March April 2014 website - Livonia Chamber of Commerce

March/April
2014
CHAMBER
PROVIDES
SCHOLARSHIP
OPPORTUNITY
FOR HS SENIORS
Chamber
News
LOCAL
SCHOOLS, BUSINESS
WORKING TO INSPIRE MORE
STUDENT INTEREST IN SKILLED JOBS
The Livonia Chamber of
Commerce is now accepting
applications from high school
seniors, graduating from one
of the five Livonia high
schools, for two $1,000
scholarships.
Eligible high school seniors
must graduate in 2014 from
Livonia Franklin, Churchill,
Stevenson, Clarenceville, or
Ladywood High School. This
scholarship will be
announced at an event to be
named in spring 2014.
Scholarship proceeds must be
used at a Livonia Chamber of
Commerce
member
institution.: Schoolcraft
College, Madonna University,
Davenport University,
Eastern Michigan University,
Central Michigan University,
Northwood University, ITT
Technical Institute, Walsh
College, Henry Ford
Community College, Wayne
State Univers ity, a nd
Lawrence Technological
University.
For more information and
for the application, call the
Livonia Chamber at
734.427.2122, or visit
www.livonia.org.
Applications due by 4 p.m.
on Friday, May 16, 2014.
Livonia’s Business Connection
Dan West, President
We’ve talked about the
need to direct more
young people into
high-d emand,
g o o d - p a y i n g
skilled-worker and
advanced manufacturing
careers
in
this
publication for a couple
years now.
Now, it is time to turn our talk into action.
The Livonia Chamber of Commerce and other
community resources aim to better coordinate
efforts on a long-term mission to shift thinking
so more young people, backed by increasingly
confident parents, are inspired to pursue
high-tech jobs needed in the metro Detroit
marketplace.
The Chamber’s Board of Directors recently
talked with Livonia Public Schools
Superintendent Randy Liepa to push
vocational opportunities within its
long-running, successful internship program.
This would give interested students a better
appreciation of the clean, exciting, high-tech
and viable career opportunities with advanced
manufacturing, welding, electronics,
informational technology, construction, and
other skilled trades. Most of these careers need
only two years of post-secondary education.
According to many analysts, these types of
jobs are in high demand over the next decade.
We also realize the need to introduce young
people to these types of careers at a young age.
Schoolcraft College will hold a Technical
Career Open House on Saturday, May 10,
from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., to introduce middle and
high school students to experiences in the
manufacturing, metallurgy, welding, CAD and
electronics lobs.
This open house will give youngsters and their
parents a first-hand look at the technical
training available to pursue a career in the
modern world of skilled trades. Contact Gene
Keyes at Schoolcraft (gkeyes@schoolcraft.edu)
for more information.
“Most young students don't know about the
manufacturing industry and we want to show
them,” said Keyes, who runs Schoolcraft’s
Manufacturing Department. “Other businesses
are looking for new workers and will be at the
open house to explain what it is they do and
show off product.”
President column continues on page 14.
Mayor Jack Kirksey, pictured above, gave his 15th
annual Livonia State of the City Address on
March 27 at Laurel Manor Banquet Center to a
record crowd. Read more on the event on page 8.
INSIDE
Upcoming Events………………..…....………2
New Chamber Members………………......3 & 4
Grand Openings ………..….........................4
Renewals……………………………………..5
2014 State of the City..………...…................8
Chamber Snapshots…………………………..12
Business Expo Preview……………………….13
Ambassador Briefs…………………………...15
Chamber News
2
2014 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Upcoming Events
Chair
KEN WAGNER
State Farm Insurance
Chair Elect
KAREN SANBORN
Madonna University
GRETCHEN ALANIZ
TRW Automotive
DAN LAIBLE
NYX, Inc.
KATHY RAYMOR
Lis, McCallion, Raymor & Co., P.C.
