Michigan Business Network

Faces of Manufacturing is a newer show to Michigan Business Network. Cindy Kangas, Executive Director, CAMC, Capital Area Manufacturing Council, Lansing, Michigan, co-hosts with Joy Wagner, HR Manager of Granger Waste Services, also Lansing. Cindy and Joy strive to share the corporate culture, personal stories, and unique personalities of those making a living in manufacturing today, in Michigan. With that in mind, this month they connected with several team members of Granger Waste Services. Segment 2 – Company Overview Guest: Paul Anderson, Chief Operating Officer Granger’s History and Mission · Can you start by giving us a brief overview of Granger’s history - how did the company get its start? · What makes Granger’s story unique in the waste services industry? · Granger is a family business at its core. How has that shaped the way the company operates and serves the community? What are Granger’s core values? Core Values: Safety First · Let’s talk about Granger’s core values; why is safety listed first? · Can you give an example of how Granger has prioritized safety in recent operations or projects? · What’s the biggest misconception people have about safety in the waste industry, and how does Granger approach that differently? · How do you keep safety top of mind every day, from leadership down to the front lines? Segment 3 – Safety and Training Guest: Josh Kindy, Safety and Training Manager Safety and Training · Tell us about your role · What are some of the tools or technologies Granger uses to support safety training today? · How do you measure success when it comes to safety training—what are the key indicators you track? · Safety is often associated with drivers and operations teams. How do you ensure safety is embedded across all departments—from HR to accounting to customer · How do you keep safety messaging fresh and relevant for all employees, not just those out in the field? · What advice would you give to other organizations trying to move from “safety as a rule” to “safety as a mindset”? Segment 4 – Frontline Safety in Operations Guest: Brian Looney, Operations Manager – Lansing Safety Training and Protocols for Professional Drivers · Tell us about your role · How do you keep safety front and center for drivers who have been on the job for years? · What are some of the most common risks drivers face, and how does Granger help them manage those risks? · How do you reinforce accountability and safe behavior out on the road—especially when no one is watching? · How do supervisors or lead drivers play a role in reinforcing safety protocols day-to-day? · Let’s talk about the equipment- how does Granger ensure its vehicles are safe and well-maintained? · What types of safety technology are installed in the trucks, and how do they help reduce incidents or near misses? · How does routing software or onboard cameras contribute to both safety and efficiency? · How do you balance using tech as a tool for safety versus it feeling like surveillance or micromanagement? Segment 5 – Waste Acceptance & Hidden Hazards Guest: Serenity Skillman, Construction Manager Risks of Dangerous Items in Trash · Can you start by explaining what “waste acceptance” means and how it relates to the work you do every day? · You’ve said that one of the biggest risks to our people comes from dangerous items hidden in the trash. What are some of the most common offenders? · Why are items like lithium-ion batteries, propane tanks, or chemicals such a serious threat in our waste stream? · Can you walk us through what can happen when these items end up in the wrong place whether it's on a truck, at a landfill, or at a transfer station? · What is Granger doing to educate customers and the community about what shouldn’t go in the trash? · How do our drivers and facility teams detect or respond to hazardous items before they cause harm? · What steps can everyday households take to help protect our people by properly disposing of hazardous items?

