Wall of Fame

Eaton Rapids Public Schools Alumni Wall of Fame

Greyhound Pride is something that lasts a lifetime. We are proud of all of our graduates, but a few deserve recognition for their extraordinary accomplishments. The Wall of Fame is a place where we can congratulate those students and share their successes with the community. If you know an ERPS grad who's gone on to do great things, we welcome their nomination. 

 

Don McNabb graduated from Central Michigan University in 1997 with Bachelor of Science Degrees in Environmental Studies and Earth Science, along with a minor in Natural Resource Management. Following graduation, Don began his career in the environmental consulting industry as an Environmental Scientist and Project Manager. He managed and directed numerous projects (up to $500,000) over his first 10 years in the industry while gaining valuable knowledge and experience. During that time, he also obtained specialized industry certifications (Certified Ground Water Professional [CGWP] and Certified Underground Storage Tank Professional [CP]) and training (Hazardous Waste Operations & Emergency Response, Licensed Asbestos/Mold Inspector, Property Due Diligence, and Advanced Corrective Action [Remediation]).

In October 2008, the company Don was working for decided to close their Michigan operations. As the primary Senior Project Manager in the office, Don was the only employee offered an opportunity to transfer to one of the company’s other offices in Wisconsin; however, with strong ties to the Mid-Michigan area, leaving was not an option. Subsequently, Don and a co-worker collaborated to start their own environmental consulting firm, Triterra, in Lansing, Michigan. Triterra was built on the principles of providing practical environmental solutions through a creative process that incorporates integrity, innovation, and responsiveness. Over the initial 5 years, Triterra’s revenue grew each year (~20%), while Don served as the Vice President/Chief Operating Officer (VP/COO). In this role, Don developed a strong understanding of the business aspects of a consulting firm, including accounting, human resources, business development, and employee training; which helped him establish guiding principles which have ensured the sustainable growth of Triterra. In 2013, Don bought his partner out of the business and assumed the role of CEO and Principal Scientist. Under Don’s direction over the last 5+ years, Triterra has incorporated a well-defined growth strategy and their annual revenue has increased 300%, which provides them resources to expand into other regions throughout Michigan.

Overall, Triterra’s revenue has increased approximately 30 to 35% annually and the total number of employees has increased from 3 to 16. Don has managed financing a young company from its inception, through its growth, and continues to make it thrive. Triterra’s continued success has occurred through using a strategic and steadfast approach and through the acquisition of more knowledge on numerous, specific subjects. Don’s goal is to continually keep Triterra in a sustainable position, so that company will continue to grow and remain viable for many years to come.

In 2016, Don was invited to be a part of the Eaton Rapids Marketing Alliance and to provide assistance about ways to revitalize the downtown and make Eaton Rapids a better place to live, work, and play. Don introduced a community-wide visioning session, which brought local officials and community residents together to discuss the future needs of the City and introduced the Michigan Main Street model as an option to help make our town better. During this process, Don became further invested in the community and helped establish and co-found a new local restaurant, Eaton Rapids Craft Co. This restaurant was created to fill a need in the community as a scratch-kitchen restaurant & bar with craft beer and local/Michigan products. The initial years of this venture has been a struggle from numerous staffing issues and inconsistent quality, to equipment failure and building issues; however, Don and his partner have managed to address the difficult situation and continually improve on the operations in an effort to make the restaurant successful. The results of these efforts have lead to increased traffic and improved customer satisfaction.

In 2017, Don continued his efforts to help get the downtown established as a Michigan Main Street Program. (Eaton Rapids has been accepted as an Engaged Level Community and just applied for the Select Level Community.) With his background and knowledge, Don believes the Main Street model will work to help Eaton Rapids grow. Considering it’s still in the early stages, Don understands that funding sources can be a concern, so he and several other community members founded a non-profit organization, (#ElevateEatonRapids) to help raise funds to support the Main Street Program. In addition, Don also became a Director/Board Member of the Eaton Rapids Youth Soccer Program after coaching for the initial three years of the program. In his Director role, Don has improved the youth development program for entry level soccer players in the 4 to 7 year-old range.

