Professional Highlights from the 517 Region
GCSI Named Top Michigan Lobbying Firm
Governmental Consultant Services Inc. was ranked the most effective multi-client lobbying firm in Michigan in an MIRS/EPIC-MRA survey. The firm received 20% of the vote, holding the top spot for nearly two decades.
“This distinct honor is a reflection of the professionalism and hard work of our team each and every day,” said Mike Hawks, CEO of GCSI. “We are grateful for the confidence of our incredible clients and fellow Lansing leaders. These strategic partnerships are a result of our unwavering commitment to building trust with our clients and ultimately in the pursuit of our collective goals.”
EPIC-MRA, a Lansing-based survey research firm, surveyed lobbyists, lawmakers, department directors and other local leaders. GCSI has been ranked the most effective multi-client lobbying firm in all the biennial insider surveys. This year, three GCSI lobbyists are listed in the top for most effective multi-client lobbyist.
WILX Announces Sports Team Changes
Longtime Lansing sports reporter Fred Heumann took on the role of co-sports director with the WILX-TV 10 sports team Aug. 1.
“We are fortunate to have Fred and Tim Staudt’s decades of sports reporting experience
as we head into a busy fall sports season,” said WILX Vice President and General Manager Debbie Petersmark.
On Aug. 9, News 10 relaunched a nightly sportscast in its 11 p.m. newscasts. Heumann anchors the 11 p.m. sportscasts Tuesday through Friday. Kellan Buddy anchors the 11 p.m. sportscasts Saturday through Monday. Heumann and Buddy also co-anchor the Friday night “Sports Blitz.” Natalie Kerwin is dedicated to covering sports stories, supporting all WILX on-air and digital sports platforms.
“I am honored to have this exciting opportunity to play a larger role at News 10,” said Heumann. “My first seven months at WILX have reinvigorated me. I look forward to teaming with Tim, Kellan and Natalie to reshape our sports brand in this terrific community. It will be a blast being back on the 11 p.m. news.”
Summit Celebrates Expanded Store
Summit Comics and Games purchased its building and doubled its footprint with a new and improved expanded storefront space at 216 S. Washington Square in Lansing. The business celebrated a grand opening in July.
The Summit Comics and Games expansion was made possible through a Match on Main grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corp. and Downtown Lansing
Inc., local grant support through the city of Lansing, and the support of Summit’s loyal clientele. Through the support of grant funds, Summit not only doubled the size of the storefront, but it was able to update plumbing, improve the layout of the store, replace flooring, add capacity and display areas for product lines, and update signage to incorporate the enhanced space.
“We are so excited to continue to be a part of the Lansing community and have so many people to thank for making this new and improved space possible,” said Summit owner Reggie Clem. “Special thanks to all of the friends and customers of Summit. When we went into the COVID era, we put buying the building on hold. However, the support of our customers and neighbors rallying around us, the purchase of the building and expansion were possible. We look forward to providing Lansing with an even better experience at Summit.”
Spring Joins Staff at M3 Group
M3 Group, a Lansing-based full-service marketing and branding agency, hired Audrey Spring as a creative visionary.
Spring’s industry experience includes art direction, publication and print design, brand development, illustration, and photography. She graduated from the Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an illustration minor. Her creative involvement and highly illustrative background give her an edge in an agency environment.
DBI Elevates Design Team
DBI announced two promotions within its team. Senior Interior Designer Sydney Watkins was named director of strategic relationships and Kylie Barbier is the new interior design manager.
In her new role, Watkins brings six years of corporate interior design experience, product knowledge and a network of industry partners to find solutions to bring clients’ furniture vision to life. Her designs speak to functionality and workplace well-being.
Barbier’s new position will allow her to develop and implement successful design strategies, outlining how the design team will create deliverables and implement them for the project. She does that all while maintaining morale among the DBI design team.
“Kylie and Sydney have been a key part of our success, and we were thrilled be a part of their continued growth,” said George Snyder, president of DBI
CASE Awards $24,000 in Scholarships
CASE Credit Union announced the recipients of its 2021 scholarship program, providing $24,000 in financial support to regional high school and Lansing Community College students. The credit union also unveiled the addition of a new scholarship as well as a new internship program in partnership with the college.
The new annual scholarship, the Director’s Award, is presented to one high school student planning to attend college in the fall. The $1,000 inaugural award was presented to Alicea Heady of Everett High School, who will be attending Michigan State University.
The credit union also introduced The William Brewer II Executive Leadership Program, Financial Services Internship, in honor of Brewer’s service as board chair of CASE Credit Union since 1991. This internship will allow Lansing Community College students to meet with and shadow executives and experienced CASE Credit Union team members, giving them real-life exposure to the business world.
