West Michigan Strategic Alliance Staff
Administration
Greg Northrup, President
616-356-6060
Greg comes to the WMSA after a long career with CMS Energy/Consumers Energy, headquartered in Jackson, Michigan, where he held the position of Director of Economic Development. In this position he had responsibilities for economic development in regions served by the companies. Its programs were consistently recognized as one of the top ten in the U.S. and internationally, with special recognition for innovative programming focusing on international business attraction and development strategies in Europe, South America, Africa and Asia and redevelopment of urban core cities.
In April 2006, Greg was named President of the West Michigan Strategic Alliance, following a successful repositioning of the organization while he served as the acting President. During his short tenure, the organization has secured grants and contributions totaling over $500,000 and a WIRED grant from the U.S. Department of Labor for $15 million over three-years. Currently, the organization is focusing on the development and use of regional indicators, protection, preservation and management of the region’s natural resources, sustainable manufacturing to include a focus on alternative energy, clean cities and the development of innovation in workforce development designed to ensure the region’s competitive position.
Click here to connect with Greg on LinkedIn.
Tedd R. Parsons, Executive Assistant
616-871-2447
Tedd was appointed the position of Executive Assistant to the President in March 2007. He comes to the organization with over ten-years experience in providing executive level management with professional administrative/technical support. His primary responsibilities include providing direct support to the President and Board of Directors, working on special projects, maintaining the WMSA website and attending to the day to day operations of the organization.
Tedd’s professional experience includes holding positions as a Senior Executive Assistant, Facilities Manager, Executive Administrator and Vice President of Operations/Human Resources. He received his certification in Purchasing & Procurement after attending the University of Wisconsin – Madison, School of Business. Additionally, he holds certifications in facilities management, ergonomics and human resources. More recently, he completed the Institute for Healing Racism (GRACE) here in Grand Rapids and was elected to the Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance (LEDA) Board of Directors.
Click here to connect with Tedd on LinkedIn.
Christine Seller, Intern- Administration
616-328-5133
Christine Seller, a sophomore attending Aquinas College Minnesota and has enjoyed her time so far in the big city (Grand Rapids West Michigan , especially after the first time she saw how beautiful the trees looked in the fall and how there are so many trees in the city. Christine is excited for this internship and wants to bring her experiences back to Aquinas and the surrounding community.
Mallory Campbell, WMSA Intern
616-451-4348
Mallory Campbell came to WMSA as intern in June 2009. She is a Senior at East Grand Rapids High School
Mallory is in the process of applying to colleges and hopes to double-major in International Business and Spanish.
Green Infrastructure
Susie E. Matteson, Intern- Green Infrastructure
616-871-2450
Green Infrastructure Intern Susie Matteson, originally from Farmington, Michigan, started with WMSA in December 2009. Susie will be graduating May 2010 from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelors of Science in Public and Nonprofit Administration and minor in Environmental Studies.Susie has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, Clean Water Action, and more recently became a member of Grand Valley’s Student Environmental Coalition, focusing on a bottled water ban campaign.
After graduation (May 2010), Susie plans to work with organizations focused on encouraging and demonstrating to everyday people the benefits of having a sustainable lifestyle. She also plans to obtain a masters in some area of sustainability.
Internship Initiative
Cindy Brown, Project Manager
616-871-2452
Cindy accepted the Internship Initiative Project Manager position in September 2008. She comes to WMSA after a lengthy career at Enterprise Rent-A-Car where her responsibilities included the development and implementation of a summer internship program, including the recruitment of college students to participate in the program. Cindy brings over 20-years leadership experience in employee development and coaching, recruiting, sales and brand management, including training and facilitation.
Currently Cindy serves on the board of the West Michigan ’s Top 100 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For. She also serves on the board of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Grand Rapids Affiliate and co-chair of the local Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Cindy received her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Aquinas College
Click here to connect with Cindy on LinkedIn.
Resource Partners
Professional Administrative Resources
Julie & Peter Metsker
616-451-4348
Professional Administrative Resources LLC (PAR), provides administrative and communications support to WMSA as well as event coordination and database management.
Julie Metsker is President of PAR, and has over 25-years of experience working with organizations like WMSA.
