Events

Deb Scola is the Vice President, Strategic Relationships with the Michigan Humane Society. The Michigan Humane, founded in 1877, is the oldest and largest nonprofit animal welfare organization in the state. Michigan Humane is dedicated to helping the animals of southeastern Michigan, whether in our shelters, our veterinary clinics, or out in the community. Before joining the Michigan Humane Society, Deb was the Community Engagement Director of Michigan.Com, helping connect communities and marketers. Deb was also the Administrative Manager for the Detroit Free Press. 

Updates from our very own member, Charles Wickens. 

Dan Dingman – 1998 MSU Grad – Turfgrass Management. 34 years of experience working on golf courses. Been a Golf Course Superintendent for 18 years – Grosse Ile Golf & Country Club 2007-2011 and BCC since 2011. Served as President of the Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association in 2018. Dan currently serves on the Golf Association of Michigan Green Section Committee. He has been married to his wife Angela for 16 years and has two sons, Tyler, 15, and Will, 12.

Ryan Mertz is an experienced professional in the camping services industry, having worked in various roles at YMCA camps in Michigan. With a background in Sport & Recreation Management and Business Management from Lake Superior State University, Ryan currently holds the position of Director of YMCA Camping Services at the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit, overseeing Camps Ohiyesa & Nissokone. Before this role, Ryan served as Executive Director and Camp Director at YMCA Camp Nissokone and held the position of Program Manager at YMCA of Saginaw- Camp Timbers. Ryan's expertise and dedication have significantly impacted the camping community. Ryan Mertz is the YMCA Camp's Executive Director 

Nicole Lawson is President and CEO of Orchards Children's Service. She is also a fellow Rotarian. 

Nicole has worked to improve behavioral health in Oakland County, where she served as Clinical Analyst and Director and later as the Deputy Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer of the Oakland Community Health Network.

Most recently, Nicole served as the National Director of Behavioral Health for Valor Healthcare overseeing 50 primary care clinics in 16 states, serving over 150,000 veterans. At Valor Healthcare, she also served as Chair of the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Council. Nicole demonstrates strong leadership skills and excels at strategic planning and implementation, operational excellence, team leadership and development, and vision setting.

“Orchards’ mission is very personal to me. My husband and I were foster parents and are adoptive parents to two children. I am humbled to join such a dynamic agency,” Nicole says. “I’m excited to meet with staff and supporters and become part of such a dedicated and caring team.”

MAKENZIE LARSON

Founder & CEO, Director of Movement & Functional Medicine
Makenzie, MS, LAT, ATC, FAAFM, is a certified and licensed athletic trainer in Michigan and Florida. She received her Master of Science in Sports Medicine from the University of Virginia. In addition, she has a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Applied and Ethics-Based, and a Minor in Biomedical Sciences from Western Michigan University. She was also a Division 1 soccer goalkeeper, captain, and Bronco Award winner for selfless leadership.

While at UVA, Makenzie worked with the 7-time national championship Men’s Soccer Program and completed her thesis on wearable technology, specifically how to use internal and external load monitoring for injury prevention, return to activity, and performance. She also studied in the clinic and operating rooms for UVA Orthopedic Surgery.

Web Site: https://www.roremethod.com/

Come join us for a casual get together.

We will not have our regularly scheduled meeting.

Join us for a get together at Brown Iron Brewery in Royal Oak-30955 Woodward Ave Ste 510, Royal Oak, MI 48073.

We have this "Tweener" as a holiday tradition while we do not meet at our regular weekly meeting over the long holiday.

Sharon McRill is the owner and president of The Betty Brigade, a relocation and organization company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Her mission is to help people live more organized and less stressful lives. Laid off from a corporate marketing job in 2003, McRill turned the setback into an opportunity. As a busy professional, she wanted to help other busy people get organized and stay that way. She’s been doing so successfully since Spring of 2003. Visit www.bettybrigade.com for more information. Sharon has published her book "Downsizing the Silver Tsunami: Who to Call and Where Does the Stuff Go," and she will have copies available. She's also appeared as an expert guest on national television. 

Co-founder Bradley Perkins is a retired educator passionate about leading and seeking ways to improve the communities he serves.  He is a devoted father, foster parent, and grandparent, and sees the face of good in all individuals.  He possesses an education degree and a master's in educational leadership.  He has served on the board of Orchards Children's Services and volunteers at his local church serving meals.  He has worked as a childcare professional, classroom teacher, coach, and building-level school administrator.  The mission of One Love One Family is shared by his wife of 33 years, who desires to love and serve one's neighbors by creating an interdependent community and family.

Learn more at https://oneloveonefamily.org/

Ryan Webb lives in Metro Detroit, where he was born and raised, with his wife and two sons. He earned his bachelor of arts in communication and business administration from Alma College and his master of business administration from the University of Michigan’s Stephen M. Ross School of Business. His day job is as a marketer for the same Fortune 100 company he’s been with for almost 25 years, and he is elated to have also just published his first novel, Saving Will.

Gretchen Abrams joined Detroit Bird Alliance as executive director in 2022, bringing more than 20 years of leadership in environmental education and 15 years of management experience at local, national, and international nonprofits.  Gretchen has a proven record of creating and growing programs that benefit physical and mental well-being and nurture future advocates, conservationists, and stewards of birds and the environment we share. With 85 years of history the Detroit Bird Alliance is dedicated to making Detroit and our region a better place for birds and people.

Annual Masters Raffle Party