POWER CONNECTIONS

Robert Herjavec is one of the world’s most recognizable business leaders and a global authority on cybersecurity, entrepreneurship, and high-performance leadership.

An Emmy Award–winning executive producer and lead Shark on ABC’s Shark Tank for 16 years, Robert is also a New York Times bestselling author and a trusted advisor to governments and Fortune-level enterprises worldwide.

A first-generation immigrant, he built multiple cybersecurity companies, including one he scaled from two employees to nearly 1,000, creating over $1 billion in value before selling to private equity. Today, he continues to invest in, mentor, and advise companies shaping the future of technology and business.

Ryley Austyn is a highly accomplished entrepreneur and the visionary founder and CEO of Raustyn Holdings, a privately held investment firm dedicated to the strategic acquisition and growth of companies within the specialty restoration and essential services sectors. Recognized for his extraordinary discipline, instinctive leadership, and long-term vision, Ryley has architected a bold and scalable platform that is reshaping the landscape of restorative services. He has been mentored by some of the world’s most respected business leaders, sharpening his ability to identify undervalued opportunities and unlock their full potential. Under his leadership, Raustyn has emerged as a dominant force in the national market, earning the trust of employees, founders, shareholders, and financial partners alike through the consistent delivery of unparalleled returns. He remains laser beam focused on elevating industry standards, empowering leadership teams, and building the Raustyn dynasty.

Jocelyn Benson is Michigan’s 43rd Secretary of State and a Democratic candidate for governor. The daughter of two special education teachers and raised in a working-class family, her parents instilled the values of hard work, opportunity, and serving others.

Since taking office as Secretary of State in 2019, Jocelyn has revolutionized Michigan’s motor vehicle services, turning one of the nation’s slowest departments into a model of efficiency with over 150 self-service stations while strengthening election security and access. In the face of threats to both herself and her colleagues, Jocelyn oversaw two of the highest turnout and most transparent elections in the state’s history.

A fearless advocate for Michigan, Jocelyn is running for governor to extend the same results-driven, people-first leadership she brought to the Secretary of State’s office to state government. Her campaign is driven by a commitment to making public services more efficient and accessible, lowering costs for working families, expanding access to reproductive health care, and investing in education, housing, child care, and economic development.

Motivated by both her record of reform and personal experiences, Jocelyn is a bold, coalition-building leader committed to delivering real results and ensuring government works for everyone – not just the highest bidders.

Ron Boji has led Boji Group for over 28 years, overseeing real estate development, construction management, and property management of more than 3 million square feet across a portfolio of 60+ properties throughout Michigan and the U.S. He has been a driving force in public-private partnerships and serves on numerous statewide and community boards. Accolades include Crain’s “40 Under 40,” Lansing Entrepreneur of the Year, 2023 Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce Businessperson of the Year, and DBusiness Detroit 500 Leader. Ron is a Michigan State University graduate.

Brian Calley leads the Small Business Association of Michigan with a deep passion for entrepreneurship. He also serves as a director of two community banks and as a Trustee of Oakland University, and sits on the boards of Special Olympics Michigan, Disability Rights Michigan, and the Autism Alliance of Michigan. Calley served as Michigan’s 63rd Lieutenant Governor from 2011–2018, preceded by two terms in the Michigan House of Representatives and two terms as an Ionia County Commissioner. He holds a BA from Michigan State University, an MBA from Grand Valley State University, and an MPA from Harvard University.

Brandon Chesnutt serves as partner and vice president of digital strategy and development at Identity, a national public relations, marketing and creative agency based in Birmingham, MI. For nearly 20 years, he has counseled hundreds of organizations on how to capitalize on important brand moments, generate positive visibility and protect their reputations. Brandon has also led public relations and digital marketing programs on behalf of the largest companies, portfolios and destinations in real estate development, property management and investment, including Easton Town Center, Nationwide Realty Investors, Store Space Self Storage, ElmTree Funds and JLL.

Brandon is a frequent speaker and panelist at communications conferences around the country and has shared the stage with marketing leaders from VISA, Applebee’s, Nestle Purina, the Washington Commanders, GoDaddy, IMAX, Lockheed Martin and many more. Most recently, he was a featured speaker at the inaugural PRWeek Crisis Comms Conference in Washington D.C. and at the first full-day crisis communications bootcamp hosted at PRSA ICON, the largest gathering of public relations professionals in the world.