Peter Metsker is Vice President and CFO. With over 30-years of experience with small businesses and manufacturers, he brings a wealth of knowledge to the financial side of WMSA.
With over 25 years of experience, PAR provides association management and administrative services for regional trade associations, non-profit organizations and small business. Clients such as ACG Western Michigan, AAF West Michigan, Central Fabricators Association, West Michigan Chamber Coalition and West Michigan Strategic Alliance take advantage of services ranging from event planning and management, media communications, project management, bookkeeping and financial support. For more information, visit www.proadminresources.com.
Think Again
Pam Landes, Chief Thinker
616-396-2698
With a diverse background in television, creativity training and print media, Pam Landes, is the Chief Thinker at Think Again. This firm,established in 1991, provides a variety of consulting services. Pam has been involved in the development of the West Michigan Strategic Alliance since its beginnings. During Phase I, she managed 12 committees and served as writer/editor for The Common Framework in 2002. Most recently, she was the Project Manager for creating regional indicators featured in the West Michigan Vital Signs. A video project, completed in late 2006 for the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council, Into the Watershed,won both a Communicator Award of Distinction and a Silver Telly.
Pam Chairs the Academic Boosters group at Holland High School and has volunteered as an Odyssey of the Mind Coach for many years.
Click here to connect with Pam on LinkedIn.
Penning Ink Public Relations
Tim Penning, APR
616-844-2492
Professor Tim Penning, APR teaches courses in public relations. He has worked as a staff writer and editor for Traverse Magazine and Advance Newspapers. Following his career in journalism, Tim was Communication Director for an international mission agency, media relations manager for Grand Valley State University, and Public Relations Director for the Grand Rapids Community Foundation. As a professor, he continues to practice public relations as a consultant with his own business, Penning Ink. He was won several awards for his public relations work and was named "Distinguished Practitioner" by the West Michigan Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America in 2001 and 2005. He is active with the Public Relations Society of America, having served as president of the West Michigan chapter in 2004 and on its board for seven years. He also advises the GVSU student chapter of PRSSA. Tim is a founder and board member of Interchange: The Association for West Michigan Communication Professionals and a member of the Phi Kappa Phi National Honors Society. (B.A., Journalism, Central Michigan University; M.A., Organizational Communication, Western Michigan University, Ph.D. (in progress) in Media and Information Studies at Michigan State University. He writes a blog about advertising and public relations in West Michigan: http://gr-pr.blogspot.com/ (B.A., Journalism, Central Michigan University; M.A., Organizational Communication, Western Michigan University, Ph.D. (in progress) in Media Information Studies at Michigan State University.
Click here to connect with Tim on LinkedIn.
Greg Northrup, President
616-356-6060
Greg comes to the WMSA after a long career with CMS Energy/Consumers Energy, headquartered in Jackson, Michigan, where he held the position of Director of Economic Development. In this position he had responsibilities for economic development in regions served by the companies. Its programs were consistently recognized as one of the top ten in the U.S. and internationally, with special recognition for innovative programming focusing on international business attraction and development strategies in Europe, South America, Africa and Asia and redevelopment of urban core cities.
In April 2006, Greg was named President of the West Michigan Strategic Alliance, following a successful repositioning of the organization while he served as the acting President. During his short tenure, the organization has secured grants and contributions totaling over $500,000 and a WIRED grant from the U.S. Department of Labor for $15 million over three-years. Currently, the organization is focusing on the development and use of regional indicators, protection, preservation and management of the region’s natural resources, sustainable manufacturing to include a focus on alternative energy, clean cities and the development of innovation in workforce development designed to ensure the region’s competitive position.
Click here to connect with Greg on LinkedIn.
Tedd R. Parsons, Executive Assistant
616-871-2447
Tedd was appointed the position of Executive Assistant to the President in March 2007. He comes to the organization with over ten-years experience in providing executive level management with professional administrative/technical support. His primary responsibilities include providing direct support to the President and Board of Directors, working on special projects, maintaining the WMSA website and attending to the day to day operations of the organization.
