It's not clear where Wentworth, R-Farwell, stands. Southwest Michigan First is committed to the conversations and actions necessary so that all in our community prosper and are free from the debilitating impact of discrimination of any kind. Our mission every day is to get up and support this community and this region in job creation, she said. The board had about 65 members prior to the CEO announcement, Sones said. Kalamazoo Promise latest to cut ties with Southwest Michigan First, Kalamazoo hires director of diversity, equity and inclusion, Kalamazoo Community Foundation ends membership with Southwest Michigan First over misalignment of values and vision, Western Michigan president: Southwest Michigan First CEOs policy positions dont align with WMUs values, Former House Speaker says politics not a factor in new role at Southwest Michigan First. Though some could not be reached for comment last week, including Southwest Michigan First Board President Aaron Zeigler, others did respond. All rights reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 2023 Southwest Michigan First All Rights Reserved.Web Design by Blue Fire MediaSitemap | Login, Senior Vice President, Commercial Real Estate Lending, Senior Vice President & Global General Counsel, VP Operations Automotive Filtration, North America, Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan, WMU Homer Stryker M.D. 264 talking about this. On Tuesday, Southwest Michigan First Managing Partner Heather Smith Baker declined to answer questions from MLive about who resigned from the board and which organizations have discontinued membership. "As a Christian, I believe in the Bible," Chatfield wrote. If this sounds like you, then First Path is the perfect fit! To apply, please click the button below. The organization also committed to transparency and inclusion in its next CEO search. and soccer coach, Chatfield won election to the Michigan House, in part, because of his opposition to expanding LGBTQ rights. The private nonprofit, formed in 1999, is led by a board of directors made up of executives from some of the areas biggest companies and organizations. It helped elevate the profile of the area that was, at the time, viewed a faceless underachiever by those in Lansing, the 2005 Gazette article states. And what information should be available to the public? are among the questions the corporation will confront, said Sales. And as CEO, I was more than willing to uphold the values of the company. KVCC president resigns from Southwest Michigan First board over CEO hire, Kalamazoo Community Foundation ends membership with Southwest Michigan First over misalignment of values and vision, Western Michigan president: Southwest Michigan First CEOs policy positions dont align with WMUs values, Former House Speaker says politics not a factor in new role at Southwest Michigan First. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 7/1/2023). The group represents a seven-county region and controversy about Chatfield was especially acute in Kalamazoo, where one-fourth of its residents are Black or Hispanic. She called board conversations over the last week spirited debate.. There are a lot of folks who want to make this episode a referendum: Either you support Elliot-Larsen now or you can never support it in the future, he said. Baker also declined to release the salary Lee Chatfield was being paid, and declined to say whether Chatfield received any kind of severance payment at the time of his resignation. Under expenses, the 2018 tax documents lists more than $1.5 million for compensation of current officers, directors, trustees and key employees. In what would be a first, Moss said he will have at least one Senate GOP co-sponsor on the bill when he introduces it in coming weeks, but he declined to name the lawmaker now because I'm hopeful I'm going to get more than one.. Dana Nessel: Lee Chatfield charging decision coming by years end, Michigan AG Dana Nessel keeps Chatfield, Whitmer kidnapping records secret, Judge sides with Dana Nessel, keeps secret Lee Chatfield warrants, Share the article you just read on Twitter, Share the article you just read on Facebook, Share the article you just read via email, Traverse City salon banning trans clients wont be last business battle, Citizens groups zoning lawsuit may stall Fords Marshall EV battery site, Michigans new hands-free driving law takes effect Friday. Chatfield, the former Michigan House Speaker, was hired as CEO of Southwest Michigan First, the organization announced last week on Thursday, Feb. 11. Ziegler, and others on the board, could not be reached for comment. The organization is ready to move forward, she said. Southwest Michigan First was formed in 1999. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 7/1/2023). Jonas exceeds all those criteria., Related: Southwest Michigan First prepares to interview CEO candidates after receiving over 130 resumes. He also completed executive leadership training programs at Stanford Graduate School of Business, Oxford University Said Business School and Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government. Western Michigan University President Edward Montgomery, a Southwest Michigan First board member, said Chatfields policy positions do not align with WMUs values. