Michigan Business Network

Tony Conley welcomes back Ed Sarpolus, founder and executive director of Target-Insyght, who is recognized as one of Michigan’s most notable pollsters, analysts, and strategists. A Google search for “Ed Sarpolus” reveals hundreds of articles and videos in which his insights are sought and his opinions appreciated for their accuracy and candor. Ed is a strategist, entrepreneurial thinker, and deal-maker who has had great success crafting and implementing strategies to influence legislation, political action, and public policy discussions in Michigan and throughout the U.S., and for several clients in Europe and the Pacific Rim.

With more than 20 years of experience in market research and issue advocacy on a range of topics, including corporate competitiveness, education, and healthcare, Ed is a fixture in political, business, and media circles around the state.

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Thank you to Benjamin Robinson and Motor City Skyline's music

Tony welcomes Dave Lorenz Vice President-Travel Michigan at Michigan Economic Development Corporation

Before that Dave was already A seasoned tourism professional, Lorenz has served for more than a decade as the Industry Relations and International Marketing Manager for Travel Michigan and has been responsible for Travel Michigan's efforts in the areas of international marketing, packaged travel, conventions and meetings, industry relations and sports-event promotion. His responsibilities will now also include heading up the state’s tourism branding and marketing efforts through the award-winning Pure Michigan tourism campaign as well as coordinating overall efforts of the Travel Michigan organization.

Prior to coming to Travel Michigan in October 2002, Lorenz was the Manager of Partnerships and Promotions, for Meijer, Inc. where he was responsible for the facilitation of collaborative marketing programs with key consumer goods manufacturers such as Nabisco, Kraft, Kellogg’s, General Mills, Coca-Cola, Disney and Mattel. Lorenz attended Western Michigan University. He lives in Norton Shores with his wife, Roberta.

“This is an exciting time for our state. The economy continues to come back, our communities are becoming more vibrant and more people are able to see all of the great things our state has to offer in which to live, work and play,” said Steve Arwood, Chief Executive Officer of the MEDC. “I’m confident that Lorenz will continue to find smart, innovative ways to grow the tourism campaign, making all Michiganders proud to call this our home.”

Pure Michigan is a brand representing business, talent and tourism initiatives across Michigan. These efforts are driven by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which serves as the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business growth, jobs and opportunity with a focus on helping grow Michigan’s economy.

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Thank you to Benjamin Robinson and Motor City Skyline's music

In the six segments shared here, MBN was on hand to do business media coverage of an event in Lansing Michigan. Here you can listen in on Session 2 of 5 from MSAE, the Michigan Society of Association Executives Public Policy Roundtable 2022 - Associations Moving Michigan Forward.

The topic for this session: "How Did They Get That Done?!?!" Association Advocacy Success Stories

Scott Ellis, Executive Director, Michigan Licensed Beverage Association

David Jessup, Executive Director (former), Michigan Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association

Dave Ladd, Partner, Kelley Cawthorne

Noah Smith, Partner, Capitol Services, Inc.

Moderator: Chris Fisher, Partner, Midwest Strategy Group

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Vic Verchereau welcomes Ryan Robinson who joined Cinnaire in 2011 as part of the Asset Management team. In early 2020, Ryan was promoted to Executive Vice President of Operations & Corporate Risk Management. Ryan brings the executive team together to guide Cinnaire in the development of a clear focus on execution and accountability, drive organizational efficiency, and proactively manage enterprise risk.

An active leader in many organizations throughout the community Ryan has a great deal of experience to share! From the MSU Marching band to keeping things marching in the face of unprecedented challenges, Ryan offers up his expertise and ideas to help us all! This is a great edition of the Leadership Lowdown with one of Mid-Michigan’s great leaders!

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Jeffrey Mosher welcomes back Charlie Tyson, Technology Activation Manager, OFME, the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification here in Michigan

Their conversation covers:

To start out Charlie, remind us about OFME, what are your projects or scope of work?

There's MEDC, and was PlanetM, where does OFME fall into this mix?

