LEAP Announces AF Group’s Lisa Corless as 2024 Chair Along With Five New Distinguished Members to Executive Committee

LEAP and Local Business Leaders Partner to Increase Economic Prosperity in Lansing Region

The Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) is pleased to announce that Lisa Corless, President of AF Group, has been elected as the Board Chair for 2024. In addition, LEAP’s Board of Directors has approved the appointment of five new members to its 15-person Executive Committee. The decision was made at the annual meeting held on Tuesday, December 5, 2023. LEAP serves as the economic development agency for Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties.

“After several years on LEAP’s Executive Committee and as a member of the Board of Directors, I have personally witnessed the positive impact of their mission on the entire three-county Lansing region. LEAP’s success in attracting domestic and foreign direct investment, fostering robust business startups, and promoting diversity programs has resulted in an expanded economy, a broadened tax base, and increased job opportunities. Their nationally recognized approach has led to a growing population in the region. As AF Group CEO and 2024 LEAP Chair, I am committed to further advancing LEAP’s work for the benefit of all stakeholders,” said Lisa Corless, AF Group president and 2024 LEAP chair.

Newly Appointed Executive Committee Members Bring Diverse Expertise to Propel Regional Economic Advancement

In a strategic move to bolster its leadership, LEAP welcomes the following individuals to its 15-person Executive Committee:

• April Clobes, President and CEO of MSU Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU)
• Pat Gillespie, founder and CEO of Gillespie Group
• Theresa Dubiel, Chief Experience Officer, EVP of Lake Trust Credit Union
• Tico Duckett, Founder and President of Duckett brothers
• Julie Mann, Chief Human Resources officer of NEOGEN

These additions promise fresh perspectives and voices to sustain and expand the thriving three-county Lansing region economy. Collaboration with these executives is anticipated to harness their expertise, driving economic growth and prosperity in the region.

LEAP also wishes to express its gratitude and thanks to the outstanding leadership of outgoing Chair Jeff Benson, president and CEO of Case Credit Union. Under Jeff’s leadership, LEAP fiercely competed as a finalist, multiple times, for major global companies in 2023, landing Norm Fasteners, a major EV supplier from Turkey. LEAP also continued its important work with Ultium Cells and landed a historic level of grants for programming in 2024. LEAP also kick-started the Regional Childcare Coalition work and record-setting work under contract with the Lansing Regional SmartZone.

The LEAP Executive Committee is made up of:

Past Chair Jeff Benson, President and CO, Case Credit Union

Chair Lisa Corless, President, AF Group

Vice Chair Don McNabb, Founder President Triterra

Sec/Treasurer Mark McDaniel, Founder and President, Cinnaire

Don Simon, Regional President, Farm Bureau

Jo Sinha, President and CEO, Peckham

JV Anderton, Attorney, Foster Swift

Carrie Rosingana, President and CEO, Capital Area Michigan Works!

Dr. Steve Robinson, President Lansing Community College

Kirk Ray, Regional President McLaren Greater Lansing Health System

April Clobes, president and CEO of MSU Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU)

Pat Gillespie, founder and CEO of Gillespie Group

Theresa Dubiel, chief experience officer, EVP of Lake Trust Credit Union

Tico Duckett, Founder and President of Duckett brothers

Julie Mann, Chief Human Resources officer of NEOGEN

LEAP’s Impressive 2023 Performance Sets the Stage for Continued Success

Bob Trezise, LEAP’s president and CEO, highlighted the significant impact of LEAP’s projects and programs in 2023, bringing over $113 million in private investment and creating more than 560 direct jobs in the region. Since 2012, LEAP projects have directly created, across the Lansing three-county region, over $6.5 billion in private investment and nearly 11,000 jobs as well as several hundred new company creations. In 2021, Site Selection magazine named LEAP as one of the nation’s Top 20 performing regional economic development agencies.

Acknowledging the direct contribution of its members, Trezise emphasized that LEAP and the region owe their success to collaborative efforts. “LEAP and our region are thriving like never before, thanks to the power of partnerships, teamwork, and the exceptional LEAP staff who are the best in the industry. Every member of LEAP, including its Board and the volunteers on our Executive Committee, are committed to seeing our Lansing region reach its full potential for growth, success, and happiness. LEAP exists solely because our members want to see our region compete with the best from around the world and win on behalf of all people and businesses within our three counties.”

“In other words, thank you to Past Chair Jeff Benson and new Chair Lisa Corless, as well as all Executive Committee and Board members, for their investment, expertise, and faith in us as one region of the future,” said Bob Trezise, president and CEO of LEAP.

###

About LEAP

Category: LEAP Announcements, Member News