LIAA New Executive Director - TC Ticker

LIAA Names New Executive Director November 5, 2015 - TC Ticker

The Land Information Access Association (LIAA) has named Harry Burkholder its new executive director. Burkholder - who has worked for the Traverse City nonprofit for the past 11 years, most recently as director of community planning - replaces Whitney Waara, who stepped down in early October.  Burkholder will oversee all of LIAA’s programs, including the organization's UpNorth Media Center. “Harry has a deep understanding of what we are and is an adept, respected professional to lead us into new, innovative places," says John Egelhaaf, chair of LIAA’s board of directors. A native of the greater Detroit area, Burkholder holds a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University and a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from Michigan State University. He lives in Traverse City with his wife and three young children. “I look forward to working with our board and exceptional staff to continue building relationships with our statewide partners and make a more concerted effort to build strong relationships and collaborate here in Traverse City," says Burkholder. Permalink

Employment Opportunity

From NorthSky Nonprofit Network postings ...

EXECTIVE DIRECTOR

The Father Fred Foundation seeks an Executive Director who is responsible for the consistent achievement of its mission, financial objectives and moving the organization toward its vision.This position is responsible for the overall management of the organization and requires a leadership style consistent with the Foundation’s mission and core values. The individual who fills this position must build collaborative relationships within the community, and will take an active role in the strategic planning process. Entry requirements include a Bachelor’s degree in management, administration or a related field and a minimum of 5 years of progressive non-profit leadership and management experience, including personnel and financial management. Experience working with a faith-based organization, board of directors and grant writing is preferred. Compensation package includes access to benefits including health, dental, vision, life and retirement plans, as well as a generous paid time off program. Full job description

Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to:FFFExDr@gmail.com

New director, new direction for Leelanau Community Cultural Center

New director, new direction for Leelanau center
Traverse City Record Eagle, 24 October 2014
BY MARTA HEPLER DRAHOS

mdrahos@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — Becky Ross sees art from both sides of the loom: as a fiber artist, and as an arts administrator whose job is to help weave together her organization’s past, present and future.

Ross recently signed on to become the Leelanau Community Cultural Center’s second executive director. She replaces Judy Livingston, who retires after 17 years.

Ross is the former executive director of the Leelanau Children’s Center and a former LCCC board member. She was selected from a field of more than 45 applicants from as far away as Brazil, said Dan Lisuk, LCCC board president.

“She has incredible experience in working with nonprofits in terms of fundraising and grant writing, both of which are significant to our organization,” said Lisuk, noting Ross’s longtime career as a fundraising and strategic planning consultant with private and independent schools internationally. “She has a deep love and history with Leland, which we hold at a high premium since we serve the community. And she had knowledge of our organization so the transition will be easier.” 

Record-Eagle/ Jan-Michael Stump

Ross said her immediate focus is on continuing what the center “does so well” — from adult and children’s classes to exhibitions, concerts and films — but with an eye toward drawing in a younger crowd.

“I’d like to see a children’s choir perform, I’d like to see storytelling and younger music, so we do a really great job for our year-round residents,” she said. “There’s a younger crowd who also live here that we can engage. It’s an area to grow.”

Other priorities include developing a strategic plan for the next five to seven years, doubling the center’s endowment fund from $500,000 to $1 million during the next few years and improving the organization’s recognition in the greater Leelanau community and Traverse City.

“If there’s a concern, it would be marketing: how do we let people know who we are, what we do, and where we are,” she said.

The Leelanau Community Cultural Center is housed in the Old Art Building, a Leland village icon for more than 90 years. The state-recognized historic structure near Main Street along the Leland River was built in 1922 as a women’s cultural and social club. From 1939-1989 it was used as a summer art school by Michigan State University — then known as Michigan State College — which still owns the property.

Now the building, with its 20-foot ceilings, wood floors and walls, fieldstone fireplace and curved stage, plays host to everything from fitness classes and weddings to art shows and film, spoken word, coffeehouse and concert series, making it a vital part of life in the tight-knit community.

Ross said she plans to keep the community focus while expanding the center’s “possibilities.” Eventually she hopes to explore collaborations with other organizations like Petoskey’s Crooked Tree Arts Center and Interlochen Center for the Arts.

