecha, is not your typical consultant. In fact, Trecha and his team are reluctant to even use the term consultants. Whatever one chooses to call Integrated Strategies and its team members, there is no denying what the company has become since Trecha and an MSU Professor started the company in the basement of Trechas home in the late 1980s highly successful. Integrated Strategies is widely recognized for its work in helping more than 75 companies world-wide achieve hundreds of millions of dollars in cost reductions and profitability enhancements. They do this while building employee job enrichment and transforming business cultures and operations. Integrated Strategies approach to helping clients is noteworthy in a number of ways. Unlike many consulting companies, the firm does not focus on where to cut jobs, but rather emphasizes achieving double-digit value through price/cost reductions, revenue enhancements, business efficiencies, asset utilization, and employee job enrichment. Trecha points out that the Integrated Strategies approach is unique. We are probably the only consulting firm that has never recommended a headcount reduction, said Trecha. We have never reorganized a company and have never recommended a new computer system. These are the simple consulting solutions. The foundation for the Integrated Strategies approach was built during the early years of Trechas career. He earned a bachelors degree in Engineering Arts and an MBA in Materials and Logistics Management at Michigan State University. He worked his way through school as an automotive assembler at Flints GM Truck Assembly and later as a sub-contract quality inspector. It was during his undergrad years that Trecha began to shape his non-traditional problem solving approach that emphasized working collaboratively to empower people and create more value. Trecha discovered the people on the shop floor had great improvement ideas, but were frustrated because they were not being heard and felt held back by management Most companies operate under the premise that the person with the most stripes has the best answer; its a misnomer, said Trecha. Its about getting alignment and engaging cross-functionally, including the boots on the ground while working collaboratively. The stripes are left at the door, no one cares who gets the credit and the expectation for creating double-digit value becomes a reality. Trecha went on to have a successful industry stint and then worked for a major consulting firm. He came to realize that traditional consulting was not his forte right about the same time he and his wife Ellen started a family. He needed more work-family balance in his life. Thats when Integrated Strategies became a reality.

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JANUARY 2013

FOCUS

Steve Trecha, CEO, Integrated Strategies

From the humble roots of the Trecha family basement to the current headquarters at a former Sports Illustrated racquetball club in Okemos, the company continues its hands-on, roll up our sleeves approach to helping its clients. Typical of the non-traditional approach is the unconventional manner in which the team starts each workday. Team members gather at 8:30 a.m. in what is affectionately called The Huddle Room. Staff huddles together for ten minutes on a single topic. Topics include such areas as motivational topics, helpful hints, and improvement opportunities. Discussion is facilitated by a different team member each day.

We are probably the only consulting firm that has never recommended a headcount reduction. We have never reorganized a company and have never recommended a new computer system.
When we started the Huddles thirteen years ago, some felt it was a dumb idea, said Trecha. After three months, the team insisted that we make it permanent. The huddle drives esprit de corps, builds critical thinking and communications skills and is actually a fun time for our team to be together. We have a treasure trove of huddle learnings in our knowledge library. Clients in multiple industries agree that the Integrated Strategies approach works. Consider some of the success stories: Within 36 months, Amway Corporation achieved over $100 million in value while transforming its global supply chain and sourcing operations. Today, they operate as best in class; and RSI - Burger King Corporation designed and implemented a North American distribution strategy, encompassing over 10,000 stores and 1,300 franchises, which captured over $50 million in value within 12 months. They are now viewed as a best in class supply chain operation in the Quick Service Industry. Most recently, Integrated Strategies helped the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) successfully undergo a supply chain transformation. Within nine months, the MDOC improved its prisoner food service; developing a healthy, whole foods approach while meeting 100% of the dietary requirements and reducing costs over 25%. Integrated Strategies saved the State tens of millions of dollars and they are not done yet. The company also helped Corrections improve its electronic monitoring, staff training, and its prisoner transport system. These are all examples of complex businesses requiring a transformational approach, said Trecha. The client teams, supported by strong leadership alignment, are the heart and soul of the project and deserve all the credit. Trecha insists on a corporate structure that emphasizes his team members and he proudly shares with them the well-deserved recognition the firm has received. In 2011, Integrated Strategies was recognized by the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce with the Outstanding Small Business Award. The company holds the State of Michigans Quality Leadership award and was recently tapped as a 21st Century Visionary by the editors of Purchasing Magazine. Trecha and his team are also proud of the work they do within the community. They proudly support the Volunteers of America to eliminate homelessness for veterans; St. Johns Student Parish; St Vincent DePauls food drives; The Marine Corps Toys-For-Toys; in addition to Red Cross blood donations, local youth groups and schools in leadership. Their philosophy towards community services is, not surprisingly, quite similar to its approach to serving its clients: If you can align and enable people, they can do incredible stuff, said Trecha. After all that is success, and success is the only option!

