Garant of Innocence Project Honored
Cooley Law School Innocence Project Co-Director Ann Garant was inducted into Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s 2025 Class of Influential Women of Law. The recognition ceremony was held at The Mint at Michigan First Conference Center in Lathrup Village.
Ann Garant
Each year, the Influential Women of Law program honors women attorneys and judges for their excellent work on behalf of the justice system and for their clients, their commitment to their communities, and their service to the profession.
As co-director of the Cooley Innocence Project, Garant oversees office operations, supervising staff attorneys, students and support staff. Since 2020, she has secured more than $1.8 million in funding that supports the review and testing of post-conviction cases involving DNA or other forensic issues. Additionally, Garant developed a community outreach and education program where team members and exonerees travel across the state to spread awareness and educate underserved communities about wrongful convictions and the criminal legal system.
Watson Named GM of LEPFA Properties
The Lansing Entertainment and Public Facilities Authority and Legends Global appointed Tony Watson as general manager of Lansing Center, the Michigan capital’s downtown convention and event hub.
In addition to the Lansing Center, Watson will also oversee Groesbeck Golf Course, Lansing’s 18-hole municipal course that celebrates its centennial in 2026, and Jackson Field, home to the Lansing Lugnuts, the High-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics.
Tony Watson
Watson brings 25 years of experience in venue management to the three city-owned properties, most recently serving as assistant general manager at Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas in Irving, Texas.
Peckham CEIO Retires
Peckham Chief Executive and Inclusion Officer Jo Sperry retired after five years of leading the award-winning organization.
With more than 3,000 employees, 11 locations, five social enterprises and more than 25 vocational rehabilitation services and programs, Sperry has led the mission, culture and overall business operations with an innovative and entrepreneurial spirit.
Sperry was with Peckham for nearly three decades serving in a variety of leadership roles within the company. Under Sperry’s leadership, Peckham has achieved significant growth and achievement across its line of businesses and federal contracts. Her demonstrated expertise includes successful implementation and creation of strategic partnerships to enable advanced job opportunities and upward mobility for individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment.
Triterra Retains Growth Ranking
Triterra, a Michigan-based environmental consulting firm, made its fifth consecutive appearance on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in the United States.
In 2025, Triterra ranked No. 3,067 overall with 132% three-year growth, as well as No. 51 in Michigan and No. 21 in environmental services.
“Being named to the Inc. 5000 for the fifth year in a row is both an honor and a reflection of what makes Triterra special,” said Don McNabb, Triterra CEO. “It speaks to the passion and dedication of our team and to our commitment to partnering with clients to create meaningful impact and help them achieve their goals.”
Maner Costerisan Earns Recognitions
Maner Costerisan earned several recent recognitions for its reputation and growth.
The firm placed No. 10 in the midsized category of Accounting Today’s 2025 Best Firms to Work For list. The recognition marked the 10th consecutive year the Lansing-based public accounting and business consulting firm earned a place on the national list. Maner also stood out as the highest-ranked midsized firm in Michigan.
Maner Costerisan Staff
In addition, Maner recently earned two major industry distinctions tied to business revenue growth: Inside Public Accounting’s 2025 Top 200 list, ranked No. 122, up from No. 127 in 2024.
Accounting Today’s 2025 Wealth Magnets list also recognized Maner for the second consecutive year as a leading wealth management provider.
Spice, Tea Stores Comes to Brighton
Downtown Brighton received a flavorful addition as The Spice and Tea Exchange celebrated its grand opening in October at 322 W. Main St. in Brighton.
“Our focus has always been on not just joining, but supporting and enriching the local community,” said Maryanne Munroe, co-owner of the business. “We first came to Brighton for a Special Olympics event some of my students were a part of and just fell in love with the town. To give back to the community that has so warmly embraced us, we’ll be hosting monthly Charity Shop Days, where we’ll host a charity and 10% of the proceeds from the day’s sales will be donated directly to the organization.”
