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Family Business Alliance Ambassadors are volunteers for FBA who are committed to helping members get the most out of their membership. They are all individuals who have been very involved with the organization and have used resources and programs to help strengthen their businesses and families. Ambassadors are available as a resource to our members for any questions they may have from a member’s perspective. 

Matt Maczka is one of FBA’s committed ambassadors serving the family business community on his own time. Get to know Matt with his answers to our questionnaire below.

How did you first get involved in FBA?

I had been invited to a handful of events as a guest and really found the content to be very informative.  I also wanted to participate in the Now Gen peer group which was great.

Why is FBA important to you?

The FBA is important to me because there are so many family businesses in West Michigan that all share the same opportunities, issues and areas for growth.  Its is nice to have resources and others to share with and learn from.

What has been your favorite FBA event or activity?

The peer group has been my favorite activity and has the potential for the largest impact for members.

Why do you think family businesses are important to West Michigan?

Family businesses are a vital part of the community as employers who all share in the common goal great places to work first and foremost.  They also provide resources for so many philanthropic endeavors of the area and community investments.

What are some of your favorite hobbies?

I enjoy playing and coaching sports for my 4 children as well as golfing, hunting and fishing.

Family Business Alliance Ambassadors are volunteers for FBA who are committed to helping members get the most out of their membership. They are all individuals who have been very involved with the organization and have used resources and programs to help strengthen their businesses and families. Ambassadors are available as a resource to our members for any questions they may have from a member’s perspective. 

Mitchell Rasch is one of FBA’s committed ambassadors serving the family business community on his own time. Get to know Mitchell with his answers to our questionnaire below.

How did you first get involved in FBA?

A family friend and FBA member highly recommended joining. Since then, I have attended multiple FBA events and joined a peer group.

Why is FBA important to you?

Coming into a family business can be intimidating. The pressure is on to maintain the family business. Every family business has its own unique strengths and challenges. FBA provides a great learning environment that allows members to discuss their own goals and challenges both professionally and personally. I am a believer that an individual is a lot of who they surround themselves with. Being a part of FBA has given me the opportunity to get to know other likeminded next generation family business owners. The peer groups and events are excellent for networking, exchanging ideas and sharing the inner challenges that every family business faces.

What has been your favorite FBA event or activity?

The CEO Summit in 2023 with the panel on Family Business. The speakers were top tier and the knowledge that was shared was priceless.

Why do you think family businesses are important to West Michigan?

Family businesses are the backbone of the US economy and West Michigan. Entrepreneurship gives individuals the opportunity to make an impact and give back to society for the better.

What are some of your favorite hobbies?

Traveling, golf, hiking, family time and water sports.

Family Business Alliance Ambassadors are volunteers for FBA who are committed to helping members get the most out of their membership. They are all individuals who have been very involved with the organization and have used resources and programs to help strengthen their businesses and families. Ambassadors are available as a resource to our members for any questions they may have from a member’s perspective. 

Spencer Welsh is one of FBA’s committed ambassadors serving the family business community on his own time. Get to know Spencer with his answers to our questionnaire below.

How did you first get involved in FBA?

We have been platinum underwriters for FBA since 2018 and produce the FBA podcast through our
network, The Welsh Wire. When I joined the firm in 2019, We officially became a family business and also became members of FBA.

Why is FBA important to you?

FBA creates a community of people in similar seasons of life and gives them a safe place to learn, collaborate, grow, and counsel together. Being able to discuss the unique challenges and dynamics of a family business with other family businesses, provides a perspective that you can’t get anywhere else. FBA provides family businesses with the resources and encouragement necessary to ensure success for generations to come.

What has been your favorite FBA event or activity?

Joining a peer group is strongly recommended. The peer group allows you to develop deep relationships with leaders and future leaders of family businesses. In the peer group, you navigate the relational and business aspects of a family business.

Why do you think family businesses are important to West Michigan?