Are you still working closely with the Center for Automotive Research and MICHauto?

Technology Activation Manager sounds pretty exciting, what does that entail.

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Jeffrey Mosher speaks with Amy Acton, CEO, Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, Grand Rapids, MI

Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors Launches Engage Series to Connect Community of Survivors throughout the Year

The national non-profit launched the series in May with a full-day event including presentations from leaders in the community, an iconic open mic, and much more!

June 2022 – Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, has built a thriving community for supporting lifelong healing for burn survivors and their loved ones. Since 1977, the organization has developed a variety of national programs that promote healing physically, emotionally, and socially. To stay true to this mission the organization is expanding the event Phoenix: Engage beyond the one-day format to seven events throughout the year. This will be done In lieu of this year’s Phoenix World Burn Congress, to ensure the organization can reach survivors where they are in their journey.

“By switching up the format of our burn community engagements to be more frequent throughout the year we are able to nurture relationships within our community and continually educate and support survivors where they are at,” said Amy Acton, CEO of Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors. “These monthly Engage sessions will create a space for survivors and loved ones to cultivate and learn together while having the safe space to share their experiences.”

The first full-day event was held on May 14, 2022. The event kicked off with a mainstage presentation from Amy Acton, CEO of Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, Huyen “Kiki” Vo, Survivor, Burn Advocate, and Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and many more. Upcoming sessions will offer survivors the opportunity to share through the open mic portion, educate themselves through new learning sessions, participate in support groups specific to their needs, and expand their network through virtual gatherings. The panelists will explore conversations around recovery, even from the earliest of stages, to their most meaningful accomplishments, as well as their advice for bringing your own vision to life.

“I look forward to sharing my path to giving back to the burn community, knowing that wherever you are in your own journey to healing and recovery, taking the next step through sessions like these will help you become the leader only you can be,” said Huyen “Kiki” Vo. “After the horrific fire killed my mother and injured me, my family came to the U.S. to seek the medical care necessary for survival. From there we decided to stay and seek education and work all the while dealing with the deeply flawed immigration system. My hope is that by sharing my experiences, with the Phoenix Survivors that others too, will be able to pursue their goals.”

Each Phoenix Engage event will focus on various topics including workshops on leadership coaching and mentorship, publishing and telling your story to inspire others, deepening the conversation on the long-term effects of a burn injury, and so much more.

Follow Up Sessions - All held virtually at 8 pm EST on the following dates:

● June 9, 2022

● July 14, 2022

● August 11, 2022

● September 8, 2022

● October 13, 2022

● November 10, 2022

Registration ($30) includes access to all events, on-demand recordings throughout the year, an upgraded attendee directory, private one-on-one chats, and virtual attendee meet-ups as well as connections throughout and to the global burn community. If you wish to learn more about Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, please visit phoenix-society.org or on any of our social channels; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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Jeffrey Mosher speaks with Lily Fossel, Community Development Manager for Family Promise of Grand Rapids Outlet, on the Michigan Business Beat.

Her main focus for this interview is looking ahead to the 4th Annual Family Frolic – Sunday, July 24th, 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

• Date: July 24, 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

• Location: John Ball Zoo

• Tickets: Tickets are $15 for adults and children under 18 get in free thanks to a generous donation from Eastbrook Homes

• Family Promise, along with Presenting Sponsor, Eastbrook Homes, will welcome over 500 families to the fun-filled outing featuring giveaways, food trucks, an animal scavenger hunt, music, and more

• Attendees will be able to “choose their own adventure” and learn about family homelessness in an age-appropriate way.

• The goal is to raise $20,000 to fight homelessness in our community.

• Family homelessness is a community issue that requires a community response, and together we can make a significant impact.

• John Ball Zoo's heart for sheltering animals and making sure they have a place to call home is in line with Family Promise providing emergency shelter to families with children.

The Stats: • The average age of children in shelter is 6-years-old and younger

• A single parent would need to work 70+ hours a week to afford a 2-bedroom rental in Kent County.

• In 2019 1 in 6 Black children experienced homelessness in Kent County compared to 1 in 135 white children.

