United Way of the Lakeshore’s, Jana Routt, Director of Labor Engagement, and Board Member Josh Reece Selected by Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce as Members of the 2016 Future 15!
The Future 15 program, coordinated by the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with WZZM 13 and the Greater Muskegon Jaycees, recognizes 15 ‘up and coming’ young professionals that are making a difference along the Muskegon Lakeshore. This year’s nomination process garnered 55 nominations. A committee comprised of 2015 Future 15 recipients gathered to select the top 15 candidates for recognition this year. Ms. Routt and Mr. Reece were each selected for their personal and professional contributions to the Muskegon Lakeshore community.
Jana Routt has been at the United Way of the Lakeshore for 2 years in the position of Director of Labor Engagement. She attended Baker College in its Bachelors in Business Management program and is a 1999 graduate of Reeths Puffer High School. A life-long resident of Muskegon County, Jana had an impressive career at L-3 Combat Propulsion Systems in Muskegon where she was a member of UAW Local 113 from 2004-2008, and Local 1279 from 2008-2014 when she accepted her current position at the United Way of the Lakeshore. In addition, she owns an event coordinating business which requires strong organizational, communications, and budgeting skills. She continues to operate her business to a lesser degree as she employs her strong skillset as a leader and entrepreneur in her role at the United Way of the Lakeshore.
Mr. Reece works for Parmenter O’Toole and was nominated by his work colleagues. In addition to his outstanding work, Josh has been a member of the United Way of the Lakeshore Board of Directors since April 2015. During his tenure on the board, Mr. Reece has served on the campaign cabinet where he has helped to raise $2.4 million annually.
Christine Robere, President and CEO, United Way of the Lakeshore said, “We are proud of both Mr. Reece and Ms. Routt for being selected among their peers for the distinguished honor of 2016 Future 15. We appreciate both of them and the contributions they make to our Lakeshore community.”
United Way staff nominated Ms. Routt for the honor. Robere said, “Jana is a savvy business owner and employee with a keen sense of purpose to family and community. She is a rare individual who exemplifies how to be true to self and family, serve her community, and reach out to help improve the plight of others less fortunate in her community. The Lakeshore community has a true friend in Jana Routt. A mother of two small children, Jana and her husband both are attuned to the needs of children.” Robere added, “During her tenure at the United Way of the Lakeshore, Ms. Routt distinguished herself as someone concerned with the well-being of working men and women, and those trying to improve themselves and the community in which they live. To that end, she went above and beyond to help ensure that families who had challenges were able to receive Christmas gifts for children. In doing so, she involved volunteers from a broad range of people who worked to secure and deliver donations of gifts and basic necessities. Ms. Routt has consistently volunteered to help bring up the lives of others and ensure especially that working men and women, and those who may be between jobs, have support through a helping hand as in providing gifts for children, and in having access to human service resources and referrals. In addition, while working at L-3 CPS for 9 years, Ms. Routt served on the United Way workplace campaign committee where, each year, she volunteered to ensure the success of the fundraising effort in her workplace. Jana Routt is the genuine article, a leader with a heart to benefit those in the community, especially vulnerable populations like children, the disenfranchised, the poor, the disabled, and the elderly. We are pleased that she was selected for this auspicious honor.”
The Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce will recognize Ms. Routt and Mr. Reece at the Chamber’s June 16 Business After Hours event at the Deck, along with the thirteen other recipients of this year’s Future 15 young professionals who are making a difference in the Lakeshore community.
