Brooklyn Museum Shop designed by Visbeen

A completely new, significantly larger Brooklyn Museum Shop was designed by Grand Rapids firm Visbeen Associates. The store is part of a multi-phase transformation of much of the museum’s first floor. The 4,150-square-foot shop will be organized around an arc shape reflected in a curved jewelry counter and echoed in a coffered ceiling. It is set to open April 4.

ACCOUNTING
Echelbarger, Himebaugh, Tamm & Co. PC announced the addition of Alex J. Host to the firm as a staff accountant. Host will be working in the accounting and auditing areas.

AWARDS
Kantorwassink was nationally recognized by the Service Industry Advertising Awards for its work on Ferris State University’s 2011-2012 ad campaign, the Kent County Disaster Preparedness Campaign and the Emergency Care Specialists identity.

Grandville Jenison Chamber presented business awards at its 3rd annual meeting. The 2012 Non-Profit Achievement Award went to Visser Family YMCA, for coordinated activities and programs. The 2012 Medium to Large Business of the Year went to Grand River Bank for community leadership, jobs created and exceptional customer service. 2012 Small Business of the Year is Hartman Family Chiropractic, for local projects, community leadership and exceptional customer service. 2012 Business Person of the Year is Richard L. Bolthouse, a dedicated leader and contributor to the Grandville Downtown District.

BANKING
Consumer Credit Union has launched a member testimonial campaign, Good Times Ahead, to tell its story one member at a time. Members can share their story by e-mailing GoodTimesAhead@consumersCU.org.

Todd Cooper has joined Macatawa Bank as an Infinex investment executive. He will work out of the 16th Street branch in Holland. His primary responsibility will be to assist clients with financial planning, investment and insurance needs.

Independent Bank announced it has rolled out Independent Mobile, its new mobile banking service. The bank is also introducing Classic Text banking service, which allows customers to check their balance for free from their cell phone or smart phone.

The U.S. Business Administration has recognized Huntington Bank as the No. 3 lender in the nation for number of SBA 7(a) loans. Huntington remains the No. 1 lender among Midwest states for both the number and dollar amount of SBA 7(a) loans provided to small businesses.

BUSINESS SERVICES
Don Beery announced the launch of Blendon Group LLC Consulting. The firm is advising in the areas of technology marketing, product commercialization and key message development.

The board of directors of the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce has added six new members: Bryan Harrison, Steve Heacock, Kim Horn, Mike Lindley, Janet Mason and Mary Tuuk. The 2012 officers are: chairperson, Rick Pappas; chairperson elect, Bill Benson; vice chairperson, finance/audit, Doug Dozeman; vice chairperson public safety, Stacie Behler; vice chairperson at large, Mike Mraz and Doreen Bolhuis; immediate past chairperson, Margaret (Meg) Goebel.

Steve Lankfer has joined Corporate Equity Inc. as managing director. Lankfer is a former owner of automotive supplier LDI. He will leverage his contacts and experience in the automotive industry and his expertise in technical and lean manufacturing to assist business owners considering mergers and acquisitions and maximization of enterprise value.

EDUCATION
Dr. Jeff Johnson of the Hope College chemistry faculty has received an award through the Faculty Early Career Development Program of the National Science Foundation. The award will support his on-going research as well as development of a first-year seminar in “green chemistry” and sustainability.

Roxanne A. Buhl, director of MBA – Grand Rapids Western Michigan University, earned certification as a senior professional in human resources.

FINANCIAL SERVICES
Global Futures Trading has appointed systems analyst Jason D. Meyer and network engineer Andrew J. Calderone.

Stifel, Nicolaus & Co. Inc. announced that Kyle Travis has been named financial advisor in the firm’s Grand Rapids office at 5181 Cascade Road SE.

FOUNDATIONS
Bissell Homecare Inc. announced it has started the Bissell Pet Foundation, a charitable nonprofit organization that extends Bissell’s longstanding commitment to pet adoption and focuses its efforts on making grants available to charities that support the humane care and treatment of animals.

HEALTH
North Ottawa Community Health System announced the addition of Susan Roberts as manager of In-Home Care Equipment. Roberts has more than 20 years of experience expanding health care programs and building strong customer service.

Metro Health Hospital has received Primary Stroke Certification from the Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program. It earned the certification after HFAP conducted an extensive review of the hospital’s stroke program.

HUMAN SERVICES
The Head Start for Kent County board of directors has chosen Oogie LaMar as president and Rudy Gutierrez as vice president. They join treasurer David Blossey and other board members Brian Hofstra, Joann Hoganson, Elizabeth McIntyre, Linda Thompson, Susan Verwys, Sandy Walls and Charlene Werdon.

INSURANCE
Kevin Smith has joined Acrisure as director of information technology. Andrew Schutt has been promoted from director of business development to vice president of sales.

Lighthouse Insurance Group has promoted Robert Heintz to vice president of benefits and Mike Boros to vice president of business insurance.

LEGAL
Mika Meyers Beckett & Jones PLC elected the following lawyers to its Management Committee for 2012: William A. Horn, John T. Sperla and Ronald M. Redick.

Melissa Neckers was appointed to the Michigan Court Forms Committee’s new Adoption Work Group for a three-year term. Neckers is the chair of Miller Johnson’s Adoption Practice Group.

Nancy Mullett has joined Kreis, Enderle, Hudgins & Borsos PC as an associate in the Battle Creek office. Her practice is focused primarily on employment, municipal and school law.

NONPROFITS
Doug DeVos, president of Amway Corp., has been elected chairman of the Executive Committee of the National Constitution Center’s board. DeVos has served on the board since September 2008.

PUBLIC RELATIONS
Lambert, Edwards & Associates announced the promotion of Kim Tassie and Amanda Passage to senior associates.

PUBLIC SERVICE
Gov. Rick Snyder announced the appointment of George ‘Jay” Quist to the Kent County Probate Court, where he will serve in the Circuit Court’s Family Division. The appointment fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Nanaruth Carpenter.

Jeanne Englehart has been appointed to the Early Childhood Investment Corp. by Gov. Rick Snyder. Englehart is the executive director of the Grand Rapids Child Development Center and founder of Productivity Point International, a computer training business.

Gov. Rick Snyder announced the appointment of Annoesjka Steinman of Muskegon to the Natural Resources Commission. The seven-member commission works with the Michigan DNR.

REAL ESTATE
The Commercial Alliance of REALTORS has installed its 2012 board of directors: president, Mary Anne Wisinski-Rosely; president-elect, John Francis; treasurer, Tom DeBoer; and secretary, Jeff Karger. Also serving on the board are: Bryan Bench, George Bera, Marcel Burgler, Jeff Genzink, Bob Horn and Hillary Taatjes Waznick. Executive vice president is Shari Veldman.

TECHNOLOGY
The Michigan office of Perficient Inc., an information technology consulting firm, announced it has expanded its presence to West Michigan, establishing a business-technology consulting team in the Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Lansing areas.

TRANSPORTATION
Rothbury Executive Air and Florida-based Silver Lining Inflight Catering announced a new partnership. Rothbury is scheduled to open a fixed-base operation in fall 2012 at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. The $7 million world-class facility will include 34,000 square feet of hangar space and 2,400 square feet for a full-service catering kitchen.

TRAVEL & TOURISM
The Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi announced that tribal council vice chairman Jamie P. Stuck has been named chairman of the FireKeepers Local Revenue Sharing Board. The FireKeepers Casino is located in Emmett Township, Calhoun County.