March-April 2016
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The Townsend Hotel Earns Forbes Four Star Rating
Birmingham’s The Townsend Hotel has earned a Four-Star award for the fourth consecutive year from Forbes Travel Guide.
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There are Strategies Beyond Deductions for Tax Savings
SPECIAL SECTION ADVERTISING TAX STRATEGY Q&A It’s that time of year again — tax time! Besides working with a tax specialist to see how far you can maximize your deductions, […]
Association for Corporate Growth in Detroit Named Chapter of the Year
The Association for Corporate Growth in Detroit has been named Chapter of the Year by ACG, an international organization of business professionals representing 57 chapters and 14,500 members worldwide. The […]
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From the Middle East to the Motor City
More than 500,000 people of Middle Eastern descent live in metro Detroit, and, combined, they generated $36.4 billion in economic activity in 2015. While the road to self-reliance can take years due to language and cultural barriers, the influx of refugees has been a boon to the regional economy.
Open Our Arms and Trust, But Verify
From an economist’s perspective, each legal immigrant holds the potential for augmenting “human capital,” the ultimate source of growth and prosperity for a region or nation.
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United Way Names VP to Lead College, Career Pathways Program
Tanya Heidelberg-Yopp has been appointed vice president of college and career pathways for the United Way for Southeastern Michigan.
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The Century Club 2016
From linen services to packaging and construction companies, and from selling furs to machine bearings, DBusiness pays tribute to companies that are 100 years old or more.
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Dickinson Wright Names New Department Manager
Attorney Philip Rettig has been appointed practice department manager at Troy-based Dickinson Wright for the firm’s intellectual property attorneys.
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Michigan Health Endowment Fund Names Senior Program Officer
Becky Cienki has joined the Michigan Health Endowment Fund as senior program officer in its Lansing office.
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Magna Electronics Senior Manager Joins Vistage Michigan
Mark Roden, a senior manager at Magna Electronics in Auburn Hills, has become a member of Vistage Michigan, an affiliate of the world’s leading chief executive organization, Vistage International.
Level One Bank, Bank of Michigan Complete Merger
Level One Bancorp Inc. and Bank of Michigan have completed a merger between the two Farmington Hills-based banks. The result is one of the largest, locally owned independent community banks in Oakland County with combined assets of approximately $1 billion. Complete terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
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Grosse Pointe Yacht Club Tennis Director Earns Top Coaching Certification
Dmitri Diakonov, director of tennis at Grosse Pointe Yacht Club, has completed education requirements to earn the Professional Tennis Registry’s highest coaching certification of PTR Master of Tennis – Performance.
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Collins Einhorn Farrell Adds Attorneys
Attorneys Brian A. Catrinar, Margaret A. Cernak, and Christopher R. Schaedig have joined Collins Einhorn Farrell PC.
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Fiber Wars
Internet companies are racing to provide ever-faster data speeds, but there’s a much larger economic opportunity — hyper quick connectivity is a proven business-attraction tool.
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Lutheran Social Services of Michigan Names New Vice President
Mary Muliett has been promoted to vice president of home and community at Detroit-based Lutheran Social Services of Michigan.
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DIA Names New Director of European Art Department
The Detroit Institute of Arts has named Eve Straussman-Pflanzer as head of the European art department and Elizabeth and Allan Shelden curator of European paintings.
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Heart-Saver
As more Americans approach their twilight years, a new, less invasive procedure for repairing faulty heart valves, called TAVR, offers patients a new lease on life. The only challenge is high costs limit its profitability.
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Outside Bets
Detroit’s three casinos are banking on added entertainment, conventions, and a new hockey arena to drive future growth.
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DTE Names New Head of Government Affairs
DTE Energy has named Renze Hoeksema as vice president of government affairs for the state utility.
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A Matter of Taste
After earning a business degree from the University of Detroit Mercy, Nick Ritts wanted to acquire an existing restaurant. He conducted a search, and settled on Terry’s Terrace in Harrison Township.
