Change Ups: Two-story building planned for Ada Village

Change Ups: Two-story building planned for Ada Village

Ada First LLC has selected First Companies to construct a two-story building at 523 Ada Drive SE in the new Ada Village. The building will be reminiscent of Michigan structures built in the late 1800s/early 1900s, and will provide 4,200 square feet of retail space on the ground level and office space on the second floor. Entrances will face Headley Street, and parking will be available on the west and north sides of the building.

ADVERTISING & MARKETING

834 Design & Marketing announced the additions of Elyse Zapolski, project coordinator, and Jordan Punches, who will manage social media, website updates and research projects.

ARCHITECTURE & ENGINEERING

Wightman & Associates Inc. in Benton Harbor received the American Council of Engineering Companies of Michigan’s 2016 Member Firm of the Year Award.

ASSOCIATIONS

ACG Western Michigan announced its 2016 officers and board. Officers: president, Joani Gill; vice president, Rabih Jamal; secretary/treasurer, Dan Lynn; and immediate past president, Robert Stead. Directors: Steve Abbott, Nick Adamy, Jason Brinks, Joel Brandt, Roger Colman, Brian Hamilton, Don Hunt, Mark Janes, Rich Noreen, John Pollock, John Porterfield, Jon Siebers, Martin Stein, Jeff York, and executive director, Julie Metsker.

AWARDS

Gerald R. Ford International Airport has received Airports Council International North America’s 2016 Mitigation Award for its “Sustainable Stormwater/ Deicing Runoff Control” project. GRFIA also achieved first-place ranking in the Best Airports by Size and Region – North America (2-5 million passengers per year category).  

The Michigan Environmental Hall of Fame will induct 10 new people and organizations: John Woollam, Paul Zugger, Robert Tallman, West Michigan Environmental Action Council, White Lake Restoration, Robert B. Annis Water Resources Institute; and in the Legacy Circle, Margret Dark Elliott, Edith Munger, Harold Stokes and Ralph MacMullan.

Ottawa County announced Ryan Gamby received its Outstanding Customer Service Award for fourth quarter 2015. Gamby has been with the county for four years and serves in 58th District Court Probation and Community Corrections.

CONSTRUCTION

Owen-Ames-Kimball Co. announced the additions of Kyle Siegert, project manager; Doug Miller and Brent Rosema, project superintendents; and the promotion of Kayla Cribley to project engineer and Greg Nelson to project superintendent. Four of the five positions were newly created in response to company growth.

EDUCATION

Baker College in Flint announced the opening of Baker College of Reading, Pennsylvania, its first undergraduate campus outside of Michigan.

Dee Ann Sherwood, social work professor and program coordinator at the Western Michigan University Grand Rapids campus, and Marian Tripplett, professor at WMU-Southwest in Benton Harbor, were presented with the Innovative Teaching Award for developing the course, “Teaching Intercultural Competence — Hybrid Study Abroad in Chicago.”

More than two dozen student members of Ferris State University’s Panhellenic and Interfraternity councils wrote holiday cards to active and retired members of the U.S. military in support of Operation Gratitude, and made and presented 18 blankets to Our Brother’s Keeper homeless shelter in Big Rapids.

FOUNDATIONS

Bissell Pet Foundation, supported in part by Bissell Homecare Inc.in Walker, has awarded $10,000 to All About Animals Rescue in Warren to help animals affected by the Flint water crisis. Funds will be used to spay/neuter pets exposed to lead toxicity. 

GOVERNMENT

Kroon & Mitchell Asset Management LLC senior portfolio manager Phillip Mitchell was appointed to the board of trustees for the City of Grand Rapids General Retirement Systems and Police & Fire Retirement Systems.

GRANTS

Hope College in Holland has received more than $48,000 in grants for 12 projects from the Michigan Space Grant Consortium, part of the National Space Grant Consortium that seeks to foster awareness, education and research on space-related science and technology.

HEALTH

Holland Hospital for the second year in a row has received an America’s 50 Best Hospitals award from Healthgrades and has earned a place on Truven’s Top 100 Hospitals’ list for the 11th consecutive year. 

Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital named Dr. Andrew Haig vice president of accountable care and medical informatics. Haig, world-renowned for his expertise in rehabilitation, is professor emeritus of physical medicine and rehabilitation at University of Michigan and president of Haig et al Consulting in Ann Arbor.

HUMAN SERVICES

Mel Trotter Ministries has opened a new Youth Emergency Shelter at its gospel rescue mission in downtown Grand Rapids that provides a safe overnight refuge for homeless male youths.

Mill Steel Co. and D.A. Blodgett – St. John’s announced a partnership to launch a pilot workplace mentoring program for Big Brothers Big Sisters called Bigs In Businessthat matches local students with employees.

INSURANCE

Waterstone Insurance Agency in Muskegon has received the 2015 Agency of the Year award from Frankenmuth Mutual Insurance Agency.

LEGAL

Andrew D. Oostema was elected to membership at Miller Johnson. Oostema represents medical providers in all stages of litigation concerning the denial or underpayment of claims for incurred medical charges, and counsels medical providers regarding matters affecting the healthcare revenue cycle.

MANUFACTURING

Pro-Vision Video Systems announced the promotion of Jim Tuffs to north region commercial specialist and David Hand to central region commercial specialist.

NONPROFITS

Ana Sosa was named 2016 Grand Rapids Youth of the Year by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids and will receive a $2,000 scholarship provided by Lake Michigan Credit Union.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Sabo PR has moved into a new office and photo studio at 401 Hall St. SW, Suite 463 B. The firm is leasing space in the former Steelcase factory that has been transformed into loft-style office space.

REAL ESTATE

B.A. Amey has joined Signature Associates’ West Michigan industrial team.

RETAIL

CenterPointe Yacht Services LLC of Milwaukee has opened a sales office and boat showroom at Eldean’s Shipyard on Lake Macatawa near Holland. It will sell new boats and offer specialized brokerage yacht service.

SERVICES

U-Haul Co. of Michigan announced All Auto Care LLC, 1234 Ball Ave. NE, has signed on as a U-Haul neighborhood dealer to serve Grand Rapids. All Auto Care will offer U-Haul trucks, trailers and support rental items. Hours of operation are 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m.-noon Saturday. After-hours drop-off is available.

TECHNOLOGY

Corporate Technologies LLC announced its participation in Microsoft CityNext, a global, partner-led initiative that empowers cities to be more sustainable, prosperous and economically competitive with a simplified approach.