Michigan Business Network

When Jenny and Scott Koenigsknecht started their family, they were looking for all the joy and challenges that raising a young family would bring. But when their son Cooper came along, the challenges would grow...but so did the joy!

Parents with special needs children can feel separated and on their own. Their children can feel left out and lonely...it was time to take action... No More Sidelines (NMS) began when a determined mother, Cyndi Blair, decided to do something about the tears her daughter shed because she had no friends of “her own.” Alivia lives daily with cerebral palsy, autism, and cognitive delays. There were no systems to help Alivia to make friends. How sad it was for a little girl not to be invited to a “sleep-over” or to get a birthday card from a friend.

It was No More Sidelines that helped the Koenigsknechts to ask a new question about Cooper. No longer "Why" but rather "What". Asking what's next and what can I do...This is a great story of overcoming tough circumstances to find real triumph and purpose! Tune in to this edition of the Leadership Lowdown and hear how asking the one question that really matters..."What can I do"?

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Tony Conley wraps up his thirteenth episode with a three-part interview with Josh Hundt, Chief Business Development Officer & Executive Vice President - MEDC.

CURRENT FOCUS

Josh Hundt is the Chief Business Development Officer & Executive Vice President with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation where he leads the organization’s efforts to attract, retain and support businesses, foster high-wage skills growth, and catalyze entrepreneurship. The team accomplishes these goals through aggressive business retention and attraction efforts, strategic industry development, automotive and mobility initiatives, international trade development, startup funding and services, business financing and incentives, execution of the Michigan Build Ready Sites and Pure Michigan Business Connect programs, and management of the Michigan Defense Center.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

Josh has fifteen years of experience in economic development and has extensive knowledge of statewide economic development programs and policy development and management, including playing a pivotal role in the development and implementation of the Michigan Business Development Program, the Good Jobs for Michigan Program, Michigan Build Ready Sites Program, and Michigan Small Business Relief, Restart, and Survival Programs.

EDUCATION/PERSONAL

Josh holds a Masters of Public Administration from Western Michigan University and is a graduate of Hope College.

The pair discuss several economic development and business stories that are in the headlines. Tony also finds out from Josh his perspective on how media covers such stories.

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Thank you to Benjamin Robinson and Motor City Skyline's music open.spotify.com/track/7y23KC54uZ…fPSoq_BrEnoS9kUw

Jeffrey Mosher speaks with Matt Elliott, Midwest Region Executive, Business Banking President, Bank of America Detroit, Bank of America, based out of Troy, MI.

Their discussion covers businesses getting started on the path to Net-Zero. In the conversation, Jeffrey asks, What is Net Zero?

Q: Why is there a sense of urgency for companies and countries to achieve Net Zero?

Q: How can businesses get started on the path to Net Zero?

Q: What are the financial benefits to becoming Net Zero?

Q: What is Bank of America doing to reduce its carbon footprint and working to achieve Net Zero?

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Knowing when it is time to ask for another point of view is a critical moment for business leaders and it often means being humble enough to understand "you don't have all the answers"! Maybe it's time for another opinion.

Mike Butts enjoyed a career that has spanned over 30 years in the sales, management, consulting and training business. Mike provided services for several ProSales Magazine’s Top 100 LBM Dealers as well as many Fortune 250 companies. Many of Mike’s regular clients rank in the top 10% in the industry, both as LBM Dealers and industry suppliers.

Mike was a regular columnist for ProSales magazine and other trade publications. He has written numerous articles, books and programs designed to enhance the performance of both the novice and professional salesperson. He took the time to share his experiences and lit up this edition of the Leadership Lowdown! Mike has great tips on how to make the journey to excellence. Enjoy the ride...right here!

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Cheryl Schuch.-photo- Courtesy 616 Media

Jeffrey Mosher speaks with Cheryl Schuch, CEO of Family Promise of Grand Rapids, MI, to discuss the organization and its new board members

In the interview, Jeffrey finds out about Cheryl's career path to her current CEO role. Then Cheryl shares the purpose, scope, and history of Family Promise of Grand Rapids' services. She reviews the six new board members and describes the ebbs and flows of their board over recent years. The six companies and organizations that these new board members come from are quite a testament to the individuals and those organizations. Cheryl wraps up sharing contact information to learn more.

