THE RIGHT PLACE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- County Administrator / Controller, Kent County
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- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
- Marketing and Communications Coordinator
As the Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Allyssa manages the website, social media channels, blog, email and digital marketing campaigns for The Right Place and The Center-West team. She also leads the videography efforts for The Right Place's social media accounts.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
- Client Coordinator for the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center - West Regional Office
- Client Coordinator, the Center - West
Amy Winkler is the Client Coordinator for the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center-West Regional Office at The Right Place, Inc. Amy coordinates customer consulting and training projects, user groups and workshops, and monitors these activities' compliance with contractual reporting requirements.
Job Titles:
- President & CEO, MillerKnoll
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- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
- Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications
- Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications
Andria has been at The Right Place since 2014, and she has over 10 years of experience leading results-oriented marketing and communications campaigns. Prior to joining The Right Place, she worked in economic development marketing for the Ann Arbor region, and also held various positions at The Edward Lowe Foundation focused on business support and entrepreneurialism.
Andria is the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications at The Right Place. In this role, she leads the organization's strategic marketing, communications, and advertising initiatives to promote West Michigan's business capabilities across the country and the globe.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
- Candidate & Member Experience Intern
Bader is an international student studying at Western Michigan University. He is majoring in Human Resources and minoring in Accounting. As a Member and Candidate Experience Intern at Hello West Michigan, Bader supports candidates who reach out, seeking guidance while job searching in West Michigan. He also sends candidates a weekly resume pack, promotes job opportunities at member companies, and conducts candidate searches for member companies.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
- Business Development Specialist, the Center - West
As a member of the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center-West team, Ben is responsible for working with small to medium sized manufacturers in West Michigan, focusing on Mason, Lake, Osceola, Oceana, Newaygo, Mecosta, Muskegon, Montcalm, Ionia, and Northern Kent Counties. He helps them assess their opportunities for continuous improvement and growth.
Ben builds partner collaborations with regional economic development offices, manufacturing organizations, workforce development organizations, and a network of subcontractors to provide the best overall solution to the company.
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- Vice Chair / President, Ferris State University
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- Member of the Officers Team
- Big Rapids Township - Treasurer
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- CEO & President, Wolverine World Wide, Inc
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- Managing Member, Miller Johnson
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- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
- Vice President of Business Attraction
Brent works to recruit new business investment and jobs to the region. He also assists West Michigan companies during the decision-making portion of the expansion process to outline the benefits of growing locally as opposed to out-of-state.
Brent Case is the Vice President of Business Attraction for The Right Place. In his role, Brent actively recruits new business investment and jobs to the West Michigan region. To support these efforts, Brent also works to build awareness among key site selection decision-makers regarding the strengths and assets of the region. Brent also aids area businesses seeking to expand as they decide between local or out-of-state sites.
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President, Wells Fargo & Company
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- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
- Marketing & Communications Intern
Darline works to play an active role in the organization's marketing and communication's department. Here she assists in video editing, maintenance of the organization's website, and prepares social media posts, along with other marketing support duties as assigned.
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- City Manager, City of Walker
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- Chairman & CEO, Van Andel Institute
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- Assistant to the President
- CEO
- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
Donna provides executive assistance to the President & CEO of The Right Place and provides administrative support to The Right Place Board of Directors and the Executive Committee.
In addition, Donna organizes and coordinates executive outreach and internal relations efforts; and oversees special projects, while also assisting with various internal processes, including HR, accounting, and operations.
Job Titles:
- President, Grand Valley State University
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- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
- Fund Development Specialist
As a Fund Development Specialist, Emily works to build and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy for The Right Place. This includes managing the necessary administrative infrastructure and building relationships with current and future investors.
Job Titles:
- Marketing Coordinator
- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
Eric Heys provides graphic and layout support for all the printed communication needs of The Right Place, and he works with local printers to see production through to the final printed materials. He also works closely with the rest of the Marketing and Communications team to develop design solutions for The Right Place's other marketing efforts including social media posts, email marketing, events, and video production.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
- Senior Director of Business Development
Eric provides retention and expansion assistance to Right Place clients. He provides site location assistance to national and international life sciences firms. He also serves as the facilitator for the MiDevice group.
Eric currently serves as a Senior Director of Business Development, focusing primarily on the defense, aerospace, medical device, and life sciences industries. He also provides retention and expansion assistance to Right Place clients.
Job Titles:
- President & CEO, Consumers Energy Company
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- Executive Chairman, Meijer, Inc
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- Parent Club, Founding Member
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- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
- Staff Accountant
Jackie provides accounting support as well as oversight of all project tracking, collections and records management. She is responsible for processing accounts payable and accounts receivable transactions. Jackie also manages grant reporting for The Center-West, and is responsible for investor billing and record maintenance.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
- Business Development Intern
Jakob Bigard is the Business Development Intern for summer 2022 for the Right Place. His primary role is building the fall retention "blitz" campaign lists for each county RPI has a presence. Additionally, he supports the Business Development team and their area partners in creating incentive packages and attracting new and expanding businesses to West Michigan.
