Michigan Business Network

Tony speaks with Andy Schor who was elected 52nd Mayor of Lansing, Michigan on November 7, 2017, and took office on January 1, 2018.

Mayor Schor is focused Lansing being its best self: a diverse, dense, livable and welcoming environment. Lansing will offer amenities and necessities needed to retain and sustain residents through all stages of life: children as they grow, young people starting careers, families putting down roots, established professionals looking to expand their businesses, and seniors.

Mayor Schor is committed to growing the city for all and is focused on helping residents and local businesses through the complex challenges of COVID-19 and the related economic repercussions.

Under Schor’s leadership, Lansing has approximately $1.5 billion in new investment in the city completed and in progress. The city was named the number one affordable city to live in the United States based on high quality of life and low cost of living, as well as one of the top cities to live in after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Inclusive growth and economic development throughout the city remains a priority for Mayor Schor. In 2020, the Capital City Market opened in downtown Lansing becoming the first grocery store in the area. He has increased access to recreational activities for residents and visitors alike with the opening of Beacon Park and the nearby Town Square on the south side and Rotary Park downtown. Support and resources continue to be provided to Neighborhoods of Focus, as well as social services including homeless prevention programs and sheltering services for those in need throughout the city.

Mayor Schor formed the Mayor's Racial Justice and Equity Alliance and is leading the effort to implement a Racial Justice and Equity Plan for the City of Lansing.

Mayor Schor has had to govern through crisis. He successfully navigated the flood of 2018, saving hundreds of houses from damage. He also led Lansing through the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing Lansing through stronger. He brought partners together by creating a Community Response Cabinet, issued small business rescue grants, helped residents with mortgage and rental assistance, forced on homeless and preventing virus spread, and many other efforts.

The Mayor currently serves on the Accelerator of America Board, the Capital Area United Way Board, the Lansing Promise Board, City of Lansing Employees Retirement System Board of Trustees, Police and Fire Retirement System Board of Trustees, as the Vice Chair on the U.S. Conference of Mayors Metro Universities Task Force, and as an honorary Board Member for Fair and Equal Michigan. He is also a member of Mayors Against Illegal Guns, and is a founding member of the national Gun Safety Coalition. In 2019, Mayor Schor was appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to serve on the Manufactured Housing Commission.

Andy Schor previously served as an Ingham County Commissioner for 10 years, followed by five years in the Michigan House of Representatives representing residents of the 68th District.

Andy and his wife, Erin, have lived in Lansing for over 20 years, and their children attend school in the Lansing Public School District. Andy graduated from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, earning Bachelor of Arts degrees in political science and history.

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

Vic Verchereau catches up with Rich Howard, who has found a life of service and giving to be a fulfilling way to make communities better. A veteran who has worked for several Non-profit organizations and causes. His current role is the Vice President of Fund Development for The Davies Project.

Rich shares that the organization's mission is to connect families to resources and community by providing reliable transportation for seriously ill children and pregnant women to essential healthcare. Volunteer drivers provide rides to medical appointments for children with a serious health condition, pregnant women, and for parents with a baby in the NICU if no car is available.

Jump on board and enjoy an inspirational ride on this edition of the Leadership Lowdown!

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Jeffrey Mosher gets together with Tom Ross, CEO, Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing (GRAM), Grand Rapids, Michigan. Their discussion revolved around a recent $50 Million Facility Groundbreaking which outlines future for sterile fill and finishing manufacturing in West Michigan.

Among the questions covered:

How long has GRAM been serving West Michigan and employing skilled labor jobs?

How much space is GRAM already occupying in the Downtown Grand Rapids area?

What will this new facility be creating and manufacturing?

How will GRAM continue to support this type of manufacturing well into the future?

If folks want to learn more about opportunities with GRAM how can they find you?

Vic Verchereau speaks with Cheryl Benjamin for his latest episode of Michigan Corners. Experience goes a long way and when it comes to travel, there are so many ways to find deals and to do it yourself, but never overlook the power of those that know the difference between a good price and a good deal! Cheryl Benjamin has that experience!

