The Right Place Leadership Circle

The Right Place (RPI) Leadership Circle provides a venue for members to gain a deeper understanding of current economic development projects and local business trends in Greater Grand Rapids by engaging in meaningful discussions about the future of our region, building relationships with RPI staff, and participating in opportunities to connect with key stakeholders.

Leadership Circle members are invited to play a more active role in driving economic growth and prosperity for all through quarterly meetings with RPI staff which will include:

1. Information about business development and community development project pipelines.
2. Updates on key strategic initiatives and strategic plan progress.
3. Resources related to common talent challenges.
4. Guest speaker presentations to share business insights.

Additional opportunities for members may include:

1. Site visits to key client facilities.
2. Invitation to join RPI team members on meetings with prospective clients.
3. Invitation to join RPI team members on trade missions / trade shows.

The Right Place Leadership Circle Members

• Seth Ashby, Corporate Practice Team Leader, Varnum LLP
• Art Betancourt, CEO, AEBetancourt
• Nora Balgoyen-Williams, Senior Area Manager, ITC Holdings Corp.
• Josh Barker, CEO/Managing Partner, City Innovations
• Indra Bonilla, Central Scheduling Manager, Steelcase
• Joe Chrysler, Accelerator Manager, Atomic Object
• HJ Decker, Vice President, Gas Sales & Supply, DTE
• Adam Doubblestein, Principal, TowerPinkster
• Lindsay Dumais, SR Director, Emerging Markets, Priority Health
• Eric Fischer, Tax Principal, BDO USA, LLP
• Eula Gaddis, Senior Quality Manager, Jireh Metal Products, Inc.
• Ray Hancart, VP of Communications & PR, Meijer
• Matt Heitmeier, COO, PADNOS
• Shea Hickman, CPO, RoMan Manufacturing, Inc.
• Joseph Jepson, SVP and Business Banking Market Executive, Fifth Third Bank, West Michigan
• Jeff Karger, Senior Vice President, Jones Lang LaSalle, IP, Inc. - GR
• David Kinsman, SVP, Middle Market Banking | West MI Team Lead, Huntington National Bank
• Jacob Kulhanek, SVP and General Manager, West Michigan Operations, The Christman Company
• Matthew McGowan, Commercial Business Development Officer, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
  
• Mike Mraz, President, Real Estate Development, Rockford Construction
• Curt Mulder, President, Wolverine Building Group
• Carin, Ojala, Director of Recruiting and Professional Development, Warner Norcross + Judd
• Hal Ostrow, Shareholder & Technology Transactions, Privacy, and Cybersecurity Team Lead, Rhoades McKee
• Julie Parker, President, Great Lakes Commercial Finance
• Andrea Poulopoulos, VP, Supply Chain, Corewell Health
• Jay Preston, Office Managing Partner, Ernst & Young LLP
• David Quade, Regional President, Horizon Bank
• Max Rispler, Client Executive, Hylant
• Shannon Specter, AVP, Philanthropy, Grand Valley State University
• Pete Steen, Principal Consultant, Michigan Labs
• Laura Steenwyk, Principal, Rehmann
• Natalie Stewart, Director of Government and Public Affairs, Switch
• Daryl Targosz, Principal, Rehmann
• Trent Taylor, Principal & Resident Director, Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, PLC
• Stephen Wells, SVP & Group Manager, Middle Market Banking, Comerica Bank
• Mike Wesholski, Senior Commercial Banker, Independent Bank
• Jennifer Williamson, EVP/CFO, ADAC Automotive
• Lauren Youngdahl-Snyder, VP of Customer Experience, Consumers Energy Foundation

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for the Leadership Circle, an organization must be an investor in The Right Place with a minimum annual investment of $12,500.