Archives

Inside Track: Earned confidence drives OST president to be a leader

Even from an early age, Meredith Bronk told herself that no matter what profession she chose, she would become a success. Bronk, the president of...

Who will stand as the next philanthropic pillars?

Death is inevitable. Last week’s passing of Peter Wege, at age 94, conclusively proved that fact once again. Life is what you make of it,...

Subleasing has pitfalls for the unwary

As the local economy continues to improve, we’re seeing industrial, office and retail spaces being snapped up as soon as they hit the market. Office...

UAV regulation debate drones on

The Federal Aviation Administration is virtually at war with U.S. businesses trying to use small UAVs — unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones — including...

Amtrak station readies for arrivals

Grand Rapids’ new Amtrak station should be up and running come fall, according to The Rapid CEO Peter Varga. The Vernon J. Ehlers Amtrak Station,...

The dilemma of choosing how to allocate your time

PepsiCo CEO Indra K. Nooyi has stated you cannot have it all. That is a classic BFO — a blinding flash of the obvious.  Nooyi...

Mother Nature has insurance and restoration companies hopping

(As seen on WZZM TV 13) Like many other insurance agents in the Grand Rapids region, Mike Brouwers’ phone was ringing off the hook...

Survey highlights manufacturers’ biggest risk factors

Michigan’s publicly traded manufacturing companies consider competition and consolidation to be their biggest risks in 2014. BDO USA conducted its first Michigan-based manufacturing risk factor...

Attorneys look at potential jurors’ social media accounts

Attorneys often take a peek at the social media accounts of those selected for jury duty. They use the information to create a juror profile...

Peter Wege leaves a powerful community legacy

Peter Melvin Wege, a man who embodied the word “generosity” for several generations of West Michigan residents, passed away at home Monday. Wege, the...

Closely held corporations win religious freedom

The United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of Hobby Lobby two weeks ago in the contraception coverage case, Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, saying...

Change Ups: LHN donates to Feeding America WM

Lakeshore Health Network has donated $14,200 to Feeding America West Michigan to support its mobile food pantry trucks used to feed the hungry in...

Retail forecasts on the rise despite sluggish sales

LANSING — Michigan retailers’ outlook rose to its most optimistic level in more than nine years in May, following sluggish sales that didn’t keep...

Public Record

MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds ZADVINSKIS, Peter Z. et al, Independent Bank, Condo-Eaglecrest Meadows, $274,000 OSTERHART, Stephen J. et al, Ark-La-Tex Financial...

The new truth about ‘closing’ the sale: fair enough?

Every salesperson is looking for the fastest way, the best way and the easiest way to “close” a sale.  More than human nature, for salespeople...

Business mergers and acquisitions for strategic growth are on rise

A local risk management firm is seeing a trend toward mergers and acquisitions as businesses gain confidence in economic stability. There is an emerging trend...

State funds jumpstart road work

Contracts are expected to be awarded next week for work on two Grand Rapids streets funded by a one-time state appropriation of $2,124,850, although...

Street Talk: Wege went green before it was cool

It’s quite possible that even before anyone knew the South American rainforests were in trouble, Peter Wege already was lending a helping hand. There are...