Regional Industries
Technology Council of West Michigan
Striving to foster our region's economic growth through digital technology
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 Steering Committee
Brian Anderson
CEO & Co-Founder, Augusto DigitalJosh Barker
CEO & Managing Partner, City InnovationsKeith Brophy
CEO, Mentavi Health / ADHD OnlineYulia Chiaburu
West Region Leader, Solution Architecture for AWSShawn Crowley
Co-CEO, Atomic ObjectPaul Doyle
Mentor-in-Residence, Grand Valley State UniversityMark Johnson
Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Michigan Software LabsJason Joseph
Chief Digital and Information Officer, Corewell HealthSam Kasgorgis
President and CEO, FusionaryTaryn Kutches
VP of Brand and Business Development, TwisthinkBrian McKeiver
Solution Architect/Co-Owner, BizStreamTim Merkle
Director of Customer & Business Operations, Engineering & Program Management, SteelcaseChad Paalman
CEO & Co-Founder, NuWave Technology PartnersStacy Paul
CEO, Array of EngineersJennifer Wangler
Vice President of Technology, The Right Place, Inc.Technology Council of West Michigan Members
- Tyler Adams, Co-Founder & CEO, CertifID
- Catherine Behrenbrinker, President, Symplicity Communications
- Devon Bleibtrey, Co-Founder & CEO, flockx
- Zachariah Booker, Co-Founder, ADHD Online
- Kuanchin Chen, Director of the Center for Business Analytics, Western Michigan University
- Matt Clarin, General Manager, Hungerford Technologies
- Todd Cowles, Founder, AbsyAI
- Matt Emery, President/Owner, Think Chromatic
- 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
- Greg Hatcher, Founder, White Knight Labs
- Shawn Isenhoff, President, DornerWorks
- John Johnston, Partner, PeopleIT
- Jennifer Jurgens, CEO/Founder, 1 Bold Step
- Andy Kaiser, President, Kaiser IT Group
- Blythe Kazmierczak, CEO, Euzen Connect
- Mike Kennedy, Chief Information Officer, Gordon Food Service
- John Kennedy IV, Chief Technology Officer, Autocam Medical
- Mark Kimball, President/CEO, MOSS
- Chris Koens, President, FlexTal
- Jason Kuipers, President, Mutually Human
- Chip LaFleur, President/CEO, LaFleur Marketing
- Kyle McGregor, Director of Health Innovations, Spartan Innovations
- Dan Mikita, CEO, DevsOperative
- James Mikrut, Founder, Payload CMS
- Tom Miller, President, MindSpring
- Kevin Neuman, Software Development, Ninth Brain
- Chris Nuiver, General Manager, Applied Innovation
- Ricardo O'Neal II, Founder, Kikcit
- Scott Pierce, Sr. Technology and Cybersecurity Solutions Advisor, Sentinel Technologies
- Josh Ralya, Co-Founder/CEO, Ideology
- Wes Richardson, Director of AV Technology Business Unit, CS Erikson
- Michael Scheinman, CEO, CampSpot
- Aaron Schram, CTO, Four Square Ventures
- Matt Simms, CEO, Simms Electronics
- Nate Smith, Founder & COO, Digital Industry Group
- Ashlea Souffrou, President, SxanPro
- Matt Toburen, CEO, Nexus Software Solutions
- Brian Tol, CTO, SpinDance
- Milos Topic, VP and Chief Digital Officer, Grand Valley State University
- Jonathan Tower, Founder, Trailhead Technology Partners
- Chris Tromp, Chief Digital Officer, TiiCKER
- Andy Van Solkema, VP of Digital Strategy and Experience, Vervint
- Garry VonMyhr, Co-Founder, Tech Defenders
- Michael Waldschlager, CEO & President, FusionIT
- Jim Weaver, CEO, GTF Technologies
- Brian Young, Senior Manager Technology Solutions, Rehmann Technology Services
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.
- Maintain a primary facility within the Region, conducting a substantial amount of the company's operations.
- 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.
- Participate in at least three (3) of the four (4) quarterly meetings of the Technology Council.
- Experience Sharing: Participate in activities to share information and experiences of interest and benefit to Members to help fuel the success of Members.
- Collaboration: Participate in activities to support businesses in the Region who are seeking information about digital technology adoption or application.
- Support and participate in the Technology Council's outreach efforts to ultimately raise awareness of the technology industry in the Region.
Membership Agreement
Interested in Joining? Contact Us Today
Jennifer Wangler
Vice President, Technology | Director, Technology Council of West MichiganJennifer 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.
Upcoming Tech Events
All EventsTech Week Grand Rapids 2024
Save the date!
Tech Week Grand Rapids is a multi-day collection of events designed to showcase the region's vibrant tech community. With events ranging from hands-on tech exhibits and panel discussions, to pitch competitions and networking opportunities, there is something for everyone at Tech Week Grand Rapids.
Tech News in Greater Grand Rapids
The Right Place recognized as Top Economic Development Organization in 2024 by Purpose Jobs
The Right Place assists Ludus with Grand Rapids expansion
Digital ticketing sales platform to locate HQ in Greater Grand Rapids area
Navigating the Future: A Deep Dive into Mobility and Michigan's Tech Ecosystem
The Tech Council recently set the stage for an insightful discussion on mobility.