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Pr esident Juan Olivarez Olivarez

2 Gifts to Family Can Lower Estate Taxes, Save Family Wealth

By Claude A. Titche III While the estate tax is in a current state of flux, we need to recognize that current planning relative to intergenerational gifts, which minimize possible estate taxes, is important and can save families a substantial amount of their wealth. Current gifts also allow the older generation the pleasure of educating and assisting their beneficiaries on how best to use the assets during their lifetimes. The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010the 2010 Tax Relief Act (Act)broadly changed the taxation of estates. Through December 31, 2012, the exemption for estates was raised to $5 million for 2011, to be increased in 2012 by an inflation factor yet to be determined, with a top tax rate of 35%. If the Act is not extended or made permanent, the exemption in 2013 will be $1 million, with a top rate of 55%. While everyone hopes that Congress will agree on a long-term solution, we cannot be lulled into doing nothing and, therefore, must develop a plan using the existing law. The Act also reunifies the estate and gift tax exemptions for 2011 and 2012, allowing for lifetime gifts of up to $5 million. Lifetime gifts had been limited to $1 million before a gift tax was imposed under the prior law. This $5 million exemption is in addition to the annual exclusion gifts of $13,000 per beneficiary, per year. The Act also changes how the estate tax will be calculated for lifetime taxable gifts. The amount of gift tax that would have been paid will be calculated based on tax rates in effect at the time of death, ensuring that the credit against the estate tax will be computed using consistent tax rates, regardless of when the gifts were made. It is unclear whether additional gift taxes would be assessed on gifts made during this period, if exemption levels are decreased. If they were assessed at death (which may not occur for many years), the time value of money and the removal of future appreciation would be beneficial to the estate. Again, Congress may change the estate tax law and exemption amounts at any time. The Congressional Super Committee has been rumored to have looked at the estate tax area in their discussion. This leads to the decision to continue current planning and making lifetime gifts in an attempt to maximize alternatives for taxpayers. Gifts of property can take many forms. The easiest items to transfer are cash and marketable securities, as these have easily identifiable fair market values and cost basis. The recipient of the gift steps into the shoes of the grantor and retains the historical cost basis. Other gifts can be interests in partnerships, or closely held stock and real estate. These gifts can be the entire interest or a partial ownership interest. If less than an entire interest is transferred, a discount for lack of marketability and lack of control can be taken to lower the amount of the gift, for estate and gift tax purposes. An appraisal of the property would be required to both determine the fair market value as well as any allowable discount. For example, if a 25% interest in a commercial building is transferred from father to son, and the building is appraised for $1 million, the gift would be $250,000 without a discount. However, if a qualified appraiser determined that a 20% discount was warranted, then the gift would amount to only $200,000. The IRS dislikes the use of discounts because they reduce the ultimate tax owed, so great care must be taken with these types of gifts. Most people believe that intergenerational gifts are an effective method of saving estate taxes. However, many also worry that the gifts may sour the younger generations work ethic. I believe these gifts provide an excellent opportunity for teaching beneficiaries how to understand the benefits and responsibilities associated with wealth. One cannot expect all beneficiaries to understand these benefits without a discussion on the responsibilities involved with managing such wealth, to which the older can play a significant teaching role. There will always be that beneficiary who spends the gift on what others have deemed as foolish items, but early education may prevent such an outcome. Most people dont throw their children into a pool and force them to learn how to swim. You should not leave your wealth transfers until death and then hope your beneficiaries know how to use their new found wealth. Claude A. Titche III is a partner at Beene Garter, with over 25 years of experience serving clients in a wide variety of industries. His expertise includes tax planning and compliance, mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, business succession planning, business coaching and IRS representation. Claude can be contacted at ctitche@beenegarter.com.

Pursues Small Commercial Growth

Pewaukee, WI Indiana Insurance, a Liberty Mutual Agency Corporation regional company, announces the addition of six new internet retailer classes and a Limited Cyber Liability endorsement for its Commercial Protector (BOP) product. These latest offerings support the companys push to grow its small and mid-sized commercial business. The new internet classes are for retailers engaged in the online sales of books and compact discs, clothing, crafts and gifts, electronic goods, home furnishings, and paper or party goods. The Limited Cyber Liability endorsement is available for all qualified Commercial Protector business classes at no additional cost. The company has also expanded limit options for its Employment Related Practices endorsement. Commercial Protector is a competitively-priced, package product that provides broad property and liability coverages in a single policy for small business accounts with receipts up to $8.5 million per location. Commercial Protector is quoted in real-time and issues on enhanced Commercial Lines IQ (eCLIQ), Indiana Insurances new policy administration system that provides a broad product set, expanded appetite and fast, user-friendly interfaces for agents.

Aquinas College Celebrates 125 Years

by Gary Eberle Though people often think of the ivory tower as a place removed from the pressures of business, colleges and universities have to adapt to changing conditions and learn to roll with the economic times or they cease to exist. This year, Aquinas College is celebrating its 125th anniversary. Though primarily a liberal arts college, Aquinas has been involved in preparing students for careers since its beginning, and has evolved to prepare its graduates to enter the work force as qualified professionals who have the value-added advantage of a background in the liberal arts. Aquinas College has its roots in a normal school founded by Dominican sisters in 1886 in Traverse City to train members of their order in the norms of education so they could carry out their primary mission of teaching in the grow-

Class of 2015
ing number of Catholic schools in Michigan. Over the next 36 years, hundreds of young women were trained as teaching sisters and staffed schools throughout the northern and western part of the state from Bay City to Beaver Island. After moving their Novitiate Normal School to Grand Rapids in 1910, their teaching mission expanded in 1921 to include women not studying to be nuns. They began Sacred Heart College, which was located on East Fulton Street in the same building that housed Sacred Heart Academy and the Marywood motherhouse of the Dominican nuns. In 1931, the opportunity for expanding the mission of the college presented itself again when the sisters partnered with the Catholic diocese of Grand Rapids to transform their womens college into Catholic Junior College, the first Catholic co-educational college in the country to be run by a congregation of religious women. During the 1930s, the school laid plans to evolve into a four-year liberal arts college, and so, in 1940, Catholic Junior College evolved into Aquinas College. The school was located in downtown Grand Rapids, on the corner of Ransom Avenue and Fountain Street, the current site of the Grand Rapids Public Librarys parking lot. In 1945, the college was able to purchase the former Lowe estate and in 1955 consolidated its move to Southeast Grand Rapids when it sold the last of its downtown properties. In the late 1960s, Aquinas College became a national leader in offering programs to niche markets of people who previously had not been considered college students. In these years of entrepreneurship, Aquinas began the Encore Program, one of the first programs in the country to reach out to mature women who had either never gone to college or who had started school in the 1950s, then put their educations on hold to raise their families. For the next fifteen years, graduation exercises were punctuated with cries of Yay, Mom, as proud women gathered their diplomas and professional credentials. In response to market needs, Dr. R.J. Bennett, professor of economics, worked with local businesses to create the Career Action Program, and Aquinass extensive Continuing Education offerings, which allowed adult

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Business Development Senior Vice President: Diane LaPreze Senior Vice President: Jim Lroy Circulation: David Caulkins Contributing Writers: Claude A. Titche III, Gary Eberle, Brenda K. Pavlak, W. Scott Montgomery, Jennifer FitzPatrick, Del Williams, Katie Hurst, Dave Hoogterp Managing Editor: Carol M. Kralapp Associate Editor: Any Cygan Printing/Distribution: News Web Printing Accountant: Michael Tawney & Company Legal: Miller Canfield Paddock & Stone
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degree seekers to complete their academic work in evening and weekend formats. Another underserved group of potential students was the elderly. In the mid1970s, the college launched its Emeritus College for people 55 and older who wished to engage their minds in lifelong learning. The Emeritus College pre-dated the internationally known Elderhostel program by one year. Aquinas College became known locally as the little college that did not sleep, its parking lot full from morning to night with commuting students taking advantage of the expanded format course offerings. In the early 1990s, Aquinas continued its tradition of innovation, adding its Master of Management Program to meet the needs of working professionals who required education beyond the bachelors degree, but whose jobs relied more on people management skills than the kind of numbers-crunching required in most MBA programs. As the world moved into the new millennium, Aquinas again innovated by beginning the first bachelors degree in sustainable business in the country in 2003 and adding a masters degree in that field in 2010. In addition to fine career preparation, Aquinas College prides itself on the liberal arts education it offers all its students. A grounding in the liberal arts produces graduates who are articulate, wellrounded, curious people with good communication and analytical reasoning skills. One hundred and twenty-five years after its humble beginnings, Aquinas College has become a permanent feature of west Michigans higher education community. Gary Eberle, M.A., is professor of English and chairman of the English department, Aquinas College.

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Michigan Recognized for Technology

Lansing The State of Michigan was honored with multiple awards for excellence in information technology at the annual awards ceremony for the National Association of State Chief Information Officers in Denver, Colorado. Michigans award-winning programs included: 1. In the category of Data Information and Knowledge Management, Michigan won for the Department of Human Services (DHS) Decision Support System. The system enables nightly extraction of caseload information from the DHS eligibility determination and benefit issuance system, and Michigans children services systems. 2. In the category of Digital Government (Government to Business), Michigan won for USAHerds Cattle Tracking - Protecting our Food Supply. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) formed a multi-disciplined team to develop an aggressive strategy that includes information, communication and technology (ICT) solutions to help track down, contain, eradicate and prevent outbreaks of bovine TB in Michigans cattle industry. 3. In the category of Enterprise IT Management, Michigan won for Optimizing Government Technology Value: Establishing Enterprise Metrics to Ensure Operational Readiness and Business Availability. 4. In the category of Fast Track Solutions, Michigan won for the MiCloud Automated Hosting Service. 5. In the category of Information Communications Technology Innovations, Michigan won for the Michigan Building Intelligence System. The Michigan Building Intelligence System (MI-BIS) is an innovative infrastructure for building operations, energy controls, and two-way communication.

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5 Estate Tax Legislation: Gearing Up for Another Round

By Brenda K. Pavlak As we approach another election year, will Congress again push off making permanent changes to estate and gift taxes until the last possible moment? In December 2010, after months of debate regarding estate and gift taxes, President Obama signed into law the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 (the 2010 Tax Relief Act). The bill contained favorable, but temporary, changes to estate and gift taxes. It provided rules with two options for deaths in 2010, another set of rules for 2011 and 2012, and a sunset provision for 2013 to revert back to the 2001 law. Bush-era tax cuts repealed estate taxes for 2010. However, the December 17, 2010 enactment of the 2010 Tax Relief Act made further changes to estate tax law: The Act reinstated the estate tax for deaths in 2010, but offered an exemption amount of $5 million with a top 35% tax rate. It required the basis of property acquired from a decedent to be stepped up or stepped down to fair market value based on the date of death. The executor of a decedent's estate could elect to not pay the estate tax and, instead, step up the basis of the assets by $1.3 million for assets passing to any individual, and step up the basis of the assets passing to the surviving spouse by $3 million. Executors selecting this option would be required to file Form 8939 to report the property transfers. Once the election was made, it would be irrevocable. As of January 1, 2011 (through to December 31, 2012), new estate tax rules took effect, allowing only for the option to exempt up to $5 million from estate taxes with the application of a top tax rate of 35%. In addition, the exemption amount of $5 million became portable, meaning a surviving spouse could also use the unused exemption amount of the last deceased spouse. Advantages of portability include: Simple estate planning; no more complicated trust required to maximize exemptions No income or principal restrictions to the surviving spouse on the assets held in the bypass trust Step up in basis of the assets in the surviving spouse's estate, even the assets remaining from the deceased spouse Potential limitations of portable exemptions include: Executors need to file an estate tax return on time to make the election Portability is only available through December 31, 2012 Portability does not account for appreciation of the assets in the hands of the surviving spouse It is only available at the federal tax level Portability only applies to the estate and gift tax exemptionnot to a spouse's unused Generation Skipping Transfer tax exemption Beyond 2012, the estate tax is set to return to the 2001 top tax rate of 55% with an exemption amount of $1 million: the level and rate of the pre-Bush tax cuts. The estate tax argument for permanent repeal has been going on for several years, and with another election year drawing near, it comes as no surprise that the estate tax is back on the table. Since January 2011, we have seen a significant push to completely repeal the estate tax. It is unclear if Congress will make a permanent decision regarding the estate tax and, if they do, what will become of portability? Here are some possible directions Congress could take regarding the future of the estate tax: Congress could allow for the sunset of the current law and return to the 2001 exemption amount of $1 million and a top tax rate of 55%, effective January 2013. This would result in more individuals being required to pay the estate tax. Congress could extend the 2010 law through 2013 and beyond, keeping the estate exemption at $5 million with a top tax rate of 35%. Continued on page 6

