Thank you for attending the 2022 West Michigan CEO Summit!

Find additional resources from our presenters and insider info from the summit below.

Event Agenda

7:30 a.m. – Registration, Networking and Breakfast

8:30 a.m. – Welcome from Summit Chair
Deidra Mitchell, Waséyabek Development Company, LLC

9:05 a.m. – Gateways for Growth Welcome Plan
Nate Koetje, Chief Executive Officer, Feyen Zylstra,

9:35 a.m. – Break

9:55 a.m. – Leadership Lesson
Dr. Philomena V. Mantella, President, Grand Valley State University

10:10 a.m. – Tackling the Talent Issue
Scott Ryan, Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Gentex

10:40 a.m. – Break

10:55 a.m. – Leadership Lesson
Steve Huizinga, President, Allied Mechanical Services, Inc.

11:25 a.m. – Intermission & Lunch

12:05 p.m. – Sponsor Remarks
Joel Rahn, Executive Vice President of Commercial Banking, Independent Bank

12:10 p.m. – Panel Discussion: Business Transitions
Moderated by Attah Obande, Vice President of Business & Talent Development, Grand Rapids Chamber
Max Bissell, Vice President & General Manager of Hard Surface and Robotics, Bissell Corporation
Rabih Jamal, Chief Operating Officer, Waséyabek Development Company, LLC
Rajesh U. Kothari, CFA, Managing Director & Co-Founder, Cascade Partners, LLC

12:50 p.m. – Closing Remarks
Rick Baker, President & CEO, Grand Rapids Chamber
Jeff Connolly, Senior Vice President & President West Michigan & Upper Peninsula, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Grand Rapids Chamber Resources

Kent County Welcome Plan

We know how important a broadly diverse population is for the success of our state. Immigration is key to increasing diversity in our population and boosting our economy. Without immigration growth, the state of Michigan would be poised to lose population for the second census in a row. Perhaps even more impressive, the economic power of Grand Rapids’ immigrant community alone grew by more than $100 million in just one year, and immigrants in Grand Rapids hold nearly $1.5 billion in spending power. At the core of this initiative is the belief that Grand Rapids and Kent County are home to everyone who lives here, and it should feel like it too. Learn more about the Kent County Welcome Plan here.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Our Inclusion Team is here to help you cultivate an equitable environment for our diverse workforce and community. By providing a variety of services including assessments, cultural intelligence trainings, consultation services and more, our deliverables can be customized specifically to your team’s and industry’s needs.

Our inclusion experts have designed a learning experience specifically for health care organizations to fulfill their unconscious bias trainings requirement. This experience presents tools using health care-specific case studies and examples to counter unconscious bias in health care settings. Learn more about these services and more of our diversity, equity and inclusion work.

Talent Development

We know that our community’s growth and success are powered by a skilled, diverse workforce. That’s why we’re committed to helping West Michigan businesses to expand the depth and breadth of their talent at every level of the organization. From leadership training to the ATHENA awards, we’re committed to developing a more creative and capable workforce for our community. Learn about our talent development programs.

Meet the Speakers

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 West Michigan CEO Summit 62

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

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.

Grand Rapids Chamber Resources

Back to Business Podcast

It’s not often that West Michigan’s top leaders are all in the same room. Our team is spending the day recording interviews for the Back to Business: West Michigan CEO Summit Special podcast series, sponsored by Davenport University. Look for these episodes being released soon on your favorite podcast platform and on our website.

West Michigan CEO Summit Intro Video

To kick off our program, we worked with our previous CEO Summit Chairs to produce this video to set the tone for today’s event.

EPIC Awards

Inside the 2022 West Michigan CEO Summit 2

EPIC is the premier business award celebration in the region that recognizes exceptional businesses that foster community growth, demonstrate innovation, and have championed alongside others as mentors and collaborators. Award recipients are announced the night of the event, keeping finalists and attendees on the edge of their seats.

Nominations are open today! Nominate a business or individual today.

Diversity & Talent Summit

Inside the 2022 West Michigan CEO Summit 1

The Grand Rapids Chamber’s annual Diversity & Talent Summit explores the latest DEI trends and builds upon foundational knowledge to enhance business success in an increasingly diverse and global community. Join us on Tuesday, November 15 for West Michigan’s premier DEI Summit.