Mike Chatas

Mike Chatas http://mikechatas.com/

[mchatas1]

A new partnership with a technology company will make a tremendous impact in how we deliver small business solutions.

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Large turnout to support local arts at First Fridays fundraiser (PHOTO GALLERY) - Ypsilanti Courier - Heritage Newspapers

Large turnout to support local arts at First Fridays fundraiser (PHOTO GALLERY) - YPSILANTI -- A sold-out crowd jammed into the cellar of Bona Sera Cafe Friday night to raise funds and awareness for First Fridays Ypsilanti, a self-guided monthly art walk celebrating the local arts community.

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How YOU Can Make a Difference...

The Ann Arbor YMCA is committed to making a difference in the lives of children and their families in our community. With your donation to the Annual Campaign, you make it possible for children and teens to take part in programs that teach them positive behaviors, allow them to explore their talents and help them grow and realize their potential.   

My previous post described how the YMCA makes a difference for more than 450 school-age children living in Ypsilanti. The majority of these enrichment programs are funded by the generous donations made through the Ann Arbor YMCA's Annual Campaign. 100% of your donations will go directly to Ypsilanti after school and summer programs.

Please consider making a gift by visiting the Ann Arbor Y's giving page.

Thank You!

[mchatas1]

Ypsilanti After-School Programs: The YMCA is Making a Difference One Child at a Time...

Imagine a community...

Having supervised, organized after-school activities (and summer camps) for every child, regardless of ability to pay:

Basketball Instruction and Supervised Games

Youth Flag Football League-Play

Gymnastics Instruction

Rhythmic Dance Instruction

Having after-school, on-site access to wellness programs for its most important role models - its teachers and staff members - helping them maintain their health and well-being...

...and finally, imagine...

Having access to health and well-being classes for all adult community members:

Adult Fitness

Adult Yoga 

Adult Gentle Yoga

Enhanced Fitness classes

Now Consider that what we are Imagining is a Reality!

...These programs have been available to the Ypsilanti community since 2008, thanks to the mission, vision, support and commitment of an Ypsilanti Public Schools Principal, the Ann Arbor YMCA board of directors and CEO, with the support of some of my favorite staff members: Steve Petty, Colette Hemker and Diane Carr.  

But it didn't always look like this...

It took steadfast perseverance, devotion to our children, cooperation, a strong partnership and hard work between this great nonprofit and the Ypsilanti Public Schools to make this happen. 

I had the opportunity to spend a few hours trying to keep up with Colette Hemker, Youth Sports Outreach Coordinator for the Ann Arbor YMCA, as she signed in kids, talked to parents, organized coaches and prepared the gym for an onslaught of energetic 5 year-olds. Colette seemed right at home! She has been instrumental in making these programs so successful and accessible. But judging from her resolve, I don't think that she will ever rest easy until every child is enrolled in any of her after-school programs. 

But what amazed me most were the smiles of these kids as they stretched, ran around, practiced their dribbling skills, and played a game for the remaining 15 of their 75 minute activity. These kids were having fun and loved it!

And what I also noticed were the many conversations, smiles and laughs that the parents were all sharing together too. Outside it seemed like your typical January school night - dark, cold and quiet. But the inside this small, noisy, warm elementary school gym only one word comes to mind: Community.

Stay Tuned!

My next post discusses how these programs are funded... 

[mchatas1]

New tourism chief excited about Michigan's possibilities

David West, back from 15 years in Pennsylvania, poised to take Pure Michigan to new level.

I like his uncomplicated, straightforward strategy!

<a href="http://mikechatas.com">Mike Chatas</a>

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Mike Chatas Employment Information

Ypsilanti District President at Bank of Ann Arbor

September 2014 - Present | Ypsilanti, MI

The Bank of Ann Arbor is a dynamic, growing and sustainable community bank headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Mike's role as the Ypsilanti District President is to serve and partner with his clients and community to achieve their financial goals. This includes providing Capital, Treasury Management and other Financial Solutions to businesses and their owners throughout Washtenaw, Lenawee, Livingston and Western Wayne Counties.    Community Service is also very important to both Chatas and his coworkers. He is active in the community with his  financial donations, time and leadership.

President at Michigan Certified Development Corporation

September 2013 - September 2014 | E. Lansing, MI

The Michigan Certified Development Corporation (MCDC) is a non-profit corporation certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide SBA 504 financing throughout Michigan. With projects in nearly 90% of Michigan's counties Mike and his team generated more than $70 million in approvals dollars during the most recent fiscal year, making the MCDC the leading provider of SBA financing in the state of Michigan.  The MCDC is recognized as a leader both in Michigan and nationally. The MCDC was the first CDC in Michigan to be designated Premier SBA lender. This elite designation was awarded to less than 10% of all CDC's nationally, which allowed the MCDC to step into the role of the SBA in approving loan transactions.

President - Structured Finance Group at United Bank & Trust

2007 - 2013 | Ann Arbor, MI

Chatas held P&L accountability for his line of business and was part of United's management team, working with his colleagues to steer the bank's future direction. The function of the Structured Finance division was to provide small businesses and real estate owners access to conventional, government-guaranteed and national lending sources such as the Small Business Administration (SBA). Mike also served as member of bank's IT Steering Committee, which was responsible for corporate governance in prioritizing IT spending allocations related to strategic, infrastructure, and compliance.

