Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber merger became official today
The merger of the two largest Chambers of Commerce in Washtenaw County became official today, formally uniting the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti business advocacy groups.
The merger had been announced in late 2009, after the Ann Arbor group started a search for a new president.
The group also debuted a new logo, reflection its new A2Y Chamber identify.
Early projections said the combined group would expect to have 1,600 members, reflecting some losses over recent years and the overlap among members who belonged to both chambers.
Benefits of the merger include building regional collaboration, leaders said, and running more efficient operations.
The Ann Arbor chamber reported three years of losses prior to 2009, according to documents and leadership.
Meanwhile, the chamber also announced its new, combined board of directors. The 26 people serving on it will be:
• Maudie Abraham, owner of Moments Like This Estate Sales, LLC • David Behen, VP/Public Sector & Education of GDI Infotech • Robert Boonin, attorney at Butzel Long • Laurel Champion, executive vice president of AnnArbor.com • Karl Couyoumjian, president of TeL Systems • Larry Doe, treasurer of Ypsilanti Township • Sean Duval, president of Golden Limousine • Paul M Ganz, regional manager of DTE Energy • Tom Harrison, president of Michigan Ladder Company • Mary Kerr, president of the Ann Arbor Convention & Visitor’s Bureau • Sarah Kersey Otto, acting cirector of Career Services Center • Michael Kestly, owner of Kestly Development • Rebecca Lopez-Kriss, master's student at the Ford School of Public Policy • Michael Manchester, attorney at Manchester & Associates • Ron Maurer, vice President of Administration for Zingerman’s • Ted McMullen, VP of leasing for McMullen Company • William Nickels, City Council, Ward 2 of the City of Ypsilanti • Mark Ouimet, Washtenaw County Commissioner • John Petz, director/Gov’t & Community Relations • Debra Power, president of Power Marketing and Research • Ted Schork, VP relationship manager at Key Bank • Christine Sing, CPA at Wright, Griffin and Davis • Pat Taylor, dean of student support services at Washtenaw Community College • Dennis Ticknor, Ellsworth office manager of Bank of Ann Arbor • Kevin VanKannel, president of University Office Technologies • Daryl C. Weinert, executive director of U of M Business Engagement Center.
Comments
Freemind42
Wed, Jun 2, 2010 : 7:32 a.m.
@mark, if the townships and cities merged the people of Ann Arbor would be forced to take on the burden of supporting a bankrupt city such as Ypsi and the surrounding townships that are experiencing similar financial troubles. Ann Arbor is a unique city with a unique culture, I don't think it's a good idea to merge the cities just in the name of population growth. As for why Detroit "died" it was because of the urban sprawl that occurred over the past 60 years, reducing the population by half. The city still had a huge infrastructure left behind which it couldn't pay for without the tax base. I think we should learn from their mistakes and not try to grow too big.
Mark
Tue, Jun 1, 2010 : 3:44 p.m.
Well, I am a fan of mega-cities, for instance, if the townships and cities of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti merged, the combined municipality would have a population of 180,000 and a non-fractured tax base. If the county of Washtenaw merged with the new hulking conurbation, that's one less layer of government again. Detroit died because people fled to... See Moretheir own little walled gardens to live and went into the city to play. Why did they do that? The Detroit income tax and the riots. We didn't have riots, but we are kicking around the idea of an income tax. The only way it will work is with a hulking conurbation. Do we really want to see Pittsfield, Scio, Superior, and the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti townships thrive while Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti crumble?