Voices
Voices
Dive into compelling stories from Michigan's 83 counties and hear from business owners, students, and community members as they describe their unique perspectives on living and working in Michigan.
Sometimes people ask me, ‘Why did you found a rocket company in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan?' And I tell them the U.P. is as close to space as anywhere on the planet.
All Stories
Schoolcraft
Smart Solutions
Rob Giles of IQ Designs
As CEO of a global supplier of pharmaceutical and diagnostic products, Rob Giles delivers solutions worldwide right from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Menominee
ABS of Plastic
Kane Rasner of Advanced Blending Solutions
As president of a plastics manufacturing equipment provider, Kane Rasner is growing the family business into an international powerhouse in Menominee County.
Delta
Like a Fish to Water
Mathew Wastell of Pisces Fish Machinery
As vice president of one of the few companies in the world that manufactures fish-processing machines, Mathew Wastell is scaling his business globally right from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Baraga
Construction Zone
Philip LaTendresse of Pettibone
As director of engineering and product support and the fourth generation to work at Pettibone, Philip LaTendresse is continuing the legacy of the industry-leading material handling equipment manufacturer
Iosco
Under His Wing
Angel Melendez of Kalitta Air
As an Air Force veteran and program manager for the apprenticeship program at Kalitta Air, Angel Melendez is using his expertise to train the next generation of aviation mechanics
Missaukee
Right on Target
Karen Abrahamson of the Bohning Company
Missaukee native Karen Abrahamson has grown into her leadership role at The Bohning Company, a world-leading cornerstone of the archery industry.
Muskegon
Bowled Over
Corey Dykstra of Brunswick Bowling Products
As CEO for the largest supplier of high-performance bowling equipment and supplies in the world, contributing to Michigan’s manufacturing heritage is right up Corey Dykstra’s alley.
Oscoda
Bending the Future
Kyle Yoder of MetalFab Manufacturing
Kyle Yoder embraces his hometown and keeps his family’s business on the path to success in Oscoda County
Lapeer
Hitting the Pavement
Cliff Cameron of KM International
Cliff Cameron has always had a vision for the road ahead; taking KM International from a small business in a pole barn to industry hall of fame.
Arenac
True to Form
George Aultman of Vantage Plastics
Vantage Plastics strives to form solutions, form a sustainable future, and form better lives
Ingham
A Whole New World View
Mark Hendel of IMPCO
As Global Sales Director for IMPCO Microfinishing, a Lansing-based machine tooling manufacturer, Mark Hendel is injecting a new energy and vision into the 86-year-old company
I’m glad I had the opportunity to make a good impression and do positive things while I was here in a professional capacity as Main Street director, now I’m really excited to get to do this in a new professional capacity.