West Michigan Strategic Alliance Staff
Administration
Greg Northrup, President
616-356-6060
Greg comes to the WMSA after a long career with CMS Energy/Consumers Energy, headquartered in Jackson, Michigan, where he held the position of Director of Economic Development. In this position he had responsibilities for economic development in regions served by the companies. Its programs were consistently recognized as one of the top ten in the U.S. and internationally, with special recognition for innovative programming focusing on international business attraction and development strategies in Europe, South America, Africa and Asia and redevelopment of urban core cities.
In April 2006, Greg was named President of the West Michigan Strategic Alliance, following a successful repositioning of the organization while he served as the acting President. During his short tenure, the organization has secured grants and contributions totaling over $500,000 and a WIRED grant from the U.S. Department of Labor for $15 million over three-years. Currently, the organization is focusing on the development and use of regional indicators, protection, preservation and management of the region’s natural resources, sustainable manufacturing to include a focus on alternative energy, clean cities and the development of innovation in workforce development designed to ensure the region’s competitive position.
Tedd R. Parsons, Executive Assistant to the President
616-331-7087
Tedd was appointed the position of Executive Assistant to the President in March 2007. He comes to the organization with over ten-years experience in providing executive level management with professional administrative/technical support. His primary responsibilities include providing direct support to the President and Board of Directors, assisting the Green Infrastructure Project Manager and GILC, working on special projects, maintaining the WMSA website and attending to the day to day operations of the organization.
Tedd’s professional experience includes holding positions as a Senior Executive Assistant, Facilities Manager, Executive Administrator and Vice President of Operations/Human Resources. He received his certification in Purchasing & Procurement after attending the University of Wisconsin – Madison, School of Business. Additionally, he holds certifications in facilities management, ergonomics and human resources.
Green Infrastructure
Ken Freestone, Project Manager
616-331-6961
Ken came to WMSA as the Interim Green Infrastructure Project Manager in January 2008 and accepted the position of Project Manager in May 2008. He has worked with WMSA in the past, contributing to the Common Framework publication and serving on the Green Infrastructure Leadership Council (GILC). He also has been a consistent contributor to the community of Holland and the broader West Michigan region in leadership roles with environmental organizations, alternative energy projects, the Holland Area Chamber of Commerce and the Holland City Council. He most recently worked as an independent contractor with Whitaker Associates, the AuSable Institute for Environmental Studies and the Holland Area Arts Council.
Wired West Michigan
Phillip A. Rios, Project Manager
616-331-6968
Phil was appointed Project Manager of the WIRED West Michigan initiative in November 2006 with a comprehensive knowledge of the innovation capacity of West Michigan, having most recently helped galvanize community support for the West Michigan Center for the Arts & Technology (WMCAT) as its assistant director. He has been a member of the WIRED West Michigan policy council since the group’s formation in February 2006.
Phil’s leadership experience also includes more than 20 years at Steelcase Inc., where he served in positions of increasing responsibility. His roles included manager of ecommerce products & solutions, manager of supplier diversity & business development and project leader.
He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Michigan State University, a Master’s in Business Management from Aquinas College and currently sits on the ACSET Board of Directors.
His extensive volunteer work in the West Michigan community includes helping found the local chapter of the Project Management Institute and serving on the board of the Community Circle Theatre. Phil was also named Minority Business Advocate of the Year in 2000 by the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce.
David W. Bisbee, Assistant Project Manager
616-331-6957
David joined WIRED West Michigan in July 2007 having spent 28 years working in economic development and real estate finance. During the course of his career, he has prepared and implemented economic development plans for a number of municipalities, corporations and nonprofit agencies spanning 11 states and more than 25 cities and counties, including four-years as city planner/community development director for the City of Kentwood, Michigan.
David holds a Bachelor’s degree from Kalamazoo College and Master’s in Urban Planning from University of Michigan and a Master’s in Real Estate Finance from New York University.
Additionally, Bisbee has spent a number of years in the private sector, serving in various real estate finance capacities for companies such as MetLife and National Bank of New York City.
Maura K. Warren, Project Administrator
616-331-6967
Maura was appointed the position of Project Administrator for WIRED in the fall of 2006. Prior to coming to WMSA, she held the position of General Manager for the catering division of D&W Food Centers – Fresh Thyme Catering.
Her responsibilities encompass the administrative support; coordination and planning of designated project activities for the WIRED core team and WIRED innovation teams to ensure that the goals and objectives are compliant with the specifications of the grant as directed by the Project Manager.
