Table of Contents

Welcome 6

Meet the Chamber 8

Recognizing Top Members 11

Events 12

Kalamazoo RESA 16

Kalamazoo Promise 22

WMed 28

Learn About Our Initiatives 34

Support Chamber Businesses 38

Business Search 41

Welcome

Dear Chamber Members,

Welcome back to The Chamber Connector!

As we settle into the winter months in Southwest Michigan, we’re thrilled to bring you the latest edition of our biannual publication—perfect for cozy reading on these snowy days.

First, we’d like to extend a heartfelt “thank you” to everyone who joined us for the inaugural Chamber Bowling Classic: Pins Not Putts in August. It was an absolute hit! The laughter, friendly competition and networking made it a standout event. And who could forget the Strike-A-Thons, which made it an unforgettable day?! We’re already planning more fun member events for the new year (including the second Annual Pins Not Putts), so stay tuned.

As 2024 comes to a close, we’re proud to report that our Chamber family continues to grow. With each new member our network strengthens, deepening connections within our business community. It’s been inspiring to see the relationships formed, ideas exchanged and support fostered over the past year.

Our educational events have also been thriving, with fantastic turnout and rave reviews. From insightful workshops on hiring and talent retention to leadership development for early career professionals, our members consistently show a hunger for knowledge and growth. We’re honored to be part of your business journey, helping you and your teams succeed.

And now, as unpredictable winter weather in Southwest Michigan sets in, we want to remind you to bundle up, grab your favorite hot beverage and get ready for one of the year’s tastiest traditions, this time with a twist: announcing Greater Kalamazoo Restaurant Week! This year promises another mouth-watering lineup from local eateries across greater Kalamazoo County, showcasing their incredible culinary talent. We encourage you to support these amazing bars and eateries. Try something new or visit an old fave.

We hope you enjoy this edition of The Chamber Connector, where you’ll find inspiring stories from standout member organizations, valuable insights on maximizing your time and relationships, and a special preview of the exciting events we have planned for 2025.

Here’s to continued growth, stronger connections and shared success—no matter what Michigan’s winter brings!

Warmly,

Clarence Lloyd
Chamber Director
Vice President, Southwest Michigan First

Meet the Chamber

Abbie Rumery
Abbie serves as vice president of investor engagement at Southwest Michigan First. She supports the Chamber by collaborating daily with companies and community organizations that are fully committed to growing our region’s economy. Her passion for engaging people–Chamber members, Council of 100 investors, board members or other interested partners–and connecting them with all the benefits and services that Southwest Michigan First has to offer is evident in everything Abbie does. When she isn’t working, you can find her spending time with family outside, experiencing all the seasons in Michigan–especially the sun and water in the summer and snow in the winter–or watching her favorite movie over and over: What About Bob? Abbie is always so full of joy, and she happens to have THE best laugh ever!

Kevin Crittenden
In his role as associate director of the Chamber, Kevin partners with local businesses and Chamber members to provide them with the resources, information and connections they need to accelerate growth and reach their full potential. Through education and networking, he adds value to the business community by growing the Chamber’s membership base while fostering relationships with existing members. As a Western Michigan University alum, he especially enjoys making a difference in Kalamazoo and the surrounding region while appreciating all the amenities this area has to offer. In his spare time, you can find him eating sushi, working on his golf game, taking walks while his daughter rides her bike or attempting home projects. Oh, and he is unbeatable at Family Feud.

Kimberly Chmielewski
Kim (KimChm if you want to be friends!) leads the marketing and communications team at Southwest Michigan First. Though she supports the marketing and communication needs of several divisions, she especially enjoys promoting all the amazing work the Chamber is doing to grow and strengthen the business community in Kalamazoo County. And if you attend a Chamber event or ribbon cutting ceremony, she’s usually the one with a camera in her hand! A storyteller at heart and a proud Western alum, Kim is especially grateful to use her skills and talents to promote the region in which she grew up, so everyone has the opportunity to thrive. In her free time, you can find her eating tacos, spending time with friends and family, referencing Seinfeld episodes or shopping for shoes.

