Jim Acheson’s faith in the region, shown through the generosity and contributions of the Acheson Foundation, has inspired citizens and businesses alike to take notice of Port Huron and all its potential. He was also recognized by the city of Port Huron with the Spirit of Port Huron Civic Award; by the state of Michigan with the Russell G. Mawby Award for Philanthropy; and by the Community Foundation of St. Clair County with its Distinguished Service Award. In her current position, Lisa provides technical and logistical support for numerous projects and meetings as well as serving as the primary contact for directing visitor and queries to the appropriate individuals. Michael R. DeLong is Vice President of Operations of Acheson Ventures, LLC. In 2000, when Acheson Ventures began its mission in Port Huron, she was asked to join the team. Acheson Ventures LLC 2020 // 405 Water St #200, Port Huron, MI 48060. Acheson Ventures LLC 2020 // 405 Water St #200, Port Huron, MI 48060. Among his most important inventions was Carborundum, an abrasive hard enough to cut diamonds. In early 1952 the name of the company was changed to Acheson Industries, Inc., and Acheson continued as president, chief executive officer, and chairman of the board to 1971. He was appointed corporate secretary in 1975, served as chairman of the board from 1979 to 1993, and chairman emeritus from 1994 to 1998, when the corporation was sold to Imperial Chemical Industries. They have been an integral part since its inception, with Howard Acheson serving as the Foundation’s first Vice President in 1944. Acheson’s principal interest in life, other than his family and business, revolves around maritime activities. The Foundation continued to own the home for 14 years until late 2018 when we were proud to gift the home to the organization. As his grandfather was inspirational as an inventor and a protégé of Thomas Edison, so Dr. James C. Acheson is inspirational as a leader in the arena of community giving. In 1926 he became associated with his father’s company, the Acheson Oildag Co. in Port Huron, Michigan, as a sales engineer. One of the most impressive projects is a 10-year plan to revitalize a mile long piece of property along the St. Clair River and to enhance the quality of life for residents for generations. The company is a Michigan Domestic Profit Corporation, which was filed on December 14, 1973. Chairman and president of the James C. Acheson Foundation, a philanthropic organization dedicated to the cultural and economic enhancement of the City of Port Huron, Michigan, and Lighthouse Point, Florida. for six years, while she obtained her associate degree in Business Administration. An infant son, Scott, died in 1963. The studio started out as an art incubator and grew over the last 15 years to become the largest public art facility in the thumbcoast of Michigan. He received his preliminary education in New York City and Massachusetts and is a 1955 graduate of the Culver (Indiana) Military Academy. He served as sales manager and general manager of Acheson Oildag from 1928 to 1940. All rights reserved. Mr. Delong is responsible for all New Construction / Development and ongoing Facility Maintenance along with daily operations of the company. She has been Trustee of the James C. Acheson Foundation since 2000 and also has been with Acheson Ventures since 2000.Before joining Acheson Ventures, Ms. Niester was a partner in Austin, Niester, Schweihofer & Finnegan PC.Ms. Lesley began her long standing career with the late Doug Austin, former President and CEO of AV and current President and CEO, Donna Niester in 1995. He received his preliminary education in New York City and Massachusetts and is a 1955 graduate of the Culver (Indiana) Military Academy. Community Foundation of St. Clair County He is a member of the Grosse Pointe and New York yacht clubs. Lesley says the Acheson Ventures office staff makes coming to work each day something she looks forward to doing. Port Huron, MI 48060, Trustee Login  |  Donor Account Login After the Youth Home purchase, Jim helped launch another project into success- Studio 1219 in downtown Port Huron. Chairman and president of Acheson Ventures, LLC, a land-development company dedicated to the revitalization of the south side of Port Huron, Michigan. He remained chairman of the board until his death in 1975. He's a man whose generosity and love of community prompted him to spearhead unprecedented initiatives for the South side of Port Huron, Michigan. On June 9th. Acheson has been active in local community