Michigan Business Network

Monday, September 8th, MBN was on the road to the Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites, Kalamazoo, MI. This was day 2 of 2025's Michigan Works! Association's Annual Conference. In this video Chris Holman welcomes Carrie Rosingana, CEO at Capital Area Michigan Works! Lansing, serving Ingham, Eaton and Clinton Counties They discuss the services, and challenges facing his Michigan Works! chapter, along with what he's experiencing with the Michigan Works! Annual Conference. » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/ Michigan Works! Association Wraps Up 2025 Annual Conference in Kalamazoo The Michigan Works! Association successfully hosted its 2025 Annual Conference September 7–9 at the Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites in Kalamazoo. The three-day event brought together workforce development professionals,

Monday, September 8th, MBN was on the road to the Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites, Kalamazoo, MI. This was day 2 of 2025's Michigan Works! Association's Annual Conference. In this video Chris Holman welcomes Chris Andresen, Partner, Dutko Grayling, based out of Washington, D.C.. They discuss the lobbying services, and challenges, along with what he's experiencing with the Michigan Works! Annual Conference. » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/ Michigan Works! Association Wraps Up 2025 Annual Conference in Kalamazoo The Michigan Works! Association successfully hosted its 2025 Annual Conference September 7–9 at the Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites in Kalamazoo. The three-day event brought together workforce development professionals, employers, educators, policymakers, and community leaders to

Monday, September 8th, MBN was on the road to the Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites, Kalamazoo, MI. This was day 2 of 2025's Michigan Works! Association's Annual Conference. In this video Chris Holman welcomes Todd Gustafson, President & Chief Executive Officer, Kinexus, Benton Harbor, MI. They discuss the services, and challenges facing his Michigan Works! chapter, along with what he's experiencing with the Michigan Works! Annual Conference. » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/ Michigan Works! Association Wraps Up 2025 Annual Conference in Kalamazoo The Michigan Works! Association successfully hosted its 2025 Annual Conference September 7–9 at the Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites in Kalamazoo. The three-day event brought together workforce development professionals, employers, educators, po

Monday, September 8th, MBN was on the road to the Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites, Kalamazoo, MI. This was day 2 of 2025's Michigan Works! Association's Annual Conference. In this video Chris Holman welcomes Shamar Herron, Director of Michigan Works! Southeast. They discuss the services, and challenges facing his Michigan Works! chapter, along with what he's experiencing with the Michigan Works! Annual Conference. » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/ Michigan Works! Association Wraps Up 2025 Annual Conference in Kalamazoo The Michigan Works! Association successfully hosted its 2025 Annual Conference September 7–9 at the Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites in Kalamazoo. The three-day event brought together workforce development professionals, employers, educators, policymakers, and community le

Monday, September 8th, MBN was on the road to the Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites, Kalamazoo, MI. This was day 2 of 2025's Michigan Works! Association's Annual Conference. In this video Chris Holman welcomes Jennifer Llewellyn, Director of Oakland County Michigan Works! They discuss the services, and challenges facing her Michigan Works! chapter, along with what she's experiencing with the Michigan Works! Annual Conference. » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/ Michigan Works! Association Wraps Up 2025 Annual Conference in Kalamazoo The Michigan Works! Association successfully hosted its 2025 Annual Conference September 7–9 at the Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites in Kalamazoo. The three-day event brought together workforce development professionals, employers, educators, policymakers, and co

Jeffrey Mosher welcomes Patrick Patterson, Executive Director · Mid-Michigan Recovery Services Inc. (MMRS), Lansing, MI, to the MBN studio at the Capital Region International Airport. He had several questions for Patrick in this conversation: Welcome Patrick, Megan Doherty, President, FD Hayes, connected us, first tell us a bit about MMRS? She indicated that you have an event coming up, tell us about that? Is this a first time, one-off, or ongoing event? Who does it benefit and why should the business community be aware? Patrick also wanted to share more information about the Mid-Michigan Recovery Services offerings and how they relate to the business community. Alcohol and Drug Use and Employment Employment Costs Alcohol and drug disorders (ADD) are a leading factor keeping people out of the workforce. But most work Among the 46 million American adults with ADD, most of them — 30.1 million — remain on the job. (Source: CDC data from 2022) l This contributes to high costs for employers, calculat

Originally uploaded September 5, reloaded Sept. 12th. Chris Holman welcomes back Randy Thelen, President & CEO of The Right Place, Grand Rapids, MI. Economic Development Leaders for Michigan Unveil Top 10 Priorities for Statewide Growth and Prosperity Economic Development Leaders for Michigan (EDLM), a coalition of the state’s premier regional economic development organizations, recently announced a unified list of 10 priorities designed to position Michigan for long-term growth, innovation, and prosperity. Representing regions that comprise 79% of the state’s population and 84% of its gross domestic product, EDLM brings together leaders with over 225 years of combined experience in economic development. The coalition is committed to advancing strategies that will drive business investment, talent development, community revitalization, and innovation across the state. “A competitive economic development toolbox locally impacts all elements of a community — from small businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs

