DFCU Financial Launches Business Banking

At a variety of scheduled events with local chambers of commerce during the month of October, DFCU Financial formerly announced its the launch of Business Banking. Developed to service small businesses with annual revenues of $5 million or less and shaped in collaboration with Michigan entrepreneurs, DFCU Financial Business Banking offers simplified products, best-in-class technology, and financial education and guidance tailored to the specific needs of small business owners.  

“After listening carefully to Michigan small business owners over a nine-month period of focus meetings and extensive market research, DFCU Financial has developed a simplified, consultative approach to business banking to help our business members meet the unique needs of their firms,” said Mark Shobe, president and CEO, DFCU Financial. “Our Business Banking team is highly specialized, and our simplified portfolio of small business-centric products and educational resources offers support, guidance and convenience to small business owners statewide.”

DFCU Financial Business Banking minimizes transaction and loan turnaround times with best-in-class technology, offering a more personal approach than national banks. DFCU Financial’s consultative approach and local experts throughout the state of Michigan expedite loan decisions, and the organization’s online banking platform streamlines payment, payroll and transactional processes.

To better guide small business owners to the right products and services for their needs, DFCU Financial’s highly trained Business Banking experts are qualified to empower small business owners to use current and future financial assets to their advantage.

Educational guidance is available to small business owners and their employees through one-on-one consultations and ongoing educational seminars at branch locations across metro Detroit, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and Lansing.

“The ‘DFCU DNA’ is truly ingrained in our Business Banking practice,” said Lesli Matukaitis, senior vice president, Corporate Banking, DFCU Financial. “We listened carefully to small business owners as we developed our solution and educational offerings, and remain committed to helping our clients take the guesswork out of important financial decisions, helping them attain short- and long-term financing.”

In January 2015, DFCU Financial paid a record-breaking $24 million CASH BACK loyalty reward to its members, the largest payout by any financial institution in Michigan. The largest individual payout was $18,000. Members adding Business Banking to their portfolios may be eligible to receive up to one-half percent (0.50%) CASH BACK on their average yearly business loans and deposit balances from the prior year.

About DFCU Financial

DFCU Financial issues to its clients the largest CASH BACK reward of all credit unions, with more than $181 million issued since 2006. A strong community partner, DFCU Financial continually reinvests in its membership with new branches and financial literacy education for all ages. DFCU Financial currently operates 25 full-service branches in Detroit, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and Lansing. For more information, call 888.336.2700 or visit dfcufinancial.com.

Livonia Chamber endorses Schoolcraft College millage

The Livonia Chamber of Commerce will support Schoolcraft College’s millage request that goes to area voters in November.

The Chamber’s Board of Directors voted to endorse the millage, concluding three months of research and analysis by Chamber leaders.  They concluded the added revenue is necessary to keep tuition affordable, while supporting current and new programs that connect students to in-demand jobs sought by local companies.

“There is a lot of value to the community to have access to lower-cost, higher education,” said Board Chairman-Elect Dan Laible, who is the CFO for Livonia manufacturer NYX Inc. “When you look at how Schoolcraft College stacks up to their peers, and the quality of service they provide to our business community, this is a worthwhile investment.”

Schoolcraft College, seeking its first millage increase since 1986, is asking voters on Nov. 3 for a 0.6-mill tax increase over a 10-year period. Schoolcraft President Dr. Conway Jeffress said the added tax capture would help the school add certificate and associate-degree programs for in-demand fields such as additive manufacturing and health care administration.  He added many capital improvements have been frozen in recent years, but Schoolcraft needs to update some of its aging buildings that date back to the college’s opening in 1962.

This millage election impacts voters in the Livonia, Plymouth-Canton, Northville, Clarenceville, and Garden City school districts. If approved, owners of a $200,000 home would pay about $60 more a year in property taxes.

Schoolcraft College serves some 30,000 students and reports 61% of its students graduate or transfer to a university, which is the best rate among community colleges in Michigan. The school has a record of efficiency, providing 263,804 credit hours on a $96.2 million budget in 2013-14, while neighboring Washtenaw Community College provided 250,506 hours for $115.9 million in the same year.

