TCYP Advisory Council
Young Professionals LiaisonAllison Beers, Owner, Events North
While in Philadelphia, she guest lectured for a class at Temple University in event management and served as a board member of the Philadelphia Chapter of the International Society of Event Specialists for 3 years. Allison is a graduate of Albion College with a double BA in English and Speech Communications and also has a certification in event management from The George Washington University School of Business. Since Beers and her husband Adam, a Traverse City native, moved to Northern Michigan from Philadelphia five years ago, she has been involved in a variety of local activities, including serving as Events Manager for the Traverse City Film Festival for the past four years and is the Chair for the Women's Resource Center Extravaganza. She is also a member of the Rotary Club. She planned the post race party for the Meijer Festival of Races during the National Cherry Festival and was the consultant for the Inland Seas Homecoming event. In 2009, Beers planned the Inaugural Michigan Schooner Festival for the Maritime Heritage Alliance. Beers was hired as the Event Coordinator for the Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kids' Sake Event. After having such a positive experience working with the agency, she was asked to join the Board of Directors in June of 2009. Beers is a founding member of the Traverse City Young Professionals. In 2008 and 2009, the Traverse City Business News named Beers one of the 40 Most Influential Business People Under 40. |
ChairsChair- Chris Jonkhoff, Christy Jonkhoff, CFSP, Sixth Generation Funeral Director, Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home
In 2006, after living in East Lansing and Chicago, both towns full of young people, she noticed that there was not a group for young professionals in the Traverse City area. After speaking with a few other friends who were also young professionals, they decided to work with the Chamber of Commerce to develop the Young Professionals Program. Today, the YPs are a large group of young people, all of whom are working to better the community in which we live and have fun together at the same time. “Whether it is attending a lunch and learn, an undercover night out, a book club event, or volunteering, there are always new faces at each of the events. I look forward to the future as I am confident that the Young Professional organization will continue to grow and prosper,” states Chris. |
Incoming Chair- Maggie Schmittling, Senior Manager of Marketing Operations, Hagerty Insurance Agency, Inc.
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Outgoing Chair- Bryan Taggart, Principal/Financial Advisor, The Larkin Group, Inc.
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Advisory Council MembersTravis Beynon, Commercial Account Executive, Shumsky-West & Associates
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Lindsey Gullekson, CPA, Hagerty Insurance Agency, Inc.
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Drew Buchholz, Director of External Relation, Interlochen Center for the Arts
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Sara Klebba, Account Manager for Tandem Design & Event Assistant for Events North
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Jessica Sullivan, Vice President, Chase Bank
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Valarie Handy, Area Specialist, USDA Rural DevelopmentValarie received her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Davenport University is currently working as an Area Specialist for USDA Rural Development in the Community Programs division. She specializes in financing equipment purchases and construction projects for rural non-profits and public bodies. Rural Development has over 40 different loan and grant programs available under their three main categories—Housing, Community Programs and Business & Industry—and can fund a community from the ground up. When not working Valarie enjoys traveling and going on adventures through reading as well as in person. |
Jason Jones, CPRP, Director, Grand Traverse County Parks and Recreation
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Andrew Kolhmann, Owner, Signs Now
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Tracy Talbot, Professional Healthcare Representative, Pfizer, Inc.
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Kyle Trevas, Kyle B. Trevas Attorney & Counselor of LawKyle Trevas is a graduate of Michigan State University. He attended Thomas Cooley Law School. He is interested in local government and serves as a Planning Commissioner and a member of the Parks and Recreation Committee in Elmwood Township. He is a member of the Traverse City Optimist and enjoys volunteering at YP outings. |
Shannon Ward, Manager -Northern Michigan, Eastern Michigan University
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Adam Whitson, Plante & Moran
Adam has four years experience in public accounting with Plante & Moran. He currently provides audit and consulting services for a wide range of clients. Adam's specialized accounting skills are focused upon manufacturing, real estate, and construction, with expertise in closely held corporations. Adam is also involved in financial statement audits, tax return preparation, and management consulting engagements. Recently, Adam gained specialization in forensic accounting and investigative services within Plante and Moran’s Forensic and Valuation Services group. In his spare time, Adam enjoys northern Michigan outdoor activities particularly boating, fishing, biking and skiing. |
Allison Beers, owner, has over 10 years of experience in event management, incentive and meeting planning and marketing. While living on the East Coast, she planned and executed a 40,000 guest carnival fundraiser for the opening of the Philadelphia Eagles new stadium, planned a two-week regional road show for America Online and also produced videos and commercials for Sunoco and several pharmaceutical companies.
Chris grew up in lovely the Traverse City area. She graduated from Traverse City Central High School in 2001 and then went on to Michigan State University. After she completed school at MSU with a degree in Communications with an emphasis on Interpersonal Relationships, she went on to Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago to become a funeral director. She is proud to carry on the family tradition of excellence in funeral service as a licensed funeral director as well as being actively involved in many community service activities of special interest to her. She is a board member on The Traverse City Junior Golf Association, also on The Grand Traverse Center Board and Secretary/Treasure of the Michigan Funeral Directors District 8 Association. Additionally she is a junior member at The Traverse City Golf and Country Club. She enjoys being with her family and friends, and her French bulldog Lucy.
