HOLLAND, Mich. (April 22, 2026) — Lakeshore Advantage announces the creation of a new strategic growth business unit designed to strengthen the region’s long-term economic competitiveness and better align efforts that support both immediate business needs and future-focused initiatives.
The new strategic growth department brings together the organization’s business solutions team, focused on retaining, attracting and growing primary employers, with its strategic initiatives work, which addresses broader, long-range challenges to economic success. These efforts include talent attraction and retention, workforce housing, and public-private collaboration.
Mandy Cooper will lead the new department as senior vice president of strategic growth, overseeing a unified strategy that connects direct employer support with proactive solutions to regional challenges.
“This new structure reflects how business growth actually happens,” said Jennifer Owens, president of Lakeshore Advantage. “Companies need strong, responsive support today, but they also rely on a region that is planning ahead, whether that’s talent, housing or infrastructure. By bringing these efforts together, we can be more intentional and more impactful.”
As part of this transition, Lakeshore Advantage has announced the following staff promotions:
Ryan Ferrier has been promoted to director of business retention and attraction. In this role, Ferrier will lead efforts to support the growth of existing employers and attract new investment to the region, working closely with companies to navigate expansion opportunities and challenges.
Lindsay Maunz has been promoted to senior manager of strategic initiatives. She will lead key initiatives that positively impact regional economic challenges and opportunities, including cross-sector collaborations and projects that support long-term economic vitality.
The creation of the strategic growth unit reflects Lakeshore Advantage’s continued evolution as an economic development organization focused not only on business attraction and retention, but also on shaping the conditions that allow companies and communities to thrive.
“This is about aligning our work with the realities our employers face,” said Cooper. “We’re focused on being both responsive in the moment and proactive for the future, ensuring our region remains competitive, relevant and positioned for long-term prosperity.”