2014 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PAUL BOHN
Fausone Bohn, LLP
CHARLES DARDAS
AlphaUSA
BRENDA DURLING
Schoolcraft College/VisTaTech Center
HAITHAM FAKHOURI
Bold Media
STEVE FUTRELL
Technology Solutions
KEN HUNT
Ford Motor Company
BRANDON KRITZMAN
OHM Advisors
DR. RANDY LIEPA
Livonia Public Schools
BETSY MCCUE
Huntington Bank
JOHN MURPHY
Commercial Lawnmower
DAVID SPIVEY
St. Mary Mercy Hospital
TOM STROUP
Valaset Services
PETER VENTURA
Principal Associates
MAY
Thursday, May 8
Tastefully Livonia
Thursday, May 8
Business Breakfast Roundtable Sponsored by Tennyson Chevrolet
and Foresters Financial Partners
Sponsored by Blue Cross Blue
Detroit
Marriott Livonia
Shield of Michigan, Davenport
University and Schoolcraft College (17100 N. Laurel Park Place)
5:30 - 7:30 a.m.
Detroit Marriott Livonia
$20 per Attendee
(17100 N. Laurel Park Place)
Limited Tickets Available
7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Come enjoy food from Livonia
$15 per Member
restaurants and a silent auction
Come hear from the panel
with all proceeds going to the
featuring Detroit Free Press’ Tom
chamber’s scholarship program
Walsh, Crain’s Detroit Business’
Chris Gautz and Michigan State
Senators Glenn Anderson and
Wine Tasting
Patrick Colbeck
Sponsored by Ameriprise
Financial Services—James Parker,
Financial Advisor
Thursday, May 8
Andiamo of Livonia
28th Annual Livonia
(38703 Seven Mile Road)
Business Expo
Sponsored by AlphaUSA, Bill Brown 5:30—7:30 p.m.
Ford, Farmers Insurance District 15 $25 per Ticket
Limited Tickets Available
and Madonna University
Enjoy a unique business
Laurel Park Place Mall
networking experience with a
(37700 W. Six Mile Road)
variety of wines, food spread,
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
and entry into the prize raffle.
$250 per Table Exhibit Space
Free Public Admission
Featuring 100+ Businesses
ROBIN WHITFIELD
Edward Jones
Have you activated your login
on the chamber’s website?
DENNIS WRIGHT
Livonia City Treasurer
It’s easy! Contact the chamber
by calling 734.427.2122 or email
Toppa@livonia.org to get
started!
STAFF
DAN WEST
President/CEO
DAWNNE TOPPA
Vice President
With a login, all members can
register for events online and
update their business listing on
the website.
DEBBIE FERENSIC
Office Manager
LAURA SWEENEY
Program Coordinator
DAN PAWLAK
Communications Assistant
LIVONIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
33233 Five Mile Road
Livonia, MI 48154
734.427.2122
734.427.6055 (fax)
www.Livonia.org
djwest777
LivoniaChamberof
TheLivoniaChamber LivoniaChamber
Commerce.Blogspot
Livonia Chamber
of Commerce
Livonia Chamber
of Commerce
Chamber News
3
NEW MEMBERS FOR FEBRUARY - MARCH 2014
Congratulations to the following organizations for recently
investing in the work of the Livonia Chamber of Commerce.
Absopure Water Co.