David Dedvukaj is a founder and Partner of Contour Companies and serves as Chief Operating Officer. He has been critical in the company’s ability to profitably redevelop assets across the country. David is the driving force behind Contour’s creative expansion into new developments of close to 4,000 units and historical redevelopments of assets across the United States. David’s visionary and ambitious approach in development, has allowed Contour to grow in directions outside the lines of Real Estate and into manufacturing of building products.

Dick DeVos is a global business leader, public policy advocate, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and community leader, spending his career working in a variety of executive and board positions at Amway, the Orlando Magic, and the Windquest Group, a Michigan-based, privately held investment management firm. Mr. DeVos is a leader in public policy, advocating for policy rooted in free-market capitalism, individual freedom, and opportunity. He was Michigan’s Republican candidate for governor in 2006. He has also served in a wide range of community leadership roles and initiatives, including as co-chair of Grand Action, helping lead Grand Rapids–area downtown revitalization. Additionally, he is a leader in the education freedom movement, has served on the Michigan State Board of Education, and is the founder and board president of the West Michigan Aviation Academy. He currently serves on the boards of AEI and the West Michigan Policy Forum.

Andrew Dickow is the President & Managing Director at Greenwich Capital Group, a middle-market investment bank, and Townsend Street Capital, a private equity firm, where he leads the Food & Beverage/Consumer practice. With over 20 years of M&A and operations experience, he advises privately held businesses on sell-side and buy-side transactions, recapitalizations, and leveraged buyouts across food & beverage, consumer products, industrials, healthcare, and business services.

Andrew is also an active operator and investor, having personally invested in over 20 consumer and F&B companies over the past decade, including many Michigan-based brands. He is co-owner and board member of Buddy’s Pizza, a 19-location Detroit-area restaurant chain, and co-owner of 1701 Hospitality, operating restaurants in downtown Detroit and Birmingham. He serves on the boards of Cloverdale Foods and BETCO Corporation and chairs the board of Spire Collective.

Andrew was named ACG Investment Banker of the Year (2024), a Crain’s Notable M&A Dealmaker (2025), Crain’s Detroit 40 under 40, and DBusiness 30 in their 30s. He holds a BA in Finance, summa cum laude, from Michigan State University.

Derek Dickow serves as an executive coach, a strategic networking advisor and is the founder of Power Connections. He works with CEOs, elected leaders, and top innovators, sharing his expertise through his ‘5 Pillars of Purpose-Driven Networking.’

Through Power Connections, his team organizes high-impact conferences that foster meaningful connections and growth among business leaders.

In addition to his role as a board member of the Small Business Association of Michigan, Dickow is a proud ambassador for the Children’s Foundation, a member of the National Speakers Association and Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce.

In his spare time he enjoys wake surfing and hitting a 3 Wood 240 yards with a nice baby draw.

Mike Duggan is Michigan’s Independent candidate for governor who most recently served as the 75th Mayor of Detroit. In his first campaign for Mayor in 2013, Duggan won as a write-in candidate, carrying 92% of Detroit precincts. He was re-elected twice, serving a total of 12 years, deciding not to run again to pursue election to the governor’s office. He is the second-longest serving mayor in Detroit history.

As a full-time candidate, Duggan is traveling the state of Michigan to connect with voters where they are. Instead of local political party meetings, Duggan is spending time in churches, on college campuses, and hearing from advocates and stakeholders on what is most needed right now.

He’s earned the endorsements of more than 20 labor unions, and raised the most in campaign contributions in 2025 – over $5 million.

A February poll from the Detroit Regional Chamber showed Duggan leading the gubernatorial race with 30.1 percent of the vote, ahead of the Republican frontrunner who received 28.9 percent and the Democratic frontrunner who earned 28 percent.

Duggan wants to put an end to the “Us vs. Them” mentality that dictates politics today. He’s focused on building bridges and making life better for Michiganders. When he was Mayor, he was known for bringing together a divisive City Council to deliver results to Detroiters. Taking a look at Lansing, it’s clear that leadership is needed.

Prior to serving as mayor, Duggan was the CEO of the Detroit Medical Center and the Wayne County Prosecutor. He holds two degrees from the University of Michigan, a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1980 and a Juris Doctor in 1983.

Born in Detroit and a lifelong Michigan resident, Duggan used his time as mayor to make the city safer, create affordable housing, create new small businesses, reduce crime and remove blight.

