Entrepreneurship: Jobs Landed

The U.P.-wide law firm of Rettig, Rademacher, Clark, Bray and Cameron, P.C. may sound familiar to many – except for the last name on the list, Gabe Cameron.

That's just because you're not used to the sound yet, but he's the latest partner to be named to the law firm, which has offices in Escanaba, Marquette, Iron Mountain and Menominee.

Cameron is no stranger to the U.P. Born in the Sault and raised in Ontonagon until 1991, when his family moved downstate, Cameron came back to raise his own kids in the U.P. recently.

Cameron got a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Ferris State University, and got his J.D. degree in 2006 from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He was working at the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office when he got the chance to work up north again.

"We saw Gabe's passion and devotion in helping injured workers acquire both workers compensation and Social Security disability benefits," says senior partner Jim Rettig. "That's why we wanted him at our firm."

The firm hired Cameron in 2007, and he moved to Gladstone with his family: wife Jessica is an optometrist practicing in Escanaba and Manistique, and they have two children, Charlie and Chloe.

"I've always loved the U.P. and knew it was where I wanted to raise my kids. So when the opportunity presented itself to move back here, I jumped at it," says Cameron.

Cameron specializes in workers' compensation and Social Security disability cases.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Jim Rettig, Rettig, Rademacher, Clark, Bray and Cameron, P.C.

Riverside Toyota in Escanaba announced it has a new general manager, Peter Stratton, who will direct the sales and customer relations divisions.

Stratton has been in the automotive business for more than 20 years, and has been a longtime sales consultant. Several times, he's been named among the Top 20 Toyota Motors Sales Consultants in the U.S., for serving customers with excellence and commitment.

He says he'll apply those same principals as general manager of Riverside Toyota.

"I am excited to have the opportunity to work with a franchise group that has such a long and dedicated history to the people of Escanaba, Green Bay and beyond," Stratton says. "I look forward to the opportunities that Toyota and our dealership will offer to our customers."

Riverside Auto Sales has its corporate headquarters in Escanaba, and also has locations in Marquette, Iron Mountain and Marinette.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Peter Stratton, Riverside Toyota

A U.P. native is returning home in the latest hire at Iron Mountain's CCI Systems, Inc., a provider of communication network services.

Paula Meads has been hired as the company's chief financial officer and will be beginning her new job soon. Meads grew up in Manistique, then earned a bachelor's degree in accounting at Michigan Technological University and a master's degree in accounting at Kaplan University.

She'll be relocating to Iron Mountain with husband Marty and son Mitchell to work for CCI Systems. Meads also has a daughter, Malory, a student at the University of Alabama.

Her new role will involved collaboration with other top CCI executives to analyze and define a long-term strategy for the company, as well as overseeing all organizational development, financial and accounting operations, and providing financial planning for the company.

"We're very excited to have Paula join the CCI team. She brings a wealth of experience in achieving both business and financial objectives. She will be a valuable asset to CCI, ensuring we move into the future strong for those who depend on our products and services," says John Jamar, CCI President and CEO.

Meads joins CCI with years of experience as a financial executive, including experience in information technology management, organizational development, financial reporting, cash flow, budget administration, auditing tax management, contract management and all aspects of accounting.

She has previously worked for OSA Holdings, LLC, Diamond Resorts International and Tandem HealthCare, doing national and international business.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: John Jamar, CCI Systems, Inc.

Cynthia Thompson was recently hired as the news director for WBUP and WBKP television stations in Marquette.

Thompson has a history of more than two decades in the Upper Peninsula and in the media. She holds degrees in broadcasting and film as well as speech communication from the University of Central Missouri. Thompson began her career in journalism in 1988 when she moved to the U.P. to join her husband, Frank, at K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base. She began her television career as a reporter and news anchor at WLUC in Negaunee, Mich.

Since 1996, Thompson went on to hold a variety of radio and television positions including announcer, commercial spokesperson, consultant and managing short and long term promotions. She said one of her favorite employment opportunities was as a basic public speaking instructor at Lake Region State College in North Dakota.

Thompson's new position as news director includes taking over anchoring the 5:30 p.m. newscast at ABC 10 in addition to overseeing the news and sports departments and staffs.

Thompson enjoys volunteering, gardening, reading, helping her husband restore old cars, motorcycling and spending time with her family. She and her husband have two daughters.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Cynthia Thompson, WBUP

Rhonda Peterson has been a long-time member of the CCI Systems staff and that dedication has paid off. CCI recently announced Peterson is being promoted to the position of director of engineering operations for the company, which is based in Iron Mountain.

"Rhonda has been a huge asset for our team since she started with CCI in 1997," says Rick Hurzeler, a CCI vice president. "She has deep knowledge in both fiber optic and coaxial design and has extensive experience working with many different operators."

Peterson will be responsible for staffing and execution of projects, supervising project managers, creating and refining processes related to project management, project accruals and invoicing as well as creating project guidelines.

Peterson has been a consistent performer for CCI since she started working for them as a CAD route drafter. From there, she worked her way up and was most recently a project manager.

During her time with CCI, Peterson has:

- Assisted in the development of the engineering database to track 135,000 miles of upgrade engineering for Charter Communications in 2000.
- Developed the Project Coordinator and Project Coordinator Assistant Programs to manage the engineering work for 135,000 miles of upgrade for Charter Communications in 2000.
- Led the CCI team to develop Bresnan mapping standards for 3,000 miles of upgrade in Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, and Montana in 2003.
- Led the CCI team to develop Fiber As-built Management (FAM) documentation standards in 2007.

Peterson achieved her Bachelor's Degree from St. Norbert College. She resides in Norway, Mich., with her husband, Roger, and two children.