Jeffrey Mosher welcomes Steven Struck, CPA, principal, Maner Costerisan, Grand Rapids, MI.

RE: Maner Costerisan’s growth, culture, and community commitment in West Michigan

Q1: You’ve worked in Grand Rapids and West Michigan for many years, first with Baker Holtz and now as part of Maner Costerisan. From your perspective, what does this combination mean for clients in the region?

A: For me, the most important thing is that clients can continue working with people who know them, know their businesses, and know this community, while gaining access to a broader range of expertise and resources.

We already had strong relationships throughout West Michigan. Becoming part of Maner Costerisan gives us more capabilities to bring to those relationships as clients grow and their needs become more complex.

Q2: When two established firms come together, what is most important in getting that transition right?

A: It starts with recognizing that you’re bringing together people, relationships, and cultures — not simply two businesses.

Baker Holtz had built a strong reputation and deep roots in West Michigan over many years. Maner Costerisan brings additional scale, resources, and areas of expertise. The opportunity is to build on the strengths of both.

Q3: This year, Maner continued the former Baker Holtz charity golf outing, raising $11,000 for Family Outreach Center. Why was it important to carry that tradition forward?

A: Baker Holtz hosted the outing for 12 years, and over that time it became something our clients, business partners, and longtime relationships looked forward to each year.

Q4: Maner has earned several workplace honors in West Michigan this year, including being named a West Michigan Best and Brightest Company to Work For and ranking No. 5 on Crain’s Grand Rapids Business’ Best Places to Work in West Michigan list. At a time when attracting and retaining talent is challenging, how important is workplace culture to Maner’s ability to compete and grow?

A: It’s critical because, in professional services, our people are the business.

Clients want knowledgeable professionals who understand their organizations, anticipate challenges, and can help them make better decisions. To provide that level of service, we have to attract talented people and give them reasons to build their careers with Maner.

Q5: You’ve spent much of your career working with businesses and organizations in this community. As you look ahead, what do you want Maner Costerisan to be known for in Grand Rapids and across West Michigan?

A: We want to be known as a firm that really understands West Michigan — its businesses, organizations, and people — and as a partner they know they can turn to as their needs change and become more complex.

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On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, MBN was on the road in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The presentation explains how AI is radically changing search and the customer journey, with consumers increasingly turning to tools such as ChatGPT, Copilot, Claude, and Perplexity for answers instead of relying solely on traditional search engines. While traditional SEO remains important, businesses now also need to focus on Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)—structuring their website and other online content so AI systems can understand, cite, and recommend their business. The speaker emphasizes that a company’s website has become a critical source of truth for AI, making clear service pages, accurate information, pricing examples, FAQs, customer reviews, and testimonials valuable both to AI systems and human customers. The central message is that businesses that are not visible and properly represented in AI-generated answers risk being overlooked by potential customers, while businesses that optimize their content can improve their chances of being discovered during this new AI-driven customer journey.

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On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, MBN was on the road in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The “Beyond the Hype” session examines the rapid development of artificial intelligence and aims to help business leaders distinguish meaningful developments from headlines and hype. The speaker explains that the current AI moment is being driven by the convergence of massive amounts of data, specialized talent, advanced hardware, software development, and substantial investment, creating opportunities for businesses to access increasingly powerful technology. He argues that AI is making intelligence more abundant and scalable, potentially changing how work is performed across entire enterprises, departments, teams, and individual roles, and encourages businesses to begin by asking how AI can help their people, customers, and operations rather than simply focusing on specific tools. The presentation breaks AI into three broad categories—custom AI built for specific business needs, specific-purpose AI designed for particular tasks, and wide-applicability AI tools such as ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, Claude, Grok, and Perplexity—while emphasizing intentional use, practical applications, and meaningful value.

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On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, MBN was on the road in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The presentation focuses on helping businesses use AI practically while maintaining the human element of their work and protecting their core mission and values. Speakers emphasize creating a consistent infrastructure around AI that addresses issues such as human resources, contracts, cybersecurity, and the reliability of AI-generated information, noting that employees may already be using AI even when their organizations are not. The Better Business Bureau of Michigan demonstrates its AI assistant, Ava, which can make outbound calls and provide information about BBB services and events. The goal of the summit is to give businesses practical tools and a plan for using AI to reduce routine work, empower employees, and improve areas such as decision-making, marketing, operations, and customer service.

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On June 15–17, 2026, MBN was on the road in Ypsilanti, Michigan (with the final day at CAR’s Ann Arbor office).

The presentation examines vehicle affordability from the consumer perspective, noting that average new-vehicle transaction prices have nearly doubled from about $24,000 in 2002 to more than $47,000 in 2025. However, when adjusted for purchasing power and vehicle improvements, the increase is less pronounced, while consumers continue to view high prices as the primary reason they consider it a bad time to buy a new vehicle. The presentation also highlights how today’s vehicles are larger, heavier, more powerful, fuel-efficient, safer, cleaner, and more technologically advanced than earlier models, using the Ford F-150 as an example. Rising costs are attributed to a combination of production and material costs, labor, supply-chain disruptions, dealer and transportation costs, vehicle quality improvements, changing vehicle and trim mixes, and the shift toward electrified vehicles, with manufacturers, dealers, policymakers, and consumers all playing roles in addressing affordability.

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On June 15–17, 2026, MBN was on the road in Ypsilanti, Michigan (with the final day at CAR’s Ann Arbor office).

