 Current Focus: Edythe (Edee) Copeland is the Chief Executive Officer of Capital Area Michigan Works!, one of 16 Michigan Works! agencies throughout the state. Capital Area Michigan Works! administers federally and state funded dollars to assist employers in the recruitment, training and assessment of employees and to provide workforce development and talent investment services for the general public in Ingham, Eaton and Clinton counties through programs, classes and its One-Stop Centers in Lansing, Charlotte and St. Johns, Michigan. Capital Area Michigan Works! is recognized locally, statewide, and nationally as a model workforce development and talent investment agency. Capital Area Michigan Works! is focused on talent development in the tri-county region and filling the talent needs of its employers. While much of the talent discussion centers around post-secondary talent, Copeland believes K-12 education must be included in the conversation. Copeland writes a weekly column for the Lansing State Journal discussing topics surrounding talent for both businesses and job seekers and also is a monthly guest on the Michigan Business Radio Network. Professional Background: Copeland began her career operating employment and training programs for at-risk youth in the Flint Community Schools in Flint, Michigan. She worked in numerous positions including secretary, records officer and project facilitator, retiring from the district in August 1996. She joined Capital Area Michigan Works! in October 1997 as a planning specialist. In June 2000, she was promoted to Chief Operating Officer. Copeland provided oversight for all workforce programs and was instrumental in obtaining several U.S. Department of Labor grants including a $1.08 million YouthBuild grant and a $4.4 million H1-B Capital Area Tech Knowledge E-Pathways IT grant. In July 2012, she was promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer, and in November 2013 she became Chief Executive Officer. She is the first African American and female to lead the organization. Copeland is past president of the Great Lakes Employment & Training Association (Midwestern region GLETA). She has been reelected as a board member for the Lansing Economic Area Partnership, or LEAP, serving on its executive committee as vice-chair. She also serves as the vice president of the Michigan Works! Association Directors’ Council and treasurer to the Michigan Works! Association’s board of directors. Personal Background: Copeland has an associate’s degree in executive secretarial studies from Baker College of Flint, a bachelor’s degree in office administration from Eastern Michigan University, and a master’s degree in central office administration from Eastern Michigan University. |
Plan to start January off with fun and fellowship with Lansing Rotarians! The Club will be hosting a social reception for Rotarians and a guest on Wednesday, January 23 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center in the Red Cedar Room. Please RSVP to Cathy if you're able to join in the camaraderie with fellow Rotarians.
Rick Foster, aged 84, died September 25, 2018, at his daughter's home in Dexter, MI. He had been living with his daughter, Martha and her husband, John, for the past three years, since the death of his wife Gretchen. Rick was an attorney in the law firm of Foster, Swift, Collins and Coey. he worked there for over 20 years alongside his father, Dick. The firm was originally founded by his grandfather, Walter Foster. Following his work at Foster, Swift, Rick founded the consulting firm BanConsult, Inc., serving community banks and bank holding companies throughout the mid-west in mergers and acquisitions.