6 Finance/Insurance Briefs
Ionia - Independent Bank announces that it is working with Freddie Mac for a third year in an effort to expand outreach and education to potential homeowners. Freddie Mac will be providing an operating grant and educational counseling materials while Independent Bank associates will donate additional support for two counseling initiatives supported by Freddie Mac Lansing - Katlyn Nicolai is the new Client Development Director at the Gallagher Law Firm. Nicolai facilitates client development through marketing, client services programs, and special events. Grand Rapids - Price Heneveld LLP announced the addition of Rebecca A. Becker as a patent agent and Gregory A. Lewis as an associate of the firm. Becker is a registered patent agent with four years of experience in intellectual property law and eight years of experience in the automotive industry. Lewis is a registered patent attorney with five years of patent litigation experience and over nine years of engineering experience in medical device and high temperature materials development. Brighton LifeSecure Insurance Company announced that it released its Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) coverage, a new product that reimburses policyholders for expenses resulting from an accidental injury regardless of their traditional insurance coverage. The product also includes the Disappearing Deductible feature, which eliminates the deductible after five claim-free years. The new product will be available in many states and is pending approval in others. Grand Rapids Vernon P. Saper, a partner with Warner Norcross & Judd LLP, has been elected to the Grand Rapids Downtown Alliance Board of Directors. The Grand Rapids Downtown Alliance consists of representatives from downtown businesses, schools, professional firms, non-profits and governmental units. Cedar Springs ChoiceOne Bank Director Gary Gust of Gust Construction was honored as he was selected as the Grand Marshall of the Cedar Springs Red Flannel Festival which took place Saturday, October 1. Grand Rapids A total of 48 Varnum attorneys were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2012 Park Ridge, IL Barbara A. Pietrangelo, CFP, ChFC, of Ada, Mich., has been named the 20112012 Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) Foundation President. Pietrangelo is a 13-year MDRT member with seven Court of the Table honors. She will be the 46th MDRT Foundation President. The MDRT Foundation is the philanthropic arm of MDRT, an association of nearly 36,000 financial professionals from 78 countries. New York, NT - American Banker and American Banker Magazine have released the 2011 Most Powerful Women in Banking and Finance rankings. Among the top ranked women was Grand Rapids executive Michelle Van Dyke, Regional President, Fifth Third Bank (#13 on The Women to Watch). Troy Rob Agnello has joined RE/MAX Crown Properties as the newest member of this dynamic office. Agenllo brings to the office 17 years of experience in real estate and was formerly with Century 21. Lansing Martha Denning Moore, assistant dean and professor at Thomas M. Cooley Law Schools Ann Arbor campus, and David Porteous, graduate of Cooley and principal of the law firm of McCurdy Wotila & Porteous, have both been re-appointed to the Attorney Grievance Commission (AGC) by the Michigan Supreme Court. Michigan - The Economic Development Foundation works with the U.S. Small Business Administration to offer loans with low rates, longer amortizations, and low equity requirements. The estimated effective rates published this week have been reduced to 4.69% on a 20-year loan and 3.75% on a 10-year loan including all servicing fees. West MiWest Michigan - Skyline Exhibits West Michigan utilizes SBA 504 loan from the Economic Development Foundation to purchase their commercial office building. Skyline Exhibits West Michigan moved into their expanded building in 2009 but by 2011 they wanted to purchase the property because of advantageous prices and the low rates offered by the SBA 504 loan program. Mercantile Bank brought Economic Development Foundation into the picture to take on 40% of the loan package, while the bank contributed 50% and the borrower only needed to commit 10% down to the purchase thus freeing up capital for other growth opportunities. West Michigan Economic Development Foundation assists John H. Tapper Automotive in freeing up capital for other projects by refinancing existing real estate loans. In late 2007, Tapper Automotive worked with Keystone Community Bank and constructed a new dealership in Paw Paw, Michigan. While the location has proven to be successful for the company, the dealership recently recognized the SBAs debt refinancing program as an excellent means to create more flexibility in the use of capital for the future needs of the company. The Economic Development Foundation was the first in Michigan to use the temporary SBA refinance program allowing Tapper Automotive to refinance existing eligible fixed assets in its 504 program without the requirement of an expansion as is the case with typical 504 loans. Grand Rapids - Law Weathers announces that three of the firms attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the Best Lawyers of America 2012. The attorneys are listed below with their practice areas: Brian Fleetham Health and Business Law; William Hineline Employee Benefits, Health Care, Business and Professional Corporations Law; John Huff Public Sector Law, Estate Planning, Business Law.

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Estate Tax Legislation

Continued from page 5 Congress could pass an estate tax compromise with a lower exemption and a higher tax rate. Perhaps they would decide on something similar to 2009, with a $3.5 million exemption and a top rate of 45%, which might or might not include portability of the exemption between spouses. Congress could completely repeal the estate taxa valid option considering the Republicans are in control of the House and gaining ground in the Senate; there has already been one bill for full repeal with bipartisan support. Its important to recognize there are many more laws and legislative proposals that can affect an individuals overall estate planning, including the exemption amount for Generating Skipping Transfers, the use of Family Limited Partnerships, and the Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (GRAT). Most laws are transient, which makes estate planning all the more important. Brenda K. Pavlak, CPA, Echelbarger, Himebaugh, Tamm & Co PC, provides consulting on estate, gift, and trust issues, and is an expert in handling estate, gift, and trust tax returns. Contact her at 616-575-3482 or brendap@ehtc.com.

7 Finance/Insurance Briefs
Grand Rapids Five attorneys with the law firm Warner Norcross & Judd LLP have been named Lawyer of the Year in Grand Rapids for their respective practice areas by Best Lawyers in America 2012. The attorneys recognized are: Hugh H. Makens, securities and capital markets law; Charles E. McCallum, international trade and finance law; Richard A. Roane, family law; Eugene E. Smary, environmental law; Stephen C. Waterbury, mergers and acquisitions law. Grand Rapids Varnum has been selected to serve as legal counsel to the producers of Michigan-based film Mickey Matson and the Copperhead Conspiracy, being filmed this month. The family-friendly, action adventure is being shot at 10 West Studios in Manistee, Mich. and will include scenes from Manistee and Ludington. Grand Rapids Varnum attorney Carl E. Ver Beek has been re-appointed by the Michigan Supreme Court to a threeyear term on the Attorney Discipline Board. The Board consists of six attorneys and three laypersons appointed by the Michigan Supreme Court. The members serve three-year terms. Grand Rapids Varnum attorney Lawrence P. Burns was recently appointed to serve on the Michigan Health and Hospital Association's Legislative Policy Panel. Grand Rapids The State Bar of Michigan Board of Commissioners and the Pro Bono Initiative have selected Varnum attorney Joy Fossel as recipient of the 2011 John W. Cummiskey award. Chicago - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently awarded nearly $1.3 million to Michigan organizations to assist people who believe they have been victims of housing discrimination. Ada - Ryan P Smith, partner of Argus Financial Consultants has been authorized by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (CFP Board) to use the certification marks CFP, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER , and CFP (with flame design) in accordance with CFP Board certification and renewal requirements. Grand Rapids The Right Place, Inc. and the Ionia County Economic Alliance (ICEA) announced the formation of a strategic partnership to support economic growth in Ionia County and encourage more regional marketing efforts in West Michigan. Under the terms of the three-year contract, The Right Place and ICEA will provide comprehensive economic development services including business retention, expansion and attraction support to Ionia county businesses. Additionally, The Right Place will provide marketing support to promote Ionia County assets. Grand Rapids - Randall S. Goble has joined the law firm Warner Norcross & Judd LLP as director of marketing. Goble will be responsible for marketing, advertising, public relations, branding, social media, community relations and the firms web site, as well as supporting client development initiatives and officers for fiscal 2012 are: Martin Axelrod, CFA President and Chairman; Jeff Tryka, CFA Vice President and Vice Chairman; Greg Bosch, CFA Vice President; L Leonard Harrison, CFA Vice President; David Hodge, CFA Secretary; Ryan Allen, CFA Treasurer; Andrew Mason, CFA Board Member and Past President; Theodore H. Fuger, Jr., CFA Board Member. Wyoming The Right Place, in collaboration with The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the City of Wyoming, announced the planned expansion of The Priceline Groups operations in Wyoming, adding another 562 jobs in the project.The Priceline Group is a leader in global online hotel reservations, with over 190,000 participating hotels worldwide. The Group is composed of four primary brands Booking.com, priceline.com, Agoda.com and TravelJigsaw and several ancillary brands. The Group provides online travel services in over 110 countries in Europe, North America, South America, the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East and Africa. Grand Rapids - Rhoades McKee announces that Molly Kuras has joined the law firm as an associate. She will focus her practice in the areas of environmental and real estate law. Kalamazoo Peter Livingston has been appointed chair of the Corporate Practice Group at Varnum. Livingston, who works at Varnums Kalamazoo office, is a partner in the corporate and estate planning practice groups. Grand Rapids Lake Michigan Credit Union announced the hiring of Mark Mohr as a senior mortgage originator. Mohr has over 12 years of experience in the mortgage industry with a specialization in new home purchase utilizing FHA, Conventional, Rural Development and MSHDA programs. Holland - The Society of Certified Insurance Counselors honored Mike Waalkes for 10 years of successfully maintaining the Certified Insurance Counselor designation, denoting significant commitment to advanced knowledge and customer service. Grand Rapids - Rhoades McKee announces that Molly Kuras has joined the law firm as an associate. She will focus her practice in the areas of environmental and real estate law.

Marne - Finn Law Group announced the addition of Kimberlee D. Lee as a paralegal in their Marne Michigan office. Lee has more than six years of experience as a paralegal and office manager specializing in family law. Michigan - PNC will be the lead sponsor for the 2012 Michigan Celebrates Small Business awards program, the states premier awards ceremony for entrepreneurs and supporters of small business. Grand Rapids Elizabeth K. Bransdorfer, a member of the law firm Mika Meyers Beckett & Jones PI.C, was recently honored by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as one of its 20 Women in the Law 2011 for her meaningful and inspiring contributions to the legal community. Holland Mark K. Harder, a partner with Warner Norcross & Judd LLP, has been elected chair-elect of the State Bar of Michigan's Probate and Estate Planning Section. Harder, who concentrates his practice in trusts and estates law, will serve a one-year term as chairelect of the section. Grand Rapids - The CFA West Michigan Society announced the new officers and members of its Board of Directors to serve through June 30, 2012. The Board

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Communication & IT
Banking IT Security Safety and Soundness
By W. Scott Montgomery
The practice of assessment the IT Security of a financial institution is unique. With assessments being required by the federal government, experts in the field have been able to identify a couple of concerns that are almost always represented from our initial assessment. System patching of vendor supported systems leads the list of security concerns. This issue is followed closely by simple and trivial account passwords. When a vendor communicates that no system under their support responsibility is to be updated or patched, a risk should be recognized. Keeping a system up to date with the system and operating manufacturers publicized updates is critical to limit IT security risk. However, if the financial organization is restricted or prohibited from performing this update process, then the vendor should regularly. Experts have identified situations where the financial organization has understood that the vendor has this responsibility, but the process was not taking place. Out of date systems operating systems and hardware platforms can often be breached, even with adequate access security and/or antivirus software. Financial organizations have worked hard to implement policies, practices and operational environments that are designed to protect the financial data under their control. But if vendors do not properly secure the systems they are responsible for, then the data is potentially at risk of unauthorized access. Adding additional risk to computing environments to financial organizations is the use of weak and/or trivial passwords within the environment. An assessment processes quickly bring this concern to the clients attention. Buy regularly assessing password strength, employees can learn and organizations can gain awareness to this security issue. Financial organizations have set policies for password strength. But these policies are often not enough. Train the staff, by example, on how to establish a strong password. In addition, regularly assess password strength by analyzing existing passwords as compared to the internal policies. Require that all accounts that have weak, or trivial passwords, as iden-

tified by the assessment process, be changed immediately by the user. Up to date, patched computer systems and strong passwords throughout the environment are necessary to reduce the risk of unauthorized access and system breach that lead to data disclosure. Become aware as to where your IT Security risk is, and what you can do to reduce that risk. W. Scott Montgomery is Security Practice Manager for OST. Scott has a Degree in Computer Information Service from Ferris State University. Scott's articles and quotes often appear in trade publications and he is regularly invited to speak publicly about Computer Security, Identify Theft and Technology Trends.

