Talented, Successful, Passionate Leadership.

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.”

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!”

RACHEL MRAZ | Co-Chair Next Generation Peer Group, Immediate Past 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.

BRENT VAN HAREN

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!

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.

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.

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.