He led efforts like Project Greenlight, which involved installing high-definition cameras at gas stations and giving the stream to the Detroit Police Department to bring down carjackings, and the Joe Louis Greenway, which converted abandoned railroad lines into a recreational pathway connecting city parks and neighborhoods.

Andrew V. Farbman is the CEO of Farbman Group and NAI Farbman, recognized as an industry leader in capital markets activity across Detroit, Chicago, Milwaukee, and Columbus. Since joining Farbman Group in 2000, he has been responsible for purchasing, repositioning, and developing over $1 billion in real estate, with expertise spanning underwriting, due diligence, partnership negotiations, and equity and debt financing. Prior to Farbman, Andrew worked in Blackstone’s private equity real estate group in New York and in the Real Estate Investment Banking Division at Lazard Frères & Co. He is a past Chairman of the NAI Global Leadership Board and a founding board member and shareholder of Carbon TV and HealthRise, LLC. Andrew holds dual degrees in Economics and Social Science from the University of Michigan, where he also serves as a Professor of Practice at the Weiser Center for Real Estate and as an Adjunct Lecturer at the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning.

David Farbman is the founder and CEO of Healthrise, an end-to-end revenue cycle management and technology company. He also serves as a principal at NAI Farbman and sits on the board of Freddie Mac. Earlier in his career, he founded Outdoor Hub, later Carbon Media Group, serving as CEO and Chairman through its acquisition. He is a New York Times bestselling author of The Hunt.

Dan Fischer is a seasoned banking executive with a career spanning several decades. He has served as CEO of Citizens State Bank since September 2020. Prior to that, he was President, CEO, Chief Lending Officer, and Director at The Citizens Bank of Logan. His earlier leadership roles include Chairman and President at Urban Trust Bank, Executive Vice President at Associated Banc-Corporation, and Senior Vice President at Fifth Third Bancorp.

Terri Fitzpatrick brings deep expertise in economic development, site readiness, public-private partnerships, and large-scale real estate strategy to her role at Farbman Group. A proud member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, she previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Real Estate & Global Attraction Officer at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), where she led the state’s site readiness and global business attraction efforts. At Farbman Group, she is a key advisor on major redevelopment efforts including Oakland County’s nearly $250 million initiative to revitalize downtown Pontiac, anchored by the acquisition of former General Motors properties along Woodward Avenue.

Jared Friedman leads the Capital Markets, Acquisitions, and Institutional Advisory group at Friedman, specializing in selling, acquiring, and advising on institutional assets. His clients include REITs, private equity firms, banks, servicers, and Fortune 1000 companies. Prior to Friedman, he worked at Origin Investments in Chicago on commercial real estate investments in Denver, Dallas, Charlotte, and Chicago, and before that at Equity Office Properties managing six million square feet of office space. He began his career as an analyst at BMO Capital Markets in their Real Estate Investment Banking Group. Jared is a graduate of Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.

Rob Graham brings 28 years of banking experience, the majority focused on commercial lending. For the past 16 years he has been at Farmers & Merchants State Bank, where he oversees commercial loan and deposit growth across Southeast Michigan and Northwest Ohio from offices in Birmingham, MI and Perrysburg, OH. He began his career in accounting and auditing. Rob holds an accounting degree from Cedarville University and an MBA from the University of Toledo, and served 21 years in the Ohio Air National Guard.

Andy Gutman leads Farbman Group as President, overseeing more than 30 million square feet of commercial real estate and a team of 200+ employees across a portfolio of industry-recognized companies. With over 30 years in commercial real estate — and a background rooted in accounting, finance, and asset management — Andy brings a sharp financial perspective and a genuine passion for problem solving to every facet of the business.

A multiple-time honoree on Crain’s Detroit’s notable lists and a Detroit 500 inductee, Andy has been recognized as CFO of the Year, a Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame inductee, and one of Globe Street’s Best Bosses in commercial real estate. Under his leadership, Farbman Group has earned consistent recognition as one of Michigan’s best and brightest companies to work for.

Beyond the boardroom, Andy is a songwriter, a licensed composer, and the author of ten children’s books — four of which have won the prestigious Purple Dragonfly Book Award. He is an active voice in the Detroit community, currently serving on the boards of Midtown Detroit, Inc., the Detroit Chinese Business Association, and the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce.

Andy holds a B.A. in Accounting from Michigan State University.

Amy Hovey has been leading the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) as its chief executive officer and executive director since January 2023, making history as the first woman to hold this role in the agency’s history. With over two decades of experience spanning government, philanthropy, and the private sector, she brings a well-rounded perspective to housing development and policy.

