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Our Team
Robert L. Trezise, Jr.
President & CEO
Prior to joining Lansing Economic Area Partnership as President & CEO, Bob Trezise was President and CEO of the Lansing Economic Development Corporation (LEDC), as well as manager of both the Tax Increment Finance Authority (TIFA) and the Lansing Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (LBRA) for six years. Bob completely re-organized the LEDC into a dynamic organization, resulting in 50 historic achievements for the city in economic development and approximately 5,000 private sector jobs. He led the effort to rehabilitate scores of abandoned buildings including the long vacant Power Station plant in downtown on the riverfront into the new national corporate headquarters for Accident Fund, all totaling over $600 million in private investment. During this time, Bob also became the interim manager for the Principle Shopping District and re-organized that agency into a Main Street organization. Bob also oversaw the development of Mayor Bernero’s nationally recognized Linking Lansing and "U" program, linking Michigan State University and the knowledge class with the city as well as creating other innovative programming.
Bob was hired in 2001 Michigan Economic Development Corporation to create the state’s first downtown/community development department called the Community Assistance Team (CATeam). This team created strategic economic development plans for communities and also packaged urban tools and incentives, especially the brownfield program, for specific city projects. During his tenure at the state, Bob also created and operated the Michigan Main Street program and the BluePrints for Michigan’s Downtowns.
Prior to that, Bob spent two years as the Vice President for the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, running their privately funded economic development and marketing program called Capital Choice. This program represented the Ingham, Eaton and Clinton county region. During this tenure, Bob played a leadership role with the Retain GM Quick Response Team effort and created the Capital Area Response Team (CARTeam), designed to accommodate GM and future suppliers locating to the region.
Bob started his career with Delta Township, a major township to the immediate west of Lansing, starting and operating their economic development program, landing many industrial plants. During that time Bob was recognized by the Lansing Chamber as the "Small Business Advocate of the Year" and was President of the Regional Economic Development Team (REDTeam).
Bob is proud to say that he grew up in the city, graduating from the Lansing Public Schools before receiving his Bachelors degree from James Madison College (Michigan State University) and his graduate degree in Public Administration from Western Michigan University. Bob has volunteered for many committees including the WKAR public radio and TV Board of Advisors, the James Madison College Board of Visitors and the Greater Lansing Arts Council. Bob also served a year on the Editorial Advisory Board for the Lansing State Journal. In 2000, Bob was recognized by the Lansing State Journal as one of the "100 People to Watch in the 21st Century".
To contact Bob:
517.702. 3387
treziseb@leapinc.biz
Rich Howard
CFO & Director, Out County Business Development
Rich Howard has more than 22 years of experience working with public school districts, nonprofit organizations, and nation and state-wide associations as a higher education faculty member and aministrator. As a college administrator, Rich served in a number of executive roles that required expertise with initiatives in strategic planning, organizational development and structure, executive management and oversight.
Rich holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Michigan State University. He is currently a licensed professional counselor in the State of Michigan and serves on several non profit Boards.
To contact Rich:
517.702.3387 ext. 206
howardr@leapinc.biz
Ray De Winkle, CEcD, EDFP
SVP, Global Business Development
Ray has served as President and CEO for GreaterFindlayInc. in Findlay, Ohio, with oversight of the Chamber of Commerce, Convention and Visitors Bureau and Economic Development Council. Prior to that, De Winkle spent 19 years with The Right Place, Inc., in Grand Rapids as Vice President of Business Development, Director of the Small Business Development Center and Economic Development Consultant. Ray has extensive experience in all aspects of economic development as well as strategic and business planning in addition to working as a Business Analyst for Foremost Insurance Company.
Ray holds a B.B.A in Finance (Magna Cum Laude) from Grand Valley State University and is a Certified Economic Developer and Business Counselor.
To contact Ray:
517.702.3387 ext. 205
dewinkler@leapinc.biz
Sara Graham
Talent & Communications Director
Sara Graham serves as the Talent & Communications Director within the New Economy Divison of LEAP. In this role, Sara is responsible for working closely with the state and our regional partners to assist our region in becoming a welcoming community for the talented workforce we currently have and are striving to attract. In addition to this, Ms. Graham serves as the communications person for LEAP, working to tell our region’s story first, to ourselves, then beyond, to the state, nation and globe. Prior to this position, Sara served as the MultiMedia Marketing Specialist for LEAP working to develop a brand for LEAP through the web, social media and print materials.
Before joining Leap in 2010, Sara worked as a Social Media Manager for Gammet Interactive, where she gained extensive knowledge of digital marketing and social media since her graduation in 2008. She received her BA from The School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University. Sara is currently pursuing a degree in Graphic Design from Lansing Community College.
To contact Sara:
517.702.3387 ext. 209
grahams@leapinc.biz
Jeff Smith
Co-Director, New Economy Division
Prior to joining Lansing Economic Area Partnership as Co-Director of the New Economy Division, Jeff Smith spent the last 4 years as Project Manager for New Economy Initiatives for the City of East Lansing, as well as staff of the Lansing Regional Smartzone. In these roles, Jeff helped develop the operations and management programs for the Technology Innovation Center and the Hatch Student Business Incubator.
Prior to working with the City of East Lansing, Jeff spent 4 years as a Senior Analyst with Anderson Economic Group, conducting real estate market studies and feasibility studies for developers and communities across the state and nation. Jeff is a proud graduate of Michigan State University, earning both a Bachelors in Telecommunications and a Masters Degree in Urban and Regional Planning.
To contact Jeff:
517.702.3387 ext. 203
smithj@leapinc.biz
Ken Szymusiak
Co-Director, New Economy Division
Ken Szymusiak serves as Co-Director of the New Economy Division at LEAP. In this capacity Ken oversees the use of economic development programs and tools to facilitate job creation and growth within the region’s entrepreneurial community. Prior to joining LEAP Ken served as Director of Business Investment and Innovation at the City of Lansing Economic Development Corporation where his work in real estate investment and business expansion programs resulted in millions of dollars of private investment in the city. Ken was also involved in a number of different economic development initiatives on a wide variety of topics including management of the city’s EB-5 Regional Center international investment program, the development of a small business loan fund, and the creation of the Next Michigan Development Corporation (“Aerotropolis”) at the Capital Region International Airport.
Ken holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Michigan State University, a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Northwood University, and is recognized as a Certified Economic Development Professional (CEcD) with the International Economic Development Council.
Ken is also involved with numerous community boards and organizations including serving as Secretary of the Board at the Lansing Information Technology Empowerment Center (ITEC), Chair of the Business Development Committee at Downtown Lansing, Inc., and a Member of the Economic Development & Land Use Committee at the Michigan Municipal League.
To contact Ken:
517.702.3387 ext. 208
szymusiakk@leapinc.biz
Kathleen White
Business Development Manager
In collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), the Lansing Economic Area Partnership, Inc. (Leap, Inc.) houses Kathleen White as the Business Development Manager covering Clinton, Eaton and Ingham Counties. Kathleen’s primary role is to assist companies with business retention, attraction, growth, and diversification, to foster job creation, increase private investment and access to contract opportunities. Leap, Inc. is dedicated to promoting economic development in the tri-county region and together they are committed to serving area businesses in all aspects of business development.
Kathleen’s experience includes more than fifteen years in economic development across all industries. Most recently, she focused on serving the state’s advanced energy storage companies and managed a portfolio of key battery-related companies, working to build out the industry’s supply chain and grow the industry statewide.
Ms. White received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
To contact Kathleen:
517.285.1685
whitek1@michigan.org
whitek@leapinc.biz