Like many Michigan municipalities, the college lost tax revenue since 2008 with plunging property values in the area, but Jeffress said the Schoolcraft Board of Trustees has limited annual tuition increases up to one percent more than the consumer’s price index (CPI).

“Since the business community stands to gain from this investment, this millage request shares added costs for new programs with the business community,” said Dan West, 

president and CEO of the Livonia Chamber of Commerce. “We believe this will enhance workforce development initiatives sought by our member businesses in recent years, which has emerged as a leading economic development issue for our region.”

The Livonia Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit trade organization that represents nearly 900 companies and community groups in and around Livonia, and advocates for the Livonia business community. In recent years, the Chamber has focused on promoting good career opportunities in high-demand skilled fields such as advanced manufacturing, information technology, electronics, and welding.

Services to Enhance Potential (STEP) Joins Broad Effort to Observe National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Nationwide campaign will take place in October

Services to Enhance Potential will be participating in the National Disability Employment Awareness Month, an annual awareness campaign that takes place each October. The purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month is to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. This year's theme is "My disability is one part of who I am."

The history of National Disability Employment Awareness Month traces back to 1945, when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week." In 1962, the word "physically" was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

"This year's theme encapsulates the important message that people with disabilities are just that — people," said Jennifer Sheehy, acting assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy. "And like all people, we are the sum of many parts, including our work experiences. Disability is an important perspective we bring to the table, but, of course, it's not the only one."

Here at STEP we work hard to find opportunities to get the people we serve jobs that will lead to their increased independence and happiness. We offer a wide variety of options and programs to ensure those we serve or ready and comfortable to enter independent employment including retail classes, janitorial classes, supervised work crews, and employment readiness trainings just to name a few.

One thing that we cannot stress enough is something Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein said at the MI Hidden Talent event put on by the Livonia Chamber of Commerce, “This is not charity. This is about the idea that if you give a disabled person an opportunity . . . you are going to find the most highly energetic, highly passionate, most incredibly loyal people that you could ever possibly hope to employ.”

One of STEP’s partners had this to say about how giving those with a disability an opportunity has benefited them “DQB industries and STEP have had a mutually beneficial relationship for more years that we can remember. Dan and his crew (from STEP) are an integral part of DQB industries, and we credit our smooth-running packaging operation to all of their hard work and dedication to a job well done.”

Employers and employees in all industries can learn more about how to participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month and ways they can promote its messages — during October and throughout the year — by visiting www.dol.gov/ndeam. You can also learn more about Services to Enhance Potential by visiting www.stepcentral.org or emailing Steve Slayton at sslayton@stepcentral.org

Livonia Stevenson High School Turns 50 Three-Day Celebration Planned

Thousands of alumni from Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Livonia are expected to celebrate the school’s 50th anniversary with a weekend of activities including the homecoming football game against rival Churchill High School.

“We plan to acknowledge and celebrate the 50 years of the consistently high level of academic, athletic and performing arts achievement as well as our outstanding alumni and our supportive community,” said retired principal Jim Gibbons, who spearheaded the planning efforts for the celebration.

The events will kick off on Thursday, October 22 with a commemorative dedication ceremony at 7 pm in the Stevenson Competition Gym. The event will be attended by school officials, students and local leaders but is also open to the public. A faculty and staff reunion and reception will follow in the north cafeteria.

On Friday, October 23, the Spartans will host Livonia Churchill in the annual Stevenson Homecoming Game at 7 PM. Alumni classes and groups will gather at the stadium before and during the game and some will participate in a parade of alumni around the track by decade and grad year. Local businesses and alumni vendors will be on hand for the evening.

Saturday, October 24, from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM an all class reunion will be held in the Field House and the school building will be available for an open house. The set up will be similar to Friday evening with vendors and alumni gathering in the Field House. Music and Performing Arts, Student Leadership, Global Education and Athletics will host their alumni in designated areas of the school.

“Our events will commemorate Stevenson High School’s unique and high profile beginning as the first high school in the country to be named after Adlai E. Stevenson and to one of a few, if not the only high school, to be dedicated by the sitting Vice President, Hubert H. Humphrey,” said Gibbons.

Several sponsorship opportunities are available. All proceeds will cover the costs of the celebration and anything extra will be donated back to the school. For more information visit Livonia Stevenson 50th Web Page or email shs50@livoniapublicschools.org.

