Traverse Connect is the lead economic development organization for the Grand Traverse Region, which supports area businesses by combining business attraction and retention strategies, talent development efforts, and strategic coordination among partner agencies.
In pursuit of our mission to advance the economic vitality of the Grand Traverse Region through the growth of family-sustaining careers, we issue the following statement in response to the Grand Traverse County Commission meeting held on January 20, 2021.
To the Citizens of Grand Traverse County:
Our community has worked hard to build an inclusive, welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike. Over the last year, we have all joined together in the continued fight against COVID-19. Unfortunately, the behaviors displayed at the Grand Traverse County Commission’s meeting last week undermine these collective efforts and go against everything for which our community stands.
The display of a firearm during a public meeting, while a community member was expressing their opinion, runs counter to the civil discourse central to the functioning of local, state, and federal government. Our community must embrace civil public discourse and the sharing of diverse opinions with elected officials.
Let it be known that business and community leaders from across this great community of ours do not support actions or behaviors that undermine our work to foster a community where we all want to live, work, and play, as well as one that welcomes and attracts the best and brightest talent to our region.
| Steve Perdue Chair Traverse Connect |
Russ Knopp Vice-Chair Traverse Connect |
| Sara Harding Treasurer Traverse Connect |
Matt Wille Secretary Traverse Connect |
| Dave Mengebier Chair Traverse Connect Government Relations Committee |
Warren M. Call President & CEO Traverse Connect |
| McKeel Hagerty Chief Executive Officer Hagerty |
Jim Carruthers Mayor City of Traverse City |
| Dr. Nicholas E. Ceglarek Superintendent Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District |
Jean Derenzy CEO Traverse City Downtown Development Authority |
| Gabe Schneider Chair Traverse City Downtown Development Authority |
Scott Hardy Vice–Chair Traverse City Downtown Development Authority |
| Steve Constantin Treasurer Traverse City Downtown Development Authority |
Debbie Hershey Secretary Traverse City Downtown Development Authority |
| Kelly Ignace Board President TCNewTech |
Jennifer Szunko Executive Director TCNewTech |
| Michael R. Brown Burdco Incorporated |
Fernando Meza Oneupweb |
| Kate Glancy | Jordan J. Lindberg, Ph.D. President, Stardust Memorials & Executive Vice-President, eFulfillment Service, Inc. |
| Bonnie Alfonso Alfie Logo Gear |
Joanne Robb |
| Christie Minervini City Commissioner City of Traverse City |
Heidi Lovy |
| L. Eric Ranieri Ranieri Hanley & Hodek, PLC |
Bruce Moore |
| Kristin W. Moore | Andrew Belanger |
| Marcia Metzen | Dawn Atkins |
| Robert Atkins | Nathan & Amy Cox Cox Machine LLC |
| June Harmsen | George Heydlauff QT Nails LLC |
| Coryn Briggs | Marc McKellar |
| Lauren Harris | Patricia Raven |
| Carolyn M. Greenman | Ruthanne Kladder |
| Fern Spence | Amy Branco |
| Elisabeth Urban | Tobi Karch |
| Julia Crandall | Cathy Thayer |
| Micheal Vickery | Barb Corbett |
| Steve Shuckra | Carol Shuckra |
| Linda Koebert | Donna Hornberger |
| Lori Brickman | Donna Moore |
| Kathy Tuckerman | Sean Goheen |
| Ann McPhail | T. Michael Jackson Board Member Traverse City Downtown Development Authority |
| Marsha Wheaton | Richard I. Lewis Former City Manger, Traverse City; former City Commissioner; and Board Member, Traverse City Downtown Development Authority |
| Rita Jacobs | Margaret Tipsword |
| Roberta Meserve | Sabrina Newton Old Town Manors, LLC |
| Lillian Adler Ostendorf | Darlene Doorlag Leelanau Indivisible |
| Leslie South | Gray Seaman PC |
| Cynthia Chartrand | Jennifer Archibald Eden Song |
| Nick Beadleston Good Impacts |
Anne Montgomery |
| Lila Kroupa Araby retired TCAPS teacher |
June Thaden |
| Sylvia McCullough | Kathryn Mead Retired educator |
| S. Leonard Self Employed small business |
Jean Larson |
| Laurie Larson | Debbie Winicki |
| Brian Winicki | MaryLee Pakieser MSN,RN,FNP-BC |
| Ted Wendling | Jan Rygwelski |
| Sam Shore TriWest Group. LLC |
Linda B Pepper Retired veterinarian, teacher and principal |
| Denise Busley Grand Traverse Pie Company |
Pam Amundsen |
| Stewart Grudzien Stewart E. Grudzien Consulting |
Marcy P. Grudzien Owner MECCA-Benzie County |
| Kevin Marquardt | Kate Dahlstrom |
| Nick Viox Up North Pride, Programming/Events Chair |
Please click HERE if you would like to sign the statement.
