Name: West Michigan CEO Summit
Start: 2022-06-14T07:30:00-04:00
End: 2022-06-14T13:00:00-04:00
Location: Amway Grand Plaza Hotel

This event has passed.

Create Great Business: West Michigan CEO Summit

The West Michigan CEO Summit features a lineup of regional leaders covering topics including culture, mentorship, leadership, talent, strategic planning, industry trends and how to gain traction in your business. Panel discussions and keynote presentations will focus on tools for business growth to help accomplish goals and compete at a higher level.

This year, we’re excited to announce our Summit Chair is Deidra Mitchell, President & CEO of Waséyabek Development Company, LLC! Check out this video invitation from Deidra. This year, we’re excited to explore our theme of Why Grand Rapids, Why Now. You won’t want to miss one of the region’s biggest events of the year.

Tuesday, June 14
7:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Amway Grand Plaza Hotel: Ambassador Ballroom

Members: $250 / Non-Members: $300 / Corporate Table: $3,000

Registration for this even has closed.

Curious who else will be there? Check out the current registration list here!

Meet the Summit Chair

Deidra Mitchell, President & CEO, Waséyabek Development Company LLC

Deidra Mitchell serves as President & CEO of Waséyabek Development Company, LLC (WDC), a 100% Tribally-owned holding company that manages the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi’s non-gaming economic development activities. WDC is tasked with diversifying the economy of the Tribe beyond gaming and providing diverse employment opportunities for Tribal Members. Under Deidra’s leadership, WDC has grown from three employees to over 300; three subsidiaries to more than 20; and from one location to include locations from coast-to-coast. WDC’s portfolio consists of a mixture of passive & active investments including commercial real estate, and businesses operating in the commercial and federal contracting sectors. Companies are engaged in business consulting, engineering, manufacturing, cancer treatment, trucking & transportation, IT, environmental, and facilities support services.

Deidra has become a recognized leader in Indian Country, developing and implementing micro and macro tribal economic diversification stratagems utilizing best practices in strategic planning, due diligence, and operational controls that work within the unique governance structures of Tribes. Deidra has received widespread recognition for her trailblazing efforts on joint acquisitions with other Tribes and for organizing nine of the 12 Federally-recognized Tribes in Michigan to complete a study on tribal non-gaming economic impacts in the state. Some of the recognitions Deidra has received include:

Investor Dealmaker of the Year
Awarded: February 2022
MiBiz

Top 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan
Awarded: February 2022
Grand Rapids Business Journal

Top 200 Most Powerful Business Leaders in West Michigan
Awarded: November 2021
Grand Rapids Business Journal

Panelist | New Mexico Tribal Nation COVID-19 Recovery Summit
October 2021
Panelist with Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development

Keynote Speaker – Association for Corporate Group (ACG) – Western Michigan
May 2019
Leading Through Turbulent Times: A Change Leader’s Journey

Panelist | MEDC & PTACs of Michigan Tribal Economic and Government Contracting Forum
May 2019
Successes and challenges encountered when building a successful Tribal economic development company

Panelist | NCAIED National Reservation Economic Summit
Mar 2019
A Case Study on How the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Built and Operates a Start-Up Economic Development Division

Meet the Speakers

Anthony Chang, PhD, Founder & CEO, BAMF Health

As founder and CEO of BAMF Health, Dr. Anthony Chang, PhD is leading a growing global team to build aBoldAdvancedMedicalFuture. Head- quartered in the Doug Meijer Medical Innovation Building in Grand Rapids, Michigan and opening in 2022, BAMF Health will operate the world’s most advanced cyclotron-equipped Radiopharmacy and Molecular Imaging Clinic. Prior to founding BAMF Health, Dr. Chang was an accomplished scientific leader and educator. He successfully built his vision of a modern multimodality Small Animal Imaging Facility (SAIF), including an imaging suite and radiochemistry lab. In the pre-clinical imaging field, he has made efforts to advance the accessibility, throughput, and data analysis of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and other imaging technology to researchers for a wide variety of studies. He has taken considerable strides toward translating new PET radiotracer technology into the clinic by developing novel ways to apply information acquired from PET images with the efficiency and accuracy needed for drug development, disease diagnosis, therapeutic strategy, and prognosis prediction.

In 2016, Dr. Chang received the Outstanding Alumni Award from Chang Gung University, and is one of the honorees of 2016 Grand Rapids Business Journal 40 under 40 class. In 2017, he received The Henry Dunant Global Impact Award from the American Red Cross, inspired by his work on developing and promoting molecular imaging technology. He was also appointed by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder as a commissioner to the Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission in early 2017. Dr. Chang is currently appointed as adjunct faculty of Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. In 2021, Dr. Chang was appointed to the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce West Michigan CEO Council.