Tedd’s professional experience includes holding positions as a Senior Executive Assistant, Facilities Manager, Executive Administrator and Vice President of Operations/Human Resources. He received his certification in Purchasing & Procurement after attending the University of Wisconsin – Madison, School of Business. Additionally, he holds certifications in facilities management, ergonomics and human resources. More recently, he completed the Institute for Healing Racism (GRACE) here in Grand Rapids and was elected to the Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance (LEDA) Board of Directors.
Click here to connect with Tedd on LinkedIn.
Christine Seller, Intern- Administration
616-328-5133
Christine Seller, a sophomore attending
Mallory Campbell, WMSA Intern
616-451-4348
Mallory Campbell came to WMSA as intern in June 2009. She is a Senior at
Mallory is in the process of applying to colleges and hopes to double-major in International Business and Spanish.
Susie E. Matteson, Intern- Green Infrastructure
616-871-2450
Green Infrastructure Intern Susie Matteson, originally from Farmington, Michigan, started with WMSA in December 2009. Susie will be graduating May 2010 from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelors of Science in Public and Nonprofit Administration and minor in Environmental Studies.Susie has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, Clean Water Action, and more recently became a member of Grand Valley’s Student Environmental Coalition, focusing on a bottled water ban campaign.
After graduation (May 2010), Susie plans to work with organizations focused on encouraging and demonstrating to everyday people the benefits of having a sustainable lifestyle. She also plans to obtain a masters in some area of sustainability.
Internship InitiativeCindy Brown, Project Manager
616-871-2452
Cindy accepted the Internship Initiative Project Manager position in September 2008. She comes to WMSA after a lengthy career at Enterprise Rent-A-Car where her responsibilities included the development and implementation of a summer internship program, including the recruitment of college students to participate in the program. Cindy brings over 20-years leadership experience in employee development and coaching, recruiting, sales and brand management, including training and facilitation.
Currently Cindy serves on the board of the West Michigan ’s Top 100 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For. She also serves on the board of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Grand Rapids Affiliate and co-chair of the local Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Cindy received her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Aquinas College
Click here to connect with Cindy on LinkedIn.
Resource PartnersProfessional Administrative Resources
Julie & Peter Metsker
616-451-4348
Professional Administrative Resources LLC (PAR), provides administrative and communications support to WMSA as well as event coordination and database management.
Julie Metsker is President of PAR, and has over 25-years of experience working with organizations like WMSA.
Peter Metsker is Vice President and CFO. With over 30-years of experience with small businesses and manufacturers, he brings a wealth of knowledge to the financial side of WMSA.
With over 25 years of experience, PAR provides association management and administrative services for regional trade associations, non-profit organizations and small business. Clients such as ACG Western Michigan, AAF West Michigan, Central Fabricators Association, West Michigan Chamber Coalition and West Michigan Strategic Alliance take advantage of services ranging from event planning and management, media communications, project management, bookkeeping and financial support. For more information, visit www.proadminresources.com.
Think Again
Pam Landes, Chief Thinker
616-396-2698
With a diverse background in television, creativity training and print media, Pam Landes, is the Chief Thinker at Think Again. This firm,established in 1991, provides a variety of consulting services. Pam has been involved in the development of the West Michigan Strategic Alliance since its beginnings. During Phase I, she managed 12 committees and served as writer/editor for The Common Framework in 2002. Most recently, she was the Project Manager for creating regional indicators featured in the West Michigan Vital Signs. A video project, completed in late 2006 for the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council, Into the Watershed,won both a Communicator Award of Distinction and a Silver Telly.
Pam Chairs the Academic Boosters group at Holland High School and has volunteered as an Odyssey of the Mind Coach for many years.
Click here to connect with Pam on LinkedIn.