Communications & IT
Troy - Syntel, Inc., a global Information Technology services and Knowledge Process Outsourcing firm, announced it has developed a solution that enables clients in the Exchange Traded Derivatives market to employ TLM products from SmartStream, the financial Transaction Lifecycle Management specialist. Syntel will serve as the preferred implementation partner for new product rollouts. Lansing - The information technology attorneys at Foster Swift have launched a blog about the latest issues related to information technology. Such issues include trademark protection, intellectual property, e-discovery, e-commerce, the taxation of e-commerce and cloud-computing, and IT contracts. The blog focuses on providing practical insight and relevant news to IT users and non-IT users that encounter issues related to information technology. Michigan - Center for Business Innovation has partnered with Aerohive Networks to provide their partners with cloud-based managed wireless solutions. Cloud-based managed wireless solutions eliminate the chances for single-points of failure. It also eliminates the need for physical wireless controllers, making this a cost effective wireless solution for any size organization. Grand Rapids - WGVU Public Media has received one of only 41 nation- wide awarded American Graduate grants from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting through the National Center for Media Engagement as part of their national initiative focusing on the high school dropout crisis. As part of this grant, WGVU Engage and its local partners have launched Get Your Diploma. Get Your Dream. From now through December, this project will use on-air messages, programming, and community events to increase the awareness of the causes and ramifications of a high dropout rate, and to promote local resources available to help students stay in school. Holland Worksighted announced that co-founders, Mat Nguyen and Mike Harris, have been selected by the Holland Area Chamber of Commerce as the 2011 Holland Chamber Small Business Person of the Year. Worksighted has been on a growth trend for the last five years, doubling revenue every two years and expanding into new geographic markets and adding new services related to the core IT management and support business. Grand Rapids - CU*Answers announced that two (2) credit unions had invested in its Class A Stock offering to become new CU*Answers Owners. Community Driven Credit Union (Ypsilanti, MI) and Public Services Credit Union (Ft. Wayne, IN) having invested, the cooperative CUSO now included 94 credit union Owners - with 11 added during the previous year. Grand Rapids - Xtend, Inc. announced that two credit union partners have purchased stock during the past month. Onaway Community Federal Credit Union ($71M, 10,000 members) based in Onaway, Michigan, and North Central Area Credit Union ($81M, 14,600 members) based in Houghton Lake, Michigan, each purchased an ownership block of 200 shares in the cooperative. Grand Rapids - Kantorwassink received recognition at the Creativity 41st International Awards for their work for Amway on the International Starter Kit Guide. Holland - NET(net) Global Holdings Ltd., a provider of comprehensive IT Investment Optimization Services, announced that Raul Villares has joined the international organization as Vice President of Client Services, Europe based in Madrid, Spain.

9 What You Should Know About Hospice Care

Grand Rapids Spectrum Health Hospice knows that most people dont think about hospice care until they or a loved one is in need of this special health service. There is confusion about what hospice care involves, where the service is delivered and how much it costs. People often dont seek information about hospice until there is a crisis and they have an immediate need, said Lisa Vanderwel, director, business development, Spectrum Health Hospice. We want patients and families to know the many truths about this service that is available to them often much earlier than one might think. We work with our patients and families to ensure good quality to each and every day. Vanderwel outlines the common myths about hospice care. Myth: Hospice is for people in their last days of life Fact: Hospice is about living life to the fullest and bringing peace and contentment to each day. The goal of hospice care is optimal symptom control and physical, emotional and spiritual well being. Pain, nausea, shortness of breath and anxiety can interfere with ones quality of life. Our efforts enable a person to enjoy whats really important to them and spend time with those who matter most. A person usually qualifies for hospice care much earlier than they think and families frequently comment that they wish they had called sooner, said Vanderwel. Myth: Hospice is a place. Fact: The goal of hospice care is that you are cared for and kept comfortable in the environment you choose and we are proud to provide excellent care wherever that might be. Hospice care usually takes place in the comfort of your home, but can be provided in any environment in which you live, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities or even the hospital. Myth: Not all hospices provide for the spiritual care of the patient. Fact: Spiritual care is an important aspect of care in all hospice programs. Federal regulations require chaplains to be an integral part of the hospice interdisciplinary team. The chaplains at Spectrum Health Hospice are trained to address end of life questions in a gentle, affirming, nonthreatening manner. The conversations our hospice chaplains facilitate help instill hope in times of turmoil, restore healing in broken relationships with people or God and maintain peace in all circumstances at all stages of life, said Vanderwel. Myth: Families have to pay for hospice care. Fact: Hospice care is covered at 100% by Medicare, Medicaid and most other insurance policies. The benefit covers visits from the nurse and all other members of the interdisciplinary team, equipment that might be needed, medications related to the hospice diagnosis, even home visits from our physicians. Through its charity care policies, Spectrum Health Hospice is committed to caring for all patients, regardless of an individuals ability to pay or insurance status. Myth: Patients can only receive hospice care for a limited amount of time. Fact: Medicare and Medicaid as well as most private insurances pay for hospice care as long as the patient continues to meet the necessary criteria. Patients are sometimes discharged from hospice when they are doing better and are much more comfortable and may later re-enroll in hospice care if needed. Myth: Hospice shortens a persons life Fact: Some studies have shown that a person can live longer with adequate support and comfort care that our expert team provides. When symptoms of discomfort and pain are better managed, one often experiences increased appetite, renewed energy and sense of well being and purpose. Myth: Hospice is only for cancer patients. Fact: Hospice care is helpful for persons living with a wide range of diagnoses including heart disease, cancer, Alzheimers and lung disease. Hospice care is open to all persons diagnosed with a lifelimiting illness. It is appropriate to obtain information on hospice when: Curative treatment is no longer being sought There is an increase in pain, nausea, difficulty breathing or other symptoms An individual is tired of frequent hospitalizations or trips to the ER and wants to be home and comfortable An individual is sleeping a lot, less alert and more emotionally withdrawn Myth: Hospice is just for the patient. Fact: Hospice focuses on comfort, dignity and emotional support. The quality of life for the patient, family members and caregivers is the highest priority.

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10 Early Onset Alzheimers Disease In The Workplace

By Jennifer FitzPatrick Joanne, a 54-year-old sales manager, was fired last week because of her declining performance over the past 18 months. She was arriving late to meetings with clients, missing report deadlines and misplacing confidential company data. Prior to these issues, Joanne had a superior track record with the company so her boss was especially disappointed in these changes. During her 15 year tenure with the organization Joanne had won two awards, been promoted three times and was one of the highest earners in the organization. What happened to this star? Unbeknownst to anyone, including Joanne, she was suffering from early onset Alzheimers disease. Alzheimers disease is generally considered an older persons illness, and usually that is true. But approximately 200,000 Americans suffer with the early onset type. Early onset Alzheimers disease symptoms, by definition, manifest in patients before age 65, and can occur as early as the thirties and forties but are most typically diagnosed during the fifties. What Is Early Onset Alzheimers Disease? Early onset Alzheimers disease is a type of permanent dementia for which there is currently no cure. Dementia symptoms consist of short term memory loss, confusion, personality changes, poor judgment and getting lost with familiar tasks and in familiar places. Those suffering with early onset Alzheimers disease usually have been experiencing symptoms for a year or more by the time they seek a doctors advice. Since dementia symptoms can be caused by a number of temporary conditions, many physicians correctly consider those first, particularly for those under age 65. Temporary causes of dementia can include significant stress, dehydration, infection, medication side effects and drug or alcohol abuse. Joanne may have assumed her problems were simply because she was getting older. Although everyone has changes in the brain including shorter reflex and reaction times, increased tip of the tongue moments and mild forgetfulness, dementia symptoms are never part of the normal aging process. If Joanne had known about her condition, perhaps she would have remained employed. With a proper diagnosis, she may have had access to medications like Aricept and Namenda that could have had minimized symptoms impeding her job performance. While these drugs are not a cure, they have certainly improved quality of life for many suffering with permanent dementia. Joanne also would have had the luxury of processing the diagnosis and preparing personally and professionally instead of facing the humiliation and stress of a dismissal. How Should An Employee Handle An Early Alzheimers Disease Diagnosis? Since Joanne had enjoyed over a decade of success with her company, perhaps she may have had a candid discussion with her manager about her diagnosis if she had known. Maybe together they would have determined a way for her to remain in her sales management position. If not, perhaps she could have been offered her another opportunity at the company which would be better suited to her health changes. If continuing with the company would not have been an option, Joanne most likely would have been eligible for some type of disability benefit. This would have protected her from immediately using her savings and retirement account for daily living expenses. Protecting those assets for as long as possible with an early onset Alzheimers disease diagnosis is critical since Joanne will most likely need to spend that on care expenses when her disease progresses. It is especially important to delay accessing the retirement account due to hefty early withdrawal penalties since she is still only 54-yearsold. What can employees do to avoid Joannes plight? Everyone should be aware of their risk factors related to early onset Alzheimers disease but they should also keep in mind that it is an infrequent condition. Only 5% of all Alzheimers disease cases diagnosed are of the early onset nature. What are the risk factors for early onset Alzheimers disease? Clinical studies have determined that there are some genes associated with early onset Alzheimers disease so family history is a factor. Major head injuries, diabetes and heart disease are also linked with increased Alzheimers disease diagnoses so these conditions should be avoided or properly managed if they occur. What Can Employers Do? First, an organization can facilitate a climate of trust about issues, health or otherwise, that may impact work performance. It is also important to investigate when a star employee like Joanne fails to meet expectations. Successful employees generally dont start falling off, especially after 15 years, unless something is very wrong. Joanne likely knew something was wrong with her as most Alzheimers disease sufferers do recognize changes in themselves, but may have been in denial. When people are experiencing these symptoms in denial, a compassionate manager or human resources professional may be able to encourage the employee to seek help through Employee Assistance Programs or their group health insurance. If Joanne was suffering from a temporary dementia that could be cured or reversed, the company would have retained an excellent worker. Even in Joannes case of suffering from permanent early onset Alzheimers disease, the organization is in a better position to defend against a wrongful termination suit when they give an employee the opportunity to seek help when a declining job performance may be the result of an illness or disability. If the employee is not in denial, and a trusting corporate culture exists, Joanne might have sought out her manager with her concerns about her ability to do her job. Patients experiencing such symptoms often appropriately begin by consulting with their primary care physician. But if the symptoms persist and a cause is not determined, it is important to encourage the employee to confer with a specialist such as a neurologist, geriatrician or geriatric psychiatrist with experience in dementia. Also, memory clinics and assessment centers are available in most major cities to assess and evaluate symptoms. While early onset Alzheimers disease can create havoc in the workplace for both employers and employees, it is fortunately a rare condition. When everyone in the workplace understands what to look for, it is easier to guide coworkers and subordinates who need help. Jennifer FitzPatrick, MSW, LCSW-C is an author, speaker and educator. Founder of Jenerations Health Education. For more information please visit www.jenerationshealth.com

