Great Lakes Energy’s People Fund awarded $168,457 in grants last year to charitable and community organizations. The fund is supported solely by Great Lakes Energy members who allow their electric cooperative to round up their bill each month to the next dollar. The grants were awarded to 63 charitable and community organizations throughout Great Lakes Energy’s 26-county service area, which stretches from Kalamazoo to the Mackinac Straits.

ACCOUNTING

Hungerford Nichols CPAs + Advisors announced Kathy Doerr has been promoted to assistant controller and Jenn Rogell, CPA, has been promoted to senior staff accountant. 

ARCHITECTURE & ENGINEERING

Byce & Associates Inc. of Kalamazoo announced Fred Grunert has been named vice president. The firm also has added David Ertman, electrical engineering department manager, and Suzanne Nemeth, senior interior designer.

ARTS

Grand Rapids Ballet announced the additions of Theresa DeVries and Amy Norkus to its board.

Opera Grand Rapids’ artistic director Robert Lyall announced his resignation after a 26-year tenure. Lyall was named general and artistic director of the New Orleans Opera Association in December 1998, and he has since retained positions with both NOOA and Opera Grand Rapids.

ASSOCIATIONS

Kent GOP announced the election of: chair, John Inhulsen; vice-chair, Lisa Posthumus Lyons; treasurer, Johnny Brann Jr.; secretary, Kristen Ward; and finance co-chairs, Scott Brew and Charlie Secchia. Paul Cordes will remain executive director.

BUSINESS SERVICES

Cindy Pfeiffer has joined Right Management as executive consultant of its offices in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. 

James J. Maioho announced the launch of James J. Maioho Advisors and jamesmaioho.com to address the challenges that face business owners, executives and everyday people. He is the author of "Winners Give Up!" and a contributing author to "A New Year to A New You," both by Motivational Press.

The Rotary Club of Grand Rapids announced the election of its officers: president, Thomas R. Mathison; president elect, Derek Aten; president nominee, Michael Sytsma; president designate, Renwick Brutus; secretary, Chelsea Dubey; treasurer, James Pike; sergeant-at-arms, John Salan; and past president, Ed Bujdos. 2014-2015 board members are: Susan Brasic, John Crosby, Jonathan Hankins, Neil Marchand, Deborah Nykamp, John Preston, Bob Stark, Cynthia VanGelderen, Matthew Zimmerman, Theodore Vecchio and Dawn Smith.

EDUCATION

Hope College honored faculty members during its annual recognition luncheon: Recognized for 40 years of service: Jim Piers and John Shaughnessy; 35 years: Christopher Barney and Anthony Perovich; 30 years: Paul DeYoung and Janet Everts; 25 years: Steven Iannacone, Sylvia Kallemeyn, Huw Lewis, Steve Smith and Yolanda Vega; and 20 years: Virginia McDonough and Jeff Tyler. Janet L. Andersen Excellence in Teaching Award: Jason Gillmore. Ruth and John Reed Faculty Achievement Award: John Cox. Academic Computing Innovation Award: Mark Husbands. Provost’s Awards for Service to the Academic Program: Janis Gibbs and Stephen Hemenway. Motoichiro Oghimi Global Courage Award: Amy Otis-DeGrau.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Norris, Perné & French has appointed Lon Swartzentruber its new managing director. Swartzentruber will initiate new services to meet client needs for philanthropic, estate and legacy planning in conjunction with the firm’s investment counsel.

GOVERNMENT

Fitch Ratings has affirmed the East Grand Rapids’ AAA Bond Rating for consistently strong unrestricted general fund balances, a strong financial management team and a stable tax base.

East Grand Rapids welcomed Douglas William La Fave, assistant city manager. La Fave previously served as assistant to the vice president of finance and administration at Kendall College of Art and Design.

Kent County Board of Commissioners announced its leadership: chair, Dan Koorndyk (District 18); vice-chair, Jim Saalfeld (District 11); and minority party vice-chair, Carol Hennessy (District 14). Commissioners who took the oath of office: Stan Stek (District 6), Matt Kallman (District 9) and Emily Post Brieve (District 10).

HUMAN SERVICES

Sunset Retirement Communities & Services announced Steve Bossenbroek has been appointed chief financial officer of Sunset. He recently held the position of U.S. controller for GFT Markets/Gain Capital.

LEGAL

Varnum announced Linsey Gleason, Stephen F. MacGuidwin and Timothy P. Monsma have been elected to the partnership. Gleason joined Varnum as an associate in 2008 and is a member of the  estate planning group. MacGuidwin is a trial lawyer, practicing in the finance, health care and technology industries. Monsma is a member of the trial law group, focusing on complex business disputes.

Warner Norcross & Judd LLP welcomed Ian R. Kennedy as a new partner. Kennedy concentrates his practice in general corporate law, employment and real estate law and also estate planning. He regularly counsels closely held businesses as well as nonprofit, educational, governmental and religious institutions.

LEISURE & RECREATION

Gymco Inc. owner Doreen Bolhuis announced she is passing the title of CEO to vice president Shannon Austhof, who also joins Bolhuis in ownership of the business. Bolhuis founded Gymco in 1980, and will retain the president title as she focuses on general oversight and completion of her succession plan over the next two years.

MEDIA

JQ99.3 in Zeeland announced new on-air line-ups: mornings, Ceci Labarge and Adam McNutt; mid-days, Sabrina Fairchild; afternoon drive, Ace McKay and Jeff Veley; and evenings, the Wally Show.

Sally Eisele has been named general manager of Interlochen Public Radio. Eisele was managing editor of WBEZ, where she was involved in its transformation from a traditional broadcast model to Chicago Public Media, a multi-platform media organization.

WZZM TV 13 announced Kim Krause has been named vice president, director of sales and marketing. She most recently was WZZM’s vice president, director of sales. Krause oversees the sales team and is responsible for all of the station’s marketing and promotion efforts.

NONPROFITS

Inner City Christian Federation President/CEO Jonathan Bradford announced he will retire in September  after 34 years of leading the nonprofit that serves more than 2,200 households across West Michigan with emergency shelter, rental and home ownership opportunities and broad array of housing and life-skill learning opportunities.

West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology’s Executive Director Kim Dabbs will participate in a three-month international residency at Stanford University's d.school focused on design thinking and innovation in education.

TECHNOLOGY

Brendan Kelly has joined Blackport Solutions as connectivity advisor. He will help educate businesses in West Michigan on voice and Internet solutions.

C/D/H announced Jeff Kinnelly has been promoted from consultant to UX team lead. Kinnelly will define and promote industry-leading practices for user research and analysis, interaction design, and usability.