Sensational, spirited, inspiring, impressive...these are just a few adjectives to describe the featured candidates on this year's 7Over70 list in the Traverse City Business News (sister publication of The Ticker). The one thing they definitely are not? Retiring.

The 2017 honorees come from all corners of the Grand Traverse community, representing decades as business heavyweights and as volunteer leaders. All have helped weave the tapestry of Traverse City’s past and present, and aren’t slowing their pace while laying the path for future leaders. 

Pat Alpers has led Alpers Excavating, Inc. for decades in Traverse City, a business that began with her late husband Jim in 1969. Ray Minervini, who grew up in the construction business, spearheaded and continues to lead the redevelopment of The Village at Grand Traverse Commons. Traverse City native, leading realtor and the 2017 Zonta Club of Traverse City Athena award winner Lynne Moon loves all things Traverse City, including her career at Real Estate One – Randolph St alongside daughter Erica Moon Mohr.

Real estate also runs long in the family of Traverse City Realtor Ken Schmidt, who is the third of five generations to lead what is now Coldwell Banker Schmidt Family of Companies, the largest real estate company in western and northern Michigan. Fellow 7Over70 honoree Ray Pleva of Cedar is a Renaissance man: He is the owner of Pleva International Inc., which includes four business divisions known for an array of original meat, cherry and nutraceutical products, technology and formulas as well as collaborations in nutrition, health and wellness, and life science research.

Linda Stegenga is among the region’s winery pioneers as co-founder and co-owner of Bowers Harbor Vineyard (BHV), the second winery to open on Old Mission Peninsula. Co-honorees Michael and Libby Robold, meanwhile, married not only each other but their love of yoga, education and entrepreneurship to launch Yoga for Health Education in Traverse City. “First and foremost, believe in yourself and your ability to do amazing work," Libby Robold advises. "Life is all about exploration, discovery and change.”

Read more about the inspiring stories of this year's 7Over70 honorees in the October issue of the Traverse City Business News, available online or on local newsstands now.