Clarence Lloyd
As vice president of Southwest Michigan First and Chamber director, Clarence’s passion for connecting with others and improving the business environment for everyone throughout the greater Kalamazoo region shines through in everything he does. His background in business management coupled with his influential leadership style is the perfect combination to empower both solopreneurs and small to midsize local business owners, while promoting economic prosperity for all throughout Kalamazoo County. Curating content that’s both practical and relevant and facilitating connections in the business community helps expedite growth and support our Chamber members, helping them succeed—which lays the groundwork for all of us to succeed. If he could have only one superpower, he would be able to craft the perfect metaphor. When he’s not at work, you can find him enjoying a cocktail, relaxing in comfy clothes listening to The Eagles or heading to Detroit to cheer on his beloved Detroit Lions.

Recognizing Top Members

Events

Small & Mighty Business Series
The Small & Mighty Business series is a power-packed lunch and learn session tailored exclusively for small businesses with up to 30 employees. In partnership with SCORE Kalamazoo and others, you’ll hear from local experts and business mentors on a rotating set of relevant topics, perfect for small operations with big questions.

Chamber Connect
Perhaps the most valuable tool you have as a business leader is your network. The Southwest Michigan First Chamber is your partner in building that network. Join us each month at a different partner location to enjoy the best in productive networking with new faces, new places and big ideas.

Rise & Thrive Coffee Connect
Rise & Thrive Coffee Connect offers a convenient morning networking opportunity for those with busy evening schedules. Held monthly, this event provides insight into unique projects enhancing Kalamazoo County’s community, perfect for individuals passionate about staying informed and connected.

Moxie Mastermind Women’s Business Luncheon
Moxie Mastermind is a membership-based organization tailored for professional businesswomen in Southwest Michigan, aiming to connect, encourage and advance women in business within the community. Meetings are held monthly (except July) on the second Tuesday, offering opportunities for networking, learning and lunch. Join us as we partner to connect with the area’s top businesswomen and enhance your professional growth.

Member Orientation
Member Orientation provides guidance for new and returning members to maximize their investment, offering insights on leveraging benefits, introducing key partners and addressing questions. All members are encouraged to attend at least once. Registration is required as lunch is provided.

Black & Brown Connect Mixer
The Black & Brown Connect Mixer is part professional, part social and all about creating a collaborative network for connecting, sharing and making an impact together. For professionals of color, the atmosphere is truly unlike any other—always warm, engaging and filled with meaningful discussions. Experience leadership and personal development opportunities, plus insights from community leaders and mentors that will leave you feeling energized for the work ahead.

Business Breakfast Roundtables
The Chamber Business Breakfast Roundtable series is designed to help you tackle complex challenges while providing insights and best practices so you can do business better. Hear from a slate of locally-sourced subject matter experts and join in a roundtable discussion with other business leaders. Hot breakfast included.

Community Townhalls
Community Townhalls take place all across our footprint to engage with local communities, share updates and provide support based on each area’s specific challenges and goals. Here we gather input, discuss insights and work with local businesses and municipalities to address concerns.

BOSS Workgroups
The Business Owners Sharing Solutions (BOSS) workgroup caters to busy, success-driven business owners and executives who are looking to engage in productive discussions, share solutions and explore opportunities in a small group setting. Open exclusively to Chamber member business owners and executive leaders, this forum allows you to build your business and relationships with other owners in an expert-facilitated setting.

Winter

Special Events2025

January
Thursday, January 25
Downtown Kalamazoo Annual Chili Cook-Off

Thursday, January 30
State of Economic Development

FEBRUARY
Thursday, February 20
through Saturday March 1

Greater Kalamazoo
Restaurant Week

Kalamazoo Regional Education Service Agency Inspires Educational Excellence

Inspiring educational excellence is at the heart of the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency (KRESA) and its Career Connect initiative—Kalamazoo County’s K-12 career development program.

Eric Stewart, assistant superintendent for career and talent development, explains that Career Connect provides a seamless continuum of educational services and support to students, their families, the region’s school districts and the communities they serve. Through innovative career learning initiatives, Career Connect strives to empower the 35,000 students across Kalamazoo County with skills for real-world success.

