Change Ups: GRCC dedicates Meijer Center

Change Ups: GRCC dedicates Meijer Center

GRCC Foundation Board Chairperson David Custer, Mark Meijer, Hank Meijer and GRCC President Steven C. Ender.

Grand Rapids Community College recently unveiled its Meijer Center for Business Studies. Located on the second floor of the college’s Main Building, the center features three computer labs with double projection images and one “learn lab” with triple projection images and powered tables for laptop use; two break-out small group work spaces and one large collaboration suite; a boardroom for shared use and professional simulation activities; and a business center for faculty.

ACCOUNTING

Plante Moran announced the additions of Mike Van Laan, Dylan Kangas and Nathan Glardon to its assurance staff.

AWARDS

Johnson Controls honored automotive suppliers Automatic Spring Products Corp. of Grand Haven with a Platinum 2013 Interiors Award, and Lakeland Finishing of Grand Rapids with a Silver.

Leslie Brown, CEO of Holland’s Metal Flow Corp., was honored at the Ninth Annual Lakeshore Athena Award luncheon as the 2013 Athena recipient.

CONSTRUCTION

ABC Supply Co. Inc. announced the promotion of Brad Messer to managing partner.

Owen-Ames-Kimball Co. has named Tom Stanek director of its Kalamazoo operations, scheduled to open in November. Stanek will be responsible for business development, resource management and overall project success.

EDUCATION

Aquinas College announced faculty member additions: Stephen Barrows, associate professor of economics; Daniel Cruikshanks, associate professor of psychology; Clark Danderson, assistant professor of biology; Joseph Fox, associate professor of mathematics; Tim Henshaw, visiting assistant professor in chemistry; Bryan Pilkington, assistant professor of philosophy; Julie Schatz-Stevens, assistant professor of psychology; Todd Yarbrough, assistant professor of economics; and Linda Keway, co-curricular coordinator.

The Hope College chemistry department has been honored by the American Chemical Society Midwest Region and its Committee on Minority Affairs with the 2013 Stanley C. Israel Regional Award for Advancing Diversity in the Chemical Sciences.

Dr. William Pannapacker, Hope College English professor and director of the Mellon Scholars Program, has been named faculty director of a new collaborative project of the Great Lakes Colleges Association. He will serve as faculty director of the GLCA Digital Liberal Arts Initiative. 

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Troy Schnabel has joined Watkins Ross as an actuary.

David L.J.M. Skidmore, a partner with Warner Norcross & Judd LLP, has been elected to the board of directors of the Western Michigan Estate Planning Council. He will serve a three-year term on the board, which is comprised of attorneys, CPAs, financial planners, trust officers and other interested in practicing estate planning in the region.

GRANTS

Davenport University is one of nine U.S. institutions to be awarded grant funding under the Nurse Education Practice, Quality and Retention: Veteran’s Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Nursing Program by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration. Funding includes an initial $327,284 for the 2013-14 program with recommended future funding, bringing the total to $1,217,446 over a four-year period.

Grand Rapids Community College announced it has received a federal Child Care Access Means Parents in School grant that will provide $99,424 each year for four years to support child-care services to low-income parents enrolled in GRCC’s Occupational Support program.

HEALTH

Allegan General Hospital announced the addition of Rachel VanDenBrink, D.O., to its medical staff. VanDenBrink joined the Allegan Medical Clinic. Her specialty is family medicine with areas of interest in preventive medicine and women’s health.

Milan’s Miracle Fund has awarded Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation $52,219 to support research for children with cancer.

INSURANCE

Adam Porczynski, agency owner for Farmers Insurance-The Porczynski Agency, has earned the Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow professional designation.

Grand Valley Health Plan is the No. 1 private health plan in Michigan and No. 24 private health plan in the U.S., according to annual rankings of the National Committee for Quality Assurance. 

Shelli Hall has joined the Ottawa Kent team as a personal risk advisor specializing in personal lines insurance in its Sparta office.

LEGAL

Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge announced the addition of the following attorneys from the law firm of Even & Franks: Eugene Franks, Kevin Even, Kevin Huss and Thomas Andrews Jr., all of Muskegon.

MANUFACTURING

Belco Industries announced it successfully installed a custom paint line for Plasan Carbon Composites’ facility in Walker, customizing the system to Plasan’s needs.

PUBLIC SERVICE

Gov. Rick Synder announced the appointment of Scott Wierda of Georgetown Township to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority Board.

Rosalynn Bliss, Grand Rapids 2nd Ward City Commissioner, was appointed to the statewide Michigan Municipal League board of trustees.

RESTAURANTS

The Score, a restaurant and sports bar at 5301 Northland Drive, announced it raised $5,000 for local nonprofits West Michigan Mountain Biking Alliance and Friends of the White Pine Trail during its recent Tap-Fest.

RETAIL

Art Hasse, president and owner of Kentwood Office Furniture LLC, announced the company has formed an Employee Stock Ownership Plan.

Cindy Baas announced she has assumed ownership of consignment boutique littlePOSH, 3140 Plainfield Ave. NE.

TECHNOLOGY

IT Resource announced the addition of Mike Nawara, help desk analyst.

TRANSPORTATION

Peter Varga, CEO of The Rapid, was elected to serve as chair of the American Public Transportation Association’s board of directors. Also, Conrad Venema, The Rapid’s strategic planning manager, has been recognized by MassTransit Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40.