RPI Newsletter_Q4_2017_Web

Kathy Jo Vanderlaan Business Development Coordinator Montcalm County ABOUT KATHY JO VANDERLAAN Kathy Jo works to keep and growMontcalm manufacturers by bringing them local, state, and federal resources. She is also involved with workforce development partners such as MMTC-West, Montcalm Community College, and the K-12 system. PAST EXPERIENCE Prior toThe Right Place, Kathy Joworked for Central AreaMichiganWorks! Consortium, covering four counties. She also has 14 years of experience as the Executive Director of the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce (GACC). AWARDS AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT • Greenville BPWWoman of the Year • GACCMarian Kemp Outstanding Citizen • Danish Festival Grand Marshal • Chair of Have Mercy NOTABLE PROJECTS • Byrne Electrical Specialists Expansion (32 Jobs, $1M Capital Investment) • Milacron Retention & Expansion in Greenville (60 New Jobs, 53 Retained Jobs, $5M Capital Investment) FAVORITE PART ABOUT LIVING IN WEST MICHIGAN Kathy Jo’s favorite part about living in West Michigan is the ability to be involved at the local community level as well as the access togreat entertainment, arts, and restaurants.

Mark Guzniczak Business Development Coordinator Newaygo County ABOUT MARK GUZNICZAK Mark acts as a liaison between local organizations, businesses, industry, individuals, and all levels of government, to secure opportunities for the Newaygo County Area. He is also responsible for identifying and securing funding for economic development programs, providing regional representation and connections to businesses. PAST EXPERIENCE Mark previously served as Senior Vice President of Sales and Business Development for 13 years in the financial services sector, including life insurance, annuities, and trust bank services. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT • Member of the Newaygo County Promise Zone Authority Board • President and Founder of the Muskegon River Fishery and Sporting Alliance NOTABLE PROJECTS • North Central Co-op relocation to White Cloud, MI • Creation of Manufacturers Council in Newaygo County FAVORITE PART ABOUT LIVING IN WEST MICHIGAN Mark’s favorite part about living in West Michigan is being able to enjoy a rural lifestyle, the abundant natural resources, and be part of the thrivingWestMichigan region.

Morgan Carroll Business Development Coordinator Ionia County ABOUT MORGAN CARROLL Morgan Carroll serves as Ionia County’s Business Development Coordinator. In this role she provides business support services tocompanies in both Ioniaand Kent County. PAST EXPERIENCE Before she was a business development coordinator, Morgan was a research intern at The Right Place. In this role, she assisted with business intelligence research for the West Michigan region. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT • West Michigan Regional Planning Commission Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee • United Way Montcalm-Ionia Counties Board of Directors • Ionia Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors • MEDA Education Committee • EDC/TIFA/Brownfield Board of Directors for the City of Norton Shores FAVORITE PART ABOUT LIVING IN WEST MICHIGAN Morgan’s favorite part about living in West Michigan are the sunsets at Lake Michigan.

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BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT TEAM

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