Her professional experience includes over ten years at Steelcase Inc, where she held positions as the Senior Executive Assistant to the President of Steelcase International, International Marketing Assistant and Event Coordinator. She also served as the office manager for an area real estate brokerage.
Carole L. Williams, CPA, Fiscal Agent for WIRED, Grand Valley State University
616-331-2109
Carole serves as the Grand Valley State University Fiscal Agent for the WIRED West Michigan and EPA grants. Her experience base includes ten years of corporate finance with IBM, including, product pricing, financial reporting and audit compliance for IBM federal contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense. She has taught accounting at the college level for ten years. Prior to joining the team, she was an Accounting Instructor at the GVSU Seidman College of Business, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Carole received her Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan, and a Master in Business Administration from Clark Atlanta University, Georgia.
Resource Partners
Think Again
Pam Landes, Chief Thinker
616-396-2698
With a diverse background in television, creativity training and print media, Pam Landes, is the Chief Thinker at Think Again. This firm,established in 1991, provides a variety of consulting services. Pam has been involved in the development of the West Michigan Strategic Alliance since its beginnings. During Phase I, she managed 12 committees and served as writer/editor for The Common Framework in 2002. Most recently, she was the Project Manager for creating regional indicators featured in the West Michigan Vital Signs. A video project, completed in late 2006 for the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council, Into the Watershed,won both a Communicator Award of Distinction and a Silver Telly.
Pam Chairs the Academic Boosters group at Holland High School and has volunteered as an Odyssey of the Mind Coach for many years.
Professional Administrative Resources
Peter Metsker, Julie Metsker, Andrea Marz
616-451-4348
Professional Administrative Resources LLC (PAR), provides a diversified service package to nearly a dozen association and business clients. For each we strive to achieve the right balance between our client's internal capabilities and the customized services that PAR seamlessly provides. This allows our clients to focus on their own core competencies while we do what we do best. The result: a balance that they can take right to the bottom-line.
PAR offers administrative support to WMSA during “crunch” times, as well as event coordination and database management.
Julie Metsker is President of PAR, with over 25-years of experience working with organizations like WMSA.
Peter Metsker is Vice President and CFO. With over 30-years of experience in that role with family owned businesses and small manufacturers, he brings a wealth of knowledge to the all important finance side of WMSA.
Andrea Marz, Accounts Manager for PAR, brings broad project management experience from Hanon McKendry and Plenty Creative and serves as the PAR liaison to WMSA.
PAR’s clients include WMSA as well as the US Green Building Council, West Michigan Chapter, The Ad Club of West Michigan, ACG (Association for Corporate Growth) Western Michigan Chapter, The Alliance for Women Entrepreneurs and the Great Lakes Chapter of the American College
Penning Ink Public Relations
Tim Penning, APR
616-844-2492
Professor Tim Penning, APR teaches courses in public relations. He has worked as a staff writer and editor for Traverse Magazine and Advance Newspapers. Following his career in journalism, Tim was Communication Director for an international mission agency, media relations manager for Grand Valley State University, and Public Relations Director for the Grand Rapids Community Foundation. As a professor, he continues to practice public relations as a consultant with his own business, Penning Ink. He was won several awards for his public relations work and was named "Distinguished Practitioner" by the West Michigan Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America in 2001 and 2005. He is active with the Public Relations Society of America, having served as president of the West Michigan chapter in 2004 and on its board for seven years. He also advises the GVSU student chapter of PRSSA. Tim is a founder and board member of Interchange: The Association for West Michigan Communication Professionals and a member of the Phi Kappa Phi National Honors Society. (B.A., Journalism, Central Michigan University; M.A., Organizational Communication, Western Michigan University, Ph.D. (in progress) in Media and Information Studies at Michigan State University. He writes a blog about advertising and public relations in West Michigan: http://gr-pr.blogspot.com/ (B.A., Journalism, Central Michigan University; M.A., Organizational Communication, Western Michigan University, Ph.D. (in progress) in Media Information Studies at Michigan State University.
Greg Northrup, President
616-356-6060
Greg comes to the WMSA after a long career with CMS Energy/Consumers Energy, headquartered in Jackson, Michigan, where he held the position of Director of Economic Development. In this position he had responsibilities for economic development in regions served by the companies. Its programs were consistently recognized as one of the top ten in the U.S. and internationally, with special recognition for innovative programming focusing on international business attraction and development strategies in Europe, South America, Africa and Asia and redevelopment of urban core cities.
