Events

Marianna Smith is a Foreign Service Officer with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). She is currently assigned to the Southern Africa Regional Mission based in Pretoria, South Africa where she designs and monitors development projects in the education, environment, democracy, economic growth, and health sectors. Prior to her assignment with USAID/Southern Africa, she worked for USAID/Washington in the Office of Policy and in the Africa Bureau. Before joining USAID, Marianna was a Migrant Services Specialist at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and worked for a contractor of the U.S. Department of State implementing an exchange program for U.S. business leaders and Latin American entrepreneurs. 

Marianna holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan and a BA in Communication and Spanish from Alma College. Marianna is an alumna of the Donald M. Payne International Development Fellowship. She is a 2013 graduate of Ludington High School and a recipient of a Rotary scholarship for her undergraduate education.

Kristi Lucas-Zimmerman, Economic Development Director
Ludington and Scottville Chamber of Commerce

Kristi holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Central Michigan University and a Master’s from Walden University. Prior to joining The Right Place, she taught social studies at Ludington High School for 22 years, then served as principal of O. J. DeJonge Middle School.

Following a 27-year career in education, she joined United Way of Mason County, where she was the coach for the Lakeshore Employer Resource Network, a collaboration among 12 county employers, Michigan Works!-West Central and the Department of Health & Human Services. She also started the Getting Ahead/Staying Ahead program at United Way, a class to help people living in or near poverty build their resources. Additionally, Kristi helped create and facilitate Impact Mason County, a collective impact initiative for economic development.

She will work to improve the overall economic state of Mason County through business retention, expansion, and attraction. Her employment is a partnership of the Chamber and The Right Place.

Commander Nicholas Gera
BM1 Demeron Lauze
USCG Station Manistee

We will be meeting at the Mason County Research Center for lunch and a tour.  

Mark Barnett and his wife, Lisa, and three children moved to Ludington in 2001 when he was hired as the chief of Ludington Police Department.  He went on to serve in that role for over 19 years, retiring in 2020.  Mayor Barnett was recently elected to a four-year term, ending 12/31/26.

Brandy H. Miller, Executive Director
Ludington Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Brandy obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations & Advertising from Grand Valley State University and has had various roles since joining the Chamber in 2010. She has an extensive background in communications, strategic marketing, event planning and working in the community. She was born and raised in Ludington and proud to call it home.
 

Eric Smith, Library Director
Ingrid Fournier, Branch Manager, Scottville Library
Mason County District Library

The Mason County District Library inspires lifelong learning by welcoming all to the Library, promoting literacy, and providing access to resources and programs.  Last year, the Library sought the input of our community and created a Strategic Plan that will provide a framework for service for the next 3 to 5 years.  Eric Smith is the Director of the Mason County District Library.  Joining him is the new Branch Manager at the Scottville Library, Ingrid Fournier.  Together with the rest of the team, they aim to provide quality information, relevant services, and programs that elevate and inspire.

Ludington native Deb Del Zoppo will be our speaker April 13th.  She will be speaking on the newly developed Starfish Buyback Program. This is a voluntary, anonymous, assault style weapon exchange. Weapons will be exchanged for $300 gift cards from a major local retailer.  Almost 11 months ago after the Uvalde, Texas school shooting, a group of local citizens decided something had to be done.  Join us to hear how community partners are working together on this exciting new program!

Shelby Soberalski

Shelby Soberalski is the Director of Marketing and Sales for Lake Michigan Carferry and she also coordinates all Group Sales onboard the BADGER. She has been with the company since October 2019. Shelby is a proud Ludington native and graduated from Ferris State University’s College of Business in May 2016 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Graphic Design and Marketing and a minor in Art History. She enjoys keeping the history of the BADGER alive and promoting her bright future.

John Leindecker

John has worked for Lake Michigan Carferry as a Relief Engineer since 2002.  He is a graduate of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy and holds degrees in Maritime Technology and Business.  John has sailed on 6 other steamships prior to joining the Badger.  He also worked 20 years shoreside, engineering process systems  similar to those on the Badger.  2023 marks 40 years that John has held a Marine Engineer license.

Lynn Slawsky, Manager
Research & Evaluation, Rotary International

Lynn will review 1) What Rotary staff does, 2) What Research & Evaluation does, 3) Recent findings, 4) Club experience finding, 5) How does this resonate with you, 6) Open discussion and other q&a

Passionate about building community, Lynn Slawsky is a project management professional with executive and operational leadership experience. She currently leads the Research & Evaluation team at Rotary International, where they work to increase understanding and knowledge of Rotary among staff and members. Prior to that, she was project manager in the Enterprise Project Management Office. Before joining Rotary, Lynn was executive director of a small nonprofit in the mental health field. She also has managed projects at the University of Chicago Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, American Library Association, and the Ohio Attorney General's Office. Lynn holds a bachelor's degree in international development and a master's degree in public administration, both from The Ohio State University. She lives with her husband, 4-YO, and 2 kitties in Chicago, Illinois, where she is on the boards of two local nonprofits that are both focused on education.