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MEMBERS ON THE MOVE
independent insurance agents. measured factors such as company leadership, principal Chris Sing as a board director. Sing
communication, career opportunities, working has been an Ann Arbor SPARK Executive
After 12 years of regional coordination and environment, managerial skills, pay and benefits. Committee member for over three years. Ann
partnerships focused on building a robust Arbor SPARK focuses efforts on four innovation-
entrepreneurial ecosystem in our region, the Kelli A. Ellsworth Etchison, driving industries: automotive and mobility; life
Lansing-East Lansing Metropolitan Statistical chief marketing & diversity sciences and healthcare; data and information;
Area (MSA) is glimmering with startup growth officer for LAFCU has been and technology. Its services include incubating
opportunities, especially for coveted tech-focused appointed by Governor and accelerating startups, showcasing vibrant
startups. In recognition of this growth, the Gretchen Whitmer to the communities to site selectors, and connecting job
Lansing-East Lansing MSA was recently ranked Black Leadership Advisory seekers with hopeful employers.
No. 25 among Midwest competitors on Midwest Council. That group brings
Startups’ 2020 Midwest Startup Cities Rankings, Ellsworth Etchison together a diverse group of COMPANY NEWS
rising seven spots from its No. 32 ranking in Black Michiganders to serve in
2017. Midwest Startups is a trusted source of an advisory capacity to the governor and develop, Six budding entrepreneurs pitched at the
startup news and industry insights from across review, and recommend policies and actions Lansing Economic Area Partnership’s (LEAP)
the Midwest and publishes an annual Midwest designed to prevent and eradicate discrimination during the Oct. 8 virtual Hatching event,
Startup Cities Rankings comparing Midwest and racial inequity in Michigan. showcasing a diverse range of business ideas.
startup microenvironments. Pitches included a sustainability-minded energy
PROMOTIONS cooperative, cost-effective bed and breakfast,
Fraser Trebilcock is excited local bike-based food delivery system, research
to announce that shareholder Cinnaire announced the aggregation software platform, and a faith-based
Brian T. Gallagher was appointment of Vicki Mincey women’s empowerment startup. The top prize
recently elected secretary of as senior vice president, went to Qichao Wang’s Wish List, an app-based
the Taxation Section Council Business Funding Midwest platform that Wang described as a “combination
of the State Bar of Michigan. Region, effective Oct. 26. For of Instagram and Amazon” for car owners.
Since 2017, Brian has been an nearly a decade, Mincey has Wang designed Wish List to solve common
active member of the Council, been on Cinnaire’s capital challenges faced by car owners, including finding
Gallagher
serving in various roles, management team, most trustworthy maintenance shops, identifying,
including the chair of the Section’s 2020 Annual Mincey recently as senior vice president, and then buying the correct parts needed for
Tax Conference, which was ultimately cancelled Capital Management. maintenance and connecting with others who
due to COVID-19. Before being elevated to share their interest in cars.
Council, Brian served two years as the chair of BOARD OF DIRECTORS
the Tax Section’s Employee Benefits Committee.
Junior Achievement of Mid-Michigan
( JAMM) recently announced several new board
members, Robyn Heron, Dan Lovejoy, Amy
McNamara, John McGraw, Luan Nguyen,
and Brycen Sorber for the 2020-2021 fiscal
year. Robyn Heron is the senior vice-president
of marketing at PFCU. Dan Lovejoy is the
director of sales and account management
for Delta Dental. Amy McNamara is a vice
president commercial lender at Mercantile
Bank of Michigan. John McGraw is director
of development at River Caddis Development. LAFCU has partnered with On Target Living,
Luan Nguyen is a well-rounded real estate a health and performance company, to provide
professional from Cinnaire. Brycen Sorber is the employees with virtual wellness resources. The
field training and development specialist with On Target Living System offers health expertise,
The American Hospital Association (AHA) Two Men and A Truck International. including nutrition guidance, fitness challenges,
recently recognized Sparrow Ionia Hospital for 75 and recovery and stress management strategies.
years of membership. The hospital, known initially Matthew Nobis has joined LAFCU employees can access the 21-step video
as Ionia County Memorial Hospital, opened the Ingham Health Plan course and downloadable OTL System manual
in 1943, joined the AHA shortly after that, and Corporation Board of via the OTL app. Other video content includes
protected the community’s health ever since. Directors. Matthew is a CPA guided meditation, recipes, and exercises, as well
with an MBA and Bachelor as live sessions. Infographics, information sheets,
Cinnaire has been named a Detroit Free Press of Arts in accounting, serving and worksheets to track individual progress can
Top Workplace 2020. The Detroit Free Press as the director of finance at also be downloaded. There is also a podcast, and
has recognized 150 companies and organizations Sparrow Health System. new content is added weekly.
as Top Workplaces based on the results of Nobis
an employee survey. The Detroit Free Press Ann Arbor SPARK a nonprofit that works Eaton Regional Education Service Agency
partnered with Philadelphia-based Energage, with public, private, and academic partners (RESA) has recently accepted a donation of
an employee research and culture technology to encourage and support business attraction, thousands of pieces of personal protective
firm, to determine the winners. The survey retention, and acceleration, has named Rehmann equipment (PPE) from State of Michigan
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