Advisory Board

Michelle-EricksonMichelle EriksonPlymouth Growth Partners

Michelle is a Senior Associate on the Investment Team at Plymouth Growth, an Ann Arbor-based growth equity firm that invests in growth-stage software and tech-enabled services companies located in underinvested markets. Prior to joining Plymouth Growth, Michelle served as a Venture Fellow with the State of Michigan’s Outdoor Recreation Industry Office while completing her MBA at the Michigan Ross School of Business. She also served as a fellow with Detroit Venture Partners, where she supported the go-to-market strategy for an early-stage outdoor community app for bicyclists. Michelle brings more than ten years of operational experience across various outdoor recreation and sports marketing related roles. Michelle also created and authored “Validating Outdoor Recreation Innovation in Michigan,” a six-month research project analyzing Michigan SmartZone and startup data, interviewing founders, and identifying more than 100 outdoor recreation startups in Michigan.

Michelle-EricksonMichelle EriksonPlymouth Growth Partners

Michelle is a Senior Associate on the Investment Team at Plymouth Growth, an Ann Arbor-based growth equity firm that invests in growth-stage software and tech-enabled services companies located in underinvested markets. Prior to joining Plymouth Growth, Michelle served as a Venture Fellow with the State of Michigan’s Outdoor Recreation Industry Office while completing her MBA at the Michigan Ross School of Business. She also served as a fellow with Detroit Venture Partners, where she supported the go-to-market strategy for an early-stage outdoor community app for bicyclists. Michelle brings more than ten years of operational experience across various outdoor recreation and sports marketing related roles. Michelle also created and authored “Validating Outdoor Recreation Innovation in Michigan,” a six-month research project analyzing Michigan SmartZone and startup data, interviewing founders, and identifying more than 100 outdoor recreation startups in Michigan.

Don-ManfrediDon ManfrediUniversity of Michigan Innovation Partnerships

Don is the Associate Director of Ventures with the University of Michigan Innovation Partnerships. Don’s history includes more than twenty-five years of experience in a broad range of professional assignments including global business unit leadership, operations management, marketing, sales and application engineering, product development, project management, business development, education, and customer training and support. Don has provided executive leadership of a global business unit, managed the accelerated growth of a startup technology business, led the global marketing team within a high-tech NASDAQ firm, re-launched a North American business unit, and provided global sales account management to Fortune 500 clients. Don is an adjunct professor at the Lawrence Technological University College of Management and has been an Entrepreneurial Boot Camp Mentor for Ann Arbor SPARK, the economic development organization for the greater Ann Arbor region. Don is also active in the venture community both as a fundraiser and an investor. Don was born and raised in Iron River, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Don-ManfrediDon ManfrediUniversity of Michigan Innovation Partnerships

Don is the Associate Director of Ventures with the University of Michigan Innovation Partnerships. Don’s history includes more than twenty-five years of experience in a broad range of professional assignments including global business unit leadership, operations management, marketing, sales and application engineering, product development, project management, business development, education, and customer training and support. Don has provided executive leadership of a global business unit, managed the accelerated growth of a startup technology business, led the global marketing team within a high-tech NASDAQ firm, re-launched a North American business unit, and provided global sales account management to Fortune 500 clients. Don is an adjunct professor at the Lawrence Technological University College of Management and has been an Entrepreneurial Boot Camp Mentor for Ann Arbor SPARK, the economic development organization for the greater Ann Arbor region. Don is also active in the venture community both as a fundraiser and an investor. Don was born and raised in Iron River, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

David-OllilaDavid OllilaShophouse Park

David is a systems thinker, serial entrepreneur, innovator, and business leader. He holds 16 patents spanning hardware to technology, most of which are in the outdoor recreation sector. David excels in building new ventures, developing products, and cultivating relationships across numerous industries. David has led the development of platforms that cultivate entrepreneurship in both urban and rural communities. Understanding that pursuing new business ideas can be daunting and support is not always inclusive or accessible, David created programs to assist passionate innovators build products, services, and startups of their own. Central to that effort is designing ecosystems that foster high-energy collaboration, innovation, and discovery among diverse teams.

