Traverse City : Innovation + Job News

We're always thrilled to announce promotions at local companies, but we have to admit we were a little surprised when Traverse City State Bank recently announced the financial institution had recently promoted four employees.

The bank last week announced that it has promoted Larry Kennedy to senior vice president of special assets, Kelly Schramski and John Galbraith to commercial loan officer positions and Jackie Stallman to credit officer.

Kennedy's career in banking spans 43 years, in all facets of banking and financial management, and he has held leadership roles in commercial lending throughout his career. After a brief attempt at retiring, he joined Traverse City State Bank in 2009 to head up the bank’s new special asset group. He attended the University of Michigan and graduated with a bachelor of science in administration.

Galbraith has been with TCSB for one year as a successful residential mortgage originator. He has nine years of experience in commercial lending and six years experience of running a successful business. He is a graduate of Central Michigan University (undergraduate) and Spring Arbor University (graduate).

Stallman originally joined TCSB in 2005. She has held the position of credit analyst and served as coordinator for the board of directors and committee loan presentations. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration in finance from Davenport University.

Schramski joined TCSB with over five years of experience in personal banking and business development and has excelled as a commercial loan portfolio manager. She is an alumnus of Michigan State University.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Traverse City State Bank

Thomas Hoxsie will be taking over responsibilities as the coordinator of Grand Traverse Industries' Local Interpreter Services Network Program.

Hoxie was recently announced as the new coordinator by Grand Traverse Industries to replace Leanne Baumeler, who held the position for seven years. Hoxsie is no stranger to the program. The lifelong northern Michigan resident has been an interpreter in the program for years.

The program that Hoxsie will coordinate helps bridge a gap between individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing with a wide variety of services at many local businesses, schools, agencies, medical and legal offices offer. The program provides interpreter services in 20 counties in northern Michigan and many counties in the Upper Peninsula.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Steve Perdue, Grand Traverse Industries

Perry Adams will take on the title of VP and investment officer at Northwestern Bank, headquartered in Traverse City.
 
Adams joins the bank's investments, trust and retirement services area with more than 20 years of trust and investment experience. He recently spent ten years as regional manager for the trust department of another Traverse City bank.
 
He has a bachelor's degree in business administration from Ferris State College, and a master's degree in finance from Walsh College.

Adams' other community involvements include serving as a board member for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan and on the finance committee of the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation. He has volunteered with the Father Fred Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, as a board member of the Grand Traverse Area Sport Fishing Association, and as president and board member of the Rotary Club of Traverse Bay Twilight.
 
Northwestern Bank was founded in 1955, and now is the largest independent bank in northwest Michigan, with 28 offices throughout the region.
 
Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Perry Adams, Northwestern Bank

Floor Covering Brokers in Traverse City has added sales associate Justin Hakly to its staff this September.
     
Hakly has been in the flooring business for more than 30 years, and previously has managed flooring stores in Colorado. He's also worked with various flooring distributors and brings years of product knowledge and experience to help customers with design and selection.
 
The addition of Hakly to the team at Floor Covering Brokers brings the number of flooring and blinds experts at the company to ten.
 
He is available for design and consultation of all types of flooring and window treatments.
 
The largest privately owned floor covering, tile and window treatments installer in northwest Michigan, Floor Covering Brokers also has a flooring outlet location where customers can see the largest selection of in-stock flooring in the region.
 
Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Floor Covering Brokers

If you've always wanted a career in the music industry, a new degree offered at Northwestern Michigan College might just be perfect for you.

It's an 18-month, fast-track program that results in an associate's degree in audio technology, which will train students to be studio engineers, recording engineers, composers and other music careers, according to NMU music program director Jeff Cobb.

The program takes four semesters, including summer, and includes two dozen new courses and some existing courses, combined to make one comprehensive educational program that includes hands-on experience running sound production at NMC's Milliken Auditorium. Professional certification at various levels is available at the end of the course, and students also will have the opportunity to become certified on specific platforms, like Apple.

It's valuable for those looking for a sound engineering job or even musicians who want to record their own music, says Cobb.
    
"The industry has really changed. It's gone from an old model of several big corporations creating all the music to musicians creating, recording and producing music in their own project studio. You don't have to live in LA or New York anymore. The technology allows you to do it all in your home studio. We're going to be creating a new niche in the audio technology training market," he says.

Along with the new degree, NMC is reinstating its second year slate of music major courses, which had been on hiatus, for those pursuing a bachelor's degree.

"Our students are going to be musicians and technically savvy," he said. "They're getting a foundation in music, true music training, on top of all that technology training."

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Jeff Cobb, Northwestern Michigan College

Swan Valley Marina is no longer for sale, and the business is already making it clear that not only will they be back in full swing come the boating season next year, but they are offering storage services this winter as well.