Maggie Schmittling is the Senior Manager of Marketing Operations at Hagerty Insurance Agency Inc. She received her B.A in English from Albion College in 2004. Maggie previously held the position of co-chair of the Communications Committee of the YP group.
Bryan has served on the YP Advisory Council and Executive Committee since the inception of the YP Program. Along with Chris Jonkhoff, Bryan was one of the original Co-Chairs of the YP Program. As the out-going chair, Bryan serves on the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce. Bryan moved to Traverse City in April of 2006 when he purchased The Larkin Group with his business partner Justin Looyenga. Together they have grown their business from a 10 person small business to currently having 33 employees and growing. The Larkin Group specializes in Insurance and Financial Services with locations in Traverse City and Lake Leelanau. Bryan is married to his wife Ashley and they have 2 young daughters, Addison and Avery.
Travis graduated from Hope College in 2004. He is currently employed at Shumsky-West & Associates where he is a commercial account executive specializing in business, personal and health insurance services. Travis enjoys golf, tennis, soccer, boating, hiking and travel. He is also a confirmed member of the First Congregational Church.
Lindsey is a member of the TCYP organization since inception and second year serving on the Social Committee. Graduated with a BSBA in accounting from Aquinas College in 2005 and recently joined the accounting team at Hagerty Insurance Agency after 4 years with a local public accounting firm. Lindsey also serves on the board of Northwest Michigan 4C Council, is a member of the Signature Chefs Auction committee with the March of Dimes, and Taste of Grand Traverse committee with the Women’s Resource Center.
Prior to joining Interlochen Center for the Arts, Drew served as the Director of Advocacy at ArtServe Michigan where he established the first statewide arts coalition to work within state government on behalf of arts funding. Drew spent the early part of his career working as a Legislative Assistant for State Representative Bill McConico and later as the Project Director for the Michigan House Civics Commission initiative. As the Project Director, Drew created and managed a bipartisan ad hoc committee of 22 state representatives to establish a communication pipeline between students and state lawmakers. Drew was instrumental in the building and strengthening of the MHCC from a few teachers and schools to a flourishing premier civic education initiative. During Drew's tenure in Lansing he gained experience working with the legislative process and has maintained relationships with many representatives and their staff. Drew holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and interdisciplinary studies-law and society with a minor in geography from Michigan State University.
Sara is a five-year resident of Traverse City and very active in this vibrant community. In addition to her TCYP commitment, she is the Marketing Committee Co-Chair for the Taste of Grand Traverse (the new Women's Resource Center annual fundraiser), Green Room Coordinator for the Traverse City Film Festival, and active volunteer for the State Theater. When not volunteering, Sara works as Account Manager for Tandem Design and assists on Events North events. Sara brings event planning and marketing experience to the TCYPs from her previous positions at Right Brain Brewery, Timber Ridge Resort, the Women's Winter Tour, and BBDO Detroit (Jeep and Dodge accounts). You can find Sara catching a flick at the State, sipping a brew at Right Brain, or enjoying a fine meal at The Cook's House.
Jessica is a Vice President with Chase Bank where she serves as a Relationship Manager in their Business Banking department. She has been employed with Chase (and its predecessors) since 2003 and has served multiple roles, including retail management and business banking. Jessica’s tenure within retail included directing the largest branch in West Michigan. Jessica has a Bachelors degree in Finance from Michigan State University and an MBA from Davenport University. Jessica is a member of the Zonta Club of Traverse City, she is involved with her local Parish, and is a member of the Young Professionals, serving as the co-chair of the Development Committee.
Jason has been on the YP Advisory Board since its inception and currently serves as the Co-Chair for the Community and State Involvement Committee. He is committed to making our community a better place through Parks and Recreation, and utilizing a public/private network with emphasis on young professionals to lead our community in a positive direction. “It is exciting to be part of an organization that has such potential to develop young people into the next generation of community leaders. As a professional recreator, Travelling, Snowboarding, Biking, and Ice Hockey are my favorite things to do in the area “ states Jones.
In 1996 Andrew began his career at Signs Now while a Career Tech Center and TC Central High School student. He earned an associates degree in Graphic Arts with a strong focus in fine arts from NMC. During his tenure with Signs Now, have has helped Signs Now win multiple Circle of Excellence awards, a Builder's Exchange Award of Excellence and three sales growth awards. In June of 2008 he and his wife wife Amy purchased the business and plan on continuing Signs Now's mission to provide the very best customer service and high quality products for local and national clients.
Tracy Talbot is a Traverse City native and graduate of Grand Valley State University. Currently, she is employed as a Professional Healthcare Representative for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. She serves her community on the Traverse City Board of Zoning Appeals and on the Advisory Board and as Co-Chair of the Membership Committee for the Traverse City Young Professionals.
Shannon Ward serves as the Manager of Northern Michigan Programs for Eastern Michigan University, where her primary responsibility is to manage full degree programs and one-week courses offered throughout Traverse City, Gaylord, and the Parsons Center. She coordinates all student services, registration, scheduling, marketing, and program supervision, as well as handles inquiries from prospective students and clients. She also serves as a liaison to local community organizations and agencies, including Intermediate School Districts and community colleges.