President

Steve Chappell is a hardened veteran of the marketing world.  He has spent 11 years managing a marketing agency, Media Star Promotions--a firm that helps Fortune 500 companies launch new product lines. Specializing in data analysis, Steve uses his keen intellect and eye for detail to identify marketing trends and lay the groundwork for strategic planning in response to those trends. Steve graduated from Grand Valley with a degree in Finance and Management. Since then, he continues to feed his curiosity by reading the latest books in science, psychology, economics, and business. Steve volunteers at the GRIN because he is passionate about innovation and is addicted to problem-solving. He believes that there is nothing better than solving problems, especially if it betters the community.

Board Member

Leandra Williams is the Owner of Stingray Advisory Group LLC (www.stingrayadvisorygroup.com), a company specializing in creating strategies for business growth, as well as the Co-Owner of Gold Leaf Designs LLC (www.goldleafdesignsllc.com), a graphic design firm. Prior to launching these companies, Leandra worked in banking and finance for over 8 years. She assists business owners, entrepreneurs and inventors with strategic planning, marketing, financial review and risk management solutions. Some of the main focus areas of her companies are: website development, social media management & creating digital and print marketing materials. As a business owner, Leandra is passionate about helping others take a solid idea and shape it into a successful business venture. Leandra holds a BBA and an MBA from Davenport University.

Board Member

Dennis is the owner of Nexdor LLC, a company that specializes in micro direct mail marketing. Nexdor is a "Software as a Service" (SaaS) company that provides the tools to create, manage and execute micro marketing campaigns. Nexdor localizes marketing efforts for national companies that have multiple to thousands of locations. Dennis is also the owner of Bagger-Parts, a manufacture of niche products for the Harley Davidson touring motorcycle market. He has invented six products that are sold online, through distributors, and through several motorcycle parts catalogs.  The success of his businesses is the result of his ability to focus on specific customer identification and market to those individuals. Dennis has a BS in Printing Management and Digital Imaging Technology from Ferris State University.

Board Member

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Board Member

Casey began his career working with his family in the automotive industry here in Michigan. In the mid-90's he moved to California and refocused his career on computer systems. While working for two Silicon Valley based companies he gained experience with computer hardware components (memory) and network infrastructure (broadband networking and integration). In 2000, he returned to Michigan and began consulting companies on server and network deployments and more recently on the re-architecture of a touch-screen based kiosk. Casey is very active with GR Makers and has also generously participated in the local tech community as an organizer for the Grand Rapids Linux Users Group, Start-up Weekend, board member of Software GR, GiveCamp, GRR Con, Barcamp, GR Dev Day, and the Great Lakes Software Excellence Conference. Casey is also the father of three and a music fan along with his wife, Veronica.