Who will be involved in developing the Brand for Manistee County? Everyone!
One purpose of the Brand Manistee County Leadership Team is to involve all interests in the developing our brand: communities; governments, businesses; industry, schools, nonprofit organizations; year-round and seasonal residents; visitors; civic groups – everyone!
The Leadership Team will join with our branding consulting firm, North Star, to obtain input during the brand development process. Opportunities for participation include:
- A series of one-on-one meetings and focus groups over the period July 12-15, 2009.
- A community forum, date TBD.
- This web site: www.brandmanisteecounty.com where everyone can offer their ideas, experiences and inspirations and complete a survey form to help develop the brand for Manistee County.
- A written survey that, in addition to being on-line, will be distributed throughout the County and available in hard copy by contacting the Alliance for Economic Success at 231-723-4325. NOTE:This is not online yet but we will alert people when it is available.
- Input on branding options
- Training and orientation for all interests about the message and the brand, including its uses and applications.
Leadership Team:
Judy Ball
Judy has served as the Executive Director for the Manistee County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (CVB) for over two years and reports to a Board of Directors that governs the CVB. She has over 13 years of business experience, including owner/operator of a Manistee-based motel/hospitality business and work with mail order company that specialized in educational materials. She represents Manistee County on the Michigan Association of CVB’s and is a member of the Port Cities Collaborative, the West Michigan Tourist Association and the West Michigan Film Office. Judy also serves on a new Manistee County Steering Committee that is developing resources and facilities to make Manistee County a premier destination for universal access to lakes, rivers and Lake Michigan waters. She has resided in Manistee County for approximately eight years and is a passionate supporter of Manistee County as a destination for tourists world-wide.
Amy Berry
Current Position: Corporate Communications Manager
Mariah Power
Amy is responsible for public relations and corporate communications for Mariah Power and the Windspire wind turbine. Berry is also involved in the development of branding and marketing plans for Mariah Power. Under Berry’s leadership, Mariah Power has gained national publicity for the Windspire wind turbine and the opening of the Windspire manufacturing facility in Manistee, Michigan.
With more than a decade of brand management and marketing experience, Berry came to Mariah Power in January 2009 from Reno-based marketing and PR firm, Bauserman Group where she was Director of Strategic Planning. Prior to joining Bauserman Group, Berry was Partner, Account Supervisor at Ogilvy Worldwide in New York City, dedicated to servicing the global IBM account. Before joining Oglivy, she worked at Saatchi & Saatchi on the advertising campaigns for General Mills cereals (Cheerios, Kix, Cocoa Puffs) and Johnson & Johnson/Merck’s Pepcid AC and Mylanta. Berry also had the opportunity to help “take a bite out of crime” while working on the National Crime Council Prevention Council.
In addition to her business expertise, Berry served on the marketing committee of the Truckee Meadows Boys & Girls Club and was honored by the 2008 Nevada Women’s Fund. Berry earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.
Berry currently resides in Reno. Nevada with her husband Seth, daughter Grace and dog Indy.
Jim Draze
Jim Draze is a partner in Draze Consulting with his wife Deanna Draze. Draze Consulting has several projects in process with the Manistee Alliance for Economic Success. Jim is also chairperson of the Village of Kaleva planning commission, and vice president of the Kaleva Historical Society. Jim and his wife moved to Manistee County in 2007. They built a home in Kaleva in 2002 and have been active in community activities in the Kaleva area since 2005.
Prior to moving to Manistee County, Jim worked in public health in Kalamazoo County and the eastern U. P. He was responsible for supervision and environmental health program management in Kalamazoo County from 1994 to 2007. That work included building partnerships between businesses and government and administration of federal grants. In Mackinac County, Jim worked in environmental health programs, held an elected seat in city government, and worked with a downtown development authority.
Jim has degrees in engineering and public administration, and a fellowship in community health leadership.