The East Jordan-based company, which was listed for sale recently, was purchased in full by Kelly Robertson. She purchased the company from her former husband, Geoff Britt, and is the sole owner of Swan Valley Marina.

The marina is offering winter storage to anyone interested in the service, and is expected to resume full operations when the boating season begins again in 2013.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Kelly Robertson, Swan Valley Marina

The Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail is moving forward with a $1.62 million grant from the federal Department of Transportation.

The grant comes from the department's Public Lands Highway Discretionary program, and will be used to build 3.17 miles of the trail, starting at Port Oneida Road and ending at Leelanau County Road 669 (also known as Bohemian Road).

The multi-use trail will provide a non-motorized pathway for walkers, hikers, cyclists, and other alternatives to motorized transportation, parallel to M22 and M109 for a total of 27 miles through the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. It also will connect the national lakeshore's main points with Glen Arbor and Empire.

"The trail partners and supporters are very thankful for this grant award to continue towards expanding the trail," says Patty O'Donnell, project manager for the heritage trail. "The award recognizes that the SBHT will provide a meaningful transportation alternative for residents and visitors, as well as an outstanding recreational opportunity for all users, that is being demonstrated on the first completed section from the National Lakeshore's Dune Climb to Glen Arbor."

The grant will extend that existing trail a few more miles, connecting it to more of the park and allowing visitors and residents to travel farther on the hard-surfaced trail.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Patty O'Donnell, Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail

If you've thought there was something different lately about Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, you were right. The 900-acre resort in Acme just finished up renovations on all six stories of its guest rooms.

That makes 237 newly-refurbished rooms throughout the hotel. The updates included new carpet, bedding, furniture, 37-inch flatscreen HD TVs, new phones, iPod docking stations and digital in-room heating and cooling controls. The resort also added fire-suppression sprinklers in all guest rooms and service areas, which were needed because the hotel was originally built in 1980, before local codes required extensive sprinkler systems. To top all that off (bad pun, sorry) the hotel got a new 21,015-square-foot roof complete with new flashing.

The tower part of the resort and its 186 guest rooms also got updates in the form of in-room technology, new telephones and flatscreen HD TVs.

That's not even all: the resort has ticked off several multi-year infrastructure projects from its list recently.

Throughout 2011 and 2012, Grand Traverse Resort was upgrading its main parking lot for tower and hotel guest parking, as well as its service vehicle parking lot. Both were completely repaved with asphalt, new concrete curbs were installed, and traffic routing and sidewalks were updated. Landscaping and a lighted shuttle and bus stop pavilion completed the renovations.

Anyone approaching the resort notices the 17-story soaring tower topped off by the glass-roofed Aerie Restaurant and Lounge. Those glass panels, 350 in all, were resealed, with a new gutter system being installed.

Other upgrades are harder to see but have no less impact: the resort had more than three miles of new underground fiber-optic cables installed to its clubhouse and six condominium complexes, expanding bandwidth and improving high-speed wifi Internet access, with the addition of 40 new Internet access points. The resort's cable TV system also saw improvements, adding up to 65 HD channels for guests to enjoy. To power all the new technology, Consumers Energy replaced the old main power cable to the hotel.

A few more major improvements also came on board in 2012. Dylan's Candy Bar Candy Café opened in the resort's shopping gallery, a complement to the Dylan's Candy Bar store which opened two years ago. The business center and cyber café was renovated with new Steelcase furniture and a contemporary design, and the grand lobby got new furnishings as well.

Guests who enjoy outdoor recreation and golf will be happy to hear the resort built a new permanent restroom facility near the outdoor tennis courts, and added new golf course and grounds maintenance equipment including 32 sets of new Cobra golf clubs.

Finally, the list of updates can be rounded off with two new banquet trucks for catering and food transport; a new 14-passenger shuttle bus and a nine-passenger shuttle van; elevator upgrades; and new furnishings, fixtures and equipment throughout the resort.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: J. Michael D'Agostino, Grand Traverse Resort and Spa

Interested in wine country in Northwest Michigan? Well, you may want to get your iPhone interested, too, with the new Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association's LP Wines app.

The app is designed to help give folks access to winery information, websites and maps and even has listings for making a trip to the peninsula a complete one with lodgings, restaurants, galleries, limos, specialty shops and area information. In addition, there's even an event listing and new from wine country, as well as special offerings from LPVA wineries.

"It's like a trail map in your pocket," explains LPVA director Andrew McFarlane. "The gorgeous hills and back roads of the Leelanau Peninsula offer beautiful scenery, but they can make it a little hard to navigate. Thankfully, our app will help you find new routes from winery to winery as you explore all that Leelanau has to offer. Our programmer Scott Simons has really done a great job in taking our very popular trail map to a whole new level."

