ABOUT US

West Michigan's Business Advantage

Focus

Founded in 2003 by business and community leaders, Lakeshore Advantage is a non-profit economic development organization that connects businesses to the resources they need to grow in Allegan and Ottawa Counties. We accomplish this by working to:


Core Values

People who interact with Lakeshore Advantage can expect to experience our team's core values. Our core values define how we deliver services to employers, partners and each other. They are:


 


Our WhyMap_Ottawa-Allegan3-01.png

Ensuring current and future generations want to live and work in our vibrant economy.

We Serve

Supporting primary employers*, from start-ups to grown ups. 
*A primary employer grows our region’s Gross Regional Product (GRP).

Our Services

We offer traditional economic development services, including site location and business expansion assistance. 

We work with company leaders to maintain a robust business base and help them to tackle challenges to growth. Data drives our work, and we meet with plant managers and business leaders to understand and help fulfill immediate needs for them to succeed in our region. 
 
We work with entrepreneurs through SURGE, our virtual commercialization program and startup support community, to foster growth of tomorrow’s primary employers.  

Our Target Market

  1. Growth minded entrepreneurs, business leaders and decision makers at current or future primary employers who:
    • See obstacles and opportunities for growth
    • Are willing to ask for help
    • Located in or considering location in Ottawa and/or Allegan Counties 
  2. Investors that support our primary employers.

Our 10-Year Target

By 2030: We will be ranking at or above our comparative communities for Median Household Income, Average Annual Pay and Total Employment Growth, and at or above the national average for Education Attainment.

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What Makes Us "Lakeshore Advantage"

  1. Driven by unique primary research and utilize secondary data to benchmark our region’s competitiveness
  2. Act as a member of a current or future primary employer’s team to tackle challenges and assist with growth opportunities.
  3. Cultivate ideas between public, private and non-profit sectors to position our community for growth. 
  4. Sharing the region’s business value proposition & provide thought leadership to the broader community.

Our Team

Our small but mighty team is here to assist you.

Name Phone Email Expertise
For general Inquiries For general Inquiriesor if you're not sure who to contact 616-772-5226 info@lakeshoreadvantage.com
Katie DeGroff Katie DeGroff Office Manager 616-772-5226 ext. 211 Katie.degroff@lakeshoreadvantage.com Leading on facilities and responsibilities over staffing and general operations
Sophie Whiteman Sophie WhitemanOffice Coordinator 616.772.5226 ext. 204 Sophie.Whiteman@lakeshoreadvantage.com
Angela Huesman Angela Huesman Chief Operating Officer 616.772.5226 ext. 209 angela.huesman@lakeshoreadvantage.com Implements strategies, manages day to day operations
Grace Maiullo Grace Maiullo Communications & Events Manager 616-772-5226 ext. 203 grace.maiullo@lakeshoreadvantage.com Leading on communications and logistics lead for all internal and external events
Beth Blanton Beth Blanton Vice President of Engagement 616.772.5226 ext. 205 beth.blanton@lakeshoreadvantage.com Investor relations and engagement and external events
Jacque Edwards Jacque Edwards Brand Marketing Manager 616-772-5226 ext. 217 jacque.edwards@lakeshoreadvantage.com Marketing and graphic design support
Amanda Cooper Amanda Cooper Vice President of Strategic Initiatives 616-772-5226 ext. 202 Amanda.cooper@lakeshoreadvantage.com Leads on projects that involve partners who support business growth in our community
Amanda Murray Amanda Murray Vice President of Business Solutions 616.772.5226 ext. 302 amanda.murray@lakeshoreadvantage.com Business attraction and expansion; commercial/industrial real estate relationships
Amanda Chocko Amanda Chocko Director of Entrepreneurship 616.772.5226 ext. 206 amanda.chocko@lakeshoreadvantage.com Entrepreneurial support team lead
Greg King Greg King Senior Business Solutions Manager 616.772.5226 ext. 201 greg.king@lakeshoreadvantage.com Business retention and local tax abatements
Rebekah deVries Rebekah deVries Project Manager 616.772.5226 ext. 215 rebekah.devries@lakeshoreadvantage.com Management, analysis, and reporting of data
Joe Pierce Joe Pierce Grant Specialist 616.772.5226 ext. 220 joe.pierce@lakeshoreadvantage.com Identify, evaluate, prepare, and implement grant applications
Jennifer Owens Jennifer Owens President 616.772.5226 ext. 304 jennifer.owens@lakeshoreadvantage.com Vision and strategy setting for the organization

Board of Directors

Our overall strategic policy is directed by a 20-member board of directors composed primarily of private sector business leaders.

Neil Boehm

Neil Boehm

- Chair

Gentex
Scott Brooks

Scott Brooks

- Past Chair Chair

Brooks Capital Management
Jeff Stutz

Jeff Stutz

- Vice Chair

MillerKnoll
Jennifer Remondino

Jennifer Remondino

- Treasurer

Warner Norcross + Judd
Mark Schmidt

Mark Schmidt

- Secretary

BizStream
Holly Johnson

Holly Johnson

Frey Foundation
Phil LaMothe

Phil LaMothe

fairlife
Scott Lubbers

Scott Lubbers

Fifth Third Bank
 Dr. Bill Pink

Dr. Bill Pink

Ferris State University
Steve Ramus

Steve Ramus

Perrigo
Dave Tebo

Dave Tebo

Ottawa Area ISD
Craig Ulrich

Craig Ulrich

JR Automation
Jim Vander Kolk

Jim Vander Kolk

Royal Technologies
Kyle Verplank

Kyle Verplank

Shape Corp
John Gibbs

John Gibbs

- Ex - Officio Member

Ottawa County
Jodi Owczarski

Jodi Owczarski

- Ex - Officio Member

West Coast Chamber of Commerce
Rob Sarro

Rob Sarro

- Ex - Officio Member

Allegan County