Tim Ervin
Ervin is a consultant to the Alliance for Economic Success. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of Crystal Enterprises, Inc. (Crystal Mountain Resort). Most recently, he served as President of the Manistee County Community Foundation and co-director of the Great Lakes Water Studies Institute in Traverse City, Michigan. Prior to moving to Manistee County in 2005, Ervin was president and chief executive officer of a business in southeast Michigan for 11 years that was involved with industrial distribution, robotic systems integration and commercial and retail marketing and sales. In that capacity, he served on Boards for several companies and public organizations, including Miller Electric Mfg. Co., Illinois Tool Works and Praxair, Inc. Before that, Ervin served as a gubernatorial appointee and directed the Michigan Youth Corps, the largest state-sponsored youth employment and training program in the nation, as well as the Civilian Conservation Corps. Prior to that, Ervin worked for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources where he held several management positions in environmental protection, environmental program planning and coastal management and served as a liaison to Michigan’s Congressional Delegation and Legislature.
Cathy Fairbanks
Current Position: Executive Assistant/Grant Manager
Alliance For Economic Success
Fairbanks is responsible for office management, grant coordination, network marketing, website maintenance and bookkeeping. She is also a member of the Brand Manistee County Leadership Team.
Fairbanks is an adjunct instructor at West Shore Community College where she teaches business and computer courses. Fairbanks also owns a construction business and farm with her husband Ted. Until recently, Fairbanks also owned and operated a small retail business.
Fairbanks, a native to Northwest Michigan, has lived in Florida, Texas, and Indiana. Prior to returning to Michigan, Fairbanks was a Team Leader for a software development firm in Indianapolis. Fairbanks’s team was instrumental in the development and implementation of a software package in McDonald’s distribution centers worldwide. Fairbanks traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and to Hong Kong and Australia for the design and training phases. The success of her team led to a company wide reorganization and the implementation of the team concept.
In addition to 30 plus years of business and computer experience, Fairbanks has been active in a local tourist association, a member of Faith Fellowship Church, Phi Theta Kappa, Michigan Retailers Association, and Michigan Business and Professional Association, and a volunteer with Munson Hospice. Fairbanks earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Davenport University.
Fairbanks currently resides in Wellston, Michigan with her husband Ted and dog Zoey.
Cyndy Fuller
Current Position: General Manager/Vice President
Harbor Village at Manistee Beach
Elected Position: City Council, 2nd District – Mayor
City of Manistee
Cyndy is responsible for the management and development of Harbor Village at Manistee Beach, a 55-acre condominium and marina development on the shores of Lake Michigan. Beginning in 1991, Harbor Village has evolved from a former sand mining site into a community currently consisting of 100 marina slips, and 204 condominium homes. Additionally, twenty-four single-family homes sites were developed and sold in its Dunes Estate Subdivision. Initially the office and sales manager, Cyndy has directed the planning, construction, sales, marketing and rental and association management for the development for the past ten years, and will be winding down operations for the Developer as it concludes its business.
Prior to moving to Manistee with her husband Don in March of 1992, Cyndy’s real estate career began in Lansing where she served as a sales associate and closing broker for Carriage House Realty before purchasing the branch office in 1981. During this time she was an instructor at Lansing Community College for six years, writing and teaching several Real Estate courses in the Business Division. Immediately prior to her move to Manistee she was Vice President of Mid-State Title Company, working with a business colleague who was Mid-State Title’s founder. During her tenure she developed and managed the escrow department while Mid-State Title Company grew from one office in Okemos, Michigan to six offices in the greater Lansing area and Jackson. While absent from Harbor Village for a one-year period, Cyndy also worked with Gockerman, Wilson, Saylor and Hesslin in opening a Century 21 franchise in Manistee.
In addition to her business expertise, Fuller has served on several committees and Boards. Currently she serves on the Board of Directors of Alternatives for Area Youth, and the Steering Committee for the county Branding initiative. As Mayor for the City of Manistee she serves as Chair of the Main Street/DDA Boards, Chair of the Oil and Gas Board, and is a member of the Operational Services Assessment Committee.
Appreciative of Manistee County’s natural resources Fuller enjoys biking, kayaking, sailing, and golfing.
