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
• Nora Balgoyen, 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
• Jennifer Curtis, VP, Commercial Relationship Manager , Old National Bank
• HJ Decker, Vice President, Gas Sales & Supply, DTE
• Adam Doubblestein, Principal, TowerPinkster
• Lindsay Dumais, SR Director, Emerging Markets, Priority Health
• Joe Dyer, President, DISHER
• Eric Fischer, Tax Principal, BDO USA, LLP
• Ryan Formsma, Senior Vice President, Erhardt Construction
• Susan Goldern, EVP of Growth Strategy, AEBetancourt
• Ray Hancart, VP of Communications & PR, Meijer
• Matt Heitmeier, COO, PADNOS
• Mike Hemmingsen, Director of Sales – Michigan, Vervint
• Shea Hickman, CPO, RoMan Manufacturing Inc.
• Corey Jenison, Director of Field Services, Buist Electric
• Jeff Karger, Senior Vice President, JLL
• David Kinsman, SVP, Middle Market Banking | West MI Team Lead, The Huntington National Bank
• Brett Klinger, General Manager, Turner Construction
• John Kuiper, Principal & CEO, Advantage Commercial Real Estate
• Jacob Kulhanek, Senior Vice President, The Christman Company
• Geoff McDaniel, Senior Business Development Leader, Fishbeck
• 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
• Angie Murphy, Regional Business Development Manager, Lee Contracting
• Carin Ojala, Director of Recruiting and Professional Development, Warner Norcross + Judd
• Hal Ostrow, Shareholder & Technology Transactions, Privacy, and Cybersecurity Team Lead, Rhoades McKee
• John Parker, VP of Project Development, EV Construction
• Julie Parker, President, Great Lakes Commercial Finance
• Joe Ponstein, Grand Rapids Managing Partner, Ernst & Young LLP
• Andrea Poulopoulos, VP Supply Chain, Corewell Health
• David Quade, Regional President, Horizon Bank
• Gabe Rodriguez, VP of Strategy and Environmental Analysis, Barton Malow Company
• Scott Setlock, Executive Vice President & COO, Mercantile Bank
• Lauren Snyder VP of Customer Experience Consumers Energy
• Shannon Specter, AVP, Philanthropy, Grand Valley State University
• Pete Steen, Principal Consultant, Michigan Labs
• Natalie Stewart Mitchell, SVP of Development and Government Affairs, Switch
• Daryl Targosz, Principal, Rehmann
• Trent Taylor, Principal & Resident Director, Miller Canfield
• Chris Teets, General Manager of International and Diversified Business Unit, ADAC
• Chris Veneklasen, CEO, Veneklasen Construction
• Stephen Wells, SVP & Group Manager, Middle Market Banking, Comerica Bank
• Mike Wesholski, Senior Commercial Banker, Independent Bank

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.