Michigan Business Network Michigan Business Network

For Media Business Episode 72:
Tony Conley has a three-part conversation welcoming back John J. Dewane who was appointed as Ingham County Prosecutor by the Judges of the 30th Circuit Court, and is now running for election. The appointment became effective from Dec. 31, 2022, through 2024.

For this conversation they cover several questions including:
1-how goes the campaign?
2– best part about campaigning
3-most challenging thing about campaigning?
4-What have you learned that was most surprising while talking to constituents?
5-We are hearing so much about anti-somatic crimes and behavior in big cities. What’s your take on that? And do you see any of that in Ingham county?
6-How are the crime rates in Ingham county? Up or down?
7-how about violent crime in our county?
8-what are the best things that we can do to prevent crime especially amongst young people?
9-how do you work with this challenge when so many parents are not monitoring their kids?
10-What’s your thought on crime in big cities?
11-as a candidate, running as a Democrat, why do you think you have so much support from Republicans and independents?


Mr. Dewane has served in the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office since 2001, including the past twelve years as Deputy Chief Assistant. In that role, he has conducted over 80 felony trials, including numerous homicide cases. He has also led the office’s screening division and worked as a liaison to law enforcement agencies in their investigations of serious, violent, and gun-related crimes.

Prior to serving as a prosecutor, John Dewane was an attorney in private practice in St. Joseph, Michigan, where he represented criminal defendants as well as local governments prosecuting individuals for traffic and ordinance violations. Upon graduating from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1988, Mr. Dewane represented indigent clients in various legal areas while employed at the Berrien County Legal Services Bureau.

“It is an honor to be appointed as Ingham County Prosecutor by the Judges of the 30th Circuit Court. As a prosecutor, I’m excited to continue serving Ingham County in this new role. I look forward to working with law enforcement, the judiciary, community leaders, and the citizens of Ingham County to increase public safety by pursuing appropriate criminal charges of appropriate severity.
We must work together to address violent crimes, working with police in Lansing and across the county. Police and prosecutors are on the front lines of addressing the increase in gun violence in our county, and we must improve this crucial partnership as we investigate and prosecute violent crimes – such as homicides and gun crimes.

As a career prosecutor, I understand that leading this department is a new challenge. It’s one that I am excited and ready to pursue, and I’m asking for our community’s support as we work together to seek justice for the victims my office serves.

Most importantly, I look forward to advocating for victims of crimes, ensuring that their voices are heard as we seek justice within the bounds of the law.”

John J. Dewane
Ingham County Prosecutor

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Thank you to Benjamin Robinson and Motor City Skyline's music

Originally uploaded April 11th, re-edited May 3rd.
Jeffrey Mosher welcomes back Mike Maddox, Professional EOS Implementer, Freedom Builders, Lansing, MI.

Welcome Mike, tell us about Freedom Builders and your EOS journey, it started before the company and the summer of 2022 I suspect?

You do a podcast 'Getting A Grip' tell us about that and some of your guests so far?

Visionary / Integrator or both, how do you see yourself?

As you care to share what's that 10-year vision and what are the core values and core focus?

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Vic Verchereau welcomes Carmen Beemer, who is the National Cherry Queen.

The very first "Cherry" festival was held in May 1925, and was known at that time as the Blessing of the Blossoms. The first cherry queen was Gertrude Brown but the current National Cherry Queen is Carmen Beemer and she joins Vic Verchereau for a guided tour of one of Michigan's most famous festivals!

Carmen is the 22-year-old daughter of Gary Godley and Shannon Beemer of Wayland. She is a 2020 graduate of Thornapple Kellogg High School and is in her senior year at Michigan State University where she majors in Horticulture Science with a minor in Crop and Soil Sciences. Driven by her adoration for the agricultural industry, Carmen aspires to continue to advocate for the cherry and all other agricultural industries indefinitely. Carmen would like to thank her hometown community for helping raise her over the years and we want to thank her for helping us mark our calendars for the 2024 National Cherry Festival!

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Originally Uploaded April 26th, reloaded May 2nd.
For Media Business Episode 71:
Tony Conley has a three-part conversation welcoming back Bill Mory who after spending 13 years as the Head Professional and Director of Golf at Walnut Hills Country Club in East Lansing, MI his wife Karen and he purchased Meridian Sun Golf Club in Haslett, MI (formerly Pine Lake Golf Course) in February 2000.

For this Spring 2024 conversation the pair cover several topics including:
-Golf business in Michigan

-LIV & PGA

-The 2024 Professional Golf season

-Media coverage of golf

-Augusta National and its playing season

-Advise for beginning golfers over 50.

Bill grew up at a course much like Meridian Sun and taught himself to play with tips from my father and an old time golf pro by the name of Joe Nadolny. Shagging golf balls and playing as many as 54 holes in a day at High Cliff Golf Course, He learned that golf is about getting the ball into the hole in the fewest number of strokes. It wasn't about having the perfect swing, but rather about having fun and hitting as many good shots as I could muster.

