The man who has been keeping tabs on all of the numbers for Berrien County’s lead economic development agency for nearly two decades will step away from that role effective June 2nd as the organization tightens the reins in the current pandemic.
Cornerstone Alliance Chief Financial Officer Ron Griesinger has been on board since April of 2003, a 17-year tenure during which he has been responsible for all of the financial and accounting activities of Cornerstone and its affiliate organizations such as the Women’s Business Center, Small Business Services, the First Choice Talent Attraction Services and beyond.
After consulting with Cornerstone Alliance President & CEO Rob Cleveland about the changing times and the current financial climate, Griesinger said they arrived at the mutual decision that “This is the right thing to do right now for the future of Cornerstone,” with Ron stepping down. The economic development agency is funded by investor donations from businesses across the community, and both Griesinger and Cleveland work diligently to be first rate stewards of the money that flows their way.
For 17 years Ron has worked with fellow senior team members on the organization’s day-to-day financial operations and annual budgeting as well as handling paperwork in working with auditors who verify the organization’s records.
Addressing Griesinger’s resignation announcement, Rob Cleveland says, “Ron has served Cornerstone Alliance and the community for nearly 20 years and he deserves to be applauded for such long and meaningful service.” He adds, “Most people know Ron from his long-time commitment as a member of the Lions Club, as well as a lead volunteer during the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship events held in our community. He has devoted a majority of his career to Cornerstone Alliance and we wish him the very best in what comes next.”
A Certified Public Accountant, Ron received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Ferris State University in 1979. He has more than 25 years of accounting experience working in various financial roles for accounting firms, staffing agencies and manufacturing in addition to his work with Cornerstone.
Ron has a passion for sports, especially golf and basketball. In fact, back in 2017 Ron was selected by the First Tee of Benton Harbor as their Volunteer of the Year. At that time, Ebon Sanders, Executive Director of the program said, “Our program is heavily reliant upon our volunteer base,” adding, “We are fortunate to have what we feel is the best group of volunteers in Southwest Michigan, and Ron is the cream of that crop.”
Ron lives in St. Joseph with his wife, and has three grown children. As Cleveland noted, he is a long-time, dedicated, member of the St. Joseph Lions Club and a long running member of the Board of Trustees at Honor Credit Union.
Ron says that he has “nothing lined up at the moment, but I am out looking, and would love to continue in the realm of accounting, and financial services.” At the age of 63 he feels he still has plenty to contribute to the right company or organization.
Cleveland concludes, “I’m just disappointed that due to the current circumstances, we weren’t able to send Ron off in a more appropriate way, he certainly deserves it.”
