Robert Chapman

The following is a list of achievements by businesses and individuals in the Ann Arbor area:

• Robert Chapman, president and CEO of United Bank and Trust in Ann Arbor, was recently elected to serve as chairman for a one-year term on the Michigan Bankers Association board of directors. Chapman is a member of the board of directors for both United Bancorp and United Bank & Trust - Washtenaw.

• Almost 650 care packages were delivered to U.S. military personnel deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan over the Fourth of July weekend thanks to a joint effort of Kalitta Air and Ann Arbor-based Con-way Freight. Employees from both companies and area businesses donated various items for the troops, including health and beauty products, snacks, books and games. Letters from local schoolchildren were also included. Employees assembled the donated items into care packages, which Con-way Freight transported to the Kalitta Air facility in Oscoda, Mich. A Kalitta Air flight carrying the packages departed on June 28.

• Bodman LLP was recently recognized by the Pro Bono Initiative of the State Bar of Michigan as a member of the “Pro Bono Circle of Excellence” for 2010 for significantly exceeding voluntary standards set by the State Bar of Michigan. In 2009, Bodman attorneys, paralegals and summer associates devoted $4,389 hours to pro bono projects, and the firm and its attorneys contributed nearly $128,000 to eligible charities. In addition to pro bono hours, Bodman attorneys devoted more than 1,500 hours to community service projects serving as directors or volunteers with numerous nonprofit organizations. Bodman LLP is a Michigan law firm with Michigan offices in Ann Arbor, Detroit, Troy and Cheboygan and one office in Texas.

•Three Michigan companies recently received a combined total of $104,000 through the Michigan Microloan Fund Program, bringing the total amount invested through the fund to more than $1.3 million. Terra-Telesis, KnowledgeWatch and uwemp received the funding to support commercialization of their core products. Terra-Telesis, doing business as Airport Wind Generated Electric Turbine, is based in Okemos. Based in Ann Arbor, KnowledgeWatch will use the microloan funding to support commercialization of its automated online knowledge product. Ann Arbor-based uwemp is an educational software company.

• Redesign of lobby of The Courtyard By Marriott - Ann Arbor is scheduled to be completed July 13, but the lobby is open to visitors now. According to the management, the new lobby space is more functional, offering meeting space, coffee, drinks food and free Wi-Fi. Included in the space is a new restaurant, The Bistro.

• The Chelsea-Area Wellness Foundation recently announced the winners of its first full grant cycle. The following received a total of more than $250,000 in grants from the foundation: Beach Middle School, Chelsea School District, Grass Lake Charter Township, Manchester Community Schools, Silver Maples, Chelsea Recreation Council, Village of Stockbridge, Stockbridge Community Schools and Grass Lake Community Schools.

• Ann Arbor-based Toyota Technical Center and Johnson Controls have joined together to partner with Habitat for Humanity of Washtenaw County to renovate a foreclosed home. Volunteers from those companies will help to revitalize 1239 Hull St., located in the Nancy Park neighborhood in Ypsilanti. Together, Toyota and Johnson Controls are bringing all the funds and volunteers needed to renovate the home. The Habitat renovation project starts with a kick-off celebration to be held at the house in Ypsilanti at 5 p.m. tomorrow.

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