Chamber Recognizes Long-Standing Members

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The Ann Arbor / Ypsilanti Regional Chamber honored its long-standing members during the Early Edition breakfast Wednesday, June 15th at the Eastern Michigan University Student Center. Members who have belonged to the Chamber for 20 years or longer were recognized by John Petz, Chair of the A2Y Chamber Board of Directors, and four of the Chamber’s longest standing members shared their experience of doing business in the Ann Arbor / Ypsilanti area during the past 50 years.

Sandy Janowiak (Janowiak Funeral Home and Geer-Logan Chapel) Laurel Champion (AnnArbor.com) Jim Wanty (O & W Distributors) and Ron Dankert (Swisher Commercial) represented member businesses that joined the Ann Arbor or Ypsilanti Chamber in the 1960’s. The Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti Chambers were established in 1919 and 1918 respectively and merged in June of 2010.

 

Member Spotlight: Menlo Innovations

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MenloSoftwareFactory-(1)Menlo Innovations is a software design and development company located in downtown Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Menlo’s processes and practices set our company apart from other firms, including paired programming, test-driven development and gathering requirements using our High-Tech Anthropology® process. We create software that’s focused on target end users and produces better business results for our clients.

In addition, we’ve chosen to intentionally focus our culture on the Business Value of Joy. This extends to everyone who walks through Menlo’s doors, from our clients to our subcontractors and employees.

We offer tours on a regular basis to anyone who wants to learn more about our company, as well as workshops for those who want in-depth exposure to The Menlo Way! Check out our web site at www.menloinnovations.com

A2Y Chamber Honors E3 Award Winners and Business-Education Honor Roll Members

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At Early Edition May 18, the A2Y Chamber proudly presented the 2011 E3 (Exemplary Educational Endeavors) Award to the following four outstanding school programs:

Portfolio Day at Scarlett Middle School, Ann Arbor Public Schools
Ellen Daniel & Nancy Schneider
The annual Portfolio Day at Scarlett allows 8th grade students the opportunity to interview with local professionals.

“LINK-IN CREW,” Lincoln Consolidated Schools
Rebekah Makarewich & Steve Mientkiewicz
The LINK-IN CREW helps students transition into high school by assigning them a Link-In Leader as a mentor during their freshman year.

Air Force JROTC, Ypsilanti Public Schools
Ypsilanti High School
The JROTC aims to educate and train high school cadets in citizenship and community service while providing instruction in air and space fundamentals.

WINGS Program, Willow Run Community Schools
Tammy Wroblewski & Bethany Vonck
The WINGS Gifted and Talented Program caters to students’ individual needs and goals with instruction that encompasses a variety of learning styles embedded within each unit.

The following Business-Education Honor Roll members were also honored for supporting local schools in one of three ways: releasing employees with pay for a minimum of 8-hours per year to volunteer in the K-12 schools and/or participate in the various school-to-work programs available, hosting students in their company through a job shadowing or internship program, or contributing cash or in-kind donations to K-12 schools.

2011 Business-Education Honor Roll Members:
826 Michigan
Ann Arbor District Library
Ann Arbor Hands on Museum
Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra
AnnArbor.com
Ann Arbor SPARK
Bank of Ann Arbor
Bodman LLP
Briarwood Mall
Butzel Long
Charles Reinhart Company, Realtors
City of Ann Arbor
Citizens Bank
City of Ypsilanti
Cleary University
Coach’s Catastrophe Cleaning & Restoration Services
Comcast
Comerica Bank
College Nannies & Tutors
Cooley Law School
Corner Health Center
Domino’s Pizza
Eagle Crest Conference Resort & Golf Club
Eastern Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University Athletics
Edward Jones Investments –Les Heddle
Friends of the Ypsilanti Police Department
General Dynamics
Google
HMB Group
High/Scope Educational Research Foundation
Home Builders Association
Huron Valley Ambulance
Hylant Group
IBEW Local 252
Janowiak Funeral Home Inc.
KeyBank
Liberty Title Agency
Live Well Chiropractic Center, PLLC
Main Street Ventures
Meijer 27
Manchester & Associates
Menlo Innovations
Michigan Small Business Technology and Development Center
NSF International
Pear Sperling Eggan & Daniels PC
Phoenix Contractors
Pittsfield Township
Plumbers & Pipefitters – Local Union 190
SERVPRO of Canton & Washtenaw County
SRT Solutions
Real Estate One
SOS Community Services
St. Joseph Mercy Hospital
T & C Federal Credit Union
TDS Metrocom
University Musical Society
The University of Michigan
University of Michigan – Business Engagement Center
University of Michigan Athletics
University of Michigan Health System
University of Michigan Museum of Art
VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System
Washtenaw Community College
Washtenaw Contractors Association
Washtenaw County Government
Washtenaw County Workforce Development/ETCS
Washtenaw Federal Credit Union
Washtenaw Literacy
Ypsilanti Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Ypsilanti Charter Township
Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority
Ypsilanti Courier
Ypsilanti District Library
Ypsilanti Police Department
Zingerman’s

A2YChamber Regional Chamber Member Benefit Pays Out Dividend

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The Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber is proud to announce that several members have earned over $36,000 in dividends through the Accident Fund Insurance Company of America workers compensation group program. Congratulations to our chamber members who participate in the program!

Since the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber is a designated group, our members receive 5 percent up-front savings on Accident Fund workers compensation insurance rates. Plus, when the group performs well, participating chamber members are eligible for dividends.

In September 2010, our chamber’s group program was reviewed and it was determined that we earned a 5 percent dividend for members that participated in the June 1, 2008 to May 31, 2009 program. The $36,889 in dividends is being paid to over 50 participants, so the average dividend to participating members is over $737. The group will be reviewed again this same time next year for another possible dividend distribution.

“Encouraging safety in the workplace while offering a Chamber-only plan that can provide real money back is definitely a win-win situation,” said Diane Keller, President and CEO of A2Y Regional Chamber. “The Accident Fund Workers Compensation Program is one of many innovative strategies we have put in place to help our members more effectively control their costs.”

Founded in 1912 and headquartered in Lansing, Mich., Accident Fund Insurance Company of America is licensed to provide workers compensation coverage in 50 states and the District of Columbia. Accident Fund is rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Accident Fund Holdings, Inc., the 9th largest workers compensation insurer in the United States. For more information, visit Accident Fund’s website at www.accidentfund.com.

Accident Fund offers workers compensation insurance, including group dividend programs, through Chambers of Commerce and independent insurance agents.

To join the Accident Fund groups program through our chamber, contact the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber for an Accident Fund Insurance Company of America agent in your area, or find an agent at www.accidentfund.com.

Please note: You must be a member in good standing to participate in this program.