Page 15 - LRCC October 2022 Focus

lansingchamber.org FOCUS ON TALENT

in East Lansing this fall. She regularly donates gift cards Caliber Karting has become an anchor entertainment
and volunteer time to worthwhile fundraisers, back-to- complex. While many restaurants and entertainment
school drives, community sports teams and other school companies had to close during the Covid shutdown,
activities. She also created the Black Book Drive which is Jordan found a way to keep the 80,000-square foot facility
now in its third year. She earned her general associate’s open and proceed with a 25,000-square foot expansion
degree from Lansing Community College. in 2021. Jordan and his company are active in supporting
numerous fundraisers. In 2021, Meridian Township sought
Xavier DeGroat is president and Jordan’s support in hosting a community car show that
CEO of the Xavier DeGroat Autism would draw people from all over the state. The first year
Foundation. He has had a huge of Meridian Motorfest brought over 200 vehicles and
impact on public policy and 1,000 people to the area. He has also hosted numerous
autism awareness since starting activities to support the local arts community. Jordan
the Foundation in 2018. Xavier is earned a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in
autistic himself, and has channeled Social Science from Michigan State University.
his energy into results that have
included becoming the first autistic Molly Petitjean is an attorney
intern at the White House and with Buhl, Little, Lynwood and
DeGroat
working with Michigan Secretary Harris, PLC practicing in the areas
of State Jocelyn Benson to pass a law that changes of estate planning, estate and
the licensing of people so law enforcement will know trust administration and business
immediately if a person they have pulled over is autistic. planning. She is licensed in both
He also opened the world’s first Autism Museum located Michigan and Wisconsin. She
in the Meridian Mall. He was named a Citizen of the is a board member for multiple
Year in Delta Township in 2018 and has volunteered for organizations for the legal and
Impression 5 Science Center and at numerous Lansing Petitjean Greater Lansing communities and
School District events. a volunteer for her church. She also
serves on the grants committee for the Capital Region
Adrian Joseph opened his first Community Foundation. Additionally, she serves as a
Goodfellas Bagel Deli at the corner board member for Our Biswas, a group that provides
of Pere Marquette and Michigan economic empowerment for women and girls who live
Avenue in downtown Lansing in in conditions of extreme poverty around the world. Molly
2019. Two months after opening, the earned her J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from Michigan
COVID pandemic struck. Not only State College of Law and a bachelor’s degree, with honors
was his new business able to make from Marquette University.
it through the pandemic, but the
company was also able to build a Ernest Tisdale is the national
strong foundation that served as field services director for
Joseph
the basis for expansion. Goodfellas EDUStaff. Among his numerous
recently opened locations in East Lansing and inside accomplishments at EDUStaff was
Capital City Market in downtown Lansing. During the helping to pass legislation allowing
pandemic, Goodfellas supplied first responders with for more substitute teachers in
meals and discounts. They also sponsor numerous local Michigan. He and his wife, Carmen
events and have built a relationship with the nearby also opened The Hidden Gem Event
City Rescue Mission, through which Goodfellas donates Venue in Holt in January 2020.
extra food or items they are unable to use. They have also Tisdale Having to close two months later
helped raise funds for the Black Student Alliance and are due to the pandemic was one of
active with the LRCC. the most challenging and at the same time rewarding
professional experiences for the couple. The Hidden Gem
Jordan Munsters says his favorite is a full-service event venue offering catering, bar services,
thing to do is to get people to break decorations, and event coordinating services. Having an
out of their comfort zones and event venue has allowed Ernest and Carmen to support
have fun. He is doing that through numerous community organizations, including Child
two successful businesses he has and Family Services, Holt Kiwanis Club, Ele’s Place and
created—High Caliber Karting and the LRCC among others. Ernest earned his MBA from
Entertainment and Combat Karting, Cornerstone University. l
LLC. The two companies combined
employ more than 60 people.
Located in the Meridian Mall, High
Munsters
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