The Grand Rapids Business Journal has determined the top news stories of 2021 — and the people behind the headlines. On January 26, 2022, GRBJ will host a breakfast event and award 16 “Newsmakers” from the categories below. One of the winners will also be elevated to the 2021 Newsmaker of the Year!

When: January 26 | 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Where: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park |1000 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525

Newsmaker Category Finalists

Arts & Entertainment
Cynthia Hagedorn, The Property
David Hooker, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Sal Semola, Gun Lake Casino

Beverages
Larry Bell, Bell’s Brewery
Nadia and Shatawn Brigham, GRNoir Wine & Jazz
Tom Borisch, Jason Post and Zack Van Dyke, Wise Men Distillery

Economic Development
Ed Garner, Michigan Small Business Development Center West Michigan Region
Jennifer Owens, Lakeshore Advantage
Randy Thelen, The Right Place

Education
Patricia Harris, Kuyper College
Philomena Mantella, Grand Valley State University
Dr. Richard Pappas, Davenport University

Finance
Eric Foster, Rende Progress Capital
Martin Stein, Blackford Capital
Renee Tabben, Bank of America

Food
Andrea Bumstead, Gaia Cafe
Alita Kelly and Khara DeWit, South East Market
Rich Wolowski, Gordon Food Service/Square Roots

Health Care
Nathan Baar, HealthBar
Tina Freese Decker, Spectrum Health
Peter Hahn, University of Michigan Health-West

Law
Tracey Brame, Cooley Law/Innocence Project
Judge Amanda Sterkenburg, 62-B District Court Kentwood
Stephen van Stempvoort, Miller Johnson

Manufacturing
Jim Dillard, Perrigo
Mike Larsson, Dematic
Andi Owen, MillerKnoll

Nonprofits/Philanthropy
Wendy Falb, Literacy Center of West Michigan
Carly MacDonald, Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids
Ryan VerWys, Inner City Christian Federation

Real Estate/Construction
Mike Novakoski, EV Construction
Tim Schowalter, Pioneer Construction
Mike VanGessel, Rockford Construction

Retail
John Green, Revolution Farms
Eion Jackson, Eion Jackson Apparel
Tony Sarsam, SpartanNash

Sports
Mike Guswiler, West Michigan Sports Commission
Steve Jbara, Grand Rapids Gold
David Marquardt, Indian Trails Golf Course (GR Parks and Rec)

Startups
Sarah Laman and Arick Davis, Last Mile Café
Jeff Lambert, TiiCKER
Kevin McLeod, C2Dx

Sustainability
Luis Chen Aguilera, Wormies
Janay Brower and Lisa Knight, Public Thread
Chad Howell, Forever Great

Technology
Ashlea Souffrou, SxanPro
John Sorensen, Student Achievement Systems/Pulse
Jeff Boore, Anjoy

Contact Jenn Maksimowski to become a sponsor.

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