Jackson News Briefs August 12, 2022

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 assure you we’re not going to skip a beat. The leadership transition will be smooth, and the plans we’ve put in motion will continue to move forward. I look forward to serving alongside our amazing staff and board and getting to know our partners and supporters.”

County National Bank Announces Vice President and Assistant Vice President Promotions

Craig S. Connor, President and CEO of County National Bank (“CNB”), is pleased to announce the recent promotion of several members of the CNB team. Rachel Emery has advanced to the level of Vice President while Libby Lashwood and Danna Woolsey have both advanced to the level of Assistant Vice President.

Rachel Emery has been promoted to Vice President – Retail Administration Officer. Rachel joined CNB in December of 2019 as Assistant Vice President – Branch Administration Officer, with over 25 years of previous banking experience. With this promotion, Rachel will continue to manage the operational processes and functions of CNB’s retail branches as well as assuming additional responsibilities for leading the business development efforts within the CNB branch network along with Treasury Management Services. Rachel is a graduate of Spring Arbor University with a Master of Business Administration degree and is very active in the community. She enjoys volunteering as a board member with the Boys and Girls Club of Lenawee and also serves as the Sand Creek PTO Treasurer.

Libby Lashwood has been promoted to Assistant Vice President – Treasury Management Officer. Libby joined the CNB Team last September as a Treasury Management Representative with over 20 years of experience in the banking industry. She has been an asset to Treasury Management and brings a solid background in various areas of banking to this role. She graduated from Jackson Community College with an Associates of Applied Science in Business Administration degree and was Treasurer of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Libby volunteers in her community through CNB-sponsored events as well as at Elara Caring Hospice in Adrian and Michigan Center School District. She and her family reside in the Jackson area. 

Danna Woolsey has been promoted to Assistant Vice President – Financial Crimes Officer. Danna joined our Team in August of 2020 as BSA Officer, bringing 20 years of experience in many areas of the banking industry.  Danna has taken on the designations of Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) & Security Officer for the Bank and has implemented many improvements in security & fraud training along with tracking fraudulent transactions. Danna is a graduate of Jackson College with an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration and is certified as a National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions (NAFCU) Compliance Officer.  Her community involvement includes Relay for Life, Domestic Harmony, Jackson County Suicide Prevention Coalition, and FBI Detroit Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association. 

New $20,000 Consumers Energy Foundation Grant to Help Jackson Community Foundation Support Local DEI Efforts

  The Jackson Community Foundation (JCF) is pleased to announce a $20,000 grant from the Consumers Energy Foundation that will boost diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts in the community.

This grant will be used with JCF’s Community Needs Fund to support its Community Impact Grant Round for Program and Operational grants. JCF’s Grant Committee will prioritize funding for organizations to promote learning, action, and advocacy aimed at advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in Jackson County.

This grant is part of $100,000 awarded by the Consumers Energy Foundation to support five community foundations across Michigan that are directly working with local organizations actively engaged in DEI initiatives.

“Community foundations, like the Jackson Community Foundation, are uniquely positioned to identify inequities that exist in their communities and direct funds to make the biggest impact,” said Carolyn Bloodworth, secretary/treasurer of the Consumers Energy Foundation. “The Consumers Energy Foundation is committed to creating equitable, sustainable change by supporting social justice initiatives throughout Michigan, and we’re excited to partner with the Jackson Community Foundation to advance DE&I initiatives in Jackson.”

“JCF is honored to support the Consumers Energy Foundation in their commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and thankful for their alignment of funding in this effort with our Community Impact Program and Operating Grant Round. Together, we are supporting local nonprofits who have made a commitment to advance racial and ethnic justice and strive to further equity for women, veterans, the LGBTQIA+ community, people with mental and physical disabilities and people living in poverty,” said Monica Moser, President & CEO.

For more details regarding this grant round or to apply, www.jacksoncf.org

Jackson Community Foundation Congratulates Spring 2022 Community Impact Grant Recipients 

JCF has announced the Spring 2022 Community Impact Grant Recipients:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jackson County, Inc.: Operational Support, $4,500.00
• Birth Brite: Foster Closet, $10,000.00
• Compassionate Ministries of Jackson County: David’s Promise Life Enrichment Program, $2,000.00
• Great Start Collaborative of Jackson County: Trusted Advisors, $3,440.00
• Grow Jackson: Community Gardens Program, $14,513.62
• Jackson District Library: Storywalk, $17,555.00
• Jackson Interfaith Shelter: A Safe Space for Jackson’s Most Vulnerable, $14,513.61
• Jackson Pride Center: Operational Support, $5,000.00
• Jackson School of the Arts Association: Operational Support,$15,000.00
• MyPlace, Inc.: Operational Support, $10,000.00
• Our Neighbor’s Keeper: Box Truck, $2,000.00
• Shop Rat Foundation, Inc.: Operational Support, $10,000.00

American 1 Awards more than $8,000 to members with Summer Fun Promotion

American 1 Credit Union recently awarded a total of $8,136.42 to members through its Summer Fun Loans promotion.

The Summer Fun Loans promotion, which ran from March 1, 2022 through June 30, 2022, allowed everyone who obtained a loan for a vehicle, RV, boat, jet ski, 4-wheeler, or any other type of closed-end loan the opportunity to win. The promotion included two winners per month, eight winners total, and up to 90-days of no payments on some loans.

“Congratulations to all eight winners – April, Erwin, Lane, Kevin, Pete, Alysia, Paige, and Aaron,” said Kelly Grygiel, VP of Marketing and Community Partnerships at American 1. “We are thankful you chose us for your lending needs, and we hope you enjoy your new summer fun toy!”

Established in 1950, American 1 Credit Union today serves over 61,000 members with branches in Jackson, Washtenaw, Hillsdale, Lenawee, and Wayne counties.  

 Southern Michigan Bank & Trust Announces the Promotion of Kornowicz 

Eric Anglin, Southern Michigan Bank & Trust (SMBT) Executive VP Chief Strategy Officer/Head of Business Development recently announced the promotion of Aimee Kornowicz to Vice President of Municipal Banking. She previously served as Municipal Banking Officer at SMBT, after working in banking and finance for nearly twenty-five years. 

After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from State University of New York at Buffalo, Kornowicz worked in Buffalo, New York until moving to Portage in 2014. She currently resides in Portage with her husband, Dan and they have a daughter studying at Grand Valley State University. 

Kornowicz is involved in municipal and finance organizations around the state. She is certified as an Advanced Certified Public Funds Investment Manager (ACPFIM) and a Certified Financial Educator. She currently serves as a board member for Michigan Women in Finance and is a member of the Kalamazoo County Treasurer’s Association, Michigan Municipal Treasurer’s Association, Michigan Association of County Treasurers, Michigan Government Finance Officers Association, Michigan School Business Administration, and Jackson County Treasurers Association. 

“Aimee has been instrumental in helping us achieve record growth in our municipal portfolio,” said Anglin. “The expertise she has in her respective field is unmatched and a true asset to our customers.” 

 Southern Michigan Bank & Trust operates fourteen branches within Branch, Calhoun, Hillsdale, Kalamazoo and St. Joseph Counties, and recently announced an expansion to Jackson County.