Board of Directors

CHIEF COUNSEL & VP OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS: ROCKFORD CONSTRUCTION

As Chief Counsel of Rockford Construction, Melissa manages Rockford’s legal needs, strategic planning, business development, and community involvement. With more than 25 years of experience in real estate and development, Melissa offers a diverse suite of experience.

FOUNDER & CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER: COOPER PEOPLE GROUP

Lisa is an HR Business Partner at HR Collaborative, specializing in building human resource functions from the ground up for small- and medium-sized organizations. Her expertise includes strategic planning, talent acquisition, employee retention and engagement, leadership coaching and more.

CPA AND PARTNER: VANDER PLOEG, BERGAKKER & ASSOCIATES

Steve has worked in public accounting for over 17 years. He works with clients in construction, real estate, nonprofit, and manufacturing industries by providing partnership/corporate tax assistance, audit/assurance services, performance evaluation, and proforma preparation.

PRESIDENT AND CEO: DOWNTOWN GRAND RAPIDS INC.

Tim has been with Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. since 2013. In that time, he has managed several key capital projects and planning efforts including the first update to the Downtown Master Plan in more than 20 years. Prior to working in Grand Rapids, he served as a development analyst and project manager in Long Beach, California.

REGIONAL GENERAL MANAGER: ASM GLOBAL

Richard MacKeigan joined ASM Global as General Manager of the Van Andel Arena, DeVos Performance Hall, and DeVos Place, and serves as the Executive Director for the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority. Rich has built relationships with promoters, managers, and artists in an effort to increase bookings and provide a superior customer experience.

DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES AT ORTHOPAEDIC ASSOCIATES OF MUSKEGON

Miletich specializes in strategically aligning human resource functions with business priorities. With more than 15 years of leadership experience, 7 of which in nonprofits, her expertise includes strategic planning, governance, performance management, talent acquisition and development, and more.

BOARD VICE CHAIR, RELATIONSHIP MANAGER: RDV CORPORATION

At RDV Corporation, Laina is responsible for advising clients on investment and financial matters to help them meet their goals and objectives, and for coordinating financial services to provide a seamless delivery of client experiences.

CO-DIRECTOR: START GARDEN

Mike has spent the last decade working to make Grand Rapids a great place for anyone to launch a new business. He has worked to form a cohesive blend of public/private platforms to reinvigorate a historic culture of entrepreneurship. A seasoned business strategist, Mike serves as Co-Director of Start Garden, a public/private facilitator of start-up initiatives in Grand Rapids.

REGIONAL GENERAL MANAGER: AHC+HOSPITALITY MARRIOTT PROPERTIES

As a graduate of Michigan State University and native of East Lansing, Remes received a degree in hospitality business, leading him to spend the last 12 years at the JW Marriott Grand Rapids. This makes Remes the perfect person to oversee operations at the AHC+Hospitality Marriott properties, including the recently opened AC Hotel Grand Rapids Downtown.

BOARD CHAIR, OWNER/PARTNER: SIBSCO, LLC

Charlie has been an influential business professional for nearly 20 years, while also building relationships and developing businesses around the world. As Owner/Partner of Sibsco, Charlie works in property management, commercial real estate investment, and asset management.

BUSINESS MANAGER PRIVATE LABEL : SHANKMAN AND ASSOCIATES

As a self-proclaimed retail brat, LaChaun has worked over 20+ years in the corporate offices of Kmart, May Company, Wolverine Worldwide, and Meijer. Her passion and expertise lie in product development, creating products and brands that fulfill a consumer need, as well as entrepreneurial development.

SENIOR REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR: PAYCOR

In her role as Regional Sales Director at Paycor, Hailey oversees a team of sales executives across Michigan and Indiana to grow the Paycor brand. She is also responsible for the success of more than 2,000 clients in enhancing their footprint and developing relationships with key influencers in the HCM industry.

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER: APEX CONTROLS INC.

As a real estate developer, Andy helped Founders with their relocation, served on Founders’ Board of Directors, and eventually became their CFO. In 2018, Winkel also became the company’s COO and has fulfilled both positions since. Prior to his time at Founders, Winkel spent ten years in the finance and urban real estate development industries.