During 27 years as a PGA Professional, I have taught both male and female golfers at every skill level from beginner to professional and every age from 2 to 96. My teaching and coaching philosophy and methods are simple and have been developed through years of study and experience in coaching my various students as well as from playing competitively throughout my life in high school, college and professional events such as the United States Senior Open, the PGA Tour's Buick Open and the Ben Hogan Tour (currently the Web.com tour).

I enjoy sharing my knowledge of the game and hope that it will not only help you to improve your game, but also enjoy it to the fullest. Golf is a game that is played and enjoyed for some many reasons including the beauty of the course landscape, recreation and socializing with friends and family, exercise, travel, competition with self and others and the challenge of hitting that perfect shot or improving on your best score. Yes, it has it's frustrating moments, but we should be thankul for those for without them, we could not enjoy the victories regardless of how big or small.

Many of my youth students have gone on to successful high school, college and professional careers, but what I find most rewarding is to see my students playing more golf and enjoying it at a higher level with their family and friends. My passion for junior golf and coaching kids is demostrated in our terrific youth golf program at Meridian Sun Golf Club and in having served as both the Girls and Boys Golf Coach at Haslett High School for nine years.

The game of golf has been a wonderful blessing my life and if the information I share can encourage you and others to play more golf and have more fun experiencing the many wonderful aspects of this game, I am humbled.

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Thank you to Benjamin Robinson and Motor City Skyline's music

Originally uploaded March 28th, re-edited April 30th.
Chris Holman welcomes Erica & Michael Lynn Jr. Co-Founders The Village Lansing, Lansing, MI.

Welcome, Erica, Michael, tell us about The Village Lansing?

What is the background to your story involving founding The Village Lansing and other efforts you do around the area?

You spoke to the Lansing Rotary recently about "The Empowerment Network" and "Lansing 360" what are these?

How can the business community get connected or involved in any of this?

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Originally uploaded April 3rd, re-edited April 26th.
Chris Holman welcomes back Scott Keith, CVE, President & CEO at the Lansing Entertainment and Public Facilities Authority (LEPFA), Lansing, MI.

23 years with LEPFA and 14 years in leadership, what are some accomplishments you would care to highlight?

In mid-March this topic was announced through a news release:
LEPFA Board of Commissioners Announce President & CEO-Scott Keith, CVE Resignation

Lansing, MI - It is with sadness and gratitude that the Lansing Entertainment & Public Facilities Authority (LEPFA) Board of Commissioners announces Scott Keith’s departure as President & CEO with the Authority effective April 12, 2024. Scott started with LEPFA in July 2001 as the Operations Manager, promoted to Vice President of Operations in April of 2005, and became the President & CEO in March 2010. Scott played a critical role in the development, changes, and success of the organization, and while we will miss his leadership and steadfastness, we wish him all the best in his new endeavor as General Manager of the North Charleston Coliseum, North Charleston Performing Arts Center, and Charleston Area Convention Center with ASM Global. We thank Scott for his nearly 23 years with the organization and over 14 years as President & CEO (longest tenured President in LEPFA’s history) in service to the Lansing community. Among his many accomplishments, including:

Increasing revenues at LEPFA managed properties by nearly 35% since 2010
Successfully transitioning Silver Bells in the City event operations to LEPFA
Successfully transitioning Groesbeck Golf Course to management by LEPFA thus increasing golf play and revenues by 40% and eliminating the city contribution by nearly $400,000
Managing capital projects of LEPFA managed properties of nearly $60M since 2005.
Successfully negotiating and completing a strategic agreement with Choose Lansing for increased sales efforts and funding for the Lansing Center and the region/city.
Negotiating and completing a renewed 10-year operating agreement with the City of Lansing and LEPFA.
Helping to lead the charge in increasing the economic impact of LEPFA managed facilities/events by over $10M annually, while increasing attributable room nights by nearly 30%.
Nearly 20 years as co-producer of the Common Ground Music Festival.
Successfully completed his Certified Venue Executive designation in 2022.
Launched the MargaritaFest, Greens & Grains, and Grand Concert Series events.

Over the next few weeks, the Board of Commissioners will begin the transition and succession plan for the direction of leadership at LEPFA. “During this transition period, it’s the priority of the LEPFA Board of Commissioners to find the best individual to lead, while still maintaining a stable and effective team to continue the task of fulfilling the mission of the Authority. We will share additional information as we continue along this successful path,” said Chairmen Kenric Hall, LEPFA Board of Commissioners.

As a graduate of Liberty University, Georgia Southern University, and programs in the management of public assembly facilities through the University of Michigan and IAVM, Scott’s long career began in the private management of various facilities around the U.S. and landed him in Lansing as a great place to further develop his career and raise a family. “It has been my privilege to serve as the President & CEO of LEPFA since 2010 and I have been blessed with the opportunity to work with a team of talented and dedicated teammates and colleagues. I am incredibly proud of the accomplishments we have all achieved together during my tenure here, “said Scott. “I am confident that the Authority will continue to thrive under the capable leadership of my successor.”

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