A major milestone for Career Connect is on the horizon: the Career Connect Campus. Slated to open in this fall at 3500 Vanrick Drive near Wings Event Center, this world-class facility will bring together Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs that were previously dispersed in different schools and facilities across the service area into one unified campus. Once complete, the organizers hope it will offer access to hands-on, career-focused education for all Kalamazoo County students.

Bobbi Jo Stoner, the principal of the future Career Connect Campus, said the effort is needed because it equips high school graduates to make an immediate impact in our community’s workforce. This is because of the growing number of talented professionals who are moving from the business world into the education field, all with a shared goal—to empower students with the skills needed for a thriving future.

Stewart said the new project is ambitious because it brings with it world-class goals along with a landmark $100 million gift and donation of land. At least 300 different individuals and business partners are working to help make this possible.

As of this winter, the project is approximately 70 percent complete. Stewart expects to welcome the first class of students to the campus in August. A grand opening celebration is tentatively set for May 2025.

The 23 different programs will include everything from advanced manufacturing, construction trades, culinary arts, health sciences, computers and information technology and more.

A county-wide millage, passed in 2019, along with the $100 million donation, helped make this new campus a reality. Stewart said it allows Kalamazoo RESA to centralize their efforts, providing students with a centralized location for learning.

Located right off I-94, at the corner of I-94 and Sprinkle Road, the new center is expected to serve 1,440 students—up at least 50 percent from the decentralized current model.

Stewart said the school’s efforts reach into the community in a variety of ways, including having 19 different advisory boards with more than 240 individuals and industry leaders, meeting with instructors on an ongoing basis.

Looking ahead
Stewart calls CTE a perfect marriage between education and employment. It helps connect students wanting to enter the job force with the right skills and education needed to find success.

CTE learning, Stewart said, is a hands-on, kinesthetic method, which helps students engage more deeply in learning.

One unique goal of the new center, Stewart continues, is a “never go dark” strategy. This means in addition to classes geared for high school students during the day, the center will seek partnerships to provide training opportunities to the broader community during non-peak school hours.

Internships
More than 700 students currently take part in the organization’s internship program. Stewart said this part of the initiative allows students to learn on-the-job from experts in their field—work that cannot be replicated in the classroom.

In the long-term, Stewart hopes this new effort provides equitable access for career training for students throughout the county because it transports all students under one roof, providing a safe, welcoming and positive learning environment.

“Too many of them [students] are living in poverty and don’t have a clear picture of where they fit,” Stewart said. “If we do nothing else but help these kids see what they can do—find their passion, become more self-aware, and develop skills to ensure they have a plan—then we’ve had a massive home run.”

Member Testimonial

The Chamber Ambassador program… two thumbs up. How awesome for us introverts! My Ambassador, Sarah M., happily played “wingwoman” for me last night. She’s the best! I hadn’t been to a Chamber networking event in years. Previous events I attended were a little dry and pretty awkward. Surprisingly, the events I’ve attended more recently had a great vibe, and I had some awesome conversations with people.

I love how the Chamber is bringing together people throughout the community to connect and make Southwest Michigan a better place to live and do business. Thanks for moving us forward in a collaborative way.

Cari Rutkoskie
International Communications Consultant
Words Matter Consulting

Kalamazoo Promise

A promise, made 18 years ago, has strengthened the community of Kalamazoo, and really much of Western Michigan, one college graduate at a time.

The Kalamazoo Promise, unveiled in 2005, took an idea created by a group of anonymous donors to provide college tuition—free of charge—to young people graduating from Kalamazoo Public Schools.The first initiative of it’s kind, the Promise allows Kalamazoo Public School graduates to attend a majority of colleges and universities in Michigan, including a few private institutions, at no cost.

To date, the effort—now led by Von Washington Jr., chief executive officer—has invested more than $200 million in student tuition and fees since its inception. This means at least 8,500 unique students have found the way to break barriers and attend higher education without worrying about tuition costs.

Washington said the investment in human capital, in perpetuity by anonymous donors, has transformed the Kalamazoo community.

Students can not only earn bachelor’s degrees, but those desiring to either receive an education through a trade or technical school, can also benefit from the program.

Washington credits the work of then Superintendent Dr. Janice Brown and the anonymous donors for developing this “extremely transformative” effort in educational opportunities.