Family businesses play a huge role in economic impact, community engagement, longevity, and innovation in West Michigan. These businesses are major drivers of economic growth, supporting local suppliers and other businesses while reinvesting profits into the community. Family businesses take a long-term perspective focusing on sustainable growth contributing to economic resilience in the region. We are continually innovating and adapting to keep our region strong.

What are some of your favorite hobbies?

My hobbies include golf, reading, almost any sport, and exploring the outdoors.

Family Business Alliance Ambassadors are volunteers for FBA who are committed to helping members get the most out of their membership. They are all individuals who have been very involved with the organization and have used resources and programs to help strengthen their businesses and families. Ambassadors are available as a resource to our members for any questions they may have from a member’s perspective. 

Tom Duisterhof is one of FBA’s committed ambassadors serving the family business community on her own time. Get to know Tom with his answers to our questionnaire below.

How did you first get involved in FBA?

I found out about the FBA many years ago via the GR Chamber and another family owned business making the recommendation.

Why is FBA important to you?

The FBA has helped us as a company with contacts both in other family owned businesses as well as associate members that help with issues as they arise. The main reason I tell folks about the FBA is that regardless of industry and size, the issues with Family in a business makes for different challenges than a non-family owned business and each of us are not an “island”. We can talk to others
formally or informally and get support, ideas and feedback.

What has been your favorite FBA event or activity?

I enjoy all the meetings and especially the more fun activities like the golf outing, the sporting clay shoot and the networking opportunities. Again, when issues arise and we can reach out and realize others have experienced something we are going through it feels great to have the support and input.

Why do you think family businesses are important to West Michigan?

Where does one start? As a recent FBA presentation made us aware of, family owned businesses account for 59% of the GDP. We employ 51% of all those employed in the USA. We provide a huge amount of local support to the communities we live and work. We strengthen the moral fiber of the country. We
are quick to respond to needs and changes that occur in our communities and customers.

Family Business Alliance Ambassadors are volunteers for FBA who are committed to helping members get the most out of their membership. They are all individuals who have been very involved with the organization and have used resources and programs to help strengthen their businesses and families. Ambassadors are available as a resource to our members for any questions they may have from a member’s perspective. 

Melissa Miller is one of FBA’s committed ambassadors serving the family business community on her own time. Get to know Melissa with his answers to our questionnaire below.

How did you first get involved in FBA?

I loved launching new FBA peer groups. FBA’s peer groups are invaluable, so it was exciting to witness a new group of family business leaders engage and benefit from FBA’s peer groups.

Our family business, Grand Rapids Chair Co., has been a member of FBA for many years and my husband, Geoff, greatly benefited from participating in a NextGen peer group at the start of his career. I personally became involved in FBA more recently when I began working as FBA’s Membership Coordinator 4 years ago.

Why is FBA important to you?

I have witnessed first hand the incredible support and impact that FBA has on family businesses. The peer support and education was crucial in aiding a smooth transition from first generation leadership to second generation leadership at GR Chair.

What has been your favorite FBA event or activity?

I loved launching new FBA peer groups. FBA’s peer groups are invaluable, so it was exciting to witness a new group of family business leaders engage and benefit from FBA’s peer groups.

Our family business, Grand Rapids Chair Co., has been a member of FBA for many years and my husband, Geoff, greatly benefited from participating in a NextGen peer group at the start of his career. I personally became involved in FBA more recently when I began working as FBA’s Membership Coordinator 4 years ago.

Why do you think family businesses are important to West Michigan?

The culture of family businesses is second to none. Family businesses give back to the community via philanthropy, are loyal and committed to their employees, and are the backbone of our local economy.

Family Business Alliance Ambassadors are volunteers for FBA who are committed to helping members get the most out of their membership. They are all individuals who have been very involved with the organization and have used resources and programs to help strengthen their businesses and families. Ambassadors are available as a resource to our members for any questions they may have from a member’s perspective. 

Mark Kimball is one of FBA’s committed ambassadors serving the family business community on his own time. Get to know Mark with his answers to our questionnaire below.