Android and other smart phone users don't despair: lpwines.com has recently been upgraded to be one of the most mobile friendly sites out there, and plans are in the works to develop a version for Android as well.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Andrew McFarlane, LPVA

Rotate Black, a company headquartered in Petoskey, recently found out it's plans for a four-star casino and resort in Gulfport, Miss. Got the go-ahead approval from the Mississippi Gaming Commission recently.

The company's project is expected to feature over 100,000 square feet of gaming and entertainment space as well as a 205-room hotel.

Folks visiting the gaming area will find 1,188 slots, 26 game tables, a steakhouse, a water-view bar, exterior decking, a center bar, a buffet and a café. The hotel features four-star amenities like a library, spa services and a waterfront pool with a swim-up bar.

"We're thrilled with the outcome of today's meeting and with thorough process of the commission," says Dual Cooper, the president of Rotate Black. "This resort will be one of the finest on the Gulf Coast and a huge draw for the city of Gulfport."

The resort will be located on a 9.5-acre property directly on the recently renovated Bert Jones Yacht Basin and adjacent to the new waterfront Harbor Square Park with its pavilions, green space and art and entertainment facilities.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Dual Cooper, Rotate Black

If you're looking for Spirals in Traverse City and recently found yourself standing outside of its old location, don't worry because all you have to do is head over to 123 East Front Street to find it.

Spirals made the move to the new location earlier this year and took over the former home of Bon Fitte lingerie. The store continues to carry affordable and vintage styles as well as independent fashion designer lines. What's more is Spirals has expanded its made-in-America and Michigan-made products as well as Michigan and U.S.A. designed lines.

The owner of the store, Mary Herzog, will be more than happy to help anyone stopping in find just what it is they are looking for.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Spirals

When it comes to healthcare, it's always great to know that the practices you visit look to keep their numbers swelled with the best staff available.

That's why the Grand Traverse Radiologists, located in Traverse City, didn't hesitate to hire on musculoskeletal specialist Patrick Gartland, M. D.

Gartland is a native of the area and is returning home to work with the Grand Traverse Radiologists team. He is a graduate of the Medical College of Wisconsin and also completed his residency and a fellowship program in our neighboring state and at the same medical college.

He is a board-certified radiologist and specializes in diagnostic and musculoskeletal radiology.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Grand Traverse Radiologists

Sometimes you need a little help from the angels in your life in order to accomplish some of the tasks that are set out before you.

That was the case with Altus Brands and the help it received from Northern Michigan Angels and the BlueWater Angels. Those angels made a $170,000 investment into Altus Brands, located in Traverse City, which allowed the company to purchase Extreme Dimension Wildlife Calls, a leading innovator in the electronic game call industry.

"We are fortunate to have connected with Brian Breneman, Charles Ricci and Gary Lemanski of Altus Brands to put this deal together," says Ron Hurd of Northern Michigan Angels. "These innovative founders are taking a new approach to the market and one we expect will be very successful. Their knowledge and approach helps other entrepreneurs and supports the outdoor enthusiast’s lifestyle which is integrated into the lives of many here in northern Michigan."

Extreme Dimension Wildlife Calls will be relocated to Traverse City.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Ron Hurd, Northern Michigan Angels

Add two more names to the list of folks being promoted within the ranks of Northwestern Bank.

Erin Bratschi and Janice Beyer were recently announced as being promoted in the financial institution, based in Traverse City. Bratschi has been named an assistant manager in the Garfield office while Beyer is now a trust office and portfolio manager.

Bratschi joined Northwestern Bank in 2008 as a personal banker at their Traverse City West Bay office. She earned her bachelors of business administration from Grand Valley State University.

Beyer joined Northwestern in 2010 and has 18 years of banking and investment experience. She earned her bachelor of science in business administration from Central Michigan University and is currently a candidate for the prestigious Chartered Financial Analyst designation. Prior to joining Northwestern, she worked at several investment firms.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Northwestern Bank

Want to spruce up your garden gear with Michigan-made accessories that don't look like everyone else's garden tools? Well, head on over to Lake Leelanau and stop by Jack of the Green.

There you can find custom-designed garden accessories, including kneeler pads, aprons, tarps and a flower tote. All of the products are constructed of durable canvas and cotton.

Products at Jack of the Green are based on traditional English garden goods not readily available in the United States.

Owner Tracy John Brookfield was a hobby gardener in his hometown of Deal, England for 20 years before parlaying this passion into a career in Lake Leelanau more than 15 years ago. He still provides the garden and landscape design services that were the impetus for Jack of the Green.

The store is located at 461 Main Street and is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Tracy John Brookfield, Jack of the Green