Since the time of the recording of this set of interviews, she has become the North American Travel and Expense Manager at Gordon Food Service. Cheryl drew experience from her days with Dart Container and then at the point of this session being the Principal Owner of CTM Consulting. She brings her high energy and great knowledge to the team! She is a global thought leader with a proven record of developing world-class, transformative and scalable employee-enabling experience/services for Travel, Conferences, Meetings, and Expenses...And she is here on the Michigan Corners show to share it all! Listen in and learn from one of the best!

Tony speaks with Tim Daman, President, and CEO of the Lansing Regional Chamber. The pair review how the media covers business comparing from when Tim got to the chamber, to now. The discussion also covered what media might be able to do to improve on their coverage.

Daman oversees the LRCC team, including business development, advocacy, marketing and communications, and accounting and finance. Daman joined the LRCC in 2005 as vice president of economic development and was promoted to vice president of operations and strategic initiatives in 2007. In that position, he was instrumental in developing the LRCC’s International Business Services division, establishing the region’s Foreign Trade Zone, and creating the LRCC’s Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC).

Before joining the LRCC, Daman spent six years with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. He was involved with the state’s economic development and marketing efforts in promoting Michigan as a high-tech business location. Daman is a Michigan State University graduate, where he earned a B.A. in communications arts and sciences.

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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 Laurie Baumer, Executive Vice President, Capital Region Community Foundation, the group which broke ground on the first universally-accessible playground in the region, designed to promote inclusivity and the health and well-being of children of ALL abilities.

And because the playground will be fully accessible, parents and grandparents who have physical limitations will be able to enjoy playing with their children and grandchildren.

This extraordinary $1.8 million playground-park on the downtown Lansing riverfront will be a destination for families throughout our region and beyond.

The Community Foundation’s designers have far exceeded ADA requirements in order to create a completely barrier-free environment where all children and adults, regardless of ability, can play side-by-side throughout the entire park.

This project is important because families in our community who have children with special needs have to travel over an hour to find a universally-accessible playground, such as those in Grand Rapids and Commerce Township.

The project is led by the Community Foundation, in partnership with the City of Lansing.Major donors include AF Group, CASE Credit Union, Peckham, Sparrow Health System, Mary Free Bed, Michigan Medicine, Auto-Owners Insurance, and Coldwell Banker Hubble Realty.

The total raised to date is approximately $1.2 million toward the $1.8 million goal, including matching funds from the Community Foundation. The Community Foundation will match all private funds raised, dollar for dollar.

Tony Conley has a three-part conversation with Kyle Melinn, News Editor, Part Owner, MIRS, Lansing, MI. They're Michigan's Independent Source of News and Information, focusing on politics.

The discussion covers what MIRS is about, what's new, and how things have changed over Kyle's career.

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

Originally uploaded August 30th

Chris Holman catches up with Bill Beekman, who after an approximately three-year role as Michigan State's Athletics Director, has moved on to a new position with the university.

Earlier in August, it was announced that Beekman would assume a new role in the administration as Vice President for Strategic Initiatives. In this conversation, Bill shares with Chris about the transition, the importance of these new initiatives for MSU, and the university's ongoing commitment to being a site for international learning and cooperation.

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Originally uploaded September 3rd.

Chris Holman welcomes Kevin Schoen Owner/Operator of ACD.net, he shares the story of the company's growth over the years since he started the company with his brother as a teen.

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Vic Verchereau spends some time learning the leadership journey of Nicole Noll-Williams, she recently became CEO of CRAA, the Capital Region Airport Authority.

Capital Region International Airport, Lansing, is among the facilities she oversees. It is more than just mid-Michigan’s gateway to the world, it is an important asset to the community with an annual economic impact of $1 billion! With hundreds of thousands of travelers coming through the gates along with international cargo, the airport needs great leadership and the board found Nicole Noll-Williams to lead the way! A few months ago, she was named as the President and CEO of the airport authority. From 1929 until 1971, Capital Region International Airport was owned and operated by the state of Michigan and governed by the Michigan Aeronautics Commission. A regional authority was created in 1971, with the city of Lansing and Ingham County.

Nicole has a powerful professional resume. She served as the Mid-Michigan Regional Director for Senator Peters, which gave her great experiences and contacts throughout the area. Prior to that, she was involved in several profesional positions with many focused on travel and aviation...her background has uniquely prepared her for this position! The Leadership Lowdown is proud to showcase Nicole to the network and to hear about her leadership journey! Listen in and get ready to soar!

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