In April 2006, Greg was named President of the West Michigan Strategic Alliance, following a successful repositioning of the organization while he served as the acting President. During his short tenure, the organization has secured grants and contributions totaling over $500,000 and a WIRED grant from the U.S. Department of Labor for $15 million over three-years. Currently, the organization is focusing on the development and use of regional indicators, protection, preservation and management of the region’s natural resources, sustainable manufacturing to include a focus on alternative energy, clean cities and the development of innovation in workforce development designed to ensure the region’s competitive position.
Tedd R. Parsons, Executive Assistant to the President
616-331-7087
Tedd was appointed the position of Executive Assistant to the President in March 2007. He comes to the organization with over ten-years experience in providing executive level management with professional administrative/technical support. His primary responsibilities include providing direct support to the President and Board of Directors, assisting the Green Infrastructure Project Manager and GILC, working on special projects, maintaining the WMSA website and attending to the day to day operations of the organization.
Tedd’s professional experience includes holding positions as a Senior Executive Assistant, Facilities Manager, Executive Administrator and Vice President of Operations/Human Resources. He received his certification in Purchasing & Procurement after attending the University of Wisconsin – Madison, School of Business. Additionally, he holds certifications in facilities management, ergonomics and human resources.
Ken Freestone, Project Manager
616-331-6961
Ken came to WMSA as the Interim Green Infrastructure Project Manager in January 2008 and accepted the position of Project Manager in May 2008. He has worked with WMSA in the past, contributing to the Common Framework publication and serving on the Green Infrastructure Leadership Council (GILC). He also has been a consistent contributor to the community of Holland and the broader West Michigan region in leadership roles with environmental organizations, alternative energy projects, the Holland Area Chamber of Commerce and the Holland City Council. He most recently worked as an independent contractor with Whitaker Associates, the AuSable Institute for Environmental Studies and the Holland Area Arts Council.
Wired West MichiganPhillip A. Rios, Project Manager
616-331-6968
Phil was appointed Project Manager of the WIRED West Michigan initiative in November 2006 with a comprehensive knowledge of the innovation capacity of West Michigan, having most recently helped galvanize community support for the West Michigan Center for the Arts & Technology (WMCAT) as its assistant director. He has been a member of the WIRED West Michigan policy council since the group’s formation in February 2006.
Phil’s leadership experience also includes more than 20 years at Steelcase Inc., where he served in positions of increasing responsibility. His roles included manager of ecommerce products & solutions, manager of supplier diversity & business development and project leader.
He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Michigan State University, a Master’s in Business Management from Aquinas College and currently sits on the ACSET Board of Directors.
His extensive volunteer work in the West Michigan community includes helping found the local chapter of the Project Management Institute and serving on the board of the Community Circle Theatre. Phil was also named Minority Business Advocate of the Year in 2000 by the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce.
David W. Bisbee, Assistant Project Manager
616-331-6957
David joined WIRED West Michigan in July 2007 having spent 28 years working in economic development and real estate finance. During the course of his career, he has prepared and implemented economic development plans for a number of municipalities, corporations and nonprofit agencies spanning 11 states and more than 25 cities and counties, including four-years as city planner/community development director for the City of Kentwood, Michigan.
David holds a Bachelor’s degree from Kalamazoo College and Master’s in Urban Planning from University of Michigan and a Master’s in Real Estate Finance from New York University.
Additionally, Bisbee has spent a number of years in the private sector, serving in various real estate finance capacities for companies such as MetLife and National Bank of New York City.
Maura K. Warren, Project Administrator
616-331-6967
Maura was appointed the position of Project Administrator for WIRED in the fall of 2006. Prior to coming to WMSA, she held the position of General Manager for the catering division of D&W Food Centers – Fresh Thyme Catering.
Her responsibilities encompass the administrative support; coordination and planning of designated project activities for the WIRED core team and WIRED innovation teams to ensure that the goals and objectives are compliant with the specifications of the grant as directed by the Project Manager.
Her professional experience includes over ten years at Steelcase Inc, where she held positions as the Senior Executive Assistant to the President of Steelcase International, International Marketing Assistant and Event Coordinator. She also served as the office manager for an area real estate brokerage.
Carole L. Williams, CPA, Fiscal Agent for WIRED, Grand Valley State University
616-331-2109
Carole serves as the Grand Valley State University Fiscal Agent for the WIRED West Michigan and EPA grants. Her experience base includes ten years of corporate finance with IBM, including, product pricing, financial reporting and audit compliance for IBM federal contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense. She has taught accounting at the college level for ten years. Prior to joining the team, she was an Accounting Instructor at the GVSU Seidman College of Business, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Carole received her Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan, and a Master in Business Administration from Clark Atlanta University, Georgia.