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Sweetgrass Unveils LPGA Tour to Benefit Nonprofits
The 2016 Symetra Tour Island Resort Championship of the Ladies Professional Golf Association will be held June 24-26 at Sweetgrass Golf Club in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, with all proceeds going to local non-profit organizations.
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iDashboards Names New Regional Manager for Latin America
iDashboards, a Troy-based developer of business intelligence dashboard services, is expanding their market presence in Latin America with the addition of Pamela Castillo, as its new regional account manager.
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SmithGroupJJR Names Workplace Practice Leader
Lise Newman, has been promoted to workplace practice leader at SmithGroupJJR, a Detroit-based architecture, engineering, interiors, and planning firm. She was previously director of the firm’s Workplace Studio.
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Michigan Podiatric Medical Association Names New President
Dr. Crystal Holmes has been named president of the Lansing-based Michigan Podiatric Medical Association. Additionally, four new board members were also added.
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Oakland’s Michigan Works! Names New Manager
Jennifer Llewellyn has been named the new manager of the Oakland County Michigan Works! workforce development program. She will oversee the program and the county’s eight Michigan Works! service centers.
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Eisbrenner Public Relations Names Account Supervisor
Royal Oak-based Eisbrenner Public Relations has hired Angela Jeruzal as account supervisor.
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McKeen & Associates Names New Associate Attorneys
Salvatore Amodeo and David Drwencke have joined McKeen & Associates, a Detroit based law firm, as associate attorneys.
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NNG Names New CEO
Giles Shrimpton has been name CEO of Birmingham-based NNG LLC, a supplier of automotive navigation software, content, and services.
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Brooklyn Outdoor Names New Sales Coordinator
Detroit-based Brooklyn Outdoor, a national outdoor advertising and media services company, has hired Julie Sailus, as sales coordinator. She will also lead Brooklyn’s event division, j’adore Detroit, as project manager.
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Maddin, Hauser, Roth & Heller Names New Associate
Vanessa L. Bailey has joined Maddin, Hauser, Roth & Heller PC, as an associate in the Southfield-based law firm’s consumer finance/regulatory compliance and real property litigation practice group.
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Sachse Names Senior VP, Director of Pre-Construction
Jerry Stakhiv has joined Sachse Construction, a Detroit-based commercial construction firm, as senior vice president and director of pre-construction.
Dearborn Businessman Donates $12K to Henry Ford College Foundation
Dearborn accountant and businessman Karl L. Fava has donated $12,000 to the Henry Ford College Foundation as part of a $26,000 gift to the foundation.
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Yeo & Yeo Names New Talent Manager
Cara S. Newby has joined Yeo & Yeo CPAs & Business Consultants, as the Saginaw-based firm’s talent manager. She will be based in the firm’s Auburn Hills office.
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Silver Bullet
If Indiana Jones ran an antiques store, it would be in downtown Rochester.
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Stacking Up
Joe H. Schodowski, president and CEO of Shelving Inc. in Auburn Hills, sums up the company’s offerings succinctly: “We rack your world,” he says.
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Buildings In Time
From jewelry to historic buildings, Roger Basmajian embraces urban redevelopment.
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PDA Q&A: Glenn Stevens
Vice President, MICHauto and Strategic Development, Detroit Regional Chamber
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Capital Gain
If area banks backed loans against intellectual property, it would propel Michigan’s video game industry.
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Safe and Secure
Many inventions that have the greatest impact on everyday life are deceptively simple. Auburn Hills-based Hydra-Zorb’s cushion clamp could be considered one of those breakthroughs.
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A Homecoming
Award-winning journalist and Detroit native David Maraniss had nearly given up on his hometown, until a car commercial cast things in a new light.
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Michigan Franchise Report: Pet Project
Livonia-based Pet Supplies Plus shows persistent growth since 1988.
