Associations
n Leslie Knopp, co-owner of the local Comfort Keepers offices in Traverse City and Petoskey, was recently named president of the board for the Grand Traverse Area Parkinson's Support Group.
n The Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners has appointed Shirley Zerafa to serve on the Commission on Aging board. Other officers recently elected include Mary Andrews, chair; James Pascoe, vice-chair; James McGee, treasurer; Steve Chapman, secretary. Andrews, McGee and Chapman have been re-elected for a second year. Pascoe is newly elected to his position. Officers will assume their roles Jan. 1, 2010.
Recognition
n Cecil McNally, chief executive officer of Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan Inc., was honored with The Mary Lee Lord Collaborator of the Year Award by the Grand Traverse Community Collaborative.
n Springfield Commercial Roofing, of Kingsley, and Precision Plumbing & Heating Systems, of Traverse City, are recipients of the 2009 Better Business Bureau Integrity Award. The companies were among four honorees in the 38 counties covered by the Western Michigan Chapter.
n Readers of "Spa Magazine" have voted the Crystal Spa at Crystal Mountain Resort in Thompsonville among their five favorite hotel/resort spas in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest in the November/December 2009 issue. SpaFinder, a spa media, marketing and gifting company, has rated it among the 10 Best internationally in the Winter Sports Category.
Personnel
n Shannon Muldowney has joined the Manpower Traverse City office team as a staffing specialist.
n Lin Benfield and Shirley Aboudib have joined the staff of Advanced Chiropractic and Wellness. Aboudib, the former owner of the Coffee News, is office manager. Benfield is a marketing executive responsible for public relations and coordinating wellness seminars.
n Michael J. Meindertsma has been appointed to managing director of The Northern Michigan Group (formerly the Gingras Group) by Northwestern Mutual Financial Network in Traverse City. The NMG also has offices in Petoskey and Sault Ste. Marie.
n Grand Traverse Resort & Spa near Traverse City recently named Rex P. O'Connor to the position of national sales manager, representing the resort to the Metro Detroit market, as well as in 15 states and Washington, D.C.
Relocation
n The Larkin Group has moved its Commercial Lines staff to 3963 W. Royal Drive in Traverse City. This move combines all Traverse City staff, including Personal Lines, Commercial Lines, Group Benefits and Financial Services/Wealth Management under one roof. Larkin continues to operate its Lake Leelanau branch office at 116 E. Philip, Lake Leelanau.
New Business
n Advanced Chiropractic and Wellness has opened at 2000 Chartwell Drive, Suite #2, at the entrance to Centre ICE in Traverse City. Dr. Tony Aboudib, doctor of chiropractic for 22 years, will be offering treatments, including spinal decompression for herniated disc and oxygen therapy. For details call 421-5213.
n Shelagh Smith and Harley Luplow, of Harbor Springs, have established Government Outsourcers LLC, a consultancy at www.govtoutsourcers.com, to assist local businesses in finding and managing opportunities to bid on federal, state and municipal contracts.
n The Grand Opening of Mayhem Games will be held Nov. 21 from 3 to 6 p.m. at 845 U.S. 31 S., in the Blair Plaza mall near Chums Corner. The store features board games, miniatures and role playing games. For details call 947-2745.
n The Barrel Room opened under Shay Station Coffee & Wine Bar on Mitchell Street in Cadillac. It offers an assortment of household items, decorations, wine accessories and more, and additional information is available at 775-6150.
Certification
n Donielle M. Rikli, president of Grand Traverse Area Legal Professionals, recently earned a Professional Paralegal Certification. Rikli is currently working for the law firm of Smith, Haughey, Rice & Roegge. Grand Traverse Area Legal Professionals is the local chapter of the National Association of Legal Secretaries.