Steve Huizinga, President, Allied Mechanical Services, Inc.

As president of the Allied Mechanical Services, Inc. [AMS], as well as their family of companies, Steve’s primary focus is growth strategies, vision, employee retention, and DEI efforts. Preceded by his father and grandfather, he is the third generation of Huizinga’s to lead AMS.

Over the past 29 years Steve has served in multiple roles at AMS. After working in the field as a tradesperson for 18 years, he advanced to the role of Estimator, followed by Director of Operations, and onto his current role now as President. His struggles with addiction put him in the legal system and his experience shaped AMS’ mission to change people’s lives through employment with empathy. He lives by these principles: admit struggles and weakness, ask for help, true strength comes from humbling ourselves and admitting our failures. Steve’s journey has influenced AMS’ nonconventional hiring approach. By going against the industry social norm practices, the company has benefited from the diversity and inclusivity of its employees.

Steve is a college dropout (and proud of it). He carries a Plumbing license, Boiler license, and Mechanical license.

Nate Koetje, Chief Executive Officer, Feyen Zylstra, LLC

As CEO at Feyen Zylstra (FZ), Nate’s primary focus is setting the vision and strategy to position FZ for profitable long-term growth. Nate keeps FZ focused on its purpose and balancing the interests of its many stakeholders including employees, customers, and the community.

Over the last 20+ years, Nate has served in multiple positions of increasing responsibility and influence at FZ. In 2008, he began serving as FZ’s Chief Operating Officer and transitioned into the role of Chief Executive Officer in 2013. This experience, combined with his ability to listen and learn from those around him, has allowed Nate to develop a unique leadership point of view. As CEO, Nate has overseen and lead the development of FZ’s solution offerings and geographic expansion.

Nate holds a Master of Business Administration from Grand Valley State University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan.

Dr. Philomena V. Mantella, President, Grand Valley State University
President Mantella is the first woman and the fifth president to lead Grand Valley State University, the fourth largest university in Michigan. She has an impressive 30-year career in higher education marked with success propelling universities forward into new markets, expanded relationships, and countless new program innovations. She has improved student outcomes and market position at each university she has served. She is currently leading Grand Valley State University through the challenges of our time, most notably the global pandemic, with an eye on the future, relevance and growth amid disruption. In the last two years, she has expanded the university’s offerings and potential learners with programs aimed at non-traditional and underrepresented students. She developed a national alliance to raise underserved student voices, improved pathways to graduation, and brought student insights forward in institutional transformation. Collaborating across sectors, she embraces the role of education in shaping lives and communities. Mantella is committed to leading with integrity and keeping an unrelenting focus on empowering talented faculty and staff to accelerate GVSU’s trajectory and success.

Mantella has worked at public and private institutions in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Michigan. At each institution, she has developed strategy, working across academic and service domains to drive growth initiatives that include: developing new formats of education, digital delivery and mutually beneficial partnerships. At Northeastern University, she shaped and executed the strategy to move from a single place-based university to a global university system, opening the first seven regional campuses worldwide. She earned a Ph.D. in college and university administration from Michigan State University and master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Syracuse University.

Scott Ryan, Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Gentex

Scott Ryan joined Gentex in 2010, but started working as an outside consultant for the company in 2006. He has extensive knowledge and experience with the Company in intellectual property and general legal matters. He has supported Gentex in varying positions with increasing responsibility during his employment. He was promoted to Corporate Secretary in June of 2015, and Vice President and General Counsel in 2018.

Prior to joining Gentex, Ryan worked as a law clerk for a State of Michigan circuit judge and with the Prosecuting Attorney’s Association of Michigan in Genesee County. Mr. Ryan also served at a Detroit area law firm working in its litigation group. He holds a BS in Electrical Engineering and obtained his JD from Michigan State University.

Meet the Panelists

Meredith Bronk, President & CEO, Open Systems Technologies, Inc.

Meredith Bronk, President and CEO of OST has been a leader at OST for over 20 years. As the company grew from 7 employees to over 300 operating around the globe, Meredith’s responsibility grew too. From Project Manager, to Chief Operating Officer, to her current role as CEO, “Mer” is a cultural teacher who walks the talk. Her love of people, of leadership, and of creating a thriving corporate culture is evident in everything she does. Meredith excels at ensuring OST’s culture is thriving every day and has a rare combination of empathy and business savvy, leading in a way that inspires everyone she works with to do their best. Her servant attitude and commitment to the success of others is an excellent representation of OST’s dedication to its employees and clients. She is also a passionate advocate for the community she calls home and well-known for her speaking and motivational skills.

