Jobs Landed

I wear several hats - a student, entrepreneur, and intern at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.  

I graduated in May 2010 with a BBA from the Ross School of Business, minor in Environmental Studies, and College of Engineering Certificate of Entrepreneurship.  At the University, I was the president of the Net Impact Undergraduate chapter at the University of Michigan, leading and growing a group of students to use their careers to make a positive impact in the world.  I completed a nine-month project on the voluntary carbon market (link to http://erb.umich.edu/Research/Student-Projects.htm), and I have advised individuals and organizations on carbon instruments.  I have been recognized for my on-campus sustainability and entrepreneurship efforts, as a 2009 Graham Scholar, Dare to Dream grant award recipient, and 2009 Student Entrepreneur of the Year, among others.  I have also been involved with the Sustainable Energy Fellowship (www.teachenergy.org) for over two years.    

I have been pursuing entrepreneurial ventures since high school and my efforts have been awarded with grants and awards (including acceptance to the 2009 and 2010 Clinton Global Initiative and 2009 Lakeshore's Next Top Entrepreneur). I have completed business plans for, pitched, launched, and developed companies in the food and beverage and clean tech industries, and social ventures.  I have grown my family’s Italian treats retail/catering business, Iorio's (www.iorios.com) since its launch. Currently, I am helping start-up companies in the clean tech, food and beverage, consumer products, and nonprofit sectors, while continuing to build the entrepreneurial community in Michigan.

At the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, I assist with the Capital Access Program, 21st Century and Venture Michigan Funds, and helped raise $12 million for the Michigan Supplier Diversification Fund.  I organized the inaugural Entrepreneurial Tailgate, bringing together the Michigan entrepreneurial community, and continue to build the resources and programs for Michigan companies and entrepreneurs.

I will lead external and internal communication, public and media relations, advertising, strategic planning, brand management, and coordinate all marketing research and activities.  SGA Production Services is the leader in design and execution of scalable event staging, seating and scenic solutions.

I work primarily on financial issues affecting the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs for the Michigan House of Representatives, serving each of the 110 Representatives as a source of nonpartisan and object information. Day-to-day duties include researching fiscal impacts of proposed legislation, analyzing the history and effects of state policies, and assisting the House Appropriation Committee with the development of the state budget. I am passionate about my job because it incorporates impartial policy research with actual policy implications.

I am the new human resources support specialist. I am responsible for providing support in human resources, including recruitment and employment, personnel records, employee relations, regulatory reporting requirements and benefits administration. I previously worked as a human resources specialist with Domino's Pizza, LLC., in Henderson, Nevada.

Robert Half Management Resources is the world's premier provider of senior-level accounting and finance professionals on a project and interim basis (www.roberthalfmr.com). I work with employers and job seekers in Lansing, Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. A Michigan native, I decided years ago to stay tied to the community I love. After 15 years as a controller, a VP of finance and a consultant, I wanted to join Robert Half Management Resources to use my knowledge and expertise in helping others find rewarding positions and to match clients with the right consultant for their needs.  

My current role involves building mobile apps, but I also try to think about how users interact with technology and what their goals are. I was living in Lansing having most recently taught at LCC. My friend, Scott Gowell, who already works at Gravity Works, knew that I had been working with iPhone apps and suggested my name when they started looking for a new developer. I've only been here a couple weeks, but I've known most of the people here for a while, so it's been great so far. I like the challenge of learning new technologies as mobile apps become more common.

I act as the liaison between customers and franchises throughout the system to ensure a high level of customer satisfaction. For the last two years, I was a store manager at MC Sports of Jackson, Mich. I have a bachelor’s degree in broadcast communication from Western Michigan University.

I have been named Executive Director of the Lansing Community College Foundation which supports the college through scholarship development and fundraising for college initiatives. The Foundation also serves as home to the college Alumni Association and Employee Development Fund. I am no stranger to the Foundation having worked there as Alumni Development Manager in 2006-07, playing an instrumental role in helping the college celebrate its 50th anniversary (2007).

The Lansing Community College Foundation is a tax exempt, non-profit organization that last year provided 825 scholarships valuing nearly $822,000. It has endowment funds totaling nearly $10 million. The Foundation also serves as a key supporter for LCC program improvements, technological advancements and staff development.  

From 2007 until returning to LCC this year, I was director of Development & Alumni Relations at Lyman Briggs College at Michigan State University where I was responsible for fundraising, gift procurement and alumni relations among other duties. In 2006-07 I was also the founding chief operating officer for the International Partnership for Critical Markers of Disease, a non-profit organization created to establish partnerships between the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, National Institute for Health, the pharmaceutical industry, research universities and other healthcare partners. There I worked to develop coalitions and cooperation to support critical paths to drug approvals.  

Upon moving from Traverse City to Williamston in 1994, my preconceived notions of the Lansing area were quickly replaced with the reality of a strong and resilient community capable of reinventing the economy of this amazing state. I have enjoyed the time I've spent learning of the many ways our economy can grow and prosper.

Through positions in fields from municipal to non-profit, development to implementation, sales to support, and everywhere in between, I have found Michigan's natural resources to be, not only the soul of the state, but the light at the end of the tunnel. Michigan is full of wonder and adventure and all of the things that make it so require protection. It was with this thought in mind, that I accepted my new position supporting the efforts of the extraordinary team of professionals that comprise Michigan Saves and Better Buildings for Michigan.

