What geographical region do you serve?
Metro Detroit and West Michigan.
Do you have any events coming up?
September 14, 2021- 13th Annual Charity Golf Outing
Proceeds raised from this year’s golf tournament will support the Art Foundation. Founded by acclaimed artist Tony Roko in 2017, the Art Foundation’s mission is to provide highly-curated art education and creative expression opportunities to the most underserved children with socio-economic barriers in the Metro Detroit area.
In your opinion, what has been the most successful event that your chapter has hosted within the past three years?
Surprisingly, our 2020 Charity Golf Outing! Despite COVID and a reduced amount of attendees, we were still able to raise and donate over $24,000 for a local charity called Kids On The Go. Kids On The Go is a pediatric non-profit that provides children with special needs with physical, occupational, speech, and recreational therapies throughout the year.
Does your chapter support any other local charities? What do you do for fundraising?
Yes! The IIBEC Great Lakes Chapter’s annual charity golf outing has raised over $180,000 over the course of the last 12 years for local charities. Each year, the sitting chapter president has the honor of choosing that year’s charity. Previously supported organizations include the following:
Michigan Parkinson’s Foundation
Local 149 Joint Apprenticeship Training Center
Hospice of Michigan
Faith Farms
St. Johns Providence Children’s Hospital
Grace Centers of Hope
Joy-Southfield Community Development Corp.
Rippling Hope
Kids on the Go
How many cumulative years of experience does your board have in the industry?
If you were to give a piece of advice to the next generation of consultants, what would it be and why?
Get involved in the chapter and participate in as many events and tech sessions that you can to develop your network of consultants, manufacturer representatives and contractors. Form relationships with peers that you will work with throughout your career and not just professionally, but personally. Some of my very good friends are people I have worked with and beside in this industry. It is much easier to work with someone you know rather than someone you don’t. Rick Bresso, IIBEC Great Lakes Chapter Treasurer
