Author: KMF Infotech

Rich was the principal founder and chairman of Lake Michigan Financial Corporation which started and owned The Bank of Holland and InSite Capital. InSite Capital helped to develop affordable and workforce housing. Rich was involved in the West Michigan charitable community, was Chairman of Grand Angels (an angel investing organization) for ten years, and was an active member of Riverview Development, focusing on downtown Holland development.

Rich, you have years of Senior Executive leadership experience. What has been a lesson learned that you have been able to pass along? 
Success in any organization depends on finding and developing the best people for the current and future needs. Everything depends on having and keeping the best talent.

 

Talk to us about company culture. What are some values that you and your team live by? 
Culture is not a statement-it is how you run the business or organization each day. Values are set at the very top of the organization and everyone watches what you do as opposed to what you say.

 

What is your biggest insight from the last year and the disruption that has been navigated? 
The last year underscored the importance of building resiliency in organizations and in our personal affairs. We proved that we could build efficient systems that proved not to be resilient. It showed up in supply chains, staffing models, financial structure, and personal investments. We need to improve in this as an organization, society, and individually.

 

You partner with a variety of mentorship and investment organizations. Why is it important to you to give back?
When we started the bank, we had wonderful partners- directors, investors, advisors. They helped me become a better leader and manager. By giving back, I feel like I am paying back the wonderful assistance these people gave me. This willingness to help other businesspeople is a hallmark of the Holland/Zeeland community and directly contributes to its’ success.

 

Can you share why it is a priority to you to invest in economic development?
This area is an economic miracle and is unique in many respects. I have worked in markets that do not have our success and without it, everything else is much more difficult. Economic vitality drives housing, education, social progress, and other areas of community development.

Nick Nykerk is the President of Lakewood Construction, a commercial construction firm that serves clients throughout West Michigan.

Nick leads the Lakewood team, bringing his 18 years of experience in the industry, to help build relationships throughout the community and help clients have a successful building experience. In 2019, he was one of the Grand Rapids Business Journals 40 Under 40 Business Leader Honorees.

 

Nick is the Board Chair for Compassionate Heart Ministry and also sits on the boards of Lakeshore Advantage Now for Next, Associated Builders and Contractors of West Michigan, and TCF Bank West Michigan.

Nick received his bachelor’s in construction management from Michigan State University. Upon graduation he was hired by McCarthy Building Companies and gained valuable experience working various large-scale projects throughout the western United States before returning to Michigan and joining the Lakewood Construction team.

 

Questions:

Nick, you have years of Senior Executive leadership experience. What has been a lesson learned that you have been able to pass along? 
One lesson I have learned and try to encourage others in is to enjoy wherever you are at in your career now. As I look back on my own career, I realize I’ve had a few seasons where I was discontent because of my title or lack thereof. The reality is that regardless of title or role, I was in a position to learn, serve, and grow professionally. More importantly I was in a position to grow as a person. If you are someone with high integrity and a good work ethic, you will get your shot. Whether or not you are where you want to be right now, enjoy each season as it comes and try to find the lessons you can take from each.

 

Talk to us about the culture at Lakewood Construction. What are some values that you and your team live by? 
I think if you asked many of our employees at Lakewood, they would say that they feel more like friends and family than co-workers, and that is exactly what we want. Our team cares about each other and making sure that everyone is valued no matter their roll.

 

Our recently rolled out internal values help us better articulate who we are and who we aim to be every day using the acronym BUILD.

 

B – Build Trust. By communicating openly, being personally accountable, and consistently exceeding expectations.

U – Utilize Teamwork. By coming together and combining our individual experience, talents, and expertise into one tight-knit team.

I – Inspire Innovation. By continuously learning, growing, and pushing to find a better way.

L – Lead Through Serving. By treating others with respect, always being willing to lend a hand, and making a point of giving back.

D – Deliver Excellence. By anticipating challenges, focusing on the details, and investing in those who we serve.

 

What is your biggest insight from the last year and the disruption that has been navigated? 
The last year has certainly been a year of challenges and growth for everyone. As someone who is a high factfinder (Kolbe Index) and someone who loves strategic thinking, I can sometimes fall into analysis paralysis. The past year has given me the opportunity to push past that and make decisions with incomplete and often conflicting information. In many situations, the right or appropriate answer is obvious. However, throughout the pandemic, we have been challenged to make vital decisions knowing that not everyone is going to agree or even like the ones that you are making. While it has been a hard year for everyone, the silver lining is being able to take valuable lessons from these situations and become better leaders and people.

 

You celebrate 50 years in business this year. Looking back, what would you consider a milestone moment in Lakewood Construction’s history that speaks to the longevity of your business? 
In our 50 years of business, we hit a milestone each and every time a client chooses to work with Lakewood on a second, and sometimes even third, or fourth project. Repeat clients are a true testament to the team here and everyone’s dedication to creating raving fans. We don’t just want a successful project; we want to see our clients succeed in their new spaces for many years to come.

