Change Ups: O-A-K hires senior project manager

Change Ups: O-A-K hires senior project manager

Tim Marcus joined a Grand Rapids-based construction management company that annually oversees $250 million worth of construction projects. Owen-Ames-Kimball hired Marcus as its senior project manager. Marcus has more than 30 years of commercial industry leadership ranging from multimillion-dollar higher education projects to fast-track commercial build-outs. In his new role, Marcus will oversee projects while providing leadership within the O-A-K project management team, including employee development and program management for commercial construction projects ranging from $5 million to $75 million.

AGRICULTURE

The results of an Ottawa County Farmland Preservation survey that went to more than 1,600 landowners with at least 5 acres of agriculturally zoned parcels within the county concludes: 63% agreed the creation of agricultural conservation easements is an important farmland preservation method; 78% agreed effective succession planning is an important farmland preservation method; 82% think farmland loss is now or could be a problem; 82% think it’s important to preserve farmland in Ottawa County; and 78% agreed effective succession planning is an important farmland preservation method.

AWARDS

BISSELL was rated 19th in the nation in Rover.com’s inaugural Best Dog Companies list.

BANKING

Rose Constantine rejoined Independent Bank as a senior mortgage loan officer at its Muskegon office.

Sparta-based ChoiceOne Bank received the 2019 Editor's Choice Award for Community Commitment from CardRates.com based on the bank’s fundraising and volunteer efforts that directly impact the Michigan communities ChoiceOne serves.

St. Joseph-based United Federal Credit Union partnered with Coconut Software to offer more streamlined appointment scheduling to its members and nonmembers. The new platform allows people to quickly schedule appointments with member service advisers, business service advisers or mortgage advisers in-person or online. Confirmations and reminders are sent out automatically, notifying both the member and the United representative of the upcoming appointment.

United Federal Credit Union announced the appointment of Candy Kulich as a new mortgage adviser at its Niles North branch.

BUSINESS SERVICES

Rehmann announced CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, named the firm to its 2019 Solution Provider 500 list, making it the ninth year in a row Rehmann has received this recognition (previously listed as Trivalent Group).

CONSTRUCTION

Holland-based Elzinga & Volkers Construction Professionals was ranked 105th on Associated Builders and Contractors’ 2019 Top Performers list, which recognized ABC member contractors’ achievements in safety, quality, diversity and project excellence ranked by work hours.

EDUCATION

Larry Johnson, chief of staff and executive director of public safety and school security for Grand Rapids Public Schools, was appointed to the Michigan School Safety Commission by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Johnson will represent school administrators for a term expiring Jan. 14, 2023.

The Van Andel Education Institute invited educators from across the country to submit their ideas on how they would use $5,000 to transform their classroom during Science on the Grand: A STEAM Conference for Inquiry-Based Instruction. Conference finalists will present their pitch to a panel of judges at the Science on the Grand Pitch Tank dinner. Selected winners will be awarded up to $5,000 to turn their idea into a reality. The conference takes place July 15 and 16 in Grand Rapids.

ENERGY

Jackson-based Consumers Energy received approval from the Michigan Public Service Commission for its Clean Energy Plan, which puts Consumers Energy on a path to eliminate coal, reduce carbon emissions by over 90% and meet customers’ future electricity capacity needs with 90% clean energy resources by 2040. The plan also has support from leading Michigan environmental and business groups.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Sturgis Bancorp Inc. announced the appointment of Jason G. Halling to the boards of directors for Sturgis Bancorp, Inc. and Sturgis Bank & Trust Company.

FOUNDATIONS

The Kalamazoo Community Foundation was recently selected for the Coalition for Inclusive Communities, a project of Boston-based Community Foundations Leading Change. CIC works to advance equity in the workplace and build community cohesion. KCF will develop in Kalamazoo County local employer networks to identify and promote practices that improve workplace equity, develop an Equity Standard Certification, develop a network of employers committed to this process and create a targeted effort to support and provide access, mentorship and resources to people of color.

GOVERNMENT

Gaines Charter Township Deputy Treasurer Jenna Pilkington earned her Michigan Certified Professional Treasurer’s certification.

HEALTH

Clinical-stage pharmaceutical company in Kalamazoo Cirius Therapeutics announced physician-scientist and industry executive Daniel Bloomfield, M.D., joined Cirius’ scientific advisory board.

Grand Haven-based Atlas Injury Prevention Solutions released the results of research that connects the correlation between certain physical and behavioral elements and the risks to employee health and wellness. Titled “Relationship between Demographics and Wellness in the Transportation Industry,” the report details the results of a five-year study of 15,165 drivers and nondrivers (employed in terminals, warehouses, shops and offices). Details: bit.ly/AtlasInjury.

HUMAN SERVICES

Mel Trotter Ministries recently celebrated the life transformation of more than 20 people who graduated from several different programs at the rescue mission, including housing readiness, job readiness, step-up recovery, youth and pilgrimage programs.

LEGAL

BTI Consulting Group included Warner Norcross + Judd LLP among its best-branded law firms in its BTI Brand Elite 2019: Law Firm Rankings. BTI also recognized Warner as a Litigation Powerhouse in its BTI Litigation Outlook 2019 report.

LEISURE & RECREATION

Club Pilates opened a new franchise within Breton Village at 1886 Breton Road SE, East Grand Rapids.

John Scholtz announced he intends to retire just shy of 32 years as director of the Ottawa County Parks & Recreation Department. In that time, the department grew from nine parks totaling 400 acres to 40 parks and open spaces covering nearly 7,000 acres.

REAL ESTATE

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Michigan Real Estate – Commercial welcomed Ali Dawson as its new administrative and marketing assistant to its commercial department.

Mark Brace, principal of Brace Homes, an eight-person team under the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices MI Real Estate brokerage, was accepted into Forbes Real Estate Council, an invitation-only community for executives in the real estate industry.

RESTAURANTS

Reserve Wine & Food announced the addition of certified sommelier Patrick Jobst to its team as beverage manager and sommelier.

TECHNOLOGY

EarthTronics in Muskegon introduced its new line of IP65 wet location rated Vapor Tight LEDs with an integral microwave sensor to provide a low-cost solution for lighting parking garages, cold storage, walkways, stairwells, under canopy, exterior retail and other wet, dusty and dirty environments. The 48-inch long, Vapor Tight LEDs with the integral microwave sensor from EarthTronics are available in 30 and 40 watts, producing 4,200 and 5,600 lumens with a 150-degree beam angle. Both units feature a 5,000 Kelvin color temperature with a high 80+ CRI. They have a 0-10 volt dimming standard and will perform in temperatures ranging from minus-20 degrees Fahrenheit to 122 degrees Fahrenheit.

OST hired the following individuals to its Grand Rapids office: Thahn Truong, application development, and Joel VanderWeide, application development.

The Service Industry Association, a global organization of companies supporting the high technology service supply chain, named Grand Rapids-based Service Express Chief Operating Officer Dwight Strayer as executive vice president.