People & achievements in the greater Ann Arbor area, including Merit Network and Toyota Technical Center
William J. Adams
From new hires and promotions to industry awards, here's a roundup of achievements by businesses and individuals in the greater Ann Arbor area:
• Ann Arbor-based Merit Network Inc. recently announced that William J. Adams has joined Merit as its executive director of research and the Michigan Cyber Range. He joins Merit after retiring from a 26-year career in the U.S. Army, where he achieved the rank of colonel. Merit Network is creating a cyber range, in conjunction with its membership, that will act as a live testbed for cyber security research and innovation. The Michigan Cyber Range is a partnership between entities at the state and federal level, the private sector and Michigan's educational community. Merit expects the Michigan Cyber Range to be up and running with initial capability by January 2013. Merit Network Inc., a nonprofit corporation owned and governed by Michigan's public universities, owns and operates America's longest-running regional research and education network.
• Toyota Technical Center team members on June 1 visited Saline Middle School to participate in the 2012 National Lab Day. National Lab day matches teachers with scientists, engineers and others who use science and math in their professions. On NLD day, 11 Toyota Team Members volunteered, introducing hands-on engineering projects for 12 classrooms. More than 400, seventh grade students participated. Toyota volunteers presented “What Do Engineers Do and How to Become an Engineer" and then conducted two hands-on evaluation stations in each classroom. Engineering stations included Toyota Production System that made LEGO cars, UV paint cure (materials engineering), driver distraction (vehicle performance development), electronics (electronic systems) and materials testing (engineering design powertrain and computer aided engineering).
• John S. Clark, director of pharmacy services/clinical assistant professor with the University of Michigan, was named a fellow of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists for distinguished service to pharmacy practice in hospitals and health systems. The award was presented June 12 during the Society’s Summer Meeting and Exhibition in Baltimore.
• DesignHub Inc. of Saline - in collaboration with RFD Insight (www.rfdinsight.com), the Ann Arbor-based team of growth management consultants - has designed and developed the new website for Dave McLellan, a Michigan-based forensic engineer and expert witness. The new site, www.davemclellanlegal.com, describes McLellan’s work in product liability, forensic engineering and vehicle accident reconstruction.
• The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program recognized Rochowiak Farms of Milan as a verified farm in the Cropping System for implementing appropriate pollution prevention practices. To become MAEAP verified, farmers must complete three comprehensive steps which include attending an educational seminar, conducting a thorough on-farm risk assessment, and developing and implementing an action plan. MAEAP is a multi-year program that encompasses three systems designed to help producers evaluate the environmental risks of their operation in three areas: livestock, farmstead and cropping.
• Humantech announced that it is sponsoring its sixth annual Find It - Fix It Challenge, which recognizes and rewards simple and effective workplace solutions that result in increased productivity, improved worker morale and fewer workplace injuries and illnesses. Humantech is an ergonomics consulting firm based in Ann Arbor.
• The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation recently awarded a $500,000 grant to the University of Michigan's ArtsEngine initiative to support a national effort to integrate the work of artists and their creative practices into the culture of U.S. research universities. The three-year grant will fund the first comprehensive guide to best practices in arts integration at research universities. The guide will present ways to assimilate artists' unique capacities and perspectives into undergraduate and graduate teaching, high-level interdisciplinary research and co-curricular work.
• Recently, Ypsilanti-based SOS Community Services received a grant award of $2,000 from the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation Youth Council to fund art activities at SOS’s Sunny Days Program. During this eight-week program, 30 homeless children ages 6-12 will participate in age-appropriate, interactive and educational activities such as a book club, swimming, playing sports and field trips to various museums in Ann Arbor and Detroit. Each child receives free round-trip transportation as well as a nutritious breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack. The AAACF Youth Council, a diverse group of 25 Ann Arbor High School students, awards nearly $70,000 in grants annually to support area youth programs and services. SOS Community Services is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness in Washtenaw County.
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