How did you first get involved in FBA?

I first got involved in 2019.

Why is FBA important to you?

It has been a lifelong goal to be an owner of a family business.

What has been your favorite FBA event or activity?

Being recognized as the Epic award winner for Family Business of the Year in 2022.

Why do you think family businesses are important to West Michigan?

Family businesses have deep roots in their communities, making close and long-term relationships with all stakeholders possible and important.  Eastern Floral was founded over 70 years ago by Frank & Esther DeVos who had a deep commitment to the West Michigan community and that tradition continues with our family. We are committed to our amazing staff, to our new and returning customers, and we are committed to partnering with and supporting other businesses and organizations that also make a difference in our community.

What are some of your favorite hobbies?

Golf.

Some fun facts about Mark:

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Butter Pecan

Favorite GR Restaurant: Red Hot Inn when it was open!

Favorite TV Show or Movie: Yellowstone

Family Business Alliance Ambassadors are volunteers for FBA who are committed to helping members get the most out of their membership. They are all individuals who have been very involved with the organization and have used resources and programs to help strengthen their businesses and families. Ambassadors are available as a resource to our members for any questions they may have from a member’s perspective.

Hugh Ingalls is one of FBA’s committed ambassadors serving the family business community on his own time. Get to know Hugh with his answers to our questionnaire below.

How did you first get involved in FBA?

I was looking for a network of folks who understood what it truly meant to work and grow a business with family and thankfully I was exposed to FBA by being a member of the GR Chamber of Commerce!

Why is FBA important to you?

It is important to me because it’s a central hub of people and information that make West Michigan a great place to work, live, and play.

What has been your favorite FBA event?

Any event where we hear stories of how family businesses have continued to grow and scale at or greater than the initial vision.

Why do you think family businesses are important to West Michigan?

They represent what stitches our country together and what a business means to a community in organizing people (family) around a purpose.

What is your favorite (non-work related!) hobby?

Playing Sunday night beer league hockey!

Tell us some fun facts about yourself

Favorite ice cream flavor: Cookie dough all the way.

Favorite Grand Rapids restaurant: Butchers Union

Favorite TV show/movie: Succession

Favorite book: Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill

Family Business Alliance Ambassadors are volunteers for FBA who are committed to helping members get the most out of their membership. They are all individuals who have been very involved with the organization and have used resources and programs to help strengthen their businesses and families. Ambassadors are available as a resource to our members for any questions they may have from a member’s perspective. 

Alex Richert is one of FBA’s committed ambassadors serving the family business community on his own time. Get to know Alex with his answers to our questionnaire below.

How did you first get involved in FBA?

My first involvement with FBA was when my mom asked if I would learn more about joining a peer group in early 2020. I attended the virtual Peer Group training (just a few months after COVID first hit) and was blown away by how quickly I got to know several other Next-Gen business leaders who also work in their family business. My involvement grew from there as I learned more about the opportunities available within the FBA for learning, development, and networking.

Why is FBA important to you?

Our family business (like many others) has unique strengths and challenges operating a business together with family and non-family member leadership. I saw FBA as an organization that would allows us to connect and learn from other Family Businesses who have experienced all of those same challenges. I believe in the first year of our FBA involvement our family business was able to experience internal growth and development that would have taken 3-5 years without the insight we gained from being so connected to other family owned and operated businesses.

What has been your favorite FBA event?

The annual FBA event at the Amway Grand in 2021 was a great experience and my first in-person opportunity to meet other FBA members outside of my Peer Group.

Why do you think family businesses are important to West Michigan?

There are all the obvious reasons such as how family businesses makeup over half of the total employment in the state, they regularly take better care of their employees, and they are huge contributors to our thriving economy in West Michigan. One of the less known or thought of reasons Family Businesses are good for West Michigan is when the business gets handed down or transitioned to the next generation. During this transition I have seen successful family businesses transition not only their operations to the next generation but also their hard working, innovative, and charitable values as well. I’ve seen these strong, positive values adopted by not only the Next-Gen family leaders but also in the employees as well.