Caring for our community

At 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

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

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

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Members On the move

PeOPLe neWS
two men and a truck, a home and business moving company, has announced the addition of Jackie goodman as an accounting assistant at the Lansing office. Paul Bemis Jackie goodman ruza Paripovic Ann Bourdon ruza Paripovic, cdPe and Ann Bourdon, reALtOr have joined the MacIntyre & Cowen office as buyers agents. the capital Area manufacturing council has named michelle cordano as the new executive director. Officials at YMCA of Metropolitan Lansing recently named LAFcUs Kelli ellsworth-etchison as Campaigner of the Year. Ellsworth-Etchison has served as vice chair and now serves as chair of the YMCA metro board annual Kelli campaign. She also serves on ellsworth-etchison the Ys executive committee and the board development committee. and Bentz were awarded $25,000 to jump-start CrowdLanding. clark construction has announced that it has hired Paul Bemis as its business development manager.

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Jacob carney

Anne noble clark construction company is pleased to announce the following staff additions: Jacob carney has been hired as a project engineer; Anne noble has been hired as a marketing coordinator; and terry Stewart has been hired as a project engineer.

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JANUARY 2013
terry Stewart

michelle cordano Jeffrey c. hicks, managing partner of hicks & mullett, PLLc and legal counsel for the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, was recently reelected to the Delta Township Board as trustee. Mr. Hicks practices extensively in the areas of real property and business law. Kentwood Office Furniture announced that Anissa Scroggin has joined Kentwood Office Furniture as designer in the Lansing, Michigan office.

tdS telecommunications corp. announces the promotion of randy Ingalls. He will now be a solutions consultant and continue working out of the Okemos, Mich. office. Lansing attorney mark Kellogg was recently elected as the president of the Michigan Chapter of American Association of Attorney-Certified Public Accountants (AAA-CPA). mark Kellogg derek hitchcock, former administrator of the Michigan Department of Human Services Bureau of Juvenile Justice, has joined highfields as director of residential services. michigan State University Federal credit Union (mSUFcU) has announced the winning entrepreneurs for the MSUFCU startUP Challenge: Phil threadgold and Andy Bentz, the founders of CrowdLanding, an information site aggregating web application for the equity crowdfunding industry. As the winners of the startUP challenge, Threadgold

Jeffrey c. hicks

laFCus Pat spyke participating in White House discussion on the so-called fiscal cliff.

Anissa Scroggin Following a thorough national search, davenport University has named michael r. Bowers, Ph.d., as Dean of the Donald W. Maine College of Business. He will begin in his new role on Jan. 7, 2013. michael r. Bowers

Most executivesespecially financial executives would want to avoid fiscal cliffs at all costs, so why is LAFcUs Patrick Spyke investigating one? Turns out, Spyke has been tapped by the White House Business Council and Business Forward to do just that. Spyke, along with other business leaders from the Midwest, participated in discussions at the White House on Dec. 3, 2012, to provide real-world input on a variety of topics, including the so-called fiscal cliff. Jennifer m. tichelaar, an attorney with the gallagher Law Firm, has been appointed by the Michigan State Bar Association Board of Commissioners to serve on the State Bar Character and Fitness Committee.
Jennifer m. tichelaar

