
Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.
General RV Center Elevates Customer Experience with New Service App
General RV Center in Wixom is striving to makie the RV ownership experience easier with the all-new My General RV mobile app — a one-stop platform that gives RVers a way to schedule appointments and learn more about their vehicle.
Through the app, RVers are able to schedule service appointments day or night at any General RV Supercenter nationwide with just a few clicks. The app also allows users to save their RV information to their accounts to ensure recommended maintenance is completed promptly to keep their RV on the road. RVers also will be able to set up timely alerts and receive notifications to ensure their RV never misses an essential service or inspection.
“Our new service app makes scheduling, troubleshooting, and maintenance much simpler than before,” says Laura Dobbs, director of service and customer experience at General RV’s. “This app is part of our mission to be the premier RV partner by providing industry-leading customer service. We understand how important it is for our customers to have a hassle-free experience, and we believe our new service app will help us achieve that.”
My General RV offers interactive troubleshooting assistance that can help RVers easily diagnose problems for when they are traveling on the road or at home. In addition, the app is home to exclusive RV content and informative articles to enhance their RV ownership experience. My General RV also keeps users informed about any important recall announcements, as well as special offers and promotions available exclusively at General RV.
“We aim to be present for our guests throughout their ownership experience, and today marks another step towards that goal,” said Kerry Porter, General RV’s Vice President of Operations.
ACG Detroit Accepting Nominations for Ninth Annual M&A All Star Awards Program
ACG Detroit is now accepting nominations for its ninth annual M&A All Star Awards program, set to take place May 6 at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham.
Deals completed in Michigan in 2023 as well as dealmakers, advisors, investment bankers and rising stars based in the state — whether a buyer or seller — are eligible to be nominated. Factors considered most strongly in the judging process include impact to the local M&A community, complexity, and degree of difficulty and success.
The deadline to submit a nomination is Jan. 31. Membership is not required to submit a nomination or be nominated. The nomination form can be found here.
Blue Cross’s Lafayette Tower to be Illuminated in Honolulu Blue to Celebrate the Detroit Lions
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is lighting up its Lafayette Tower in Detroit Honolulu blue beginning this evening to celebrate the Detroit Lions winning the NFC North Division title and advancing to the NFL playoffs. The tower will illuminate a blue and white football.
“Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan congratulates the Detroit Lions for clinching a spot in the NFL playoffs,” says Daniel J. Loepp, president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. “The talented and tenacious team has galvanized its dedicated fanbase throughout the state. To show our support during their quest to reach the Super Bowl, we’re proudly lighting our Detroit office tower in the team colors for the rest of the season. Go Lions.”
The Lions have won their first division title since 1993 and will host their first-ever playoff game at Ford Field Sunday night against the Los Angeles Rams with former Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford as the Rams’ signal caller.
Reseda Group in East Lansing Launches Ever Green Financial Wellness Center
Reseda Group, a wholly owned credit union service organization of MSU Financial Credit Union has unveiled its Ever Green Financial Wellness Center, a new interactive platform designed to help credit unions and community financial institutions promote financial literacy and education with consumers and member communities through engaging, personalized digital content.
The Ever Green Financial Wellness Center is a custom-labeled, digital financial education platform which is accessible through both web and mobile apps. It allows credit unions and community financial institutions to seamlessly integrate and customize the platform into their digital banking systems.
Blog posts, podcasts, videos, and quizzes are all focused on financial education and are available via an API. The platform is part of Reseda Group’s efforts to bring innovative technology and solutions to the credit union industry and beyond to revolutionize the member experience and promote lifelong financial literacy and empowerment.
“Financial education is the cornerstone of the credit union movement, and Reseda Group is committed to connecting our credit unions and community financial institutions with solutions that help ensure members and consumers of all ages have the knowledge and skills they need to reach their full potential,” says April Clobes, president and CEO of Reseda Group and MSUFCU.
“The Ever Green Financial Wellness Center provides financial institutions with a digital, easy-to-use solution to deliver personalized, engaging content and learning resources to educate and inspire the consumer to make smart budget decisions and take control of their personal finances.”
Key features of the Ever Green Financial Wellness Center include:
- Personalized Learning: The platform offers personalized financial education content tailored to individuals’ needs and financial goals.
- Engaging Resources: Consumers can access a wide range of interactive tools, calculators, videos, articles, and other multimedia resources that make learning about finances simple and enjoyable.
- Customizable Integration: Financial institutions can seamlessly integrate the Ever Green Financial Wellness Center into their existing digital experience, maintaining a consistent brand experience for the consumer.
- Data and Reporting: Detailed analytics and data allow financial institutions to monitor engagement, tailor content to meet consumer habits, and measure the impact of content and resources on spending and saving habits.
For more information about the Ever Green Financial Wellness Center and Reseda Group, visit resedagroup.com/evergreen.
New Michigan State University Program to Champion Leadership Opportunities for Women
The Broad College of Business Michigan State University in East Lansing seeks to address the gender gap and propel women graduates into the C-suite.
The gift, from Priya Balasubramaniam (MBA ’01), establishes the Dashney Women’s Leadership Accelerator, or DWLA, to equip dozens of students each year with the abilities and confidence to pursue professional leadership positions. With long-term mentoring, coaching, workshops, and experiential learning opportunities, the DWLA provides a powerful, immersive experience for select undergraduates.
