Alan Semonian    http://berkleydda.com/   Twitter:  @BerkleyDDA

Alan Semonian is the chair of the Berkley Downtown Development Authority. 

He is the President of Ameritax Plus, a full service accounting and tax service.  He is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Michigan Association of CPAs.  

He is also a financial advisor and provides full investment and financial planning services.  He holds a Series 7, Series 63, and  a Life, Accident, and Health license and is registered in 8 states.

He received a B.A. from Albion College in Economics & Management and has a Masters in Business Admistration from Harvard University.

In addition to serving as chair of the Berkley DDA, he also was appointed by the Governor the Michigan Board of Social Work.

Voices of Detroit #46-Farina's Banguet Center and Twice Around Antiques

Voices of Detroit with Larry Henry and David Benjamin continue our visit to Berkley, Michigan as we talk with two business women in the community.

Brooke Holman, a 4th generation Berkley resident, is the manager of Farina's Banquet Center, a family run business.

Diane Farrington made her way from the left coast to Berkley and now is the owner of Twice Around Antiques.

Find out from these two women why Berkley is such a great place to live and do business on this Voices of Detroit.

Direct download: Voices_of_Detroit_46-Farinas_Banquet_Center-Twice_Around_Antiques.mp3

Click here to subscribe to Voices of Detroit

Brooke Holman     http://www.farinasbanquet.com/    248-546-7800

I run the entire front end of the business, from event sales to floor management, I oversee the waitstaff and am onsite for all events. I also do all of our advertising and marketing as well as handling all our online info.

I sit on the board of the Berkley Junior Women's Club as director and I sit on the board of the Friends of Berkley Parks and Recreation as the Secretary, in may of this upcoming year I will be running for their Vice President seat.

I am a 4th generation Berkley resident and a Berkley High school alum.

My degree is in Broadcasting and I attended OCC and Specs Howard for my degree.

Diane Farrington   Twice Around Antiques on Facebook    248-545-6600

Diane Farrington is the owner of Twice Around Antiques on 12 Mile Road in Berkley. Originally from Northern California, Diane spent 25 years in Corporate America, where she worked as a Writer and Instructional Designer for major retailers.

Diane specializes in vintage costume jewelry and unique pieces from all genres/eras, including Art Pottery, Glass & China, Depression Era and Mid Century Modern.

She loves the character and craftsmanship of old items, and finds selling vintage to be the perfect marriage of commerce and ecology

Voices of Detroit #45--Berkley Chamber and Bagger Daves

Voices of Detroit has journeyed to Berkley, Michigan to highlight another jewel in the Southeastern Michigan area.

We kickoff a series of three shows in Berkley by setting up shop at Bagger Daves on Coolidge Avenue and talking with Shannon Kubenez the Director of Marketing for Diversified Restaurant Holdings which operates Bagger Daves and Julie Melrose the Executive Director for the Berkley Chamber of Commerce.

Listen and learn about another great part of the state of Michigan!

Direct download: Voices_of_Detroit_45-Bagger_Daves_and_Berkley_Chamber.mp3

Click here to subscribe to Voices of Detroit

Julie Melrose    julie@berkleychamber.com    www.berkleychamber.com

Julie Melrose joined the Berkley Chamber of Commerce in June 2007 as the Executive Director. She has been a Berkley resident for 14 years. Julie brings over 10 years experience in account and project management, sales, and training. She has an extensive amount of volunteer experience and has served on numerous boards and committees within the Berkley community.

Julie graduated from Michigan State University with a B.A. in Communication.

The Berkley Chamber of Commerce has 105 members and continues to grow. The mission of the Chamber is to promote and encourage business in Berkley by establishing a working relationship between the city and its businesses. The Chamber provides a variety of networking and sponsorship opportunities, publicity through the Chamber web site, monthly newsletter, and Chamber directory. The Chamber is part of a team of community leaders and volunteers. The Berkley Chamber works closely with the City of Berkley and the DDA to promote Berkley businesses and enhance the quality of life for Berkley residents.

Shannon Kubenez  http://www.baggerdaves.com/   248-543-DAVE

Shannon Kubenez is the Director of Marketing for Diversified Restaurant Holdings, Inc. (DRH)- a restaurant management company overseeing the operations and marketing of 16 Buffalo Wild Wings® locations in Michigan and Florida. 

In 2008, DRH launched its own restaurant concept called Bagger Dave’s Legendary Burgers & Fries®. Kubenez has more than 9 years of marketing experience including: communications, public relations, event coordination and management.

She currently handles all marketing efforts for 16 Buffalo Wild Wings locations as well as oversees the advertising, promotions, local restaurant marketing, social media and brand strategy for Bagger Dave’s. She became a board member of the Berkley DDA in July 2009.