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The well-known local brewery would consider working with Southwest Michigan First if it makes changes, such as increasing transparency, getting rid of the political action committee, and having a board that allows its members to vote, Bell said. If you have additional questions, contact our team at 269.553.9588. Chatfield, when asked upon starting at Southwest Michigan First, said he had no current plans to run for office. (Bridge file photo), Records: Wentworth secured $6.8M grant to dredge lake where former aide lives, Lee Chatfield quits Southwest Michigan First amid uproar over his politics, While Chatfield told Bridge Michigan last week, he would support LGBTQ rights in his new role. Chatfield resigned after 11 days as CEO of the organization. The Kalamazoo County Commission also . Lee Chatfields days-long tenure as CEO of Southwest Michigan First is prompting introspection within the regional economic development group as it confronts the tension his hiring created in the community and its own boardroom. All rights reserved (About Us). Manage Your Security Settings: View your login history and manage the devices you use to access Online Banking. Furthering the economic growth and vitality of our region and beyond. U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, serves on the board of directors. He did not respond to requests for comment from MLive after he left the job. By browsing this site, we may share your information with our social media partners in accordance with our, he would not support a change to the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act expanding anti-discrimination laws, L. Marshall Washington, the president of Kalamazoo Valley Community College, announced his resignation. Police first responded to a report of an overturned canoe in the St. Joseph River. All rights reserved (About Us). expand my current offerings and try something new. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The City of Kalamazoo voted to sever ties with Southwest Michigan First, and nonprofits including the Kalamazoo Promise and the Community Foundation quickly followed suit. Only donate if we've informed you about important Michigan issues. KALAMAZOO, MI Lee Chatfield, who was named the CEO of Southwest Michigan First last week, has resigned, according to a Tweet from Chatfield this morning. Chatfield was one of former President Donald Trump's most vocal Michigan supporters in the 2020 campaign. Chatfield faced criticism for his politics and other issues as he began the CEO job. Last week, he told Bridge that, as CEO, he would support the corporations goals for LGBTQ protections. Residents and public officials criticized his political stance as House Speaker and said he blocked civil rights legislation from coming up for debate. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. First published on February 23, 2021 / 10:21 PM. What is Southwest Michigan First, and why did Kalamazoo reject Lee Chatfield as its next CEO? Significant changes in the local business landscape including the 1995 Upjohn Co./Pharmacia merger, and First of America being bought out by National City of Cleveland in 1997 were among those concerns. Chatfield told MLive on Wednesday that his only goal is to serve the community. Mr. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Covering the intersection of business and policy, and informing Michigan employers and workers on the long road back from coronavirus. While Chatfield told Bridge Michigan last week he would support LGBTQ rights in his new role, he could not escape his political past. to the Southwest Michigan First board of directors, an apologetic Chatfield acknowledged that "the arrival of my family and me to the Kalamazoo area has caused some unfortunate controversy, and for that I am truly sorry.". Western Michigan President Edward Montgomery, a member of the Southwest Michigan First board, said the CEOs policy positions dont align with WMUs values. Theres been a lot of pressure on companies to really, you know, stand strong.. Chatfield could not be reached for comment Monday and did not respond to a text message. Southwest Michigan First was created with a theory that one of the greatest forces for change is a job, Sones said. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. . It uses its funds received though contributions and other avenues to help businesses already in the area, attract new business and to create jobs, Sones said. The short-lived CEO left Southwest Michigan First amid mounting public pressure from those questioning the appointment of such a polarizing political figure. As he climbed to power in Lansing, Chatfield forged solid relationships with gay officials, as. The search for a new leader commenced after the resignation of then-CEO and former Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield, who resigned less than two weeks after accepting the job. Or maybe a product that needs to be created? / CW50 Detroit. Chatfields resignation also sends a signal to lawmakers that theyll be accountable for their votes after