Interim Chief Credit Officer at United Bank & Trust

2009 - 2010

Was requested to direct team of 25 accountable for creating and executing major updates to United Bancorp lending policy.

Title: Vice President - Business Banking at KeyBank

2004 - 2007 | Ann Arbor, MI

Mike was recruited to expand Michigan market by increasing profitable loan and deposit growth in southeastern Michigan.

Various at Prior Positions

1988 - 2004

Business Development Executive with PERFICIENT, formerly known as MERITAGE TECHNOLOGIES in Ann Arbor District Sales Manager with AUTONOMY in Ann Arbor General Manager with 360 SERVICES, INTERNATIONAL Assistant Vice President - Commercial Banking with JP MORGAN CHASE

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Mike Chatas Employment Information

Mike Chatas helps small business owners get access to capital solutions as the Ypsilanti District President with the Bank of Ann Arbor.

Mike is responsible for making loans to small business clients who need help with working capital, purchasing machinery, equipment, real estate or tenant improvements. He also helped countless clients in Washtenaw, Lenawee, Livingston and western Wayne Counties refinance their existing debt. Over the past ten years Mike has helped clients gain access to more than $200 million in conventional and SBA loan solutions trough out Michigan.

[mchatas1]

Mike Chatas Education Information

Mike Chatas earned his MBA from the University of Notre Dame with an emphasis in Marketing and Strategy. He earned a BA in Economics from Bucknell University. Chatas also spent a year abroad in England and studied Philosophy and Income Inequality at the University of Essex.

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Let's Be Real

@mikechatas - Ypsilanti Heritage.

Whenever I read or hear the phrase, “The Real McCoy” notions of authentic, real and genuine messages and products come to mind. It's the gold standard.

And I am sure many other words may come to mind for you as well. The phase has been used in classic movies such as From Here to Eternity, Iron Sky - and one of my favorites - A River Runs Through It.

Search the web for the source of this phrase and undoubtedly you will find four or five different points of origin. But I'd like to think that the most probable origin comes to us from right from our own back yard...

Elijah McCoy was born in 1844 from two fugitive slaves who had escaped from Kentucky to Canada via the Underground Railroad. When Elijah was just three years old his parents decided to return to the United States and settle down in….you guessed it...Ypsilanti!

From an early age Elijah showed strong interest in mechanics and his parents actually sent him to Scotland at the ripe old age of 15 for an app-renticeship in mechanical engineering. He came back to Michigan as a Certified Mechanical Engineer. Although racial barriers prevented Mr. McCoy from finding work as an engineer, he did accept a job as a fireman and oiler for the Michigan Central Railroad…which set the scene for his many inventions.

After studying the inefficiencies inherent in the existing system of oiling axles, McCoy invented a lubricating cup that distributed oil evenly over the engine's moving parts. He obtained a patent for this invention, which allowed trains to run continuously for long periods of time without pausing for maintenance. (bio.com)

The expression, the Real McCoy, typically is used to mean the real thing, has been associated with Elijah McCoy's oil-drip cup invention.

Lubricators were a boon for railroads, as they enabled trains to run faster and more profitably with less need to stop for lubrication and maintenance. This expression, typically used to mean the real thing, has been associated with Elijah McCoy's oil-drip cup invention. One theory is that railroad engineers looking to avoid inferior copies would request it by name,[5] and inquire if a locomotive was fitted with the Real McCoy system".

Want to see more? Take a stroll through the Ypsilanti Public Library Plaza on 229 West Michigan Avenue and you will enter through a small gate, and as you look towards you left you will find a historical site marker with a biography of Mr. McCoy’s life...

You'll also discover the important role that he played in the transportation industry. The Plaza is also a beautiful, peaceful place to spend a few quiet minutes either by yourself, with a family member, or a friend.

By the time he was laid to rest, Mr. McCoy had nearly 60 patents

to his name, making him one of the most prolific inventors in our community. Are there other plausible explanations as to the source of the Real McCoy phrase? Of course; but from my perspective, I'd prefer to believe the Elijah McCoy story.

What about you?

[mchatas1]

Celebrating Ypsilanti Heritage Part II

The Ypsilanti District Library’s Ypsilanti Heritage Room

As I was delivering some Thanksgiving pies to my friends at the Ypsilanti District Library (Whittaker Road Branch), I discovered a small room on the second floor that is dedicated to documenting and preserving our rich Ypsilanti Heritage. 

This amazing room has a collection consisting of books, maps, photographs, documents, pamphlets, and newspaper clippings detailing history of the Ypsilanti area.

According to the Adult Services Librarian Christy Havens, some of the books and photographs have been in the library since the Ypsilanti Ladies Library on North Huron Street was founded in 1868.

I shared some of this information with a longtime Ypsilanti native and business owner; and to my surprise he had no idea that the Library had a dedicated archive of Ypsilanti Heritage information. This compelled me to share this information with you all.

So if you’re ever in the area or have a few minutes to spare, I recommend that you stop by, find a topic that interests you, and have a good read!

Want more information? Contact Christy Havens, the Adult Services Librarian at the Ypsilanti District Library.