Members On the move

Kester K. So, a member in the Lansing office of dickinson Wright, PLLc, was one of 11 lawyers nationwide recently elected a Fellow of the American College of Bond Counsel at its meeting in Chicago. Kester K. So clark construction announced it has hired carl Schuemann as a senior estimator. richard Kraus richard Kraus, a shareholder in Foster Swifts Lansing Office, has been elected as Chair of the American Institute of Appellate Practice (AIAP). of Grand Rapids, Michigan and Ventcon, Inc. of Allen Park, Michigan. Okemos-based Lezotte miller Public relations Inc., on behalf of its client, Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel, won the Michigan Society of Association Executives Diamond Award for print newsletters in October. The annual awards program recognizes excellence and innovation in associations. Several festivals produced by the michigan Institute for contemporary Art were recognized for their event marketing excellence recently in the Michigan Festivals and Events Associations MichiganFun Awards. Local festivals Old Town BluesFest, Michigan Mosaic Music Festival and Lansing JazzFest walked away with seven awards in the promotion budget under $15,000 category, including being named best of the best of all entries for a collage of photographs documenting performers at 2012s Lansing JazzFest.

carl Schuemann Gov. Rick Snyder has appointed Brian d. Philson, president and chief executive officer of highfields Inc., to the Michigan Board of Social Work. Philsons four-year term begins on January 1, 2013, and expires at the end of 2016.

Jim robinson

ray tadgerson

Brian d. Philson

renalia Smith duBose

victoria cruz-garcia Sue Kohler

clark construction marketing manager Sue Kohler announced her retirement from the company, effective December 21, 2012, after 17 years of service at Clark and 40 years in the construction industry.

laFCus Patrick spyke and Kelli ellsworth-etchison proudly display the Delta township business of the Year award.

thomas m. cooley Law School has added three new faculty members at the schools Tampa Bay campus. Professor renalia Smith duBose of Plant City, Fla.; Professor victoria cruzgarcia of Tampa, Fla.; Barbara Kalinowski and Professor Barbara Kalinowski of Canton, Mich. will begin teaching in January as the school expands to offering afternoon classes.

The local CPA and business advisory firm of maner costerisan is pleased to announce Jeffrey L. Staley, cPA as a new principal effective January 1, 2013.

Officials at delta township named LAFcU the Business of the Year at a community awards event held recently. LAFCU was praised for how its employees constantly give back to the community through its volunteer leadership to organizations and committees throughout the Tri-County Area. cASe credit Union is pleased to announce that it has been selected as one of The Detroit Free Press Top Workplaces. The Top Workplaces are determined based solely on employee feedback. Lansings best chefs recently came together for stronger, healthier babies at the march of dimes Signature Chefs Auction. The event, hosted by the Kellogg hotel and conference center, raised over $70,000. hobbs+Black Associates, with an office in Lansing, has received the Healthcare Environment Award from the Center for Healthcare Design. The award was for the Tucson Medical Center Pediatric Renovation project.

cOmPAny neWS
For the third year in a row, honigman miller Schwartz and cohn LLP has been ranked among the nations most prominent law firms in several key practice areas by U.S. News Media Group and Best Lawyers 2013 Best Law Firms in its national rankings. clark construction company has announced that it has awarded three of its sub-contractors with Clarks 2012 Trade Contractor Safety Award; Glazing Solutions, Inc of Morrice, Michigan, Choice Concrete

JANUARY 2013

The following have been elected as officers of the Board of directors of the mid-michigan Business travel coalition: Jim robinson, chair (Michigan Farm Bureau Insurance); ray tadgerson, vice-chair (Tadgerson Consulting); tim daman and tim daman, treasurer (Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce).