Review of The China Strategy

ignore China as a market, manufacturing base or source of competition. Management consultant Edward Tses wide-ranging viewpoint (Tse was born in Hong Kong but educated in the US) offers anxious businesspeople clarity and direction. He lucidly describes the forces he thinks will shape Chinas future and illustrates how your business can prepare for this transformation. Although the books call to action plan now for an unknown future may overwhelm some readers, getAbstact recommends this overview of Chinas shifting commercial climate to managers considering moving to China, those who are already active there, and those who realize the degree of Chinas imminent influence and want to prepare for the turmoil ahead. Edward Tse. The China Strategy: Harnessing the Power of the World's Fastest-Growing Economy. Basic Books, 2010. 256 pages. List Price: $26.95. ISBN13: 978-0465018253 getAbstract is the leading provider of business book summaries, with thousands of titles covered. www.getabstract.com

By Rolf getAbstract

Dobelli,

Chairman,

Perhaps Frank Sinatras familiar refrain needs a slight alteration to reflect the current reality: If I can make it there, Ill make it anywhere. Its up to you...China, China. No firm can afford to

12 Families, Businesses Must Plan Ahead to Meet the Growing Demand of Long-Term Care
By Lisa Wendt November is Long-Term Care Awareness Month in Michigan, a time when advocates like myself strive to educate families and businesses alike about the demands of long-term care and the importance of proper long-term care planning. Providing care for a loved one or friend is truly a full-time job, as caregivers play a number of roles from hands-on health provider and friend to surrogate decision-maker and advocate. When these roles are assumed in addition to typical workplace and family duties, they can prove very costly to both individuals and their employers. But until people experience it firsthand, most of us dont realize the dramatic impact it can have on our finances, career, health and family. I certainly didnt. Planning for Long-Term Care Acting on my sense of duty and with limited information, I moved my father into my home when he was 83-years old. As his health declined, I missed more critical work time and it started costing more and more to support him. My husband and I worked extensive hours to provide for his growing need for care and other costs inevitably altered our plans for retirement. Looking back years later, complete with battle scars and learn-asyou-go frustrations, I understand how not being fully prepared to provide care can impact a family. Im also convinced that planning for my own later years is a must for me and my family. Unfortunately, many caregivers underestimate the need to plan ahead and they only begin exploring long-term care options when care is needed by a loved one. This approach causes many of the challenges associated with long-term care, which can have a significant financial, physical and emotional impact on the caregiver and their family. A hard truth that families often fail to realize is that government programs like Medicare and Medicaid will not fully meet their long-term care needs. Its important to understand that long-term care is very different from health care. The general intent of health care is to return a person to good health, so its focus is on restoring health. In contrast, long-term care focuses more on caring than on curing. Generally, long-term care provides custodial care. An easy way to remember is Care vs. Cure. Medicare only covers limited skilled care if it improves a persons health condition and no coverage is available for custodial care. Medicaid covers nursing home stays for poor and low-income citizens, which often requires a person to deplete his or her assets before qualifying for coverage. The proposed federal longterm care program, which was included in the national health care reforms, was recently eliminated. With the demand for long-term care on the rise, its important for individuals to recognize that they will be responsible for their long-term care needs. The number of adults providing care to a parent more than tripled over the past 15 years (17 percent of men and 28 percent of women). And as baby boomers continue to age, the need for long-term care will soon reach unprecedented levels. Just as long-term care demands are affecting families, theyre affecting businesses as well. It would also be wise for employers to research and consider longterm care insurance (LTCI) options for their workforce. A Wise Buy for Employers About 42 percent of U.S. workers have provided elder care in the past five years, which requires them to juggle their caregiving role with work and other family responsibilities. For an overwhelming majority of workers, this can result in arriving to work late or leaving early, taking additional time off, cutting work hours or stopping work entirely, all of which can be costly to employers. Recent studies have shown that: Businesses lose up to $33.6 billion each year in lost productivity from fulltime caregiving employees. Employers pay 8 percent more for the health care of employees with eldercare responsibilities, which can cost an additional $13.4 billion per year. The average annual cost to employers per full-time caregiver is more than $2,100. Offering LTCI can not only help offset some of these costs, but it can also serve as a recruitment and retention tool. With more workers falling into the sandwich generation adults caught in the middle of caring for both their children and their parents they will find value in the opportunity to plan ahead and prepare for their long-term care needs. To get the maximum benefit, however, its important for businesses to do their homework and find a flexible, customizable LTCI plan that best suits their needs. There are both fully and partially paid employer offerings, as well as voluntary programs in which the employee pays for the entire premium. Other important considerations include administrative support available to participating companies and additional support such as care advisor services, which offer the additional benefit of supporting, educating and advocating for caregivers and their families to further protect their well-being. With the demand for long-term care on the rise and the high cost of being unprepared for both individuals and businesses, now is the right time for employers to properly research their options and find a reliable, well-designed LTCI program that will provide the best value for its workers and its bottom line. Lisa Wendt, FLMI, is the president and CEO of LifeSecure Insurance Company, based in Brighton, Mich. LifeSecure is dedicated to providing uncomplicated insurance and non-insurance solutions to help people protect themselves from unforeseen health-related risks and expenses. Additional information is available at www.YourLifeSecure.com. MetLife Mature Market Institute. Planning Tips: Financial Considerations for Family Caregivers. Westport, CT 2011. AARP. Valuing the Invaluable: 2011 Update The Economic Value of Family Caregiving in 2009. Washington, DC 2011.

Quality Office Furniture, at a price you can afford!

Bill Feyen
616-554-0200 billfeyen@exceloffice.com

13 Health Care Briefs

Wyoming Metro Health Hospital announced that Darcy Millon has joined its Chest Pain Center. Millon will serve in the new position of coordinator, where she will be responsible for managing care of patients from the pre-hospital setting through discharge. Grand Rapids - Lutheran Social Services of Michigan has hired Jay Prince, most recently of San Diego, California, to be the new executive director of MapleCreek, a full continuum of care senior living community, 2000 32nd Street SE, Grand Rapids. Muskegon Shoreline Vision announces the addition of Dr. Nathan P. Reed to its medical staff. Dr. Reed is certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and is a member of State, Local Medical and Ophthalmology Societies. Kalamazoo - Bronson Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, Spine & Scoliosis Center, welcomes Dr. Joshua Ellwitz to their team. He is board eligible in orthopedic surgery and received his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin. Wyoming Metro Health announced today that Dr. Randall J. Duthler has joined its Family Medicine Practice. Duthler will practice at Metro Health Southwest. He will also serve as the school physician for Jenisons sports teams. Muskegon Mercy Health Partners announced it has agreed to collaborate with The International Genomics Consortium (IGC) in Phoenix, Ariz., to serve as a critical network Tissue Source Site (TSS) to provide cancer tissue samples for analysis in the National Institutes of Healths (NIHs) historic project The Cancer Genome Atlas project (TCGA). Grand Rapids Joe Eisenmann, PhD, has joined the Helen DeVos Childrens Hospital Healthy Weight Center as a pediatric obesity researcher. He will collaborate with and mentor physicians and medical students conducting research. Eisenmann will maintain his established collaborative research efforts with state, national and international organizations. Wyoming Metro Health Hospital announced that Dr. Mykola J. Bartkiw has joined as a hand and an orthopedic surgeon. Bartkiw will focus his practice on hand and upper extremity surgery, treating conditions from the shoulder to fingertips. He will be based in the Cascade Neighborhood Outpatient Center, but will also practice at the Southwest Neighborhood Outpatient Center. Grand Rapids The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has selected Kent County as the recipient of a $1 million grant to develop a Community Transformation Implementation Plan. The three-year development grant will bring multiple organizations together to create a strategic approach to reduce three health measures by 5 percent: Death and disability due to tobacco use; Death and disability due to heart disease and stroke; Obesity rates. Wyoming Metro Health announced that Dr. Azra S. Ayubi has joined its growing practice in obstetrics and gynecology.Ayubi comes to Metro Health with more than a decade of experience in obstetrics and gynecology and will practice in the Southwest Neighborhood Outpatient Center. Grand Rapids Pediatric orthopaedic specialist Lisa Maskill, MD, has joined the Spectrum Health Medical Group. She provides care on an outpatient basis at her 35 Michigan Street office and at Helen DeVos Childrens Hospital. Kalamzoo Bronson Methodist Hospitals Adult Critical Care team welcomes Melissa Zaccheo, DNP. Zaccheo received her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Chatham University, a Post-Master Certificate Acute Care Nurse Practitioner from Seton Hall University, and Master of Science Family Nurse Practitioner from DeSales University. Kalamazoo - Bronson Methodist Hospital has added five new healthcare providers to their Internal Medicine Hospital Specialists team. Dr. Jose De Leon is board certified in Internal Medicine. Dr. Shadi Jibawi is board eligible in Internal Medicine. Dr. Marcos Madeiro is board eligible in Internal Medicine. Dr. Jennifer Passini is board certified in Internal Medicine. Physician Assistant, Tara ONeill, PA-C, also joins their team. Wyoming Metro Health announced that Dr. Stephanie Dublis has joined the Cancer Center at Metro Health Village. Board certified in internal medicine, she will be joining the medical oncology and hematology practice. Kalamazoo Bronson Methodist Hospital welcomes Jelanie Bush, MD, to their pediatric hospitalist team. She is board eligible in pediatrics and received her medical degree from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. Grand Rapids Darci R. Luyk has returned to Mary Free Bed Hospital as the manager of physician relations and network development. Luyk will be responsible for developing relations with physicians throughout the state.

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14 Education Briefs
Grand Rapids - Elaine Van Doren, associate dean for KCON undergraduate programs, received a $773,837 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to establish ADVANCE and increase diversity within the RN-BSN program. Grand Valley partnered with Grand Rapids Community College and Muskegon Community College for the three-year program. ADVANCE students must have an associates degree in nursing and be economically or educationally disadvantaged. Victoria Hecksel-Lantz, program coordinator, said a cohort of 20 students will be enrolled for the winter semester. Grand Rapids - Grand Rapids Community College has received a significant grant award of nearly $2 million from the U. S. Department of Education Title III program to increase the number of students who stay in college and graduate with a degree. The program will focus on helping developmental education students who enroll in college without the skills necessary to be successful college students. The funds will be distributed over five years. Big Rapids The National Institute of Health has awarded Ferris State University a research fellowship grant that has provided funding to recruit Alexandria Casillas to campus as an intern to further develop studies of melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer. Casillas, originally from Antioch, Calif., will be working for a full year under Ferris Professor of Biology James D. Hoerter, who received the grant to fund this NIH research fellowship. Holland Hope College has launched the largest single fundraising effort in the colleges history, a $175 million comprehensive campaign that will add several new buildings and provide major boosts to the colleges endowment with emphasis on scholarship aid and faculty-student collaborative research. More than $132 million has been raised so far. The total includes three $10 million lead gifts: one for collaborative research from Dr. A. Paul and Carol Schaap of Grosse Pointe Park; one for a concert hall and music facility, from the Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation of Grand Rapids; and another for a student center, from the Bob and Cheri VanderWeide family of Ada. The college also announced that the student center will be named the Jim and Martie Bultman Student Center in honor of Hope President Dr. James E. Bultman and his wife Martie, who are retiring at the end of June 2012. Kalamazoo - Citing a record of "outstanding leadership and commitment to the University, the community and beyond," the Western Michigan University Board of Trustees demonstrated its support for President John M. Dunn at its Sept. 28 meeting by enacting a two-year extension to his contract through June 30, 2016. Grand Rapids Davenport University is proud to name its new downtown location for the late Peter C. Cook, a devoted alumnus, supporter and champion of the University. The Peter C. Cook Center, located at 45 Ottawa NW, opened for the fall 2011 semester offering MBA programs in accounting, finance, health care and strategic management. Lansing Thomas M. Cooley Law School and the University of Mnsters law school, the largest law school in Germany, have entered into an agreement to allow students and faculty the opportunity to learn and teach as part of a student exchange program. The initial agreement between the two schools is for three years. The University of Mnster, in Mnster, Germany, is located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Grand Rapids - Grand Valley State Universitys Seidman College of Business has been named by the Princeton Review as one of the Best 294 Business Schools for 2012. The rankings are based on a survey of business school students conducted during the 2010-11, 2009-10 and 2008-09 academic years. Grand Rapids - Grand Rapids Community College has established a Business Professionals of America (BPA) chapter, a move that will give their students the opportunity to develop solid business skills through state and national competitions, and give them access to scholarships.