We encourage alumni and former staff members to connect via the Livonia Stevenson 50th Web Page and to spread the word.

"It's a really exciting opportunity to be able to take a look back at a half century of history at a place that I have been associated with for over half my life, between being a teacher and a student." stated Craig Barker, SHS '96.

STATE ADVISOR LISTENS TO LOCAL LEADERS ABOUT FUTURE WORKERS

Business, education, and elected leaders from several western Wayne County communities bent the ear of Governor Rick Snyder’s top advisor on workforce development on Tuesday, July 28.

Michigan Talent Investment Agency’s Stephanie Comai

 and AlphaUSA’s Chuck Dardas listen to the workforce
discussion with leaders from across Western Wayne County. 

Stephanie Comai, director of the newly created Michigan Talent Investment Agency, met for two hours with a group from Livonia, Westland, Wayne, Northville, Plymouth and Canton at Schoolcraft College. The focus was on the state’s shortage of young people pursuing careers in skilled trades, technology, and construction. Most of these positions only require one or two years of post-secondary education, and often pay more than many who earn a bachelor’s degree.

“Locally, statewide and nationally, we are all looking for talent but we are concerned the feedstock is dwindling in our workspace,” said Chuck Dardas, president and COO of Livonia-based manufacturer AlphaUSA.

Comai said her agency, created by the Governor in March, is charged with developing state initiatives that better prepares young people for in-demand jobs.

“We need to overcome the stereotypes that exist about skilled trades,” Comai said. “We plan to begin focus groups with parents to identify what they need to hear so they encourage their children to look at these careers.”

Paul Bohn, a lawyer and partner with the Northville-based firm Fausone Bohn, said there are programming gaps in education and there are unreasonable state demands for professionals to teach career technical education (CTE) classes.

“Guys like Chuck Dardas, who is an accountant and successful chief executive of a manufacturing company for many years is not ‘qualified’ to teach a business class in a Michigan school,” Bohn said.

Comai acknowledged CTE certification requirements are “horrifying.”

Educators detailed challenges they face promoting CTE and science, technology, engineering, and math programs (STEM).  With the need for education cuts in recent years, educators said limited demand for such curriculum made CTE programs an easy target for the budget ax. Additionally, local educators identified other issues:

Mark Bondy, who runs CTE programs for Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, said the district recently used $1.5 million from a bond issue to enhance STEM labs, but there are not enough students using these labs.

Ann Owen, principal of Livonia’s Emerson Middle School, said she consistently sees seventh and eighth graders drop out of school. She suggested more active and engaging classes, such as robust shop classes, might keep these at-risk students in school.

Dr. Michele Harmala, superintendent of Wayne-Westland schools, said technical education is primarily discussed at high school and college level, but it needs to be introduced at younger ages, which may entice more students to these careers. 

Employers like Ted Barker, who runs Livonia-based Shaw Construction and Management Co., said there is a lack of awareness about opportunities in his industry.

“We have a lot of employees who make a very good living working for us, and only two of them have a bachelor’s degree,” Barker said.

Harmala said CTE is a less-expensive option for parents concerned about the costs of their child’s college education. And in many cases, Harmala added a motivated, experienced young worker with an associate’s degree will have a chance to earn a business, engineering, or management bachelor’s degree with the expense covered by their employer. 

Other leaders involved in the discussion included: Dr. Randy Liepa, the outgoing Livonia schools superintendent who will soon lead Wayne RESA; Dr. Michael Meissen, superintendent of Plymouth-Canton schools; Mayor Jack Kirksey of Livonia; Supervisor Phil LaJoy of Canton Township; and Supervisor Shannon Price of Plymouth Township.

‘MOM-AND-POP SHOPS’

There are more in Livonia than many realize

There has been a lot of talk this summer about the concept of creating a downtown Livonia.

The effort by a group of Livonia residents, who call themselves the Livonia Downtown Partnership, started with a focus on a potential redevelopment of the Kmart site at Seven Mile and Farmington. However, the ideas grew to seek trendy retail and restaurant redevelopments at other locations, and a coordinated series of modern redevelopments along all of Farmington Road.