Family Promise of Grand Rapids’ mission is to end homelessness one family at a time. By giving parents the hope, encouragement, and connections, they need to create a better future for their children and end the cycle of homelessness that many fall into. Most recently, the team at Family Promise has appointed six new board members to further improve the development of their programming, incite change where necessary, and work together for the common goal of ending family homelessness in Kent County and beyond here in West Michigan.

The following appointments to the Board of Directors were thoughtfully considered previous to their placement:

● Linda Anderson Plant Director for Kellogg in Grand Rapids.

● Bridgette Baker Talent Acquisition Consultant and Fifth Third Bank.

● Sara Knoester Owner of Mixed Staffing and Recruiting

● Ben Taylor Associate Pastor at Sparta Baptist Church

● Glenda Walker CIO for Cherry Health

● Eric Williams Co-CEO of United Methodist Community House

To learn more about the work Family Promise of Grand Rapids is doing to end family homelessness please visit their website at https://www.familypromisegr.org/

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Tony Conley kicks off his thirteenth episode with a three-part interview of Bob Trezise, who has been President & CEO of the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) since 2011, representing the Lansing, Michigan region (Clinton, Eaton and Ingham counties) with an MSA population of over half a million.

During Bob’s tenure with LEAP, the tri-county Lansing regional economy welcomed private sector investment projects totaling over $3 billion, along with more than 6,400 direct-private jobs. This economic development success grew LEAP into a nationally recognized top 20 economic development organization (Site Selection Magazine, 2021 MacConway Award Winner).

Beyond LEAP, Bob has been leading or guiding the city of Lansing’s economic development efforts since 2006, having served as president and CEO of the Lansing Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) from 2006-2011 and leading LEAP’s contract for economic development services with the city of Lansing since 2011. LEAP manages the city’s Brownfield Authority, Tax Increment Finance Authority, Corridor Improvement Authorities and LEDC programs and board of directors through this contract. Under Bob’s leadership and guidance, the city has experienced massive revitalization ranging in the billions of dollars, thousands of jobs created and eight straight years of population growth.

In 2011, Bob received the Michigan Economic Developer’s Association (MEDA) Economic Development Medalist of the Year award and, in 2016, received MEDA’s prestigious President’s Award. Bob’s projects have also, seven times, received the International Economic Development Council’s (IEDC) Gold and Silver projects of the Year awards. Bob’s pinnacle project, the $182 million revitalization of the long-abandoned, downtown Lansing riverfront “Power Station” into a national corporate headquarters, won the National Brownfield Association’s Region 5 Phoenix Award and was the National #1 Runner Up winner. Bob was honored to be selected as one of North America’s 50 Top Economic Developers in 2020 by Consultant Connect, a leading consulting agency focused on bridging the gap between economic developers and site consultants.

In the early days of Bob’s long-standing economic development career, he served as the Managing Director and creator of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Community Assistance Team (CATeam) from 2001 – 2006. Additionally, Bob is the founder of the Michigan Main Street program and worked on hundreds of community revitalization projects across Michigan. Additionally, Bob served as vice president of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC) board and Director of Delta Township’s economic development department. In both roles, Bob was part of the successful Keep GM campaign.

LEAP is a unique and diverse economic development organization with an impact portfolio ranging from brick-and-mortar developments and massive business attraction projects to management of Ingham County’s economic development efforts and the region’s SmartZone (LRSZ) to delivering robust entrepreneurial programs; diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives; and placemaking programs, including creating and supporting the Lansing Poet Laureate program, LEAP’s flagship inclusive entrepreneurship program One and All.

The Arts Council of Greater Lansing has recognized Bob and LEAP’s cutting-edge placemaking efforts with the Business Leadership Award. Bob and LEAP’s staff were also recognized by the US Small Business Administration’s Administrator for outstanding regional entrepreneurial efforts.

Bob grew up in the city of Lansing, is married to Kerri and they have four children. Bob is a proud graduate of the Lansing School District, James Madison College at Michigan State University and the Public Administration/Public Affairs Graduate program at Western Michigan University. He is also a published poet.

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

Chris Holman welcomes back Mark McDaniel, President & CEO, Cinnaire, headquartered in Lansing, MI, covering several states.

​First, it's probably a good idea to remind the Michigan business community about what Cinnaire is and does.

