Women are a force to be reckoned with in downtown Traverse City. Last month, Jean Derenzy took over the reins as CEO of Traverse City’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA), joining a cadre of female leaders. In her role, Derenzy will work with about 200 retail and...
New owners Mark Steckly and Scott Porter. From their Central High School days as best friends, Mark Steckley and Scott Porter have come a long way. “If I’d go in a restaurant without Mark, people would say, “‘Hey, where’s your brother?’" said Porter, the new co-owner...
Here at the Chamber, we think a lot about when people start paying attention to an upcoming election cycle. As political campaigns and issues become increasingly associated with information overload that can generate skepticism and even indifference among voters, the old adage that “timing is...
[caption id="attachment_14596" align="alignleft" width="300"] Smith's rendering of Tom McIntyre's Peninsula Place condominium project.[/caption] Before he was a go-to partner for architects, engineers, builders and property developers, J. Scott Smith was a kid growing up in Traverse City. Now, Smith helps people see the potential future of his...
Business is booming for local builders, plumbers, electricians and other subcontractors — to the point that many say they regularly turn down work. The number of residential building permits issued in Grand Traverse County has nearly tripled since the Great Recession, from 164 in 2009 to...
Chip Hoagland is a character. The website for his company, Tamarack Holdings, makes that clear: Artsy portraits of the company’s staff set an entertaining tone for a company that calls itself a "...
[caption id="attachment_14585" align="alignleft" width="300"] The Plascon crew (front): Kate and Laura (back): Denise, Jeff and Monique.[/caption] In a field where men traditionally dominate, it's the women who rule at Plascon Group. Until a few months ago, the specialty plastic packaging company was led by founder David Peterson,...
You struggle to keep your composure as you arrive at the attorney’s office. You remember being seated in a dark conference room, lined with books – lots of books. You remember the attorney’s strong handshake and his empathetic gaze. You remember sipping on a cup...
The insurance world has gotten exciting in Traverse City. New offices, rebranding and expansion into niche markets are just a few ways local agencies are trying to stay relevant and serve their clients more effectively. What’s new exactly? We asked five area agencies; here’s what they said: Bonek...
by Daniel Pink Published January 2018; Riverhead Books; 268 pages Hardcover $20; softcover $18; ebook $15; audiobook $22 In a nutshell: When answering the great questions of our lives, we gravitate toward the word why. Bestselling author Daniel Pink instead shows that when things happen has a lot...
