Chapter Sponsorship

THANK YOU TO OUR 2024 CHAPTER SPONSORS!

PLATINUM

Blackford’s team of exceptional managers leverages experience, insight and data to generate market-leading returns. Our focus is on investing in family- and founder-owned, lower middle market businesses in manufacturing, distribution and consumer products. We find companies with solid performance that are also uniquely positioned to grow with access to additional capital and management support. Investors and sellers know our track record for maximizing the value of our portfolio companies with proven strategies for operational excellence.

EHTC is a knowledgeable and dedicated, full-service CPA firm in West Michigan focused on helping clients to achieve their full potential through comprehensive accounting, tax, and business advisory services.

We are a local firm with large firm resources. We utilize a team approach to proactive client service to help our clients gain a competitive advantage through our ability to develop strategies and present realistic solutions that build value.

We serve the needs of individuals and closely held businesses in the West Michigan area that share our core values, who are trustworthy, entrepreneurial, collaborative, and aspire a long term advisory relationship.

Miller Johnson is a full service law firm with 130 lawyers and 120 team members serving clients around the country out of our Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Detroit offices. We work with our clients to promote their success by providing timely, innovative, solution-oriented, cost-effective legal services.

GOLD

Advantage Commercial Real Estate is a premier, full-service commercial real estate agency. With 250+ years of combined experience, our team combines their expertise both on a local and national scale. Our advisors are known for their unique market expertise and specialization across industrial, retail, office, investment, and land sectors. At Advantage we prioritize our clients, delivering exceptional value through our in-house marketing and research teams that work diligently to provide customized services to each business we serve. Our property management team provides an additional service-offering to our clients by maintaining and managing their properties.

BMO is the 8^th largest bank in North America and one of the country’s most-respected banks, with a reputation for being a strong, safe and stable financial services partner. Our commercial banking experts, based in Grand Rapids, focus on building relationships with middle market companies in Michigan, by offering financial solutions to help increase enterprise value, fund business growth, manage cash flow and optimize working capital. For the latest insights, visit commercial.bmo.com.

Charter Capital Partners is your trusted partner for investment banking solutions. Founded in 1989, we are a premier investment banking firm headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan. We offer a comprehensive range of investment banking advisory services, including buy-side and sell-side M&A, succession planning, business valuation, and capital raise. Charter Capital Partners delivers meaningful value to our clients through premier, personalized investment banking advisory services provided by an experienced, hands-on team. We strive to exceed client expectations via an underpinning of integrity in all our endeavors, excellence in all that we do, and an unwavering entrepreneurial spirit.

Crowe LLP is a public accounting, consulting and technology firm with offices around the world. Crowe uses its deep industry expertise to provide audit services to public and private entities and partner with clients to make smart decisions that lead to lasting value with its tax, advisory and consulting services. As an independent member of Crowe Global, Crowe serves clients worldwide with more than 200 independent accounting and advisory service firms in more than 130 countries around the world.

Gun Lake Investments is a Tribally-owned Economic Development Corporation that serves as the non-gaming investment arm of the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians.

Rhoades McKee is a full-service, comprehensive law firm located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The business and tax attorneys are assisted by a support staff that includes former agents of the Internal Revenue Service. Four attorneys at Rhoades McKee also have a CPA designation, which provides those attorneys with additional insight into business transactions and disputes. Rhoades McKee represents numerous large and small companies, both publicly and privately held, hospitals and other healthcare institutions, licensed professionals, financial institutions, real estate developers, municipalities and insurance companies.

Client service and teamwork are the founding principles of Warner Norcross + Judd LLP, and we apply these principles at every level of our organization. With over 230 attorneys working in 14 industry groups and 18 specialized practice areas, Warner meets the legal needs of clients operating throughout Michigan, the United States and around the world. We provide a comprehensive array of legal services, handling thousands of litigation, corporate transaction, regulatory and estate matters for businesses, nonprofits and individuals each year. We are fierce in our protection of brands and intellectual property, strategic in managing mergers and acquisitions and astute when it comes to labor and employment disputes. Individuals rely on us to safeguard their estates, transition family-owned businesses and launch new ventures. From entrepreneurial startups to multigenerational family-owned businesses to Fortune 500 companies, Warner provides practical and proactive legal advice to clients.

Waséyabek Development Company, LLC (WDC) is a 100 percent Tribally-owned holding company that manages the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi’s non-gaming economic development activities. By fostering the development of a stable, diversified economy for members of the Band, WDC contributes to the Tribe’s long-term sustainability and economic self-sufficiency by providing revenue and diverse employment opportunities for Tribal Members.

The seven-generation investment strategy of WDC involves acquiring, growing and holding middle market companies and income properties throughout our target market as well as engaging in federal contracting activities supporting the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy. We look favorably on companies with strong leadership willing to remain post-transaction, a solid earnings track record, and a debt ratio comparable to industry standards.

