The Detroiter Online pays tribute in this column to the accomplishments and achievements of Detroit Regional Chamber members. For information on submitting your items, please see the note at the end of the column. This column is updated regularly.View the previous listing.

GOLD MEMBERS

Brighton-based Atwell-Hicks has been named to the Zweig Letter Hot Firm 2007 List for the seventh straight year, one of only three firms to achieve this accomplishment. The Zweig Letter recognizes and evaluates the fastest-growing small and large architecture, engineering and environmental consulting firms based on annual revenue and total percentage growth. Atwell-Hicks' sales grew 128 percent in 2005 to nearly $60 million. (Photo: Brian Wenzel, president and chief operating officer) Automation Alley, which drives the growth and image of Southeast Michigan's technology economy, has experienced an 11 percent growth in membership since December 2005. With the addition of 28 new members in July 2006, Automation Alley now has more than 660 members. When Automation Alley began in 1988, it had 44 members. "Such continued support from the region's business community helps ensure Southeast Michigan remains a global leader in technology," said Ken Rogers, executive director. Right Management's Great Lakes Region celebrated its 25^th anniversary in August 2006. From a modest office in the basement of a rented house staffed with a part-time administrator, a part-time consultant and a sales consultant, Southfield-based Right Management has grown to 60 full-time and 40 part-time consultants serving clients throughout the Great Lakes region. During its first 15 years, Right Management focused on career transition services. A decade ago, it expanded its scope to include attracting, assessing, developing, engaging and aligning employees. "We now have a full spectrum of services covering the entire human capital lifecycle of our clients' employees wherever they reside throughout the world," says John Bourbeau, the company's CEO and founder. The Great Lakes Region has offices in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Toledo. Southfield-based Plante Moran Financial Advisors ranks third in the nation in assets, according to the July 2006 issue of Financial Advisor magazine. More than 400 advisory firms responded to the survey for the first annual listing of Independent Registered Investment Advisors. Additionally, with asset growth of nearly 20 percent, Plante Moran Financial Advisors placed ninth in overall asset growth from 2004 to 2005.

SILVER MEMBERS

The Detroit-based law firm of Butzel Long was honored in the June 2006 edition of the Michigan Bar Journal and named to the 2006 Pro Bono Circle of Excellence by the State Bar of Michigan. Butzel Long was among 38 firms and corporations honored by the Pro Bono Initiative of the State Bar of Michigan for demonstrating that they have put their pro bono policies into practice by documenting a high level of participation by their affiliated lawyers.Butzel Long also was honored by the Oakland Region of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan (WLAM) for having the "Most Progressive Work-Life Balance Policies" for women attorneys. HOUR Detroit magazine named Andrew and David Farbman, co-presidents of Southfield-based Farbman Group, as 2006 "Detroiters of the Year" for their commitment and dedication to the revitalization of the city. Under the Farbman brothers, Farbman Group has received numerous awards and honors for residential and commercial developments in Detroit. Mary Massaron Ross, head of Bloomfield Hills-based Plunkett & Cooney PC's appellate practice group, teamed up with another nationally respected attorney, Dwight H. Merriam, to co-edit the American Bar Association book on the U.S. Supreme Court's Kelo v. City of New London decision and the controversial topic of government condemnation for private economic development projects. The 474-page volume is titled "Eminent Domain Use And Abuse: Kelo In Context." Catherine M. DeDecker, P.S., was named Construction Woman of the Year by the Detroit Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC). DeDecker is vice president, survey project manager and office manager for the Trenton branch office of Spalding DeDecker Associates Inc., a Detroit-based civil engineering and surveying firm. DeDecker began her career with SDA in 1985 and became an associate in 1997. Earlier this year she was named vice president when elected to the company's Board of Directors. Gov. Jennifer Granholm recently appointed DeDecker to a four-year term on the State Board of Land Surveyors.

BRONZE MEMBERS

Birmingham-based Brogan & Partners Convergence Marketing has been hired for marketing services by Checker Sedan based in Dearborn Heights. Brogan will provide marketing and advertising services to launch Checker's new brand in addition to redesigning its Website. Checker Sedan was established in 2000 by its parent company, Soave Enterprises, as the luxury service division of Checker Cab, Detroit's oldest and largest taxi service company. Three programs offered by Detroit-based Health Alliance Plan (HAP) achieved top scores from the National Business Coalition on Health. HAP's PPO product achieved the national benchmark - best in the nation - score in Pharmaceutical Management (92 percent). HAP's PPO and HMO products were national benchmarks in Behavioral Health Screening (92 and 89 percent, respectively). Walsh College in Troy has received approval from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools to offer a Doctor of Management in Executive Leadership, the first doctoral degree in the school's 84-year history. A selective admissions process will be under way from Sept. 1, 2006 through March 31, 2007. The degree initially will be available only at the Troy campus, with some curriculum on line.

BUSINESS BUILDER MEMBERS

Troy-based Eisbrenner Public Relations received an Award of Excellence in the 2006 Awards for Public Excellence (APEX) in the brochure design category. The award was for a brochure Eisbrenner developed for PEAK North America to provide information on aluminum as a superior alternative to cast iron and highlight the company's innovative processes and products. An $80,000 home built by Habitat for Humanity - Detroit and Community Development Advocates of Detroit was among the winners of the Building Industry Association of Southeastern Michigan's 18^th annual Fall Parade of Homes architectural judging. The winnings homes, divided into 11 categories by price, were selected based on best value for the price, best use of space, most innovative design and aesthetic appeal. Richard Zussman, CEO of Southfield-based Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss, was recognized as a top Michigan real estate attorney in the 2006 issue of Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business resource guide. Zussman, a member of the firm's Real Estate Group, specializes in commercial real estate and business planning. StartupNation, the online community of entrepreneurs, has experienced a 450 percent increase in site traffic site July 2005. The growth is attributed in part to new community features such as enhanced profile pages, increasing repeat visitors to the site and daily new content. Based in Birmingham, StartupNation was founded by entrepreneurs Jeff and Rich Sloan. The Detroiter Online accepts all contributions for "Benchmarks" from Detroit Regional Chamber members at the Business Builder membership level and above. Items may be submitted by mail to: Benchmarks, Detroiter, Detroit Regional Chamber, One Woodward Ave., Suite 1900, Detroit MI 48226; by fax to (866) 345-3125 or by e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For further information, contact Chris Mead, editor, at (313) 596-0373.