Change Ups: Fifth Third pledges $25,000 to new stadium

The Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium project received a $25,000 pledge from Fifth Third Bank, according to the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation. The new waterfront stadium will be located in the heart of Grand Haven along the shore of the Grand River leading out to Lake Michigan. The facility will have a tiered grass seating, volleyball playing surface, seasonal ice rink, areas for dancing, a band shell, winter fire pits, concession stand, flagpoles and more. Construction is set to begin in the fall.

ADVERTISING

Felix Davis and Jack MacKinnon were appointed as account executives for Allegra Marketing ∙ Print ∙ Mail.

ARCHITECTURE & ENGINEERING

TowerPinkster was named one of the Best Firms to Work for in the Nation, according to Zweig Group. Last year, the firm was ranked first in the category of best Architectural Firm to Work For in the Nation. This year, it was recognized in the Multi-Discipline category and ranked in the top five out of nearly 50 companies.

ARTS

Grand Rapids Ballet announced the following new officers: President, Michael Kling; vice president, Anda Vizulis; treasurer, Dana Baldwin; secretary, Leah Voigt; development chair, Ian Hunter; and at-large, Theresa Devries. New board members: Marilee K Bartl; Leslie A. Dickinson; Michael C. Elias; and Meredith Ervine.

ASSOCIATIONS

Becky Puckett-Wood joined Inforum as vice president of corporate and member engagement.

The Grand Rapids Chapter of APICS announced its 2017-18 board of directors: president, Anant Gohil; president-elect, Tracy Knuff; past president, Jim Boes; vice president of finance, Catherine Bosscher; vice president of marketing, Ron Kopp; in-house continuing education director, Tod Schwartz; public certification education director, Shridhar Bhat; membership director, Jerry Bays; PDM and special events director, Derek Wood; director-at-large, Randy Gilbert; director-at-large and marketing committee, Andrew Cleary; directors-at-large students, Eric Anderson and Bryce Comer.

The Institute for Supply Management – Greater Grand Rapids announced its 2017-18 board of directors: president, Andrew Roman; past president, Thomas Cole; 1st vice president, Laurene Garchow-Packer; 2nd vice president, Amy Poplaski; director, Gabriel Stille; treasurer, Anthony Garwood; advisor, Lois DeHaan; webmaster, Kip Smalligan; and directors of student activities, Stephanie Emelander and Rachel Travis.

AWARDS

Allegra Marketing ∙ Print ∙ Mail graphic designer and certified mail design professional Brittany Schmeltzer took first place and $1,500 in prize money in the international calendar design competition sponsored by franchise network Alliance Franchise Brands. Her design will be available to nearly 200 franchise network centers across North America that print and distribute calendars to clients and vendor partners in their respective markets.

Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce’s Center for Community Leadership honored Juan Olivarez, former president of Aquinas College, with the Distinguished Community Trustee Award for his continuous accomplishments within the Grand Rapids community. Inner City Christian Federation is the recipient of the Uncommon Greatness Award and Plaza Roosevelt received the Create Great Collaboration for their dedication to improving the Grand Rapids community through their leadership and involvement.

The Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce announced Priority Health President and CEO Joan Budden is the recipient of the 2017 ATHENA Award.

Helen Zeerip, president of Holland-based Teddy’s Transport and the founder of Grant Me Hope, was chosen as Sen. Gary Peters’ Angels in Adoption honoree for 2017. Zeerip and other honorees will be recognized in September in Washington, D.C., for their work promoting adoption. Zeerip has been a foster mother for 16 years in Allegan County who ultimately adopted two of those children.

BUSINESS SERVICES

Compliance One Group of Kalamazoo announced Michael Crall joined the firm as market segment leader of barrier management.

CONSTRUCTION

Erhardt Construction announced the promotion of Ryan Formsma to project development director. Formsma will develop project objectives, strategies and client relationships, and also oversee Erhardt’s sales and marketing department.

Titan Interiors LLC is among Walls & Ceilings’ annual Top 50 Walls and Ceilings Contractors for the second year in the row. 

EDUCATION

Alan Bosker joined West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science as the secondary principal.