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Members On the move

In celebration of their 75th anniversary, mSU Federal credit Union (mSUFcU) had a Pay it Forward week. During the week of November 4, MSUFCU allocated $7,500 for residents in the Greater Lansing area. MSUFCU donated to people at a variety of locations including local businesses and non-profit organizations. Warner norcross & Judd LLP was nominated by medical device manufacturer Stryker Corp. as a Go-To Law Firm for patent prosecution. Data was gathered from Fortune 500 Companies general counsel and through research in key databases to determine which law firms Fortune 500 companies rely upon for outside counsel in a number of key practice areas. Wondering what to do on a Saturday night? Look no farther than LansingnightOut.com, a dining/entertainment search engine for the greater Lansing area. Visitors to the LansingNightOut.com site will discover a range of events and specials going on around the city and region. LansingNightOut.com also offers a free mobile app, My Night Out, for iPhone & Android. The mobile application is the first of its kind in mid-Michigan. mSU Federal credit Union will soon add its tenth Mid-Michigan location with a full-service branch within the Sparrow Professional Building in Lansing, anticipated to open in early 2013. national Association of career Women, a nonprofit organization devoted to the enhancement of womens personal and professional development, announced The Oldham Project Be Bold. Feel Beautiful as its 2012 Holiday Charity Drive recipient. c2Ae, a full-service architectural, engineering, and planning firm, announced the merger with a Canton, New York engineering firm Burley-Guminiak & Associates, Consulting Engineers, P.L.L.C. the Lexington Lansing hotel officially becomes the crowne Plaza in 2013 as the region grows as a destination for business and entertainment. With this positive change, the Crowne Plaza Lansing joins 390 Crowne Plazas throughout the world with 99 more anticipated to open. cASe credit Union is pleased to announce that it will be sharing the Option 1 credit Union facility at 2400 West Road in East Lansing beginning early in 2013. davenport University has received the first annual Higher Education Excellence in Diversity award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. A merger of mSU Federal credit Union (mSUFcU) and eaton county educational credit Union (ececU) has been approved by the credit unions respective boards of directors. The proposed merger is contingent upon the approval of regulatory agencies and a majority of ECECUs members. LAFcU, Greater Lansings community credit union, recently presented one large check to the Capital Area United Way. LAFCUs goal was to raise $20,000 and they exceeded that by more than 10 percent, raising a total of $22,087.52. Following a nine-month competitive process, the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) announced its selection of clark/christman, a joint venture team of clark construction group (Bethesda, MD) and the christman company (Reston, VA and Lansing, MI) to provide construction management services for the renewal of the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, DC. For the second consecutive year, mSU Federal credit Union was named one of the Top 100 Workplaces in Michigan by the Detroit Free Press. Olivet college recently conducted its ninth weeklong trip to New Orleans, La. to aid Hurricane Katrina victims. A group of 16 students and two faculty members visited the hurricane site during December. In addition, they spent one night with the Morgan-Scott Project in Deer Lodge, Tenn., where they delivered new, unwrapped toys for families in need. In the 4th annual Pixie Awards, an animated television spot for greenstone Farm credit Services produced by messagemakers walked away with the gold. Room to Grow won a Gold Pixie Award in the motion graphics category. The Pixie Awards recognize outstanding work in animation, motion graphics and special effects, the fastest-growing area in the world of video and TV production. AL!ve, the experience-based, destination health park in Charlotte, Mich., has expanded its facilities, programming and hours; increasing the services and experiences offered to the mid-Michigan community. hobbs + Black Associates Inc. is proud to announce their recent publication in the prestigious AIA Academy Journal of Architecture for Health. The article, A Sustainable Model: Creating Facilities with a Future, was the foremost feature in the 14th edition of the Academy Journal. The article highlights how Hobbs + Blacks ground breaking design of the Dearborn Town Center will serve as the gold standard for the future of medicine. clark construction company officials proudly joined in the celebration marking the opening of the new FireKeepers Hotel and Event Center in Battle Creek, Michigan. A ribbon cutting ceremony officially opening the 242-room hotel was held on December 12, 2012. Clark Construction served as Construction Manager for the FireKeepers Hotel and Event Center. capital Area michigan Works! recognized four companies this year for their dedication to workforce and job creation. These four companies who received the Employer of the Year award include: the Woodbridge Group, Franchino Mold and Engineering, L&S Associates, and Michigan Farm Bureau. The law firm of miller canfield is adding insurance benefits for lawyers and staff raising children with autism. Although the firms insurance plan is selffunded and not impacted by the Michigan Autism Reform legislation passed in March 2012, Miller Canfield is taking a leadership role by offering the benefit to all U.S. employees regardless of Michigan residency for the diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Liquid Web, a rapidly expanding managed hosting company with hubs in Michigan and Arizona, just announced updates to its recently introduced block storage product, Storm HPBS. HPBS stands for High Performance Block Storage, and consists of isolated storage volumes, ranging from 150GB to 15TB in size, that can be attached and detached from servers. The law firm of miller canfield was honored to serve as co-bond counsel for the Michigan Finance Authoritys (MFAs) successful refinancing of Michigans entire federal unemployment insurance loan. In June, the MFA closed on its largest fixed rate bond deal ever, enabling the state to repay a $3.2 billion Unemployment Trust Fund loan -- and creating significant savings for Michigan employers. dickinson Wright PLLc is pleased to announce that The Bond Buyer, the only comprehensive news outlet for municipal finance, selected The Michigan Finance Authoritys multibillion dollar refinancing of the states federal unemployment insurance loan as the 2012 National Deal of the Year. Dickinson Wright Attorneys Terence M. Donnelly, Kester K. So, and Thomas V. Yates served as co-bond counsel to the Michigan Finance Authority on the bond issue.

