Jobs Landed

Jessica Pool

I was brought to the team to assist with miscellaneous tasks within the sales and marketing arenas. As Symplicity continues to grow, they are finding that they continually need another set of hands with jobs such as keeping the marketing materials and database up-to-date. I will be using my internship with Symplicity to fulfill my credit requirements to complete my senior year at Grand Valley State University.

Job Title:	Sales & Marketing Intern
Company:	Symplicity Communications
College:	Grand Valley State University, Marketing, Emphasis on Sales, Grand Rapids, MI
High School:	Linn-Mar High School, Marion, IA

Communications

Christine Schultz

I am Northern Physical Therapy's newest Massage Therapist. My areas of expertise lie in the fields of myofascial release, deep tissue, and relaxation massage techniques. I use my myofascial release and massage therapy skills as a clinical massage therapist to provide bodywork focused on pain relief, rehabilitation, and relaxation. I will be performing massage at Northern Physical Therapy’s Coopersville and Grant clinics.

Job Title:
Company:	Northern Physical Therapy
College:	Baker College, , Muskegon, MI
High School:	Kearny High School, San Diego, CA

healthcare

Therese Thill

In my new role at The Right Place, I will help lead the business development team’s business retention, expansion and attraction efforts. I also bring a unique global business acumen and will work to expand The Right Place’s international business development strategies.

I previously served as the Director of Business Attraction for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation with a special focus on growing the state’s renewable energy industry. I also previously served as Vice President of the Greater Phoenix Innovation and Technology Accelerator and as Vice President of International Economic Development at the Greater Phoenix Economic Development Council.

Job Title:	Vice President, Business Development
Company:	Right Place
College:	Thunderbird, The American Graduate School of International Management, Masters of Business Administration, Glendale, AZ
High School:	Livonia Franklin High School, Livonia, MI

Development

Jill May

As The Right Place’s new director of fund development, I will be responsible for developing and deploying a fund raising plan of action to support the organization’s mission. I will oversee all fund raising activities, including fund drives, capital campaigns, tracking and securing grant opportunities as well as annual giving programs in partnership with The Right Place investors.

I most recently served as Director of Development for the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts. I have also held fund development positions at the American Cancer Society and Catholic Charities of West Michigan.

Job Title:	Director, Fund Development
Company:	Right Place
College:	Grand Valley State University, Masters Degree, Public and Nonprofit Administration, Grand Rapids, MI
High School:	Englishville High School, Sparta, MI

Development

Carolyn Martin

I am pleased to be the new Inside Sales Representative at IT Resource. I'll be responsible for purchasing and receiving, the renewal of contracts, and generating quotes for existing customers. In addition, I'll be working to build and maintain customer relationships as IT Resource continues to expand and grow.

Job Title:	Inside Sales Representative
Company:	IT Resource
College:	Grand Valley State University, MPA, Nonprofit Management & Leadership and a Health Administration Concentrations, Grand Rapids, MI
High School:	Plymouth-Canton High School, Canton, MI

IT

Lauren Visser

I have worked at LMCU for six years and previously served as the MSR II at the Grand Haven branch. I love being able to help members find the best products to fit their needs. I am excited to get involved in the Allendale community and I’m also looking forward to getting involved with the relationship that LMCU has with Grand Valley State University.

Job Title:	Branch Manager
Company:	Lake Michigan Credit Union
College:	Grand Valley State University, , Allendale, MI
High School:	Coopersville High School, Coopersville, MI

Finance

Brad Van Houte

I was hired in January 2011 as an intern, where I worked closely with the Financial Communications team to develop outreach communication skills and assist with national and international client projects. In my new role, I will support the account teams for several of the firm’s key investor relations clients.

Job Title:	Financial Communications Practice Associate
Company:	Lambert, Edwards & Associates
College:	Grand Valley State University, Bachelor�s of Business, Finance and Marketing, Grand Rapids, MI
High School:	Northview High School, Grand Rapids, MI

Public Relations

Kathy Giddings

As the newest addition to Northern Physical Therapy, I work with patients of all ages, but I particularly enjoy treating the geriatric community. I will be splitting my time between both our Coopersville and Grant clinics.

As a physical therapist assistant, I follow the plan laid out by the physical therapist and by working together we help patients reach their physical goals in the quickest and safest way possible.

Job Title:	Physical Therapist Assistant
Company:	Northern Physical Therapy
College:	Baker College of Muskegon, Associate of Applied Science, Muskegon, MI
High School:	Oakridge High School, Muskegon, MI

healthcare

Ryan T. Curtis

While working on my BBA at Grand Valley State University, I had an opportunity to participate in an internship program at Gordon Food Service which eventually led to full time employment. Since then, I’ve had an opportunity to work in our Inbound Traffic Department, Procurement and Marketing, and most recently, Logistics. My current role at the company is focused on applying strategic principles in terms of how we’re replenishing and positioning inventory in an effort to deliver greater overall value to our customers. It’s a project management-based role which aims to identify and execute a myriad of projects in order to drive efficiencies for both Gordon Food Service and our vendor community. I find the responsibilities tied to this particular role quite rewarding for a number of reasons. Many of the projects are cross-functional, allowing an opportunity to interact with employees from various areas of the company including Marketing, Procurement, Logistics, Operations, Traffic, and our Divisions. This provides an opportunity to develop a greater understanding of the company as a whole as well as the overall industry. In addition, collaborating with vendors to identify these new efficiencies is welcomed with enthusiasm which is always a great way to begin a project involving several stakeholders. Being successful in this role requires excellent project management, problem solving, planning, and organization skills.

