People in the News: A roundup of new hires, promotions and awards in West Michigan.
A company outsider will lead the family business ADAC Automotive
Ois Michigan’s Tier 1 Automotive Supplier ADAC Automotive Inc. named a company outsider and industry veteran to replace longtime chairman and CEO Jim Teets.
The Cascade Township-based company announced last week that jonathan husby took over as President and CEO effective August 22. Teets – who has been with the company for nearly 30 years and led as CEO since 2007 – is retiring but will continue to serve on ADAC Automotive’s board. The company had also named Jeff Dolbee as chairman in early 2021, although Dolbee left the company earlier this month, a company representative said. MiBiz.
Husby is an outside hire for the family-owned supplier of door handles and exterior mirrors that brings over 25 years of experience in the automotive industry. For nearly five years, Husby served as president and CEO of SEG Automotive North America, and two years ago he took on the additional role of senior vice president of sales.
Prior to joining SEG, a global supplier of alternators and starters based in Novi, Husby held various positions at Harman International, TomTom and TeleAtlas. After earning a master’s degree in business administration from Wayne State University, Husby began his career as a sales manager at Denso International Inc.
“Jon is a seasoned industry veteran with a proven track record of skilled leadership and hands-on experience growing new and existing markets and serving a global customer base with numerous technologies and solutions,” said Teets said in a statement. “He is smart, capable and has established a reputation among his team and the industry as a motivator, coach and mentor. We are confident he will take ADAC to the next level while mentoring the next generation of leaders of our team.
Husby called the position a “unique opportunity” to lead a tier-one global supplier “that is also a multi-generational family business with a deep commitment to the communities and people it serves.”
“As I get to know the incredibly talented team that made ADAC the global powerhouse it is today, I also look forward to bringing everything I’ve learned about motivating people to life. talent, inspiring innovation, profitable business growth and navigating the complexities of this ever-changing industry,” Husby said in a statement.
Husby also sits on the boards of the Original Equipment Suppliers Association and the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association.
Founded in 1975, ADAC Automotive has 14,500 employees worldwide and 17 manufacturing plants around the world. ADAC Automotive also has operations in Muskegon, Saranac and Auburn Hills in addition to its new headquarters in Cascade Township which opened in 2020.
— Reported by Andy Balaskovitz
HEALTH CARE
- Lakeland Health Spectrum hired a pulmonologist Jeffrey Grondin to join Lakeland Pulmonology in St. Joseph and Physician Assistant Shannon Arder to join Lakeland Ear, Nose & Throat at Niles and St. Joseph. Grondin completed his Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship and Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and previously served as Medical Director of Critical Care at Rush Foundation Hospital. Arader holds a bachelor’s degree in health sciences from Stony Brook University and a master’s degree in physician assistant studies from Bryant University. She previously worked in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Mayo Clinic Health System in Minnesota. “I look forward to working in partnership with my patients so that we can find the best solution to their health issues,” Arader said. “It’s a wonderful feeling to know that you can help improve someone’s quality of life.”
- Ascent Michigan named Dr. Thomas Rohs as President and CEO of the Southwest Health System region, overseeing hospitals in Kalamazoo, Plainwell, Allegan and Dowagiac, as well as other care centers across the market. Rohs succeeds former regional president Peter Bergmann, who led the Ascension market since 2019. A critical care surgeon who first joined Ascension Borgess in 1998, Rohs has been chief medical officer for the South West region since 2019 and was previously medical director of the hospital. clinical services.
HOSPITALITY
- Hospitality Industry Veteran Lam Vong Sakoun will lead the food and beverage operations at Gun Lake Casino as Vice President of Hospitality. Vongsakoun brings over 25 years of experience, including serving as Senior Hospitality Manager at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming and Hotel, Vice President of Food and Beverage at Wind Creek Bethlehem, and Food and Beverage Manager at Ameristar Black Hawk Casino Resort. . “Lam Vongsakoun is a leader in the casino hospitality industry that we are fortunate to have on our team, and I’m glad he’s already started,” said Jose Flores, Vice President and General Manager. General of Gun Lake Casino.
LEGAL
- Lawyer for Varnum LLP Peter Schmidt was accepted as a scholarship holder by the American College of Mortgage Lawyers. Schmidt has 15 years of experience as a real estate attorney and focuses his practice on complex commercial real estate, construction and real estate development transactions. ACMA Fellows are nominated by their peers and the designation recognizes excellence in the field.
NON-PROFIT
- Grand Rapids Nonprofit Amplify GR expanded its team with the hiring of Amy Knape as Senior Director of Fund Development and Patrick Johnson, Jr. as Chief Operating Officer, both in newly created positions. Knape previously worked in fund development at the West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology (WMCAT), including leading WMCAT’s $8.5 million Leave Your Mark fundraising campaign in 2018. She holds a B. in public relations from Western Michigan University. Johnson has spent the past four years as vice president of human resources at nonprofit Bethany Christian Services and has more than 15 years of experience in finance, operations, human resources, and executive leadership in the industries. non-profit and for-profit. Johnson holds a bachelor’s degree in business and cultural development from Grand Valley State University.
FINANCE
- Advia Credit Union was appointed long-time CFO Jeff Fielder as the next President and CEO. Fielder succeeds Cheryl DeBoer, who will retire in early 2023 after 40 years in the industry and the last 18 with Kalamazoo-based Advia. Fielder started with Advia — one of Michigan’s largest credit unions — in 2004, when it was known as First Community Federal Credit Union. He also served as Director of Finance and Accounting for the Credit Union and Executive Vice President of Finance.
- Northern Trust named Neighborhood Jim as a senior chief investment officer and senior vice president in the wealth management firm’s West Michigan office, where he will oversee a team serving high net worth individuals and institutions. Ward joins Northern Trust from Fifth Third Bank, where he most recently served as Director of Regional Portfolio Management, overseeing teams in Michigan and Northern Ohio. With over 35 years of investment experience, Ward earned his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and is a member of the West Michigan CFA Society and past president of the Toledo CFA Society in Ohio.
GOVERNMENT
- The Kent County Public Works Department hired public relations specialist Steve Faber as the agency’s new Director of Communications and Marketing, effective August 22. Faber previously served as a senior strategist at Byrum and Fisk Communications, supporting education, environmental, and economic development clients in West Michigan. He is also the former executive director of Friends of Grand Rapids Parks. In his new role, Faber will lead county agency communications and outreach to several DPW facilities, including its new waste-to-energy facility and sustainable business park. Faber holds a master’s degree in public administration and nonprofit management from Grand Valley State University. “The DPW has an incredible story to tell. Kent County has been a leader in waste management and reduction for decades. Kent County’s Integrated Waste Management System provides an incredible opportunity to reduce our dependence on landfill and find new solutions that protect our land, air and water,” Faber said in a statement.
ADVOCACY
- The Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce made a series of staff changes and a new addition to advance the organization’s work on talent development and diversity, equity and inclusion. Monica Mendez, who joined GR Chamber in 2020 as Head of Talent Development, has been promoted to Director of Talent and Leadership Programs. Mendez will work with members on their talent needs after previously launching Latina Connect, which brings together Latino professionals and community members to develop as leaders. The business defense organization has also hired Amari Brown as the new Inclusion Program Manager to support DEI programs. Brown received a bachelor’s degree from Hope College and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Michigan. The GR Chamber has also appointed Megan Steenwyk as senior director of business services and Olivia Koster as senior event project manager.
— Compiled by Abigail Ham, Mark Sanchez and Andy Balaskovitz.