Originally from Kalamazoo, I am very familiar with west side of state. I moved to Saginaw sixteen years ago for work. Recently, my wife, a WMU grad, accepted a role with Meijer in Grand Rapids so I was what Hello West Michigan calls a trailing significant other. Because Meijer is a member of Hello West Michigan, I got connected with the organization. They helped my wife and I get reoriented with the community through its events. That connection is also what led to interviews and my offer with Meijer. Now I am a Category Specialist with procurement. When Meijer is remodeling or new stores being build, I handle the general contractors. Since Meijer is expanding, we are very busy right now and that’s how I like it.

Since my wife had her job offer first, we moved here six months ago while I was still working in Midland, so I drove two and one half hours one way every day. Talk about a commute! But you do what you have to to be with your family. The transition process for us isn’t really over. We are still trying to sell our house in Saginaw, however that is difficult when no one wants to buy a house because of the lack of job opportunities there.

I started my job search when we moved here and had success, but not a perfect fit. Once I got connected with Hello West Michigan and they shared my resume, I had more interviews and ultimately, my offer from Meijer. People looking to move to west Michigan can only benefit from this organization. There is no downside to getting in touch.

For me, I am an outdoorsy kind of person, so I love to get out on the water, to go skiing, hiking, that sort of thing. West Michigan offers so many opportunities to do what I love. But it wasn’t until I moved away from the west side of the state that I realized I missed it. The atmosphere in Saginaw is different. Downtown life offers a great deal more activities. There is a real community spirit about the place.