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Members On the move

the greater Lansing convention and visitors Bureaus recently held its second annual mitten drive as part of The Holiday Showcase, which is designed to bring area event planners and local event services providers, hotels and meeting facilities together for networking. Organizations that exhibit at the event were encouraged to decorate their booth with outdoor winter wear, which would then be donated to area charitable organizations. The event hosted 67 booths and welcomed over 130 attendees, most of which participated in the effort, which ultimately collected 1,047 pairs of mittens and gloves, 34 headbands, 28 scarves and 17 hats. Olivet colleges Lester K. Kirk center has been listed as one of the Top 100 Modern Buildings in Michigan, according to a study conducted by Lord, Aeck & Sargent for the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office. the Summit Sports and Ice complex is sponsoring a Sweetheart Skate on February 9 from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. More information can be found at www.thesummitsportsandice.com.

Unforseeable circumstances happen all the time to businesses. But, what do you have in place if it were to happen to yours? Have money available for those just in case times with a Business Line of Credit* from MSUFCU. Our Business Lines of Credit offer: Limits up to $1,000,000** Interest-only payments available Payments based only on credit used No application fee No prepayment penalty 24/7 remote account access Have the funds ready when you need them. Apply for your Business Line of Credit today.

The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC) is pleased to announce that Susan Hengesbach has joined the LRCC team as independent business development representative. Hengesbach has worked in the government relations area within state government for the past 37 years. She has also been active with the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce for many years, currently serving as chair of the LRCC Ambassador Susan hengesbach Committee. She is very active in the community, serving on the Advisory Board for the YMCA Wellness Center, ATHENA WIN, Inspiration-Networking for Empowered Women, Habitat for Humanity and the Greater Lansing Womens Forum.

Federally insured by the NCUA

517-333-2365 800-678-4968 www.msufcu.org/business

Branch Locations East Lansing 3777 West Rd. 4825 E. Mt. Hope Rd. 523 E. Grand River Ave. MSU Union, 49 Abbot Rd., Rm. 108 Lansing 104 S. Washington Sq. 653 Migaldi Ln. 200 E. Jolly Rd. Haslett 16861 Marsh Rd. Okemos 1775 Central Park Dr. Auburn Hills 3265 Five Points Dr.
* Business Loans are currently available to Michigan-based businesses only. ** Maximum amount allowed to borrow on a Business Secured Line of Credit is $1,000,000. Maximum amount allowed to borrow on a Business Unsecured Line of Credit is $100,000 and is based on the performance and creditworthiness of the company applying.

