Change Ups: GRCC professors honored as ‘go-to’ staff members

Change Ups: GRCC professors honored as ‘go-to’ staff members

GRCC President Dr. Steven C. Ender presents psychology professor Judy A. Jankowski with an Excellence in Education Award.

Grand Rapids Community College professor Judy A. Jankowski was nominated by their peers as recipients of the Excellence in Education Award. Jankowski is known for making students feel valued, a go-to staff member in the School of Workforce Development, and a professor who has received national attention for her outstanding course design. This year’s Excellence in Education Staff Award went to Nanci Guigue, an Educational Support Professional in GRCC’s School of Workforce Development. This year’s Excellence in Teaching by Adjunct Faculty Award went to Cheryl Kautz, who has taught in the computer information systems department since 2007. The Excellence in Education Awards was established in 1989 to honor GRCC employees for their contributions to the college, higher education and the community.

ARCHITECTURE & ENGINEERING

Progressive AE announced Bryan W. Koehn, director of design, has earned the Distinguished Architecture Alumni Award from Lawrence Technological University.

ARTS

Grand Rapids Symphony musicians have been accepted as full members of the International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians.

Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra announced Judy Jolliffe has been named interim executive director while the KSO board searches for a permanent executive director. The former executive director, Jennifer Barlament, has accepted the position of general manager of The Cleveland Orchestra.

ASSOCIATIONS

APICS-Grand Rapids announced its 2013-2014 board of directors: president, Danielle Campbell; president-elect, Randy Gilbert; past president, Shridhar Bhat; vice president of marketing, Joel Schipper; vice president of finance, Catherine Bosscher; membership director, Jerry Bays; in-house education director, Tod Schwartz; public education director, Mark Hoekstra; PDM director/special events director, Jim Boes; and director-at-large, Ron Kopp.

The Institute for Supply Management-Greater Grand Rapids announced its 2013-2014 board of directors: president, Tom Cole; past president, Lois DeHaan;1st vice president, Jim Armantrout; 2nd vice president, Kris Busman; 3rd vice president, Mark Otto; secretary, Laurene Garchow; treasurer, Mark Dunn. Board of advisors: Eric Kubeck, Dan Hosford, Kristi Paul, Deborah Harsha. Communications, Amy Poplaski; education committee, Edwin Mancuso; and webmaster, Kip Smalligan.

BANKING

Northpointe Bank announced the additions of Tabitha Johnson, residential loan officer, and Shannon Linton, loan officer administrative assistant. Both will work in the bank’s Grand Haven office.

BUSINESS SERVICES

Action Industrial Supply announced it has purchased Reid Safety, 2170 E. Sherman Blvd., Muskegon, allowing it to expand its sales area. Action’s family of companies includes two locations in Muskegon and Grand Rapids, as well as Safety Products, a division located in Holland.

Grand Management Group, a Grand Rapids company offering accounting, tax, retirement, consulting and practice management services to medical and dental offices, announced it is now also providing information technology consulting and services. For information, see grandmg.com.

Kentwood Office Furniture announced the addition of Greg VanKoevering as inventory manager in its Grand Rapids office. VanKoevering previously worked at Excel Office Interiors as warehouse manager.

CONSTRUCTION

Adam Hartwell has joined Dan Vos Construction Co. as project manager.

CSM Group announced the promotions of Brandon Duprey, Jim Feltch and Josh Rohs to group vice presidents. 

EDUCATION

Grand Valley State University announced Renee Freeman will take over as director of public safety and police chief, replacing Barb Bergers who retired at the end of June.

Kuyper College announced the inauguration of Dr. Patricia Harris, provost. She will be responsible for providing leadership to and directing all academic areas of the college.

The National Science Foundation has awarded Hope College with a $427,450 grant for a Nikon A1 laser scanning confocal microscope system that will enhance research and teaching.

Stephen Popp, director of budgeting and financial analysis in Cornerstone University’s accounting and finance office, has earned the Certified Management Accountant designation from the Institute of Certified Management Accountants.

Rockford Education Foundation announced the promotion of Sue Arend to executive director and named Peggy Keane its first-ever development director.

GRANTS

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lakeshore has received a $5,000 grant from Ronald McDonald House Charities of Outstate Michigan that will support the agency’s efforts to train adult mentors via the Match Support Specialists that monitor the safety of children and assist with the healthy growth of the mentoring relationship.

HEALTH

Mercy Health Muskegon’s lakeshore campus hosted a grand opening for its new Health Project office at 217 Michigan Ave. in Shelby. The Health Project provides a vital link in working to improve health care and its delivery in Muskegon County and the surrounding West Michigan region.

Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services announced the addition of five psychiatrists to its staff: Julie Arellano, M.D., Manav Khullar, M.D.; Bibhas Singla, M.D.; Ryan Pontanilla, M.D.; and Mon Poulose, M.D. 

HUMAN SERVICES

Liz Chatman and Betty Beth Johns have joined Access of West Michigan as benefits outreach coordinators. They will visit various food pantries and other sites to help eligible families and individuals sign up to receive benefits and also link them to other resources.

INSURANCE

Kristie Lee has joined Edify North as an account manager. 

LEGAL

Grand Rapids-based Bloom Sluggett Morgan PC partners Cliff Bloom and Jeff Sluggett have been named Super Lawyers for the seventh year in a row.

Fifty-seven attorneys with Warner Norcross & Judd LLP have been named Super Lawyers in the eighth annual publication of Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine. 

Mika Meyers Beckett & Jones PLC lawyers James R. Brown, Fredric N. Goldberg and Eric S. Richards were named 2014 Grand Rapids Lawyers of the Year by Best Lawyers. Brown is Real Estate Lawyer of the Year; Goldberg is Water Lawyer of the Year; and Richards Securities Regulation Lawyer of the Year.

Rhoades McKee announced Harold E. Nelson will serve as chair of the Financial Dispute Resolution Practice Group, and Mark R. Smith will serve as chair of the Construction Practice Group.

West Michigan Law PC announced Adam Zuwerink has been selected for inclusion in the 2013 Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Stars list in the practice area of real estate.

NONPROFITS

Theresa Valitutto has joined the American Heart Association as corporate events director in charge of the Go Red For Women initiative in the Grand Rapids area and also of the Heart Ball.