Chris Holman welcomes Pete Martin, Director of Portfolio Management, MSU Research Foundation, East Lansing, MI. Welcome Pete tell us a little about the MSU Research Foundation and the PitchMI Startup Competition? Michigan’s Innovation Showcase PitchMI is now one of the nation’s richest state-based startup competitions, offering $4 million in investment. How does this expanded competition elevate Michigan’s position as a leader in startup innovation and funding? Regional & Statewide Strategy The competition features four regionally themed events—healthcare in Grand Rapids, clean tech in Traverse City, mobility in Detroit, and AI/software in Ann Arbor—each awarding $250,000, with finalists moving on to compete for a $1 million prize. What’s the strategic intent behind aligning region with specific startup industries, and how does it benefit both local ecosystems and statewide momentum? Building Momentum & Ecosystem Engagement Regional winners receive funding and, importantly, time to grow before the stat

Wednesday, Aug. 27, 4 to 6 p.m. MBN was on the road to Child and Family Charities Nonprofit Hub - 405 W. Greenlawn Ave., Lansing, MI 48910. The gathering was for Child and Family Charities unveiling the new nonprofit hub on its Greenlawn Avenue campus. The community-building event includes tours of the Hub building at 405 W. Greenlawn Ave., opportunities for area residents to connect with resource providers, family-friendly recreation activities, giveaways and refreshment Highlighting the session was Child and Family Charities presentation were remarks by Julie Thomasma, Chief Executive Officer and other Advocates, supporters and volunteers for the Greater Lansing community, Such as Dart Foundation. This grand opening of the Child and Family Charities Nonprofit Hub is a transformative moment for the Lansing community. This innovative space unites numerous mission-driven organizations under one roof, fostering collaboration, reducing overhead costs and expanding their collective reach -*by an estimated 3

Wednesday, Aug. 27, 4 to 6 p.m. MBN was on the road to Child and Family Charities Nonprofit Hub - 405 W. Greenlawn Ave., Lansing, MI 48910. The gathering was for Child and Family Charities unveiling the new nonprofit hub on its Greenlawn Avenue campus. The community-building event includes tours of the Hub building at 405 W. Greenlawn Ave., opportunities for area residents to connect with resource providers, family-friendly recreation activities, giveaways and refreshment Highlighting the session was Child and Family Charities presentation were remarks by Julie Thomasma, Chief Executive Officer Demphna Krikorian, Senior Director of Development and other Advocates, volunteers for the Greater Lansing community This grand opening of the Child and Family Charities Nonprofit Hub is a transformative moment for the Lansing community. This innovative space unites numerous mission-driven organizations under one roof, fostering collaboration, reducing overhead costs and expanding their collective reach by an es

Chris Holman welcomes Elizabeth Krear, new President and Chief Executive Officer, CAR, Center for Automotive Research, Ann Arbor, MI About CAR & Elizabeth Elizabeth, for those who may not be familiar, can you start by telling us a little about the Center for Automotive Research and its mission? Tell us a bit about your career and what drew you to CAR? About MBS 2025 CAR’s flagship event, the Management Briefing Seminars, is celebrating its 60th year in 2025. What makes this year special? You’re moving MBS to Detroit and hosting it at Michigan Central Station. Why was that location chosen, and what does it symbolize for the industry? What is the theme for MBS 2025, and why is it timely for the industry right now? On Industry Trends & CAR Research CAR recently released the quarterly update to its Book of Deals. Can you explain what that is and what trends it’s revealing about automotive investment in North America? What challenges do you think the industry will be talking about most at MBS this year?

Chris Holman welcomes Bob Fish, co-CEO and co-founder of BIGGBY COFFEE, and Michelle Fish, Co-Founder (with Bob) of One BIGG Island in Space, Douglas, MI. Chris had several questions for this longtime friends; How have you balanced rapid growth toward $1 billion in sales with staying true to your founding values? What challenges and opportunities come with your bold goal of reaching 100% farm-direct coffee sourcing by 2028? Coffee farmers face pricing pressures, tariffs, and climate issues—how does One BIGG Island in Space address these realities? How has leading with ethics and transparency shaped BIGGBY’s brand identity and customer loyalty? Looking ahead, what role do you see farmer health, community development, and sustainability playing in the long-term success of the global coffee industry? » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwor

Chris Holman welcomes back Scott Weaver, President, and Co-Owner of Douglas J Companies, Okemos, East Lansing, across Michigan, Illinois, Tennessee, Nebraska. What drove the decision to end the 30+ year exclusive Aveda partnership and rebrand as Douglas J Institute? How does introducing multiple product lines better prepare students for the realities of today’s salon and spa industry? With new distribution of Back of Bottle and Color Space, how does this expand Douglas J’s business model beyond education? Douglas J is now several generations strong—how do you balance honoring tradition with making bold, future-focused changes? What trends in beauty, wellness, and education do you see shaping the next decade for Douglas J and the industry at large? » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/