JANUARY 2013

Susan hengesbach Joins chamber team as Independent Business development representative

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Have Backup Funds Ready in Case of an Emergency

Regionalism

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Six Area municipalities Seek State grant to Aid in regional Fire Service collaboration efforts
Six area municipalities that have been collaborating on a regional strategy to share fire services have filed an application with the State Treasury Department for funds to assist in implementing the upcoming phases of the process. Fire departments from the cities of Lansing and East Lansing and the townships of Meridian, Lansing, Delta and Delhi are seeking a grant from what is known as the Economic Vitality Incentive Program (EVIP). The purpose of this program is to provide incentive-based grants to cities, villages, townships, and counties that elect to combine government operations. The grants are to offset the costs associated with mergers, inter-local agreements, and cooperative efforts for approved projects that occur on or after October 1, 2011. This is a necessary first step in the process to help our fire departments make a sensible transition towards regional delivery of fire services, said Randall G. Talifarro, Lansing and East Lansing Fire Chief. There are many complex issues that have to be resolved including developing consistent policies and procedures for all six jurisdictions. It will take some time, but it is important that we negotiate those issues in a way that creates a win-win for all parties involved. We know that regional fire services will look different ten years from now, said John Elsinga, Delhi Township Manager. The EVIP grant will assist us in making sure we navigate all of the complex issues in ways that will allow us to build a regional fire service that will be among the very best in Michigan. We are all committed to developing a program for shared fire services that will enhance efficiency, service delivery and effectively manage costs, said Lansing Township Supervisor Kathy Rodgers. We also recognize that we must work towards those goals while keeping public safety as our first priority. The six municipalities seeking the EVIP grant recently participated in a Shared Public Services Study conducted by Plante Moran. The study, which was funded by the six municipalities, the Michigan Municipal League Foundation, the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC) and the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP, Inc.), proposed a careful, phased approach to service sharing, building upon existing cooperative initiatives. LRCC has been pleased to take a leadership role to promoting regionalism. In 2011, LRCC combined with Michigan State University President Lou Anna Simon and local business leaders to establish a working group that was tasked with developing a vision for more regional approaches with the local governmental structure. The Shared Public Services Study was an outgrowth of that groups efforts. We are encouraged by the progress the six municipalities are making in advancing some of the recommendations in the Plante Moran study, said LRCC President and CEO Tim Daman. These are challenging issues that will take some time to address, but everyone is approaching this with a spirit of doing what is in the best interests of all the citizens in the region.

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Ross Woodstock Executive and Professional Coaching

Kolt Communications

Helping PEOPLE Succeed. Helping ORGANIZATIONS Grow.

Ross@Koltpr.com | 517-706-0001 www.ROSSWOOdSTOck.com

Government relations

Lrc-PAc targets Local elections in 2013

Local elections, led by the race for Mayor of Lansing and four seats on the Lansing City Council, will highlight the agenda for the Lansing Regional Chamber Political Action Committee (LRC-PAC) in 2013. The LRC-PAC is expected to be actively involved in endorsing and providing financial support in several key races. The Lansing City Council is the governing body of the largest municipality in the region. The effectiveness of this body and the economic health of the city impacts the entire region, said Tonia Olson, director of governmental and community relations for Granger and 2013 LRC-PAC chair. The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce and the LRC-PAC are interested in being part of the solution for the challenges facing our capital city. As we head into the 2013 election, we have already begun our process focusing on candidates that share this vision. Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero is expected to seek a third four-year term in 2013. Lansing City Council At-Large seats held by Brian Jeffries and Kathie Dunbar will be on the ballot, as will the Second Ward seat held by Tina Houghton and the Fourth Ward seat held by Jessica Yorko. In recent years, the Lansing City Council has suffered from efforts by some council members to block important development projects in the city. City Council deliberations have often been labeled as dysfunctional by many observers frustrated by the nature of discussions that often occur on the 10th floor of Lansing City Hall. In a 2011 survey conducted by Marketing Resource Group, Lansing voters gave the City Council a D+ when asked to grade the Council on issues the voters considered important. Clearly there are some members of the Lansing City Council that have been outof-step with the will of the voters, said Kristin Beltzer, LRCC senior vice president for government relations and public affairs. We must have a Lansing Mayor and City Council that will work together to implement pro-business policies that will bring more growth to our region.

