CEDS Plan

CEO of the Shiawassee Family YMCA

Raised by educators in Escanaba, giving back to the community has been a life style for Laura. Working in higher education for over 20 years, Laura’s favorite role was as Dean of Health Sciences and Human Services at Baker College of Owosso because of the impact this work had on students, staff and in the community. Moving from higher education to the nonprofit sector as CEO of the Shiawassee Family YMCA allows this work to continue. The Shiawassee Family YMCA is a community support, nonprofit organization housed in a fitness center focused on its mission of healthy living, youth development and social responsibility. As a community hub, the YMCA provides health and wellness opportunities to seniors, families, adults, and youth through fitness center memberships, youth sports, evidence based health intervention programs, group exercise and adult programming. The greater Shiawassee region is home to a strong network of nonprofits who partner with businesses to help support and strengthen our region. Not without problems of high poverty, food insecurity, living and working within childcare deserts, needs are best addressed when partnerships or collaboratives are formed.

Executive Director, Lapeer County Community Foundation

Nancy Boxey has been serving the Lapeer County Community Foundation as their Executive Director since December of 2016. She brought with her a wealth of economic and community development experience gained through 27 years of dedicated public service in both her professional and volunteer activities. • The Lapeer County Community Foundation is a non-profit community organization created by and for the people of Lapeer County. As the philanthropic leader in Lapeer County, LCCF works with donors large and small to create permanent sources of capital supporting the causes that mean the most to them. Established in 2006, the Foundation has grown to represent 70 funds, nearly $14 million in assets, and have given over $5.3 million back into our local Lapeer County communities. • Nancy’s career experience includes a 25-year career in economic development roles at the local, county, and state level. Her previous positions included working as a Business Retention Specialist with Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development as well as over 11 years serving as a Downtown Development Authority Director for the Villages of Almont and Romeo. • Prior to coming to the Foundation, Nancy served as the lead Economic/Community Development Analyst for the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. assigned to a 24-county region in southeast Michigan. • Nancy is a graduate of James Madison College at Michigan State University where she earned a BA in International Relations.

Director – Coordinator, Genesee County Metropolitan Planning Commission and GLS Region V

Derek Bradshaw has served as the Director-Coordinator of the Genesee County Metropolitan Planning Commission since 2012. Additionally, he serves as the Fiscal Officer for GLS Region V Planning and Development Commission. He has worked at the Planning Commission since 1996 and over the past 20 years has worked in both the Community Development and Transportation Divisions. In addition to the overall management of GCMPC, he oversees regional planning projects across a broad scope including community sustainability, public transportation, metropolitan transportation planning, trail planning, water trail planning, and economic development. Derek has served on various boards at a state and local level including the Michigan Transportation Planning Association, the Michigan Association of Regions, The Flint River Watershed Coalition, the Flint River Corridor Alliance and the International Affairs Center. Over the years, Derek has assisted many local units of government, agencies, and organizations to plan and implement successful projects around the Region. Derek is a member of the Michigan Association of Planning and Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Ryerson in Toronto.

Mayor, City of Montrose Michigan

I was born and raised in Montrose Michigan. I decided to run for City Council in 2008 because I’m a believer of the idea that you should get involved rather than complain and was elected that year. In 2014 I stepped up to fill the role of Mayor and have held that position since. This year our community will be committing to a complete rewrite of our Master Plan to set the path for the years ahead. Being involved in this committee seems to be a perfect extension of the work I am currently doing. I did move away to go to college but eventually purchased a home in Montrose. I completed a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration specializing in Computer Networking. I worked in “Corporate America” for years. But after being downsized 3 times, I decided I wanted to go a different route. I am now a small business owner and I currently run The Elissa Rose Catering and Banquet Center.

Professor of Wildlife Biology, UM-Flint

I would be one of the people representing UM-Flint. I am a professor of wildlife biology and am co-developing with the City of Flint a city environmental sustainability plan. I also work on advancing many university sustainability initiatives, including meeting university objectives to become carbon neutral.

