Mike joins Balance after a successful 4-year run at Continuum. He brings with him extensive design, brand, and project management experience gained while partnering with nationally recognized companies such as American Express, Colgate, and Hasbro.

Mike holds a BFA in Industrial Design from the Cleveland Institute of Art, and has been the recipient of multiple design awards, including: the IDSA Merit Award, an International Housewares Design Competition Award, and an IDEA Award.

René Polin, President and Founder of Balance Product Development, Inc. said, “I’m extremely excited about adding Mike to our rapidly expanding team. Balance is dedicated to seeking out and acquiring exceptional design professionals in order to build an unparalleled team to serve our clients. I think it says a lot about the exciting things that are happening here at Balance for Mike to be willing to leave Boston to join us.”

On Sunday August 3rd, 2008 three Balance designers took to the hills of the Chagrin Valley for the First Annual Right Side of The Road Bike Tour (appropriately named ‘Hills of Fire’) to help raise money for ALS research.

President René Polin, Senior Designer Mike Tracz, and Cleveland Institute of Art student and intern James Park managed to brave the 25 mile bike tour under the hot Midwest sun. Of course, our intrepid riders didn’t realize the tour was actually mapped at just under 28 miles. Ill-prepared for a lengthy road ride with two mountain bikes and a single speed track bike, these gentlemen nonetheless successfully crossed the finish line and dove for the food tent with reckless abandon.

While recounting their ride, the boys looked with envy at the bevy of high-tech road bikes of carbon fiber and far less weight. Perhaps a few new bikes next year?

Balance supports worthy causes like ALS research, children’s cancer research, and The Special Olympics.

Originally posted August 6th, 2008