Manistee Alliance for Economic Success :: About Us

**Board of Directors**
Beth McCarthy, Chair	Owner, MacBeth & Co.
Amy Wojciechowski, PH. D. Vice Chair	Professor of Business Studies, West Shore Community College Dr. Amy Wojciechowski is a Professor of Marketing and Management and is Chair of the Business Division at West Shore Community College. She studied business at Central Michigan University, career and technical education at Ferris State University and educational leadership at Western Michigan University. Amy is President of the Steering Committee for the West Central Technical Preparation Partnership, Chair of the West Shore Community College Teaching and Learning Team, and is on the Hospitality, Travel & Tourism, and Business advisory boards. Amy has also presented at several local, state, and national conferences. She co-authored an article for the Online Distance Administration Journal and is currently contributing toward a college-level textbook titled, Writing for College, Writing for Life. Amy was recently awarded the Master Teacher of Post-Secondary Business Education Award for 2007 by the Michigan Business Education Association.
Mitch Deisch, Secretary	City Manger, City of Manistee Mitch Deisch is representing the City of Manistee, who has contracted for economic development services from the AES office. Mitch has served as the City of Manistee City Manager since September 2001. Prior to Manistee, Mitch served as the Assistant City Manager for the City of Grand Haven for 6 years. Mitch received a B.S. and Masters of Public Administration from Central Michigan University and maintains Credential Manager Status from the International City Managers Association. He currently serves on the Manistee Recreation Board of Directors, Alternatives for Area Youth Board of Directors, Manistee Soccer Club Board of Directors and Manistee Sunrise Rotary Board of Directors.
Doug Parkes, Treasurer	Commercial Lender, Honor State Bank
John Holcomb	General Manager, MasTech Manufacturing
Ingemar Johansson	Director of Operations, Manistee-Benzie Community Mental Health Ingemar Johansson is representing Manistee-Benzie Community Mental Health (MBCMH), an organization that has contracted with the AES for micro-business development service for MBCMH consumers. Ingemar was born and raised in Sweden and immigrated to the USA in 1978. He has a Business Economics Degree from University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Ingemar has worked in various administrative functions in the mental health and disability arena for over 30 years in Sweden, Ohio, and Michigan. He is the Director of Operations for MBCMH. He has been involved in many community development projects over the years including the current Micro Business Development project for people with disabilities. Ingemar holds Board positions at the statewide MARO Employment and Training Association and at the Benzie Transportation Authority. He has also presented at numerous state and national conferences, consulted with a number of mental health organizations across Michigan, and has professional and personal affiliations with several local organizations.
Allan O'Shea	County Commissioner, Manistee County Allan O'Shea is the Chairperson of the Manistee County Commission and has been a County Commissioner for 8 years. Prior to that, Allan was the Township Supervisor of Marilla Township for 9 years. Allan has lived in Manistee County for the past 30 years. He and his wife Lynda have raised 5 children in rural Manistee County. Allan is a businessperson in Manistee County. His involvement with renewable energy systems, especially wind, started in the early 1970’s in Detroit, Michigan. In 1974, he and a small group of businesspeople from all over the USA founded the American Wind Energy Association. Today that organization has grown to a 50 billion dollar industry in the USA. In 2005, Allan and a few other Commissioners teamed up with a non-profit organization called the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association to found and develop the Michigan Energy Fair. The event, held in Manistee County, is now a premiere event in Michigan and teaches the average home owner about conservation, renewable energy systems and bio-fuels, as well as how to make the important changes in ones life can reduce energy costs in the 21^st Century. In 2007, Manistee County was awarded the American Cities and Counties award for innovation at the National Association of Counties’ convention in Virginia. It was quite an honor for Allan, Manistee and Michigan as well.
Burton Parks	President, West Shore Medical Center Burt is a graduate of Grand Valley State University and Michigan State University. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in pre medicine and business and a Master’s degree in Business Administration. His work experience involves 41 years in hospital administration, with the past 26 years as President of West Shore. As part of his professional career, he has served on the board of the Michigan Health and Hospital Association (MHA). He is a current member of the MHA Small and Rural Hospital Council, MHA North Central Council, West Shore Healthcare Foundation, and West Shore Health Centers Corporation. Burt is a Corporate Member of Munson Healthcare and a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Community activities over the years include membership on the boards of West Michigan Bank and Trust, Manistee County Community Foundation, Carrie Filer Trust, and Manistee Area Community Clinic. In addition, he has been involved in the Human Services Collaborative Body, United Way, Economic Development Organization, Rotary, and school millage campaigns.
Melissa Ruba	Business Liasion, Michigan WORKS!
Robert Wangbichler	Manistee County Businessman, Retired

	Staff
Cyndy Fuller	Executive Director & Board Member
Jami Schneider	Administrative Assistant Jami is responsible for office management, grant coordination, website maintenance, and book keeping. New to the Manistee area, Jami is excited about her role and the involvement AES has with Manistee County. Prior to joining the AES team, Jami worked as an office manager for Hearthstone Assisted Living in Grand Rapids, MI. She graduated with a B.A. in Management from Marietta College (Marietta, OH) in 2007. Recently, she has completed coursework for her Master of Health Administration degree from Grand Valley State University.

	Consultants
Tim Ervin	Tim Ervin is contracted with the Alliance for Economic Success as facilitation and convening specialist for all areas served by AES. Tim works in volunteer capacity on the Board of Directors of Crystal Enterprises, Inc. (Crystal Mountain). Before moving to Manistee County, Tim was President and CEO of Plymouth Wayne, Inc. Tim has 11 years with the State of Michigan where he held various positions, some of which were Director of Michigan Youth Corps, Director of Michigan Civilian Conservation Corps, Chief of Environmental Protection Program Planning for the State of Michigan, Department of Natural Resources Industrial Ombudsman, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Congressional Liaison for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and Environmental Protection Liaison for the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. Tim is a freelance writer and authored the Michigan Coastal Management Program document. Tim has lived in Manistee County since 2004.
Deborah A. Nale	Deborah A. Nale, B.A. is contracted with the Alliance for Economic Success working as a Business Consultant through the SBTDC (Small Business & Technology Development Center). Deborah has attained certification as a business consultant through the SBTDC Academy of Professional Small Business Consultants, and most recently she completed Facilitator Certification Training for FastTrac. FastTrac is a practical, hands-on business development program designed to help entrepreneurs hone the skills needed to create, plan, manage, and grow a successful business Deborah has over twenty years of non-profit work experience in Special Project Management and Program Coordination in the fields of Human Service, Business Development, Employment & Training, Self-Sufficiency Development and Career Counseling. She has been instrumental in launching a number of Pilot Initiatives in Micro-Business, Welfare to Work, and Economic Education. Deborah and her husband John, founded a small business downtown Manistee, Port City Organics, LLC which they sold in 2004. Deborah lives with her son and husband in Onekama, Michigan
Mary Pitcher	Mary Pitcher is contracted with the Alliance for Economic Success to create and oversee a county-wide recycling program; a project funded by a USDA Rural Development grant. Mary is an accomplished government leader with extensive portfolio of success improving Michigan’s natural environment, development, policy, education and land use. Mary is respected as an informed, impartial leader effectively working with a diverse constituency. She has over 15 years experience, providing a fresh and innovative approach to project with measurable results. Mary’s Strengths include policy development, consensus building, grant strategy and execution, grass roots event planning, strategic planning and budget management. Mary graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in the School of Natural Resources. She has completed the Michigan Political Leadership Program at Michigan State University and the Leadership Grand Traverse program.