SILVER

With more than 800 attorneys and other legal professionals, Barnes & Thornburg is one of the largest law firms in the country. The firm serves clients worldwide from offices in Atlanta, Boston, California, Chicago, Delaware, Indiana, Michigan, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Philadelphia, Raleigh, Salt Lake City, South Florida, Texas, and Washington, D.C.

With more than 160 attorneys in offices throughout Michigan, including a full-service Grand Rapids office, Bodman PLC has delivered extraordinary results to our clients for over 90 years. Our attorneys provide savvy business counsel to many of the region’s most successful companies and individuals on a broad range of issues. We frequently serve as lead counsel on transactions that are national or international in scope. We provide clients with the personal attention of a mid-sized law firm with the talent and skill expected of the nation’s leading law firms. With practices in Banking & Financial Services, Corporate/Mergers & Acquisitions, Aviation Law & Finance, Construction, Health Care, Environmental, Enterprise Procurement, Real Estate, Intellectual Property, Data Privacy & Security, Tax, Trusts & Estates, Labor & Employment, Bankruptcy, Insurance, and others, we work to understand our clients’ businesses and the markets in which they operate. This enables us to provide strategic advice and preventative counsel to address potential issues efficiently and discreetly before they become significant and expensive problems that affect their bottom line.

Founded in 2012, Cascade Partners is an investment banking, restructuring, and private investment firm serving middle-market entrepreneurs, businesses, and investors. Our team utilizes over two centuries of combined experience as operating executives, investors, board members, and transaction advisors to understand all aspects of a client's business and industry. This 360º approach allows Cascade Partners to build, recover, and realize value for clients and create transformative solutions that provide long-term value.

Dickinson Wright PLLC is a general practice business law firm with more than 400 attorneys among more than 40 practice areas. Headquartered in Detroit and founded in 1878, the firm has fifteen offices in Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Nevada, Arizona, Washington, D.C., and Toronto.

Doeren Mayhew is a nationally recognized CPA and advisory firm serving mid-sized, privately held businesses and nonprofit organizations alike since 1932. But, we’re not just your average bunch of number crunchers or transaction-minded CPAs. We’re strategic wayfinders providing guidance and direction to traverse complex business terrain. We apply a rare depth of industry expertise and business best practices to navigate the best path to the future you seek.

While our services are wide-ranging, they're laser-focused on your unique needs. We don't just understand your business; we anticipate the unexpected and uncover opportunities. We love what we do. It inspires us to go further and think deeper for the benefit of our clients.

Armed with over 550 pros across offices in Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Texas, Zurich and London. No sector is off limits for us – manufacturing, construction, nonprofit, auto dealership, service, energy, health care, dental, retail, restaurant or financial institutions.

As a group of financial and business professionals, DWH offers expertise and support so companies can embrace change for the better. Built on a core philosophy that every stakeholder matters, we listen to those who shape a business and guide that business to its best value, outcomes, and opportunities. Change happens – plan for it, with us.

FINNEA Group is a boutique investment banking, strategic, financial and operational consulting firm led by a team of experienced professionals offering tailored solutions to clients. Established in 2008, FINNEA Group was founded on the belief that clients are best served by an investment banking and consulting firm equipped with a team of talented finance professionals unencumbered by the conflicts of interest inherent to large, multi-product financial institutions.

Founded in 1866, The Huntington National Bank and its affiliates provide consumers, small and middle-market businesses, corporations, municipalities, and other organizations with a comprehensive suite of banking, payments, wealth management, and risk management products and services. Huntington operates approximately 1,000 branches in 11 states, with certain businesses operating in extended geographies.

Mercantile Bank of Michigan provides financial products and services in a professional and personalized manner. Our commitment to innovation makes banking easier for businesses and consumers. We provide a high level of service, a knowledgeable staff, and are committed to strengthening the diverse communities we serve. With an inclusive, equitable and hands-on approach to community engagement, Mercantile employees help to support local economies, youth, families and individuals.

At Macatawa Bank, serving the communities where we live and work is a core value. We recognize the power of volunteerism, contributing financial support and resources, and collaborating with local businesses and non-profits to help our communities thrive. Our employees volunteer thousands of hours and Macatawa Bank provides financial support for hundreds of local community organizations annually. The bank has been recognized as one of “West Michigan’s 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For” since 2012.

OA Private Capital (OAPC) is an investment advisory firm located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. The firm was formed in 2015 to manage investments in private equity funds, co-investments in private equity investment opportunities, and other traditional and alternative asset classes. Historically, the investment team that makes up OAPC operated as a business unit within RDV Corporation, an affiliate of OAPC. The firm has been managing investments on behalf of affiliates of RDV Corporation since 1991.

Varnum is a leading Michigan law firm providing a broad range of legal services to meet the complex needs of its clients. With more than 180 attorneys in six offices, Varnum serves as counsel to growing businesses, institutions and individuals throughout Michigan, the Midwest and Florida

When it comes to making your most critical hiring decisions, you don't want to leave anything to chance. Finding the right person for a key role will help you grow your business and align both the team and the company for future success. William Charles has the experience and network to help you successfully navigate your search process with confidence.

BRONZE