Finding the After School Balance

Michigan - The start of the school year brings on more than just homework, new notebooks, and waking up early. It is a time for children to grow within their community and experience new opportunities outside of school. Dr. Mari E. Douma, DO, an osteopathic pediatrician from Fowler, MI gives her advice on how to have well balanced after school activities for your children and avoid burn-out. It is important for children to be involved in extracurricular activities, says Dr. Douma. This is where they pick up lifelong skills such as leadership, sense of community, healthy habits and discipline. Like many parents, you may struggle with pulling your kids away from the latest video game or from the comfortable confines of the family home. Dr. Douma has a few tips to help get your children off the couch and involved after school: 1. Do things together. Expose them to a few activities that you can do together. Kick a soccer ball, have a family math contest, or go to a humane society. This way you can see what they are interested in before you make the commitment. 2. Check out the community center. There are a lot of different activities that they can explore on their own, from sports to homework help. At a community center, your children have the opportunity to meet with other children with shared interests and possibly join a team or activity together. 3. Listen to them. If your children show interest in something that could turn into an activity, research it to find out how they can get involved. Even videogamers have clubs to join. While extracurricular activities are a good way for children to exercise both their bodies and minds, develop healthy habits and stay out of trouble, it is important to remember a balance. When children become overwhelmed, they may exhibit signs of stress, like depression and anxiety. Stress can lead to loss of sleep, missed meals, falling behind on schoolwork, and separation from friends and family, says Dr. Douma. Once involved in an activity or multiple activities, check in with your children to make sure they are still enjoying themselves. After an activity, children should be tired, but not exhausted. If you find that your child is exhausted, start to reevaluate the activities she is involved in and adjust if necessary, says Dr. Douma. Dr. Douma has ways to prevent overloading activities: 1. Have a test period. Come up with a chart to log which activity your child favors the most and if it is manageable to have more than one activity. 2. Dont force them to do an activity just because you enjoy it. Doing an activity to only please someone else defeats the whole purpose. If they are into something, let them shine. 3. Encourage open communication. If you are worried about sending the wrong message about quitting being okay, make sure they realize that prioritizing is not quitting and commitment to one activity they really enjoy is better than giving a half-hearted commitment to a multitude of activities says Dr. Douma. Being involved after school is one of the best ways for your child to grow within the community, learn discipline and create relationships with others. However, finding a balance in activities is important. Running your children from activity to activity is a sure-fire way to exhaust them and you, says Dr. Douma. Once you find the right balance, things like down time, homework, being with friends and family, and reading a book will be that much more enjoyable, she adds. Preventive medicine is just one aspect of care osteopathic physicians provide. DOs are fully licensed to prescribe medicine and practice in all specialty areas, including surgery. DOs are trained to consider the health of the whole person and use their hands to help diagnose and treat their patients. The Michigan Osteopathic Association represents more than 7,000 osteopathic physicians and students and promotes osteopathic medicine in Michigan by shaping the health care delivery system to better serve the community. To learn more about the MOA and osteopathic medicine, visit the MOA website at www.mi-osteopathic.org.

15 2011 ABC/WMC Construction Awards Winners

Award Concrete Precast Roofing - Membrane Green Roof Winner Kent Companies, Inc. Kerkstra Precast, Inc. Langerak Roof Systems Frederick Construction Project ITP The Rapid Kent County Recycle Center Farmers Insurance Historical Renovation Sault Saint Marie US Land Port of Entry Helen DeVos Children's Hospital Podium Curtainwall Helen DeVos Children's Hospital Reserve Wine Bar Construction $30-$50 Million Buist Electric Helen DeVos Children's Hospital Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Community Center ConstructionOver $50 Million Green Building Renovation Green Building The Christman Company MSU College of Human Medicine Secchia Center Wolverine Building Group Helen DeVos Children's Hospital M Retail Solutions & Catalyst Partners ConstructionUnder $2 Million Construction $3 - $10 Million Construction $10-$30 Million Rockford Construction Elzinga & Volkers Construction Wolverine Building Group Reserve Wine Bar StoneWater Banquet Facility Bissell Corporate Hangar Hospital Renovation - Rockford Construction Under $10 Million Renovation Over $10 Million Aquinas College Sturrus Sports & Fitness Center The Christman Company Spectrum Health Blodgett Inpatient Facility

Glazing

Vos Glass, Inc.

Low Voltage Systems

Feyen Zylstra LLC

Rockford Construction

Beacon Hill at Eastgate

Electrical Under $1 Million Electrical Over $1 Million HVAC

Feyen-Zlystra LLC

Quality Air Heating & Cooling

Wolverine Building Group

Mechanical

Pleune Service Company MSU College of Human Medicine Secchia Center Brigade Fire Protection The Bouma Corporation Farmers Insurance

The Christman Company MSU College of Human Medicine Secchia Center Parkway Electric & Communcation

Fire Protection Interior Finishing

Safety Helen DeVos Children's

Division Park Avenue and Serrano Lofts

Grand Rapids After successfully restoring 101 South Division building into one of the first mixed-use LEED buildings in Historic Heartside business district, Brookstone Capital LLC once again contributes to the revitalization of the South Division Avenue corridor. Project partners MSHDA, PNC Bank, The City of Grand Rapids Community Development, Downtown Development Authority, Economic Development office have teamed with the historic renovation of three buildings in the two hundred block of South Division Avenue into affordable workforce housing. General contractor Wolverine Building Group, architectural firm Concept Design Studio, historic consultant Past Perfect and sustainable consultant Catalyst Partners led the extensive rehabilitations of the unoccupied buildings at 209 and 217 South Division have been combined and rehabilitated into Division Park Avenue Apartments. The project entailed a total of 47,000 square building at 17 Williams SW has been transformed into urban-style loft apartments. Now named Serrano Lofts, the four story building contains 15 one- to two-bedroom units. The rehabilitation project included 16,000 square feet of major renovations, masonry, triple pane energy-efficient windows and concrete floors. Wolverine Building Group, Concept Design Studio, and sustainable consultant Catalyst Partners constructed both projects to target LEED Gold Certification. Both projects utilized Federal Historic Tax Credits, Michigan State Historic Tax Credits, MSHDA Low Income Housing Tax Credits, and Brownfield Tax Credits. PNC Real Estate provided the construction financing, local financial support from The City of Grand Rapids Community Development office HOME Funds and City of Grand Rapids DDA through the BRIP Grant reuse program.

feet of major renovations. Notable historic features such as a skylight-topped atrium, store front bay windows, custom wood-workings, and exterior masonry architectural features were carefully preserved. Division Park Avenue Apartments feature Thirty (30) one- two -bedroom apartments; including six street level live-work units, as well as

secured below-grade parking. The Palantine Building built by John E. Peck in 1911 began as rooming house for travelling furniture buyers for semi annual furniture shows, was built at a cost of $40,000. 17 Williams Building was built in 1917 as a Burch warehouse Most recently a tire warehouse, the 94 year old

16 Construction Briefs
Kalamazoo - KDC Real Estate Development and Investments will be the master developer of East Campus and WMU's private-sector partner in the effort. The company has its national headquarters in Dallas, but the East Campus work will be the focus of KDC's Detroit-area office in Dearborn. The KDC team is led by Randall W. Doran, a senior vice president with the firm and a 1983 WMU alumnus. The KDC team includes two lead partners: Urban Campus Communities--UCC--a state-ofthe-art residential developer that has worked in three university communities; and Lodgeco Management, a multibrand hospitality management firm with assets in 12 Michigan locations. Other parts of the KDC team include a number of well-known firms based in or with offices in Kalamazoo. Among them are Tower Pinkster Architects and Engineers; Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber, a civil engineering firm; and the Signature Associates and Cushman & Wakefield Alliance, commercial real estate firms. Holland - Elzinga & Volkers announces that Julie DeNooyer has joined the company as Marketing Coordinator. DeNooyer is responsible for coordinating all marketing activities and reinforcing the Elzinga & Volkers brand. Ada - Erhardt Construction announced that Marc Felt, LEED-AP has been promoted to Project Manager. Since joining Erhardt in 2006, Marc has been involved in many projects that draw on his management expertise and broad construction knowledge base. Marc holds a Bachelor of Science Kalamazoo - Signature Associates announces the following: Negotiated the sale of a 9,934 square foot retail building located at 414 Walbridge Street, Kalamazoo to Kelly Schultz from seller Norms Electric Motor. Negotiated the lease of 11,792 square feet located at 624 28th Street SW, Wyoming to the tenant, Crusader Marital Arts, Inc. Negotiated the lease of 134,079 square feet of industrial space located at 13370 Barry Street, Holland. The tennet, HND Holdings, LLC will expand its green technologies company into the new Holland location. Negotiated the sale of a 40,000 square foot office building located at 801 Ionia Avenue NW, Grand Rapids. The seller, Irish Twins Group III, LLC and the buyer, 801 Ionia, LLC. Negotiated the sale of a 10,147 square foot medical office building located at 505 Keefer Drive, Albion to Narconon Freedom Center, Inc from the seller, Albion Community Medical. Negotiated the sale of 5.57 acres of industrial land located at 8229 Clyde Park Avenue, Byron Center, Michigan. The seller was RL & DG Investments, LLC and the is buyer, DM8187, LLC. Ann Arbor - Hobbs+Black Architects announced the promotions. Tim Andres, AIA has been promoted to Senior Vice President. Ben Jessup has been promoted to Marketing Manager. The Ann Arbor office announced the promotions of Claude Faro, LEED AP BD+C, Eric Ward, AIA, LEED AP BD+C and Walt Wyderko, AIA to Associate. Grand Rapids - Pioneer Construction has hired a new full-time Director of Safety. Seth Wehner has been a safety director since 2003 with a proven track record of erformance in commercial construction safety. Lansing - C2AE, the architectural and engineering firm responsible for the design of the interior renovations of the Inpatient Mental Health Clinic at the Ann Arbor Veterans Affairs Medical Center is pleased to announce the project has received an AIA Grand Valley award. Grand Rapids - C. D. Barnes Associates, Inc. announces Curt G. Petersen has joined the company as Vice President of Operations. Petersen will be responsible for broadening C.D. Barnes Associates construction market capabilities and reach. Grand Rapids - DornerWorks was honored to make the Inc. magazine list of 5000 fastest growing private companies in the US. DornerWorks was ranked 44th among engineering companies for having a 3-year growth rate of 76%. DornerWorks placed first among engineering companies in Michigan. Grand Rapids Progressive AE announced that Louis G. Hill, P.E., CPD, has joined the firm as Senior Mechanical Engineer. Hill has 16 years of experience in HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection design. Grand Rapids Land & Company received the Outstanding Corporate Award for 2011 from the Crime Prevention Association of Michigan.