Resource PartnersThink Again
Pam Landes, Chief Thinker
616-396-2698
With a diverse background in television, creativity training and print media, Pam Landes, is the Chief Thinker at Think Again. This firm,established in 1991, provides a variety of consulting services. Pam has been involved in the development of the West Michigan Strategic Alliance since its beginnings. During Phase I, she managed 12 committees and served as writer/editor for The Common Framework in 2002. Most recently, she was the Project Manager for creating regional indicators featured in the West Michigan Vital Signs. A video project, completed in late 2006 for the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council, Into the Watershed,won both a Communicator Award of Distinction and a Silver Telly.
Pam Chairs the Academic Boosters group at Holland High School and has volunteered as an Odyssey of the Mind Coach for many years.
Professional Administrative Resources
Peter Metsker, Julie Metsker, Andrea Marz
616-451-4348
Professional Administrative Resources LLC (PAR), provides a diversified service package to nearly a dozen association and business clients. For each we strive to achieve the right balance between our client's internal capabilities and the customized services that PAR seamlessly provides. This allows our clients to focus on their own core competencies while we do what we do best. The result: a balance that they can take right to the bottom-line.
PAR offers administrative support to WMSA during “crunch” times, as well as event coordination and database management.
Julie Metsker is President of PAR, with over 25-years of experience working with organizations like WMSA.
Peter Metsker is Vice President and CFO. With over 30-years of experience in that role with family owned businesses and small manufacturers, he brings a wealth of knowledge to the all important finance side of WMSA.
Andrea Marz, Accounts Manager for PAR, brings broad project management experience from Hanon McKendry and Plenty Creative and serves as the PAR liaison to WMSA.
PAR’s clients include WMSA as well as the US Green Building Council, West Michigan Chapter, The Ad Club of West Michigan, ACG (Association for Corporate Growth) Western Michigan Chapter, The Alliance for Women Entrepreneurs and the Great Lakes Chapter of the American College
Penning Ink Public Relations
Tim Penning, APR
616-844-2492
Professor Tim Penning, APR teaches courses in public relations. He has worked as a staff writer and editor for Traverse Magazine and Advance Newspapers. Following his career in journalism, Tim was Communication Director for an international mission agency, media relations manager for Grand Valley State University, and Public Relations Director for the Grand Rapids Community Foundation. As a professor, he continues to practice public relations as a consultant with his own business, Penning Ink. He was won several awards for his public relations work and was named "Distinguished Practitioner" by the West Michigan Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America in 2001 and 2005. He is active with the Public Relations Society of America, having served as president of the West Michigan chapter in 2004 and on its board for seven years. He also advises the GVSU student chapter of PRSSA. Tim is a founder and board member of Interchange: The Association for West Michigan Communication Professionals and a member of the Phi Kappa Phi National Honors Society. (B.A., Journalism, Central Michigan University; M.A., Organizational Communication, Western Michigan University, Ph.D. (in progress) in Media and Information Studies at Michigan State University. He writes a blog about advertising and public relations in West Michigan: http://gr-pr.blogspot.com/ (B.A., Journalism, Central Michigan University; M.A., Organizational Communication, Western Michigan University, Ph.D. (in progress) in Media Information Studies at Michigan State University.
Phillip A. Rios, Project Manager
616-331-6968
Phil was appointed Project Manager of the WIRED West Michigan initiative in November 2006 with a comprehensive knowledge of the innovation capacity of West Michigan, having most recently helped galvanize community support for the West Michigan Center for the Arts & Technology (WMCAT) as its assistant director. He has been a member of the WIRED West Michigan policy council since the group’s formation in February 2006.
Phil’s leadership experience also includes more than 20 years at Steelcase Inc., where he served in positions of increasing responsibility. His roles included manager of ecommerce products & solutions, manager of supplier diversity & business development and project leader.
He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Michigan State University, a Master’s in Business Management from Aquinas College and currently sits on the ACSET Board of Directors.
His extensive volunteer work in the West Michigan community includes helping found the local chapter of the Project Management Institute and serving on the board of the Community Circle Theatre. Phil was also named Minority Business Advocate of the Year in 2000 by the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce.
David W. Bisbee, Assistant Project Manager
616-331-6957
David joined WIRED West Michigan in July 2007 having spent 28 years working in economic development and real estate finance. During the course of his career, he has prepared and implemented economic development plans for a number of municipalities, corporations and nonprofit agencies spanning 11 states and more than 25 cities and counties, including four-years as city planner/community development director for the City of Kentwood, Michigan.
David holds a Bachelor’s degree from Kalamazoo College and Master’s in Urban Planning from University of Michigan and a Master’s in Real Estate Finance from New York University.
