Martopia Public Relations Group (MPRG) is a Michigan-based public relations practice with offices in the Ann Arbor, Charlotte, Chicago, and Denver areas. The firm helps clients create excitement and build awareness for their companies, products, services, people, culture and causes. It also works with clients to transform crises, build reputational equity, and tell their unique stories in a way that is authentic, engages their stakeholders and influences outcomes.

With a diverse group of PR professionals that range from Baby Boomers to Millenials, the MPRG team brings impeccable public relations credentials and an insatiable hunger for results that keeps them focused and motivated every day.

So is it all blue skies and sunshine at MPRG? Yes it is – not only because the MPRG office has blue sky ceiling panels, but because a well-planned and well-executed public relations program connects companies and their audiences in ways that can make a positive difference. It can help shape the discussion, make a measurable impact on brand awareness, boost credibility, help bridge divides, change minds, and inspire action.

From the Fortune 200 to the start-up entrepreneur, MPRG has been there and promises to bring value to the conversation.

(Martopia’s President, Christi Rankin)

Amy Nesbitt has been part of the senior management team at the Ann Arbor Summer Festival since 2007. She has been responsible for overseeing all production, operational, and logistical issues for the festival while also programming the talent for the festival’s outdoor, free activities at Top of the Park. Initially hired as the festival’s operations manager, she then was appointed the festival’s general manager and associate director prior to becoming the festival’s interim executive director and now executive director since February 2014.

Prior to the festival, Amy worked as a national booking agent for the Ann Arbor office of Fleming Artists. Additionally, Amy has a diverse producing history of both film and nonprofit management projects from her tenure in the New Orleans arts and culture sector. She is a graduate of Syracuse University.

The Ann Arbor Summer Festival is a celebration of performing arts, outdoor entertainment, and community spirit. An international arts gathering, the nearly 4 week festival offers over 140 events each season and attracting a diverse audience of more than 75,000 people. The festival continues to grow as a major cultural event in the Ann Arbor community, and as a leading multi-arts celebration that enriches the cultural, economic, and social vitality of the region.

Serving the Ann Arbor and Detroit regions since 1921, Lewis Jewelers’ reputation and continued success stems from our belief that a successful jewelry store is built on integrity, quality customer service and quality products.

To ensure every client that walks through our doors, or peruses our virtual store, is taken care of, we have a non-commissioned sales staff that’s always ready to provide professional experience, advice and expertise.

With a location in the bustling city limits of Ann Arbor, Michigan, we proudly serve the Ann Arbor and surrounding Southeastern Michigan communities by providing an exquisite selection of designer jewelry and the Pandora jewelry collection, as well as excellent customer service to its residents and visitors.

The College Nannies + Tutors franchises have one common goal- to Build Stronger Families®. Sharon Ragland-Keys knew her years in Human Resources Leadership roles combined with her passion for helping others made owning a CNT franchise an easy decision.

Sharon looked at several businesses and chose CNT because it aligned with her professional experience, and it’s a full services model for families needing assistance from cradle to college. As a working parent, Sharon identified the need for an agency like CNT, and since opening in 2009; she has been dedicated to providing nanny and tutoring role models for families across Southeastern Michigan.

Her positive impact on the community doesn’t stop there. In 2009, Sharon joined the Women’s Center of Southeastern Michigan’s board and serves on the governance committee promoting the organization’s work to make professional services available to women who need help at affordable costs.

Sharon hopes to continue CNT’s vision and is committed to helping families and her employees have an amazing experience.

Celebrating their 49th Anniversary in 2014, TEL Systems designs, installs and services professional audio and video systems primarily for the Higher Education, K-12 and Corporate markets. Former Board Chair of the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Chamber, Karl Couyoumjian is President and CEO of TEL Systems.

TEL’s installed systems range from a basic video/data display system in a conference or classroom, to the digital signage system at the newly renovated COBO Center in Detroit and to the complex audio and broadcast video systems at The University of Michigan Stadium, Crisler Arena and Yost Fieldhouse.

A Strategic Vendor Partner with The University of Michigan, TEL Systems works with colleges and universities throughout the state. TEL is also very active in the K-12 educational market having installed technology systems in thousands of classrooms in school districts throughout the state.

TEL Systems has also designed and installed boardroom and video systems for corporate clients throughout Michigan. These range from internal video production systems for employee information and training to sophisticated boardroom video conferencing systems.

An employee-owned company, TEL Systems has been located in Ann Arbor since its founding as Thalner Electronic Labs in 1965.

 

 

 

Tom Harrison was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Michigan Ladder Company in 2004. The company was founded in 1901 and is the oldest ladder manufacturer in the United States. He is only the fourth leader in the company’s history.

