Dort Financial Credit Union announced the hiring of Sharon Lobo as vice president of lending. Lobo joined the credit union’s executive team on May 31. In her new role, Lobo will oversee all lending and member solution activities. She will work alongside executive leadership to determine a multi-year strategy and focus on target markets for lending. Lobo will make recommendations for lending policies to support and contribute to the growth of Dort Financial. She will also be responsible for improving efficiencies and productivity through technology and enhanced procedures for both lending and member solutions.
“I am extremely happy to be working with a talented group of professionals at Dort Financial,” said Lobo. “The credit union has an incredible opportunity for growth and to serve our members by creating efficiencies, expanding market presence, and providing new products and services.”
Prior to joining Dort Financial, Lobo was senior lending officer for Osgood Bank in Osgood, Ohio, and the assistant vice president for Universal 1 Credit Union in Dayton, Ohio.
Kettering University has appointed Dr. Scott E. Grasman as the interim dean of the College of Engineering, effective July 1. Additionally, Kettering named new department heads for Chemical Engineering, Natural Sciences and Mathematics. The end of the 2021-22 academic year has turned into the beginning for three newly appointed department heads at Kettering University. Dr. Susan Farhat has been named the new Chemical Engineering Department Head; Dr. Daniel Ludwigsen has been named the new Natural Sciences Department Head; and Dr. Adam Salminen has been named the new Mathematics Department Head.
Financial Plus Credit Union on June 29 announced that members of Wanigas Credit Union, based in Saginaw, overwhelmingly approved the merger between the two organizations. Approval was received via mail-in ballots and in-person voting at a special meeting held on June 28. The combined credit union will have assets over $1.2 billion, serving approximately 80,000 members through 11 branch locations in the greater Flint and Great Lakes Bay Region of Michigan.
The newly formed credit union will offer an expanded portfolio of progressive mobile and online services, innovative products like quick-fund loans and high-rate checking accounts to all across Michigan.
“The partnership between Financial Plus and Wanigas will create a more expansive credit union that will enhance the financial well-being of many people with increased accessibility, technology and products,” said Financial Plus President and CEO Brad Bergmooser. “This merger is a continuation of our focus to provide the people of M ichigan with better financial tools and a partner that will help them reach their life’s goals.”
“Like Financial Plus, Wanigas is dedicated to providing financial solutions that provide members with real help. This unification will provide our members with additional products and services that can make a positive impact on their life,” said Wanigas CEO Bernie Williams.
Once the merger is complete, which is expected August 1, 2022, Wanigas will continue to operate under the same name. Bergmooser will be the president and CEO for the merged credit union, with Williams as the regional president.
Financial Plus Credit Union recognized its 70th anniversary on June 11 with a celebration at its main location, 3361 Van Slyke Rd in Flint. The credit union is also running exclusive loyalty discounts now through August 31.
“Everyone was smiling and having a great time at the event—it was a beautiful day for our members to meet us in our own backyard. It’s essential to get to know our members and learn their stories, so we can continue to evolve and grow alongside their needs,” said Madeline Mason, Financial Plus public relations and social media specialist.
The event hosted local partners Scratch BBQ, Valley Tent Rental, Blue Collar Cornhole, and a special appearance from Nate and April of 102.5 WIOG. Over $1,000 in prizes were raffled off to attendees, and 6 members had a chance to win big inside a money machine.
In June, Financial Plus was recognized with the Live United Award for campaign success by the United Way of Genesee County. Additionally, its partnership with Hurley Medical Center has helped raise money for local breast cancer patients for the past 14 years with Pink Night Palooza.
Financial Plus, with more than 180 current employees, has been ranked among the top 50 best credit unions to work for in the country, according to American Banker. It has also been voted “Michigan’s Best Credit Union” in the MLive Reader’s Choice Awards, and voted “Favorite Credit Union” in Davison, Fenton, and Grand Blanc.
Last week, Grand Blanc-based CNXMotion hosted its Technology Ride and Drive event at Kettering University’s GM Mobility Research Center (MRC). During the event, attendees learned about and participated in hands-on, in-vehicle demonstrations of the company’s motion control safety management functions, motion control algorithms demonstrated in an autonomous shuttle and award-winning brake-to-steer suite of functions.
For the past five years, CNXMotion – a joint venture between Nexteer Automotive and Continental Automotive – has been working on its motion control technologies, with much of its testing taking place at the MRC.
“There are many vehicle tests and maneuvers CNXMotion can perform at the MRC,” said Matt Hagans, CNXMotion controller and business development manager. “The vehicle dynamics pad coupled with the road course is a tremendous combination. Thanks to these assets, our engineering teams can complete a lot of work in a short amount of time.”
The MRC features a 3.25-acre test pad built to racetrack specifications with stadium-style lighting, fencing and landscaping used for the research and development of autonomous vehicles, vehicle safety standards, hybrid and electric vehicle technologies, and more. Developed on the former Chevy in the Hole site, the MRC opened in October 2016.
Sloan Museum of Discovery and General Motors on June 20 announced a partnership that will honor the legacy of GM founder William “Billy” C. Durant while supporting the museum’s STEM exhibits and programs. Through a donation of $500,000 from GM, Sloan Museum’s new vehicle gallery will be named The Durant Gallery when it opens in July.
Flint is the birthplace of The Durant-Dort Carriage Company, which paved the way for the automobile industry and GM. This donation is in addition to a $1-million grant that was provided in 2018 to support STEM educational programs in the gallery.
“Billy Durant was a fearless visionary who boldly seized opportunity wherever he found it, and who changed the auto business forever,” said GM President Mark Reuss. “His spirit has remained an inspiration to GM for more than a century, and lives on as we lead the global automotive industry to an exciting new era powered by electricity.”
Sloan Museum has 105 rare and vintage vehicles among its collections of nearly 48,000 artifacts, including Durant’s first carriage model — a white ash, two-wheeled horse-drawn buggy. The new vehicle gallery will be 11,000 square feet and will feature rotating vehicles showcasing the history and future of the automobile.
The Flint Farmers’ Market and Flint Fresh are collaborating to offer a completely new experience for the Summer 2022 pavilion. The sale of produce by local farmers will be concentrated in just one location, the Flint Fresh Mobile Market truck, located under the center of the pavilion. That means market customers will have the selection of fresh picked local produce from six to twelve local farmers at the Mobile Market. The produce will be just as fresh and just as local, all for a reasonable farmers’ market price.
The Flint Fresh Mobile Market will be under the pavilion at the Flint Farmers’ Market, 300 E. First St. in downtown Flint, every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.