Jackson News Briefs January 23, 2023

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 Jonesville. To schedule an appointment or an evaluation at any of the ORS clinics, call ORS at 877-202-2175 or visit orsmi.com. 

County National Bank Announces New Branch Leadership

Joseph R. Williams, President and CEO of County National Bank (“CNB”), is pleased to announce the recent addition of Jake Johnson as Branch Officer and the promotion of Wilma Roberts to Branch Manager.

Jake Johnson joined CNB in December 2022 as Branch Officer of CNB’s Jackson Street office in downtown Jackson. Jake comes to CNB with a Master of Business Administration in Strategic Leadership from Spring Arbor University and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Baker College of Jackson. Jake has nearly ten years of financial managerial skills and enjoys coaching, training, and motivating high performance teams. Jake is excited for this new opportunity with CNB and is eager to begin supporting operations at the Jackson Street branch.

Wilma Roberts has been promoted to Branch Manager of CNB’s Somerset Center branch. Wilma joined CNB in September of 2008 as a Loan Operations Assistant and transitioned to the Loss Mitigation Department in September of 2012.  In August of 2019, Wilma moved into the retail branch setting when she was awarded a customer service representative position at the Somerset Center office. She has been an asset to our team and has provided exceptional service to our customers.  Wilma is a graduate of the University of Phoenix with an Associate’s Degree in Business. She is on the board of directors and serves on multiple committees for Hospice of Hillsdale County.

Jackson School of the Arts Names New Executive Director

The Jackson School of the Arts Board of Directors is pleased to announce Cherie Good has been named as the new Executive Director, beginning January 23, 2023.

Sarah Ermatinger, Board chair stated, “Cherie’s experience with non-profit boards, leadership skills, business acumen & contagious passion for Jackson, the arts and the kids make her a perfect fit for the role of Executive Director. We are confident that under her leadership, the organization’s continued growth, success and impact in achieving its mission will continue to flourish.”

Cherie is a lifelong resident of Jackson and has been a long-time supporter of Jackson School of the Arts. Her experience in the Jackson community through volunteer work combined with her extensive business background will help to support the continued growth of Jackson School of the Arts.  

 “It is my focus to champion the same energy to ensure that we keep the momentum going! I want to keep our attention around the amazing core mission of the organization – to provide equal access to the arts regardless of financial means.” Good said. 

A committee comprised of Board Members and a Community Representative conducted a search after Carolyn Moser announced her intent to step down as Executive Director in November. In 2019 Carolyn came on board as a contract employee assisting with finances and accounting for JSA. In just two and a half years, Carolyn served as our interim Director then moved into the Executive Director role leading the organization through significant changes, COVID, a Capital Campaign and moving into a new facility.  Moser will continue with JSA as a contract employee resuming her original role providing financial and accounting services.

New Alro Metals Outlet Opens in Grand Rapids

Alro Metals Outlet is pleased to announce the opening of a new location at 4150 Broadmoor Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512.  The 15,000 square-foot store sells a broad range of metals and plastics in a convenient retail setting that is open to the public. Hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Alro Metals Outlet stocks an extensive inventory of carbon steel, aluminum, stainless steel, tool steel, copper, and brass in a variety of shapes: rounds, flats, squares, hex, angles, channels, beam, pipe, tube, sheet, and plate. In addition, customers can purchase plastics. The store stocks acetal, polycarbonate, HDPE, UHMW, nylon and more. The Outlet sells full-length and remnant materials and can shear as well as cut to custom size while you wait. Same day delivery is available in the local Grand Rapids area.

Alro Metals Outlet is a valuable resource that makes buying metal simple and fast for both businesses and individuals. Customers include machine shops, job shops, building contractors, and welders, as well as hobbyists, artists, and do-it-yourselfers. Alro’s knowledgeable team is ready to help and, for added convenience, there are no minimum purchase requirements.

American 1 Credit Union Announces Internal Promotion of Keleigh Ballinger to VP of Branch Operations

American 1 Credit Union has announced the internal promotion of Keleigh Ballinger to the Vice President of Branch Operations.

Ballinger has been with American 1 since July 2018 and has received several promotions. She started at American 1 as a Branch Manager in July 2018 and was promoted to Payment Support Manager in January 2020. She was then promoted to Contact Center Manager in November 2020 and landed her new VP of Branch Operations role in January 2023.

The VP of Branch Operations position provides support and resources to the District Manager team, who oversees all day-to-day operations in all American 1 branch locations and the American 1 Contact Center.

“American 1 has been a great place to work, and the support I have received in my professional development has been outstanding,” said Ballinger. “I look forward to serving our members, employees, and the community in this new role.”

In addition to her Master of Science in Administration from the University of West Florida, Ballinger also brings management and financial industry experience to the American 1 team.

“She will be a great addition to the Member Experience leadership team,” said Carolyn Duncan, Chief Member Experience Officer for American 1. “Keleigh’s leadership through strategic thinking and project management are examples of her success and overall impact at American 1. These skills will set her up for continued success as she moves into her new role.”

American 1 Credit Union Announces Internal Promotion of Pia Allen to Operations Training Manager

American 1 Credit Union has announced the internal promotion of Pia Allen to Operations Training Manager.

Allen has been American 1’s Chelsea Branch Manager for over two years and has over 20 years of experience in the financial industry. She has gone above and beyond as the Chelsea Branch Manager, playing an instrumental role in helping the Training department by coaching and training new hires.