There will be much debate in the future about what can and cannot be done, but this group should be applauded for their enthusiasm and collaboration with a goal of making Livonia a better place.

One common message that came from the ideas gathered by this group was the desire for more “mom and pop shops,” and less chain stores and restaurants. Ideally, their vision of a “downtown-like” development would include several unique stores and restaurants.

Livonia already has a number of family-owned, unique stores and restaurants – they are just scattered across our 36-square-mile city.

Here is a starting list of independently-run operated shops and restaurants in Livonia.

Joe’s Produce, in its 70th year, is one of metro Detroit’s premier food stores. Blazo’s Pie Shoppe offers fresh-made pies and other Michigan-made products next to Senate Coney Island. The recently-expanded Wine Palace includes fresh-made food. Town Peddler on Plymouth Road has been known for its knick-knacks for years. Colleen’s Gaelic Gifts on Farmington Road has featured its Irish inventory for more than a decade.

My Hobby Place on Plymouth at Farmington is a comfortable place to buy toys. Laurel Park Place Mall is a comfortable size shopping center with several independent stores, such as Pro Sports Zone and The Olive Store. The TRI Shop, a triathlete specialty store on Plymouth near Levan. Bill and Rod’s Appliance store on Middlebelt features cooking demonstrations, and d.vine fine wines on Haggerty has a comprehensive focus on unique wines.

Livonia has a number of independently-run restaurants. On Plymouth Road, there is Mama Mia’s, which is undergoing renovations, Annie’s Family Restaurant, Archie’s, Luigi’s Pizza Café, the historic Daly’s restaurant, Las Palapas Mexican Restaurant, and Thomas’ Family Restaurant. There’s Steve’s Family Dining on Middlebelt, G. Subu’s Leather Bottle on Farmington, Tahini Mediterranean Bakery and Grill on Haggerty, and the quaint Blue Plate Diner on Seven Mile.

Livonia features some famous carry-out places with the Detroit Bagel Co., Bates Hamburgers, Tony Baloney’s sub shop, Primo’s Pizza, and the Dairy Barn.

And there is a variety of bars in Livonia: The craft beer selection at One Under, the famous hamburgers at Mason’s, and the revamped sports watching and dining venues at George Murphy’s, Coaches Corner, Time Out Bar and Grill, and O’Malley’s.

This is just to name a few. The bottom line: Livonia has a lot of great places to shop, dine, and have fun – probably more of a selection than most suburban communities. You just might have to take a quick drive to get there. 

Joe’s Produce celebrates 70th anniversary

Today, Joe’s Produce has 31,000 square feet to display fruits,
vegetables, baked goods, prepared meals,
 and variety of beverages.

Livonians have visited the same Seven Mile Road location to buy fruit longer than they’ve been going to city hall.

As one of Livonia’s longest-lasting businesses, Joe’s Produce celebrated its 70^th anniversary Aug. 1 with a customer appreciation.

“We’ve grown with the community,” said Joe Maiorana Jr., the operation’s third-generation owner. “We’ve always had a great customer base here in Livonia, and we would not have lasted this long without our many loyal customers in this town.”

A young Joe Maiorana Jr. stands with her grandmother,
Frances, in front of the Maiorana Orchards
fruit stand on in the early-1960s.

Joe’s grandfather, Gaspare Maiorana purchased a 40-acre farm off Seven Mile in 1945 – five years before Livonia chartered as a city. On this farm, Gaspare built a fruit stand where he sold items he harvested from the farm which was known as Maiorana Orchards.

Gaspare’s son, Joe, built a 6,500-square-foot store on farm property in 1967 and called it Joe’s Produce. The new building enabled the family business to offer more products for its customers, such as vegetables and dairy items. He expanded the store in 1985 with another 12,000 square feet for more refrigerated products and prepared salads.

Owner Joe Maiorana Jr. stands with
Produce Manager George Gjnoaj.

Joe Maiorana Sr. retired in 1997 and turned things over to his son. Joe Jr. oversaw another expansion, completed in spring 2007, which added another 12,500 square feet for larger displays and aisles, new sections for deli, prepared hot and cold meals, specialty baked goods and coffee. The building’s exterior was also renovated. The Livonia Chamber of Commerce recognized Joe’s Produce for this project with a Livonia Community Enhancement Award.