In 2019, Don was nominated and selected for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. This program is 100% funded by the Goldman Sachs Foundation, whose mission is to provide entrepreneurs and small business owners with the necessary knowledge and tools to help them successfully grow their businesses. Upon completion of this program, Don will be one of approximately 7,000 small business owners nationwide provided with this high-level training opportunity.

Don continues to reside in Eaton Rapids along with his wife, Erica and their two children, Torin (7) and Marissa (5).

Personal & Company Awards
2015 Socially Responsible Entrepreneur, Greater Lansing Entrepreneurial Awards, Greater Lansing Business Monthly (Don)

2016 Outstanding Small Business, Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (Triterra)

2017 Leadership Lansing (Class of 2017, 2nd Cohort), Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (Don)

2018 Michigan 50 Companies to Watch, Michigan Celebrates Small Business (Triterra)

2019 Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program Scholar (Don)

Community Organizations & Service
Since 2008, Don has been actively involved in the Old Town Commercial Association (OTCA), a Michigan Main Street Program, and its continued revitalization efforts in the Old Town District of Lansing. Don was on the OTCA Board of Directors for 4 years, which included serving as President for 3 years. As a culmination of all these efforts, the Old Town Lansing (Main Street Program) was nationally recognized as a Great American Main Street by the National Trust for Historical Preservation in 2011.

Don continues to take on other positions within community organizations, especially when he feels he can step in to provide assistance and make a difference. These positions include:

• Executive Committee & Board Member – Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP)
• Chairman & Board Member – Eaton Rapids Downtown Development Authority (DDA)
• Energy & Environment Committee & Active Member – Michigan Chamber of Commerce
• Active Member – Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Active Member – Shiawassee Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Member – Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership
• Member – Leadership Lansing Community Collaboration
• Athena Powerlink Advisory Panel – Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Greater Lansing Entrepreneurial Awards Judge Panel
• Board Member & Co-Founder - #ElevateEatonRapids
(non-profit to help support Eaton Rapids Main Street Program)
• Director of Shooting Stars Program – Eaton Rapids Youth Soccer

Andrea Bitely graduated from ERHS in 2004.  After high school graduation, Andrea attended Western Michigan University where in 2007 she received a BA in political Science with a focus on Public Policy and History.  Her involvement as a Chief Petty Officer with the Navy Sea Cadets throughout high school prompted her to look into military service at Western, but the lure of politics and government drew her in.  She was a volunteer with John McCain's presidential campaign in 2008.

 

Andrea was very active in politics at Western and served an internship in Washington D.C., with Congressman Joe Schwartz.  She was then hired by him to work on his election campaign.  In this position, she got her feet wet learning about how government works, and played an important role in the Congressman's campaign for re-election.

 

When Schwartz left office, Andrea continued to work in Washington D.C.  She was hired as the Federal Relations Coordinator at the Institute for Legal Reform, which is part of the US Chamber of Commerce.  She then became the Senior Manager for Digital Media at the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation, in Washington D.C.  She later became the Digital Content Manager for the Forum for Innovation with the Chamber.

 

During this time she also volunteered at the Smithsonian as an exhibit volunteer for David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins, where she was responsible for helping visitors understand the exhibit, answer questions, and help interpret the exhibit.

 

In 2014 she became Director of Social Media at Politico in Arlington, Virginia.  Politico is an American political journalism company that covers politics and policy in the United States and internationally.  It distributes content through its website, television, physical newspapers, radio and podcasts.  Its coverage in Washington D.C., includes the U.S. Congress, lobbying, media and the presidency.  Andrea oversaw Politico's social platforms, developed and executed social strategy, worked across various departments, found and implemented ways to make social integration easier, and kept up with the constantly changing news.

 

Back to Michigan she returned with her husband 2015! They were growing tired of the big city and wanted to come back home, back to Michigan.  Andrea currently serves as the Director of Communications and Government Affairs for Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette.  In this fast-paced and highly stressful job, Andrea serves as the Attorney General's spokesperson, representing him on television, social media, and newspapers around the state.  She supervises all of Mr. Schuette's legislative initiatives and communications from the Department of the Attorney General- including all the information dissemination around the Flint Water Crisis and the Larry Nassar sentencing.  She provides briefings and advice to the Attorney General, and keeps him appraised of the more than 40,000 cases moving through the department at any moment.