Washington has witnessed the program’s success through two lenses. Prior to joining the team 13 years ago, he was a high school principal within the Kalamazoo School district.

“This program means students have the opportunity to have barriers removed that have held so many back from affording post-secondary education,” Washington said. “Now they can make plans early and dream big. Their next chapter is not hampered by having to pay back insurmountable debt.”

How it works
The Kalamazoo Promise is provided for each Kalamazoo Public School graduate. It allows that student to receive a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent of 145 credit hours. Students have up to 10 years to complete their educational dream, because, Washington said, “Donors know life often gets in the way of taking classes.”

The Kalamazoo Promise is a “first dollar scholarship.” This means students receive it, regardless of other scholarships or grants they earn. Other scholarships often fund what is left, after students earn other resources.

The idea behind this gesture, Washington said, is it allows students to use Kalamazoo Promise funds to fill in the financial gaps, which then in turn, allows them to focus on their education rather than the basic needs of food, transportation and even work.

During the 2024-25 school year, 1,700 students are actively using The Kalamazoo Promise to attend some form of post-secondary education.

Successes abound
One of the program's greatest successes happened in 2010 when Kalamazoo Central High School won the “Race to the Top” commencement challenge during Washington’s tenure as principal.

During the video, which helped secure the win, The Kalamazoo Promise highlighted students and their stories of how the program changed their lives.

Through a series of steps, students applied, sent in videos and eventually won the public vote. President Barack Obama served as the class of 2010’s commencement speaker—the first time in history a sitting president would give a graduating address.

Moving into the future
At least 65 percent of The Kalamazoo Promise team are graduates of the program. They provide a variety of support to participants as they navigate the challenges which come with pursuing higher education. Many of the program’s participants are first-generation college students.

Washington said The Kalamazoo Promise has shown Kalamazoo and the world what a successful philanthropic organization can do when helping give students the tools and the ability to fulfill their greatest potential.

The Kalamazoo Promise has not only strengthened graduates, but it has helped improve the school district. Washington said in the first year, more than 1,000 students returned to the district’s rolls. The large urban school district now has more than 13,000 diverse students within its reach.

“Because The Kalamazoo Promise is promised in perpetuity, we will continue to try to educate,” Washington said. “We’ll continue to look at the common issues graduates face, to reform our understanding on how to change things, in order to help create new systems which benefit today’s generation.”

Washington said the second generation of potential Kalamazoo Promise students now attend the school district. He said watching the generations begin to add up is a special thing.

“Over the years, our alumni, our graduates, most know they are something special, something different,” Washington said. “We create a culture among the people. This is a gift they can utilize to the best of their ability.”

Washington said the alumni often provide the connections needed to help current students find employment, or at minimum, internship opportunities.

“We know this isn't a hand out, but a hand up,” Washington said. “This is an opportunity to change the human condition in an appropriate way so people feel good about the opportunity.”

Did You Know?
The Higher Promise program, an initiative of The Kalamazoo Promise, is dedicated to connecting students with valuable internship opportunities and continuing education workshops designed to help them thrive as they prepare to enter the workforce. Now in its fourth year, the program has grown to include more than 45 participating companies, offering over 80 students in the past two cohorts hands-on experience across a variety of careers. According to Von Washington, Jr., CEO of The Kalamazoo Promise, many students are hired by these companies after completing successful internships, setting them on a path to lasting career success.

Member Testimonial

Ihave received numerous benefits from Southwest Michigan First. I’ve attended many workshops, presentations and networking events. Southwest Michigan First Chamber has provided education, mentorship, networking opportunities and camaraderie, making it a highly valuable resource for my business.

Dawn Renshaw
Chief Executive Officer
Stoney Creek Social Media

Community and economic impact drive continued work and innovation at WMed

S ince the inaugural medical school class started in 2014, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine (WMed) has provided an innovative, patient-centered, four-year curriculum designed to prepare individuals to be the healthcare leaders of tomorrow.

WMed is a private, non-profit institution that offers the Doctor of Medicine degree and a Master of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences.

At least 260 residents and fellows in 10 residencies and five fellowships are part of the team at WMed. Additionally, WMed Health–the clinical practice for the medical school with more than 300 providers–offers comprehensive primary care and specialty services.