Category: Water,
Coffee & Vending
Contact: James Visger
8835 General Drive
PO Box 701248
Plymouth, MI 48170
734-207-4884
www.Absopure.com
Air Conditioning
Contractors of America/
Southeast Michigan
Category: Heating &
Air Conditioning
Contact: John Hall
14660 Garden St.
Livonia, MI 48154
877-270-ACCA
www.SEMIACCA.org
Cebella's Pizza
Category: Restaurants – Pizza
Contact: David Crawford
37625 Five Mile Road
Livonia, MI 48154
734-542-0800
www.CebellasPizza.com
Cloverlanes Bowl
Category: Bowling Centers
Contact: Marci Pertee
28900 Schoolcraft
Livonia, MI 48150
734-427-6410
www.BowlCloverlanes.com
Community Financial
Credit Union
Category: Banks &
Credit Unions
Contact: Kimberly McFadden
34000 W. Seven Mile Rd.
Livonia, MI 48152
877-937-2328
www.cfcu.org
Culvers of Livonia
Category: Restaurant
Contact: Rick Sponseller
13030 Middlebelt Road
Livonia, MI 48150
www.Culvers.com
Davis Security Services &
Employee Leasing
Category: Security
Contact: Chris Gray
11844 Hubbard St.
Suite 1
Livonia, MI 48150
734-422-0515
www.WMDavisSecurity.com
Financial Services
Professionals, Inc.
Category: Financial Planning
Contact: Patrick Catenacci,
ChFC,CFP,CTS,CFP,AEP
29169 Morlock St.
Livonia, MI 48152
248-982-8494
www.Fin.SrvPros.com
Functional Floors
Category: Flooring
Contact: Chris Franklin
13450 Merriman Rd.
Livonia, MI 48150
734-216-3824
www.FunctionalFloors.com
Gold Seal Cleaning and
Removal Services
Category: Cleaning Residential &
Commercial Services
Contact: Mimi Daryousef
P.O. Box 85779
Westland, MI 48185
734-619-9143
Hearing Center of Excellence
Category: Audiologist
Contact: Dr. Michael MacDonald
37650 Professional Center Drive
Suite 105
Livonia, MI 48154
313-582-8852
www.HearingExcellence.com
Hot Head Burritos
Category: Restaurant
Contact: David Kauscher
30975 Five Mile Road
Livonia, MI 48154
937-751-4093
LaFontaine Toyota Scion Kia
Hyundai Honda Volkswagen
& pre-owned vehicles
Category: Auto Dealerships
Contact: Jessica Haddad
2725 S. Telegraph Rd.
Dearborn, MI 48124
313-651-6600
www.TheFamilyDeal.com
Lowe's
Category: Home
Improvement – Retail
Contact: Barb Mocadlo
6555 Newburgh Road
Westland, MI 48185
734-728-6620
www.Lowes.com
Newburgh Swim Club
Category: Non-profit
Contact: Robin Parker
P.O Box 531073
Livonia, MI 48153
734-464-5912
www.NewburghSwimClub.com
New Members continue on page 4
Chamber News
4
NEW MEMBERS FOR FEBRUARY - MARCH 2014
Continued from page 3
O'Malley's Bar & Grill
Category: Restaurants & Bars
Contact: Janice Grisa
15231 Farmington Rd.
Livonia, MI 48154
734-427-7775
Premier Medicine
Category: Medical
Contact: Dr. Nabil Suliman
20290 Middlebelt Rd.
Livonia, MI 48152
248-987-1250
www.PremierMedicine.com
RFT Staffing, LLC
Category: Staffing
Contact: Linda Ferrante
20765 Inkster Rd.
Farmington Hills, MI 48336
248-957-6598
www.RFTStaffing.com
Sheehy Animal Hospital
Category: Veterinarians
Contact: Tracy Howard
18790 Middlebelt Road
Livonia, MI 48152
248-615-7670
www.SheehyAnimalHospital.com
Sigma Diagnostic Inc.
Category: Medical
Contact: Mo Jeeb Shahbain
14155 Farmington Rd.
Suite D
Livonia, MI 48154
734-744-4846
St. Paul's
Presbyterian Church
Category: Churches
Contact: Wanda
27475 Five Mile
Livonia, MI 48154
734-422-1470
www.SPPC.org
Vocalcreation LLC
Category: Advertising Voice-over
Contact: Ron Chandler
28933 Roycroft
Livonia, MI 48154
734-956-3037
www.VocalCreation.com
Wright Beamer, PLC
Category: Law – Attorneys
Contact: Dirk Beamer
31500 Northwestern Highway
Suite 140
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
248-477-6300
www.WrightBeamer.com
The Cabinet Shop
Category: Kitchen & Bath
Contact: Sam Pop
34955 Plymouth Rd.
Livonia, MI 48150
734-427-2357
www.TheCabinetShopMI.com
L IVONIA G RAND O PENING
Congratulations!
