Advancing Macomb Adds Thom Lipari and Jim Sawyer to Board

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Jim Sawyer
PHOTO COURTESY ADVANCING MACOMB

Advancing Macomb, a Michigan non-profit focused on Macomb County’s communities, economy, and natural resources, today announced the addition of Thom Lipari, CEO and president of Lipari Foods, and Jim Sawyer, president of Macomb Community College, to the company’s board, bringing the total member of board members to 25.

Sawyer will replace Jim Jacobs, immediate past president of Macomb Community College.

“Both Thom and Jim bring important voices to the board table,” says David Girodat, chair of Advancing Macomb. “Thom, as principal of Lipari Foods, a significant and growing food manufacturer and Jim, as the president of Macomb Community College, one of the premier community colleges in the country.”

Before being selected as president of the college, Sawyer served as the dean of engineering and advanced technology and vice provost for career programs. He also held leadership roles at Chrysler, Dana, Ancor, and New Haven Foundry.

Lipari has lead multiple successful strategic acquisitions during his time as president, diversifying his company’s opportunities. Today, Lipari’s central warehouse in Warren stocks more than 18,000 items.

“It’s wonderful to see Macomb’s top leadership coming together to support the community andconnect with the region,” adds Melissa Roy, executive director of Advancing Macomb.