Current Business Trends: Growth slows

Grand Rapids - The greater Grand Rapids industrial economy is experiencing slower growth, according to the results of a monthly survey compiled by Brian G. Long, director of Supply Management Research in the Seidman College of Business at Grand Valley State University. The survey results are based on data collected during the last two weeks of October. The surveys index of business improvement, called new orders, retreated to +9 from +25. In a similar move, the production index edged lower to +8 from +25. The index of purchases backtracked to +6 from +14. The employment index fell to +15 from +27. Slow growth by any measure is still better that no growth at all, said Long. Our local statistics continue to be stronger than the rest of the country, and even the rest of the world. We hope that this trend will continue. Long said the automotive parts producers are keeping local statistics positive; in October auto sales for the industry were up by 8 percent. He said the office furniture firms are still holding steady, but the slowdown in the world economy is starting to erode the prospect for future performance. He also said industrial distributors are steady, but the slowing of the local economy has caused their sales to moderate. Despite the modestly positive numbers in this local survey, caution still remains that the world economy is still slowing and many countries may soon slide into a technical recession, said Long. For us, the big question remains about how much we will be drawn in if the economy for most of the rest of the world turns slightly negative. Barring an immediate collapse of the Euro, we still expect to see the current pattern of slow growth to continue in West Michigan for the next few months. If we do slide into another recession, chances are this time we can blame it on the Europeans.

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17 Construction Briefs
Grand Rapids Colliers International | West Michigan welcomes Benjamin Sietsema to the Industrial group as Sales Associate. In his new role, Sietsemas key roles and responsibilities will be to assist the industrial group at Colliers. Lansing The ASCE Michigan Section has selected Mike Guter, PE, as its 20112012 President and has elected new officers for the coming year. 2011-2012 ASCE Michigan Section Officers: President: Mike Guter, PE, Grand Rapids; President-Elect: D a n i e l Lewis, PE, Kalamazoo; Vice President: Ronald Goldie, PE, Detroit; Treasurer: Carey Suhan, PE, Troy; Secretary: Therese Kline, PE, Lansing; Past President: Michael Thelen, PE, Lansing. Grand Rapids Colliers International in West Michigan announced the following real estate transactions. Women at Risk International completed the purchase of 20,960 square feet of retail and office space located at 2790 44th Street SW in Wyoming. Tranquil Road, LLC completed the purchase of 13,800 square feet of industrial space located at 2892 Blue Star Highway in Douglas and the seller was Saugatuck Storage Company. Patten Services, LLC completed the purchase of 55,500 square feet of industrial space located at 10845 Chicago Drive in Zeeland. West Michigan Community Bank completed the purchase of .96 acres of land located at 5 E Washington in Zeeland. Rockford Development Group, LLC completed the purchase of 89,765 square feet of industrial space located at 601 First Street NW in Grand Rapids from Comerica Bank. Victory Clinical Services completed the purchase of 6,600 square feet of office space located at 401 Howard Street in Kalamazoo from the seller, Hope Network. Paul Mitchell Pro, Inc. completed the purchase of 34,410 square feet of industrial space located at 3498 Kraft Avenue SE in Grand Rapids. KALSEE Credit Union completed the purchase of .72 acres of land located at 4418 Stadium Drive in Kalamazoo. Internet and Computer Service, LLC leased 2,057 square feet of retail space located at 6095 28th Street SE, in Grand Rapids. Ricoh Americas Corporation leased of 4,040 square feet of industrial space located at 3420 Broadmoor Avenue SE, in Kentwood. R.L. Adams Plastics, Inc. leased of 94,900 square feet of industrial space located at 7377 Expressway Drive SW in Grand Rapids. Ferguson Enterprises, Inc. lease of 40,000 square feet of industrial space located at 725 Ionia Avenue SW in Grand Rapids. Johnson Controls, Inc. leased of 165,000 square feet of industrial space located at 1451Lincoln Avenue in Holland. VanderLugt, Mulder, DeVries and Elders lease of 5,000 square feet of industrial space located at 13055 Riley Street in Holland. Advantage Mechanical leased 5,810 square feet of industrial space located at 4870 West River Drive NE in Comstock Park. Northern Logistics, Inc. leased 25,000 square feet of industrial space located at 555 76th Street in Byron Center. West Shore Counseling, LLC. leasd 2,450 square feet of office space located at 426 Century Land in Holland. Guran Lucow Miller, PC leased 7,691 square feet of office space located at 300 Ottawa Avenue in Grand Rapids. Bierling Entities, LLC lease of 9,600 square feet of retail space located at 3510 Plainfield avenue NE in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids - EPS Security announced Steve Sabatino, EPS Security engineer, received his Level 4 Certification from the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). This level of certification represents the highest qualification within the fire alarm profession. Grand Rapids - Progressive AE announced that Bryan Koehn, AIA, Director of Design, has joined the A.R.E. (Associate for Retail Environments) Dream Team. The A.R.E. Dream Team consists of some of the industry's greatest design and branding minds.

Q & A With Exxel

By Eric P. Uitvlugt Question: In the future, I am planning on developing a parcel of land, for commercial office use. I have used your firm in the past for site design, and would like to know how to find the best general contractor for my project. What do you suggest? Robert S., Walker Answer: We have worked with a variety of general contractors over the years. Fortunately, in our area, we are blessed with many excellent firms. One way to identify the appropriate company to meet your needs would be to contact the West Michigan Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. ABC will be able to recommend a variety of general contractors to meet your needs, and work with you, to narrow the list of companies to contact, for design ideas and pricing. Another option would be to work with the Commercial Alliance of Realtors of West Michigan. Many CAR members are involved with commercial office real estate development and also will be able to help you with design/build recommendations. Always seek out professional advice, before investing time and money into your project, and you will find the results will be well worth the initial investment of working with an expert. Eric P. Uitvlugt, P.S. is a professional surveyor, as well as CEO of Exxel Engineering, Inc., a planning, engineering and surveying firm, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Eric has worked in various aspects of project development since 1973. He can be reached at (616) 531-3660. Please contact Exxel or the publisher to have your question answered in a future publication.

18 More Than a Temporary Corrosion Covering: Chemically Bonded Phosphate Ceramics

by Del Williams Corrosion of steel, aluminum, and other structural metals erodes the safety and financial stability of industries and countries alike. Fighting corrosion in ships, tanks, planes and equipment costs the Pentagon $22.9 billion a year. Corrosion costs advanced industrialized nations about 3.5% of GDP to replace damaged material and components, plus a similar amount due to lost production, environmental impact, disrupted transportation, injuries, and fatalities. While traditional corrosion protection has relied mostly on short-lived physically-bonded coverings of substrate surfaces, a new category of Chemically Bonded Phosphate Ceramics (CBPCs) can create a long-lived passivation layer that stops corrosion. This is further protected by a tough ceramic outer layer. The Limits of Traditional Corrosion Protection For generations, polymer paints have acted as a physical barrier to keep corrosion promoters such as salt water and oxygen away from steel and aluminum substrates. This works until the paint is scratched, chipped, or breached and corrosion promoters enter the gap between the substrate and polymer coating. Then the coating can act like a greenhousetrapping water, oxygen and other corrosion promotersallowing corrosion to spread. Placing sacrificial, reactive elements next to steel that will corrode first, such as zinc and galvanized coatings, is another strategy. This works until the sacrificial elements are used up and recoating must be done, usually after a few years. Cathodic protection, where a negative voltage is imposed on steel, can limit corrosion on pipelines or other stationary, continuous metal structures where voltage can be attached. But this can fail if its not properly insulated and voltage goes to ground. For assets that demand long-term corrosion protection, stainless steel alloys work. But with stainless steel costing up to six times more than mild steel, this option is often cost prohibitive. A New Approach to Corrosion Protection Ideally, engineers, facility managers, and industrial paint contractors would want the long-term corrosion-resistance of a stainless steel part with the lower tually impossible for corrosion promoters like oxygen and humidity to get behind the coating the way they can with ordinary paints. The corrosionresistant passivation layer is further protected by a true ceramic outer shell. This dense ceramic outer shell is impermeable to water, and resists impact, abrasion, chemicals, and fire. The ceramic outer shell forms simultaneously with the passivation layer and chemically bonds with it, after acid and base materials mix in the spray gun nozzle then react with the substrate surface. The dual-layer ceramic coating can be used both as a primer and a topcoat, and can be applied in a single pass thats dry to the touch in a minute, hard dry in 15 minutes, and can be returned to service in an hour. Though CBPCs such as these have proven themselves in the laboratory and in examples such as the Iron Pillar, Tony Collins knew that the effectiveness of the new material had to be compared to that of traditional anti-corrosion coatings. Duplicating a NASA corrosion test, these new CBPCs have been put to the test against 19 leading anti-corrosion coatings in a live corrosion test, viewable to the public by webcam. Coated samples were scribed, then exposed to 12 hours of sea spray, followed by 12 hours of sunlight (or the UV light equivalent). After 45 days, every other high-performance coating tested failed. Except for the rust on its scribe (gouge) line, the EonCoat sample looked the same as day one. To monitor another ongoing corrosion test modeled on NASAs sea spray test, the public can view, zoom, and control a live webcam at www.eoncoat.com. In the latest test, which has passed 120 days and includes brand names matched to numbers, 20 Q panels coated with a popular primer, topcoat, or the new CBPC are sprayed daily with corrosive seawater. Theres nothing like seeing results with your own eyes. The product has gone more than 10,000 hours with no corrosion in a salt spray ASTM B117 test, but it is believed that engineers, facility managers, and industrial contractors will see value in comparing its effectiveness with leading brands. New CBPCs are a new approach to corrosion protection that should be looked into as aging plants, equipment, and infrastructure need to be safely maintained as long as possible. For more info, call Tony Collins, President, EonCoat 252-360-3110 or email TonyC@EonCoat.com; visit www.eoncoat.com; or write to EonCoat, 4000 Airport Drive, Wilson, NC 27896. Del Williams is a technical writer based in Torrance, California. He writes about health, business, technology, and educational issues, and has an M.A. in English from C.S.U. Dominguez Hills.

cost of coating application. A new category of CBPCs is now basically making this possible. Unlike polymer paints that simply cover a substrate, CBPCs essentially alloy the surface. Dr. Arun Wagh, a former materials engineer at Argonne National Lab, explains it like this: When a dual-component spray gun mixes an acid phosphate with base minerals and metal oxides in a water slurry, a chemical reaction occurs on the surface of the steel substrate, says Wagh. A hand-held thermometer indicates a 10-12 F temperature rise, as iron becomes a corrosion-resistant passivation layer of iron oxy hydroxide. Because the passivation layer is electrochemically stable, like gold and platinum, it does not react with corrosion promoters such as water and oxygen. Scanning electron microscopy indicates this passivation layer is about 20 microns thick. X-ray diffraction indicates this passivation layer is about 60% iron with components of phosphate, magnesium, silicon, hydrogen, and oxygen. History suggests that the new CBPCs passivation layer may resist corrosion indefinitely, as demonstrated by the Iron Pillar of Delhi, says Wagh. The Iron Pillar, a 7-meter high, 6-ton Indian artifact that has resisted corrosion for 1600 years with its original inscriptions still legible, has a virtually identical passivation layer to that of the new CBPC. In contrast to typical paint polymer coatings which sit on top of the substrate, the new ceramic coating bonds through a chemical reaction with the substrate, so slight surface oxidation actually improves the reaction. This makes it vir-