Pure Chiropractic
Celebrated their Grand Opening
on February 17. They are located at
34730 Plymouth Road,
Livonia, MI 48150 and can be
reached at 734-788-9421.
Chamber News
5
RENEWALS FEBRUARY - MARCH 2014
Thank you to the following organizations for continuing to invest in the Livonia Chamber.
1 Under Bar & Grill
Foresters Financial Partners
P2R Associates
AAA Michigan
Garden City Hospital
Parkside Credit Union
Advanced Spinal Fitness
George H. Pastor & Sons
Perry & Drummy, Inc.
All Night Auto
Gordon Food Service
Personalized Hearing Care
Apartment Services Company
Graphik Concepts, Inc.
Plymouth Whalers
Arden Courts of Livonia
Hines Park Lincoln
Residence Inn by Marriott
Ashley Capital
Huntington Bank
Security Designs, Inc.
Ashley Court of Livonia
Huntington Bank (Meijer)
Shepard Insurance Agency
Bildon Parts & Service
ITT Technical Institute
Siam Spicy 4
Blue Plate Diner
James R. Stewart, Jr., DDS, PC
Botsford Hospital
Joseph J. Weiss, MD
State Farm Insurance Ken Wagner Agency
Brightmont Academy Northville Campus
Joseph Productions
Cardwell Florist
Central Michigan University
Christ Our Savior
Lutheran Church
KTX America, Inc.
Liquor Vault
Little Caesars Pizza
Livonia Counseling Center
Livonia Dental Group
ClearWater
Construction Services
Livonia Post 3941 V.F.W.
Courtyard By Marriott
Livonia Rotary Club
D & B Landscaping, Inc.
Livonia Towing
DTE Energy
M. Jacob & Sons
East Side Mario's
Majestic Condominium
Management, LLC
Eastern Michigan University
Ehlers Heating & Air
Conditioning
ERA Country Ridge Realty
ETD Services
Exchange Club of Livonia
Faith Bible Church
Fifth Third Bank
Ford Motor Co. - Transmission
Mama Mia Restaurant
Meakin & Associates
Michigan Educational Credit
Union
Michigan Tai Chi Association
MJ Creative Printing
M-Tec at Henry Ford
Community College
Open Arms Church
State Senate Office
Stenco Construction Company
Tennyson Chevrolet
Three Kings Marketing
Thrivent Financial
Title One
Total Coffee &
Vending Service, Inc
Tri-County Title Agency
UHY LLP
WE PAINT HOUSES.NET
Webasto Roof &
Components SE
Western & Southern Life
Westland Nursing &
Rehabilitation Centre
Westland Shopping Center
Wood Funeral Home
Wright & Filippis
XFER Communications
Chamber News
6
PORTER TALKS MACKINAC, TOURISM
AT LIVONIA CHAMBER EVENT
In the midst of a tough winter, a
Mackinac Island presentation
brought warm thoughts to some
70 people gathered Friday, March
7 for a Livonia Chamber event at
Schoolcraft College.
Mackinac State Historic
Parks Director Phil
Porter spoke to Livonia
chamber members and
residents about the
6 F’s of Mackinac;
including the crowd’s
favorite: fudge!
Phil Porter, the director of
Mackinac State Historic Parks,
talked about the history of the
Straits region and the importance
of the state tourism industry at
Wake-Up Livonia, presented by
Vibe Credit Union. He rifled
through 400 years of the region’s
prominent history in a 40-minute
presentation focused on the 6 F's
of Mackinac: Faith, furs, forts,
fish, fun and fudge.
"In a manufacturing-centered
region like metro Detroit, Phil's
presentation opened a lot of our
guests' eyes to the significance of tourism in Michigan, and
Mackinac Island's key role in driving that industry," said Dan
West, president of the Livonia Chamber of Commerce.
