Ann Arbor Spark Hires Five, Promotes Two
Ann Arbor Spark, the economic development agency for Washtenaw County, Tuesday announced five new hires and two promotions.
The new hires are:
* Britany Affolter-Caine, director, talent, responsible for the organization's talent attraction and enhancement efforts for the region. Prior to joining Spark, she served as a consultant to the non-profit sector, where her work focused on strategic planning and policy research. Affolter-Caine earned a masters degree in secondary education, economics, from Wright State University and a doctor of philosophy degree in higher education policy and organizational behavior from the University of Michigan.
* Lukas Bonner, vice president, business development; he has extensive economic development experience. He previously served as economic development manager for the city of Sterling Heights and as a development specialist for the city of Taylor. Bonner earned a masters degree in liberal studies public administration from Eastern Michigan University and a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from the University of Michigan. He is a Certified Economic Developer.
* Donna Doleman, vice president, marketing, communications and talent; she will oversee all aspects of Spark's marketing, communications and talent efforts. Prior to joining the organization, she owned DLA Group, a business and strategic marketing consulting firm, and served as director of marketing, Michigan region, for Pfizer Inc. Doleman earned a bachelors of science degree in health care administration from Florida A&M University and a masters degree in business administration from State University of New York at Buffalo.
* Maricatharine Eggenberger, events manager; she will work closely with the regional incubator network to support its business attraction and expansion events. She graduated from Alma College with a bachelor of arts degree in April. Eggenberger's previous experience includes interning for Ann Arbor Spark as a marketing coordinator, May through September 2010.
* Erin Wiley, executive assistant to president and CEO Paul Krutko, who will oversee administrative functions within Spark's headquarters and providing support as needed to its regional incubator network. Prior to joining Ann Arbor Spark she served as the office manager for the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County. Wiley has extensive event planning experience, including as a catering director for University of Michigan's Michigan Unions. She is currently a student at Washtenaw Community College.
Also, Skip Simms was promoted to Ann Arbor Spark senior vice president and Emily Heintz was promoted to accounting manager.
Simms previously served as Ann Arbor Spark's vice president, entrepreneurial business development. In this new role, he will maintain those responsibilities and take on a greater role in the organization's strategy and direction supporting the CEO. Heintz previously served as staff accountant. In her new role, she will assume additional accounting and finance responsibilities.
More at www.AnnArborUSA.org.