JP Morgan Chase

President, Sedgewick + Ferweda Architects

Jeffrey Ferweda is the President of Sedgewick + Ferweda Architects, a boutique firm in Flint MI. He is licensed in five midwest states and has won several awards for outstanding design. Community involvement is an important asset for all of his team. Jeffrey is a member of the Flint Building Board of Appeals, Past President for Genesee Valley Rotary, Chair of the Vienna Township Planning Commission, and an advisor to the Genesee Career Institute Advisory Board. He has worked closely with several Flint church communities to address the long-term issues posed by the water crisis. Jeffrey is well-respected by his peers, having served as 2015 President to the Michigan Board of the American Institute of Architects as well as the Michigan Representative to the AIA National Strategic Council for 2016-2019. Jeffrey currently serves as the Michigan representative to the National Small Firm Exchange.

Mundy Township and City of Swartz Creek

Huntington National Bank

Executive Director of the Genesee County Land Bank Authority

Michael Freeman is currently the Executive Director of the Genesee County Land Bank Authority. Previously, Michael served as the Chief Operating Officer of the City of Detroit’s Housing and Revitalization Department. In this capacity, he directed and oversaw the Community Development Block Grant program for the City of Detroit. Michael, a graduate of the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, began his career as a community organizer with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation/AmeriCorps program in 1994, where he worked to facilitate dialogue/consensus among community stakeholders, neighborhood planning, and community advocacy in Flint, Michigan. This work led to a 28 year career commitment to civil service and nonprofit work supporting community and economic development in Flint and nationally. The Genesee County Land Bank Authority mission is to restore value to the community by acquiring, developing and selling vacant land and abandoned properties in cooperation with stakeholders who value responsible land ownership.

CEO, United Way of Genesee County

James Gaskin has been the CEO of United Way of Genesee County since 2013. Gaskin oversees the strategic vision of overcoming educational barriers and meeting the basic needs for residents of Genesee and Shiawassee County. Gaskin serves on multiple boards, committees and task forces focused on creating a thriving, safe, equitable community. An equitable community where every person is empowered and given the tools to succeed is the ultimate goal of his work. Gaskin was recognized nationally in the Chronicle of Philanthropy, received The Peacemaker of the Year Award, and has served as a Rotarian for over 25 years.

President and Chief Executive Officer, Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership

Justin Horvath is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership, the economic development organization serving Shiawassee County, Michigan. He has been with the SEDP for over 19 years and works to grow the local economy through a program of business, workforce and real estate development. Justin has been an active member of the Michigan Economic Developers Association since early in his career, including completing the Practitioners Training Certification Program, 2017 Medalist of the Year recipient, 2019 Robert Sieghart Award recipient, Business Retention & Expansion & Managing an Economic Development Organization instructor for the Basic Course, and service on the MEDA Board (including a leadership role as President in 2019). He is also a member and Certified Economic Developer through the International Economic Development Council and led the SEDP to become an Accredited Economic Development Organization through IEDC in 2022. He has also been twice (2015 & 2021) recognized as a top 50 economic developer in North America by Consultant Connect, and top 40 under 40 economic developer by DCI in 2017. Justin received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics, Master of Arts degree in Applied Economics, and a Master of Public Policy degree, all from the University of Michigan.

Executive Director, AAHC

Lucine joined the AAHC in 2018 as a Fellow and currently serves as Executive Director. Throughout her time she has played an instrumental role in advancing the organizations mission with a special focus on amplifying community voices through artistic activism. Lucine has also organized and led advocacy campaigns to ensure Arab American representation in political processes at the local, state, and national level. Prior to becoming executive director, Lucine received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan in 2021 and a Bachelors degree in Political Science from the University of Michigan-Flint in 2020. About the AAHC: Established in 1980, the Arab American Heritage Council strives to preserve and celebrate Arab heritage as well as support and unite all Arab Americans in the Greater Flint area. The AAHC works diligently to broaden understanding and appreciation of Arab culture as well as encourage Arab American involvement in civic, economic, and humanitarian efforts.

