Page 4 - LRCC June 2022 Focus

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAMBER FOCUS MAGAZINE | JUNE 2022

Celebrating Excellence in Our Region

s you read this month’s edition of FOCUS, you will see many stories that highlight
excellence in our region. They are stories about leaders who have been difference-
Amakers in the arts, small business, community service, and building a more
diverse and inclusive community.

It doesn’t seem like all that long ago that the Wharton Center for the Performing Arts
opened its doors to all of Michigan. In September, Wharton Center celebrates 40 years
of offering the best in Broadway shows, classical events, jazz, and dance, serving as the
home of the Lansing Symphony Orchestra, and a wide range of diverse programming
that has enriched the cultural fabric of our region. Wharton has also made a significant
economic impact in the region by attracting large crowds from outside the tri-county
area who attend many mega-hit Broadway shows that have been a staple at Wharton for
the past four decades. TIM DAMAN
PRESIDENT AND CEO
LANSING REGIONAL
Congratulations to the Wharton Center’s long-serving executive director, Mike Brand CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
who retires at the end of June after serving 18 years at the organization. Under Mike’s
leadership, the Wharton Center has greatly expanded its educational programming,
which has served to reach students and families throughout Michigan and help draw
thousands more people into a relationship with the arts. Mike and his team have also
done an excellent job of reaching out to broad, diverse communities, particularly those in
disadvantaged and underserved areas, offering opportunities and programs to connect
more people to the arts. I would also like to welcome Wharton’s new executive director,
Eric Olmscheid to the Greater Lansing region and wish him well in his new position.
The month of June also allows us to recognize excellence in our community through Wharton has
the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC)’s annual awards, which will be
presented at the upcoming LRCC Annual Dinner on June 16. Congratulations to Carmen also made a
Turner of the Boys & Girls Club of Lansing for her selection as the LRCC Community significant
Service Award recipient. Carmen’s commitment to youth in our region is unparalleled. economic impact
Ben Rathbun and his team at the Rathbun Agency are the most deserving recipients
of the Outstanding Small Business Award. They are a shining example of why serving in the region
the community is good business. The LRCC Legacy Award is being presented to A. Dean by attracting
Watkins Company, a LRCC member for 66 years and another example of a business that
has persevered and adapted to changing customer needs and market demands. large crowds
from outside
The LRCC is also pleased to partner with LEAP to introduce the first annual Diversity Star
Award. This award recognizes excellence in the commitment to building a more diverse the tri-county
and inclusive workplace and community. There could be no more deserving recipient area who attend
of the first Diversity Star Award than Peckham, which has provided jobs and training many mega-hit
opportunities to more than 5,000 individuals with disabilities and other barriers to
employment each year. Broadway shows
that have been a
The LRCC team has worked hard to create an event that encourages the networking
opportunities our members desire in a safe, comfortable, and fun environment. staple at Wharton
for the past four
Please plan to attend the Annual Dinner on June 16 at Eagle Eye Golf and Banquet decades.
Center and help us celebrate all these individuals and organizations. We look forward to
seeing you! l

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