Joe Maiorana Jr. said adding prepared foods enabled the business to branch out and offer more services. A catering operation, Joe’s Gourmet Catering, developed in 2007. Two new food stores emerged in the adjacent strip center in 2012 with Joe’s Meat and Seafood and Art of Bread.

Joe’s Produce expanded its services by adding
 Joe’s Meats and Seafood and Art of Bread in 2012.

“Having the fresh meat and fresh bread available here all the time is good for our customers and our catering operation,” Maiorana said. “Not many catering operations can say everything was made from scratch at one place.”

Dan West, president of the Livonia Chamber of Commerce, said people travel from miles away to shop at any of the Joe’s stores because they know they are buying quality products.

“Joe’s Produce is one of Livonia’s signature businesses,” West said.

Joe Maiorana Jr. stands in front of at the
entrance into Joe’s Produce, featuring an
outdoor display as tribute to the fruit
 stand his grandfather built to
start the family business.

Maiorana credits his staff of 150 employees for the continued success of the store, many of whom are veteran employees such as produce manager George Gjonaj, who has worked at the store for 28 years. He also praises the work of 14 trained culinarians and other conscious managers.

“They are meticulous and take their time to do a good job,” Maiorana said. “They always talk about how they are willing to experiment and try to do things differently, to keep things fresh.”

Seven decades in business is an enormous sense of pride for the Maiorana family, many of whom worked on the farm or in the store. As a boy, Maiorana remembers a poignant comment his father made to him in 1970. He pointed to a Joe’s Produce logo and said: “That’s what you’re going to do.”

Today, Joe Sr. is enjoying retired life in Florida, but visits and embraces the decisions that helped Joe’s Produce evolve from a family farm into one of metro Detroit’s premier food markets. 

“My dad really likes the changes,” Joe Jr. said. “My grandfather would also be impressed.”

Advanced Satellite Communications Job Opening

Title: Cable TV Systems Operation Manager

Reports to: General Ops

Class: Full-Time

Overview:

The Operation Manager is responsible for ensuring that all commercial satellite TV projects, DIRECTV & audio video systems are quoted, delivered, and installed on time and on budget, aligning with customer expectations.  In this role, you will provide sales and service, technical support, engineering, and project management in support of the sales team and our customers in markets served by ASC, INCLUDING hotels, senior living, hospitals, and other hospitality and business segments.

Proposal and Estimating Responsibilities:

• Provide technical and sales support to internal teams
• Survey, inspect and audit customer / prospect site locations
• Write and submit installation documents and summaries
• Application / Engineer solutions – stay current with industry technology and installation requirements
• Create and approve proposals

Operation Management Responsibilities:

• Manage installations – technical team and customer requirements
• Coordinate and direct on-site installation teams
• Provide training to end-users
• Inspect and verify quality of installations / work
• Manage budgets and timelines
• Support sales in managing customer expectations

General Expectations:

• Responsible for servicing existing client base and working directly with ASC sales, support staff and employees
• Provide timely and accurate responses to customer questions and concerns
• Responsible for on-site training and inspections
• Track and provide accurate installation information for continuous improvement in our processes
• Acquire and maintain sound knowledge of all product lines and services offered

Qualifications:

• Two or four-year degree from an accredited college or university
• Project management experience
• Broad knowledge of various signal level meters / electronic test equipment
• Basic working knowledge of data and IP networks required
• Experience with design, build and installation of commercial DIRECTV or DISH Network head end systems in a commercial environment
• SBCA or other industry certifications is a plus
• Experience in the following additional technical areas is a plus – sound systems and video distribution, wireless networking, digital signage, hard line and fiber systems

Additional Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Must be responsible, self-motivated, self-starter, personable and well-organized
• Superior customer support service skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously and meet deadlines
• Strong interpersonal skills - ability to work with diverse groups including ASC staff
• Proficiency in the use of personal computers including such programs as MS Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Must be able to read and effectively interpret general blue prints and site plans

Specific Requirements:

• Moderate amount of travel to customer and vendor sites is expected
• Valid and current driver’s license
• Microsoft Office assessment test required

Compensation:

• $65,000 to $75,000 annually based on experience
• Bonus opportunities
• Company vehicle, travel allowance
• Earned PTO and holiday pay
• Office suite and company PDA and cell phone
• Relocation expense support will be considered for the right candidate

This great job opportunity needs to be filled immediately – No later than July 31^st , 2015.

