Monthly Archives: January 2014

Allegiance Health President and CEO Georgia Fojtasek provided new details on the proposed affiliation of Allegiance Health and the University of Michigan Health System.  In December, a letter of intent was signed by both parties that will lead to Allegiance Health becoming a member of the UMHS.  Fojtasek announced it may take the entire year for the parties to negotiate all the details and clear all the regulatory hurdles.  The Graduate Medical Education program and the Level II Trauma programs will continue to go forward in the merger.  Fojtasek has received generally positive reaction from the community since the announcement.  Other guests:  Jackson County Airport Manager Kent Maurer;  Mindy Bradish-Orta, President of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce;  Dan Machnik, Willis & Machnik Financial Services;  Ric Walton, The Walton Agency. Program Note:  Friday's show will replay on Monday, January 20th.

Enterprise Group CEO Tim Rogers reported progress in economic growth in Jackson County in 2013.  More than $130 million was invested in new and expanding business, including equipment and construction investments.  Nearly 400 jobs were added during the same period.  His outlook for 2014 is optimistic, with several projects in the works in IT, manufacturing and service sectors.  Other guests:  Cindy Allen, Vice President of Administration, Jackson College;  Andy Woell, General Materials with "Builder Walk";  Liz Niles, American 1 Credit Union.  American 1 gave back to the community over $110,000 in sponsorships and donations in 2013;  Meet the JTV Staff with producer Abigail Copelin;  Michigan Theatre Executive Director Steve Tucker.  The theatre hosted over 40,000 visitors in 2013 for various movies and events and set a record for amount of programming provided.

Jackson's Deputy Fire Chief Dave Wooden shared the story of a newly minted Eagle Scout receiving a scholarship of $5,400 at his Court of Honor ceremony last week.  Timothy D. Johnson's Eagle Scout Project honors fallen area police officers and firefighters who died in the line of duty.  Complete coverage on MLive.  Other guests:  Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Shelly Hendrick;  Middle School at Parkside teacher Connie Tisch with students Adam Sawyer, Thomas Belloli, Michael Bryant and Kevin Rodriquez on their recent community service projects;  Meet the Staff with producer/Creative Director Brandon Dowley;  Lee Hampton, Jackson College Director of Multicultural Relations;  Pet of the Week with Sue Lovell, Cascades Humane Society.