Additionally, Bisbee has spent a number of years in the private sector, serving in various real estate finance capacities for companies such as MetLife and National Bank of New York City.
Maura K. Warren, Project Administrator
616-331-6967
Maura was appointed the position of Project Administrator for WIRED in the fall of 2006. Prior to coming to WMSA, she held the position of General Manager for the catering division of D&W Food Centers – Fresh Thyme Catering.
Her responsibilities encompass the administrative support; coordination and planning of designated project activities for the WIRED core team and WIRED innovation teams to ensure that the goals and objectives are compliant with the specifications of the grant as directed by the Project Manager.
Her professional experience includes over ten years at Steelcase Inc, where she held positions as the Senior Executive Assistant to the President of Steelcase International, International Marketing Assistant and Event Coordinator. She also served as the office manager for an area real estate brokerage.
Carole L. Williams, CPA, Fiscal Agent for WIRED, Grand Valley State University
616-331-2109
Carole serves as the Grand Valley State University Fiscal Agent for the WIRED West Michigan and EPA grants. Her experience base includes ten years of corporate finance with IBM, including, product pricing, financial reporting and audit compliance for IBM federal contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense. She has taught accounting at the college level for ten years. Prior to joining the team, she was an Accounting Instructor at the GVSU Seidman College of Business, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Carole received her Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan, and a Master in Business Administration from Clark Atlanta University, Georgia.
Think Again
Pam Landes, Chief Thinker
616-396-2698
With a diverse background in television, creativity training and print media, Pam Landes, is the Chief Thinker at Think Again. This firm,established in 1991, provides a variety of consulting services. Pam has been involved in the development of the West Michigan Strategic Alliance since its beginnings. During Phase I, she managed 12 committees and served as writer/editor for The Common Framework in 2002. Most recently, she was the Project Manager for creating regional indicators featured in the West Michigan Vital Signs. A video project, completed in late 2006 for the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council, Into the Watershed,won both a Communicator Award of Distinction and a Silver Telly.
Pam Chairs the Academic Boosters group at Holland High School and has volunteered as an Odyssey of the Mind Coach for many years.
Professional Administrative Resources
Peter Metsker, Julie Metsker, Andrea Marz
616-451-4348
Professional Administrative Resources LLC (PAR), provides a diversified service package to nearly a dozen association and business clients. For each we strive to achieve the right balance between our client's internal capabilities and the customized services that PAR seamlessly provides. This allows our clients to focus on their own core competencies while we do what we do best. The result: a balance that they can take right to the bottom-line.
PAR offers administrative support to WMSA during “crunch” times, as well as event coordination and database management.
Julie Metsker is President of PAR, with over 25-years of experience working with organizations like WMSA.
Peter Metsker is Vice President and CFO. With over 30-years of experience in that role with family owned businesses and small manufacturers, he brings a wealth of knowledge to the all important finance side of WMSA.
Andrea Marz, Accounts Manager for PAR, brings broad project management experience from Hanon McKendry and Plenty Creative and serves as the PAR liaison to WMSA.
PAR’s clients include WMSA as well as the US Green Building Council, West Michigan Chapter, The Ad Club of West Michigan, ACG (Association for Corporate Growth) Western Michigan Chapter, The Alliance for Women Entrepreneurs and the Great Lakes Chapter of the
Penning Ink Public Relations
Tim Penning, APR
616-844-2492
Professor Tim Penning, APR teaches courses in public relations. He has worked as a staff writer and editor for Traverse Magazine and Advance Newspapers. Following his career in journalism, Tim was Communication Director for an international mission agency, media relations manager for Grand Valley State University, and Public Relations Director for the Grand Rapids Community Foundation. As a professor, he continues to practice public relations as a consultant with his own business, Penning Ink. He was won several awards for his public relations work and was named "Distinguished Practitioner" by the West Michigan Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America in 2001 and 2005. He is active with the Public Relations Society of America, having served as president of the West Michigan chapter in 2004 and on its board for seven years. He also advises the GVSU student chapter of PRSSA. Tim is a founder and board member of Interchange: The Association for West Michigan Communication Professionals and a member of the Phi Kappa Phi National Honors Society. (B.A., Journalism, Central Michigan University; M.A., Organizational Communication, Western Michigan University, Ph.D. (in progress) in Media and Information Studies at Michigan State University. He writes a blog about advertising and public relations in West Michigan: http://gr-pr.blogspot.com/ (B.A., Journalism, Central Michigan University; M.A., Organizational Communication, Western Michigan University, Ph.D. (in progress) in Media Information Studies at Michigan State University.