Please submit your resume along with a simple cover letter to
asc-marketing@advancedsat.com. 

Business Milestones - June 25, 2015 - Livonia Observer

Bill & Rod’s Appliance earns Angie’s List Super Service Award

Bill & Rod’s Appliance Inc. of Livonia has earned the service industry’s coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award, reflecting an exemplary year of service provided to members of the local services marketplace and consumer review site in 2014.

“Our goal is to satisfy every customer we come in contact with. We are constantly working on creating a better experience through prediagnosis of problems to take less time for repair and follow up calls in order to make sure our customers are completely satisfied,” said Joe Legato, general manager.

Only about 5 percent of the appliance repair companies in metro-Detroit have performed so consistently well enough to earn the Super Service Award, according to Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “It’s a really high standard,” she said.

Angie’s List Super Service Award 2014 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, which include an “A” rating in overall grade, recent grade, and review period grade; the company must be in good standing with Angie’s List, pass a background check and abide by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in areas ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality.

Camelot Hall receives Bronze National Quality Award

Livonia-based Camelot Hall Convalescent Center has been recognized as a 2015 recipient of the Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award for its dedication to improving the lives of residents through quality care. The award is the first of three distinctions possible through the National Quality Award Program, presented by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL).

“It is a great honor to be recognized by AHCA/NCAL with a National Quality Award,” said Jacqueline Davis, administrator, Camelot Hall. “Improving the lives of the residents and families we care for every day is what brings us joy.”

Implemented by AHCA/NCAL in 1996, the National Quality Award Program is centered on the core values and criteria of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program. The program assists providers of long term and post-acute care services in achieving performance excellence goals.

The program has three levels: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Centers begin the quality improvement process at the Bronze level, where they develop an organizational profile with essential performance elements such as vision and mission statements and an assessment of customers’ expectations. Bronze applicants must also demonstrate their ability to implement a performance improvement system. Examiners review each Bronze application to determine if the center has met the demands of the criteria. As a recipient of the Bronze - Commitment to Quality Award, Camelot Hall may now move forward in developing approaches and achieving performance levels that meet the criteria required for the Silver - Achievement in Quality Award.

Camelot Hall was one of 545 centers to receive the Bronze level award.

IHOP celebrates anniversary with 57-cent buttermilk pancakes

In celebration of IHOP restaurants’ 57th anniversary, participating IHOP restaurants will offer each guest one short stack of its buttermilk pancakes in restaurant from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on July 7 for 57 cents,three cents less than they cost when Al and Jerry Lapin opened the first International House of Pancakes in Toluca Lake, Calif., in 1958.

Coinciding with the anniversary, IHOP has updated its logo, devoted to the brand’s commitment to keeping guests happy, and has introduced a “Summer of Smiles” program with multiple activities planned to celebrate members of the community and organizations that have devoted countless hours toward philanthropic endeavors that make others smile.

“The great service, delicious food, and wonderful experiences at IHOP restaurants have been making guests smile for 57 years,” said Kirk Thompson, vice president, marketing, IHOP. “And while our beaming new logo perfectly captures our heritage of happiness, our 57th Anniversary celebration takes it a step further celebrating the generosity of others in their endeavors to make those less fortunate smile.”

IHOP now has1,650 restaurants in 11 countries and U.S. territories. The Livonia IHOP is at 14200 Middlebelt Road.

14-year-old CEO is Livonia's youngest chamber member

David Veselenak, Livonia Observer

Livonia resident Grant Sobczak has no doubts about his goals: He wants to run a successful $100 billion company.

He thinks he's got a pretty good start, becoming the youngest member of the Livonia Chamber of Commerce with his business, Modern Mind Technology.

The 14-year-old, who will be a freshman at Churchill High School this fall, launched his company earlier this year, offering services such as social media management, Web design and app design.

Designing products and websites that are appealing to look at and do the job is a strength of his company, Sobczak said, something he doesn't see with smaller companies like his.