Tourism is Michigan's second-largest industry that generates
some $18 billion a year, according to analysts. Mr. Porter said
the forts and museums controlled by Mackinac State Historic
Parks attract some 1 million visitors who generate $175
million in spending each year.
“And this does not include the many visitors to our parks
who travel from out of state, and through our peninsulas to
reach us,” Porter said.
Several Boy Scouts and adult leaders from Troop 271, based
at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Livonia were part of the
audience. The scouts are part of a metro Detroit Boy Scout
contingent that serve on the Island for a week as part of the
Mackinac Island Scout Service Camp. Porter said the Boy
Scouts and Girl Scouts that serve on the Island between
Memorial Day and Labor Day each summer combine to
provide 35,000 volunteer hours. "We would not be able to
operate everything we do without their service," he said.
Thank you to our
Landmark Businesses
& Trustee Members
for their continued
support!
Chamber News
7
Chamber News
8
570 GATHER FOR STATE OF THE CITY
Mayor: City sees more development, fiscal stability
With each passing year since the recession, it’s clear
to Livonia mayor Jack Kirksey: the city is on the
rebound and growing at a rapid pace.
Livonia’s unemployment rate of 3.4 percent,
compared to Wayne County’s 9 percent, Michigan’s
7.7 percent and the country’s 8.4 percent, is just
one representation of how the city is moving
forward, Kirksey said.
Kirksey addressed several topics, including the
city’s bright economic outlook, during his annual
State of the City Address Thursday, March 27 at
Laurel Manor before a record number of attendees.
Sponsored by AlphaUSA, Bright House
Networks Business Solutions, Cambridge Mayor Kirksey made a grand entrance mirroring the 2014 Winter
Property & Casualty and St. Mary Mercy Olympics Opening Ceremonies with his daughter Jillian and students
from the Jackson Center.
Livonia, the mayor touched on the status of the
Larry Nehasil Park project, the city’s financial Kirksey touched on the city’s finances, which included
forecast and the economic development the city has seen hope that Gov. Rick Snyder’s proposed increase of state
in the past year.
shared revenue to municipalities would be approved,
sending more than an additional $300,000 to Livonia.
Those highlighted included the recent opening of
Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt and Dave & Busters, which Property values in Livonia have seen an increase in the
Kirksey said has become quite the hotspot.
previous two years, increasing 4.3 percent this past year.
Despite that increase, Kirksey said the city is still not
“They’ve been open for just a few months, and it is their
receiving the full amount it should be when it comes to
second busiest store in the entire nation,” he said.
revenue sharing.
Kirksey also invited Linda Nehasil, wife of fallen Livonia
police officer Larry Nehasil, to address the audience on the
Fallen Heroes Monument, which is expected to wrap up
construction and open by the summer.
The monument, which has been several years in the
making through a committee, will be a fitting tribute to the
public safety officers who gave their lives protecting the
residents of Livonia, Linda Nehasil said.
“The monument will be a lasting memorial for these brave
men,” she said. “It’s a huge endeavor, and they’ve done an
outstanding job.”
“There’s an $8 million difference from what the city
should be receiving – we are very grateful for what we get
– but all local governments, townships and cities face the
same kind of dilemma,” he said.
Complete with a photo of himself standing next to a large
pile of snow in his driveway, Kirksey also addressed the
poor winter weather and its impact on the city and its
roads.
With 370 miles of city-controlled roads – which Kirksey
said if stretched out in one road would go as far as Sault
Ste. Marie – the mayor said the city has tried to do the best
(continued next page)
Chamber News
9
(continued from page 8)
it could with the crews that
gave so much time into
keeping streets maintained.
“Whether we plow or
we don’t, from a PR
standpoint, we don’t win,”
he said. “We plow, people
– some, not all –
complain that we’re
dumping snow in the driveways. And if we don’t plow,
(we get) ‘where were you?
We expect you to be there.’
