Change Ups: Hatch named Davenport ‘Distinguished Alumni’

Change Ups: Hatch named Davenport ‘Distinguished Alumni’

Pat Hatch, a 31-year field medic with Life EMS Ambulance, recently was honored with a Distinguished Alumni Award from Davenport University. The award was presented by the College of Health Professions and is for those who have “exemplified the vision and values of Davenport University through their professional and community service.” Hatch has delivered 14 babies, saved countless lives and is affectionately called “Papa” among his colleagues, having mentored and trained countless EMTs throughout the years.

AGRICULTURE

The Great Lakes Ag-Tech Business Incubator in Ottawa County has received more than $75,000 in cash contributions in less than a year after opening its doors. Contributions have come from public and private sector sponsors and from signed client agreements with ag-technology companies.

ARCHITECTURE & ENGINEERING

Architect Matt Christie has joined Mathison|Mathison Architects. Christie relocated from Chicago where he worked on projects ranging from a Chicago Park District Field House to an aircraft complex in Saudi Arabia.

ASSOCIATIONS

Doreen Schoenborn, medical practice executive in Grand Rapids, was elected 2015-2016 president of Okemos-based Michigan Medical Group Management Association.

AWARDS

Kathleen R. Amirante has received the 2015 NALS (Association for Legal Professionals) Award of Excellence, the highest award given by NALS. Amirante has been a member of NALS since 1990, and has served in numerous chairmanships and offices, including as president of both NALS of Lansing and NALS of Michigan.

Larry D. Johnson, assistant superintendent and executive directorof Grand Rapids Public Schools Safety & Security, has received the Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Michigan’s Crime Fighter Award.

Muskegon County Convention & Visitors Bureau tourism coordinator Kristin Knop is the recipient of Circle Michigan’s 11th Annual Bill Shepler Volunteer of the Year Award.

BANKING

Grand River Bank in Grandville announced the additions of Steve Axdorff, AVP/mortgage loan officer, and Dawn Bonney, mortgage processing specialist.

Lake Michigan Credit Union has hired Dave Stellin, mortgage loan originator. He will be servicing the Grand Rapids market from LMCU’s Glenwood Hills corporate headquarters.

BUSINESS SERVICES

Angstrom Supply will move its clean room manufacturing operation to a 5,000-square-foot space at 2543 Three Mile Road NW in Walkerby the end of this year. NAI Wisinski of West Michigan brokered the sale of the property.

Barnes & Thornburg partner Don Lawless was elected to the Michigan Chamber of Commerce board of directors.

The Right Place Inc. has received a Gold Excellence in Economic Development Award from the International Economic Development Council for a 2015 project in the Special Purpose Print Brochure category for communities with populations of greater than 500,000.

CONSTRUCTION

Feyen Zylstraco-founders Marlin Feyen and Bob Zylstra were inducted into the Michigan Construction Hall of Fame during a ceremony at Ferris State University. 

Kent Companies has promoted Duane Andrus, vice president of the commercial piering divisions across Michigan and Central Ohio; and Mike Wegman, vice president of the company’s national steel distribution division.

EDUCATION

Educational websitenoodle.com has ranked Grand Rapids Public Schools’ John Ball Zoo School and Grand Rapids Public Museum School among the 41 Most Innovative K-12 Schools in America.

FOUNDATIONS

Rhoades McKee attorney Stephanie Myott has been named to the Porter Hills Foundation Professional Advisory Committee.

HEALTH

Robert (Bob) Wolford received the third annual Administrator of the Year Award from the Michigan Medical Group Management Association.

Michigan Healthcare Volunteer Resource Professionals in Lansing announced the volunteer services manager at Bronson Healthcare in Kalamazoo, Julie VanderNoot, has been named treasurer to its state board of directors.

Northern Physical Therapy has promoted Julie Blodgett to wellness director, handling fitness and wellness at all six clinics and the Wayland and Northview Fitness Centers. Erin King has been hired as a physical therapist at the Coopersville and Sparta locations, and athletic trainer Rachel Sprenger will work with students at Covenant Christian High School.

Tina Freese-Decker, president, Spectrum Health Hospital Group, is one of the 12 health care entrepreneurs and executives age 40 or younger who were recognized as 2015 Up & Comers  by Modern Healthcare magazine.

 

HUMAN SERVICES

Guiding Light Mission has added G. Robert DeYoung and John Harrington to its board of directors. Both will serve three-year terms.

Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids is relocating its local workforce development office to 3777 Sparks Drive. An open house is scheduled for 4-7 p.m. Nov. 12.

INSURANCE

Rose Street Advisors principal Rob Hunt has earned designation as a Chartered Life Underwriter.

LEGAL

Holland-based Cunningham Dalman PC attorney and partner Haans Mulder has been named a Rising Star by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine.

Foster Swift Collins & Smithattorney John Mashni was elected to the State Bar of Michigan Arts, Communications, Entertainment & Sports Council.

 

Levine & Levine in Kalamazoo has hired attorney Rachel Gruetzner, whose focus is on family law matters, general civil and criminal litigation and criminal appeals.

Rhoades McKee real estate and environmental law practice groups chair Scott Steiner was elected to serve as secretary/treasurer of the Environmental Law Section Council of the State Bar of Michigan. Jennifer Stough has joined the law firm as a paralegal.

Warner Norcross & Judd partner Gaëtan Gerville-Réache has been elected chair-elect of the Appellate Practice Section of the State Bar of Michigan.

NONPROFITS

Feeding America West Michigan of Comstock Park received a $1,000 donation from the Michigan Farm Bureau State Young Farmer Committee that will be used to distribute food to families in 40 Michigan counties.

Make-A-Wish Michigan in Brighton announced the election of Meg Miller Willit, of Grandville, to its board of directors.

The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids announced Greg Meyer has joined its senior leadership team as vice president of fund development and communication.

PUBLIC SERVICE

At its annual awards ceremony, Grand Rapids Fire Department announced 21 promotions and 60 Distinguished Service Recognitions for exemplary service; recognized firefighters for extreme professionalism and dedication; honored four citizens who assisted in saving the life of a citizen; and awarded retired Firefighter Ed DeMaagd the American Legion-Furniture City Post No. 258 Firefighter of the Year.

SPORTS

The West Michigan Sports Commission announced the launch of a 2017 State Games of American video featuring Grand Rapids, which will host the 2017 event.

TECHNOLOGY

Christopher Conger was featured speaker during the Veteran Talent in IT and Cybersecurity session of the 2015 North American International Cyber Summit in Detroit. He is currently working to obtain his LearnKey Cyber Security Program certification in Big Rapids.

Open Systems Technologies has been chosen by CRN Magazine as a 2015 Triple Crown Winner, having been featured on CRN’s Solution Provider 500, Tech Elite 250 and Fast Growth 150 lists in 2015.

TRANSPORTATION

The Rapid received two first-place awards from the American Public Transportation Association, including “We’re on the Line” promoting its Silver Line in the print, advertisement – promotion category, which went on to receive the Grand Award in the print category, and first-place award for the Silver Line map in the print, system map category.