leaving office. By browsing this site, we may share your information with our social media partners in accordance with our, Kalamazoo commissioners cancel membership with Southwest Michigan First over CEO selection, he would not support a change to the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act expanding anti-discrimination laws. To guide its efforts, the search committee also conducted an extensive community survey soliciting input from 655 participants across 469 community organizations to uncover the key attributes that stakeholders believe the CEO should possess. The corporations bylaws are not public, Sones said, nor are its financial statements besides federal nonprofit forms that have to be filed. // ss_form.target_id = 'target'; // Optional parameter: forms will be placed inside the element with the specified id Im honored to join the Southwest Michigan First team, and I look forward to fostering new partnerships throughout the region.. $100 million anonymous gift will fund construction of new career and technical education center in Kalamazoo County, Western Michigan president: Southwest Michigan First CEOs policy positions dont align with WMUs values, Citys Shared Prosperity podcast tackles issues of escaping poverty in Kalamazoo. You need to do the right thing by the LGBTQ community or you run the risk of not being hired post-Legislative service, said Knott, who is, executive director of LGBTQ advocacy group, Fair and Equal Michigan in October turned in more than 483,000 signatures, for a potential ballot proposal extending anti-discrimination protections, Dana Nessel: Lee Chatfield charging decision coming by years end, Michigan AG Dana Nessel keeps Chatfield, Whitmer kidnapping records secret, Judge sides with Dana Nessel, keeps secret Lee Chatfield warrants, Share the article you just read on Twitter, Share the article you just read on Facebook, Share the article you just read via email, Traverse City salon banning trans clients wont be last business battle, Citizens groups zoning lawsuit may stall Fords Marshall EV battery site, Michigans new hands-free driving law takes effect Friday. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Staff and some board members were surprised by Chatfields hire, prompting questions about the organizations commitment to fully representing its community. All rights reserved (About Us). Sones said she did not have the information available on all the organizations that have separated from Southwest Michigan First since the CEO announcement. In 2017, the Southwest Michigan First Board of Directors voted to support the amendment to expand the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, and the group supports it today, according to Mondays statement from the organization. Sister-in-law: Ex-MI House Speaker Lee Chatfield sexually assaulted me as teen. LANSING Former Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield is now also the former director of Southwest Michigan First after resigning his new post less than two weeks into the job. He left as House speaker due to term limits in December. Kalamazoo is an extremely diverse community that really embraces equity and inclusion and diversity, Sones said. All rights reserved (About Us). February 23, 2021 / 10:21 PM That was "encouraging," Erin Knott, a Kalamazoo city commissioner and executive director of the Equality Michigan advocacy group, said last week. What to know, Michigan to receive $1.5B to extend internet to 210,000 in rural areas, College grads: We left Michigan for jobs. (Shutterstock image), Lee Chatfield quit as CEO of Southwest Michigan First on Monday, saying he is a Christian who wont apologize for conservative beliefs I espoused while in office. (Courtesy photo), Carla Sones, president and interim CEO of Southwest Michigan First, said the controversy over Lee Chatfields hiring underscores the need for greater transparency in the business group. To apply, please click the button below. The city of Kalamazoo and The Kalamazoo Promise pulled support from Southwest Michigan First after the Feb. 11 announcement that Chatfield had been hired. Do you feel that with a little support and some brainstorming, youd finally be able to launch your business? Chatfield was hired to the job in February, less than two months after the announced resignation of longtime leader Ron Kitchens, who served at the helm of the economic development organization for 15 years. Ph : 269.553.9588 Search for: Jonas R. Peterson was announced on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021, as the new CEO of Southwest Michigan First. The city of Kalamazoo was the first to take action after the CEO hire, pulling its annual $10,000 contribution to Southwest Michigan First. Southwest Michigan First is committed to the conversations and actions necessary so that all in our community prosper and are free from the debilitating impact of discrimination of any kind. The window for applications will close on Monday, August 28 at 5:00 pm. Based on the organizations governance structure, I did not participate in the recent search process or the hiring of the new chief executive officer.

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