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In this file photo, Stacie Bytwork, president and CEO of the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce, gives an economic update to the Manistee City Council at a May 17 meeting. Bytwork recently was named second vice chair of the Michigan Works! Association Board of Directors.

LANSING — Stacie Bytwork, president and CEO of the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce, was recently named second vice chair of the Michigan Works! Association Board of Directors.

The Michigan Works! Association, the state’s primary workforce development association, made the announcement Friday, as well as the appointment of a new board member.

Bytwork was elected to fill the second vice chairperson leadership post that was recently vacated. 

Bytwork has led the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce for over seven years, "delivering programming on the needs of Manistee area businesses and the surrounding community," according to a news release.

Her most recent accomplishment was the addition of an economic development arm to the chamber to better serve the needs of Manistee County. She also initiated a countywide leadership program that develops young professionals to be community leaders and assist with workforce retention goals.

Amanda Smith, executive vice president of the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association, joined the Michigan Works! Association board as a member-at-large.

In addition to serving as the executive vice president, Smith also serves as the executive director of the MRLA Educational Foundation and the Hospitality Training Institute of Michigan. Working with local public health officials, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, Smith directs the education programs for the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association.

As the executive director of the Educational Foundation, Smith has grown revenues by more than 160%. She has expanded product offerings, including the 2020 launch of the Michigan Hospitality Industry Employee Relief Fund. Smith has successfully secured and managed many grant awards and state appropriations. Under her leadership, the Hospitality Training Institute of Michigan — which provides advancement opportunities for incumbent hospitality workers and is licensed as a proprietary school by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity — was launched in 2021. 

“It is an honor to work with Amanda and Stacie to continue creating innovative workforce solutions for Michigan’s businesses and residents,” said Ryan Hundt, CEO of the Michigan Works! Association, in a news release. “These talented leaders will have a positive impact on the way we do business in the future by helping the association continue as a national leader in advocacy, leadership, training, communication and collaboration.”

Bytwork and Smith will each help support the Michigan Works! Association's efforts to continue to move the needle on policy, education and collaboration on vital workforce development issues.

More information about the members of the Michigan Works! Association Board of Directors can be found at michiganworks.org/board-of-directors.