In her new role as Operations Training Manager, Allen is responsible for managing the credit union’s new employee training program, ongoing educational training programs for current staff, new project and program implementations, help desk support, and more.

“I can’t wait to dive in,” said Allen. “I’ve watched and appreciated the Training team from my position at the Chelsea Branch, and to have the opportunity to add to and lead an already great team, is really exciting. In addition, working directly with new trainees allows me to share my passion for the credit union in a new way.”

Allen transitioned to her new role on January 3, 2023. 

“Pia brings incredible experience to the position,” said Tonia White, Chief Employee Experience officer for American 1. “Not only does she have more than 20 years of financial industry experience, but over the last few years, she has demonstrated her commitment to the Training department to help get new employees up to the customer service standards we expect.”

Ken Toll Steps Down from United Way

After more than two decades of United Way service, Chief Operations Officer Ken Toll is moving on.

“Bringing together our three United Ways into the United Way of South Central Michigan has gone better than I could have hoped,” said Toll. “ We have a really strong team in place.” So strong, in fact, that Toll himself proposed doing away with the COO role.

“My first-year focus was on making the integration go as smoothly as possible—and that’s happened! So while I love this United Way, I’m ready to explore something new. The timing is right for me to look for other avenues where I can bring what I’ve learned to impact lives.”

UWSCMI President and CEO Chris Sargent said that, given Ken Toll’s selfless leadership, he wasn’t surprised that Toll offered to step away.

“To say I’ll miss having Ken as part of the team is an understatement,” said Sargent. “In his many years with United Way, Ken has led initiatives and partnerships that have impacted people’s lives in powerful ways. His insight, counsel and enthusiasm for our work have been crucial.”

Toll’s focus on collaboration and innovation has led to many significant developments over the years, among them Central Michigan 2-1-1; Drug Free Jackson; the United Way nonprofit campus; JobSTAR, Jackson’s business resource network; and UWJC’s focus on financial stability, especially for struggling households that are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE).

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Toll collaborated to drive creation of the Jackson Covid Action Network (JCAN) and the COVID-19 Response Fund, bringing together dozens of local grassroots and nonprofit groups to meet critical needs across the community. Under Toll’s leadership, United Way has become a strong advocate for ALICE families, racial equity and meeting basic needs.

“When I think of the many years spent working with incredible partners, talented staffers, generous donors, eager volunteers and can-do leaders to make life better for my community, I’m left feeling both grateful and humble,” said Toll.

“I’m also thankful for the amazing Jackson staff. I’m pleased to say UWSCMI is firmly committed to our work in Jackson County, and our local staff will continue to lead that important work,” he added. “They, along with our local partners, keep proving the best way to build our community is by Living United.”

Born and raised in Jackson, Toll graduated from Jackson High School and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in English and philosophy from Kalamazoo (Michigan) College. His career with United Way began in 2000 when he joined the staff at United Way of Jackson County. In 2004 he became Executive Director of Development at Jackson College (then JCC), including leading the JCC Foundation. Toll returned to UWJC in 2006 as President and CEO, a role he held until becoming Chief Operations Officer for UWSCMI through the 2022 merger. Toll is married to Betty, and the couple have three children.

“I will always hold dear my United Way life and the partnership throughout the community,” Toll said. “Few people get to say, ‘What I do is meaningful. What I do makes a real, lasting difference for real people.’ United Way gave me that chance. I’m ready to take that to the next level.”

A formal recognition of Ken Toll will be scheduled in the spring, Sargent said.

Consumers Energy Modernizes Natural Gas Infrastructure with Completion of South Oakland Macomb Network Upgrades

Consumers Energy has completed its upgrade to the South Oakland Macomb Network pipeline, part of its commitment to providing safe, reliable, affordable natural gas to Michigan homes and businesses. The $164 million investment included replacing nearly 30 miles of vintage pipe and installing nearly 17 miles of new.

“The more quickly and safely we can provide natural gas to Michiganders, the better it is for our customers and the planet,” said Dennis Dobbs, Consumers Energy’s vice president of gas engineering and supply. “We are aware of how important it is we do everything we can to keep costs down to ensure families and businesses have the gas they need to stay safe and warm this winter. When we invest in improvements to our pipelines what we are truly investing in is our customers.”

A series of about 15 projects completed in late 2022, the South Oakland Macomb Network upgrades are part of a larger strategic commitment outlined in our 10-year Natural Gas Delivery Plan.

The four-year process was structured in a way that mitigated significant community impact, ensuring the critical pipeline updates could be made without causing disruption to residential neighborhoods. The upgrades — which largely focused on replacing lines originally been installed in the 1940s and rebuilding city gates, where gas pressure is regulated for safe delivery — will benefit nearly 2 million Michigan homes and businesses.

The new infrastructure allows Consumers Energy to move a higher volume of natural gas throughout its system more quickly, safely and efficiently, reducing costs for customers while also being better for the planet. The completion of the upgrades, which were part of the company’s strategic commitment to modernizing and improving our natural gas system, better enables Consumers Energy to meet growing customer demand, even on peak days.

“This project truly embodied our commitment to people, the planet and Michigan’s prosperity,” added Dobbs.

The project was also structured to create minimal impact on the environment, including a creative construction approach that reduced the need for tree removal, prevented erosion and protected wildlife.

Environmental inspectors with the company were on site daily. The workers prevented harm and ensured the use of a special pollinator mix on grounds where the pipeline was buried to create new habitat for butterflies, bees and other pollinators during the restoration process.