You recently participated in an annual philanthropic effort -- Pancake-palooza, (the fundraising effort for Haven House) how did that go?

Cinnaire was connected with some good news with the Grand Opening for Broadway Lofts in Mt. Pleasant, MI, tell us about that.

Any other Cinnaire news, or upcoming events?

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Jeffrey Mosher spends some with Eureka People, the new President of Housing Kent, an equitable housing initiative in Kent County. Their conversation covers Eureka, what has your path to Housing Kent looked like prior to getting this President role?

How has that experience prepared you for this new role as President of Housing Kent?

How Long have you been working with Housing Kent prior to this new role?

What are you most looking forward to accomplishing with Housing Kent while at the helm?

What is the mission of Housing Kent?

How is Housing Kent and KConnect, well, connected?

How will Housing Kent accomplish the repair and reimagining of the housing problem in Kent County?

What is the “Common Agenda Roadmap”?

How might folks contact Housing Kent to learn more?

Newly Established Kent County Housing Nonprofit Announces New Leadership

The recently launched, Housing Kent, focused on creating an equitable housing system to eliminate racial disparities has named Eureka People as President

Grand Rapids, Mich -

Housing Kent, a local organization working to increase access to affordable housing and decrease homelessness for families, children, and youth in Kent County will have a new leader at its helm, effective immediately. Eureka People, who previously served with the KConnect team as they worked through the three-year process of coordinating, interviewing, and planning the Common Agenda and Roadmap as a facilitator, is now the President of Housing Kent.

Eureka People helped lead the 130 public and private sector, nonprofit, and philanthropic organizations in Kent County who came together to examine the homelessness crisis over a three-year period. This demonstrated experience made People the perfect fit for President

of Housing Kent. One of Housing Kent’s major focuses is on eliminating the racial disparity that oftentimes comes with being housing insecure. Through the 2020 Common Agenda and Roadmap Report, “Redefining the Path Home,” the Housing Kent team, led by Eureka People, will work to build a system for housing stability moving forward.

“Bringing Eureka into the leadership fold of our organization will not only propel the Common Agenda and Roadmap into action but it will also spark more community discussions on what stable housing looks like in Kent County,” said Salvador Lopez, KConnect President.

“Eureka will capitalize on existing efforts and organizations to create alignment within the county’s current approach to homelessness. This approach will develop a comprehensive housing system ultimately resulting in an over one-third reduction of children

and adults needing to access the homeless system in Kent County within the next five years.”

People is an expert strategist, facilitator, and advocate and will bring this skill set to her new role as President of Housing Kent. Eureka has assisted leaders, organizations, and communities expand their collective capability for social change for more than 20

years in the social and private sector. She is an architect of change-making—building capacity in over 200 organizations, training hundreds of leaders, and facilitating more than a thousand meetings and engagement experiences. Key to her success is her skillful

design and passion for harnessing the power of groups to deliver solutions previously unimagined.

“I am excited to lead this incredibly important organization,” said Eureka People, President of Housing Kent. “It is an honor to serve in this capacity and carry out what we have planned over the past three years. This team and community are well-positioned to

bring about a housing system that works for all and I look forward to seeing how we can support families on their path to housing stability.”

Jeffrey Mosher catches up with Cliff Hammond, Shareholder, Foster Swift Collins and Smith PC Attorneys, Southfield and Lansing, MI.

Cliff returned to the show to share details about a hybrid event coming up March 10th. to be held live and via ZOOM.

Employers: Are You Ready for the Changes Coming in 2022?

Foster Swift Going Forward Webinars

March 10, 2022

Despite the U.S. Supreme Court blocking the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) "vaccine-or-test" mandate last month, questions still abound concerning what 2022's forecast will look like for employers.

We invite you to join us at our Lansing office for our Spring 2022 Labor & Employment Law Update on Thursday, March 10. As this will be our first in-person educational event in over two years, we understand that many are still unsure or uncomfortable about gathering in groups.

To accommodate all preferences, this will be a hybrid event with attendees being able to attend both in-person and virtually with the sessions being broadcast over Zoom simultaneously.

· When: Thursday, March 10, 2022 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

· Where: 313 S. Washington Square, Lansing, MI 48933

o The session will be in the Hub space (lower level). Parking is located behind the building on S. Grand Avenue (Do not park in Wolverine Parking Co. lot next door). See the receptionist in the lobby for a gate token to leave the parking lot when finished.

