

a Sioux Center, Iowa-based automotive manufacturer that opened a 15,000-square-foot engineering center in Kentwood in April - has named Ben Lucas as senior fleet sales and strategic account manager and Dave Shrader as a new account manager with OEM customer Navistar. In 2013, the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce took over the event as the Lakeshore Art Festival, which is now organized by the city of Muskegon. The Lakeshore Art Festival began as Art in the Park in 1961. Ackley recently retired from the Mona Shores School District and has coordinated the event’s craft market since 2018. McCarthy holds a degree in art and design from the University of Michigan and has served on the festival committee since 2017.

The Lakeshore Art Festival announced last week that Bre McCarthy and Pam Ackley will take over as co-directors of the downtown Muskegon event that takes place annually during the last weekend in June.He is also a voting member of the Recording Academy, which presents the annual Grammy Awards for excellence in music. Parrott is CEO of Global Money World, a multi-genre music blog platform where he manages podcasts, reviews, interviews and industry news.

Bechiri, who will serve as board treasurer, formerly served as the managing editor of The Rapidian and currently teaches visual art theory and practice at Calvin University and provides editing, writing and project management services as an independent contractor. In other GRCMC personnel changes, Holly Bechiri and Richard Parrot IV were recently elected to board of directors positions to serve three-year terms each.Jelks, a graduate of Calvin University, previously served as a brand ambassador for cannabis company Viola Brands and as a marketing manager for Motu Viget Spirits, which is co-owned by her brother, Jonathan Jelks. Jelks brings more than a decade of experience in community engagement, marketing and project management. In her role, Jelks will oversee the rebranding of GRTV, develop campaigns to attract a new generation of producers and users and build new community relationships through outreach and fundraising. The Grand Rapids Community Media Center has named Johannah Jelks as marketing manager of GRTV, the public access television station in Grand Rapids and one of the GRCMC’s services alongside WYCE-FM, The Rapidian and the Wealthy Theatre.

Grand Home Automation specializes in smart home technology and luxury lifestyle home integration, designing and installing amenities such as lighting, sound systems, shading systems and outdoor entertainment. Simcox has served in various roles at the company for more than 20 years, including most recently as the head of the business development team.