David-OllilaDavid OllilaShophouse Park

David is a systems thinker, serial entrepreneur, innovator, and business leader. He holds 16 patents spanning hardware to technology, most of which are in the outdoor recreation sector. David excels in building new ventures, developing products, and cultivating relationships across numerous industries. David has led the development of platforms that cultivate entrepreneurship in both urban and rural communities. Understanding that pursuing new business ideas can be daunting and support is not always inclusive or accessible, David created programs to assist passionate innovators build products, services, and startups of their own. Central to that effort is designing ecosystems that foster high-energy collaboration, innovation, and discovery among diverse teams.

Dan-RadomskiDan-RadomskiThe Centrepolis Accelerator

Dan is the CEO of the Centrepolis Accelerator on the campus of Lawrence Technological University. Centrepolis focuses on the growth of Michigan’s small manufacturers and hardware entrepreneurs by providing access to key resources, a collaborative community, and product development and manufacturing experts. The program helps accelerate and scale small manufacturers and innovators of new “hardware” products. Dan was formerly the Chief Strategy / Operating Officer for the Optimal Group, small businesses, and start-ups focused on product development, competitive business strategy, product benchmarking, product development, and engineering. While at Optimal Dan was responsible for diversifying the company’s business model to evolve into full vehicle development with specialization in electric vehicle development, growing the revenue by $20 million annually, and scaling the business globally to over 350 employees.

Prior to the Optimal Group, Dan was president of industry and venture development at NextEnergy, where he led market and technology analytic efforts to support the growth of early-stage and mature energy technology firms in areas such as wind, solar, advanced batteries, power electronics, vehicle electrification, smart grid, micro-grid, natural gas, and energy efficiency. His work included NextEnergy’s venture and incubator services, supporting the commercialization efforts of approximately 1,000 new developers of advanced energy technologies, and helping more than 120 manufacturers successfully diversify into the clean energy supply chain.

Dan-RadomskiDan-RadomskiThe Centrepolis Accelerator

Dan is the CEO of the Centrepolis Accelerator on the campus of Lawrence Technological University. Centrepolis focuses on the growth of Michigan’s small manufacturers and hardware entrepreneurs by providing access to key resources, a collaborative community, and product development and manufacturing experts. The program helps accelerate and scale small manufacturers and innovators of new “hardware” products. Dan was formerly the Chief Strategy / Operating Officer for the Optimal Group, small businesses, and start-ups focused on product development, competitive business strategy, product benchmarking, product development, and engineering. While at Optimal Dan was responsible for diversifying the company’s business model to evolve into full vehicle development with specialization in electric vehicle development, growing the revenue by $20 million annually, and scaling the business globally to over 350 employees.

Prior to the Optimal Group, Dan was president of industry and venture development at NextEnergy, where he led market and technology analytic efforts to support the growth of early-stage and mature energy technology firms in areas such as wind, solar, advanced batteries, power electronics, vehicle electrification, smart grid, micro-grid, natural gas, and energy efficiency. His work included NextEnergy’s venture and incubator services, supporting the commercialization efforts of approximately 1,000 new developers of advanced energy technologies, and helping more than 120 manufacturers successfully diversify into the clean energy supply chain.

Glenn-StevensGlenn Stevens Jr.MICHauto

Glenn is the Executive Director of MICHauto and serves as the Detroit Regional Chamber’s vice president of automotive and mobility initiatives. MICHauto is focused on developing the state’s automotive and mobility industry in the key areas of talent, advocacy, awareness, startup innovation, and next-generation mobility, and the digital economy. Glenn provides strategic direction and leadership to MICHauto in its role as the statewide industry association to promote, grow, and retain Michigan’s automotive and next-generation mobility industries. His responsibilities are also centered on strategic fundraising in conjunction with investor engagement and retention. Glenn has more than 30 years of management, strategy, and operations experience across the automotive, steel, specialty chemicals, and capital equipment industries. For the past 14 years, his career has focused on serving membership-based organizations, communities, and economic development across Michigan. Prior to joining the Chamber to build MICHauto, Glenn served as senior vice president of membership and sales with the Original Equipment Suppliers Association, where he was responsible for membership growth and retention, strategic partnerships, and automotive industry development with states across the nation. Additionally, his previous experience includes leadership positions with Blue Water Automotive Systems, Kolene Corp., and National Steel Corp. Glenn is a native of Marquette, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and an Executive MBA from Michigan State University.