 

What is a book that you have read or an influencer that you watch that has made you a better leader?
Someone I discovered and have been continually learning more about ever since is Dr. Edward Deming. While much of what people know him for is improvement in quality, he was also committed to training people on how they worked and learned together. He eventually created “The Deming System of Profound Knowledge”. This system gives leaders a framework for enhancing and transforming how their organization operates. While he goes through many different practices and thought ideas, one of my favorite takeaways is the emphasis on ensuring that those closest to the problem are empowered to provide the solution.

 

Can you share why it is a priority to Lakewood Construction to invest in economic development?
At Lakewood we believe that communities with strong businesses can and should lead the way in generating resources for the community and region. Economic development leads to economic prosperity which is the catalyst for a vibrant community. From social services to philanthropy to the people living/working in our community, we want it to be a place where we can all continue to grow and succeed together.

Kelly Springer serves as Metal Flow Corporation’s President and Chief Executive Officer.  Metal Flow Corporation is a manufacturer of technically sophisticated custom metal components primarily to the global automotive industry.  Her role oversees all operations at both their Holland, Michigan and Wuxi, China facilities.  Kelly joined Metal Flow in 2013 as Chief Financial Officer after spending 23 years in public accounting serving manufacturing clients.

 

Kelly has supported community trusteeship through her involvement in a variety of organizations including her current roles as a member of the Michigan West Coast Chamber Board of Directors, as a member of the Michigan Women Forward Advisory Council, and as the Executive Champion for Inforum’s Manufacturing NEXT group.

 

Kelly is a proud Michigan State University graduate where she remains active in alumni activities supporting the Eli Broad College of Business.

 

Kelly, you have years of Senior Executive leadership experience. What has been a lesson learned that you have been able to pass along?

One of the best lessons I have embraced is to continue to be reflective on what I am learning.  It could relate to a career role or specific project or interaction.  Asking “what did I learn about…?” can take on a variety of answers.    What did I learn about an issue?  What did I learn about a skill?  What did I learn about the team?  What did I learn about myself?  The answers generate a learning exercise that allows you to grow as a leader and provide the appropriate support for others.

 

Talk to us about the culture at Metal Flow. What are some values that you and your team live by?

As an organization, we are continuing to use the principles developed by our founders, Marc and Curt Brown.  These principles are based on the goal of being the organization against which others are measured.  Our culture focuses on People, Processes, Products and Pride. Using what we were founded on and adapting it to the changing aspects of our business allows the organization to stay true to our legacy while positioning for the future.  We celebrate being a family-owned business that has remained a leader in the markets we serve.

 

What is your biggest insight from the last year and the disruption that has been navigated?

As a team, we have learned that we can adapt and respond to change much quicker than we thought we could or had done previously.  The disruptions we faced last year have continued into 2021 with challenges in our supply chain and our ability to hire, but we are demonstrating our abilities in change management.  That skill set allowed us to navigate 2020 and to continue to do the same thing moving forward.

 

What is a book that you have read or an influencer that you watch that has made you a better leader?

Like many in positions of leadership the “weight of your words” can lead to ineffective communication when delivering a key message.  I have always enjoyed face to face communication.  As I moved through 2020, my need for effective communication was very high with team members, customers, and suppliers.  I began listening to a podcast (How Can I Say This…with Beth Buelow) that helped me think about both the content and the delivery of effective communication messages.  Focusing on the intent and how it could be perceived in a variety of formats, has enhanced my skills in this area.

 

You were recently honored as a Woman of Achievement and Courage by Michigan Women Forward. Can you share any stories that stand out from this last year that reflect on this achievement?

Certainly during this past year, I have had to lead differently and face challenges and unpredictability that has been presented to us within our business.  We chose to make some investments in new technologies so we would be positioned for the future.  It was challenging to look past the daily issues to be more strategic as a leader during such volatility in the business.

 

I also took time to be reflective and to better understand the needs and life experiences our team members bring with them to their roles.

 

I have been a supporter of MWF’s mission for many years, so the recognition was humbling and motivating to make sure I am personally doing what I can to support those organizations that I believe in.

 

Can you share why it is a priority to Metal Flow to invest in economic development?

Metal Flow’s support of economic development is viewed as doing our part to ensure the strength of the region as a place to conduct business.  This strength serves as a benefit to our team members, our ability to attract and retain technical talent, and to have a network of support for the local portion of our supply base.

I live in South Haven, MI with my husband, John. We have three children, Keysharri (28 years old) who is an attorney, Jonbrielle (21 yrs.) who is finishing her first year of law school at Michigan State University College of Law and John Thomas (11 yrs.) who loves playing travel basketball, football and baseball.

 

I graduated from three different universities with two master’s and a bachelor’s degree.

• Michigan State University – Master’s in Management, Strategy and Leadership
• Cornerstone University – Master’s in Business Administration
• Siena Heights University – Bachelor’s in Business Administration

 

I serve as the Vice President Human Resources at ODL, Inc. headquartered in Zeeland, MI. I drive the direction, strategy and plans in the execution of the company’s goals especially as it relates to people and the culture of the organization. I have global responsibility for Human Resources. ODL is in the USA, Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom and China.