CRA Relationship Manager, Assistant Vice President, The State Bank

Jonathan Jarrett is the CRA Relationship Manager, Assistant Vice President at The State Bank. As CRA Relationship Manager, he works with local agencies to promote financial literacy and with area residents to qualify for home ownership. In addition to over 15-years of banking experiences, Jonathan worked at Mott Community College – Workforce Development as an Administrator where he oversaw credit and non-credit training programs; and with Legal Services of Eastern Michigan as a Fair Housing Test Coordinator, where he conducted systematic investigations utilizing community volunteers to ensure fair treatment in housing opportunities through Genesee County.

Vice President at Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership

Brent is the Vice President at Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership, a 501c6 non-profit providing economic development services for Shiawassee County, and has been with the organization since 2008. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Central Michigan University.

CEO, Six-County Region, GST Michigan Works!

Jody Kerbyson serves as the CEO for the six-county region of GST Michigan Works! GST Michigan Works! is the workforce development agency serving Genesee, Huron, Lapeer, Sanilac, Shiawassee and Tuscola counties. GST assists employers in recruiting, hiring, training and retaining talent and helps job seekers prepare for and obtain employment in the region.

Connect Michigan

As a member of the non-profit Connected Nation Michigan team (a.k.a. Connect Michigan), Dan Manning works with southern Michigan communities and broadband providers to help bridge the “digital divide” for Michigan residents and business owners.

Uptown Reinvestment Corp.

Program Manager of the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce Procurement Technical Assistance Center

Jasmine McKenney, Program Manager of the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce Procurement Technical Assistance Center, provides administration and direction of the Defense Logistics Agency and Michigan Economic Development Corporation funded organization that provides no-fee technical assistance to small businesses that are looking to begin or increase their footprint in the government marketplace. Jasmine holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from Howard University. She also holds professional certifications in Contract Management and Government Contracting from The George Washington University and Certified Procurement Professional through the Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers. Jasmine currently resides in Flint, MI with her husband and three children.

International Center of Greater Flint

Lapeer Economic Developmenter Corporation

Regional Director, Michigan Small Business Development Center, Kettering University

Janis Mueller’s career began over thirty years ago when she entered the international transportation industry, after she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Language and International Trade: German and Marketing from Eastern Michigan University. She has a   Masters of Business  Administration –  International Finance degree from University of North Carolina- Wilmington.

Her operational management combined with her administrative abilities quickly propelled her into executive management and budget analysis.  While working in the Detroit, Chicago and New York markets, she acquired skills in: logistics, sales, administrative, finance, operational planning, purchasing, change management and strategic planning.  Janis owned and operated several small businesses in the construction and service industries in Michigan.  She spent 8 years working with Small Business Technology and Development Center at UNCW.  She is a  Global Business Professional and completed the Economic Development Finance Professional Certification.   

 She changed her location and in 2017 Janis became  the Regional Director for the Michigan Small Business Development Center at Kettering University in Flint, Michigan and her territory includes Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair, Sanilac, Huron and Tuscola Counties.  She leads a team on business consultants to drive economic impact across the region.  She sits on a variety of boards to help Small Business and Economic Development across the region and actively supports several non-profit organizations in the region.  Janis received national recognition in 2021 as the State Star of Michigan for the Small Business Development Center.