"We want to change that and make something that's beautiful and functional," he said. "I think that's what's going to make us successful against our competitors."

His company, found at modernmindtechnology.com, has partnered with several local groups, including Livonia Public Schools and the Livonia Rotary Club, which will induct Sobczak as its youngest youngest member Thursday.

Sobczak's mother, Casandra Sobczak, said she's tried to support him in all his ventures, even signing the paperwork for him when he created his business because, legally, he was too young to do it himself. She said she's gone with the flow and it has seemed to work out well for her son.

"When he would say these things, I would say, 'I don't know, Grant,'" she said. "He's always been one to have really big ideas. It seems like every time he does something, it ends up happening."

His work has even gotten the attention of several Livonia Chamber of Commerce members, said president Dan West. Sobczak came and discussed his business with several chamber members last month and came across as a professional who knows what he's doing, he said.

"Grant came in and really impressed the board with his wit and his intelligence," West said. "You could really tell he was focused on making this work."

The history

It began during his time as a member of the Emerson Middle School Technology Collaboration, a group of friends who did technology work at the school.

"It was like a little group of friends who helped with school and improved it with websites and if a teacher needed some kind of survey done, we'd conduct that," he said. "Then around October, we decided to start this new project."

That project, creating online data binders for the Franklin Covey "The Leader in Me" program, came as a necessity, Sobczak said, as the paper folders would get to be too much.

"That was really a problem, because they were falling apart and they were heavy," he said. "The idea was to take everything in that binder and put it online."

They then began marketing the idea across Emerson, taking some time to find the best way to spread the idea to the group's fellow students. It's grown so much, Franklin Covey became interested and contacted the students. Sobczak and other students continue to remain in touch to find a way to implement their technology in their platforms.

"That's when I realized this product will be worth something," he said. "We're still waiting to see the details."

And he and his friends are looking toward the future in product development. He said they're currently working on a project he was not willing to share the details on, but promises it will impress.

"I'm thinking it's going to be the next big thing," he said.

Ann Owen, principal of Emerson Middle School, is the one who got Grant involved with the Rotary by having him do some Web work for the club. She said he is far more tech savvy than the average eighth-grader.

She said she is impressed with his entrepreneurial skills, saying he researched how to start his own business, including how to form a limited liability corporation.

He recently spoke at a symposium at Schoolcraft College in front of 400 educators and got a standing ovation, she said.

Owen said Grant, who hopes to be the next Steve Jobs or Bill Gates, is one of those few exceptional students an educator runs across in her career.

"I hope his business plan includes me in his retirement sharing," she said.

-Staff Writer Karen Smith contributed to this report.

dveselenak@hometownlife.com | 734-678-6728 Twitter: @DavidVeselenak

High-tech jobs are in our backyard

Students seek them, local manufacturers have them

  

Manufacturing Professor Gene Keyes meets with prospective students
to his program during Schoolcraft College open house May 30.

Some 200 parents and their career-exploring children from Livonia, Plymouth, Canton, and Westland gathered at Schoolcraft College’s Technology and Engineering open house May 30.

Professors in advanced manufacturing, electronics, computer-aided design (CAD), welding, and plastics explained the training possibilities to the middle- and high-school students walking through campus. Several local companies, such as Roush, AlphaUSA, and Skyway Precision Inc., introduced themselves, what they make, and future careers to the inquiring young people.

It was the second annual career pathways open house at Schoolcraft, and there was a noticeable increase in the attendance from the inaugural effort in 2014 to connect students interested in learning about skilled-trades careers.

Roush Enterprises Recruiting Manager
Joann Revesz talks to students and parents about
what the Livonia-based company produces to
students at the open house.

Many of the students who walked through the open house were interested in one thing: High-tech jobs.. They quickly learned there are many such opportunities close to where they live.

“So many kids think there are only high-tech jobs at Apple or Google,” said Kelly Sharpe, the human resources manager at Skyway, which operates plants in Plymouth and Livonia. “I hope these kids and their parents are starting to learn that manufacturing is high-tech, too.”

State officials report more than 70,000 jobs go unfilled in Michigan, in most cases, because candidates’ qualifications don’t match the high-tech and skilled experiences employers need. Companies are turning away work because they don’t have enough workers to fill production demands in a timely fashion.