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- EVP & President of Consumer Health Care Americas, Perrigo Company
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- Controller
- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
Jane provides accurate and timely financial information to The Right Place's leadership team while ensuring effective internal controls and financial safeguards. In her role, Jane seeks to streamline the accounting and finance procedures to aid in the organization's continued growth.
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- Senior Vice President & President, West Michigan & Upper Peninsula, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
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- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
- Vice President of Technology
Jennifer Wangler is the Vice President of Technology at The Right Place. She provides retention and expansion assistance to Right Place clients in Kent County and site location assistance to national and international IT and tech companies. She also serves as the Director for the Technology Council of West Michigan.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
- Program Manager for Hello West Michigan
Jessica serves as the Program Manager for Hello West Michigan, where she oversees the internship and candidate connection programs, marketing and communication needs, and facilitates member orientation and training programs.
Jessica is the Program Manager for Hello West Michigan, a talent attraction and retention organization promoting West Michigan as a great place to live and work. In her role, Jessica is responsible for overseeing the organization's internship and Candidate Connections programs, facilitation of member orientation and training, production of marketing and communications materials, yearly events, and educating employers and prospective candidates about the West Michigan region.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
- Manager of Conferences and Events
Jillian is the Manager of Conferences and Events. In her role, she leads the planning and management of events for The Right Place and The Center-West.
Job Titles:
- Chairman & CEO, ADAC Automotive
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- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
- Executive Director of the Lake County Economic Development Alliance
- Executive Director, Lake County Economic Development Alliance Program Manager
Jodi serves as the Executive Director of the Lake County Economic Development Alliance. In this role, she provides business support services to prospective and existing companies. She works to improve the overall economic state of Lake County through business retention, expansion, and attraction.
Job Titles:
- Bank President, Department Manager, Comerica
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- President & CEO, Autocam Medical
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- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
- Business Intelligence & Research Manager
As Business Research & Intelligence Manager for The Right Place, John provides business intelligence and economic research for the organization, investors and other stakeholders.
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- DTE Gas President & COO, DTE Energy
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- Co - Founder & Managing Partner, Michigan Software Labs
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- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
- Marketing & Web Intern, Hello West Michigan
As the Marketing and Web Intern at Hello West Michigan, Josie manages their social media channels, writes blogs, and produces their Candidate and Intern Inform newsletters, along with other marketing tasks.
Education
Josie is an incoming senior at Grand Valley State University, earning her B.B.A. in Marketing from the Seidman College of Business with a minor in Digital Studies
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
- Economic Development Director - Newaygo County Regional Partner Lead
Julie serves as the Economic Development Director for the Newaygo County Economic Development Partnership. In this role, she provides business support services to companies in Newaygo County.
Julie serves as the Economic Development Director for Newaygo County's Economic Development Partnership. In this role, she provides business support services to companies in Newaygo County, focusing on business retention and expansion. She also focuses on supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem through innovative programming and events, such as Pitch North. In addition to her role as the Economic Development Director, Julie also serves as the Regional Partner Lead for The Right Place, leading the partner county team, providing mentorship and guidance with the strategies and initiatives specific to the regional partnership model.
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- CEO, Greater Regional Alliance of Realtors
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- Assistant to the Executive Team
Karwyn serves as the Assistant to the Executive Team. She provides administrative support, as well as project management and content creation for marketing initiatives.
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- Tax Office Managing Partner, BDO
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- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
- Executive Director for the Mecosta County Development Corporation
- Executive Director, Mecosta County Development Corporation
Kelly serves as the Executive Director for the Mecosta County Development Corporation. In this role, she leads the promotion of economic development in Mecosta County through the attraction, retention and expansion of business and industry.
Kelly has a vast knowledge of community development and has volunteered on many committees including serving as the Chair of the Leadership team on the White Cloud Revitalization Committee, and holding a seat on the Newaygo County Economic Development Advisory Committee. She also assisted the Headway Coalition of Newaygo County as the Project Assistant, bringing together twelve community sectors, collecting and compiling data, presenting to key stakeholders and providing support with ongoing initiatives.
Job Titles:
- Midwest Regional Executive, Commercial Bank, PNC Bank
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- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
- Economic Development Director of the Ludington & Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce
- Economic Development Director, Ludington & Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce
Kristi serves as the Economic Development Director of the Ludington & Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce. In this role, she provides business support services to prospective and existing companies. She works to improve the overall economic state of Mason County through business retention, expansion, and attraction.
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- Grand Rapids Office Managing Partner - Tax Reporting & Strategy Partner, PwC
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- Member of the Officers Team
- City of Big Rapids - Vice Chair
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- Managing Partner, Warner Norcross Judd, LLP
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- City Manager, City of Grand Rapids
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- President, Mercy Health Saint Mary's
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- President & CEO, Jireh Metal
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- Chief Executive Officer, Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, P.L.C
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- Member of the Officers Team
- Mecosta Township - Chair
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- Member of the Officers Team
- Ferris State University - Secretary
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- CEO, Lacks Enterprises, Inc
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- MHS - Executive Vice President for Health Sciences, Michigan State University
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- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
- Executive Director, Montcalm Economic Alliance
Olivia serves as the Executive Director for the Montcalm Economic Alliance. In this position, she provides support services to companies and entrepreneurs in Montcalm County.