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19 Industrial Briefs
Holland - Request Foods has officially begun co-packing skillet meal bags, heralding an important extension of the companys entre and side dish frozen food processing capabilities. A leading co-packer of national, club store and private brands, Request Foods designed and built the new state-of-the-art facility to complement the companys existing pan and tray packing space. The 230,000 sq. ft. Greenly Street Facility is adjacent to Request Foods main facility. Tucson, AZ Graybar, a leading distributor of electrical, communications and data networking products and provider of related supply chain management and logistics services, recently broke ground on a new facility in Tucson, Ariz., that is expected to be built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) specifications after completion in the spring of 2012. The building will be Graybars first-ever LEED certified facility and will house its Tucson operations. Grand Rapids Summit Training Source is the recipient of the Occupational Health and Safety Magazine New Product of the Year Award for the revolutionary distracted driving video training program entitled, Forever & Ever: The Lasting Consequences of Distracted Driving. Summit is honored to be recognized by OHS for the second year in a row; Summit received the prestigious New Product of the Year Award for Summit Elements in 2010. St. Louis, MO Graybar, a leading distributor of electrical, communications and data networking products and provider of related supply chain management and logistics services, has appointed Steven Horst as its Vice President, Service and Administration. Horst is a 16-year Graybar veteran who most recently served as National Market Manager for construction. Wyoming The Wyoming City Council approved tax-abatement requests for Agropur and Lee Steel Corporation at the Sept. 19 council meeting. Agropur, a dairy producer, received a personal property tax-abatement for facility improvements to its 5252 Clay Avenue location valued at $4,500,000. The company anticipates adding 25 new full-time equivalent positions and maintaining 75 existing jobs on site. Lee Steel Corporation, a family owned, flat rolled steel provider, received an industrial facilities tax-abatement for property improvements at its 5875 Weller Court S.W. facility, an investment of no less than $6,085,000. $4,550,000 will be invested in personal property and $1,535,000 will be invested in real property. Five new jobs will be created as a result of the investment and 18 jobs will be retained. Holland LeanLogistics, a global solutions provider of transportation management system (TMS) applications and supply chain services, and Topco Associates LLC will present Leveraging Technology to Expand Transportation Services at the CSCMP Annual Global Conference 2011 in Philadelphia. Holland LeanLogistics, a global solutions provider of transportation management system (TMS) applications and supply chain services, and Topco Associates LLC will present Leveraging Technology to Expand Transportation Services at the CSCMP Annual Global Conference 2011 in Philadelphia. Grand Haven, MI and Dedham, MA Atlas Ergonomics and AliMed, Inc. have joined forces to reduce the high risk of on-the-job injury among health care workers who handle patients. The alliance combines Atlas's proven risk assessment and ergonomic technology with AliMed's vast inventory of safe patient handling equipment and tools. Lansing - Gov. Rick Snyder announced the appointment of Alex Declercq and the re-appointment of Gary Marowske to the Michigan State Waterways Commission. The commission is responsible for the acquisition, construction and maintenance of recreational harbors, channels, and docking and launching facilities.

Manufacturers & Health & Wellness

Lansing - Members of the Michigan Manufacturers Association (MMA) in attendance at a seminar on 10/4/11 were provided an in-depth look at the findings from the 9th Annual MetLife Study of Employee Benefit Trends. The study is highly anticipated each year by HR managers and those in the insurance industry. The survey reports that 72 percent of employers said health and wellness programs are effective at reducing medical costs and lead to more productive workers. Health and wellness programs add a new dimension to benefits businesses are able to offer, but also provide a means for cost savings. MetLifes online benchmarking tool indicates that mid-west manufacturers have the largest percentage of manufacturers across the country offering health and wellness programs, but also are higher than all other industries. Health and wellness programs are programs offered above traditional health insurance to encourage healthy lifestyles. The fact that Michigan manufacturers are more likely than any other private sector employers to provide health and wellness programs isnt surprising, says Vice President of Government Affairs Mike Johnston. Manufacturers are faced with a lot of costs that are outside of their control. Workers compensation insurance, unemployment insurance, personal property taxes all of those things contribute to the bottom line and to how competitive a manufacturer can be. Health and wellness programs have a track record of providing healthcare savings; this is an area that manufacturers can control and they do. The study surveyed 1, 508 employers from a variety of industries and regions and 1,412 full time employees. Findings indicated that economic changes have decreased employee loyalty, job satisfaction and increased frustration. Findings also suggest that benefits, particularly those which allow the employee to have choice and customization, are key drivers in developing employee loyalty. This is critical information to deliver to our members who are focused on competitiveness and quality, said MMA Chief Executive Officer Chuck Hadden. Looking at what benefits are valued can make all the difference for Michigan manufacturers not only for recruiting but retaining the most highly skilled workforce.

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20 Industrial Briefs
Rockford - Wolverine Worldwide reported record financial results for the third quarter ended September 10, 2011, with double-digit growth in both revenue and earnings per share and record operating margin. Lansing - Gov. Rick Snyder appointed John D. Quackenbush to serve as chair of the three-member Michigan Public Service Commission.The commission provides regulatory oversight of Michigan's utilities and works to ensure communities have safe and reliable energy, telecommunication and transportation services at reasonable prices. Kalamazoo - Bill Main, President and CEO of Landscape Forms, announced his planned retirement from the company at the end of 2014 and named Richard E. Heriford, former VP of Sales and Marketing, to succeed him as president, effective immediately. Main, who has led Landscape Forms since 1994, will become Executive Chairman. In his new role, Main will chair the Board of Directors and maintain a direct reporting relationship with the new president during a three-year transition designed to ensure seamless continuity in culture, strategy and operations. During that period he will remain active in investor relations, special projects, and company representation to customers and the landscape architecture profession. Manschester - Amcor Rigid Plastics, the world's leading producer of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) packaging, is ready to unseat glass as the dominant material in 24oz wide mouth food containers. The industry leader in hot fill technology sees major market opportunities for its newly introduced 24oz round, wide mouth PET jar for the food industry. The stock hot fill container is a lightweight replacement for glass for pasta sauces, apple sauce, salsas, jams and jellies, and other food products filled at temperatures up to 205 F. Holland- Jason Mulder is the new Power Deck Sales Manager at HD Safety Systems. The Power Deck is a cargo and pallet positioning system designed for Mercedes and Freightliner Sprinter vans, Ford E-Series, Chevy Express, Nissan NV and other delivery vehicles. Zeeland - Gentex Corporation has announced that its auto-dimming rearview mirrors are available on the OPEL/Vauxhall 2012 Astra GTC, Zafira Tourer, and Ampera. The Astra GTC and Zafira Tourer also offer the SmartBeam high-beam assist system. The vehicles are available in the European markets. Auburn Hills - United Solar announces the largest installation of solar photovoltaics (PV) on a waste landfill in the world. The one megawatt installation is located at the Hickory Ridge Solid Waste Landfill in Conley, Georgia and is viewable during take-off and landing at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. The closed landfill is owned and maintained by Republic Services of Phoenix, Arizona. The integrated system consisting of nearly 7,000 UNI-SOLAR PVL-144 modules over 10-acres of landfill cover is a complete geomembrane cap closure system. The project is expected to provide a carbon offset of 1,374 metric tons per year. In addition, the annual energy generation is enough to supply over 200 households with electricity each year. Arlington Heights, IL ITW Muller, a leading manufacturer of both innovative stretch wrap equipment and high quality stretch wrap film, has won this years Environmental Impact Award from Greener Package. ITW Mullers OctoMAX monitoring system, used on the Octopus 303 rotary ring stretchwrapping machine, won the award in the Packaging Machinery Category for its consistent optimized use of stretch wrap. The Greener Package Award honors top innovations in five categories relating to sustainable packaging. South Bend, IN - The St. Joseph County Airport Authority announced that the South Bend Airport (SBN) has been awarded a grant in the amount of $750,000 under the US Department of Transportation Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP). The airport was among 29 airports across the nation to receive grants awarded through the $15 Million, 2011 program. St Louis, MO Graybar, a leading distributor of electrical, communications and data networking products and provider of related supply chain management and logistics services, announced that on September 28, 2011 it entered into a $500 million, five year unsecured revolving line of credit. Bank of America Merrill Lynch was the lead institution in the transaction, with PNC, U.S. Bank, SunTrust Bank and J.P. Morgan acting as joint lead arrangers. Commerce Bank, Regions Bank, Wells Fargo, Fifth Third Bank, Comerica and UMB also participated in the transaction. The deal was marketed and priced without requiring Graybar to encumber any of its assets. Grand Rapids - Steelcase Inc announced that the company was included among the top 10 organizations honored by the American Society for Training and Development's BEST awards competition. This honor recognizes Steelcase's success driving innovation through employee training, specifically in the development of the node chair.

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21 Ten Tips for Planning a Successful Catered Event

By Katie Hurst Do you anticipate planning a catered event at some point in your career? Whether you happily volunteer to plan the company retreat or draw the short stick and get stuck planning the office holiday party, here are some simple rules that you can follow to make your event a success. Book dates as early as possible. Many weddings and large business events are booked a year or two in advance, especially if the event will be held on a weekend. Become familiar with the facilitys policies on deposits, contracts, and cancellations. Make sure the event planner has all of your contact information, and that you have theirs. Ask for the square footage of the space you are renting, not just about capacity limits. To increase their profits, many facilities will try to fit way too many people into a room. Each guest should have at least two feet of table space, so they are not bumping elbows while eating. Reserve hotel rooms if attendees will be coming from out of town. Many hotels set up room blocks for large events, with no obligation. If rooms are not reserved, they are released back into inventory, and you are not charged for them. It is always better to reserve a hotel room and cancel the reservation (before the cancelation deadline, of course) than to try to reserve a room at the last minute, only to discover every hotel in town is booked. Know what you want, but be open to the experts opinions. Its your event, but the expert knows what works and what doesnt. For example, your event planner will likely tell you that allowing guests to choose between five entre choices will make for very slow service. Believe them! Guests would rather have limited choices than wait 45 minutes to be served. Keep dietary needs in mind when planning the menu. A good rule of thumb, when planning a large event, is to offer a vegetarian option. Be sure to ask guests if they have food allergies, then make the necessary accommodations for those who do. Also, keep the age of your guests in mind when choosing menu options and portion sizes. Schedule a tasting with the chef so you know exactly what to expect with the menu. An arranged meeting provides a great opportunity for you to ask for the chefs input on what will be in season during your event. The local food movement is very big right now, and many caterers prefer to use fresh produce over frozen items packaged half way around the world. Be sure to ask the chef if the meal you have chosen would be better served plated, family style, or on a buffet. Consider all beverage options. Many facilities will offer you the option of paying for each individual drink or purchasing a beverage package. This goes for soft drinks, beer and wine, or full liquor options. If you presume your attendees will drink heavily, then purchasing a beverage package and paying a set amount per person might be more cost-effective. Serving alcohol at business events has become very common, but it can also be problematic. If you are worried about attendees drinking too much, consider issuing drink tickets to limit each persons consumption. Collect RSVPs early. You will be required to provide an estimated attendee count when booking, and a guaranteed count about a week before the event. Every facility has different rules on guaranteed counts, so be sure to ask. It may not seem like a big deal if the count is off by a few people, but the count is used to schedule staff and order food, so it needs to be exact. Be aware that you may be charged for guests who do not show up. Know your event budget and stick to it. Remember to include tax and gratuity in your event budget. An automatic service charge is added for all banquets; be sure to ask what the percentage is. If you are using an offsite caterer, a delivery or set up fee might be required. Ask for a pre-invoice, including all charges, to avoid surprises on the final bill. Keep communication lines open. If you need to access the event room early, to setup or decorate, inform the event planner and take measures to ensure that the room will be accessible. Also, when you arrive at the facility, introduce yourself to the banquet coordinator or server, so they know who to go to with any questions. Then, the only thing left to do is to sit back, relax, and enjoy the event you worked so hard to coordinate! Katie Hurst is the sales and marketing coordinator for Boulevard Inn & Bistro. She can be reached at: (269) 9836600 ext. 4715, or catherinehurst@theboulevardinn.com.

Plan The Ultimate Event.

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Hotels/Restaurants Briefs
Lansing Michigan craft breweries were awarded five medals at the 30th Annual Great American Beer Festival (GABF) Competition. Michigan Brewers Guild member received the following awards: GOLD: Expedition Stout Bells Brewery, Comstock. Category: Aged Beer; Mangalista Pig Porter Right Brain Brewery, Traverse City, Category: Experimental Beer; SILVER: Blue Sunday New Holland Brewing Company, Holland. Category: Belgian Style Lambic or Sour Ale; Cream Stout Redwood Brewing Company, Flint. Category: Sweet Stout; BRONZE: Pin Up Blonde Bastone Brewery, Royal Oak, Category: Belgian & French Style Ale. In addition to the individual beer medals presented, Shorts Brewing Company out of Bellaire was recognized for the Best Booth at this years festival. Traverse City - The Grand Traverse Resort & Spa reports that Director of Sales, Colleen Brzozowski has been selected by the Traverse City Business News as one of this years 40 Under 40, an annual list highlighting the forty most influential individuals in the region under age 40. Mackinac Island - Mission Point Resort announces the transition of Zoann Andress from her current role as Wedding Sales Manager to the new position of Sales Manager. Andress will be based out of the resort's Southeast Michigan offices.

