Todd Gregory named Bay Future board chair; group highlights SBDC partnership and interim executive director

Bay Future's leadership transition and partnerships were a central focus of the organization's annual meeting. Attendees heard an exchange of remarks as outgoing chair Eric Tankley reflected on his tenure and Todd Gregory, president and CEO of First State Bank, took over as board chair for 2026.

"I'm Todd Gregory, president CEO of First State Bank, and I'm very proud to serve as this year's board chair for Bay Future," Gregory said during brief remarks after being introduced. Earlier, the organization recognized Eric Tankley, identified in the program as chief financial officer at Shaheen Development, who told attendees serving as board chair had been an honor and praised the collaboration among staff, board and investors that drove 2025 progress.

Meeting presenters described concrete examples of Bay Future's work convening resources for projects. A presenter said Bay Future wrote and secured approval for a $4.1 million grant to construct a sanitary sewer expansion for Monitor Charter Township, a project the presenter said will open property west of I‑75 to commercial development.

The board also announced Megan Saman as interim executive director and said Bay Future will pursue mission‑focused strategies for the organization's next phase. In addition, the meeting described an ARPA‑funded partnership with Bay County that places the Small Business Development Center's Bay County counselor, Michelle Jud, in a Bay City Bay Future office to provide no‑cost consulting and training to small businesses.

Organizers noted the upcoming Business by the Bay pitch competition scheduled for September 2026 and closed with thanks to staff, investors and partners. The meeting framed the leadership changes and partnerships as steps to sustain Bay County economic growth and to provide support services for entrepreneurs and employers.