Laura Heintzelman
Current Position: Executive Director
Manistee County Community Foundation
Ms. Heintzelman is responsible for carrying out the Manistee County Community Foundation’s mission to build community endowment, affect positive change through grantmaking and provide leadership on key community issues. She also oversees the administrative operations of the Foundation. Through her position, Ms. Heintzelman furthers the Foundation’s role of facilitating philanthropy to enhance the quality of life for the people of Manistee County, now and for generations to come.
With nearly a decade of experience working and consulting in the nonprofit sector, Heintzelman was hired as executive director of the Manistee County Community Foundation in 2007. Prior to her work with the Foundation, Heintzelman provided consulting services in the areas of grant writing, facilitation, and planning. She worked as associate consultant for Public Sector Consultants, based in Lansing, Michigan, in the development of the state-approved Portage Lake Watershed Forever management plan. From 2004-2006 Heintzelman served as founding manager of northern Michigan’s first nonprofit management support organization, NorthSky Nonprofit Network. Previously she spent four years working as project manager focused on coordinating grassroots watershed restoration efforts for the Conservation Resource Alliance, a nonprofit organization based in Traverse City, Michigan.
Heintzelman earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Central Michigan University and a Master of Science degree from Utah State University.
Heintzelman resides in Manistee with her husband Scott and son Owen. Together they enjoy the wealth of outdoor recreation opportunities offered in Manistee County.
Ray Schmidt
Currently: Owns Schmidt Outfitters
Ray founded Schmidt Outfitters over 30 years ago. Schmidt Outfitters is a full service fly-fishing resort in Wellston, MI serving fly anglers worldwide.
Services provided at Schmidt's include; guided fly-fishing on rivers of our region, a full service fly shop, lodging, fly-fishing schools, on-line retail services and destination world-wide travel service.
Ray serves on many committees that are resource related, a past director of the Manistee County Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Manistee National Forest Festival and other community organizations.
In addition to Ray's service to non-profits he is currently vice-president of Reeling and Healing (a women's breast cancer recovery group).
Ray has been honored with many awards over his career including, "top 20 lodges of North America (Field and Stream Magazine), America's best Fly-fishing school (Outdoor Life Magazine), America's top 10 fly-fishing guides (Fly Rod and Reel Magazine) and many awards from the Federation of Fly Fishers and Trout Unlimited.
Ray and his family live in Manistee County
Schmidt Outfitters
918 Seaman Road
Wellston, MI 49689
888-221-9056
www.schmidtoutfitters.com
Amy Wojciechowski
Current Position: Chairperson, Business Division West Shore Community College
Amy is responsible for business courses at WSCC. She teaches in the Marketing and Management Program area and has been at WSCC since 1980. Wojciechowski is a member of the Leadership Team for the Region 7 Tech Prep grant, Advisor for the Future Business Leaders Association, recipient of the Michigan Business Educators Business Educator of the year for the State of MI., and presents at national conferences throughout the United States.
Wojciechowski began her tenure at WSCC as a Manager of Food Services and instructor in the Travel and Hotel/Motel program. During this time she was also an instructor for the Mason-Lake ISD Tech Prep program. She transitioned into the Marketing and Management Program a few years later and moved into the Chair of the Business Division in 2008. As an active member of the Curriculum Council, Economic Development Team, Customer Service Team, and College Learning Team she has been very involved in the activities on campus. Wojciechowski has been the Customer Service Trainer for Lake MI Carferry since 1991, has trained employees from various industries throughout Mason and Manistee County, and was involved with the hiring and training of employees of Little River Casino Resort in 1999.
In addition to her business expertise, Wojciechowski serves on the Manistee Chamber Director Board, Alliance for Economic Success Board, President of the Manistee County Habitat for Humanity, member of the Consumer Review Panel for the Manistee County United Way, and has been involved with other local organizations throughout the years. Wojciechowski earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Central Michigan University, a Masters of Science Degree from Ferris State University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Western MI University.
Wojciechowski currently resides in Manistee with her husband Jim. Amy and Jim have two children, Krista in Kalamazoo and Jason in Phoenix, AZ.