Penning Ink Public Relations
Tim Penning, APR
616-844-2492
Professor Tim Penning, APR teaches courses in public relations. He has worked as a staff writer and editor for Traverse Magazine and Advance Newspapers. Following his career in journalism, Tim was Communication Director for an international mission agency, media relations manager for Grand Valley State University, and Public Relations Director for the Grand Rapids Community Foundation. As a professor, he continues to practice public relations as a consultant with his own business, Penning Ink. He was won several awards for his public relations work and was named "Distinguished Practitioner" by the West Michigan Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America in 2001 and 2005. He is active with the Public Relations Society of America, having served as president of the West Michigan chapter in 2004 and on its board for seven years. He also advises the GVSU student chapter of PRSSA. Tim is a founder and board member of Interchange: The Association for West Michigan Communication Professionals and a member of the Phi Kappa Phi National Honors Society. (B.A., Journalism, Central Michigan University; M.A., Organizational Communication, Western Michigan University, Ph.D. (in progress) in Media and Information Studies at Michigan State University. He writes a blog about advertising and public relations in West Michigan: http://gr-pr.blogspot.com/ (B.A., Journalism, Central Michigan University; M.A., Organizational Communication, Western Michigan University, Ph.D. (in progress) in Media Information Studies at Michigan State University.
Click here to connect with Tim on LinkedIn.
Cindy Brown, Project Manager
616-871-2452
Cindy accepted the Internship Initiative Project Manager position in September 2008. She comes to WMSA after a lengthy career at Enterprise Rent-A-Car where her responsibilities included the development and implementation of a summer internship program, including the recruitment of college students to participate in the program. Cindy brings over 20-years leadership experience in employee development and coaching, recruiting, sales and brand management, including training and facilitation.
Currently Cindy serves on the board of the
Click here to connect with Cindy on LinkedIn.
Professional Administrative Resources
Julie & Peter Metsker
616-451-4348
Professional Administrative Resources LLC (PAR), provides administrative and communications support to WMSA as well as event coordination and database management.
Julie Metsker is President of PAR, and has over 25-years of experience working with organizations like WMSA.
Peter Metsker is Vice President and CFO. With over 30-years of experience with small businesses and manufacturers, he brings a wealth of knowledge to the financial side of WMSA.
With over 25 years of experience, PAR provides association management and administrative services for regional trade associations, non-profit organizations and small business. Clients such as ACG Western Michigan, AAF West Michigan, Central Fabricators Association, West Michigan Chamber Coalition and West Michigan Strategic Alliance take advantage of services ranging from event planning and management, media communications, project management, bookkeeping and financial support. For more information, visit www.proadminresources.com.
Think Again
Pam Landes, Chief Thinker
616-396-2698
With a diverse background in television, creativity training and print media, Pam Landes, is the Chief Thinker at Think Again. This firm,established in 1991, provides a variety of consulting services. Pam has been involved in the development of the West Michigan Strategic Alliance since its beginnings. During Phase I, she managed 12 committees and served as writer/editor for The Common Framework in 2002. Most recently, she was the Project Manager for creating regional indicators featured in the West Michigan Vital Signs. A video project, completed in late 2006 for the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council, Into the Watershed,won both a Communicator Award of Distinction and a Silver Telly.
Pam Chairs the Academic Boosters group at Holland High School and has volunteered as an Odyssey of the Mind Coach for many years.
Click here to connect with Pam on LinkedIn.
Penning Ink Public Relations
Tim Penning, APR
616-844-2492
Professor Tim Penning, APR teaches courses in public relations. He has worked as a staff writer and editor for Traverse Magazine and Advance Newspapers. Following his career in journalism, Tim was Communication Director for an international mission agency, media relations manager for Grand Valley State University, and Public Relations Director for the Grand Rapids Community Foundation. As a professor, he continues to practice public relations as a consultant with his own business, Penning Ink. He was won several awards for his public relations work and was named "Distinguished Practitioner" by the West Michigan Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America in 2001 and 2005. He is active with the Public Relations Society of America, having served as president of the West Michigan chapter in 2004 and on its board for seven years. He also advises the GVSU student chapter of PRSSA. Tim is a founder and board member of Interchange: The Association for West Michigan Communication Professionals and a member of the Phi Kappa Phi National Honors Society. (B.A., Journalism, Central Michigan University; M.A., Organizational Communication, Western Michigan University, Ph.D. (in progress) in Media and Information Studies at Michigan State University. He writes a blog about advertising and public relations in West Michigan: http://gr-pr.blogspot.com/ (B.A., Journalism, Central Michigan University; M.A., Organizational Communication, Western Michigan University, Ph.D. (in progress) in Media Information Studies at Michigan State University.
Click here to connect with Tim on LinkedIn.