Talented, Successful, Passionate Leadership.
Some of the most talented and well-respected family business leaders in West Michigan serve on the FBA Board. We benefit from their expertise – and so will you.
Board Members
BRENT VAN HAREN | FBA Chair
President, SecurAlarm Systems, Inc
Brent joined SecurAlarm in 2006 after attending Tufts University for an undergraduate degree and later Marquette University, where he pursued his Master’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering. Brent began his career with the company as a Project Manager where he was first exposed to what it feels like to work alongside an amazing team of people who are masters in their crafts. Shortly thereafter, he transitioned to Manager of Engineering where he learned how to improve standards and processes. During his own journey of learning and self-discovery, he began to truly understand the power of serving others in ways that are meaningful to them. Today as the Chief Operating Officer, Brent has the honor of helping to grow SecurAlarm’s team and shape their culture as they pursue their reason for existence as a company: We Care, So We Protect. Brent has a true passion for people and unlocking lasting happiness through personal growth. Outside of work, Brent will be found with his amazing wife Stacey and their growing family of girls!
BILL MUIR | Immediate Past Chair
President, Grand Rapids Label Company
The Grand Rapids Label Company was founded in the late 19th century and has remained a family business ever since, with Bill Muir serving as the fourth-generation President. Bill leads the company of 70 employees, which includes 2 cousins. Muir family members are encouraged to join and “get their hands dirty” for their first jobs. He has been involved with FBA since 2007.
TIM SCHAD | FBA Treasurer
Chairman, Nucraft Furniture Company
Tim Schad is Chairman of Nucraft Furniture Company and the 3rd generation of his family to serve the company. From 1980 to 2015, he served in several positions at Nucraft including President or CEO from 1985 to 2015. His sons Matt and Brandon are the fourth generation of the Schad family to serve Nucraft. Tim graduated from Creston High School in 1966 and then from Dartmouth College in 1970 and Harvard Business School in 1977. Before joining Nucraft, Tim worked for Steelcase and General Motors in Computers Systems, Environmental Activities, and Finance. Tim also served as CFO and Vice President at Grand Valley State University for 5 years from 2001 to 2006. Tim has served on many family business boards, public company boards, and non-profit organization boards. He has been married to Cindy Schad since 1970 – they have two children (Matt & Brandon) and two grandchildren (Abby and Nico).
“Strong Family Businesses are good for the community as family business leaders become community leaders.”
RACHEL MRAZ | Co-Chair
Senior VP & Wealth Management Advisor, The DeVries, Freeburg & Mraz Group
Rachel works with individuals, foundations, and retirement plans to define their financial goals and implement appropriate investment strategies. Rachel uses an ongoing process that includes goal setting, determining asset allocation, implementing strategies, and reviewing performance. Rachel graduated from Cornell University with honors and a concentration in Securities Analysis and Portfolio Management. She returned to Michigan in 2003 to join Merrill Lynch and the Grand Rapids based wealth management team founded by her mother, Eileen DeVries. Having a passion for philanthropy, Rachel currently serves on the boards for the YWCA of West Central Michigan, Equest Center for Therapeutic Riding, Saint Mary’s Doran Foundation, Davenport University Foundation and the Family Business Alliance. She is working on several initiatives to inspire the next generation of philanthropists to get involved and serves on a national speakers bureau focusing on the next generation topic.
BRUCE YOUNG | FBA Secretary
Secretary, Behler-Young and Partner, Warner Norcross & Judd LLP
Bruce C. Young is a third generation shareholder of The Behler-Young Company, where he serves on the Board of Directors and as Secretary. Behler-Young, a family-owned business since 1926, is Michigan’s leading wholesale distributor of HVAC/R equipment. Bruce’s day job is as a partner with Warner Norcross & Judd LLP where he has been serving as a trusted advisor to family-owned businesses and family offices for more than 30 years.
“As a lifelong resident of West Michigan, I appreciate the huge contribution of our many family-owned businesses in making West Michigan the unique community that we enjoy. I love that my participation in the Family Business Alliance helps support family-owned businesses continuing for future generations.”
MIKE FETTIG
President, Fettig
Fettig is a Staffing and Recruitment firm that has been serving West Michigan for over 10 years. Mike Fettig serves his family owned firm as President and believes that having healthy family relationships inside the company has been a key to its success. He has been involved with the FBA since 2009.
