Business

Debbie Shelley Retires After 44 Years at The Craft Agency After 44 years of service, Operations & Finance Manager, Debbie Shelley is set to retire on March 31st, 2023. Throughout the years, Debbie has been one of the most diligent, assertive, determined workers to ever step foot in The Craft Agency, Inc. She has made many wonderful friends through the family business, most of which have been lifelong friendships. We were honored to throw Debbie a surprise retirement party, with all her retired colleagues and family members to celebrate alongside us. During the party, Debbie recalled her initial interview for the Operations & Finance Manager position, many years ago. In the winter of 1979, Debbie was an ambitious 22-year-old, straight from the big city of Detroit. She walked into The Craft Agency, Inc’s home office on W Michigan Ave, all dressed to the nines. She sat down with Jim Craft, and he knew before her interview that he wanted to hire her. Debbie’s next adventure is to travel the country with her sister, Tina, in their new truck and their 32-foot travel trailer. Their first stop on the road being California, and soon after retirement, a family trip to Italy.…

Commonwealth Associates new headquarters in Downtown Jackson.  JTV photo. (March 3, 2023 12:20 PM) Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to announce two business expansion projects expected to create a total of 140 new jobs and generate private investment of $10.4 million have received support from the Michigan Strategic Fund. The projects are in Jackson and Warren.  “Today's expansions in Jackson and Warren by Commonwealth Associates and Home Depot will create and support 140 new good-paying jobs and build on our economic momentum,” said Governor Whitmer. “Let’s keep working together to grow our economy and create good-paying jobs. Our bipartisan economic development tools helped us bring home $17 billion of projects securing 15,500 jobs.”  Commonwealth Associates, Inc., headquartered in Jackson, is an electrical engineering consulting firm whose primary services include engineering and design, consulting, and planning and studies. The company also provides expert licensing and design services for power generation, electric distribution line, transmission line, and substation projects, plus projects involving renewable energy. Inc  Commonwealth continues to grow as it expands into new industries and locations. The company has purchased and renovated the recently vacated four-story Comerica Bank facility in downtown Jackson that will serve as its…

ORS Opens New 6,000 Sq. Ft. Physical Therapy Center Orthopaedic Rehab Specialists has opened a new physical therapy facility at 214 N. West Avenue in Suite B in Jackson.  The company moved into the new space and opened for business on Monday, December 5th. It is the 7th new clinic location to open for ORS since 2017, and the 3rd new local facility in the Jackson area in that same timeframe (ORS Foot, Ankle & Running Center, ORS Napoleon, and the new ORS West Avenue locations). ORS is accepting new patients at all 11 clinic locations.  The teams from ORS Page Avenue and ORS Total Joint Rehabilitation have moved and combined forces. They are now sharing the space in this new ORS West Avenue clinic. This location provides a bigger, more open space, with better functionality, helping improve our staff’s ability to provide even better care while supporting the truly patient-centered service ORS patients have come to expect. This clinic strives to create a positive environment, filled with collaboration and teamwork to ensure best patient outcomes possible. ORS was founded in Jackson in 1987 when they opened the first clinic at 113 S. East Avenue, and now the company has 11 clinic locations throughout mid-Michigan in Lansing, Jackson, Ann Arbor and…

Governor Names Monique Zantop to Michigan Parents’ Council  Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced Monique Zantop, of Jackson,  has been named to the Michigan Parents’ Council, an advisory group the governor established to more formally bring parents into the education budget process for the first time in Michigan history. The council will build on Governor Whitmer’s inclusion of the parent perspective in the most recent education budget she signed for the current 2022-2023 school year. The council represents parents from across Michigan, as well as parents of students with a variety of educational needs. The council will convene a series of regional parent roundtables to gather input.   "Parents are their children’s first and most important teacher, and we need their input to help our kids thrive in school," said Governor Whitmer. "Today, I am proud to announce the members of the Michigan Parents’ Council who will represent the parent perspective and ensure that parents have an empowered seat at the table in Michigan. We need parents’ perspectives to help our kids learn in-person, tackle unfinished learning, and get on track for long-term success. The bipartisan education budget I just signed delivers record resources to our schools, and with the input of Michigan parents, we can…

Greater Jackson Habitat for Humanity announces new Executive Director  Greater Jackson Habitat for Humanity (GJHFH) is pleased to present Sheila Everts as the new Executive Director, beginning this week. Evert’s background includes over ten years in the mortgage industry, serving as a financial counselor at Community Action Agency, and most recently as Community Education Ambassador with True Community Credit Union. In addition, Everts has served as the Treasurer on Habitat’s Board of Directors for six years. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in business with a concentration in management and a Masters in organization leadership. She is currently earning a PhD in strategic leadership. Departing Executive Director, Wendy Clow, says, “It’s been an honor to lead Greater Jackson Habitat for Humanity for the past five years. I couldn’t be prouder of our staff and board for the accomplishments and progress we’ve made toward chipping away at the affordable housing problems in Jackson. Sheila was a natural choice to step into this role and keep the momentum going. She’s a phenomenal leader, she knows Habitat well, and she has a passion for serving in Jackson.” Sheila Everts: “I’m very excited and honored to have been chosen to be Habitat’s Executive Director. I…

