Article Photographer: Hannah Ziegeler

A conversation with Sondra Phillips, owner of SKP Design. What services does SKP Design provide? SKP Design is a boutique interior design company—in fact, we are the only interior design firm in Kalamazoo. We have both residential and commercial clients and can do everything from new construction to remodeling. Clients come to us because they’re […]

Honee Bear Canning serves up only the best ingredients. Company Packers Canning Co., dba Honee Bear Canning Co. Website www.honeebear.com Location 72100 M 40 Lawton, MI 49065 Year Founded Honee Bear Canning was founded in 1943 and Packers Canning in 1967. The two entities existed as a partnership between the grandfather of Steve Packer, current […]

We sat down with Director of Service at CTS Telecom, Tom Ward, to get his perspectives on leadership, risk, and more. What does it mean to be a good leader? A good leader is a person who people look up to and want to follow. They’re someone who is willing to sacrifice for their team, […]

Gary Schultz, President and CEO of Edwards Garmet, gives us a glimpse into his journey to leadership. 1952 | Born in Ann Arbor, MI Pioneer High School, where I went to school, sat kitty-corner from the University of Michigan football stadium; we felt very much a part of what went on at the campus. It […]

We sat down with Kay Clark, Relocation Director with Jaqua Realtors, to hear her thoughts on leadership, summertime, and beyond. What does it mean to be a good leader? A good leader is somebody who not only has a vision but can also paint that vision for others. How do you get everybody involved on […]

Vince Pavone’s love for the region he calls home started with a business and became much more. Vince Pavone’s passion for Southwest Michigan goes far beyond how local customers drive the balance sheets of Lakeview Ford Lincoln, the Battle Creek dealership he owns. Vince and his wife relocated from Birmingham, Michigan in 2010 at the […]

Tatum Culhane’s internship at AVB is opening doors. Name Tatum Culhane Hometown Kalamazoo, Michigan Education Western Michigan University (WMU) Advertising and Promotion Major, Management Minor Expected Graduation: Spring 2019 Position Sales and Marketing Intern at AVB A Day in the Life I am lucky enough to be a sales and marketing intern at AVB, a […]

Matt Bruinsma is a Western Michigan University grad on the ground at Flowserve Corporation. Education Western Michigan University (WMU) Mechanical Engineering, B.B.S. ‘15 Hometown Wayland, Michigan Employment Research and Development Engineer, Flowserve Corporation Small Town/Big Town My wife and I live in a small town, Schoolcraft. We like living in a small town because we […]

A Designer Blueprint with Tim Cane, Architectural Design Manager at Eckert Wordell. What does an architectural design manager do? I am in charge of the design department for the architects and interior designers; we work together with the engineering team to get the job done. We are an eclectic group. We work on designs of […]

Proteos delivers contract research services to biopharma companies. Company Proteos Website proteos.com Location 4717 Campus Drive Kalamazoo, MI 49008 Regional Footprint 8,000 square feet in Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine Innovation Center Year Founded 2003 Two Entrepreneurs with a Dream Two scientists displaced from the Pfizer merger with Pharmacia, Clark W. […]

We spent some time with Kate Tillotson, Evening Anchor at WMMT-TV (CBS), to hear her thoughts on leadership, basketball, and more. What is your leadership philosophy? The three P’s: passion, purpose, and people. You don’t inspire people with what you do, but why you do it. My role is to be the pacesetter. I lead […]

Kevin McLeod, Vice President and General Manager at Rogers Athletic, sat down with us to talk leadership, video games, and more. What is your leadership philosophy? Don’t stand still. I think leaders should do something, even if it’s wrong. My leadership style has always been a lot of doing and not a lot of talking. […]