Originally uploaded September 15th, reloaded September 25th. Jeffrey Mosher welcomes Karena Hamlet, program director of business services for the Economic Alliance, a division of the Flint & Genesee Group, Flint area, MI. Their discussion covered several topics: Summit Growth & Demand – What drove the strong demand after the first Immerse Summit, and how are you scaling this year’s event to meet the needs of more entrepreneurs? Practical Business Value – With sessions ranging from accessing capital to mastering elevator pitches, how do you ensure the programming directly addresses the most urgent challenges small businesses face in Flint and Genesee County? Networking & GEN Partners – The summit highlights the Genesee Entrepreneurial Network. How does GEN strengthen the business ecosystem, and what advantages do local businesses gain from those connections? Recognizing Excellence – The Immerse Awards spotlight local businesses that have shown customer service and growth. What impact do you see that recog

Vic Verchereau welcomes Sheri Jones, who is a Retired News Reporter and Anchor at WLNS TV 6. Sheri Jones recently retired after almost 37 years of bringing all of us the news on WLNS TV 6 in Lansing. Jones’s contributions to broadcasting have earned her a well-deserved place in the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame, solidifying her status as a respected journalist. Sheri is respected and beloved by the Mid-Michigan community for her warm, steady, and compassionate presence. Her dedication to journalism is further evident through her multiple accolades and memberships in prestigious organizations. Join Leadership Lowdown host Vic Verchereau as he takes a journey down memory lane with a local TV legend and enjoy the lessons learned from a life in the news spotlight! » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com

Originally uploaded August 28th, reloaded September 12th. Lorri Rishar Jandron, MBA, Owner & CEO, EDGE Partnerships, Lansing, Marquette, Chicago, along with Becky Burtka, VP of member engagement, Michigan Chamber, Lansing, MI. Co-Hosts of the new MBN show "BOLD LeadHERS" now into Episode 4. In this episode of Bold LeadHERS, they interview Sheri Jones: A legend in the mid-Michigan broadcasting community — she recently retired from her role as longtime news anchor at WLNS. Strong media and communication skills. Skilled in Crisis Communications, Breaking News, Journalism, and Media Relations. ● Where did your professional journey begin? ● How has your career path changed along the way? ● What were some challenges you faced in the newsroom? ● Advice for sticking at the same company for so long? (can relate with Lorri on this) ● Being a staple at your company for so long, what does leadership look like to you? ● What was your favorite story you covered? ● Who was your favorite guest you got to interview? ● Advi

Vic Verchereau welcomes Sarah Pierce, who is Founder and Owner of 517 Living. Looking to get more connected with Michigan’s Greater Lansing community? 517 Living was created for YOU. It was 2014 and Sarah Pierce was feeling a little lost. Having lived in the Lansing area for about 17 years she had virtually no connection with its community. Things just weren't clicking; she said, "I lived here, but it wasn't mine. I also noticed that it wasn't just me; I witnessed local friends, family, and business folks feeling disconnected and unimpressed." With this, 517 Living was born! She believes "building 517 Living helped me overcome my social anxiety, gave me a more purposeful life, and introduced me to the fascinating "behind the scenes" movers and shakers of our community who are much more "walk" than talk! 517 Living has enriched my life, and I hope it does the same for you." Join host Vic Verchereau as he hears all about what's going on in the 517 on this edition of Michigan Corners with this local amba

Vic Verchereau welcomes Sara Bush, who is Senior Director of Golf Relations for Folds of Honor. Sara Bush is Senior Director of Golf Relations for Folds of Honor. In that role, Sara and her team earn significant funds through the game of golf to provide academic scholarships for the families of fallen or disabled military and first responders. With Folds of Honor, she has been responsible for the continued growth of Patriot Golf Days, the nation’s largest grassroots golf fundraiser celebrated over Memorial Day weekend, as well as Folds of Honor HERO100 Golf Marathons, tournaments, and securing significant corporate partners. Sara shares her journey with Leadership Lowdown Host Vic Verchereau. Get ready because there is nothing but the fairway ahead of you on this round of the Leadership Lowdown! » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/

Jeffrey Mosher welcomes back Julie Thomasma, CEO of Child and Family Charities, Lansing, MI. Strategic Vision – What inspired the creation of the Nonprofit HUB, and how does it fit into Child and Family Charities’ long-term mission and growth strategy? Collaborative Model – From a business perspective, how does resource sharing among nonprofits at the HUB lower overhead costs and increase operational efficiency? Impact Metrics – With projections of serving up to 77% more people annually, what key performance indicators will you track to measure the Hub’s success? Partnership Development – How did you attract and align partners like Big Brothers Big Sisters, NAMI Lansing, and United Way, and what does it take to sustain these collaborations? Sustainability & Expansion – What lessons from the HUB’s launch can be applied to ensure long-term financial sustainability, and do you see potential for similar models in other regions? » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN’s YouTu

Jeffrey Mosher welcomes Aaron Johnson, President, AIAM, Aerospace Industry Association of Michigan, who had been on an MBN on the Road video from late July 2025. For new listeners - Michigan isn’t traditionally thought of as an aerospace state – can you tell me a bit about the Aerospace Industry Association of Michigan, and how it got started? Why should Michigan businesses consider working in the aerospace industry? Does AIAM have any programs or resources to help companies start working in the aerospace industry? I see that you have a conference coming up in Grand Rapids next week, can you share a bit more about that? » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/