Ambassadors Committee

Meet your Chamber Ambassadors! 

Each month, the Chamber will "spotlight" a few of our volunteer Chamber Ambassadors.  This month, we are introducing you to Valarie Cook of Prince Conference Center, Angela Hanks of Chemical Bank, and Michelle Damstra of Axios / Office Staffing.

Valarie Cook is the Sales Manager at Prince Conference Center at Calvin College.  Prince Conference Center offers 13 different size event spaces along with 69 guest rooms and can accommodate groups of 4 to 400. They offer many wonderful amenities with event space rental including complimentary audio visual equipment.  With guest room rental they include a hot breakfast, wireless internet, and airport transportation.

Valarie was born and raised in Mt. Pleasant, MI where she graduated from Mid Michigan Community College with a Management degree.  She is continuing that education at Northwood University in Grand Rapids.  Valarie has worked her way up in the Hospitality Industry in Mt. Pleasant, Mackinac Island, and now here in Grand Rapids.  Meeting new people and learning about their business is why Valarie joined the Ambassador Committee in October 2012.  Connecting with people and creating relationships is what drives her to be part of the community.

She enjoys spending time with her daughter, Husband, two step daughters, family, and friends. 

If you would like to contact Valarie to learn more about what Prince Conference Center has to offer, she can be reached at 616-526-0103 or vcc2@calvin.edu.

Angie Hanks, Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager of the Chemical Bank Walker office, has over 20 years of business management experience.  She began with Chemical Bank in 2002 when the Holland South Branch was first opened.  Prior to joining Chemical bank, she served as Branch Manager of a Standard Federal (Bank of America) branch in Grand Rapids.

A resident of Marne, Angie studied Business Administration at Grand Rapids Community College and Davenport University.  She is an active member of her community, and has volunteered her services to many organizations including the   

Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, GROW, Walker Chamber, West MI Hispanic Chamber, Kenowa Hills Education Foundation, Junior Achievement, Habitat for Humanity, the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, Children’s Advocacy Center, United Way, Rotary International, Tulipanes and served as President of the St. Adalbert Ladies Auxiliary and the Holland/ZeelandExchange Club.     

Angie is proud to work for a strong community bank with a history of over 95 years in Michigan.  She enjoys teaching the FDIC’s MoneySmart (financial literacy) program to the community and takes pride in helping individuals and businesses grow and prosper.

Contact Angie Hanks at Chemical Bank by calling 616.785.2531, email angela.hanks@chemicalbankmi.com and visit their website at www.chemicalbankmi.com.

Michelle Damstra has 10 plus years of Business to Business sales experience, including radio, non-profit and HR. She serves as Director of Business Development for Office Staffing Inc., a division of Axios Incorporated. Her experience includes sales, management, business development, event planning and PR/marketing functions.

"West Michigan's Employment Agency of Choice" is not only the goal for Office Staffing Inc but a personal mission for Michelle as well. Sales isn't just a job for her, it's a lifestyle.  As an experienced sales professional she understand the unique needs of each client.  Regardless how big or small a business may be, it takes time and energy to build a relationship and develop a level of trust and understanding.  By assisting West Michigan businesses with their staffing/employment needs Michelle is not only doing her job but helping local businesses grow and succeed as well.  Office Staffing Inc is a local Grand Rapids company with a solid foundation and proven track record of success. 

Michelle Damstra
616.726.2483

mdamstra@officestaffing.com