Glenn-StevensGlenn Stevens Jr.MICHauto

Glenn is the Executive Director of MICHauto and serves as the Detroit Regional Chamber’s vice president of automotive and mobility initiatives. MICHauto is focused on developing the state’s automotive and mobility industry in the key areas of talent, advocacy, awareness, startup innovation, and next-generation mobility, and the digital economy. Glenn provides strategic direction and leadership to MICHauto in its role as the statewide industry association to promote, grow, and retain Michigan’s automotive and next-generation mobility industries. His responsibilities are also centered on strategic fundraising in conjunction with investor engagement and retention. Glenn has more than 30 years of management, strategy, and operations experience across the automotive, steel, specialty chemicals, and capital equipment industries. For the past 14 years, his career has focused on serving membership-based organizations, communities, and economic development across Michigan. Prior to joining the Chamber to build MICHauto, Glenn served as senior vice president of membership and sales with the Original Equipment Suppliers Association, where he was responsible for membership growth and retention, strategic partnerships, and automotive industry development with states across the nation. Additionally, his previous experience includes leadership positions with Blue Water Automotive Systems, Kolene Corp., and National Steel Corp. Glenn is a native of Marquette, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and an Executive MBA from Michigan State University.

Joe ThielJoe ThielInnovate Marquette SmartZone

Joe is well known as a supervisor, sales executive, management executive, board member, serial entrepreneur, consultant, trainer, public speaker, coach, and mentor. While working on small and large-scale national and international projects, Joe obtained macro and micro perspectives of nearly all aspects of small and big business. Joe has managed, reviewed, and evaluated large corporate budgets and acquired significant capital funds for numerous projects. Joe has procured tens of millions of dollars in grants and/or public funding domestically and internationally. He has successfully coached countless employees, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and students. Throughout his career, Joe wrote, collaborated on, and was named in numerous US and international patents. He received top awards in innovation and has been recognized/requested to speak, coach, consult, and create as an expert, in energy technologies, advanced battery technologies, advanced sound technologies, complex mobile applications, complex wireless RF systems and platforms, advanced large scale thermal transfer technologies, advanced security and encryption technology, capital management, grant writing, legislative and permit process, advanced certification process, business/financial documentation, business advisement, product marketing, manufacturing and production design and processing, mechanical design, SEO services, and capital acquisition at all levels.

Today, Joe serves as CEO of Innovate Marquette SmartZone and Executive Director of Invent@NMU, a Northern Michigan University idea incubator whose mission is to position Marquette as a premier city for innovation and business development through their process to identify, nurture, and cultivate the growth and success of technology-based innovators, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and startups throughout their community. By adopting these leadership roles that enable accessibility, sustainability, and creativity within our region, Joe is positioned to act as a resource with our partners to build opportunities for the careers of the future, while honoring the roots and natural wonders signature to Marquette.

Joe ThielJoe ThielInnovate Marquette SmartZone

Joe is well known as a supervisor, sales executive, management executive, board member, serial entrepreneur, consultant, trainer, public speaker, coach, and mentor. While working on small and large-scale national and international projects, Joe obtained macro and micro perspectives of nearly all aspects of small and big business. Joe has managed, reviewed, and evaluated large corporate budgets and acquired significant capital funds for numerous projects. Joe has procured tens of millions of dollars in grants and/or public funding domestically and internationally. He has successfully coached countless employees, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and students. Throughout his career, Joe wrote, collaborated on, and was named in numerous US and international patents. He received top awards in innovation and has been recognized/requested to speak, coach, consult, and create as an expert, in energy technologies, advanced battery technologies, advanced sound technologies, complex mobile applications, complex wireless RF systems and platforms, advanced large scale thermal transfer technologies, advanced security and encryption technology, capital management, grant writing, legislative and permit process, advanced certification process, business/financial documentation, business advisement, product marketing, manufacturing and production design and processing, mechanical design, SEO services, and capital acquisition at all levels.

Today, Joe serves as CEO of Innovate Marquette SmartZone and Executive Director of Invent@NMU, a Northern Michigan University idea incubator whose mission is to position Marquette as a premier city for innovation and business development through their process to identify, nurture, and cultivate the growth and success of technology-based innovators, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and startups throughout their community. By adopting these leadership roles that enable accessibility, sustainability, and creativity within our region, Joe is positioned to act as a resource with our partners to build opportunities for the careers of the future, while honoring the roots and natural wonders signature to Marquette.