Under Tom’s leadership, Michigan Ladder Company reversed its decline in sales and returned to profitability within a year. During his tenure he has significantly improved the company’s financial position, including substantially reducing its debt.

Prior to joining Michigan Ladder, Tom held a variety of sales, marketing, and international business positions with Ford Motor Company and was one of four selected, division-wide, to the team charged with developing and leading the complete reorganization of Lincoln-Mercury Division.

Following his career with Ford, Tom was named Director of International Business for Carhartt, Inc., and led the acquisition of its European subsidiary. Following the purchase, he was appointed Managing Director of the European operation and lived in the Netherlands for three years.

Over the course of his career, Tom has had the opportunity to live in Boston, New York City, Philadelphia as well as overseas and has conducted business in over 70 countries.

Tom is actively involved in the community and sits on the board or chairs committees of several community and charitable organizations. Tom has developed a close relationship with Eastern Michigan University’s College of Business where he co-authored a paper with two professors and has been a frequent guest lecturer. For his professional and civic contributions, he was honored with the local chamber of commerce’s Business Person of the Year Award.

Tom’s personal and professional accomplishments have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Fox News and the Kudlow Report, featuring Larry Kudlow, on CNBC. He was selected to participate in one of the regional White House Economic Roundtables and subsequently selected as one of 30 people invited to the White House in Washington DC for an economic summit.

Tom has extensive strategic and operational management experience as a chief executive as well as experience leading companies through substantial organizational change and challenges. He has demonstrated an ability to return companies to profitability and improve productivity through technology and streamlined business processes.

Tom received a Bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and an MBA from the
University of Michigan. Tom and his wife reside in Saline, Michigan, and have four children.

Providing top-quality products, unparalleled service and an experienced sales staff makes Anderson Paint Company one of the premier family-owned, independent decorating products dealers in the State.

Established in 1951, Anderson Paint Company proudly continues the tradition of expert color and stain matching, reliable technical advice, and a staff dedicated to providing friendly efficient service. Our goal is to provide our customers with premium products that beautify and protect any surface with an emphasis on durability and value. Unlike our national competitors, we are an independently owned company and have the ability to pick and choose products from our vast supply of manufacturers to best fit our customers needs.

With two stores located in Washtenaw County we bring you the largest selection of quality products in Southeast Michigan. Brand names like Benjamin Moore, Graham Water Borne Ceramic, O’Leary Paint Company, and Anderson’s own private label give our customers a wide selection of products and colors to choose from. Follow that up with our experienced staff and you will see why nobody can service the homeowner, contractor, designer, or industrial contractor as well as Anderson Paint Company.

 

Ashish Joshi is the Managing Partner of Lorandos Joshi, a boutique litigation firm with global capabilities serving a broad spectrum of legal needs for individuals, families and businesses.

Our diverse client base spans national and international boundaries, including states like New York, California, Michigan and Hawaii; and countries like India, the U.K., Belgium, Mexico and China.

What our clients have in common is that they are facing serious, legal challenges that threaten the life of their business, the health of their family or the loss of their freedom. They are uncertain how to proceed; but they know that only an experienced, skilled and knowledgeable litigation attorney can help them overcome their difficulties—and even the odds.

We are the firm to call. We are based in Ann Arbor, Michigan but represent and counsel clients across the nation and internationally.

Larry has worked in Banking for the last 12 years in a diverse role of responsibilities from retail banking to commercial lending. KeyBank Business Banking allows him to work with his passions of community and small business. “We have such a supportive community for entrepreneurship and it is growing stronger each year. I’m thrilled to be a part of it!” says Larry.

He currently works with established businesses as well as those going into their next stage of development and has been extremely effective in assisting with the growth and change. Working with business owners and their professional advisors allows him to properly structure loans to assist with increased revenues and offering cash management services to build efficiencies into the operations of a client’s company. Larry has been recognized locally and nationally for his endeavors in Business Banking.

Larry received his Master of Finance from Walsh College, building on his undergraduate degree in Communications from Michigan State University. He is currently participating in Leadership A2Y and will graduate in June 2014. Larry is currently Chairperson for Services To Enhance Potential and volunteers his time and talents in the community at workshops and forums on business futuring.

Please connect with Larry at Lawrence_Joseph@keybank.com or 734.741.6583.

Restaurant Week only happens twice a year! So make sure you visit your favorite resturants during the week of January 12th – 17th. Also, it’s a great time to try new resturatants! With discounted menu options, you’ll be able to try several savory options throughout the week!

For more informaton on Ann Arbor Restaurant Week, with a complete list of participating restaurants and discounted menu options, go to http://annarborrestaurantweek.com/.