On the Move features and celebrates Flint & Genesee businesses’ grand openings, staff promotions, new hires, recognition, and milestones
(Featured above) Austin Michael Institute of Cosmetology, 11225 S. Saginaw St. in Grand Blanc, March 20
Promotions, New Hires and Recognition
The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation has elected Karen Aldridge-Eason to its Board of Trustees. The Flint native has been with the Mott Foundation since 1993 when she joined as a program officer. In 2003, as a loaned executive from the Foundation, Aldridge-Eason accepted a position as the first foundation liaison to a governor’s office in the United States. She has led the Office of Foundation Liaison more than 20 years, working with the administrations of Govs. Jennifer Granholm, Rick Snyder, and Gretchen Whitmer.
The Community Foundation of Greater Flint has added two new members to its team: Jashell Mitchell-Cross as a development officer and Sara Lorence as an executive staff coordinator.
Lottie Ferguson of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint has completed the Executive Leadership Institute’s ELI for VPs, a year-long program that focuses on community leadership for community foundation vice presidents. Ferguson is part of the ELI for VPs Class of 2023-2024.
The Genesee Intermediate School District (GISD) recognized Nancy Bartholomew with the Special Thanks and Recognition – STAR award. Bartholomew is the principal for the GISD’s Early Childhood Programs and Services, which supports local school districts by providing special education programs for children ages two-and-a-half years old to eight.
Patrick Linihan has become the new director at the Genesee Parks and Recreation Commission. He previously served as the organization’s deputy director.
Danielle Wenzel, deputy director at the Genesee County Human Resources & Labor Relations, received certification in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion from Cornell University.
Ken Pangborn of Farm Bureau Insurance was one of three recipients of the Elton R. Smith Award. This award is given to the agent that best exhibits a commitment to job, community, industry, and the Michigan Farm Bureau Family of Companies.
Explore Flint & Genesee, a division of Flint & Genesee Group, has hired Anthony Sitko as their sports sales manager. Additionally, Terance Green has joined the Flint & Genesee Group’s Economic Alliance team as a small business coordinator. Jake Mengel, formerly with East Michigan APEX Accelerator, has joined the Economic Alliance as a business development manager. Sandra Etherly-Johnson, executive director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) and Community Relations at Flint & Genesee Group, has received a professional development certificate in DEI from the University of Michigan.
The Hilton Garden Inn Flint Downtown has welcomed Tina Bausick as its sales and catering manager. Bausick has over 19 years of experience in the hospitality industry with Hilton, Hyatt, Sheraton, and IHG Brands.
McLaren Medical Group of Grand Blanc has named Dr. Binesh Patel as its CEO. Patel previously served as chief medical officer at McLaren Flint for more than five years. Most recently, Patel served as the chief medical officer and senior medical director of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. He will fill a vacant position that had been most recently held in the interim by Chad Grant, executive vice president and COO for McLaren Health Care.
Prestige Promotions welcomed Barbara Townsel as an order fulfillment coordinator and Nick Demaray as a social media and communication coordinator.
Dr. Tiffany Quinn has received the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from President Joseph R. Biden. Quinn is a best-selling author and the administrator for the Flint Social Worker Network, a community of over 700 professionals dedicated to promoting collaboration and advocacy in social work. She also serves on the boards of several organizations, including Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Serenity House.
John Rick, director of surveying for Rowe Professional Services Company, has been named president of the Michigan Society of Professional Surveyors. The organization aims to advance the surveying profession through leadership, education, advocacy, and outreach.
The National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) recognized University of Michigan-Flint’s Director of Graduate Programs Christopher Lewis with a Pillars of the Profession Award. This award recognizes significant service to NASPA, creating a lasting impact on the institution for which they work, and demonstrating sustained professional distinction in student affairs and higher education.
Business News
Carmel Yum Yums, which specializes in caramelized corn puffs, celebrated its 10th anniversary in April. After getting its start at Goodwill Industries, the business moved into its nut-free baking facility in 2016. The business has expanded into wholesale and can be found at J Deans Sausage & Jerky Co., inside the Davison Farmers’ Market and Flint Farmers’ Market, among other locations.
Communities First, Inc. has broken ground on Orchard Manor Apartments and Orchard Grove Apartments. These will bring a total of 74 mixed-income housing units to Flint and Flint Township, including 10 units dedicated to veterans who have experienced homelessness.
Costa Papista and the Flint City Bucks were recognized in the 2024 “Stories of Inspiration” presented by Pure Michigan. This special recognition is designed to honor individuals and businesses who have made unique and lasting contributions to their respective communities as well as to Michigan’s travel and hospitality industries.
Kettering University will take part in the Michigander Scholars program as the only private institution invited to participate. Headed by the Michigan Economic Development Corp., Michigander Scholars aims to inspire and support college students aspiring to careers in the electric vehicle/mobility or semiconductor industries. Kettering’s hope is to engage 500 students interested in these technologies with a target of 350 scholarship recipients by the end of September.
Lear Corporation was named to Fortune magazine’s “World’s Most Admired Companies” for the eighth consecutive year. In the category of Motor Vehicle Parts Makers, they placed in the top five of the nine categories used to determine rankings. This is one of more than 80 awards they received in 2023.
Mott Children’s Health Center has been named a Top Non-Profit to Work For by the Non-Profit Times for a fourth consecutive year. This list recognizes organizations across the United States that create exceptional experiences for their employees. The selection process included an employee questionnaire and survey.
Mott Community College earned a Gold Paragon Award from the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations for their work on the 2023 Centennial website. This award recognizes outstanding achievements in design, strategy, and communication at community and technical colleges.
Redwood Steakhouse and Brewery recently opened a new state-of-the-art catering facility at 495 North Fenway Drive in Fenton. The new building houses a kitchen for food preparation and an event room for tastings and special occasions.
Refinery Hair Co. is celebrating its fifth anniversary. Since opening in 2019, the salon has grown from seven stylists to 23 and served over 5,000 clients. They have been voted best hair salon in MyCity Magazine every year since they opened.
The Sloan Museum of Discovery was awarded a $350,000 grant from the state of Michigan to support STEM education for Genesee County students. The grant was awarded by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. Part of the funding will be used to make summer STEM camps more accessible for families. Also receiving funding from this program were Whaley’s Children’s Center and St. Mark Community Outreach Center.
The University of Michigan-Flint has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report in its “2024 Best Graduate School” rankings. The School of Management’s part-time MBA program and the College of Arts, Sciences & Education were named among the nation’s best education schools.