Before joining MSHDA, Amy worked at the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and served as a housing consultant for Michigan’s Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. Her diverse career includes roles as senior vice president and CEO of the Center for Community Progress in Washington, D.C., program director for the Local Initiatives Support Corporation in Lansing, and district chief of staff for Congressman Dan Kildee. She began her career in banking and founded a successful consulting firm.

Her leadership continues to shape innovative approaches to housing and community revitalization in Michigan and beyond. She sits on the board of directors for the National Council of State Housing Agencies, is on the National Advisory Council of the National Housing Conference, a body for which in June 2025 she also began an appointment on its Board of Governors.

Amy holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and psychology from Alma College and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Michigan-Flint.

Michael is a partner in Taft’s Commercial Litigation practice. He centers his practice in the areas of complex commercial litigation, partnership and shareholder disputes, real estate litigation, class action litigation, construction disputes, and employment and non-compete disputes. He represents a variety of sophisticated clients, including publicly traded companies; private equity funds and their portfolio companies; and national, regional, and local real estate companies. Michael also handles all transactional aspects of affordable housing. In the automotive dealership industry, Michael handles transactional and litigation-related matters. Michael advises his clients on the litigation aspects of business purchase and sale agreements, trade secrets, restrictive covenants in employment agreements, and real estate purchase and sale agreements. His litigation practice includes all elements of initial pleading and case management, discovery, substantive motions, trial and appeals. Michael is admitted to practice in several states and is a member of the Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE), where he is frequently invited to speak on litigation and dispute resolution.

Congressman John James is the Representative of the people of Michigan’s 10th Congressional district. Prior to being elected to Congress John James served as President of James Group International (JGI) and CEO of Renaissance Global Logistics – a supply-chain management and logistics services company based in Detroit, Michigan.

Prior to joining JGI in 2012, he served eight years of active duty military service as a Ranger-qualified aviation officer where he had the honor of leading two Apache platoons in combat operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom 07-09.

James began his military career at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Law and Systems (Industrial) Engineering. He earned a Master of Supply Chain Management and Information Systems from Penn State University Smeal School of Business in 2014 and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business in May 2015.

In addition to serving on several charitable and community Boards in Detroit, John has also received accolades from many industry groups, including Crain’s Detroit Business 2020 “40 Under 40” and ran two highly competitive races for U.S. Senate in Michigan.

Kevin D. Johnson is the President and Chief Executive Officer for the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC), the city’s leading inclusive economic development driver. He has served as president and CEO since June 2018. Under Johnson’s leadership, the organization focuses on job creation, capital investment and small business growth for the City of Detroit. Access, inclusion and financial growth for all Detroiters form the foundation of all DEGC work.

As president and CEO, Johnson spearheads DEGC’s economic development initiatives, including business attraction and retention, neighborhood smallbusiness growth and international investment. In this role, Johnson builds upon 40-plus years of positive impact the DEGC has had on Detroit. Most recently, Johnson was integral in bringing Fiat Chrysler’s $4.5 billion investment to Detroit, and with it thousands of FCA and supplier jobs. A veteran of the industry, Johnson has served in both public and private economic-development positions throughout the U.S., including roles in Arizona, Florida, North Carolina and Georgia. In his most previous role at Invest Atlanta, Johnson led the economic development program for the city, helping to create jobs and generating billions of dollars in new capital investment.

Johnson began his career nearly 30 years ago as the assistant county manager and Director of Economic Development for Casswell County Municipal Government. Throughout his career he has held a variety of leadership positions including president of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, vice president of business development for the Greater Phoenix Economic Council and vice president of business development for Research Triangle Foundation in North Carolina.

Johnson received his Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Pre-Law from South Carolina State University. He received his Certified Economic Developer designation from the International Economic Development Council and has received numerous professional and community awards. Johnson was named one of the Top 50 Economic Developers of 2019 by Consultant Connect, a consulting agency designed to bridge the gap between economic developers and site consultants. He also serves as a member of the International Economic Development Council.

Jen and her husband Jon developed, own and operate 9 businesses across the Upper Peninsula including a hair salon, construction company, manufacturing company, purpose-built student housing, and multiple hotels and restaurants. Jen is the visionary behind The Vault Hotel in Houghton, a century-old bank transformed into a Conde Nast Readers’ Choice award-winning boutique destination. Her developments emphasize storytelling, thoughtful guest experiences, and deep community integration.