Michigan headquartered commercial construction manager/general contractor

Eighteen year Partner with WIELAND, a Michigan headquartered commercial construction manager/general contractor. WIELAND works throughout the U.S. with an emphasis on industrial construction including Tier 1 & 2 automotive suppliers, pulp & paper sector and warehouse/distribution and other light industrial. Prior to WIELAND experience included 8 years at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation serving in a number of capacities including business attraction and retention. Assigned as MEDC’s account manager to General Motors during a late 1990s $5 billion Michigan investment into Lansing assembly plants, engineering in Warren, redevelopment of Detroit Ren Cen headquarters and other GM related investments. Managed MEDC’s Site Location Services group working with National Site Location consultants, Michigan commercial real estate brokers, developers and others involved with site development activity as a one stop shop in navigating through various Michigan government organizations. Facilitated a transition from MEDC’s internal Michigan Site Network (a site/building database for economic developers throughout Michigan) to the Commercial Property Information Exchange (CPIX) managed by Michigan commercial real estate brokers. A native of Mid-Michigan, married with three married adult children that also live in Michigan.

Vice President of Community Impact

Sue Peters serves as Vice President of Community Impact at the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, a charitable organization serving Flint and Genesee County, Michigan. In this role Sue leads the Foundation’s community leadership and grantmaking operations for the Community Foundation and the Foundation for Flint which stewards the Flint Child Health and Development Fund. She previously served as the Foundation’s Director of Special Projects. In that role Sue led the Flint Child Health and Development Fund Advisory Committee and worked with grantees on proposal recommendations in alignment with the Fund’s grantmaking strategy.

Vice President of Asset Development, Metro Community Development

Marcus Rankins is the Vice President of Asset Development for Metro Community Development.  In this role, Marcus is responsible for the organization’s commercial lending program that focuses primarily on microenterprises as well as the organization’s personal finance counseling department – focusing on residential and consumer lending.  He attended the University of Michigan-Flint, receiving a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 2008.  In 2014, Marcus also received an MBA from Cleary University in Michigan.  He has more than a decade of experience working within banking, as well as years of experience in various operational roles.  Marcus is committed to ensuring underserved markets have the necessary access to resources and information.  Marcus is involved in several community organizations, programs, and initiatives.  He, along with his wife and 2 children, reside in Genesee County.

Ascension Genesys

Rhonda has been a member of the Ascension family for eleven years. She began her career at Genesys Regional Medical Center in Grand Blanc, MI in January of 2011 and has since held several national positions with the organization. Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization dedicated to transformation through innovation across the continuum of care. As one of the leading non-profit and Catholic health systems in the U.S., Ascension is committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable.

Executive Director, Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance

Tyler Rossmaessler is the Executive Director of the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance, a division of the Flint & Genesee Group. He leads a team of economic development professionals responsible for business  retention and attraction, private investment and job creation in Genesee County. 

Prior to joining the organization in September 2017, Rossmaessler was a business development manager at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation where he cultivated collaboration among state, local, and private-sector stakeholders to promote jobs and investment in  Michigan. He also was a senior consultant at The Clearing, Inc., a Washington, D.C.- based management consulting firm dedicated to supporting “Change Agents” as  they tackle the most daunting and complex problems facing our nation and their  businesses. 

Rossmaessler has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Michigan  in Ann Arbor. He also has professional certifications in strategy and performance  management (Georgetown University), and economic development finance (National  Development Council).  

Rossmaessler and his wife, Emily, live in Fenton and have three young children.

CEO, YWCA Greater Flint

Dr. Michelle Rosynsky has served as CEO of the YWCA Greater Flint since 2018. Michelle has over 25 years of experience in program administration and fund-raising, and a strong passion for women’s empowerment and gender equity. Under her leadership, the YWCA Greater Flint recently raised close to 1 million dollars to support the establishment of a Women’s Empowerment Center at the YWCA which is due to open in early summer 2022. Prior to her work at the YWCA Greater Flint, Michelle served in several roles at the University of Michigan-Flint, including the Director of the Women’s Educational Center and Assistant Vice Chancellor in the Division of Student Affairs. Her career in higher education began as a Program Coordinator at the Douglass Project at Rutgers University in New Jersey, where she developed programs for high school girls to encourage their participation in the STEM fields. Dr. Rosynsky has facilitated several leadership courses and workshops over the years. She has also has been a long-time supporter of the YWCA Greater Flint, serving on the Board of Directors from 2009-2013. She has been recognized for her commitment to women’s education and empowerment, receiving the UM-Flint Dorothea Wyatt Award in 2010 and the YWCA Greater Flint Women of Achievement Award in 2008. Michelle holds a doctorate in Educational Administration and Leadership from the School of Education, Rutgers University.