As part of her transition to the CEO role, Meredith earned her MBA from the University of Notre Dame in 2014. In addition to following Irish football, Meredith serves on several boards, mentors leaders, and spends time with her husband and three daughters.

Max Bissell, Vice President & General Manager of Hard Surface and Robotics, Bissell Corporation

Max works for his family’s business, BISSELL Inc. BISSELL designs, develops, and markets floorcare products and is the market leader in North America. Max grew up with the business and has been involved in an official capacity since 2011. In his 11 years, Max has held various positions within BISSELL’s Marketing and Sales Departments. Max’s first four years with the business were overseas in the Netherlands and the UK where he focused on product marketing and international expansion. Max is currently responsible for BISSELL’s CrossWave and Robotics Businesses globally. CrossWave is one of BISSELL’s largest and fastest growing categories and has been critical to the company’s growth in their domestic and international markets. Robotics is a relatively new category for BISSELL and category growth is a significant business opportunity.
Max has a BA from the University of Colorado at Boulder, a MBA from Syracuse University, and is midway through an executive education program called Owner, President Management (OPM) at Harvard Business School.

Rabih Jamal, Chief Operating Officer, Waséyabek Development Company, LLC

Rabih Jamal brings more than 17 years of experience in business leadership and management to the Chief Operating Officer’s role for Waséyabek Development Company, LLC. He earned an MBA from Grand Valley State University and a B.S. in Engineering from The University of Michigan. After graduation from The University of Michigan, Mr. Jamal worked as an engineer for a tier-one automotive supplier for two years before pursuing his entrepreneurial interests through the purchase of a distressed business, which he successfully turned around, and which he continues to own.

Prior to WDC, Mr. Jamal was the Managing Partner of DWH. In that role, he focused on business consulting, including managing client turnarounds, wind-downs and exits, strategic and tactical planning, debt and capital restructuring, and succession/transition planning. He served in advisory as well as interim management roles, where he assumed responsibility for day-to-day leadership and management challenges.

At WDC, Mr. Jamal leads the operational and financial responsibilities of managing a sovereign fund at WDC. He helps lead and oversee the activities of a diversified portfolio of investment real estate, conventional commercial operating businesses, and companies operating in the federal sector. In his role, Mr. Jamal works closely with other WDC team members and subsidiary leadership to achieve the objective of diversifying NHBP’s economy and achieving a future of economic self-sufficiency and long-term sustainability for the Tribe’s membership for seven generations.

Mr. Jamal is currently involved with GVSU’s Seidman School of Business Dean’s Advisory Board, is on Spectrum Health’s Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation Board, and is involved in the Association for Corporate Growth.

Rajesh U. Kothari, CFA, Managing Director & Co-Founder, Cascade Partners, LLC

Mr. Kothari draws over thirty years of experience as an investor, a financial advisor, and an entrepreneur. Mr. Kothari is a founder and Managing Director of Cascade Partners, a private investment and investment banking firm. Cascade Partners makes are variety of control and non-control investment in companies in the business service, high value manufacturing, technology, and healthcare sectors.

Prior to forming Cascade Partners, Mr. Kothari was a co-founder of Seneca Partners, Inc., a similar investment banking and private investment firm where he completed nearly 50 transactions or investments. He also co-managed the first healthcare focused private equity fund, Seneca Health Partners.

Prior to establishing, Seneca Partners, Mr. Kothari was a Director at Beringea (formerly GMA Capital), a boutique investment-banking and venture capital firm. Mr. Kothari led numerous divestitures, recapitalizations, acquisitions and other strategic transactions for clients across industries. In addition, he co-managed the firm’s $70 million healthcare private equity fund, InvestCare Partners where he was responsible for identifying, evaluating, structuring and providing on-going development of investment opportunities for the fund. He represented InvestCare as the Board representative for several of the Fund’s investments. Mr. Kothari has also served as an Investment Officer for ProVen Private Equity in London, England, a venture capital affiliate of Beringea. Mr. Kothari began his investment career as a money manager, most prominently for Masco Corporation where he helped manage over $750 million in pension assets. He left Masco to found Cranbrook Capital Management, a $650 million money management firm, where he was Treasurer and Director of International Investing. Mr. Kothari has served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business and served as the University of Notre Dame at the Gigot Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, the later for over 12 years. Mr. Kothari was honored as one of Crain’s Detroit Business’s 40 Under 40. His other community interests include the Civil Air Patrol (“CAP”), a volunteer auxiliary of the United States Air Force where he has served for over 40 years.