Speakers Announced

Patty Cantrell

Patty Cantrell serves as Program Director at the Michigan Land Use Institute (MLUI.org), a statewide public interest advocacy organization based in northwest Lower Michigan's Traverse City.

Under her leadership, MLUI's Entrepreneurial Agriculture program has fostered the emergence of a new local food economy in northwest Michigan. This Taste the Local Difference campaign (LocalDifference.org) has grown, since its start in 2004, to include 250 farms, nearly 150 food retailers, dozens of school cafeterias, and 90 community-based sponsors.

To learn more about Patty 

Guy L. Bazzani

Guy leads West Michigan with more than 25 years of expertise in sustainable business practices through his firm's architectural design, construction, and real estate services. Guy manages a team of experienced professionals committed to innovative solutions in green building technologies, historic preservation and urban revitalization. Bazzani's balances economic viability, social responsibility and environmental stewardship to meet the Triple Bottom line for its projects. It is Guy's philosophy to lead in his community as well as in his profession and he holds a wide variety of leadership positions in the West Michigan community.

To learn more about Guy

Sigrid Bergland

Sigrid Bergland is a Historian with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) specializing in above-ground cultural resources.  She also serves as the historic preservation technical support for the Enhancement Grant program and works with the Heritage Route Program.  Ms. Bergland received a B.A. in the History of Art from the University of Michigan, and a M.A. in Historic Preservation Planning from Cornell University.

MDOT received a 2009 Building Award from the Michigan Historic Preservation Network, with the Arenac Area Heritage Route Authority, for the rehabilitation of the Standish Depot.

Nan Taylor

Nan Taylor is the Greater Michigan Field Representative for Michigan Historic Preservation Network, the Michigan statewide historic preservation nonprofit, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Her responsibilities include providing guidance on historic preservation techniques and approaches, fundraising, organizational development, advocacy efforts and community relations with municipalities, preservation groups, historic property owners and  nonprofit groups. She covers the greater Michigan area, working with communities outside the Southeast Michigan region.

Nan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Central Michigan University in journalism, a Master of Arts degree from Michigan State in advertising and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Savannah College of Art and Design in historic preservation.

Debra Yee

Debra Yee is currently the Executive Director for the Branch County Tourism Bureau, a position she has held for the past ten years.  During her tenure, she has built partnerships and working relationships with state, county and regional tourism and economic development entities to establish Branch County as a destination.  Debra is involved with many marketing and economic committees and agencies in Coldwater and Branch County including the US 12 Heritage Trail Committee, Education Committee for the Michigan Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, Bronson Planning Commission, Branch County's Arts Alive, Branch County Historical Society, Old 27 Motor Coach (tour starts in Coldwater and proceeds up to Cheboygan), Advisory Board member of the Branch Area Careers Center Hospitality and Culinary Program and the Coldwater Joint Downtown Marketing Committee.  Yee has been instrumental in helping establish the Coldwater Ice Fest, Remember the Alamo Car Cruise and the US 12 - 212Miles of Antiques, Collectibles and Treasures

Wayne Babcock

Wayne Babcock graduated in 1985 from Hillsdale High School and attended Northwood University in Midland Michigan earning a Restaurant and Hospitality degree.  He moved to Reno, Nevada and worked for ten years in the food and beverage industry.  In 2001 he opened his first restaurant, The ChicagoWater Grill, in Jonesville Michigan and in 2005 he opened The Saucy Dog's BBQ, also located in Jonesville.