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

Shiawassee Regional Education Service District

Senior Project Manager/Associate, ROWE Professional Services

ROWE Professional Services Company is a full service civil engineering/surveying company that specializes in municipal, transportation, utility and constructions services. ROWE also provides landscape architectural and planning services. Doug joined ROWE in 1995 as an assistant project engineer and has been involved in a wide range of projects during his time at ROWE. He is currently a Senior Project Manager/Associate and manages a team of engineers in the Land Development Group. He was an extensive resume of private and municipal clients. On a personal note, Doug and his family reside in Bennington Township, Shiawassee County.

JP Morgan Chase

Director of External Relations, Kettering University

Jack Stock is director of External Relations at Kettering University assuring Kettering is at the forefront in supporting community activities in the greater Flint area. Jack is also a director with the Neighborhood Engagement Hub, Back to the Bricks, Uptown Reinvestment Corporation, Flint River Watershed Coalition, Mott Park Recreation Association, Metro Community Development, and the Carolyn Mawby Chorale. Jack’s professional experience includes Junior Achievement of Southeast Michigan, the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, and the Flint Institute of Music, along with his 20-plus years at Kettering. He has a B.A. from the University of Michigan-Flint. Jack and his wife Nancy reside in Flint.

International Center of Greater Flint

Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Mott Community College

Dale Weighill is the Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Mott Community College. MCC was first established as Flint Junior College in 1923 and serves more than 9,000 students (credit and non-credit) from across Genesee County and beyond. The College has a main campus in Flint, extension centers in Clio, Fenton, and Lapeer, as well as a Workforce and Economic Development Division and Culinary Arts Institute in Flint. MCC has more than 100 credit and non-credit programs and has received repeated national recognition as one of America’s top community colleges. AVP Weighill’s responsibilities include providing high-level leadership and management to the College’s branding, marketing, communications, and public relations initiatives, and to the ongoing cultivation, acquisition, and stewardship of major gifts and grants from external sources. He is a member of the College President’s Executive Cabinet. Prior to serving as Associate Vice President, Dale was the Executive Dean for Professional Development & Experiential Learning at MCC and was the President & CEO of Resource Genesee for eleven years. He is a former member of the Flint City Council, where he served as Vice President for three years. Dale’s volunteer commitments include membership on the boards of directors of the Flint Institute of Arts, the Education Foundation for Flint Community Schools, and the Flint River Corridor Alliance. Dale has a Master of Arts and a Bachelor of Arts degree – both in Political Science — from American University in Washington, DC and The University of Michigan in Dearborn, respectively. He graduated with Highest Distinction from both institutions, receiving numerous academic and student leadership honors and awards.

Executive Director of the Neighborhood Engagement Hub

A native of Flint, Michigan, Tom Wyatt is the current Executive Director of the Neighborhood Engagement Hub, an organization that seeks to be a catalyst for development and postive change in Flint neighborhoods. From 2015-to 2020, Tom served as Director of Neighborhood and Community Services at Kettering University. In this role, Tom managed $1.2M in federal grants to support public safety, placemaking, real estate, and economic development activities in the University Avenue Corridor. During this time, the University Avenue Corridor experienced over $100M in investment. Additionally, Tom co-chaired the University Avenue Corridor Coalition, a group of over 80+ organizations, businesses, institutions, and neighborhoods. Before this, Tom was a founding member of the North Flint Neighborhood Action Council, helping to write the organization’s by-laws and establish strategies around land use, crime prevention, and blight elimination. More recently, Tom worked as a community development planner, supporting $5.5MM in federal disaster recovery (2020 Midland flood), affordable housing, corridor development, and master plan development for the City of Midland.