And also, after the plow,
they expect to see
pavement. This year, we
plowed one day, the
temperatures dropped to This year’s State of the City Address attracted a record number of attendees with some 570
chamber members, city officials and community leaders registered.
five below at night and
everything becomes ice on
Kirksey used 2013 as example, showing the department
the concrete. So, from a PR standpoint, it’s been a bad
had hired 19 new officers. But 20 officers left the
year in terms of expectations, at least for some.”
department for various reasons, including resignations,
The recent police staffing issue the city has faced was also terminations and retirements, resulting in a net loss of one
discussed by Kirksey, about one week after the city council officer.
approved new contracts with two police unions that
But he said the city is on the right track with slowing down
include a retention program to help keep officers eligible
the loss of officers in the city.
to retire on the force longer. Several other changes have
been incorporated, including shortening the civil service “We feel like we’re stabilizing the loss of police officers
examination time frame, hiring retired police officers as and we are in the process of rebuilding staff,” he said.
temporary staff and recruiting former military police
officers.
Article from Livonia Observer
10
Chamber News
Chamber News
11
COMPANY
RELOCATES TO
LIVONIA
WITH REVAMPED SOFTWARE TO
BOOST MANUFACTURERS
Businessman Bob Sakuta has consistently fostered growth
since he took control of the company his father created,
Delta Research.
The president of the Livonia-based manufacturer of high
precision gears, gear boxes and transmission components
made a significant investment in a software product 25 years
ago that he credits with helping him make better decisions to
help his business grow.
Sakuta credits Realtrac Performance ERP for discovering
extraordinary efficiencies in pricing, production, scheduling,
and personnel management. “This really helps people,” he
said. “It helps a talented machinist become a better business
person. It is perfect for small shops.”
Sakuta invested in the product again in 2012 when he
purchased the company that makes the enterprise resource
planning (ERP) software, and moved its headquarters from
California to Livonia. Realtrac Performance ERP, which
serves 300 customers, is the fourth company Sakuta operates
in Livonia. Realtrac, Delta Research, Delta Gear and Delta
Inspection combine to employ 140 people.
“Bob and his family continue to be entrepreneurs and
innovators with their diverse collection of businesses that
create more jobs and exciting business opportunities for the
manufacturing industry and the Livonia business
community,” said Dan West, president of the Livonia
Chamber of Commerce.
“We had to learn how a manufacturer uses the software and
get their feedback,” Eckler said. “We had our ideas, but we
needed that feedback from the users and it helped us identify
what we needed to do.”
Realtrac Performance ERP released their revamped product,
Version 10, in March. Sakuta said he has already landed some
new customers.
“It is primarily designed to help manufacturers, but you can
make a case that this product can help other industries as
well,” he said. “Anyone who wants to do a better job of
quoting prices, while tracking time and costs, can benefit
from this software.”
The new Livonia firm currently has 12 employees
stationed at the Delta Research facilities and is continuing to
grow. He hired Livonia native Jeremy Klosowski to return
home from out of state to become the Director of Sales and
Marketing for Realtrac Performance ERP. He has started
marketing and advertising the product using various media
relations including: multi-media, e-commerce, trade publications and will be attending numerous trade shows.
Sakuta said he envisions business growth that will demand a
new separate building for Realtrac’s operations in the future.
Since Sakuta and business partner Tom Buck took
control of Realtrac Performance ERP, they embarked on
a 16-month program to redesign and modernize the
software which expanded its capacity and capabilities.
The revamped software provides faster search engines,
easier file attachments, expanded document management
systems, and it is adaptable to mobile and tablet devices.
“It quickly provides you with more data so you can
improve your ability to make quotes to prospective
customers,” Sakuta said. “With the enhanced archiving
systems, you can eliminate the need for a traditional filing
system which saves your office space.”
Mark Eckler was part of the four-person team that
redesigned Realtrac’s software. He said it took time to
develop appropriate modifications because they talked
with customers to get a good grasp of how they used the
software.
Realtrac Performance recently moved its enterprise resource planning
software company from California to Livonia, where the team of Mark
Eckler, Pat Eckler, Mark Everest and Matt First redesigned and
modernized the product.