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616-957-0100

22 How to Hire a Caterer

By Dave Hoogterp A company celebrating an important event like an open house for a new facility or an awards banquet for employees, often hires a caterer to help make such occasions a success. These special moments in the life of a company need to run as smoothly as possible, from keeping overhead costs low to having a punctual caterer who can deliver exceptional service and sumptuous cuisine. Because the catering can largely influence the mood of an event, a great deal of care should go into selecting the right caterer. The following suggestions will help you assess caterers when planning your next event: Request references from recent events and ask about awards. If the caterer is not willing to provide you with references, watch for the red flag. If they can provide testimonials from recent clients, wonderful!but then again, who isnt going to present you with their happy customer list? To skirt the client list provided by the caterer, ask the caterer if they have won any awards. Awards are a great way to find out if the caterer provides a consistent level of high quality service. Did they win any awards for catering specifically? You might even ask if they have won awards related to outstanding customer service. Get information in writing. When working with the caterer to determine the items which would work best for your event, ask for a written proposal. Does the quote include china or disposable dinnerware? Linens? Service staff? Set-up? Look for a proposal that is allinclusive with no hidden fees. If you are comparison shopping, make sure you are comparing apples to apples. For example, one proposal for bar catering services might be less expensive than another, but items like mixers for the bar, server trays, etc., might not have been included in the estimate. By the time any additional necessary items are tacked on, what was the cheaper better proposal now may ring 30 percent higher than the other all-inclusive quote. Feel comfortable with your caterer. To help settle your uneasiness about whether a certain caterer will meet the expectations for your event, consider a few things beforehand: *Did the caterer answer the phone during business hours? If not, did they return the call within an acceptable time frame? If they are poor at communicating right out of the gate, it might be indicative of how the planning process will go. *Is the caterer open to meeting with you in person to discuss possibilities for your event? You want someone that is just as excited about your special occasion. *Ask for a tasting to determine what type of food will make your event a success. A corporate BBQ is very different from a service awards dinner. *Question how long the management team has been with the catering company, and if they use their own staff or contracted labor. This will tell you a lot about the commitment they will have to championing your event. In the end, it all boils down to the comfort level between you and your caterer. A little research up front will help you find that distinctive catererthat one who can focus entirely on the catering aspect of the event, so that you can make sure every other detail is perfectly in place. Dave Hoogterp is sales manager of Above & Beyond Catering with offices in Norton Shores, Holland and Grand Rapids. He can be reached at 616.558.6518 or by email: dhoogterp@above-beyond.com.

Hotels/Restaurants Briefs
Southfield - Diversified Restaurant Holdings announced its recent hiring of Lupita Distaso as Vice President of Purchasing. She will be responsible for all purchasing functions for DFRH with a concentration on the company's fastgrowing concept Bagger Dave's Legendary Burger Tavern(TM). Peshawbeston The Economic Development Corporation of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians announced the appointment of Richard Bailey as Chief Executive Officer. Bailey, a Tribal Member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, has been a valued employee of Grand Traverse Resort & Casinos for 15 years, and brings over 20 years of professional experience in gaming industry operations. Grand Rapids Suburban Inns promoted David Schroeder as its new director of operations. Schroeder will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company and all of its holdings. Grand Rapids Locally owned Essence Restaurant Group, owner of The Green Well Gastro Pub and Bistro Bella Vita, announces that its newest establishment Grove, opened September 20. The menu focuses on three- and four-course meals with first courses ranging from $5-13 and artisan snacks in the $6 range. Main courses range from $17-29 and feature center-of-plate proteins with in-season accompaniments, mainly from sustainable sources.

Next Month Topics Family Owned Business Continuing Education Financing Plastics/Steel Supply Interior Design Independant Living To be involved call 616-583-1577

Solar Panels Generate Energy at the Green Well Gastro Pub

Grand Rapids - The Green Well Gastro Pub is now generating energy from a solar panel array, as part of the Consumers Energy endeavor, SmartStreet. The year-long pilot project, centered in Grand Rapids' East Hills community, was initiated in December 2010 to preview the ways Consumers Energy would meet growing energy demands with smart meter technology, energy efficiency programs, and renewable energy options. The Green Well site at 924 Cherry Street combines the synergy of smart meter technology, energy efficiency, and energy generation. Inside the establishment, customers can view a short video about SmartStreet and watch a display that shows how much energy is being generated by the new solar panels on the roof (1.44 kW at peak output). Cascade Renewable Energy, a division of Grand Rapids-based Cascade Engineering, provided engineering and design services for the system installation. UNI-SOLAR served as the primary equipment provider of the solar panel system. "The Green Well's culture and commitment to sustainability, as well as its roof-access to the sun, made it an ideal site for the solar demonstration," said Kristin van Reesema, SmartStreet project manager. The Green Well is among 60 homes and commercial properties participating in the SmartStreet program. Participants have received energy audits, energyefficient lighting, energy-efficient smart appliances (installed in selected homes), and smart meters (to replace all electric meters). With the use of web portals and display units, participants can track and actively control their energy usage in near-real time, making it possible to save energy and save money.

Does Your Travel Agent Pr ovide Your Company :

A company Frequent Flier program that compliments personal frequent fliers plans. A 24 hour grace period after tickets have been issued to avoid the airline penalty of $150 A corporate car rental program that guarantees a car even when locations are sold out An evening and weekend emergency center staffed 24 hours. A corporate rate hotel program with over 120,000 properties. If not call Mike Malaney at Travel Leaders 616-942-2860.

Corporate Information
Lansing - Gov. Rick Snyder appointed John Enkemann, Donald Hicks, Ralph Hodek, Richard Miller, Kassandra Renneberg and Leslie Rodwell to the State Fire Safety Board. Lansing - Gov. Rick Snyder appointed James Barrett to the Michigan Civil Service Commission. Duties of the fourmember commission include regulating the conditions of employment in classified service and determining compensation rates. Lansing - Gov. Rick Snyder announced the re-appointments of Richard Janssens and Herbert Miller to the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee. The committee oversees the soybean marketing program. Lansing. - Gov. Rick Snyder appointed Norma Huizar to the Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan. Grand Rapids The W.K. Kellogg Foundation has committed a $4.5 million grant to Strong Beginnings to continue reducing infant mortality and low birth weight among African Americans. Funding will also help address structural racism in the community which is thought to be a leading factor in health disparities among African-Americans. The W.K. Kellogg Foundation grant will enable up to 800 women to be served annually and will expand efforts to engage the community by addressing racial equity. Grand Rapids - Lambert, Edwards & Associates announced it has promoted Brad Van Houte to associate within the firm's Financial Communications Practice. Van Houte will support the account teams for several of the firm's key investor relations clients. Grand Rapids - The Grand Rapids Symphony and its musicians, members of the Grand Rapids Federation of Musicians Local 56, have agreed to a four-year labor contract. The contract continues a wage freeze followed by modest increases over the life of the agreement. Grand Rapids - The Grand Rapids Public Library announced that its eBook collection is now compatible with Amazon Kindle. Patrons can now download popular and classic eBooks to a Kindle device or any mobile device running the free Kindle app, such as iPhone, iPad, Android, and more. Battle Creek Paula Young, marketing coordinator for Battle Creek Unlimited, was awarded the prestigious Catherine Durda Advertising Award at the annual meeting of the National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones, in New Orleans, LA. The award recognized Young for merit in Foreign-Trade Zone advertising. Grand Rapids - Kantorwassink is being recognized in the 2011 Print Magazine Regional Design Annual - a collection of art and design that represents the pinnacle of design accomplishment - for their work with Steelcase and the 2011 ADDY Awards collateral for the AAFWM. Grand Rapids -The Better Business Bureau of Western Michigan welcomes new President/CEO Phil Catlett. Catlett served as Vice-President and General Manager of area radio stations for more than 20 years, and recently has worked with public media development projects. Lansing - Gov. Rick Snyder announced appointments to the Michigan CitizenCommunity Emergency Response Coordinating Council which supports and enhances Michigans homeland security, community health, public safety and all hazard preparedness with responsible planning and leadership. Marc Breckenridge is appointed. Crime Victim Services Commission works to increase and enhance victim assistance in communities throughout Michigan. Donald Condit and Victor Fitz are appointed. ST Joseph - Gary Tipton, president and creative director of Perry Ballard Incorporated, was recently elected president of The Agency Group (TAG), a national consortium for owners of midsize advertising agencies from non-competing markets. Tipton brings more than 33 years of design and creative leadership to his new role. Grand Rapids - LEAD Marketing Agency has recently negotiated and secured an endorsement agreement between Detroit Lions star receiver Calvin Johnson (#81), and their client, Branns Sizzling Steaks & Sports Grille. Grand Rapids - WOOD TV announced the hiring of Marlee Ginter. She joins 24 Hour News 8 from Seattle, WA where she worked as an anchor/reporter at the ABC Affiliate, KOMO TV. Ginter is set to co-anchor 24 Hour News 8 at 10pm on WXSP alongside Brian Sterling.
By Rolf getAbstract Dobelli, Chairman,

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Lansing -Motion Marketing & Media (M3) has hired three full-time team members to expand one of their two creative teams. Ryan Knott (The Jammer), Mary McElgunn (Design Chica) and Samskee deBourbon (Internet Explorer) join the ranks at one of Lansings fastest growing full-service advertising, marketing, public relations and social media agencies. Fort Wayne, IN - Boyden & Youngblutt Advertising and Marketing (B&Y) has announced that it's taken an equity position in King + Knight (K+K), a leading digital shop that specializes in web, mobile and business application development. K+K was founded by Mike King in 2011. King cut his teeth in the digital world by leading the business development efforts for Aptera, a Fort Waynebased web and software development company. Grand Rapids Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids, Inc. recently elected new board officers and announced new board inductees for its Board of Directors. Board Member Kurt V. Lacks, Lacks Enterprises, Inc, Secretary of the Board of Directors. Ginny Seyferth, Seyferth & Associates, Inc, Member at Large. New Board of Directors inductees who will serve two 3-year terms include Steve Harney, Full Circle Marketing and Design; Karen Morris, Meijer, Inc.; D. Wade McConnell, Schnelker, Rassi & McConnell, PLC; and Renee Williams, Huntington National Bank. Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids, Inc. also recently announced Denise Sherwood as Chief Development Officer. Grand Rapids - The Grand Rapids Public Library spent the week of October 16-22, 2011 celebrating its Friends of the Library group as part of the fifth annual celebration of National Friends of Libraries Week. In the past year, the Friends have granted $33,221 to support library materials and programs. The money is raised solely through sales in the Friends Book Store.

Review of The Next Boom

the big picture. He mines his vast knowledge of how the world works now to suggest how it might work in 2025. Plunkett describes current conditions in research, education, nanotechnology, communications and demographics, and links them to underscore his belief that sustained economic growth awaits just over the horizon. However strong his argument, his grasp of the present sometimes dominates his idea of the future, and he may rely on factoids when a more unified narrative would be extra convincing. An optimist, Plunkett sees opportunity everywhere. Some might regard this as willful blindness, others as a precise guide to the next new thing. getAbstract recommends this far-reaching panorama to anyone deciding where to invest and wondering about the shape of things to come. Jack W. Plunkett. The Next Boom: What You Absolutely, Positively Have to Know About the World Between Now and 2025. Plunkett Research, 2011. 274 pages. List Price: $29.99. ISBN-13: 9781608799992 getAbstract is the leading provider of business book summaries, with thousands of titles covered. www.getabstract.com

Corporate adviser Jack W. Plunkett compiles and publishes almanacs, such as the Engineering & Research Almanac and the Telecommunications Almanac. His long career of generating such overviews uniquely qualifies him as a specialist on