Technology Council of West Michigan

The Technology Council of West Michigan exists to grow technology-oriented businesses in the Greater Grand Rapids region. We strive to make West Michigan a national leader in digital technologies.

Tech Council members share information and experiences of interest and benefit to its members to help fuel the success of member companies. In addition, the Tech Council supports West Michigan businesses who are providing, applying, or starting to adopt digital technology.

Technology Council of West Michigan Members

• Mary Arnhart, CEO, Ariox
• Devon Bleibtrey, Co-Founder & CEO, flockx
• Jim Bruxvoort, Principal, Rehmann Technology Services
• Kuanchin Chen, Director of the Center for Business Analytics, Western Michigan University
• Matt Clarin, General Manager, Hungerford Technologies
• Michael Cotter, VP of Sales & Marketing, DornerWorks Ltd
• Todd Cowles, Founder, AbsyAI
• Larry Faragalli, CEO & Co-Founder, brightly
• Josh Freeney, Partner, YETi CGI
• Danny Gaydou II, CEO, Nextpoint Design
• Danche Gjorgijievski, CTO, ADAC Automotive
• Greg Gogolin, Distinguished Professor & AI, ISI, PM Program Coordinator, Director Center for Cybersecurity and Data Science, Ferris State University
• Tod Grams, Business Development Partner, DISHER
• Kristi Haik, Dean - School of STEM, Grand Rapids Community College
• Mike Hemmingsen, Client Director, Advizex
• John Johnston, Partner, PeopleIT
• Jennifer Jurgens, CEO/Founder, 1 Bold Step
• Andy Kaiser, President, Kaiser IT Group
• John Kennedy IV, Chief Technology Officer, Autocam Medical
• Robin Kleinjans-McKee, CFO, Vervint
  
• Mark Kimball, President/CEO, MOSS
• Jason Kuipers, President, Mutually Human
• Chip LaFleur, President/CEO, LaFleur Marketing
• Dan Mikita, CEO, DevsOperative
• James Mikrut, Founder, Payload CMS
• Kevin Neuman, Software Development, Ninth Brain
• Aaron Owens, Partner Development Manager, IT Partners
  
• Scott Pallas, IT Director - Digital Shopping, Loyalty and Marketing Technologies, Meijer, Inc.
  
• Scott Pierce, Sr. Technology and Cybersecurity Solutions Advisor, Sentinel Technologies
• Jennifer Puplava, Attorney and Member, Mika Meyers PLC
  
• Josh Ralya, Co-Founder/CEO, Ideology
• Catherine Ripley, President, Symplicity Communications, Inc.
  
• Dan Russo, Network Ambassador - OHV (MI), Arista
  
• Mike Schipper, Founder/CEO, InsITe Business Solutions, Inc.
• Aaron Schram, CTO, Four Square Ventures
• Nate Smith, Founder & COO, Digital Industry Group
• Mike Taylor, Director, Venture Creation - Grand Rapids, Spartan Innovations
  
• Brian Tol, CTO, SpinDance
• Jonathan Tower, Founder, Trailhead Technology Partners
• Michael Waldschlager, CEO & President, FusionIT
• Walter Ward III, CEO, TiiCKER
• Jim Weaver, CEO, GTF Technologies

Benefits of Technology Council of West Michigan Membership

Collaboration

Membership in the Technology Council of West Michigan provides an opportunity to create new collaborations with other regional technology leaders who are applying digital technologies as part of their competitive strategy.

Peer Sharing

As part of a trusted group of technology leaders, participating members share best practices and experiences of interest and benefits to its members to help fuel the success of member companies.

Voice of Technology in West Michigan

Immediate value is provided at each gathering: an annual calendar of events is set at the beginning of the new year, but “hot” topics are generated from and explored by members as they arise. This allows the Council to respond quickly to new developments and provide actionable insight.

Networking

As a member of the Tech Council, you have the ability to network with other members of the council and their teams. This private networking opportunity provides a chance to develop new relationships and partnerships in the region.

Solving Common Challenges

Many of the problems facing West Michigan technology professionals are not unique to an individual business. The Tech Council provides a platform and time to discuss these common challenges and address them as a team of companies.

Join the Technology Council of West Michigan

Eligibility:

Individual leading a company or business unit that is providing digital technology products, services, and/or consulting shall be eligible for council membership under the following guidelines.

1. Maintain a primary facility within the Region, conducting a substantial amount of the company's operations.
2. Hereby agree to be a RPI investor with a minimum investment of $2,500 due annually.

Member Participation:

Member agrees to the following participation guidelines.

1. Participate in at least three (3) of the four (4) quarterly meetings of the Technology Council.
2. Experience Sharing: Participate in activities to share information and experiences of interest and benefit to Members to help fuel the success of Members.
3. Collaboration: Participate in activities to support businesses in the Region who are seeking information about digital technology adoption or application.
4. Support and participate in the Technology Council's outreach efforts to ultimately raise awareness of the technology industry in the Region.