affairs, including vice president of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County and a trustee of the Port Huron Hospital and the St. Clair County Community College Foundation. Donna M. Niester is Chief Executive Officer of Acheson Ventures, LLC. Dave has 39 years of experience with the City of Sarnia Bridgeview Marina operations. Following his education at the University of Michigan, Acheson joined the U.S. Army and served in the United States and Germany with the Finance Corps. Between both Sarnia operations, Dave owns and operates over 1,100 slips for the local boaters. © 2020 Community Foundation of St. Clair County. Lisa DeLong joined Acheson Ventures in 2013, and is the administrative assistant to the Vice President of Operations. Present day, the studio features 160 different Michigan artists, 12 five-week class courses and more than 30 different rotating workshops. James C. Acheson Foundation makes grants to other organizations, such as $130,000 to Blue Water Ymca for "General Support"; $70,250 to Studio 1219 for "General Support"; $66,700 to Blue Water Community Action for "General … In July 1940, he acquired all the assets of the company from other family members and the name was changed to Acheson Colloids Corporation. Acheson Ventures Explore Port Huron Desmond Landing and its vast development landscape connects to the City of Port Huron that is exhibiting a rebirth of exciting development – a boutique hotel, spacious lofts, a community college expansion and restaurants to whet every appetite. In 2005 a used furniture store was renovated and transformed into an incubator for local artists. Mr. DeLong spent 11 years in the United States Air Force. The initial gift, valued at approximately $1.5 million, has now been leveraged to create a total public and private partnership investment of more than $6,000,000. Before joining Acheson Ventures , Mr. DeLong was Director of Operations / Construction / Facility Maintenance / Purchasing & Supply Distribution at the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital system for 14 years. He received a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering in 1923 at Cornell University then pursued advanced studies at Cornell for six months. As of 2019 they had $2.1 million in revenue and $16 million in assets. Anyone who has lived in the Port Huron area is familiar with the Acheson family. The address on file for this person is 315 Peoples Bank Bldg., Port Huron, MI 48061 in Saint Clair County. Mary says a major plus has been the friendships made over the years with her amazing co-workers who she says are truly a team and a family. Jim has always had a passion for maritime activities so it was a natural fit for the Acheson Foundation to focus its philanthropy on efforts that highlight the crown of our region- our beautiful waterfront. Jim joined his father’s firm, Acheson Industries, Inc., as data processing manager in 1968, served in that capacity through 1973, and was controller of Acheson Colloids Company in Port Huron from 1973 to 1975. Port Huron, MI — Through the Cool Cities Initiative, the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, James C. Acheson Foundation, Port Huron DDA, and the State of Michigan founded and created Studio 1219 in 2005. James Curry Acheson was born in Port Huron Sept. 27, 1936, the son of Howard and Miriam (Felt) Acheson. James C. Acheson is listed as an Agent with Dag Export, Inc. in Michigan. She is grateful for the incredible experiences with AV and looks forward to personal and professional growth within the company. Port Huron inventor Dr. Edward G. Acheson (1856-1931) is recognized as a chemical genius. Lesley’s primary responsibility is being the assistant to Donna Niester. Bridgeview Marina recently extended the managing and administration of Sarnia Bay Marina. The 40-acre property consists of 6 distinct parcels recorded on the tax rolls of the City of Port Huron. The River Walk is almost one mile of shoreline along the St. Clair River donated by Jim to the Foundation in 2011. Dr. Acheson ran his family's 90 year-old global specialty chemical firm, Acheson Industries, Inc., for 20 years before establishing a land-development company, Acheson Ventures, LLC. He was a charter member and past president of the Electrochemical Society. He attended the University of Michigan, majoring in business administration, and followed this by extensive experience as a computer programmer at Bell Telephone Laboratories in Whippany, N.J., and  at the University of Pennsylvania Computer Center in Philadelphia.