Chamber News
12
CHAMBER
SNAPSHOTS
10th Annual Leadership & Awards Celebration
The 10th annual Leadership and
Awards Celebration took place
on Thursday, Feb. 20, at Laurel
Manor and was sponsored by
Cambridge Property and
Casualty, AlphaUSA, St. Mary
Mercy Hospital and Madonna
University. Pictured left is all the
honorees of the evening. (Top
row, from left) Clarenceville
School District’s Teachers of the
Year Trevor Johnson and
Amy Mahoney, Community
Enhancement honorees from
Home Instead Senior Care Scott
and Glenna Yaroch, chamber
scholarship recipient Delvonta
Pinkston,
Community
Enhancement honoree Dave &
Buster’s Dave Rogan and
Photo: Livonia Observer
Livonia Public Schools’ Teacher
of the Year Eric Cassie; (middle row, from left) Outstanding Large Business of the Year honorees from OHM Advisors Charlie
Mahoney, Dan Fredendall and John Hiltz, 2013 Ambassador of the Year Mark LaBerge, Outstanding Small Business of the Year’s
Kim, Linda and Joe Legato of Bill & Rod’s Appliance, Outstanding Youth Kaleen Snowdon, Livonia Public Schools’ Teachers of the
Year Mary Collins and Rick Santi; (bottom row) First Citizens honorees Joyce and Bob Biga.
Photo: Livonia Observer
Photo: Livonia Observer
OHM Advisors’ President John Hiltz accepts the 2014 Outstanding
Large Business of the Year award from the Livonia Chamber at the
Leadership and Awards Celebration, pictured with Brandon Kritzman
and Charlie Mahoney.
Delvonta Pinkston of Madonna University was
recognized as one of the recipients of the Livonia
Chamber’s adult learner scholarship program on
Feb. 20, seen above with Chamber President Dan West.
Chamber News
13
Expo returns May 8 to Laurel Park Place
Presented by AlphaUSA, Bill Brown Ford, Madonna
University and Farmers Insurance District 15, the Livonia
Business Expo will return for its third year at Laurel Park Place
and Detroit Marriott Livonia on Thursday, May 8.
The Business Breakfast Roundtable, sponsored by Blue Cross
Blue Shield of Michigan, Davenport University and
Schoolcraft College, will kickoff the day at the Detroit
Marriott Livonia from 7:30 - 9 a.m. This year’s breakfast panel
will talk about policy and business issues that impact the state
and metro Detroit region. The panel will include: Michigan State
Senators Glenn Anderson and Patrick Colbeck along with
Detroit Free Press Business Columnist Tom Walsh and Crain’s
Detroit Business Capitol Correspondent Chris Gautz.
The expo floor, sponsored by Consumers Energy, Co-op
Services Credit Union, Edward Jones-Robin Whitfield,
Freedom Hill and the Livonia Spree, will run from
10 a.m.-5 p.m. featuring more than 100 chamber members
throughout Laurel Park Place. Prizes will be handed out
throughout the day at the Dave & Buster’s Prize Station.
Livonia Chamber Members are encouraged to signup for the
Networking Frenzy, sponsored by Laurel Park Place, which
will take place from 2-3 p.m.
Attendees of Tastefully Livonia can enjoy samples from local
restaurants, music and networking during the popular nightcap
portion of the Expo from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Detroit Marriott
Livonia. The Tastefully Livonia, sponsored by Tennyson
Chevrolet and Foresters Financial Partners, will also feature
a silent auction with proceeds going to the chamber’s
scholarship program.
Some 3,000 people walked through Laurel Park Place during
the 2013 Livonia Business Expo. The Expo featured some
90+ exhibitors; including Affinity Home Care Agency
pictured above.
For more information and to register for any of the events
above, please contact Laura Sweeney at 734.427.2122, or via
e-mail at Sweeney@livonia.org or visit www.Livonia.org.