Job Title:	Strategic Inventory Lead
Company:	Gordon Food Service
College:	Grand Valley State University, BBA, MBA, Management and Marketing Major, Emphasis in Distribution & Logistics, Grand Rapids, MI
High School:	Lowell High School, Lowell, MI

Food

Christopher Jarman

In my new position, I will support the outreach WMSTI conducts to life sciences entrepreneurs and researchers in promoting its new “mini-labs” program. WMSTI’s mini-labs offer affordable access to the incubator’s world-class lab space, including more than 100 pieces of life sciences equipment and instrumentation, significantly lowering the cost of market entry for start-ups. The mini-labs initiative has been made possible through funds from a Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Business Incubator Grant, which was awarded to WMSTI in March 2011.

Job Title:	Business and Community Relations Associate
Company:	West Michigan Science & Technology Initiative
College:	Grand Valley State University, Bachelor�s Degree, , Grand Rapids, MI
High School:	Buchanan High School, Buchanan, MI

Technology

Raquel DeLeon

At the Heart of West Michigan United Way, I manage our organization’s web presence and events. I am responsible for developing and implementing emarketing plans that promote a variety of different United Way initiatives and events online via email, our website and social media platforms.

The Heart of West Michigan United Way collaborates with other organizations throughout West Michigan to advance the common good – directing change and creating opportunities for a better life for all who live here. We focus our efforts in three critical areas: education, income and health, which are the building blocks to a successful life.

Job Title:	eMarketing and Events Specialist
Company:	Heart of West Michigan United Way
College:	Grand Valley State University, BS Advertising and Public Relations, Master of Public and Nonprofit Administration, Allendale, MI
High School:	Leslie High School, Lesile, MI

Non-Profit

Sean Sarniak

I finished High School, joined the Army, married my High School sweetheart from Rockford and started a family. I then deployed to and returned from Iraq, joined the Michigan National Guard, went back to school, and finally finished up! I feel very, very lucky for all of the great friends and family I have in my life and I'm extremely excited for this new chapter in our lives!! Now, in my position with DornerWorks, I work with embedded electronics hardware and software design.

Job Title:	Embedded Systems Engineer
Company:	DornerWorks
College:	Grand Valley State University, Padnos School of Computing and Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Allendale, MI
High School:	Rockford High School, Rockford, MI

Engineering

Erin Sessions

I am the Patient Care Specialist at Northern Physical Therapy's Grant clinic. In addition to greeting patients, gathering their information, and assisting the physical therapists with patients, I also help in the medical records department.

Northern Physical Therapy has 5 locations offering physical and occupational therapy, as well as prevention and wellness services such as massage, pool classes, athletic training, and functional capacity evaluations. Learn more at www.northernpts.com.

Job Title:	Patient Care Specialist
Company:	Northern Physical Therapy
College:	Ferris State University, , Grand Rapids, MI
High School:	Coopersville High School, Coopersville, MI

healthcare

Hannah Barry

I am responsible for all events out of the Career Services department at ITT Technical Institute which includes Career Fairs and Graduation, but also includes specialized events. I work with area employers and community members to establish relationships for General Employment and Internship/Volunteer Opportunities. I choose the area because I love Grand Rapids! I have grown up here and to be able to find a career in my interested field is a great benefit! My position requires attention to detail, initiative, sound judgment, planning, organization, and execution.

Job Title:	Career Service Coordinator
Company:	ITT Technical Institute
College:	Davenport University, Marketing, Specialty in Advertising & Promotions, Grand Rapids, MI
High School:	East Kentwood High School, Grand Rapids, MI

Higher Education

Kedron Rhodes

I've been a problem solving design professional for 13 years, and have delivered award winning Web experiences for universities, senators, congressmen, government agencies, and 1 presidential candidate (Mike Huckabee). As a designer I advocate for elegant solutions that meet business needs while delighting users.

I began my career as a design apprentice in the publishing industry and quickly realized that my passion for design could define my career. I've spent countless hours in Photoshop and Illustrator, while also making sure I keep up with HTML & CSS best practices.

At its core, I believe design is about solving problems. In that sense, everyone at Atomic could be considered a designer. We all work together on teams to build products, creating easy and elegant solutions to problems and challenges. That being said, my primary role in these teams will be in the realm of visual communication, from graphic design to front-end coding.

Job Title:	Designer
Company:	Atomic Object
College:	Cornerstone University, Business Administration, Grand Rapids, MI
High School:	Maple Valley High School, Vermontville, MI

Software Development