• Mane of the families who enter shelter have incomes, thye just can’t make ends meet.

About Family Promise: Family Promise partners with families who are currently homeless or are at risk of experiencing homelessness by helping them create a stable lifestyle for their children. Family Promise has helped over 6,000 children and 4,000 families build a strong foundation for their family’s future by providing emergency services, housing and homeownership opportunities, and stabilization services to families with kids experiencing homelessness. With the help of their Foundation program, Interfaith Hospitality Network, Family Promise of Grand Rapids families have found futures full of hope and possibility. For additional information visit, https://www.familypromisegr.org/

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Jeffrey Mosher welcomes back Tim Herman -CEO of the Flint Genesee Group, Flint, MI.

Tim, remind the Michigan business community about the Flint Genesee Group, it's more than just the Chamber of Commerce.

We're at the mid-point of 2022, what have been the highlights for the Group so far this year?

What does the Flint Genesee Group have in store for the rest of this year?

Inflation or Talent, what are the overriding concerns of Genesee County businesses?

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Jeffrey Mosher welcomes Kwaku Osei, Chief Executive Officer at Farmacy Food, Detroit metro. MBN first met him after his tech talk at Automation Alley's Integr8 in Novi recently.

Kwaku, can you share your career path from college in Virginia and the Ivy League to doing business in the Detroit area?

Tell us about Farmacy Food

You recently spoke at Automation Alley's Integr8, how are you applying Industry 4.0 for your business?

What are the challenges you are facing?

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Faces of Manufacturing is a brand new show to Michigan Business Network. Cindy Kangas, Executive Director, CAMC, Capital Area Manufacturing Council, Lansing, Michigan, co-hosts with Joy Wagner, HR Manager of Granger Waste Services, also Lansing.

In their inaugural episode they get welcomed, following tradition, by MBN Founder/CEO Chris Holman. He finds out about Cindy, and Joy, then they turn the tables and find out from him his perceptions on manufacturing in Michigan and across the world in their interview of him. From there the ladies spend four segments finding out about the Waverly Robotics team and program.

Here's a rundown of their first episode:

Segment 1

Chris Holman interview of Cindy.

Cindy's snapshot career path.

What CAMC IS, does, and what area is served?

highlights of what Cindy has done at CAMC, especially if it has changed things from the past.

Cindy - Premise of Show

Segment 2

Chris opens and hands the show off to Cindy

Cindy becomes the host and turns the questions back to Chris.

Given his decades in Michigan and International Business, what has he seen in people and manufacturing -- where does he see the state of things today?

Cindy Introduces Joy to Chris

Chat about the "faces of manufacturing" and the narrative we are hoping to change.

Review of the talent pipeline

Joy elaborates on her role during the segments that include mental/physical wellness, employee financial literacy, employees being a most valuable asset, etc --

Segment 3

Cindy Chats with Jeff Parks - Waverly Robotics Coach

What was his dream as a kid? What brought him to Waverly? How has he grown the program? What trends has he seen with students going into skilled trades/manufacturing? What demographics does he serve in the program?

Segment 3

Student interview

demonstration of robot

What skills have they learned related to manufacturing/engineering?

What has robotics taught them about career choices?

Segment 4

Student Interview

What does it mean to be a part of the team? talk us through competitions. What do you know about college programs that may lead to stem jobs? do you have relatives that work in local manufacturing and what have they taught you? Sponsors/volunteers that help the program.

Segment 5

Cindy Chats with Jeff Parks - Waverly Robotics Coach

What was his dream as a kid? What brought him to Waverly? How has he grown the program? What trends has he seen with students going into skilled trades/manufacturing? What demographics does he serve in the program?

Segment 6

Jeff interview part 2

How has Covid affected school and robotics

How did Jeff get the kids to come back

How does he keep his kids motivated even if they have a challenge or lose a match?

What mental health benefits has he seen offering after-school programs, especially to kids that have no other place to go?

Quick wrap-up - how can others get involved, etc.

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