Jen is an alumna of Michigan Technological University with a B.S. in Civil Engineering and M.S. in Environmental Engineering. She serves as a board member of the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA), Visit Keweenaw, and the Upper Peninsula Travel & Recreation Association (UPTRA). Jen is a proud mother of two daughters and enjoys spending time with them playing music, surfing, skateboarding, and traveling as a family. The Julien’s were awarded EY Entrepreneur of the Year for 2025 and Crain’s Detroit 40 under 40.

R.J. King is editor of DBusiness magazine, DBusiness Daily News, Hustle and Muscle, and Detroit 500, covering companies in metro Detroit and Michigan. He is the author of six books and owns the publishing company Written in Detroit. Since 2011, DBusiness has earned more than 65 Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals in the Editorial Excellence Awards from the Alliance of Area Business Publishers, including being named the top regional business magazine in the country. Prior to launching DBusiness in 2006, King spent 16 years as a business writer at The Detroit News. He serves on the boards of Beyond Basics, Detroit Public Safety Foundation, Detroit Aircraft Corp., Detroit Spacecraft Corp., ASX, The Parade Co., and Detroit Sessions, and is a member of the Detroit Athletic Club. He was inducted into the International Heritage Foundation’s Heritage Hall of Fame in 2014 as its youngest recipient.

Michael Kitchen oversees the strategic growth of Aparium Hotel Group, a vertically integrated hotel developer and operator that sponsors and develops much of its portfolio of independent hotels throughout the US including the Detroit Foundation Hotel. 

Kitchen previously worked in a consulting capacity focusing primarily on full-service luxury and boutique hotels and resorts including development, repositioning, food and beverage, and disposition advisory.  Prior to that, Kitchen managed and repositioned a Relais and Chateaux boutique resort in the British Virgin Islands and participated in the development, sales and marketing of a neighboring ultra-luxury resort development.  

Kitchen is a graduate of Michigan State University where he sits on the Real Estate Investment Management Advisory Board and guest lectures regularly. Kitchen is also a frequent contributor to various industry publications and conferences focused on transactions, development, operations, and/or design, as well as a member of the Urban Land Institute Hotel Council.  

Corey Levin advises developers, investors, businesses, and communities on structuring and securing economic development incentives for real estate, community, and corporate projects. His practice focuses on state and local incentive programs that provide tax benefits and financial support, including brownfield redevelopment, property tax abatements, or Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT), community development incentives, and sustainability/clean energy programs.

Drawing on a background that combines law, tax, and urban planning, Corey helps clients navigate complex regulatory frameworks and align private investment strategies with public initiatives. He advises on federal, state, and local programs, including Opportunity Zones and New Markets Tax Credits, and supports projects through site selection, due diligence, incentives procurement, negotiation, and compliance.

Known for his practical, solutions-oriented approach, Corey is a valued partner in bringing complex development projects to fruition.

Ryan Maibach is a fourth-generation builder who has led Barton Malow for nearly 30 years, known for his emphasis on authenticity, people development, and innovation. He began as a Project Engineer in 1997 and was named President in 2011, during which time he expanded Barton Malow into a group of companies with greater operational flexibility and strategic reach. He serves on the leadership boards of the Detroit Regional Chamber, the Detroit Children’s Fund, and The Parade Company.

Aric Nesbitt was raised on his family’s sixth-generation dairy and grape farm in Southwest Michigan, shaping a work ethic and instilling conservative values that guide his public service.

A graduate of Hillsdale College, Aric has fought and won for conservative principles in the Michigan legislature. As the top Republican in the Michigan Senate, Aric has led the charge against Governor Whitmer– fighting the Democrats’ tax hikes, Green New Deal scheme and dangerous soft-on-crime policies.
He and his wife Trisha live just down the road from the family farm, where they are raising their three children, Catherine, William, and Margot. Aric wants to build an economy where we Make It in Michigan again.

Todd Sachse is the Founder and CEO of Sachse Construction and Co-Founder and Majority Owner of Broder Sachse Real Estate. Todd formed Sachse Construction in 1991 on the foundation of a systematic approach to project management, and the principles of doing the right thing and pursuing excellence by constantly raising the bar. Over the past 30+ years, he has developed a loyal clientele of high-end customers who require detailed expertise in design and construction. As a result, Todd has driven Sachse Construction to successfully complete millions of square feet of commercial, institutional, multifamily, and industrial projects throughout all 50 States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Todd leads the company’s overall strategy and vision while cultivating a strong senior leadership team specializing in all aspects of commercial construction. Known for his hands-on leadership style, Todd is committed to building long-lasting client relationships and takes pride in remaining accessible to clients, architects, and every member of the project team.