James Lenon
OTCA Names Executive Director
James Lenon was named the new executive director of the Old Town Commercial Association.
Lenon comes to the association following a long career with the Michigan Senate. As a new Old Town resident, Lenon also has a significant creative and volunteer background. He’s often been seen with his camera shooting professional photos around Old Town and the Greater Lansing area, riding his mountain bike with his wife and friends, or volunteering at events as board president of the the Mid Michigan Mountain Biking Association.
La Cocina Cubana Opens Second Spot
La Cocina Cubana opened a second location to complement its popular downtown Lansing restaurant.
An October grand opening was held at the new restaurant, 219 E. Grand River Ave. in East Lansing. La Cocina Cubana offers authentic Cuban cuisine including a variety of fresh foods, such as sandwiches, empanadas, fried plantains, croquettes and other traditional Cuban dishes.
Colliers Announces Building Sale
Colliers commercial real estate announced the successful sale of a 123,405-square-foot Class A office building at 5913 Executive Drive in Lansing.
The Colliers team of Shawn O’Brien, senior vice president; Nicole Wiseman, senior associate; and Jeff Ridenour, associate vice president; represented the seller, LaFontaine Automotive Group, in the transaction.
David Robinson of NAI-Mid Michigan represented the purchaser.
LaFontaine Automotive Group acquired the property in 2023 for its strategic land location, which plays a key role in supporting the company’s adjacent Lansing-area dealerships. The two-tower office building was sold, allowing LaFontaine to retain just more than 3 acres of land to service their dealerships.
Meridian Appoints New Treasurer
Linda Burghardt was appointed as the new Meridian Township treasurer, following the retirement of former Treasurer Phil Deschaine.
Linda Burghardt
Burghardt’s financial expertise encompasses state of Michigan appropriations, campaign finance reporting and financial management for nonprofit associations. Over her 40-year career, she has served as executive director for the Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan and the National Alliance on Mental Illness. She was also the government relations director for the National Association of Social Workers, a legislative and fiscal analyst for the Michigan Senate, and a member of the Meridian Township Environmental Commission in 2019.
TRUE Community Credit Union Hires Vice Presidents
TRUE Community Credit Union hired Darcey Eagen as vice president of people and Jill Johnson as vice president of consumer and real estate lending.
Eagen has 25 years of experience leading human resources in the health care and banking industries. She has guided teams in talent acquisition, employee and labor relations, human resources strategy, and mergers and acquisitions.
Darcey Eagen and Jill Johnson
Johnson has more than three decades of lending experience, 28 years of proven leadership and 24 years of dedicated service within the credit union industry. She is passionate about professional development, leadership and delivering exceptional member service.
Sparrow Announces Openings
University of Michigan Health-Sparrow opened two new facilities to meet patient needs.
A new multiservice site in a renovated downtown Lansing building addresses a pharmacy desert created by the closure of a Rite Aid that filled nearly 100,000 prescriptions annually. In addition, as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Sparrow announced the grand opening of a comprehensive breast center.
The site of the former Rite Aid on Michigan Avenue houses a full-service pharmacy, an urgent care clinic and occupational health services. The project revitalizes a prominent location and aims to restore essential health care access for downtown residents and workers.
The new breast center offers a full spectrum of breast health services at a single, accessible location. The 9,000-square-foot center features new technology, including advanced 3D mammography, additional ultrasound stations and innovative biopsy tools, all designed to provide high-quality, compassionate care in a comfortable and welcoming environment.
Junior Achievement Adds Members
Junior Achievement of Mid Michigan added several new board members.
J. Nathan Adams of Barton Mallow, Brent Bruggink of CG Financial Services, Carmen Burnell of Delta Dental, Dewey Doyle of Tri Star Trust, Josh Ghena of Cinnaire and Connor McCarthy of Mercantile Bank joined the board.