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Opinion: Setting the Pace
A new alternative-financing program to develop the commercial property industry is driving economic growth in Michigan.
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Academic Review
The University of Michigan sprang up in Detroit 1817, but the institution’s official seal had the incorrect founding date until 1929.
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Left Behind
Recent news that the Detroit Public Schools are in a financial mess, compounded by buildings that are deteriorating and poorly maintained, is no surprise. The school system has been experiencing self-inflicted duress since the 1970s.
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Macomb County Habitat for Humanity Names First COO
Robert Johnson has been named the chief operating officer for the Macomb County Habitat For Humanity, based in Mount Clemens. He is the nonprofit’s first COO in its 23-year history. Johnson joined the nonprofit in August 2015 as vice president of retail operations.
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Nemeth Law Names New Associate Attorney
Nicholas Huguelet has joined Detroit-based Nemeth Law PC as an associate attorney.
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Honigman Adds Partner to Bloomfield Hills Office
Jeffrey S. Horowitz is joining Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP as a partner in the firm’s Bloomfield Hills office.
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Baker College Student Heads for Regional Cooking Championship
Calie Nelson, a student at Baker College of Port Huron Culinary Institute of Michigan, is preparing to battle this weekend for the title of 2016 American Culinary Federation Central Region Student Chef of the Year.
Bedrock to Demolish Blighted Building in Downtown Detroit
Detroit-based Bedrock Real Estate Services will demolish a fire-damaged, blighted building Thursday in Detroit’s Capitol Park neighborhood.
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Bodman Promotes 3 Attorneys
Jason Currie, Melissa Moore, and Michael Vukich have been promoted to members at Bodman, a Detroit-based law firm. All three were previously associate attorneys.
Röchling Automotive Opens New Customer Center in Troy
Röchling Automotive, a global provider of acoustic, aerodynamic, and fluid management services, today announced the grand opening of its North American Customer Center in Troy during a ceremony.
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Dickinson Wright Adds New Members
Eric J. DeGroat and Mahesh K. Nayak have joined Dickinson Wright PLLC at the law firm’s Troy office as members. Both attorneys join the firm from Clark Hill PLC.
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Doctor Named Humanitarian of the Year for Flint Crisis
Community members, civic leaders, and federal elected officials will join the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce to honor business and community leaders at the 13th Annual Awards Dinner including Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, director, Pediatric Residency Program at Hurley Medical Center, as Humanitarian of the Year.
Art Van Acquires Hillside Contemporary Furniture
Warren-based Art Van Furniture has purchased Bloomfield Hills-based Hillside Contemporary Furniture and its real estate from its founder and owner Bruce Selik. Terms of the agreement were not released.
Beyond Basics Hosts Fundraiser for Detroit Students
Beyond Basics — a literacy nonprofit serving students in metro Detroit public schools — will host its 14th annual “Come Together for Children” fundraiser on March 14 at the Detroit […]
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Eisbrenner Public Relations Adds Senior Account Executive
Gretchen Klosterman has joined Royal Oak-based Eisbrenner Public Relations, as senior account executive. Klosterman, of Royal Oak, will manage account teams by providing strategic counsel, developing and executing strategy, and […]
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Ghafari Names VP of Business Development
Philip L’Esperance has been promoted by Dearborn-based Ghafari Associates to vce president of Business Development of Ghafari’s Process Engineering Group.
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iDashboards Offers College Basketball-themed Dashboard
Troy-based software solutions developer iDashboards has unveiled its annual college basketball dashboard, which provides built-in statistical analysis of each team.
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Novi Backyard, Pool, & Spa Show Opens Friday
Home entertaining, exercising, and swimming is possible with a pool, spa, hot tub or backyard living amenity from the 21st annual Novi Backyard, Pool & Spa Show at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi from March 18-20.
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Cobo Center Restructures Executive Team
Claude Molinari has been named general manager of Cobo Center and Cedric Turnbore has been promoted to director of operations for the center.
