Page 6 - LRCC FOCUS March 2020

CHAMBER NEWS

Meet the Chamber Team

OVER THE PAST YEAR, the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC) has continued to grow and has added several new employees to the organization.
For that reason, we wanted to showcase all the new staff members, a bit of their personalities and why they’re so excited to help Chamber members connect,
grow and thrive daily.

TIM DAMAN Arnie has a master’s degree in management relations, marketing
President and CEO from Aquinas College and a bachelor’s degree in and communications
accounting from Ferris State University. Keyes func-tions for the
As the president & CEO and his wife, Rose reside in Holt. They have two Chamber. Additionally,
of the Lansing Regional grown children who are graduates of Michigan Japinga manages and
Chamber, Tim leads the State University. provides guidance to
Chamber team in all the Lansing Regional
facets of the organization. Interesting fact: Arnie has climbed the pyramid Chamber-Political Action
Daman joined the at Chichen Itza, while on vacation with his wife Committee (LRC-
Chamber in 2005 as at Cancun. PAC). He specializes in
vice president of economic development and economic development, regulatory reform, health
was promoted to vice president operations and Favorite part of working at the Chamber: “The care policy, insurance, appropriations, PAC
strategic initiatives in 2007 before being name energy and enthusiasm of this young team is a development, coalition building and grassroots
president & CEO in 2009. Tim has 30 years joy to work with daily. Having 45 years of varying advocacy.
of business leadership experience including 10 business cultures and experiences, I enjoy them
years in private sector sales and marketing roles keeping our workplace fresh, fun and innovative!” Japinga graduated from Michigan State
and close to 20 years in economic development. University with a bachelor’s degree in political
MANDY SCHMITZ science pre-law and resides in Lansing with his
A lifelong Lansing resident, Tim is a graduate Manager, Accounting and wife Katherine and their two dogs, Charlie and
of Michigan State University, where he earned Membership Data George.
a Bachelor of Arts in communications arts and
sciences. He is married to his wife Lisa and has Mandy is the accounting Interesting fact: In middle school, Steve
two children Jason and Abby. and membership data attended Concordia Language Villages in
manager at the LRCC. northern Minnesota and studied the French
Interesting fact: As a 6th grade student at She is responsible for language.
Barnes Avenue Elementary School in Lansing, daily accounting tasks,
Tim was one of six students who were injured database management Favorite part of working at Chamber: “It’s pretty
when a tractor trailer hauling a backhoe knocked and compiling analytical reports. special when you come to work everyday and get
down the skywalk spanning Logan Street (MLK to play a small part in making our community
Blvd.). The accident occurred during the lane Mandy graduated from Michigan State University better. It’s a truly awesome! I also love connecting
widening construction project. with a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and with so many people and building valuable
currently resides in Charlotte with her husband relationships along the way.”
Favorite part of working at the Chamber: Mark and their two cats, Renji and Nova.
“Working with an amazing team of professionals ASHLEY SANDBORN
at the Chamber along with developing Interesting fact: Mandy was an insanely healthy Director, Marketing and
relationships and interaction with our members, child and had perfect attendance all the way Communications
business and community leaders.” through elementary school!
Ashley Sandborn is the
FINANCE DEPARTMENT Favorite part of working at the Chamber: “I director of marketing and
love being a part of a fantastic team that helps communications for the
ARNIE KEYES the Chamber be the hub of the Greater Lansing Chamber. Sandborn is
Chief Operating Officer business community. We get to join in and responsible for overseeing
celebrate the successes and work together with the overall strategy,
Arnie Keyes is the chief businesses and community leaders to face the management and execution of the Chamber’s
operating officer at the challenges, both big and small, continually communication efforts. Ashley is a storyteller
LRCC, joining the working towards creating a more vibrant region.” at heart. She believes everyone has a story that
organization in June 2012. is worth sharing and stories allow communities
He manages monthly and PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT and business professionals to share their sense
annual financial reporting, of purpose and find common ground. Ashley
annual audit, budgetary STEVEN D. JAPINGA is an energetic and creative communications
yearly process, cash flow administration and Vice President, Public Affairs professional with experience in diverse industries,
interim financial reporting to the board of ranging from health care to environmental
directors, as well as the daily payroll, payables, Steven D. Japinga is the vice president of public consulting.
receivables and membership data base. affairs for the LRCC. Japinga is responsible
for overseeing the public policy, government Born and raised in Sioux Falls, S.D., Ashley

6 FOCUS / MARCH 2020 LANSINGCHAMBER.ORG 7