“The FBA is an important resource to the business community because it provides great ideas and tools to help your family business succeed and aligns you with people in similar situations to get you support, encouragement and ideas to take you to the next level or get you through the storms!”
WIN IRWIN
Chairman & CEO, Irwin Seating Company
“Earle S ‘Win’ Irwin’ is Chair of the Board of Directors of Irwin Seating Company, a 110-year-old manufacturer of public seating for movie theatres, stadiums, schools, Performing Arts Centers, and arenas. He served 31 years as CEO of the company and has been with the company since 1975. He serves the West Michigan community as a board member of Opera Grand Rapids, Talent 2025, Literacy Center of West Michigan, and Community Rebuilders. He is passionate that ‘Family Businesses are Better.’ Irwin Seating Company is now lead by its 4th generation.
RICK BAKER
President & CEO, Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
Rick is President/CEO of the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, a 2,400-member business organization that is actively engaged in developing strong leaders, a diverse workforce, and a business environment that fosters economic prosperity. Under his leadership, the Chamber has established a strategic plan with a vision for the Grand Rapids region to be a dynamic, nationally recognized, top-of-mind community. Rick began his career in chamber of commerce management in 1988 and is a passionate advocate for business.
“The concentration of multigenerational family owned businesses contributes to the unique, dynamic characteristic of the West Michigan business community. The Grand Rapids Chamber has a long history of supporting programming that meets the needs of our family businesses’ within our region. Having been raised in a family business, I have personal passion to serve and represent the interests of the businesses who contribute to our diverse economy.”
TODD CUSTER
President & COO, Custer
Todd Custer is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Custer, Inc. in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As a second-generation owner with his brothers, Todd oversees the daily operations of the company and its subsidiaries, Century Floor Space and C&S Electric Service. Custer employs 120 people and has offices in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Traverse City. Todd has been a part of the Family Business Alliance since 2007.
“As we have transitioned Custer from its first to second generation of leadership, the FBA has been pivotal in providing the right resources, research, and expertise to ensure our success. We’re committed to giving back to the other family businesses in West Michigan through the Family Business Alliance.”
ANA GONZALEZ
Ana Gonzalez is the Director of the Family Owned Business Institute (FOBI), and academic center at the Seidman College Business dedicated to champion and serve family businesses through scholarship, education and advocacy. She is also Assistant Professor at the Management Department at Grand Valley State University. Ana Holds a Ph.D. in Management from Tulane University in New Orleans, U.S.A, has M.Sc. in Economics and an Bachelor degree in Industrial Engineering from Universidad de los Andes in Bogota, Colombia. Her research interests include entrepreneurship, corporate governance and social responsibility in family businesses. Ana has been a member of the STEP Project for Family Enterprising since 2006, a Global research initiative about entrepreneurship in family businesses.
JOHN MULDER
Chief Operating Officer, Master Finish Co.
John Mulder is a third generation family business owner. John is passionate about providing high quality decorative finishes on metal parts. As President of Master Finish Company, John leads the technical sales and marketing efforts and is responsible for the great experience of clients working with Master Finish.
John serves in many non-profit roles including: President for the Michigan Chapter NASF, board member for AIAG’s CQI-11 automotive plating board, as a board member for the FBA, and as a member of the first impressions team at Journey Church. His educational background in Industrial Engineering, where he graduated Cum Laude from Western Michigan University. John enjoyed gaining 10 years of work experience at other companies before joining the family business in 2010. John is married and has three wonderful daughters. The family loves boating, swimming and spending time with extended family on vacations.
DAVE STRAW
COO, Skytron
Dave is the COO of Skytron, located in Grand Rapids. Skytron is a global medical capital equipment suppliers. Skytron is a second generation company owned by the Mehney family and led by Dave Mehney. Dave has built a career in leadership positions with a number of privately held, family owned companies, often as they transitioned from one generation of family leadership to another, providing valuable experience to understanding many of the unique challenges that face family owned businesses. Dave currently serves as a moderator of a Next Generation peer to peer group, and has been involved with the Family Business Alliance and the Next Generation groups for 7 years.