Cadillac Unveils Black Chrome Package for ATS, CTS
Cadillac today introduced a black chrome package for the ATS and CTS sedans, offering black-accented grilles and black 18-inch wheels.
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Andiamo’s Detroit Metro Airport Location Earns Top Award
Andiamo Restaurant Group, which operates nine restaurants throughout metro Detroit and one location in Las Vegas, has earned the Food & Beverage Concept Award from Airport Revenue News for its location at Detroit’s Metropolitan Wayne County Airport.
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Morpace Adds New Senior Vice President
Bryan Krulikowski has been promoted to senior vice president at Morpace Inc., a Farmington Hills based market research and consulting firm. He was previously vice president of Automotive Diversified and Morpace Asia Pacific.
Modeselektor, Kraftwerk to Perform at Detroit’s Movement Electronic Music Festival
Paxahau Events today announced additional performances at the Movement Electronic Music Festival, to be held in Detroit’s Hart Plaza May 28-30, which includes more than 60 performances from artists such as Modeselektor and Kraftwerk.
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Bodman Adds New Associate Attorney
Joseph R. Morrison Jr. has joined Bodman PLC as an associate attorney practicing in the firm’s Ann Arbor office.
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Brown & Brown Announces Promotions, Adds Staff
Steve Hettrick was promoted to leader of the employee benefits division and Amy LoPiccolo was promoted to operations manager of the employee benefits department at Brown & Brown of Detroit, an insurance firm based in Sterling Heights.
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Art Van Furniture Names New Vice President
Jeanette McNamara has been promoted to vice president of Art Van Furniture’s luxury divisions, Scott Shuptrine Interiors and the newly acquired Hillside Contemporary Furniture.
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American Center for Mobility Names CEO, Forms Board
An Ann Arbor-based nonprofit organization and a board of directors have been formed to handle operations for the new American Center for Mobility.
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iDashboards Names New Channel Account Manager
iDashboards, a Troy-based developer of business intelligence dashboard solutions, has promoted Marina Morris to channel account manager.
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JR Thompson Adds Associate Creative Director, Copywriter
Yasmin Moore has been appointed associate creative director, copywriter at Farmington Hills-based J.R. Thompson.
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Legoland to Open Friday at Great Lakes Crossing
Legoland Discovery Center Michigan will open to the public on Friday at Great Lakes Crossing in Auburn Hills.
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Signature Associates Adds New Industrial Associate
Jason Kelmigian has joined Southfield-based Signature Associates in an associate in the iindustrial brokerage department.
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Beyond Basics Names New Board Members
Beyond Basics, which provides literacy support programs to schools in Detroit and Pontiac, has appointed Emily Ford and Mohammad Qazi to its board of directors.
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Michigan Health Endowment Fund Adds Senior Program Officer
Kari Sederburg has been named senior program officer at Lansing-based Michigan Health Endowment Fund.
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H.W. Kaufman Financial Group Names Senior VP
Daniel J. Kaufman has been promoted to senior vice president at H.W. Kaufman Financial Group and appointed to its board of directors.
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American Bar Foundation Elects New Fellow
Dickinson Wright attorney James Spica has been elected a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation.
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CBRE Names New Asset Services Director
Michael Reilly has joined CBRE, a commercial real estate services and investment firm, as the asset services director in Detroit.
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Northwood University Honors Automobile Dealers
Northwood University will honor five automobile dealers from across the United States, including two from Michigan, with its annual Dealer Education Award during the National Automotive Dealers Association convention next month in Las Vegas.
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Attorney Joins Sparrow Hospital in Lansing
Lansing attorney Kiffi Ford has been appointed as Sparrow’s executive director of legal services.
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Trans Am Series Returns to Belle Isle Grand Prix
One of the most popular racing series to compete in the Motor City will make its return to Belle Isle with the Trans Am Series will race at the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix in June.