Voices of Detroit #44--Clarkston Union and Eric Lines

Voices of Detroit with hosts Larry Henry and David Benjamin couldn't wrap up their visit to the Clarkston Union without getting the 411on this great restaurant and bar.

Voices talks with manager Eric Lines about the establishment which is in a former church and has a Mac & Cheese that is die for! (Okay, we begged for it!)  The beer list is like reading War & Peace..it's that long! They also have gotten into creating great smoke barbecue just down the street at the recently opened Clarkston Woodshop.

Listen to this Voices of Detroit on an empty stomach and you'll he headed to Clarkston within moments.

Direct download: Voices_of_Detroit_44--The_Clarkston_Union--Eric_Lines.mp3

Click here to subscribe to Voices of Detroit

Eric Lines    248-620-6100     54 South Main Street, Clarkston, MI

(Eric is a man of mystery but great food and beer!)

  Voices of Detroit #43-Clarkston Legal and Four Season ChemDry

After chowing down following recording their first Voices of Detroit program at the Clarkston Union, hosts Larry Henry and David Benjamin welcome two local Clarkston business people to sit in front of their microphones.

Tammy Ullyart owns Four Seasons ChemDry with her husband.  Timothy Flynn is an attorney with Clarkston Legal.

Sit back, relax, listen and learn about their business, how they use social media and what the town of Clarkston has to offer for both business and families.

Direct download: Voices_of_Detroit_43-Clarkston_Legal_and_Four_Seasons_ChemDry.mp3

Click here to subscribe to Voices of Detroit

Tammy Ullyart  http://www.chem-dry.net/fourseasons.mi    248-625-9921

Tammy started Four Seasons ChemDry almost 4 years ago, after deciding to leave a 12 year career in the Auto Industry. In February of this year, Tammy and her husband, Goy, were the recipients of two National Awards from ChemDry – the Presidents Award and Marketer of the Year Award.

It had been Tammy’s long passion to own her own business. At age 13, she started working for a woman who owned a real estate brokerage firm and that inspired much of Tammy’s entrepreneurial spirit.

Tammy has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Technological University. She has three beautiful children and has been a Clarkston resident for the past 10 years.

Timothy Flynn          www.ClarkstonLegal.com      248-625-0600

In addition to his trial work, Mr. Flynn maintains an appellate practice, appearing in the Michigan Supreme Court, Michigan Court of Appeals, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Voices of Detroit #42-Clarkston and Michigan Chamber of Commerce

Voices of Detroit with Larry Henry and David Benjamin journey to northern Oakland County to not only check out the outstanding Clarkston Union and it's long list of beers but to also learn about the Clarkston and Michigan Chamber of Commerce.

Hear what both Chamber organizations are doing to help business grow as we talk with Clarkston Chamber Executive Director Penny Shanks and Bob Thomas the Director of Operations for the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.

Direct download: Voices_of_Detroit_42-Clarkston_and_Michigan_Chamber_of_Commerce.mp3

Click here to subscribe to Voices of Detroit

Penny Shanks    www.clarkston.org       Penny@Clarkston.org

Executive Director Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce since 1997 

Chamber membership 550 in a suburban community of 32,000 residents

Chamber initiatives include three monthly networking events, weekly eNewsletters, dynamic website and key community events such as the Best of the Best EXPO coming up Nov 12; Concerts in the Park—6 weeks of free concerts in Depot Park June/July and Taste of Clarkston held annually at the end of September.

An early adopter for social media—the Clarkston Chamber was the first Chamber is SE Michigan to tweet—and remains one of the few that has the twitter feed on our website.  Maintaining social media doesn’t have to be a black hole of time wasted.

Bob Thomas    www.michamberconnect.org    BThomas@michamber.com

Bob Thomas is the Director of Operations for the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and the Director of the Michigan Association of Chamber Professionals (MACP). Bob has twelve years in the chamber industry assisting chambers of commerce in the areas of governance, program development, and strategic planning. Bob also manages the Council of State Chambers of Commerce, a national association, and sits on the boards of the Michigan Chamber Foundation, US Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management Regents and several committees of the Michigan Society for Association Executives (MSAE).

Bob has a bachelor’s degree from Grand Valley State University and is working to complete his master’s degree in leadership from Central Michigan University.

Voices of Detroit #41-Brides Made Fit with Jenny DiDonato

Voices of Detroit hosts Larry Henry and David Benjamin venture into unknown waters in this episode as we talk physical fitness with a personal trainer. (Anyone that knows us realizes physical fitness isn't one of our main attributes.)

Owner of Brides Made Fit and Made Fit TV Jenny DiDonato tries to whip us into shape and also spread the word about how to create a better you.

You'll enjoy this show and maybe even get in the mood to actually get up and change the channel on the TV manually instead of with the remote!