WMed is based in a 350,000 square-foot educational facility on the W.E. Upjohn M.D. Campus in downtown Kalamazoo. The building, which underwent a $68 million initial renovation and expansion that was completed in 2014, includes two laboratory research floors, a forensic pathology lab and a state-of-the-art Simulation Center.

Other facilities, spread throughout Kalamazoo and Portage, include the WMed Innovation Center on the Parkview Campus. The campus features a life science, technology and engineering incubator, serving the earliest startups to maturing companies with laboratories, offices and conference space, access to core scientific equipment and expertise, and a wide range of support services.

“The medical school was formed in 2011, and since that time it has made a tremendous economic impact on Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties,” said Michele Serbenski, chief strategy officer and senior associate dean for Institutional Advancement at WMed. “Specifically for Calhoun County, we bring a valuable partnership with Grace Health, the local federally qualified health center that serves over 30,000 patients in Calhoun County. As part of the family medicine team, our faculty and resident physicians provide care to patients at Grace Health and Bronson Battle Creek Hospital.”

In 2020, medical school leaders asked a significant question: What economic impact has WMed made within Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties? To answer it, they commissioned a study examining WMed’s economic reach.

The results showed that in 2020 alone, the medical school added 1,600 new jobs, provided an additional $115 million in personal income within the two-county area and fueled a $353 million increase in output or total sales in the two counties. This does not account for the $93 million spent on labor and operations in that same year and, if key factors remain constant, similar results of the medical school’s economic impact could be expected every year.

“WMed continues to make an impact every day through the patient care we provide at WMed Health, which has four locations in Kalamazoo and Portage with more than 60,000 outpatient visits annually,” Serbenski said. “We are a designated safety net provider so our patients may need additional support and services to enable healthy outcomes.

“Our residents and faculty care for inpatients and provide procedural services at Ascension Borgess Hospital and Bronson Methodist Hospital. WMed Health provides several pediatric subspecialties that are not provided by others in Kalamazoo, such as pediatric pulmonology, pediatric sleep medicine and pediatric multiple disability care. Because WMed Health offers these services, patients don’t need to travel outside of the area to get the care they need.”

The medical school is also credited with fewer direct impacts on the local economy. Like ripples in the water when a stone is thrown, additional impacts involve students’ need for market-rate housing (because the school does not offer student housing) as well as the purchase of all goods and services within the community.

The current budget for WMed is $129 million for the current fiscal year. There are currently 168 employed faculty, 560 staff, 340 medical students, six graduate students and 269 residents and fellows at the school. Additionally, 1,014 physicians and educators from the Southwest Michigan region have faculty appointments with the medical school.

The seven graduating classes since 2018 have accounted for 538 graduates. This includes graduates from the school’s M.D. and master’s degree programs.

It is estimated that the economic impact from WMed within Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties has increased the gross domestic product or added value by almost $223 million.

“WMed is an important member of the community in many ways,” Serbenski said. “We are committed to downtown Kalamazoo as our main campus location at 300 Portage Street is a donated facility that we invested more than $80 million to renovate to serve as our educational facility.

“Our clinical practice, WMed Health, provides primary care and specialty services to patients who are in need,” Serbenski added. “Through Street Medicine Kalamazoo (SMKzoo), our medical students, resident physicians and attending physicians provide care to the unhoused and reduce their use of the emergency departments at the local hospitals to seek care.”

Serbenski said the WMed team also strives to impact the local community through population health research, focused on the fields of maternal and child health.

“Our faculty explores how social, political and economic factors contribute to health and health inequalities that impact the community,” she said. “Together with community stakeholders and Cradle Kalamazoo, WMed is leading research and evaluation to improve birth outcomes and the health of women and children within Kalamazoo County. WMed is deeply committed to our work in population health research and its impact in restoring the health of marginalized populations.”

Did You Know?
WMed is a collaboration of Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo’s two teaching hospital systems, Ascension Borgess and Bronson Healthcare. A private, non-profit corporation, the medical school is supported by private gifts, clinical revenues, research activities, tuition and endowment income. It is a fully accredited facility by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education and the Higher Learning Commission

Learn about our Initiatives: Being the BOSS

Sometimes being the boss can make a business owner feel as if they are living on an island: alone, isolated, without a colleague of similar status to talk to about issues impacting their world.