Job Titles:
- Business Development Coordinator
- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
Olivia Lanctot is a Business Development Coordinator at The Right Place. She provides retention and expansion services to companies in Kent County.
Job Titles:
- President, Cascade Die Cast Group, Inc
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
- Executive Director for Hello West Michigan
As the Executive Director for Hello West Michigan, Rachel leads the organization's strategy, operations, and membership. She helps educate employers and prospective candidates about the region.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
- Business Intelligence & Research Manager
Rafael works as a Business Intelligence & Research Manager for The Right Place. In this role, he provides business intelligence and economic research for the organization, and to investors and other stakeholders.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
- President
As President & CEO of The Right Place, Randy leads economic development strategy through collaboration with local, State, and national organizations and stakeholders. His role is central to the organization's core work of business retention, expansion, and attraction within the community, while aligning with The Right Place's mission of driving sustainable economic growth and shared prosperity for all in the Greater Grand Rapids Region.
Job Titles:
- Director, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Market Executive and Market President, Bank of America
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- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
- Program Manager for the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center - West
- Program Manager, the Center - West
René Booker is program manager for the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center-West (The Center-West), providing support for events, marketing, and internal continuous improvement efforts. She also supports The Right Place/The Center-West Manufacturers and Supply Chain Management Councils.
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- President, Davenport University
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- President & CEO, Grand Rapids Chamber
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- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
- Senior Vice President, Business Development
Rob leads The Right Place's Prosperity team, which focuses on business retention, expansion, and attraction in the Greater Grand Rapids region. In this role he will lead the business development and Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center-West teams.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
- Executive Director, Oceana County Economic Alliance
Ron serves as the Economic Development Director for the Oceana County Economic Alliance. In this role, he provides business support services to companies in Oceana County.
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner, Varnum LLP
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- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
- Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer
Rosemary provides executive assistance to the Chief Operating Officer of The Right Place and provides administrative support to The Right Place Finance Committee. In addition, she supports activities related to human resources, information technology, infrastructure, operations and accounting.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
- Executive Director, Ionia County Economic Alliance
Ryan provides leadership in the development and implementation of economic development initiatives focused on People, Place, and Prosperity and in alignment with both local needs and regional strategies.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
- Business Development Specialist for the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center - West
- Business Development Specialist, the Center - West
Sadie McKinstry is a Business Development Specialist for the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center-West, primarily serving small and mid-sized manufacturers located in Ottawa and Allegan counties.
Job Titles:
- President & CEO, Steelcase
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- Regional President - Western Michigan, PNC Bank
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- Executive Director, Middle Market Commercial Banking, JPMorgan Chase
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- Treasurer / President & CEO, Gentex Corporation
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- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
- Business Development Specialist, the Center - West
As a Business Development Specialist for the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center - West (The Center-West), Steven covers Barry County and parts of Kent County. Steven assists manufacturers with lean process improvement evaluations/implementations as well as a variety of leadership development programs, particularly for line supervisors. Steven is West Michigan's lead industry 4.0 assessor where he identifies technologies that help improve operational performance.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
- Senior Vice President, Talent & Diversity
TaRita is the Senior Vice President of Talent and Diversity at The Right Place Inc. She works to collaborate with workforce development organizations, employers, and investors to lead strategies to ensure West Michigan attracts, develops, and retains diverse talent.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
- Vice President, Manufacturing Services
Terry is responsible for The Right Place's Manufacturing Services team. He is also the Regional Director for the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center - Grand Rapids office team. This team works with West Michigan's small and mid-sized manufacturers assisting them with their opportunities for continuous improvement, development, growth, and transition with advanced manufacturing technologies.
Job Titles:
- Regional President, Fifth Third Bank - West Michigan
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- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
- Senior Vice President of Community Development
As Senior Vice President of Community Development for The Right Place, Tim is responsible for leading The Right Place's place-based strategy and work. His focus areas include community development pillars such as smart growth planning, infrastructure & transportation, community leadership & engagement, placemaking, transformational site redevelopment and more.
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- Chairman / President & CEO, BHSH System
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- President & CEO, SpartanNash
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- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
- Senior Director of Community Development
As Senior Director of Community Development, Travis is focused on transformational place-based development projects and initiatives throughout the West Michigan region.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Treasurer
- Chief Operating Officer
- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
Twayne directs all activities related to accounting, finance, human resources, information technology, infrastructure, operations, contracts, and third party consultants. He also leads events and operations staff as well as the Leadership Team and professional staff.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership & Management Team
- Talent Program Manager
As Talent Program Manager for The Right Place, Victor works on establishing collaborative relationships between businesses, colleges, universities, and organizations dedicated to the flourishing of communities in West Michigan.