Direct download: Voices_of_Detroit_41-Brides_Made_Fit-Jennifer_DiDonato.mp3

Click here to subscribe to Voices of Detroit

Jennifer DiDonato     www.BridesMadeFit.com      Jenny@BridesMadeFit.com

Jennifer DiDonato is the owner and creator of Brides Made Fit, an in-home personal training service for brides-to-be and grooms across Metro Detroit.

Her goal with Brides Made Fit was to make health and fitness more attainable and convenient during the busy and stressful time of planning a wedding. This is made easier because brides-to-be are trained inside their own homes.

Made Fit TV provides health and fitness information and entertainment to everyone! I'm Jennifer DiDonato, a certified personal trainer. I provide a simple and fun approach to exercise and weight-loss through my knowledge, experience, and love for it!

Voices of Detroit #40-ITC Holdings-Linda Blair

Voices of Detroit with Larry Henry and David Benjamin hits the 40 show mark as we get "electrified" in this latest program.

We've all seen those big electrical towers across Michigan but does anyone really understand "the grid" of which they are an integral part?

Linda Blair, Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer of ITC Holdings, the company that owns and operates those towers and associated lines in Michigan, talks to Voices of Detroit about the challenges the company faces and where it is headed with a shift to Green Power.
Listen and learn!

Direct download: Voices_of_Detroit_40-ITC_Holdings_with_Linda_Blair.mp3

Click here to subscribe to Voices of Detroit

Linda H. Blair        www.ITCTransco.com

Ms. Blair is executive vice president and chief business officer for ITC Holdings Corp. She is responsible for managing each of ITC's regulated operating companies and the necessary business support functions, including regulatory strategy, federal and state legislative affairs, community government affairs, human resources, marketing and communications, and information technologies and facilities.

Ms. Blair was formerly senior vice president of business strategy for ITC. In this capacity she was responsible for the development and execution of all of ITC's short-and long-term strategic planning, including the newly created ITC Grid Development subsidiary.

Ms. Blair was manager of transmission policy and business planning while ITC was a subsidiary of DTE Energy. Ms. Blair has also served as a supervisor of regulatory relations within Detroit Edison's Regulatory Affairs organization. In this position, her responsibilities included the development and management of all regulatory relations and communications activities with the Michigan Public Service Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Ms. Blair earned both her MBA and a Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs Management from Michigan State University and is a board member of The Heat and Warmth (THAW) Fund and the Novi Parks Foundation.

Voices of Detroit #39-Panera Bread with Lee Carmona

Voices of Detroit with Larry Henry and David Benjamin has journeyed forth to West Bloomfield, Michigan in search of sustenance and found themselves at a very familiar place not only for the hungry but also America's new entrepreneur...Panera Bread!

Voices of Detroit looks past the freshly baked bread and free Wifi to find out the real story of Panera Bread with Great Lakes Area Director Lee Carmona.

Check out our conversation and learn more about for what many of us is our second home.

Direct download: Voices_of_Detroit_39-Panera_Bread_with_Lee_Carrmona.mp3

Click here to subscribe to Voices of Detroit

Lee Carmona    www.panerabread.com       Twitter:  @PaneraBread

Lee Carmona is the area director of the Great Lakes market for Panera Bread, which includes 55 bakery-cafes in metro Detroit, Lansing, Ann Arbor and Toledo. He’s worked with Panera for almost eight years, both as a multi-unit operations manager and the director of franchise training. Carmona has 25 years of experience in the restaurant industry. He lives in Northville with his wife Michele and their two daughters, Courtney and Grace.

Panera Bread serves fresh baked, handcrafted artisan breads, sweet and savory baked goods, hand-tossed salads, wholesome soups, and signature sandwiches in a distinctly warm and welcoming environment. Panera Bread is committed to using great tasting, quality ingredients in the food it offers and contributing to the neighborhoods in which its customers and employees live and work through programs like Operation Dough-Nation®. 

Voices of Detroti #38-The Designate with owner Tom Proctor

This is a very important edition of Voices of Detroit.  Hosts Larry Henry and David Benjamin share with you information on a new service that is helping get drunk drivers off the road and safely home.

Tom Proctor is the owner and creator of The Designate.  This is a service that comes and picks you up when you realize you've been over served.  However, they also pick up your vehicle too and drive it home as there are two drivers on every call.

Please listen to this Voices of Detroit and share it with as many friends as you can to get the information on this important service known through out the community.

Direct download: Voices_of_Detroit_38-The_Designate_with_Tom_Proctor.mp3

Click here to subscribe to Voices of Detroit

 Tom Proctor  www.TheDesignate.com   1-888-929-8282

The Designate – a true Detroit success story.  This is a service that drives you home, in your own car, after an evening of entertainment.  Started by a Metro Area entrepreneur, Tom Proctor, they are moving into a new office to handle the growing demand for their service.  It also helps keep drunk drivers off the road