Christopher Yeates, A.A.E., ACE, Bishop International Airport’s chief operating officer, has been awarded the distinction of Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) by the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE). Yeates successfully completed three phases of the rigorous accreditation process, which attests to his ability to meet the stringent requirements and his experience in managing a public airport. Fewer than 10 percent of AAAE’s members throughout the U.S. are active accredited airport executives.
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The Michigan Economic Developers Association (MEDA) recently held its annual meeting at the JW Marriott hotel in Grand Rapids. The theme of this year’s conference was “Michigan Resilient – Leading Through a New Landscape,” which encompassed how the business and economic development community wasted no time turning the challenges brought forth in 2020 into new pathways for rebuilding the economy. Each year, MEDA recognizes outstanding economic developers and, this year, presented the awards on Aug. 24 during its awards reception at the Grand Rapids Art Museum.
Among the honorees was the presentation of the first Birgit M. Klohs Fellowship to Samantha Fountain, Small Business Specialist with the City of Flint. The Birgit M. Klohs Fellowship aims to increase women and minority participation in economic development in a way that supports MEDA’s membership, its committees and the organization as a whole, by increasing opportunities for the education needed to build each recipient’s skills and abilities in economic development.
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Robert Widigan on Aug. 19 was named chief financial officer for the City of Flint. Widigan comes as an experienced finance professional in local and state municipalities, previously serving in key leadership roles with the City of Lansing, State of Michigan, and multiple counties in Michigan. He will oversee all aspects of the City’s finances, including preparation and administration of the City’s budget and financial reports as well as accounting payroll, grant reporting, and purchasing.
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Ascension Michigan has signed a 25-year agreement with Central Michigan University College of Medicine to help educate and train medical students at several Ascension Michigan hospitals including Ascension St. John Hospital in Detroit, Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital in Saginaw and Ascension Genesys Hospital in Grand Blanc.
“We are very proud to have solidified this agreement with CMU College of Medicine,” said Charles Husson, DO, chief medical officer, Ascension Michigan. “This long-term agreement aligns with our strategic goals of clinical collaboration in the medical education space and most importantly, ensures quality training for future physicians. Our education and training will help prepare these medical students to provide comprehensive healthcare services to Michiganders across mid-Michigan – including those who live in rural communities, as well as metropolitan and inner-city areas. These students are key to enhancing access to patient-centered, compassionate care in the future.”
Third and fourth-year CMU medical students will have opportunities for clinical rotations at the three Ascension Michigan hospitals, which offer a continuum of acute and critical care services including emergency medicine, family medicine, general surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatric medicine and surgery, and behavioral medicine.
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Consumers Energy and Flint’s leaders of Aug. 19 celebrated the next generation of automotive technology with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to dedicate two new electric vehicle chargers in downtown to help power Michigan’s EV transformation. The new fast chargers in the downtown Flat Lot can power an EV battery in less than an hour, providing a powerful benefit to drivers who work in and visit Flint’s downtown.
“Flint, long known as Vehicle City, helped lead the way as Michigan became the hub of America’s auto industry, and now it’s leading the way as our state manufactures and rides on clean, emissions-free vehicles,” said Roger Curtis, Consumers Energy’s vice president for public affairs. “Consumers Energy is thrilled to help the City of Flint put fast chargers in place that will power cars for people who drive downtown.”
Consumers Energy has provided over 900 rebates for home, business and public charging stations through its PowerMIDrive effort. Those include 28 fast-charging locations like the one in Flint’s downtown. News release
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Peckham, Inc. has been certified as a Great Place to Work® company for the seventh consecutive year in a row. This title is based off Great Place to Work’s extensive, data-driven questionnaire which was given directly to Peckham employees. To become a certified company, 7 out of 10 employees must agree that their day-to-day work experience is consistently positive. The results from Peckham’s survey concluded there is an 83% overall agreement that Peckham is a great place to work in comparison to 59% of employees at a typical U.S.-based company. Peckham has operations through five locations in Michigan, including Flint Township.
“We are so proud to receive this award during a year where companies were experiencing unprecedented amounts of stress and uncertainty. Our core values ring even more true as we navigate how to ensure the safety and health of our essential employees who remain working to meet the needs of our federal customers,” said Justin Walworth, Chief of HR. “Through the pandemic, we have offered resources, support, training, webinars and other creative outlets to support mental health and stress-reduction for our employees to help make work easier and more manageable.” News release
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As Lead Now Flint & Genesee gears up for the launch of its seventh cohort, the yearlong leadership development program is seeking proposals for the cohort’s community impact project. The Request for Proposal (RFP) is open to 501(c)(3) nonprofit agencies and should fulfill a specific community need in Genesee County. Click here for more information.
Lead Now is the Flint & Genesee Group’s premier leadership development program. This skills-based program is designed for motivated people who want to strengthen their leadership effectiveness.