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Atomic Chicken to Open in Clawson, Detroit
Atomic Chicken, a chef-driven, fast-casual restaurant featuring chicken, waffles, biscuits, savory sides, desserts, and more, will open two locations this spring in Clawson and Detroit.
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Butzel Long Attorney Named to Public TV Board
Geaneen M. Arends, an attorney and shareholder at Butzel Long, has been elected as a member of the Detroit Educational Television Foundation/ Detroit Public Television board of trustees.
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Birmingham Photographer’s Botanical Work to be on Display
Laurie Tennent, a Birmingham-based fine art photographer, will have her botanical work on display in Birmingham, Detroit, and Chicago this spring.
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Display Group Adds New Event Specialist
Interior designer Nina Tocco has joined Display Group, a Detroit-based custom display and event rental and services company, as event specialist in the metro Detroit market.
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Detroit’s M-1 Rail Line Officially Named ‘QLINE’
The M-1 Rail, the streetcar line currently in construction that will run along Woodward Avenue in Detroit, has officially been named the QLINE.
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Cass Community Social Services Names New Deputy Director
Kimberly K. Hudolin has been named to the newly created position of deputy director for the Cass Community Social Services.
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Michigan International Women’s Show Returns to Novi
The Michigan International Women’s Show returns in April to the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi.
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Vistage Michigan Adds New Members
Shaun Dillon, vice president of Dillon Energy Services, and Joe Bennett, vice president for content development operators at Tweddle Group, have become members of Vistage Michigan, an affiliate of the world’s leading chief executive organization, Vistage International.
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Waters Edge at Harbortown Apartments Now Open
After more than two years of construction, the Waters Edge at Harbortown apartment complex is now open, making the property among Detroit’s first new residential developments in more than 25 years.
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Byrum & Fisk Add New Communications Strategists
Olivia Adams and Erica Shekell have joined East Lansing-based Byrum & Fisk Advocacy Communications, as communications strategists.
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Continuum Services Names New Chief Financial Officer
Chris Greene has been promoted to chief financial officer at Continuum Services, a Southfield-based single-source commercial facilities services and maintenance organization. Continuum Services is an affiliated company of REDICO, a national commercial real estate firm.
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Public Relations Firm Prologue Opens in Ferndale
Stephanie Angelyn Casola, Detroit-based journalist-turned-public relations and social media manager, has opened her own company, Prologue in Ferndale.
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American Heart Association Names New Heart Ball Co-chairs
The American Heart Association is setting the groundwork for a rewarding campaign with the announcement of Heart Ball Co-Chairs Jason Hall, co-founder of Slow Roll Detroit and Daniel Mahlebashian…
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Achates Power Chief Technical Officer Elected to National Academy of Engineering
John Koszewnik, chief technical officer at Achates Power tin Farmington Hills, has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering.
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Detroit Sports Commission Summits Bid to Host 2018 U.S. Figure Skating Championships
The Detroit Sports Commission today submitted a bid to host the 2018 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, the final qualifying event prior to the selection of the U.S. Olympic Figure Skating Team that will represent Team USA at the Winter Olympics.
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Somerset Collection to Open 3 New Stores
Three new stores — Vince, Vineyard Vines, and Ecco — will be opening their first Michigan locations this spring at Somerset Collection in Troy, in addition to the expansion of Lululemon and the unveiling of MAC Cosmetics and Talbots newly-designed stores.
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Powers Distributing Earns National Environmental Award
Orion Township-based Powers Distributing Co. was awarded the Great Environment Award during the national 2016 MillerCoors Distributor Convention in New Orleans this week.
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M&O Marketing Names New Public Relations Coordinator
M&O Marketing, a national insurance wholesaler with offices in Southfield, has named Rachel Arthur as its new public relations coordinator.
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Nonstop Flights Between Lansing, Washington, D.C. to Resume
Direct flights will resume between Lansing and Washington, D.C. after American Airlines received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration Thursday. The daily flights could begin as early as June.