For more than 20 years, Balasubramaniam has called Broad College faculty member Helen Dashney a mentor and friend, and her gift is in honor of their lasting relationship. Dashney will serve as the DWLA director, offering one-on-one mentorship to admitted students — known as DWLA Scholars. Her role also will include crafting personalized leadership development plans and cultivating a champion network to assist scholars after they graduate and to connect them with future DWLA cohorts.
“I have grown and derived joy from special relationships with students over the years, many of them still ongoing,” says Dashney, who has worked at the Broad College since 1996. “To have someone as accomplished and humble as Priya recognize my work at Broad with this gift is perhaps the pinnacle of my 50-plus-year career. I will strive to honor her by contributing to the confidence with which DWLA Scholars and their connected peers launch their professional careers.”
Balasubramaniam, vice president of operations at Apple Inc., says the unwavering support she received from Dashney was her driving inspiration to pay it forward. Whether it meant knowing she had someone who cared or having a sounding board to provide meaningful guidance when facing professional challenges, she found Dashney’s mentorship immensely helpful.
Gorman’s to Host Michigan’s Largest Housewarming Party Jan. 16-Feb. 27
Gorman’s Home Furnishings and Interior Design, based in Farmington Hills, is hosting Michigan’s Largest Housewarming Party, a drive to pick up gently used furniture and collect new, unused household items to help families and children in need.
Recipients of Gorman’s efforts are the Furniture Bank of Southeastern Michigan, Habitat ReStores of Oakland County, and Humble Design Detroit.
Every other Tuesday beginning Jan. 16 and continuing through Feb. 27, Gorman’s will dedicate its delivery trucks to pick up gently used furniture from households anywhere in metro Detroit for free. Those looking for a fresh start in the new year, be it remodeling, cleaning, downsizing, home redecorating, or just getting organized, can conveniently schedule a pick-up and Gorman’s will be there. Items accepted include sofas, chairs, dining room tables, dressers, bedframes, coffee and end tables, and bookshelves. No mattresses will be accepted.
Additionally, Gorman’s is collecting new, unused household basics, such as dish towels, oven mitts, small kitchen gadgets, measuring cups, bath towels, and more to donate to the selected nonprofits. These items can be dropped off at any Gorman’s location during regular business hours. Gorman’s showrooms are located in Novi, Southfield, and Troy. A warehouse and Three-Day Clearance Center are located in Farmington Hills.
“Supporting the community is a year-round commitment for us, and we’re hoping this makes it easy for our customers and surrounding community members to participate and feel good knowing they, too, are making a difference,” says John Moray, CEO of Gorman’s. “Through this initiative we aim to provide furniture and household items that will help families and individuals transform their house into a warm and welcoming home.”
Detroit Resident Lakesha Hancock Named Executive Director of Foundation for Pops
Foundation for Pops, a Dearborn nonprofit organization dedicated to aiding individuals experiencing homelessness and veterans seeking a fresh start, has named Lakesha Hancock as its new executive director.
“We are thrilled to have Lakesha on board and can’t wait to see the positive impact and innovation she will bring to Foundation for Pops,” says Josh Morris, CEO of DQS Solutions & Staffing. “We are looking toward a bright future and endless possibilities with Lakesha leading the way.”
Hancock joins Foundation for Pops with a commitment to advancing the organization’s mission. Her appointment marks a step in ensuring the organization’s sustained impact in personal development, workforce readiness, and housing for those in need in metro Detroit. In her role, she will be responsible for overseeing the programs and strategic plan of the organization. Hancock’s background with economic mobility and affordable housing initiatives will help propel the Foundation for Pops further in its mission.
Hancock has held leadership positions in nonprofit organizations for nearly two decades, bringing a wealth of experience to Foundation for Pops. Prior to working with Foundation for Pops, she served as the director of housing counseling with U Snap Bac.
For more information, visit foundationforpops.org.
American Red Cross: Emergency Blood Shortage May Delay Medical Procedures
The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years.
The Red Cross blood supply has fallen to critically low levels across the country, and blood and platelet donors are urged to make an appointment to donate to help alleviate the shortage and help ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not put on hold.
The number of people donating blood to the Red Cross has declined by about 40 percent in the past two decades. Between Christmas and New Year’s Day, the Red Cross experienced a nearly 7,000-unit shortfall in blood donations.
Currently, blood products are going to hospitals faster than blood donations are coming in. As a result, the Red Cross has had to limit distributions of type O blood products — among the most transfused blood types – to hospitals due to supply constraints. Donors of all types — especially those with type O blood and those giving platelets – are urged to give. Platelets are needed for cancer and trauma patients and must be transfused within five days of donation.
“Small changes in blood donor turnout can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of an emergency blood transfusion,” says Dr. Barry Siegfried, medical director of the Red Cross Michigan Region. “More challenges may lie ahead as the potential for severe winter weather and seasonal illnesses like the flu may compound the dire blood supply situation.”
Here are three ways to make an appointment to donate:
- Use the Red Cross Blood Donor app
- Visit RedCrossBlood.org
- Call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767)
Donors who give blood in January will be automatically entered to win a trip for two to February’s Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. Included are a three-night hotel stay, roundtrip airfare, $1,000 gift card for expenses, and other pre-game activities. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl.