Name: West Michigan CEO Summit
Start: 2023-06-15T07:30:00-04:00
End: 2023-06-15T13:00:00-04:00

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.

The theme of this year’s event is creating resiliency in business led by our Summit Chair, Bob Roth of RoMan Manufacturing.

What to expect:

• Panel discussions and keynote presentations with tools for business growth
• Leadership lessons inspiring resiliency
• Opportunity to participate in facilitated discussions on key issues
• Connect with new West Michigan CEOs from the past year

Thursday, June 15
7:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
JW Marriott Grand Rapids – International Ballroom

Members: $250 / Non-Members: $300
Member Corporate Table (10 seats with preferred seating): $3,000

Agenda

7:30 a.m.   Registration and New CEO Welcome Breakfast
8:28 a.m.   Welcome
8:45 a.m. Resilient Leadership Conversation
9:25 a.m.        Leadership Lesson with Ruben Ramos, Managing Partner, R&R Mechanical
9:40 a.m.   Break
10:00 a.m. Leadership Lesson Conversation with Tina Freese Decker, Corewell Health
10:20 a.m.        Power of Family Business Panel
10:50 a.m.        Leadership Lesson with Mike Larsson, Dematic
11:10 a.m.        Leadership Lesson with Dr. Michael Genord, HAP
11:30 a.m.        Lunch
12:15 p.m.        Keynote Discussion and Q&A with David Fialkow and Marcos Esparza
12:50 p.m.        Close

Meet the Summit Chair

Robert W. Roth | CEO, RoMan Manufacturing

Robert W. Roth is CEO of RoMan Manufacturing, Inc., serving in this capacity since 1997. Founded in 1980, RoMan Manufacturing is a second-generation family business that designs and manufactures water-cooled transformers and DC power supplies.

Robert served six years on the board and as Board Chair in 2004 of the Grand Rapids Chamber. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the American Welding Society as a Director and past-President, and the Board of Directors of Corewell Health, where he served as board chair for 2020 and 2021. He also currently serves on the boards of for-profit corporations Grand Rapids Label Inc., United Bank of Michigan, Progressive AE, and DeWys Manufacturing Inc.

Robert graduated in 1985 from Kettering University, formerly General Motors Institute with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Administration. He is married to Marcy and they have two children, Mike (34) and Kayla (31).

Meet the Speakers

Nate Beene | COO, Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation

As COO of the Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation network, Nate’s role is to execute the vision of a collaborative effort focused on transforming the community through social enterprise/innovation, leadership development and career and entrepreneurial training. Nate is also co-founder/Owner of Building Bridges Professional Services, Rising Grinds Cafe and The 1530 events venue, all which have a focus on hiring from the community and creating opportunities for transformation. Additionally, Nate is a EOS franchise owner and professional implementer where he helps businesses and organizations clarify their vision, gain traction and grow healthy. Nate is passionate about developing and providing opportunities to indigenous entrepreneurs and incubating and operating transformational businesses that seek impact outside of just profits.

Nate also serves as co-chair of the West Michigan Minority Contractors Association and a board member of the CAIA (Construction Allies in Action) where he advocates for equity and diversity in the construction industry across West Michigan.

Robin Burns | Director, Family Business Alliance

Robin Burns is the Director of Family Business Alliance. As the daughter of a restaurant entrepreneur, and the spouse of a 2nd Generation family run organization, Robin has experienced all the rewards and challenges of family run organizations – right from her dining room table. Today, as the Director, she supports and advocates for the family business community by providing strategies, tools, and partners to advance family business in West Michigan. With nearly 170 member organizations, Family Business Alliance serves family businesses by creating connections, navigating governance, and elevating family business leadership.

David Fialkow | Filmmaker & Producer

As a venture capitalist and an academy award-winning documentary filmmaker/producer, David Fialkow loves working with creative people and helping them have real impact. Together with Joel Cutler, Fialkow co-founded General Catalyst and built and sold four companies including National Leisure Group, Alliance Development Group, Retail Growth ATM Systems, and Starboard Cruise Services (sold to LVMH). His areas of focus include financial services, digital health, AI, and data analytics.

Before business, Fialkow studied film at Colgate University, earning a law degree from Boston College and making documentary films. Fialkow and his wife, Nina, still make documentaries focused on healthcare and social justice. Their films Icarus and Navalny each won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature Film in 2018 and 2023, respectively.

Fialkow serves on several nonprofit boards including Facing History and Ourselves, the Dean’s Advisory Council at the MIT School of Engineering, the Council on Foreign Relations, and the Pan-Mass Challenge (former chairman). He is also the chair of the Investment Advisory Committee of The Engine at MIT.

Tina Freese Decker, MHA, MSIE, FACHE | President & CEO, Corewell Health

Tina Freese Decker is President & CEO of Corewell Health, a leading integrated health system that strives to provide simple, affordable, equitable and exceptional care and coverage to millions of Michigan residents. She leads more than 60,000 colleagues who are passionate about the relentless pursuit of better health for their communities.

Known for her vision and drive, Tina was a key architect of the 2022 integration of Beaumont Health and Spectrum Health, which are now unified under the Corewell Health brand. Determined to tackle the health field’s greatest challenges, she inspires through innovation and collaboration to make health better for all. She leads from her heart in advancing a culture and developing people to achieve their fullest potential.

Michael Genord, M.D., M.B.A. | President & CEO, HAP; Executive Vice President, Henry Ford Health President; CEO, HAP Empowered Health Plan

As president and Chief Executive Officer, Michael Genord, M.D brings a critical differentiator to his role as the only physician/CEO of a health benefits company in Michigan. His direct insight into patient care and the complicated issues that physicians and patients often face is not always present when insurance decisions are made. Dr. Genord ensures they are not only present but given careful consideration.

Dr. Genord is responsible for sharing the passion and vision for health care delivery to create a company that always puts members and providers first. Dr. Genord became president and CEO of HAP in 2020. after serving as HAP’s senior vice president and chief medical officer. In that role, he led the development and implementation of HAP’s medical and operational programs, making him uniquely qualified to step into the CEO position. Dr. Genord also serves as executive vice president of Henry Ford Health, of which HAP is an operating unit. Dr. Genord’s dual expertise allows him to bring a broad perspective to the complex issues confronting a provider-sponsored regional health plan, including the effective implementation of value-based health care, which encourages and rewards positive health outcomes for members and patients.

Ana Gonzalez | Professor of Management at the Seidman College of Business and Director of the GVSU Family Owned Business Institute, Grand Valley State University

Ana Gonzalez is Professor of Management, at the Seidman College of Business, Grand Valley State University and Director of the GVSU Family Owned Business Institute (FOBI), a center that champions and serves family businesses through scholarship, education and advocacy. Ana holds a Ph.D. in Management from Tulane University, has M.Sc. in Economics and a Bachelor degree in Industrial Engineering from Universidad de los Andes, Bogota, Colombia. Her research interests include entrepreneurship, corporate governance and sustainability in family businesses.

Across her career, Ana has been a scholar, advocate, consultant, and supporter of family enterprises. She is a board member of the STEP Project Global Consortium a global research initiative on transgenerational entrepreneurship, created in 2005 to conduct and disseminate knowledge in the family business field, and a board member at the West Michigan Family Business Alliance.

Mike Larsson | Executive Vice President, Dematic, Americas

Mike Larsson is EVP of the Americas region at Dematic, where he oversees the strategic growth of the business and drives market decisions in the region. Joining the company in 2021, Mike leads Dematic’s largest geographic market, home to more than 6,000 employees and the company’s most significant footprint. In his role, Mike ensures Dematic achieves customer expectations and outcomes through a focused approach on sales, service, and execution across the region.

Having lived and worked in multiple countries, including Bahrain, China, Switzerland, Sweden, and the United States, Mike provides a diverse perspective to Dematic. His wealth of knowledge and experience in growing markets allows him to expertly lead this expansive region.