4th Annual Livonia Home Show
Sponsored by Co-op Services Credit Union, Farmers Insurance - Kelly
Zagata Agency and Vento Decorative Concrete, the 4th Annual
Livonia Home Improvement Show was held at Churchill High School
on Saturday, March 22. Above, Chef Pam Geraci talks to attendees at
the Bill & Rod’s Appliance booth. Left, Bob Modes of Blue Plate
Diner serves sliders at the Home Show’s Grab-n-Go Lunch Row,
which also featured Annie’s Family Restaurant, Bob Evans
Restaurant, Jimmy John’s and O’Malley’s Bar & Grill.
Chamber News
14
Livonia businesses and educators take
action to grow students’ interest
President column continued from cover.
Also in the coming school year, the Chamber will work with
upper elementary and middle school classrooms to give
students a chance to tour several local manufacturing
operations, such as AlphaUSA, NYX Inc., Delta Research,
Delta Gear, Linear Mold and Engineering, and Roush. As
Chuck Dardas, AlphaUSA’s president and COO, simply put
it: “We need to get young people excited about building
things.”
It is understandable why parents have been shy about the
manufacturing careers in recent decades as assembly jobs
declined. This moved parents to direct their children to focus
on university studies. But in many cases, these students’
studies were not focused on skills needed in the marketplace.
This created a glut of college graduates who obtained
significant student loan debt, yet are stuck in jobs that didn’t
require a bachelor’s degree.
“For years, we focused on the need for college to get a good
job, but we made a mistake,” Michigan Governor Rick
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Snyder said at his recent Economic Summit in Grand Rapids.
“We needed to equally talk about the need for training skilled
workers.”
Snyder talked about the need to redefine perceptions of a
“skilled worker,” so more families realize this type of training
can lead to good jobs, good careers and good pay.
“We need to focus less on just education and more on career
preparedness,” the Governor said.
So in Livonia, our business and education communities are
working together to better prepare young people for needed,
viable jobs of the future. Not every young adult was meant to
go to a university for at least four years to get trained for a
good job. There are other paths. We have to inform our
young people of those other paths.
And now, Livonia’s business and education communities are
working together to make that happen.
Chamber News
15
AMBASSADORS OF THE MONTH
These featured members are honored as Ambassadors of the Month for their volunteer time for member retention,
member development and Chamber events.
MARCH
APRIL
Julie Van Ameyde
Melissa Pilzner
Simply Social Media LLC
(248) 667-8718
www.SimplySocialMediaLLC.com
Raymond James, Livonia
(248) 427-1600
RaymondJamesLivonia.com
Julie Van Ameyde is the president of Michigan based Simply
Social Media LLC. Her imaginative vision has helped
businesses throughout the Midwest create, shape and
successfully share their brands through online marketing. With
over 25 years of business development and marketing
experience, Julie knows all too well how challenging the world
of social media can be. For over a decade, Julie built a
reputation as a “go to” consultant to Silicon Valley based
technology start-ups. Later taking an entrepreneurial turn, she
became the Vice President and Founder of one of the most
popular day spas in the state. Now as the owner of Simply
Social Media, Julie puts her combined knowledge of social
media platforms and best practices as a veteran business
owner to work for clients. In addition, she contributes
considerable time and energy to civic outreach programs, as
well as community and charity groups.
Melissa Pilzner is a Financial Advisor from Raymond James,
Livonia, experienced in the areas of retirement planning and
low-cost qualified plans for small and mid-sized
businesses. Melissa has always had a strong passion for the
financial industry, and her favorite part of the business is
preparing individuals to be more financially confident,
successful, and independent. In 2012, Melissa graduated with
High Distinction from the University of Michigan Dearborn, and in January 2014, she began studying for a
Certified Financial Planner certification and a Master of
Science in Finance degree at Walsh College. In addition to
her work as an advisor, Melissa enjoys spending her free time
as an Ambassador for the Livonia Chamber of Commerce, an
active member of the Kiwanis Club of Livonia, and a
dedicated philanthropist for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.