RANDALL S. BOSS
Partner/Owner and Certified Risk Architect at Ottawa Kent Insurance.
Randy is a Partner and Certified Risk Architect at Ottawa Kent, where he has been at for 36 years. In that time, he earned many designations. Along with managing his own accounts, Randy oversees sales management and training for 10 Risk Advisors at Ottawa Kent. Randy is the cofounder of WellSafe Coaches, a wellness provider for employers that has completed over 10,000 health risk assessments at 90% participation without required incentives. He is also the founder of Employers for Better Health & Safety, a non-profit source for worksite health, safety and wellness programs. He is the Director of Benefits Risk Management for the Beyond Insurance Global Network, and co-founder of EmergeApps, a software company he launched with his sons, Josh and Dustin. A past president of the Association of Human Resource Management, Randy is also on the Board of Directors of West Michigan Works and ABC Contractors of West Michigan. He serves on the program committee for FBA and is a Next Gen Group facilitator. Considered an expert within the insurance industry, Randy has authored numerous articles on Risk Management in insurance and trade publications nationwide. Randy and his wife, Debi, have three children and seven grandchildren, which inspired him to write a children’s book. He enjoys travel, running and riding his Harley – with a helmet of course.
DANTE VILLARREAL
Vice President of Business Services/Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce
Dante Villarreal is the Vice President for Business Services at the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce. Prior to this, Dante was the Regional Director for the Michigan Small Business Development Center at Grand Valley State University. His work with the business community allows him to assist entrepreneurs in navigating the startup process and ecosystem. Under these responsibilities, Dante works with individuals in developing a winning business model and sustainable growth plan. Dante holds a Bachelor Degree in International Business and a Master of Business Administration from Grand Valley State University. Dante is active in his community and serves on several boards and organizations including Family Business Alliance.
Todd Van Haren
Controller, SecurAlarm Systems
Todd Van Haren serves his team at SecurAlarm Systems as Controller, managing the Accounting, HR and Purchasing departments. He feels blessed to work alongside Pat, his dad and one of SecurAlarm’s founders, and Brent, his brother and President. SecurAlarm is a second-generation family business based in Grand Rapids, MI. The team at SecurAlarm is comprised of experts in the commercial security industry providing custom solutions built to minimize client’s security risk or exposure. Todd works with several LLC’s as Treasurer, serves on the Financial Committee for 3:11 Youth Housing and is Treasurer for the FBA. He went to Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI, worked in public accounting in Chicago and now lives in Grand Rapids with his incredible wife, Ali and wonderful son, Welles.
STAFF
DIANA SCHAD
Director
Diana joins the FBA staff after years of involvement through Nucraft, a Grand Rapids fourth generation family-owned office furniture company. She has been actively involved in the community as a volunteer for East Grand Rapids Schools and Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities, and as a former EGR City Commissioner. She is a graduate of Rice University and Wake Forest School of Law, and practiced law in Washington, DC before moving here. She lives with her husband Matt, daughter Abby, and two dogs, and enjoys yoga, cooking and travel.
MARCI (SCHAFER) LEVERING
Assistant Director
Marci Levering has worked with Family Business Alliance (FBA) since 2014 and currently serves as the Assistant Director. She has found a home with the family business community of West Michigan. She has work for member organizations such as World Wild Life Fund and Conservation International. Marci brings her experience from the nonprofit industry as well as working in family businesses to FBA. Outside of work, Marci actively volunteers in her community. She serves as a catechist for her church and has served as fundraising chair for her son’s high school PTO. Marci has three sons; Joey (Machally) Schafer, who serves in the U.S. Army, and Tyler Levering and Ryan Levering, who both work in the auto industry. Marci lives in Lake Odessa with her husband, Jim Levering.
HALEY BRAUN
Program Coordinator
Haley enjoys exploring the local businesses that make Michigan a unique place to live and grow and with this comes a special passion for the Family Business community of Michigan. Haley joined the Family Business Alliance team in March of 2018 as the administrative assistant. Haley has a background of working in the community and has liked connecting with people frequently in her professional positions. Haley graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Public and Nonprofit Administration with an emphasis in Nonprofit Management. Haley grew up in Ionia with her two brothers and parents. She now lives in Grand Rapids with friends right in the heart of the city.