ENVIRONMENTAL

Moore & Bruggink vice president Brian Hannon received the Outstanding Environmental Consultant Award and the Arthur Sidney Bedell Award at the Michigan Water Environment Association’s 92nd annual conference.

Superior Environmental Corp. now is 100 percent employee owned through its Employee Stock Ownership Plan Trust. It has purchased all outstanding shares from the founding shareholders, Vaughn Quince and James Quince.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Churchill Mortgage announced the additions of Rosemary Roberts as a home loan assistant and Ed Scruggsand and Wendy Shwartz as a home loan specialist and an administrative assistant, respectively.

Rehmann announced the promotions of Chad Rick to retirement builders senior manager and Amy Rottman to government outsourcing senior manager.

GOVERNMENT

The Grand Rapids Police Department announced the upcoming promotions of lieutenant Geoffrey Collard to the rank of captain, sergeant Terry Dixon to the rank of lieutenant and officer Brendan Albert to the rank of sergeant.

The Middleville Village was designated the Redevelopment Ready Communities certification by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for establishing a foundation that attracts private investment that builds on municipality assets.

GRANTS

The Ottawa County Water Resource Commissioner’s Office was awarded $600,000 from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality’s Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Grants Program to reduce nonpoint source pollution within the upper Sand Creek watershed, located in Wright and Chester townships in northeast Ottawa County. Nonpoint source pollution is caused when rain, snowmelt or wind carry pollutants off the land and into lakes, streams, wetlands and other water bodies.

HEALTH

Ferris State University’s College of Pharmacy students recently provided free health checks at Hillcrest Church, 850 Norwich Ave. SW, during a neighborhood picnic.

INSURANCE

Combined Insurance Company of America signed a lease at 14313 Northland Drive in Big Rapids that will serve as a sales and training/office facility with space for at least 25 people.  

Frankenmuth Insurance recognized Meyering Insurance Agency of Hamilton as a Preferred Plus Partner for 2016 for providing exceptional service, achieving long-term profitability and displaying exemplary partnership. 

Ringnalda TenHaken Insurance Group of Grand Rapids was recognized by Frankenmuth Insurance as a Preferred Partner for 2016; Waterstone Insurance Agency of Muskegon was recognized as a Preferred Plus Partner for 2016.

LEGAL

Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge announced attorney Jeffrey S. Dornbos joined the firm. Dornbos will be based in the firm’s Holland office and also work in the Grand Rapids and Muskegon offices.

Warner Norcross & Judd LLP partner Mark Harder was elected chair of the board of the Community Foundation of Holland/Zeeland Area.

LEISURE & RECREATION

9Round Fitness secured its first West Michigan location at 8233 Byron Center Ave. SW in Byron Center. The international kickboxing fitness franchise will occupy 1,330 square feet.

NONPROFITS

First Steps Kent and Grand Rapids Community College are teaming up to provide community play groups in eight locations throughout Grand Rapids. The groups will meet for 90 minutes every week during the academic year at: Aberdeen Elementary; Burton Elementary; Coit Creative Arts Academy; Congress Elementary; The Grand Rapids Library's main branch; Harrison Park Elementary; Madison Square Church; and Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Academy.

PUBLIC SERVICE

Greg Sundstrom announced he plans to retire as the city of Grand Rapids’s third-longest serving city manager. Sundstrom was first elected city manager by the City Commission on July 29, 2009, after serving as deputy city manager, chief services officer and assistant city manager. He began with the city as a seasonal employee in 1981 and then was hired as an entry-level permanent employee in 1986.

RESTAURANTS

Meritage Hospitality Group announced one of its Wendy’s restaurants relocated to a new designed building at 801 West Norton Ave., Norton Shores.

RETAIL

Artisan Flowers relocated to 452 Ada Drive, Suite 115 in the new Ada Drive Plaza.

Great Lakes Fresh Market in North Muskegon is preparing to open a fourth location on Sherman Boulevard in Muskegon. Completion of the remodel is slated sometime this fall.

TECHNOLOGY

OST was recently awarded a contract from the city of Grand Rapids to create monitoring devices that will evaluate the quality of air in various locations. The pilot program is in partnership with StartGarden and Seamless.