Southern Michigan Bank & Trust Welcomes New Additions to Jackson Market Team John Waldron, Jackson Market President of Southern Michigan Bank & Trust (SMBT) recently announced the appointment of Bill Jors, Senior Vice President Commercial Loan Officer; Angela Job, Commercial Lending Specialist; Alison Kreger, Credit Analyst; and Brooke Miles, Commercial Loan Administrative Assistant. Bill Jors earned a bachelor’s degree from Spring Arbor College and brings thirty-plus years of community banking experience in the Jackson area to his new role at Southern. Most recently, Jors was Vice President of Business Development at County National Bank (CNB) before joining Southern as Senior Vice President Commercial Loan Officer. He has also hosted a Jackson Community Banking radio show on WKHM970 am for 22 years sharing his knowledge and experience. A lifelong resident of the area, Jors was Mayor of the City of Jackson from 2016-2017. He previously served as a board member of the Jackson Area Association of Realtors, Jackson Community Foreclosure Task Force, Jackson Economic Development Corporation, and Jackson Downtown Development Authority. Jors currently sits on the boards of Habitat for Humanity, Ella Sharp Museum, and the Jackson District Library. He has one daughter, Amanda, and is engaged to be married in…

Jackson Area Career Center Announces New Principal The Jackson County Intermediate School District is announcing new leadership at the Jackson Area Career Center for the 2022-23 school year. Mr. Dan Draper will serve as the career and technical education center’s new principal. Dr. Mark Pogliano, who served as principal of the Career Center for nearly ten years, will not be returning in the fall as he has accepted the Assistant Superintendent position at Penta Career Center in northern Ohio. Mr. Draper previously served as the Career Center’s Assistant Principal of CTE and Academic Programs, a position he was hired for in July 2014. Previous to that, Mr. Draper spent ten years with the Hanover-Horton School District; first serving as a Math/Pre-engineering teacher, then Assistant Principal/Athletic Director, and High School Principal in his last year. Mr. Draper also oversees the Jackson Area College & Career Connection Early/Middle College (JAC3), a Career Center program that earned him “Educator of the Year” by the Jackson Area Manufacturers Association in 2019. “We are fortunate to have Dan Draper step into the role of Principal after being an Assistant Principal at JACC for the past eight years,” said Jackson County ISD Superintendent Kevin Oxley. “Lauren…

County National Bank Announces Jackson Market Promotions Craig S. Connor, President and CEO of County National Bank (“CNB”), is pleased to announce the recent promotion of two members of the CNB Team in the Jackson Market, Tony Baker and Robert Wrozek. “Tony and Bob’s promotions are well-deserved. These talented and dedicated individuals help bolster an already strong CNB Executive Team.” Connor stated. “Jackson County has had a recent history of financial institutions not maintaining their commitment to the people of this county.  At CNB, we continue to be proud of our 20 years of service in the Jackson area. I look to the future with confidence and optimism knowing these skilled and committed bankers are continuing to guide our efforts within this very important market.” Robert Wrozek has been promoted to Vice President – Jackson Market Leader. Bob started with CNB in 2004 as a Management Trainee.  His 17-year banking career includes branch management, business development, and commercial lending.  Bob is a graduate of Adrian College and is very active in the community with the Southwest Little League, The Exchange Club of Jackson, The Dahlem Center, and Junior Achievement.  He is the varsity softball coach at Lumen Christi High School…

County National Bank Expanding and Relocating in Jackson County County National Bank announced that they will be converting their current loan production office at 2001 Spring Arbor Road in Jackson to a full-service branch. This full-service branch opened last week.  A grand opening celebration will be held on July 7, 2022. CNB also announced plans to relocate the existing Spring Arbor Branch from 119 West Main Street in Spring Arbor to their recently completed location at the Village Crossing Plaza, 7845 Spring Arbor Road in Spring Arbor.  CNB will continue to provide the Spring Arbor community full-service banking with lobby, drive-thru, and ATM service at this new location beginning on July 11, 2022.   Printer Source Plus Opens Satellite Office in Albion Printer Source Plus announced the opening of a satellite office in Albion.  The new office is located at 403 S. Superior St. in the same building that houses the Greater Albion Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau. Printer Source Plus, founded 2006 under the name Rapid Refill, is a family owned and operated office solutions business focused on high-quality, sustainable office printing and copying machines as well as ink & toner for both the commercial and residential markets. In…