Lrc-PAc hosts meet and greet for elected Officials

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20 local elected officials and candidates attended the LRC-PAC Meet and Greet to learn more about the resources the Chamber has available to help officials engage with the business community.
The Lansing Regional Chamber Political Action Committee (LRC-PAC) recently gave 20 current local elected officials and candidates an opportunity to meet and greet Chamber staff and LRC-PAC Board members. The event, held at the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, provided an opportunity for elected leaders to further understand what resources are available to help them engage and interact with the business community. Its important for elected officials to understand how the Chamber works to promote business growth and sound public policy for the Greater Lansing region, said Kristin Beltzer, LRCC senior vice president for government relations and public affairs. We want our officials to better understand how we can effectively work together.

The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors recently visited with two of the regions new state lawmakers. State Representatives-Elect Sam Singh of East Lansing and Andy Schor of Lansing said they look forward to working with the other local lawmakers that make up the Capitol Caucus in addressing important issues in the region. Singh and Schor, both Democrats, stressed their strong relationships with local lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, and predicted that Capitol Caucus members will be able to work together for the good of the Greater Lansing region.

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Chamber In Action

the lansing regional Chamber participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony on november 15 for Doctors approach Dermatology & laser Center, 2685 W. Jolly rd., okemos. Pictured l-r: Jennifer engler, Wendy Cook, Courtney mich Pa-C, Cheryl bentley. Christina inman FnP, Dr. Wallace Walker DDs, Keisha Pointer, Dr. marcy street, Peggy brown, marceine street, sophia Watson, Jennie lee, Dr. Helen barash, Colleen Houpt.

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over 150 members of the Greater lansing business community attended the lansing regional Chamber Holiday mixer hosted by michigan state university Federal Credit union at their headquarters on West road, dubbed the emerald Palace. Food and drink was provided by mortons Fine Catering while entertainment was provided msu College of music Jazz studies.

(From left to right) richard mclellan, education advisor to Governor rick snyder, Peter ruddell, Chief Drafter of the proposed michigan Public education Finance act, and Kristin beltzer, senior vice President of Government relations and Public affairs for the lansing regional Chamber of Commerce, welcome business leaders to the first review of the new michigan Public education Finance act, which was drafted to replace the school aid act of 1979.

the lansing regional Chamber of Commerce celebrated a ribbon cutting event with new member Caring Compassionate Health Care agency, llC, 1200 e. Grand river ave., lansing, mi on november 30, 2012. in photo, Carol Wood (lansing City Council), barb schram (lrCC ambassador), erich buchner, Jimmy brown, Christine Goedert, leeray brown, mushirah muwakkil and Jason Green (lrCC).

the lansing regional Chamber of Commerce is proud to welcome new member J.s Peck real estate, llC, 2114 Hamilton rd., okemos, mi 48864 by celebrating a ribbon cutting event on December 7, 2012 with owner Jeff Peck, his two sons maxwell Peck (left) and Zachrey Peck (right). Chamber ambassador mike Demartelaeren and Chamber staffer Jason Green also attended the ribbon cutting.

Chamber In Action

Local matters.
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We like this state. No, we love this state. Its who we are. Its 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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