· Cost: Free

· Registration: For those that wish to participate virtually, please use this registration link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ANCYCvajQzKWsrk2YI0YLw. ​​​For those that wish to attend in person, please RSVP by contacting Jake Leuvoy at [email protected] or (517) 371-8125 by no later than Monday, March 7. Registration in the Hub will begin at 8:30 am with refreshments provided.

When discussions end at 12:00 pm, those that wish to leave may do so. However, for those that have further questions and would like to join our presenters for a light lunch and Q & A, we will provide lunches for those that RSVP.

Among the discussions included in the agenda are:

· COVID-19 Updates and Vaccination Mandates:

o OSHA ETS

o MIOSHA

o CMS Rule

o Voluntary Mandates

o Exemptions

o Unemployment

· Non-compete and No-poaching Agreements; Are they Legal or Enforceable?

· How does the Corporate Transparency Act of 2021 affect Employers?

· Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Update:

o New minimum wage, overtime and tip credit laws effective 01/01/2022;

o Gig Economy: Are your employees classified and paid properly?

· Employee Handbook Essentials and Necessary Updates.

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Chris Holman spends some time with Alyssa Troub, Marketing and Communications Specialist, LAFCU, Lansing, MI. Their topic of discussion for this interview is that LAFCU earns 3 national marketing awards.

So, Alyssa, tell us about the 3 national marketing awards LAFCU just won.

Was this just in a credit union category in which LAFCU was recognized with the Service Industry Advertising Awards?

Tell us more about LAFCU's Listen & Learn program.

What about Act with Love & Equality Art Initiative, what did that entail?

Are there any similar projects underway by LAFCU at this time, that might be up for awards next year?

LANSING, Mich. — Two LAFCU programs have been recognized in the 19th Annual Service Industry Advertising Awards competition, one earning awards in two categories. Both programs earned a Gold award, the highest in the category.

The categories and winning LAFCU programs are:

· Total Public Relations Campaign category

o Gold — LAFCU Listen & Learn Program

o Silver — LAFCU Act with Love & Equality Art Initiative

· Equality & Diversity category

o Gold — LAFCU Act with Love & Equality Art Initiative

“These unique programs have community outreach and support in common,” said Kelli Ellsworth Etchison, LAFCU chief marketing officer, and chief diversity officer. “One was born out of the pandemic and the need to help children develop good reading habits even when they could not physically be in school. The other initiative sprung from racial tensions and unrest surrounding the murder of George Floyd and others.

“We share these awards with many incredibly talented people and community-minded organizations and businesses that joined our effort to positively impact the people of Michigan.”

The SIAA competition recognizes advertising excellence of service industry providers. Of the more than 1,200 entries, about 12 percent earned Gold awards. Judges reviewed entries for execution, creativity, quality, consumer appeal, and overall breakthrough content.

Both programs were supported by strategic public relations campaigns that included member communications materials created by LAFCU and extensive media coverage garnered through a partnership with Publicom Inc., Okemos.

More about the programs:

LAFCU Listen & Learn Program is a virtual reading program created to support kids, age 12 and under, and their parents following the shift by schools from in-person to virtual classes.

The ongoing program encourages reading in fun, interesting and informative ways through live, interactive, online events, each about 30 minutes in length. LAFCU produced the events in-house in partnership with community organizations, groups, and businesses, such as libraries, schools, a zoo, a science museum, a dance troupe, a beekeeping business, and a reindeer farm. Recorded versions are on LAFCU’s YouTube channel at https://bit.ly/LAFCU-L-L, along with additional readings of children’s books promoted during the live events. The additional readings are also accessible via phone.

LAFCU Act with Love & Equality Art Initiative is designed to make healing and empathy top-of-mind following the turbulence of 2020 — the pandemic, politics, calls for social justice.

A call for artistic depictions of 10 “healing” words resulted in 10 powerful pieces of artwork. They have been displayed on billboards across the state — pro bono by three billboard companies — and on digital platforms to spark reflection and conversation, and as a 24/7 reminder of what’s truly important in life. Several organizations, including the Lansing Lugnuts and Eaton Theatre, also shared the images on their platforms. The art can be viewed at www.lafcu.com/art.

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