Todd is actively involved in civic and philanthropic organizations, serving as a Board Member and past President of the United Jewish Foundation of Detroit and past President of the Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit. He also serves on the boards of Business Leaders for Michigan, New Detroit, Downtown Boxing Gym, Belle Isle Conservancy, and Cranbrook Art Academy.

Lowell Salesin is Co-Chair of Honigman’s Real Estate Department and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. He represents leading REITs, private developers, and institutional investors across the United States in complex real estate transactions. With more than 32 years of experience, Lowell advises clients across a broad range of asset classes, including retail, office, multifamily, hospitality, manufactured housing, self-storage, and senior housing and regularly works closely with developers in public-private partnerships and collaborations between government agencies and private developers.

His practice spans acquisitions, development, construction, leasing, and loan workouts, as well as sophisticated equity and debt financings. Lowell represents both borrowers and lenders in transactions ranging from portfolio acquisitions and joint ventures to CMBS, agency, and unsecured corporate financings. He also counsels private equity clients on fund formations and strategic investments.

Known for his practical approach and market insight, Lowell is a trusted advisor on high-value, complex deals that shape real estate investment and development nationwide.

As Bedrock’s Chief Public Finance Officer, Nadia leads public-private partnerships and complex financing structures driving development projects across Detroit and Cleveland. Her team is instrumental in securing the public capital necessary for critical infrastructure and major residential and commercial projects.

Prior to joining Bedrock in 2020, Nadia spent more than two decades in public service in San Francisco. She served as Executive Director of the Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure, where she oversaw the redevelopment of the Transbay, Mission Bay and Hunters Point Shipyard neighborhoods. Previously, as Director of the San Francisco Controller’s Office of Public Finance, she managed over $3 billion in municipal debt obligations. 

A respected authority on fiscal policy, Nadia was appointed to the California State Treasurer’s Task Force on Bond Accountability in 2015. Her leadership in the public sector has been recognized with the San Francisco Public Managerial Excellence Award, reflecting a deep expertise in structuring complex public financing.

Nadia resides in Detroit, MI. 

Andrea Trapani is Managing Partner at Identity, the largest and best independent PR agency headquartered in Michigan, where she leads the agency’s vision, operations and continued growth. Since stepping into the role in 2015, she has helped transform Identity into a nationally recognized communications firm, driving record-setting growth and building a culture defined by high performance, collaboration and long-term client and team retention.

An expert communications strategist, Andrea serves as trusted counsel to CEOs, executives, celebrities and organizations across the country, helping shape messaging, guide communications and business strategy and navigate complex, high-stakes moments. Her expertise also spans crisis communications, change management and integrated storytelling, supporting brands through both opportunity and challenge.

A former journalist, Andrea brings a sharp instinct for media and narrative development. She is a nationally recognized industry leader, including being named one of PRNews’ Top Women in PR, and a frequent speaker on communications and leadership.

Sen. Michael Webber was elected to the Michigan state Senate in 2022 to represent the residents of the 9th District, which includes the cities of Rochester, Rochester Hills, Troy, and Utica, along with parts of Oakland Township, Shelby Township, and Sterling Heights. A resident of the district for over 30 years, Webber is a licensed insurance agent and a graduate of Rochester Adams High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree in international relations from Michigan State University’s James Madison College.

Senator Webber’s previous service includes serving on the Rochester Hills City Council for seven years (2007-2014), including three years as vice president. From 2015 to 2020, Senator Webber served in the state House of Representatives, elected to serve the 45th District. During that time, he served as chair of the House Committee on Regulatory Reform, served as a member of several other committees, and served as assistant majority floor leader.

Randy Wertheimer leads Hunter Pasteur, a Southeast Michigan-based developer founded in 1999. Under his leadership, the company has developed over 25 communities and built 2,000 homes and condominiums throughout the region. Hunter Pasteur recently partnered with Forbes Co. to develop hospitality offerings and luxury apartments in Birmingham, Corktown, West Bloomfield, Northville, Ann Arbor, Miami, and beyond. Randy serves on the board of the Jewish Federation Real Estate Committee and is a board member and past President of ORT.