Business

County National Bank Announces Promotions and New Team Member Joseph R. Williams, President and CEO of County National Bank, is pleased to announce the recent promotions of three CNB team members and the addition of a commercial lender. Ron Haber has been promoted to Regional Vice President – Commercial Loan Officer. Ron joined CNB in June of 2005 as 2nd Vice President – Commercial Loans for our Lenawee market. Ron has been in banking for over 44 years and has developed many key business relationships that have resulted in the steady growth of his loan portfolio. He is very active in the Hudson Community and Lenawee County through many different organizations and looks forward to increasing his involvement in Hillsdale County. Kelly Lantis has been promoted to Vice President – Hillsdale Market Executive & Commercial Credit Officer. Kelly joined CNB in 1988 and currently manages the Credit Department, which she helped establish in 1988. As Hillsdale Market Executive, Kelly will continue to oversee the commercial credit and processing functions, as well as focusing on overall Business Development and continued growth of the Hillsdale Market. Kelly is very active in the community and serves on several local boards, including the Hillsdale…

Tom Jurasek, CEO (left) and Andrew J Gissal, COO & EOS Implementer, Bearex.  Courtesy photo. (April 6, 2023 10:25 AM ET) Three Jackson County companies are among the 2023 Michigan Celebrates Small Business Award winners to be honored during the 19th annual Michigan Celebrates Small Business Gala on May 2, 2023.  The event will host over 800 guests at the Breslin Center in East Lansing to celebrate the achievements of this year’s award recipients. Bearex, a leading data analytics and aggregation company based in Jackson, has been recognized as one of the 2023 awardees for the Best Small Business Award, presented by Michigan Celebrates Small Business.     “On behalf of the entire team, we are honored to receive this award,” said Tom Jurasek, CEO of Bearex. “We have worked tirelessly for our clients and winning this award motivates us to continue this work knowing we are adding value to their business.” Launched in 2022, Bearex’s custom data platforms and EOS solutions allow manufacturing companies to collect information in real-time, delivering actionable insights that optimize machine performance, reduce downtime and improve overall machine efficiency. Additionally, Bearex products are designed to integrate with existing machinery, which allows small to midsize manufacturers to…

SeaLandAire Technologies, Inc. team members pose in front of the company’s Jackson headquarters. (April 6, 2023 10:16 AM ET) Three Jackson County companies are among the 2023 Michigan Celebrates Small Business Award winners to be honored during the 19th annual Michigan Celebrates Small Business Gala on May 2, 2023.   The event will host over 800 guests at the Breslin Center in East Lansing to celebrate the achievements of this year’s award recipients. SeaLandAire Technologies, Inc. will be honored with the APEX Accelerator Best Small Business Award.  SeaLandAire Technologies, Inc. offers engineering research and development services concentrating on small, unmanned vehicles and sensor systems deployed in remote, rugged environments.   SeaLandAire Technologies, Inc., is a privately-owned small business founded in Jackson in 1997.  SLA has more than 25 years of experience in conducting cutting edge engineering research and development, primarily for the Department of Defense.  The company employs approximately 60 personnel who design, develop, and build products tailored to assist their customers in collecting information from any environment, focusing on small unmanned vehicles and sensor systems. With a history in developing unmanned sensors for the U.S. Navy's Airborne Anti-Submarine Warfare mission, as well as unmanned craft capable of operating in…

Robert and Yvette Wilkie at RJ’s Metropolitan Ice Cream Co. Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening.  JTV file photo. (April 6, 2023 10:10 AM ET) Three Jackson County companies are among the 2023 Michigan Celebrates Small Business Award winners to be honored during the 19th annual Michigan Celebrates Small Business Gala on May 2, 2023.  The event will host over 800 guests at the Breslin Center in East Lansing to celebrate the achievements of this year’s award recipients. RJ’s Metropolitan Ice Cream Co. will be honored with the SBDC Best Small Business Award.  RJ’s is a “One Stop Fun Shop” offering burgers, fries, ice cream and milkshakes in Downtown Jackson. They have a strong focus on providing a great customer experience that reminds guests of their best childhood memories.  RJ’s Metropolitan Ice Cream Co. began in 2014 as RJ’s Heavenly Delights founded by Robert and Yvette Wilkie. “This award means a lot to us, we’re truly honored and humbled to receive this award,” said Robert Wilkie. “We’ve put a lot of work into our business, to grow and evolve it. We wanted our business to be a destination one stop fun shop for our customers. It’s all about the experience at RJ’s.”…

(March 28, 2023 11:22 AM ET) Kurt Robertson of Studio One Photography in Jackson has earned the Photographic Craftsman degree from Professional Photographers of America (PPA). The degree will be presented to Robertson M Photog. Cr. at the association’s annual convention, Imaging USA, held in Lexington KY. The Craftsman degree is an achievement of the highest caliber. It means that Robertson has met the standards of excellence set by PPA. He has been awarded the Photographic Craftsman degree in recognition of his service to the photographic profession as an orator, author, and mentor. In 2023, there were only 48 recipients. Robertson’s degree—and all the expertise it requires—illustrates his accomplishments and talent as one of a select few.  The Photographic Craftsman (Cr.Photog.) degree is awarded to photographers for their service as a speaker, author or mentor.  This degree shows that the photographer has gone beyond the creation of images and dedicated time to move the industry forward and encourage education. Kurt at Studio One specializes in Senior, Children's, and Family portraits that tell the story of the clients he is photographing. Robertson says portraits are how we stop time for a moment and return to the day when the portrait was…

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…