“You don’t want to be everything to everyone but we don’t want to be a small thing to a small group,” she said. “We want to broaden our horizons that way. We are not and do not have a longterm gallery space where we could put up a show that could last a month, but that doesn’t mean we couldn’t do co-op events with other people.”

Said Lisuk: “One of the things we guard jealously is our relationship with the community. But even the little town of Leland is digitally connected to the rest of the world, so we have to keep our options open while being sensitive to our tradition to the past and the community.”

If anyone understands that, it’s Ross. The Toledo, Ohio, native grew up vacationing in the Leelanau County area, where her grandparents lived. She exhibited and volunteered with LCCC’s annual fall Fiber Festival for 10 years, and joined the organization’s board shortly after moving to Cedar from Marshall in 2010.

“The Leelanau Community Cultural Center’s strengths are the programs that are offered for the community,” she said. “It’s such a great place and program. Right now I’m looking at a room full of artists that come together to paint every Tuesday.”

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Children's Advocacy Center New Exec

CAC has new exec director : Bolde has been interim since last leader left in May
Traverse City Record Eagle, 24 October 2014

BY SARAH ELMS

selms@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — The Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center’s new executive director has an easy transition. That’s because she’s been serving as the center’s interim director since former leader Brooke Nettz left in May.
The CAC works to identify, treat and prevent sexual and physical child abuse.

Sue Bolde started volunteering at the center as a grant writer in 2011, and in 2013 was hired part-time as fund development coordinator before she stepped into the leadership role.

“I consider it an honor to be given the opportunity to lead the center because of its humanitarian mission to protect children from abuse,” Bolde said.

She’s previously worked as a counselor at Leland Public Schools and as the Leelanau Township Community Foundation’s executive director.

Jayne Mohr, the CAC’s board chair, said Bolde did an “exceptional job” serving in the interim and she’s happy to have her in a more permanent position.

“She really reached out to strengthen our relationships with community partners, continues to advocate for fundraising for us, and most importantly is passionate about keeping our children safe in our community,” Mohr said.

The CAC serves families in Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, and officials plan to expand services to Antrim, Benzie and Kalkaska counties in the near future.

They’re also in the process of launching a new five-county prevention initiative in collaboration with the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation.

“Sue’s leadership is really helping us position ourselves to better meet the needs and the demands of the future,” Mohr said.

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Local YMCA Looking for New Leader

From the TC Ticker ... August 9, 2014

The Grand Traverse Bay YMCA is looking for a new leader. The board of directors has announced a "new direction" in leadership and says a search for a new executive director will begin immediately. CEO Tom Van Deinse has led the organization since 1999. A capital campaign and subsequent construction of the first phase of the new YMCA on West Silver Lake Road has defined his tenure – a project whose fundraising efforts were significantly slowed by the economic recession and recently has been plagued by weather and construction delays. The new facility is now expected to open within the next 30 days, according to a statement by Board President Lynn Schultz. The Michigan YMCA USA Resource Director will consult with the local board and interim operational and financial management is already in place. Permalink

Community Chest appoints new executive director

Courtesy photo Aime Merizon (right) was recently named as the new executive director of Benzie County Community Chest. She is shown here with former executive director, Dave Yarnell, who retired from the part-time position.

BEULAH – Aime Merizon recently took over for David Yarnell as executive director of the Benzie County Community Chest. Yarnell has served in the part-time position since 2007. He recently retired from the position and also as a staff member of the Manistee News Advocate and moved from Manistee to Kalamazoo.

Merizon is not a newcomer to Community Chest. She served as executive director of the organization for six months in 2007 before a short-term relocation forced her to resign the position.

"I am very pleased to have the opportunity to pick up where I left off with Community Chest," Merizon said. 

More - Click here from Grand Traverse Insider 20 July 2014 

New director, exhibits coming to Children's Museum

Traverse City Record-Eagle

May 5, 2014

New director, exhibits coming to Children's Museum

BY SARAH ELMS selms@record-eagle.com
Traverse City Record-Eagle

---- — TRAVERSE CITY — The Great Lakes Children’s Museum hired a new executive director to replace John Noonan, who resigned in January after leading the museum for 11 years.

Michael Long takes the reins at the museum on May 8.

Long recently left his executive director position at Jefferson County Administrators Association in Colorado, a professional membership association for leaders in Jefferson County Public Schools.