The Chubb/Hayes/Feeman Scholarship awarded $1,000 to eight college-bound high school seniors: Kaylee Harrison of Haslett High School, Erin Folks of DeWitt High School, Megan Schittenhelm of Hanover Horton High School, Briget Stolz of Howell High School, Cole Goodman of Grand Ledge High School, Caden Plaxton of Williamston High School, Haylie Lewis of Eaton Rapids High School and Julia Marie Gierman of Gierman Academy.
The Shelia A. Williams-Matlock Scholarship awarded
$1,000 to five college-bound high school seniors: Anatasia Charles of Everett High School, Noah Yarborough of East Lansing High School,
David Hagerstrom of East Lansing High School, Dana Minor of Eastern High School and Tabarak Al Qaizy of Everett High School.
The Constance Knowlton Scholarship awarded $2,000 to five current Lansing Community College students: Anferny Bradley, Megan Clifford, Rebecca Reeves, Travon Sadler and Anton Moritz.
Christman Places 92nd in National Contractor Ranking
The Engineering News-Record, a news outlet known as the authority for tracking the construction industry, has placed The Christman Co. at No. 92 on its 2021 “ENR 400” list of the top 400 contractors nationally. Overall rankings were calculated according to 2020 construction revenue.
Based in Lansing, Christman also landed at No. 77 on the 2021 ENR list of top 100 contractors by new contracts.
“Obviously, the last year created new challenges for everyone, and the construction industry was not an exception,” said Christman President and CEO Steve Roznowski. “We are thankful that our company could still serve clients and keep our team members employed across the country. It is an honor to again be named in ENR’s top 100 national contractors, and we are especially grateful to maintain our status this past year. Our focus, as always, is on future growth in our industry and exceeding the expectations of clients.”
The Christman Co., founded in 1894, is a professional construction services firm. The company’s services include construction management, general contracting, design/build, program management, real estate development, self-perform and millwork.
“These rankings are made possible because of our relationships with clients and partners,” said John Holmstrom, senior vice president at Christman’s headquarters in Lansing. “It took collaboration and flexibility among our Christman team members to adjust to the past year during a pandemic, and we did so without compromising our standards or client service. We are grateful to maintain our status as a top construction firm.”
Capitol Fundraising Names New VP
Capitol Fundraising Associates announced the promotion of it new vice president, Caitlin O’Rourke.
In her position as senior associate, O’Rourke was instrumental in managing client portfolios and recruiting new clients. In her new role, O’Rourke will focus on intern and associate management and development, as well as strategic growth for CFA and client relationships.
O’Rourke began her career at CFA in 2016 as an associate. She has a bachelor’s degree in political science and government from Grand Valley State University
CFA is a multi-client fundraising firm providing board development and training, strategic planning, capital camping consulting and overall insight for client fundraising programs.
Waggoner Purchases Lansing Office Building
Martin Commercial Properties, a privately owned real estate services and development company, facilitated the sale of a free-standing office building at 2400 Lake Lansing Road in Lansing to Waggoner Financial Group.
Martin’s office team of Senior Vice President and Office Adviser Eric Rosekrans and Senior Associate and Office Adviser Thomas Jamieson represented the seller, Jeffrey Baker of B&B Ventures, in the sale of the property.
Loomis Attorneys Receive Recognition
Several attorneys for Loomis, Ewert, Parsley, Davis and Gotting were recognized in their practice areas for 2022 by Best Lawyers in America.
They include James F. Anderton V in business organizations, closely held companies and family businesses law; Jeffrey L Green in real estate law; Paula K. Manis in arbitration, mediation, and oil and gas law; Mikhail Murshak in litigation; James R. Neal in energy law, national resources law, and oil and gas law; Michael G. Olivia in administrative/regulatory law and energy law; Michael H. Rhodes in corporate law, health care law, oil and gas law, and real estate law; Kevin J. Roragen in commercial litigation and municipal law; and Jeffrey S. Theuer in commercial litigation and construction law.
Allerga Earns Sales Pinnacle Award
Brad and Shirley Naghtin, owners of Allegra Marketing Print Mail in Lansing, were recently acknowledged with an annual Sales Pinnacle Award by the Alliance Franchise Brands network.
Presented during the network’s 2021 virtual convention, the annual award recognizes outstanding sales performance in the international network of marketing and print services providers.
“This award is given to those who represent and personify our core value of putting customers first,” said Burke Cueny, vice president of marketing for Alliance Franchise Brands. “The Allegra Lansing team continues to serve local businesses and organizations during prosperous times and offer support during times of economic challenge — a testament to what a true marketing partner does.”