At a deeper level, this is all a part of a culture shift metro Detroit needs to experience to support a viable economy for future generations. We need to change the conventional thinking about manufacturing, where facilities are now incredibly dynamic with technology, and cleaner and brighter than many restaurants. Additionally, young people need to appreciate the pride and accomplishment of building products that touch people’s lives every day.

Professor Bill Schlick discusses his electronics program to students at
Schoolcraft College's technology and engineering open house.

Also, there is a reality that most future jobs require only one or two years of post-secondary education focused on obtaining skills. Harvard University reports that nearly two-thirds of jobs in 2018 will require specific skills available in a certificate or associate’s degree program; only one-third of jobs will require a bachelor’s degree or more.

With this year’s growth in interest in Schoolcraft’s technology and engineering open house, it appears more of our neighbors are getting the message.

Swing Your Clubs to Combat Childhood Hunger

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 18, 2015

Contact: Suzanne Baker

Cell: 734-679-8294

Email: biablivonia@gmail.com

Website: www.blessingsinabackpackmi.org/livonia/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BlessingsInABackpackLivonia

Instagram: instagram.com/BIAB_Livonia

Twitter: twitter.com/BIAB_Livonia 

Swing Your Clubs to Combat Childhood Hunger

1^st Annual Golf Outing to Benefit Blessings in a Backpack-Livonia

Livonia, MI, May 18, 2015– On June 6^th, Blessings in a Backpack-Livonia is holding its 1^st Annual Golf Outing at Idyl Wyld Golf Course on Five Mile Road in Livonia. This exciting event, with an 8 am shotgun start, will include 4 person scramble, 18 holes of golf with cart, free use of range in the morning, various golf-related contests, a 50/50 raffle, Silent Auction, and dinner at the One Under Restaurant. Registration for golf and dinner is $100, while the fee for dinner only is $30.  To register, please contact Audra Rons at audrarons@gmail.com, 248-701-3277 or Jan Wilson at janwilson48@att.net, 248.505.3778, or register online at http://www.blessingsinabackpackmi.org/livonia/.

 Blessings in a Backpack-Livonia is a community based program run by volunteers to address the problem of weekend childhood hunger in the Livonia Public School System. Each week backpacks are filled with six meals, consisting of foods such as tuna, chicken, peanut butter, macaroni & cheese, oatmeal, fruit juices, soup, beef ravioli, canned fruit and granola bars, by volunteers and distributed Fridays to participating "at-risk" students at Garfield Elementary. The program plans to add two additional schools this fall.

To learn more, to donate, or to volunteer, Visit Blessings in a Backpack-Livonia’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/BlessingsInABackpackLivonia) or connect with BIAB-Livonia through Twitter or Instagram (/BIAB_Livonia).

Olympia boss to detail new arena project at chamber luncheon

(Thursday, May 14, 2015) - Local business leaders are planning to gather Wednesday in Livonia to hear from one of the key people overseeing construction of a new arena for the Detroit Red Wings and other developments coming to Detroit.

Tom Wilson, the president and CEO of Olympia Entertainment, will speak at an 11:30 a.m. luncheon at Laurel Manor for members of the Livonia, Westland, Plymouth and Canton chambers of commerce.

Wilson represents the Illitch family organization that is leading this significant redevelopment that will produce the new arena, scheduled to open sometime in 2017, and surround it with a new entertainment and housing district. The overall effort will connect existing and new developments in downtown and midtown Detroit along Woodward Avenue with five walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods.

In all, according to Illitch organization reports, the entire project is expected to generate at least $1.8 billion in total economic impact, 8,300 construction and other spin-off jobs, and 1,100 permanent jobs. The overall goal is to build a one-of-a-kind venue for hockey, music, entertainment, and community events, surrounded by modern housing geared for those who want to live in an urban environment.

Wilson plans to provide pictures and descriptions of all components of the entire development district, and he will directly answer questions from the audience.

Seats are still available for this luncheon at Laurel Manor, located on Schoolcraft Avenue just west of Newburgh Road. Admission is $30 for members of either chamber, or $40 for the general public. For more information or to reserve seats, contact the Livonia Chamber at 734.427.2122 or tahmouch@livonia.org.