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Articles by Andy LaBarre
Washtenaw Business Lens: Legacy Barber College offers economic pathway to success
TRANSCRIPTION: Caroline MacGregor: This is WEMU, and it's time for our monthly look at the business community in Washtenaw County. I'm Caroline MacGregor, and welcome to Washtenaw Business Lens. Each month, we partner with the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber to look at how the news of the day impacts the local business community. Andy LaBarre is executive vice president and director of government relations for the chamber, and he is, of course, part of each month's conversation.
Washtenaw Business Lens: Older adults turning experience into innovation
ABOUT DR. RICHARD BROWN: Poka Snack creator Dr. Richard Brown. Richard Brown is a successful nuclear medicine physician, emeritus professor, and healthcare executive. Now this first- time consumer product founder in Ann Arbor has taken a consumer product idea toward commercialization at 71. Poka Snack™ is a patent-pending reusable tool that makes it easier to freeze and coat bananas and other fruit. We launched on Kickstarter August 4 and are already over 78% funded.
Washtenaw Business Lens: How local businesses can prepare for emerging cyber security threats
ABOUT KEVIN PARVIZ: Kevin Parviz, Ph.D., is a detective/corporal with the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office and a longtime specialist in digital forensics and cybersecurity. With more than 27 years in law enforcement and over 22 years conducting computer and mobile-device forensic examinations, he has worked on hundreds of investigations.
Washtenaw Business Lens: How AI is transforming the way people do business
ABOUT JONAH BAILEY: "As a kid, I wanted to be a public defender — to stand with people facing a complex system they didn't understand. The job changed. The instinct didn't. I love helping business leaders who are in over their heads. Today, these are the people I show up for:" Directors who said yes before they knew how. Founders whose company needs to go to the next level — or die. Product managers carrying their biggest budget yet. Technology leaders whose team is treading water.
Washtenaw Business Lens: When homelessness and mental health challenges collide with local businesses
ABOUT TRISH CORTES: Trish Cortes is the executive director of Washtenaw County Community Mental Health. She serves as an organizational representative on the WHI Steering Committee. ABOUT ANDY LABARRE: A2Y Chamber Executive Vice President & Director of Government Relations Andy LaBarre. Andy LaBarre was first elected to the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners in 2012, representing District 7, located in the eastern half of the City of Ann Arbor. Andy is a proud Democrat.
Washtenaw Business Lens: Tourism industry cautiously optimistic in face of high cost of travel and Iran war
ABOUT JENNIFER CHIZEK: Jennifer Chizek brings deep expertise in community engagement, global partnership development, and project management. She most recently served as an Intermediate Project Manager at the University of Michigan’s Center for Global Health Equity, supporting over 400 members with a focus on engagement strategies and partnerships in Ghana.
Washtenaw Business Lens: Challenging times for businesses and the banking industry
ABOUT ERIK BAKKER: Erik is Executive Vice President, Chief Commercial Loan Officer of Bank of Ann Arbor, a locally owned and operated full-service community bank with eight locations serving Michiganders throughout southeast Michigan. Erik joined Bank of Ann Arbor in June 2016 as the Executive Vice President and Manager of the Trust and Investment Management Group. He assumed the role of Birmingham Chief Lending Officer in September 2017. He became Chief Lending Officer of the Bank in April 2022.
Washtenaw Business Lens: Political and policy impacts on the health of business in Washtenaw County
ABOUT RICHARD CHANG: Chang joined the Blumira executive team with a distinguished professional background in leadership and entrepreneurship. He has co-founded multiple organizations including NewFoundry, a custom software consultancy serving small, medium and corporate clients; Clean Fun, a consumer services business; and Kestrel Medical, a company focused on simplifying the development process for mobile and web apps in compliance-heavy environments like HIPAA.
Washtenaw Business Lens: SummerWorks offers local youth more than just a summer job
ABOUT KATHLEEN CLANCEY: Kathleen Clancey serves as the SummerWorks Program Manager at Poverty Solutions. SummerWorks is Washtenaw County’s summer youth employment program, which is a university and community partnership that provides opportunities for local youth to obtain summer employment, mentorship, and professional development.
Washtenaw Business Lens: The Washtenaw County economy in 2026
ABOUT DR. AMANDA STYPE: Dr. Amanda Stype is an Associate Professor of Economics at Eastern Michigan University. She received her PhD from Michigan State University. Her research primarily focuses on public policy and health economics. She is also interested in economic education and encouraging economic literacy. ABOUT ANDY LABARRE: A2Y Chamber Executive Vice President & Director of Government Relations Andy LaBarre.
Washtenaw Business Lens: Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti want you to 'Think Local First'
ABOUT GUESTS: Elize Jekabson Elize Jekabson is an Ypsilanti based artist and community organizer. They graduated with an Associates degree in Culinary Arts and Management, followed by a BFA from Eastern Michigan University with a concentration in Sculpture. Elize took on the role of Vice President of First Fridays Ypsilanti in 2013, and helped establish the organization.
Washtenaw Business Lens: Impacts of the state's new marijuana tax on the Washtenaw County cannabis business
ABOUT MIKE DILAURA: After nearly 20 years as a financial services attorney and advisor, Mike entered the Cannabis industry in 2017, as a practicing lawyer doing what he always does best, solving problems with creative practical solutions. Most recently, he has successfully transitioned from lawyer to business leader in his role as Chief Corporate Officer of House of Dank.
Washtenaw Business Lens: The impacts of federal immigration policy
ABOUT PHILLIS ENGELBERT: Phillis Engelbert is the owner of three vegan establishments in Ann Arbor: Detroit Street Filling Station, The Lunch Room Bakery & Café, and North Star Lounge. Phillis also serves on the board of Dawn Farm addiction treatment organization. Prior to becoming a vegan foodie and restaurateur, Phillis worked for 25 years as a community organizer, writer, and nonprofit administrator.
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