What is your favorite (non-work related!) hobby?

The yearly hunting trip to Montana and my wife and I love to take our family on a vacation each quarter

Tell us some fun facts about yourself

Favorite ice cream flavor: Eskimo Kisses from our local House of Flavors in Ludington, MI

Favorite Grand Rapids restaurant: The HopCat!

Favorite TV show/movie: Band of Brothers

Favorite book: The Millionaire Nextdoor by Thomas Stanley

Family Business Alliance Ambassadors are volunteers for FBA who are committed to helping members get the most out of their membership. They are all individuals who have been very involved with the organization and have used resources and programs to help strengthen their businesses and families. Ambassadors are available as a resource to our members for any questions they may have from a member’s perspective. 

Elyse Arsulowicz is one of FBA’s committed ambassadors serving the family business community on her own time. Get to know Elyse with her answers to our questionnaire below.

How did you first get involved in FBA?

Very unknowingly! Our Director of Finance sent me a link and said he thought it would be a good opportunity for me to join a peer group, I wasn’t sure what it was or what it entailed but I signed up to attend the Peer Group Recruitment dinner and the rest is history!

Why is FBA important to you?

FBA has provided me not only a safe space (Peer Group) to openly discuss issues, challenges, success, etc of working in a family business, but resources to help better myself, our company, and our community. The networking opportunities, the relationships, and the lifelong friendships that I have made within FBA is truly invaluable.

What has been your favorite FBA event or activity?

The Peer Group experience has exceeded my expectations exponentially. I also always find value in all the events; the time and effort to seek out each speaker, series, or roundtable is apparent. I always enjoy the events that are held at different member’s locations – it’s such a fun way to learn more about your fellow FBA members and to learn more about local businesses.

Why do you think family businesses are important to West Michigan?

Family Businesses are the foundation of West Michigan! From small, two-person businesses to large, multi-million-dollar companies – they are everywhere! We are such a huge driver of our local economy and what makes WM so amazing! The comradery and the support for one another is an amazing thing to be apart of.

What are some of your favorite hobbies?

Spending time with my family and friends while enjoying good food & drinks and traveling!

Some fun facts about Elyse:

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Rum Raisin

Favorite GR Restaurant: – I absolutely cannot name just one! See above favorite hobby!

Favorite TV Show or Movie: Game of Thrones or Schitt’s Creek

Favorite book:  Pillars of the Earth or anything Stephen King

Family Business Alliance Ambassadors are volunteers for FBA who are committed to helping members get the most out of their membership. They are all individuals who have been very involved with the organization and have used resources and programs to help strengthen their businesses and families. Ambassadors are available as a resource to our members for any questions they may have from a member’s perspective. 

Shannon Doyle-Heads is one of FBA’s committed ambassadors serving the family business community on her own time. Get to know Shannon with her answers to our questionnaire below.

How did you first get involved in FBA?

A friend of mine who is also in a family business was telling me about the program and how much he got out of the peer group and when I looked into they were starting a new one so I jumped in.

Why is FBA important to you?

FBA gives me a space to talk with people who understand where I am coming from and aren’t in my family.  The people in the program want everyone to succeed and the whole focus is to be supportive and help those around you win.  I want to help to push that forward.

What has been your favorite FBA event or activity?

I find the peer group meetings consistently provide a great service, and using FBA’s resources to find new people/experts to come talk to our group enhances the experience exponentially.

Why do you think family businesses are important to West Michigan?

West Michigan is such a tight community and the backbone of that is family business.  When you can leverage the type of generational knowledge that our area has and allow a safe space to talk about successes and failures within a family business that makes us all better and continues to improve our slice of the world.

What are some of your favorite hobbies?

Walking our dogs or going to the lake.

Some fun facts about Shannon:

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Mint Chocolate Chip

Favorite GR Restaurant: Speak EZ

Favorite TV Show or Movie: The Princess Bride

Favorite book: The Alchemist