Development Success in Downtown Ada

Wednesday, May 13th | Worklab by Custer (Ada)

Join Elevate Real Estate for "Development Success in Downtown Ada"! Our panel of key leaders - Mark Custer of Worklab by Custer, Kim Rantala, Executive Director of the Ada Business Association, and Loren Crandell, CEO at Baton Collective - will share insights into the triumphs, challenges, upcoming events and the future vision for Ada's downtown corridor. 

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REGISTER HERE! 

$40 - Elevate RE Members (Complimentary for Event-Inclusive Members)
$65 - Non-Members

**Principal Company members should have their company primary contact e-mail Jackie to register at admin@elevaterewm.org

Not an Elevate RE member? Join Elevate RE today!

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Speaker Bios

Loren Crandell, CEO, Baton Collective

Loren Randell is a West Michigan native who grew up in Caledonia and graduated from Michigan State University's Eli Broad College of Business with a degree in Supply CHain Management. He began his career in operations leadership with United Technologies Corporation, where he helped lead manufacturing operations, before spending a decade at Amway in a variety of leadership roles. During his time there, he worked across several areas of the business, including manufacturing, shareholder engagement, serving as GM of Amway Canada, and leading customer service for North America.

Today, Loren is the CEO at Baton Collective, where he brings his global enterprise experience into a more entrepreneurial environment. In his role, he helps shape and support an organization focused on investing in businesses and real estate that create positive human and community outcomes. He enjoys working alongside a talented team and an ownership group committed to building organizations that make a meaningful impact on the people and communities they serve.

Kim Rantala, Executive Director, Ada Business Association

Kim Rantala is the Executive Director of the Ada Business Association, where she works to strengthen and support the local business community. In this role, Kim focuses on connecting businesses, fostering collaboration, and creating opportunities for members to learn, grow and thrive.

Through community events, partnerships, and networking initiatives, Kim helps champion the importance of supporting local businesses and building a vibrant village economy. She also works closely with community organizations, local leaders, and business owners to develop events and programs that bring people together and highlight Ada as a dynamic place to live, work and do business.

Kim brings decades of professional experience in business and community engagement and is passionate about building meaningful connections that strengthen both businesses and the broader community.

Mark Custer, Co-Owner, Worklab by Custer

Mark Custer started the original downtown Grand Rapids Worklab in 2014 in response to how workers and teams were moving towards more remote work with advancements in high-speed internet. In addition, Mark has always loved Hosting Offsite meeting groups, which Worklab specializes in. Mark's passion for great hospitality comes through in Worklab's membership experience and hosting meeting groups. Worklab added an Ada Village location in 2025.

Mark also co-owns three different businesses with his brothers. The staple family business is a Steelcase Office Furniture dealership called Custer, which provides interior design services and outfits workspaces with furnishings and flooring solutions. The second is an electrical contractor called CS Erickson, which provides electrical and technology solutions for new construction and existing commercial workspaces. The third is a signage business called FastSigns, which produces interior and exterior signage solutions. Mark has always helped the portfolio of companies with strategic planning, business development, strategic relationships, and exploring/growing new business opportunities for the companies. Mark and his brothers manage a Board of Advisors and sit on the Board of Directors with their father, David Custer.

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