The Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts has expanded its staff with Heather Duffy, exhibitions curator, and Katherine Williams, community programs coordinator. Duffy will plan exhibitions, manage its curatorial team, oversee the production of content and serve as a representative of UICA to the regional, state and national arts community. Williams will develop educational programming, work with volunteers and docents, and lead the ArtWorks program.

ADVERTISING & MARKETING

Johnson Rauhoff of St. Joseph announced the following promotions within its executive management team: Mason Johnson, now executive vice president moving in line as president-elect; Dawn Williams, executive vice president; and Elizabeth Kohler, vice president of creative.

ARCHITECTURE & ENGINEERING

GMB Architecture + Engineering in Holland has hired Steve Merriman, business development team; Wil Schley, building information modeling manager; and Christine Powers, communication team.

ARTS

Grand Rapids Ballet announced company dancer Stephen Sanford’s final performance will be the leading role in May’s world premiere of “Beethoven.” Sanford joined GRB in 2001.

AWARDS

Jim Roberts of Jim Roberts Centennial Securities Advisory Services has been named Michigan State University Executive MBA Alumnus of the Decade. 

CONSTRUCTION

CSM Group announced the additions of Rob Colyer and Mike Cusano, project managers, Nathan Hunt, BD/marketing coordinator, and Joseph Cavallo and Tom Pierce, construction managers.

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry has named Thompson Remodeling the 2015 East Central Regional CotY winner in the Residential Bath $50,001-$75,000 and Basement Under $50,000 categories of its annual awards competition.

West Michigan Roofing & Construction of Spring Lake announced the expansion of its roofing offerings to include Matterhorn metal roofing.

EDUCATION

Calvin College students Alli Carpenter, Hope Gaffner, Evans Lodge, Caris Lopez, Enrika Sinkeviciute, Julia Smit and Ana VanLonkhuyzen received Michigan Campus Compact's Heart and Soul Awards during its 19th annual Outstanding Student Service Awards Celebration.

Grand Rapids Community College culinary graduate Craig Koenigsknecht received the college’s Arthur Andrews Award, which goes to the Delta Pi Alpha student with the highest cumulative grade-point average and the greatest number of honor points.

Grand Rapids Community College’s U.S. Green Building Council Student Organization received several awards at the Midwest Regional Sustainable Conference: Student president, Cody Hansen, Golden Leaf Award; professor of mechanical and architectural design, David Dye, and assistant professor Charlotte Pease, Golden Leaf Award and Certificate of Recognition for their work as the group’s advisers.

KISD’s Andrew Steinman, educational technology, teaching and learning consultant, was recognized by the Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning as Educator of the Year. Brandy Lovelady Mitchell, assistant principal, Kent Career Tech Center, is one of nine recipients of the Elite Educationalist Appreciation Award, given by the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Tour Experience.

FILM AND VIDEO

At the 2015 Eclipse Awards presented by WKTV, the WMFVA and the Compass College of Cinematic Arts, the Hyperion Award was presented to Deanna Morse, GVSU professor emerita in the School of Communications film and video program

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Merrill Lynch wealth management advisor David A. Lund of Rockford has been recognized on the 2015 Financial TimesTop 400 Financial Advisors list.

FOOD & BEVERAGE

Townsquare Media of Kalamazoo has acquired The Taste of Kalamazoo from Events Inc. and Wayne Deering. Taste of Kalamazoo is one of downtown Kalamazoo’s marquee events; 2015 will mark its 30th anniversary.

GRANTS

Calvin College mathematics professor Jan Koop received a $220,000 Improving Teacher Quality Grant from the State of Michigan to improve the way mathematics is taught in elementary schools.

Lincoln Development Center has been awarded a grant totaling nearly $16,000 from Ronald McDonald House Charities Outstate of Michigan to purchase data projections systems for its classrooms.

The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs approved grants for the following organizations in Kent County and Kalamazoo: Urban Institute of Contemporary Arts, Artists Creating Together, West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology, Kalamazoo Book Arts Center, Read and Write Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University, Grandville Arts and Humanities, Kent District Library, Grand Rapids Creative Youth Center and Heritage Theatre Group.

HEALTH

Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital has launched a re-designed website at maryfreebed.com that is intuitive, mobile-optimized and easy to navigate with social media and video integration.

Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services has added four psychiatrists to provide care in its outpatient clinics and inpatient hospital: Kenya Alexander, Belal Hegazy, Tatjana Maric and Rebecca Sherwood.

Spectrum Health has been named to the 15 Top Health Systems list in Truven’s annual study analyzing national health care quality and safety performance. It is the only health system in Michigan to be so named.

LEGAL

NALS of West Michigan announced its 2015-2016 officers: president, Carolyn Field, Miller Johnson; vice president, Lynn Philp, Warner Norcross & Judd; secretary, Karen Rubin-Fortier; treasurer, Luke Grzybowski, Thrun Law Firm; and director, Tonya Mashue, Warner Norcross & Judd. Appointed to the board: parliamentarian, Teri Garber, Varnum; and executive advisor, Wil Antonides.

NALS of West Michigan presented its Award of Excellence to Carolyn Field, Miller Johnson. Certifications presented: Accredited Legal Professional, Samantha Rostad, Secrest Wardle; and Professional Paralegal, Donna Raaymakers, Gardner Linn Burkhart & Flory. Scholarship recipients: Rachel Dana and Kara Boersma $250 each.

Varnum announced veteran tax attorney Wayne D. Roberts has joined the firm’s tax planning, compliance and litigation group.

LOGISTICS

LeanLogistics of Holland has appointed Tim Hinson its chief operating officer.

NONPROFITS

Quota International of Grand Rapids selected its board of directors for 2015-16: president, Martha Herman, Empowered Consulting; vice president, Pam Howland, retired; treasurer, Maureen Martin, Home Repair Services; directors, Sandi Aten, Kathleen Freeman and Rachael Owsinski. Maureen Martin has been selected as 2015 Grand Rapids Quotarian of the Year.

PUBLIC SERVICE

Peaches McCahill, president of The McCahill Group, was reappointed chair for the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports while serving her third term as a member of the board.

RETAIL

Blue Hat Coffee in Coldwater has opened a roasted coffee store at 125 W. Green St., Marshall.

Eastern Floral opened a new concept store, bokay Flower Market, at Grand Rapids Downtown Market, its sixth retail location and second concept store. Bokay offers fresh stems and hand-tied bouquets of flowers and greenery.