Lorri Rishar Jandron, MBA, Owner & CEO, EDGE Partnerships, Lansing, Marquette, Chicago, along with Becky Burtka, VP of member engagement, Michigan Chamber, Lansing, MI. Co-Hosts of the new MBN show "BOLD LeadHERS" now into Episode 2. In this episode of Bold LeadHERS, Lorri headed to Mackinaw City and then over to the island for the 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference. Lorri was able to interview State Representative Angela Witwer and Government Affairs Lead Manager at Lake Trust Credit Union Becky O’Connell. Co-host Becky Burtka was unable to attend the conference so in the beginning, Becky and Lorri sit down to discuss what Lorri hoped to achieve at the conference. Segments 2-5 are the pair of interviews from up on the island. Then to close the episode they meet up once again post conference to discuss Lorri’s conversations with the guests. The main topic of this episode is the journey these women have been on in not only their career but their personal lives as well. Becky O’Connell was the first guest. She has two decades of public policy experience. She is a strategic and effective leader in government affairs and advocacy. As the Government Affairs Lead Manager at a credit union that is also a community development financial institution (CDFI), she develops and implements public policy strategies that support the financial well-being of members and communities across local, state, and federal levels Becky is also the past chair of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce Health and Human Resources Policy Committee, where she shapes the chamber's policy agenda and influences the legislative process. She has a proven track record of achieving policy outcomes that benefit both the business and public sectors, such as securing a $10 million state appropriation for affordable housing, establishing a state fund for CDFIs, and creating a cottage kitchen law that removed barriers for food entrepreneurs. ● Where did your professional journey begin? ● How has your career path changed along the way? ● What personal changes did you go through over the years when it comes to your professional life? ● What plans do you have for the future? ● Who was your biggest inspiration when you first started your career? Who is it now? ● What is the best piece of advice you’ve received? ● What advice would you give your younger self? ● What project are you most proud of? ● Biggest factors that have led to success in your career path? ● What is the most important idea to share as a mentor? ● How do you participate in work-life balance? ● As a woman leader in a traditionally male-dominated space, what challenges have you faced — and how have you overcome them? ● Is there a specific word that resonates with you when it comes to your leadership style? The conversation with St. Representative Angela Witwer included these questions: ● Where did your professional journey begin? ● How has your career path changed along the way? ● What personal changes did you go through over the years when it comes to your professional life? ● What plans do you have for the future? Where do you see yourself in 5 years? ● Biggest factors that have led to success in your career path? ● How do you participate in work-life balance? ● As a woman leader in a traditionally male-dominated space, what challenges have you faced — and how have you overcome them? ● Is there a specific word that resonates with you when it comes to your leadership style?

Vic Verchereau welcomes Aric Nesbitt, who is the Michigan State Senate Republican Leader. Sen. Aric Nesbitt grew up as the middle child on a six-generation family farm in West Michigan. He went on to earn an economics degree from Hillsdale College, later earning a master’s in international business. He received the “Distinguished Alumnus” award from Hillsdale for his work as a conservative reformer. In 2010, Nesbitt was elected to represent Van Buren County and part of Allegan County in the Michigan House of Representatives. He served three terms in the State House, achieving results for hardworking taxpayers by balancing budgets and reducing debt, lowering the tax burden, eliminating thousands of regulations, and defending our West Michigan values. Nesbitt currently serves as Senate Republican Leader and is a candidate for Michigan Governor. Listen in as the Leadership Lowdown host, Vic Verchereau gets the Minority Leader's take on getting things done in tough political times and coming together through consensus. » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/

Vic Verchereau welcomes Myron Frierson, who is the Executive Committee Chair of the Uplift Our Youth Foundation. Myron Frierson, Executive Committee Chair of the Uplift Our Youth Foundation, is a retired state executive. Over his 43 years in state service, he engaged with numerous professional organizations, serving in various leadership roles. He has been on the Uplift Our Youth Foundation board for over twenty years, serving as Treasurer, Vice-Chairman. As Chairman, he is committed to increasing the Foundation’s impact. Myron shares his thoughts on the role of the foundation and making a difference in the lives of young people. Join Host Vic Verchereau in this latest edition of the Leadership Lowdown. » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/

Jeffrey Mosher welcomes Steven E. Bangs, Attorney, Krause, Bangs & Associates, P.C. , East Lansing, MI. Question 1: For listeners unfamiliar with it, can you explain what the Employee Retention Tax Credit is and why it was so important for small businesses during the COVID-19 Pandemic? Question 2: Why is this an important issue right now? Question 3: How would retroactively shortening the ERTC filing deadline affect the pending claims of legitimate small business owners in Michigan? Question 4: Why is the proposed expansion of the IRS audit window for ERTC recipients concerning to you and your clients? Question 5: What actions is your firm taking to raise awareness and influence legislators—and how can businesses or listeners get involved or show support? » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/