Mike received a Bachelor of Science in economics from the Stockholm School of Economics (Sweden).

Scott Patchin | Certified EOS Implementer, EOS Worldwide

Scott founded his business in 2009 and began introducing EOS® as a model for clients in 2014. He brings an honest, pragmatic and strategic approach to business coaching that complements the unique strengths of each of his clients. Scott’s clients and peers know him for his thoughtful listening and counsel, rooted in decades of experience developing teams within small and mid-size businesses.

Scott is a published author, thought leader and speaker. He is also a native Michigander and loves fly fishing and taking in the great outdoors in his free time.

Kelly Plawinski | Chief Operating Officer, Adamy Valuation

Kelly is the Chief Operating Officer at Adamy Valuation. She is responsible for Adamy’s strategy and vision, firm operations, financial and HR oversight, as well as firm leadership. She and Nick Adamy work hand in hand on many of these items, but while Nick’s focus is client relationships and vision, Kelly focuses on the day-to-day operations as well as the team.

Kelly joined Adamy in 2017 as the Director of Business Operations where her focus was around streamlining the firm’s practices and procedures. Through her analysis of processes, she created new frameworks to increase productivity, standardize methodologies, and aid in setting the stage for the firm’s expansion.

Ruben Ramos | Managing Partner, R&R Mechanical Services, LLC

Ruben Ramos is a Managing Partner at R&R Mechanical Services, based in Grand Rapids, MI. He is a 15-year veteran of the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) industry and has guided his business to continued and sustainable growth since it opened for business in 2008. The start-up company has evolved from a two-man operation serving residential customers, and its more recent clients include national chain restaurants, Grandville Public Schools, Grand Rapids Community College, The City of Grand Rapids and numerous Non-Profit organizations. R&R Mechanical has also been successful in establishing lasting working relationships with construction companies such as Rockford Construction, CD Barnes, Orion Construction, and Wolverine Building Group among others.

Along with the tasks of overall business management and direction, Ruben has worn multiple hats with the company ranging from field work, to estimating and project management, to human resources, as well as business development. Ruben attributes a large part of the success of R&R Mechanical to the good synergy he has created with his business partner (and twin) Rolando Ramos.

Thomas Slikkers | President & CEO, Tiara Yachts

Tom Slikkers has worked in the marine industry for more than four decades beginning his career as a Summer Employee at S2 Yachts, a sail and powerboat company founded by his father, Leon Slikkers. As S2 Yachts grew, so did Tom’s career, working his way up the ranks through sales and leadership positions. Throughout his career, Tom worked as President of Pursuit Boats, a brand within the S2 Yachts portfolio focused on sport fishing models. In 2018, Tom participated in the successful divestment of the Pursuit brand in sale of Pursuit Boats to Malibu Boats.

Tom is the President and CEO of Tiara Yachts, a position he’s held since 2012. He’s passionate about leadership, building and nurturing a team, new product development and facilitating organizations forward.

Kelly Springer | President & CEO, Metal Flow Corporation

Kelly Springer serves as Metal Flow Corporation’s President and Chief Executive Officer. She has served in this role since 2017. Metal Flow Corporation is a manufacturer of technically sophisticated custom metal components primarily to the global automotive industry. Her role oversees all operations at both their Holland, Michigan and Wuxi, China facilities. Kelly joined Metal Flow in 2013 as Chief Financial Officer after spending 22 years in public accounting serving manufacturing clients.

Kelly has made significant contributions to the community through her involvement in a variety of organizations including her current roles as a member of the Michigan West Coast Chamber Board of Directors, as a member of the Michigan Women Forward Advisory Council, and as the Executive Champion for Inforum’s Manufacturing NEXT group. She was recognized in 2017 as the recipient of the Lakeshore Athena Leadership Award.

Kelly holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Michigan State University where she remains active in alumni activities supporting the Eli Broad College of Business.