Both programs promote energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements by developing exciting and progressive ways in which to push the market. I enjoy utilizing my skills to overcome the many challenges involved in collecting and maintaining the data that results from thousands of in-home installations. It was a curiosity of the new that sparked my interest and a found knowledge of sustainability that maintains it. I love being part of the solution!

I came to East Lansing in 2006 to attend Michigan State University. I fell in love with the city and university and have never left. Shortly after I graduated in 2010, I was recruited by my company, Robert Half. Not only do I enjoy what I do daily but I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to not only assist companies in the area with their staffing needs but also getting the Greater Lansing area back to work!!

Founded in 1948, Robert Half International(RHI) is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm. RHI is a recognized leader in professional staffing and consulting services, and is the parent company of Protiviti, a global consulting and internal audit firm composed of experts in risk and advisory services. OfficeTeam is the world's leading staffing service specializing in the placement of highly skilled office and administrative support professionals on a temporary and temporary-to-full-time basis. With a global database of more than 2 million candidates, we have the resources, experience and expertise necessary to match highly skilled professionals to our clients’ hiring requirements.  OfficeTeam's sister division Accountemps is also very well known in the staffing world, as they mirror what OfficeTeam does, only specializing in accounting and financial positions.

As a recent Spartan alumna, I bleed green and white and love being close to campus and all of the sporting events! I was recently elected to the Executive Board of the MSU Alumni Club of Mid-Michigan and have taken on the role of Young Alumni Co-Coordinator. The opportunity to spread Spartan pride and encourage others to become active in their local Alumni Club is truly an honor!

I was recently hired by Donovan & Smith Marketing and Media, Inc. as Vice President Business Development Director. I have more than 20 years of experience in sales and marketing for technology industries in Michigan.

I bring a wealth of professional experience that includes managing marketing and sales teams and I have a proven track record as a strong, innovative leader. I also have experience with managing multi–million dollar budgets. Some of my accomplishments include restructuring the sales department at TechSmith and driving sales; leading the development of the TechSmith web-based quote system; and establishing a special consumer affairs area at Jackson National Life’s customer service department.  

My passion has always been exceeding the expectations of both my customers and my work team.  Working hard to thrill people is something many people talk about but few actually do. It is something you can’t fake, it has to be hard-wired. It is clear to me that the team here at Donovan & Smith has been living this philosophy for 20 years, and I am so glad to be a part of it.

The job I do on a daily basis is to assist students in achieving academic success by providing encouragement, scheduling classes, overcoming barriers, providing direction in areas of best class selection and assisting with needed funding to ensure they obtain the degree they are seeking. I am also their cheerleader and listening ear when it is needed.

I chose Davenport University because the programs that are offered are in the three leading areas for employment and growth. Davenport offers degrees in the Healthcare, Business and Technology fields, which allows students to increase their marketability and become employed or to advance in their current employment situations.

I found the position with Davenport University through networking with previous co-workers. What I enjoy most about this position is the opportunity to make a difference daily and to provide needed encouragement and support to students and those I see every day on campus.

Davenport University is also in a period of growth which led to the creation of my position as an additional advisor at the Lansing Campus. There are now plans for facility renovation/expansion for the Lansing Campus which makes it a very exciting time to be a part of this institution.

Working for the Michigan Townships Association is inspiring because I get to witness so many passionate people working hard to restore prosperity to the state of Michigan. My job responsibilities range from event planning to editing to graphic design, and I've been lucky to learn and improve a wide range of skills in this position. I love being able to network and build relationships with marketing and advertising professionals that wish to connect with township officials.
 
I was grateful to get a job in the Lansing area right out of college. I was already in love with the area since I grew up around here and attended Michigan State. There are so many young people traveling to or staying in the Lansing area, and the downtown is really thriving. Businesses are popping up and succeeding all over the place, and I truly feel that the Lansing area has a positive and exciting future ahead.

Follow me on Twitter @CheaAlexandra

Food First by Jennifer is a company that specializes in educating people on how to optimize energy and prevent disease. It is designed to teach people the healing properties of food and empower them to make simple changes to improve their health and lives.

After graduating from Michigan State University, I had a continuum of health issues that compromised my quality of life. It wasn’t until I took a natural approach that my health dramatically improved. I speak to companies, associations and do one-on-one consultations with individuals educating them on the “food first” philosophy.

MPA represents all pharmacists, student pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in Michigan. At MPA, I’m responsible for anything and everything membership. This includes membership recruitment, retention and maintenance activities and all membership services. Both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are a diverse group of people, so I’m responsible for creating new and unique ways to reach out to both current and potential members.

I’m also responsible for the public relations efforts of the association. Just in September, we launched a “That’s My Pharmacist” campaign and held a very successful Medication Disposal Event in conjunction with MPA’s Pharmacy Day @ the Capitol.

I love my job because MPA staff members are completely supportive of one another, and I’m constantly encouraged to try new things and think outside of the box. We do some really neat things at MPA and every day is different. I always knew I wanted to work for an organization that represents or advocates on behalf of one entity or group of people and I’ve found that in MPA. I landed my job by replying to a blind posting on Craigslist of all places. Some things are just meant to be!

I #LoveLansing because it’s filled with young professionals and there’s always something going on. I love the festivals in Old Town and the events downtown like Silver Bells in the City. I enjoy visiting friends who have moved to Chicago, but I’m always happy to get back to Lansing when the weekend’s over.

Follow me on Twitter @allisondrake