The chamber initiative, BOSS or Business Owners Sharing Solutions, sets out to eliminate the isolation, brainstorm ideas and build solutions.

Led by chamber members Amy S. Courter, a Certified EOS Implementer® and entrepreneur, and Greg Giniel, a Professional EOS Implementer®, the BOSS Workgroup is designed to help business owners come together, providing them a community to solve issues challenging their worlds.

Courter and Giniel serve as the group’s co-founders and facilitators. BOSS Workgroup launched officially in September 2023. Following the pilot cohort and first official cohort, the next group of 18 individuals began the program in September 2024.

Giniel said most of the owners who utilize the program, which is a one-year-cycle, come from similar sized businesses and have shared working experiences. The setting, which has a confidentiality factor based on non-attribution, gives owners a chance to talk openly and honestly about problems they may be facing at work, and discuss potential solutions.

Giniel said many times business owners discover they are not alone when dealing with specific issues, which means they can learn from their colleagues’ experiences and not have to endure burdens they could avoid.

Courter said rather than business owners telling each other what to do, the experiences shared help leaders learn what works, and what they might want to stay away from, when dealing with problems.

Most owners come from businesses with five to 250 employees, with 100 employees being the average. They meet monthly for coffee at 7:30 a.m. at Southwest Michigan First to share solutions and learn from others.

“These are the people who are making decisions,” Courter said. “These are success-driven business leaders. It becomes a strong web of community leaders working to create solutions in our community.”

For example, Giniel said, a business owner looking to expand their facility may find help from someone who completed an expansion project within the last few years.

“They start to help each other, while fellowshipping,” Giniel said, “coming up with solutions to help each other.”

Often, the group divides into two sessions, with each led by either Giniel or Courter. This allows for a small discussion to take place during the hour and a half meeting.

“Our goal is for them to share what’s on their mind, and what needs to be solved,” Courter said. “At our first session, someone asked how to fix downtown marketing issues. Perhaps they offered the problem as a bit of a dare, but the group went after it and we grasped a more holistic understanding of the challenge.”

She said the discussion which followed generated a multitude of ideas, which could then be passed on to the right people.

Complex issues are broken down, with either Courter’s or Giniel’s help, in order to find ways to tackle big issues with smaller steps, allowing the root cause—rather than just the symptoms—to rise to the surface. Action items are then identified, so business owners can take the next steps in solving the issue.

The group’s composition is diverse, Courter said, allowing for a blending of people from different businesses and industries. This allows for a wide-range of perspectives and ideas as issues are discussed.

Giniel said often business owners leave the meetings with a “pep in their step” as they realize they are not alone nor the only one facing a specific issue.

One interesting thing, Giniel said, is the members often share books they are reading, allowing the members to find out about valuable resources.

“They are not on a CEO Island,” Giniel said. “Other people understand the nuances of what the business owners are facing—from payroll to human resources issues.”

While owners can reapply to join a new cohort, many choose to continue the relationships they built during their year, through shared meals or coffee.

Courter said she hopes more business owners join in the program, finding support and encouragement through the safe space created by the Chamber initiative.

“For Greg and me, it’s a labor of love,” Courter said. “We’re thrilled with a chance to support the Chamber and the community. It’s gratifying to make a difference and to help people feel better—to find a community of supporters who are full of answers.”

Member Testimonials

The Business Owners Sharing Success (BOSS) is a fantastic way to meet other business leaders in a no-nonsense environment. Candid, real-world challenges and solutions are shared, creating real value and opening up new avenues of opportunities.

There is also something special to be found in the camaraderie of individuals who understand what it’s like to walk in your shoes. That is simply amazing. While business owners/leaders’ time is at a premium, I highly recommend this experience.

Jeff Visser
Chief Sales Officer
Consumers Credit Union

The Chamber’s BOSS group was invaluable to me, especially as a solo preneur. Being able to use other entrepreneurs as a sounding board helped me to make good business decisions and allowed me to feel connected with other people who are facing similar challenges.

Rob Peterson

Owner
Dover Birch & Associates

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