Long helped found the Northwoods Children’s Museum in Wisconsin where he served as its executive director for eight years before his move to Colorado.

Great Lakes Children’s Museum Board of Directors president Matt Missias said Long is the “absolute right fit for the position.” His museum experience and education background set him apart from the other 24 applicants.

“Not only could he run a museum, not only could he do the job that needed to be done, but he also had the perspective of how to reach our target demographic of children,” Missias said.

Board members interviewed 10 candidates and narrowed the pool to three top candidates before they made their decision. Missias said Long has a strong vision of how he wants to see the museum grow and supports the team atmosphere board members were looking for.

“I don’t know how else to put it. He gets it,” Missias said. “He understands how to run and grow an organization like ours.”

Long said children’s museums give kids the chance to understand their environment in a fun way, and he’s looking forward to figuring out what makes Traverse City tick.

“I’m interested in finding out what’s unique about Traverse City and what kids need to learn to understand the world around them,” he said.

His goal is to make sure that whatever exhibits or events the museum hosts continue to be relevant and engaging for adults and kids, he said. The museum is geared toward children ages 2 to 6, and Long wants to gradually expand that range to include children up to 10 years old.

Hiring a new executive director is one of many changes planned for the museum in the coming months. Three new water-themed exhibits are in the works.

“It’s time to start looking at ways to refresh the space and give kids and families new things to play with,” Missias said.

The first is called Building Bridges and will include a bridge that children can build themselves and walk across as well as a suspension bridge modeled after the Mackinac Bridge. The second new exhibit will focus on sail boats.

“We’re putting in a sail table with different model boats so kids can attach different size sails to the boats and see how they can be manipulated by the wind,” Missias said.

Guardians of the Great Lakes is the third and largest of the new exhibits. It will include information about the Coast Guard and Traverse City and will feature a model helicopter with authentic sounds and lights that children can play in. It also will include a wave tank to teach children about how waves affect the environment.

“What we’re looking at is how the geography of the region is protected and served by organizations like the Coast Guard,” Missias said.


Museum officials hope to have the first phase of Building Bridges installed in the next few weeks and the sail table set up during the summer. Guardians of the Great Lakes could be ready to go as early as September or as late as March 2015, depending on the designer chosen for the build.

Leelanau Conservancy Director Departing

From the TC Ticker, 5 May 2014

Leelanau Conservancy Director Departing May 5, 2014

Brian Price, the only executive director the Leelanau Conservancy has ever known, will step down by early next year. Price was first hired on a part-time basis in 1988. Price tells The Ticker the organization's board of directors has had a transition committee in place for a couple of years in preparation for his retirement. He says the board will conduct a search this summer and hopes to have a new executive director installed by the end of the year. "By the beginning of next year, if all goes well, I'll step away," he says. While Price says he always believed in the group's mission of conserving the land, water and scenic character of Leelanau County, he couldn't have imagined the scope of its impact. "I always thought that if we harnessed all the goodwill and the feelings people have for the beauty of this region that people would respond," he says. "But I never thought this organization would be so successful or grow to what it is today," citing his staff of 12. "We should be proudest that we had our hand in changing the underlying tone … that people don't have to be resigned to a loss of a community's character [ as it grows and changes]. And that's true across the region." The Ticker spoke with Price about the Conservancy's 25th anniversary last summer. Read what he had to say about those early days on the job, his most cherished projects, as well as the organization's biggest challenge in his 26-year tenure. Permalink

New Exec at Children's Museum

From TC Ticker ....

Children's Museum Names New Director April 30, 2014

Michael Long has been named the new executive director of the Great Lakes Children's Museum in Traverse City. He replaces John Noonan, who left the organization in January. Most recently, Long was the executive director for five years of The Jefferson County Administrators Association in Colorado, a professional membership association serving leaders in the Jefferson County Public Schools. Prior to that he was the executive director of the Northwoods Children's Museum in Wisconsin for eight years. The museum leadership also recently announced some new exhibits planned at the museum over the next several months. They include model boats to help kids learn about sails and wind power for watercraft, a new bridge exhibit that includes a miniature suspension bridge modeled after the Mighty Mac and a Guardians of the Great Lakes exhibit that will highlight Traverse City's designation as a Coast Guard City.