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Chapter Spotlight: IIBEC Great Lakes Chapter

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July 21, 2021

Chapter Spotlight: IIBEC Great Lakes Chapter

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:

How many cumulative years of experience does your board have in the industry? 

President: Russ Watson 10 years
Vice President: Zack Davis 12 years
Secretary: Jeff Scott 26 years
Treasurer: Rick Bresso 44 years
Immediate Past President: Terry Owens 21 years
Professional Director: Bob Beauregard 21 years
Professional Director: Paul Dombrowski 15 years
Professional Director: Elise Love 12 years
Professional Director: Paul Majkowski 35 years
Industry Director: Natalie Thompson 13 years
Industry Director: Jim Markiewicz 36 years
Industry Director: Joe Sobas 22 Years
TOTAL YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY   267 YEARS COMBINED

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