The 61st annual CAR Management Briefing Seminars (MBS 2026) opens with a focus on the theme “getting smarter, moving faster, leading together,” emphasizing the growing complexity and pace of challenges facing the automotive industry. The event is designed to ground discussions in objective data, independent research, and industry perspectives, with each topic beginning with a CAR research briefing before bringing in industry leaders to respond and expand on the findings. CAR also announces the release of new research on automation and AI and Michigan automotive workforce needs, along with the launch of its monthly Momentum by CAR publication to share early research findings. The opening concludes with an invitation for John Mazzella, president and CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, to begin a fireside chat with Duncan Aldred, president of GM North America.

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On June 15–17, 2026, MBN was on the road in Ypsilanti, Michigan (with the final day at CAR’s Ann Arbor office).

Mike Stanton, CEO and President of the National Automobile Dealers Association, discusses vehicle affordability, noting that high interest rates, insurance, repair costs, and rising gas prices are making new vehicles more difficult for consumers to afford. He expects the U.S. auto industry to reach more than 16 million sales while acknowledging that sales have remained relatively flat despite population growth and that consumers are keeping vehicles longer. Stanton explains NADA’s support for policies limiting Chinese automakers’ entry into the U.S. market, citing concerns including national security and data privacy, while emphasizing the importance of giving domestic manufacturers time to compete. He also defends the franchise dealer system and says NADA will continue opposing direct-to-consumer sales models that compete with established dealers, arguing that local dealers provide substantial investment, sales, service, and customer support. He also discusses the challenges facing the U.S. auto industry, including vehicle affordability, high interest rates, insurance and repair costs, and consumers keeping vehicles longer. He says the industry is on track for roughly 16 million vehicle sales and emphasizes the need for more affordable vehicles while maintaining profitability for dealers and manufacturers. Stanton explains NADA’s opposition to Chinese automakers entering the U.S. market and its efforts to protect the franchise dealer model from direct-sales competition, including Volkswagen’s Scout brand. He also stresses that dealers must improve the customer experience, earn repeat business in both sales and service, and work with manufacturers and lawmakers through dialogue, advocacy, and legal efforts to protect dealer rights.

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Originally uploaded September 8th, reloaded September 21st.

Chris Holman welcomes Marcy Hahn, Senior Attorney, Foster Swift, Southfield, and 5 total offices across Michigan

What is a “fractional general counsel,” and how is it different than hiring an attorney only when a problem arises?

Many business owners focus only on sales and operations. Why should they also be thinking about corporate governance?

Business owners often assume hiring a general counsel is only for large corporations. Why is fractional general counsel an attractive option for small and mid-sized businesses?

How does billing typically work for a fractional general counsel relationship?

If a business owner is wondering whether they could benefit from a fractional general counsel, what signs should they look for?

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August 2026:

Foster Swift Welcomes Hahn and Serra, Strengthens Business Law and General Counsel Services in Southeast Michigan

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC is pleased to announce that attorneys Marcy Hahn and Lisa M. Serra have joined the firm's Southfield office, further strengthening its business law, corporate counseling, and general counsel capabilities throughout Southeast Michigan.

With decades of combined legal experience, Marcy and Lisa bring extensive backgrounds advising businesses of all sizes on governance, compliance, contracts, risk management, employment matters, dispute resolution, and strategic growth initiatives.

As a former Fortune 10 lead counsel, Marcy Hahn has more than 20 years of experience as a corporate attorney, negotiator, and mediator. She advises companies on corporate governance, regulatory compliance, business risk management, and operational strategy. Marcy also serves as fractional General Counsel to startups and midsize businesses, partnering with leadership teams and boards to address legal issues before they become business obstacles.

Lisa Serra has more than a decade of experience helping businesses address both immediate legal needs and long-term objectives. Serving as outside general counsel for numerous small and midsize companies, she advises on contracts, employment issues, compliance matters, corporate governance, risk management, and day-to-day operational concerns. Her practical approach helps businesses make informed decisions while minimizing legal exposure.

The addition of Marcy and Lisa reflects Foster Swift's ongoing commitment to providing comprehensive legal counsel that supports clients at every stage of the business lifecycle, from startup and growth to succession planning and dispute resolution.

Originally uploaded August 27th, reloaded September 19th.

Chris Holman welcomes back Britany Affolter-Caine, Executive Director of Research Universities for Michigan (RU4M). Lansing, MI.

Welcome back, Britany. Can you remind the Michigan business community about RU4M?

When we last spoke, we were at MPC talking about the economic impact of Michigan’s four R1 universities on the state economy. What does Research Universities for Michigan (RU4M) have planned for this year?

What are you working on?

What is the Innovation Alliance?

Why does Michigan need a statewide alliance for innovation?

What role is RU4M playing in the Innovation Alliance?

If the Alliance is successful, what will be the impact in the state?

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Originally uploaded September 2, reloaded September 18th.

Chris Holman welcomes Jason Brunette, Director of Project Management, Martin Commercial Properties, East Lansing, MI.

Chris had several questions for Jason in this conversation:

For someone unfamiliar with the Capital Sportsplex Dome project, can you tell us what it is and the role Martin played in bringing it to life?

What were some of the most important considerations during preconstruction and planning?

What are some of the construction complexities involved in building a large-scale sports dome that people might not realize?

What did Martin's team bring to this project that was particularly important to its success?

When you look back from the earliest planning and site work to the completed facility, what are you most proud of?

What does successfully delivering a project like Capital Sportsplex demonstrate about Martin's Construction Services' capabilities?

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Capital Sportsplex is Lansing's newest indoor turf and

court facility designed to bring athletes and community together under one roof.

✓ Full-size indoor turf fields

✓ Multi-use sports courts

✓ Training & performance space

✓ Event-ready venue capacity