 

I have over 15 years of global human resource experience. I began my human resource career at Trelleborg Automotive that eventually became Vibracoustic through a joint venture.

 

 

Tysha, you have years of Senior Executive leadership experience, in which I’m sure a lot of lessons were learned. What has been one that you’ve been able to pass along?

Never lower your expectations and always be your true self. I stand firm on my values which are honesty, integrity and trustworthiness. If you are in my circle (personal or professional) then you also live by these values. I show people who I am by being my true self by showing up, being honest and sharing my values. I hope by watching me, I give someone the courage to make a life changing decision to be more.

 

Being a good leader is also leading by example. It is not do what I say, it is do as I am doing. I would not ask anyone to do anything that I am not willing to do myself. So many people get into leadership roles and think they made it and now they do not have to work so hard. I work harder in my leadership role because I know people are watching my actions. We always say actions speak louder than words and it is so true. You are being watched when you do not even realize it.

 

Talk to us about company culture. What are some values that you and your team live by?

ODL’s Core Values are Solid, Soft and Risky. So many people can take these words and make them mean whatever they want them to mean but these words describe ODL’s beliefs, behaviors, and culture. We are solid company by believing in a strong and inclusive workforce. Especially in these times, being part of a company that is inclusive is very important. Last year after George Floyd’s murder, I was asked to speak to our global organization about what was going on in the world with all the injustice. I have never been asked to openly talk about race issues and how it affected me and my family. At ODL, I was asked so I stepped forward and prepared what I had to say to our inclusive organization.

 

We are a soft company as we approach situations with our customer, vendors, community and employees. During the beginning of the pandemic, we were deemed an essential workforce but something about it just did not feel right so our leadership team decided that it was best to shut down operations while the world tried to figure out what was really going on. We were shut down for 5 weeks with full pay. No one was furloughed or laid off during this time which is something that I can proudly say about ODL. This showed that we will take care of our employees.

 

We are also a risky company and willing to take risks to grow the business by having teams of innovators and problem solvers that are willing to challenge the status quo. Working for a company where you can take these risks and think outside the box is very rewarding. At ODL, I have been able to challenge myself to think is ways that I would have never thought of and produce ideas on how to get things done differently is a great way to move forward and be better.

 

During the pandemic, how did Human Resources shift for you? Do you have any stories that stand out of ways your company pivoted during the last year?

Being in Human Resources during a global pandemic was one of the most stressful things I have had to encounter in my career. At the beginning, the laws and regulations were changing daily so that was extremely stressful. Then there was the decision were we going to close or stay open. If we close, are we going to pay team members? If we are going to pay, then what will we pay? How are we going to process in our payroll system? What are the right codes? This list goes on. People just think, just pay people but you are paying team members for not working which has a lot of other meanings.

 

Then we opened back up on a voluntary basis, what does this mean for those team members that are not comfortable returning to work during a global pandemic? Oh yes, and we had to produce a list of team members that were deemed able to work from home so now they will continue to work. How long is this going to last? The list goes on.

 

We did the right thing during the pandemic. While it was hard to manage in Human Resources, it was the right thing to do. Our team members can honestly say that they did not lose any pay during the pandemic, and no one was fearful of becoming unemployed. We were just the opposite. We have been trying to hire more during the pandemic than ever before. Our orders increased dramatically, and we cannot hire team members fast enough.

 

What is a book that you’ve read or an influencer that you watch that has made you a better leader?

I follow Simon Sinek and receive his daily Notes to Inspire. I am not much of a person that sits and reads books. I am more of a person that looks for words of encouragement and words of inspiration. There are many times you start off your day not so good but then you get a note from Simon Sinek or a notification from bossbabe.inc. on Instagram that makes you remember that everyone has a hard day and you got this. I aspire to be a woman that wakes up and loves what she does for a living every day because if you love what you do, it is not work. I have a saying on my professional email signature that says, “Working hard for something we don’t care about is called stress. Working hard for something we love is called passion.” I have a lot of passion around my profession and many times as a woman it can come across as aggresion which is it not so I try to watch my passion because many people do not understand it.

 

I send my daughters inspiration when I see it because I did not have a professional woman to look up to and remind me “you got this”. Recently I sent them something that said this is just to remind you that you’re powerful, beautiful, talented, and strong. “You’ve got this”. One of them is already an attorney and the other one is in law school. There were many days I wish someone would have told me that same thing so I try to be an encouragement to not only my daughters but any woman I encounter.

 

One thing I want women to understand or anyone for that matter, there is no magic potion to success. Success takes dedication and hard work and without it you will not reach success. Many people think there is some sort of magic that leaders can tell them and they will get to success without the hard work. That is the one thing that upsets me when people ask me to be their mentor. After one meeting, I realize that they are looking for me to tell the secret and when I tell them it is dedication and hard work, they seem upset. So if you are looking for a mentor, understand that in the mentor/mentee relatioship the mentee does the work not the other way around.

 

Can you share why it’s a priority to ODL Inc. as a blinds and glass manufacturer to invest in economic development?

Our purpose is “We Make Your Life Better” which includes our community. If we did not invest in our community, we would not be true to our purpose.