by Kimberly Viers | Aug 1, 2018 | Culture
Tune your bow with corporate culture. In 2010, during the mad scramble from the nadir of the Great Recession, renowned business leader Alfred O. Weber, recently retired, strode into a hotel conference room in Detroit. In January of that year, Weber had been named...
by Kimberly Viers | Aug 1, 2018 | Culture
If you seek tasty cider, just shake a Michigan apple tree. As the last few weeks of summer pass by, it’s time to start thinking of cozier thoughts and crunching leaves. This means trips to the apple orchard, hayrides, donuts, and apple cider for many Michiganders....
by Kimberly Viers | Aug 1, 2018 | Uncategorized
Continuing evolution spurs growth and new jobs at XL Machine. On Highway M-60, where it winds past scenic lakes and lush farmland in St. Joseph County, sits a dynamic manufacturer of high-profile parts for the automotive, marine, agricultural, entertainment, and...
by Kimberly Viers | Aug 1, 2018 | Business, Leadership
Kit Snyder, President and CEO of Consumers Credit Union, tells us about his journey to leadership. 1956 | Born in Coldwater, MI I have lived my entire life in Michigan. I was raised on a 40-acre farm outside Coldwater. Every evening, my family would sit together at...
by Kimberly Viers | Aug 1, 2018 | Leadership
We sat down with John Rumohr, Senior Mechanical Engineer at TowerPinkster, and Jim Ritsema, City Manager of Kalamazoo, to hear their thoughts on leadership, childhood, and Labor Day plans. What is your most important role as a leader? Jim Ritsema: A leader needs to...
by Kimberly Viers | Aug 1, 2018 | Business
Luis Ruiz puts his classwork to work at Fabri-Kal. Hometown Chicago, IL Education Western Michigan University (WMU) Engineering Technology Major; Mathematics Minor Expected Graduation: Spring 2020 Position Product Design Intern at Fabri-Kal Corporation Becoming a Part...
by Kimberly Viers | Jun 1, 2018 | Culture, Leadership
There’s more than one angle to WSI’s Jeff O’Brien. Just one look at the desk of WSI President and Chief Executive Officer Jeff O’Brien reveals a lot about his company. Since 2001, WSI, a recruitment and staffing specialist currently with offices...
by Kimberly Viers | Jun 1, 2018 | Culture
Craft beer trends and Southwest Michigan breweries abound! There are nearly 300 breweries, microbreweries, and brewpubs operating in Michigan with over 30 operations just in the 269 area code. “You are never more than an hour from a fresh pint of hand-crafted beer....
by Kimberly Viers | Jun 1, 2018 | Business
Consumers Credit Union knows it can count on Kayla Poole. Name Kayla Poole Hometown Jackson, Michigan Education Western Michigan University (WMU) Accounting and Aviation Management Double Major Expected Graduation: Spring 2018 Position Staff Auditor Intern at...
by Kimberly Viers | Jun 1, 2018 | Uncategorized
Andy Cullen is putting his education to work as Junior Software Development Engineer with National Flavors. Name Andy Cullen Education Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC) Web Design and Development (A.A.S.) ’17 Software Development (A.A.S.) ’17 Hometown...
by Kimberly Viers | Jun 1, 2018 | Uncategorized
Local hinge manufacturer banks longevity on quality. Team members at SELECT Products Limited in Portage have a great story to tell. The geared continuous door hinge they produce survived an independent test of 25 million open-and-close cycles. The test required over...
by Kimberly Viers | Jun 1, 2018 | Leadership
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...
