CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN
WAYNE VISBEEN Founder, principal Visbeen Architects, East Grand Rapids
Wayne Visbeen has more than 30 years of experience in retail, residential, commercial design and visual merchandising. He holds membership in the American Institute of Architects, the International Interior Design Association, and is a fellow of the American Institute of Building Design College of Fellows. Visbeen spent time as a senior designer at the Taubman Companies, designing more than 100 national prototypes for leading retailers across the nation before launching his own firm specializing in residential and commercial projects in 1992. Visbeen has collaborated with multiple companies, including Champion Home Builders, Phantom Screens, Napoleon Fireplaces and GAF. Additionally, he designed custom playhouses as a product and creative designer for the television production “Playhouse Masters,” including designs for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Visbeen Architects has completed more than 1,400 projects in 48 states and 10 countries and is the recipient of more than 100 national awards.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
MITCHELL “MITCH” WATT Partner Triangle Associates, Grand Rapids
EDUCATION: Lawrence Tech University (B, M) FIRST JOB: Haberdasher selling suits to Wall Street executives at a small men’s clothing boutique TRAVEL DESTINATION: Europe, Italy TV SHOW: “Survivor,” in fact, I’m working on a casting video to apply for the show.
JOHN WHEELER
CEO Wheeler Development Group, Grand Rapids
John Wheeler has inspired and orchestrated the development of more than $1 billion in real estate throughout his dynamic career. Wheeler’s experience with urban core development is equally matched with his passion for his work. His role has been recognized as instrumental to Grand Rapids’ downtown revitalization through the 1990s and early 2000s. He founded and led Rockford Construction from 1987 to 2009, and later partnered with Gary Postma to start Orion Real Estate Solutions in 2011. Wheeler has been recognized for several industry awards throughout his career and his successes have been shared through his varied philanthropic commitments.
Mitchell Watt’s career as an architect, contractor, business and community leader spans over 35 years in West Michigan. He has focused much of his career in the planning, design and construction of buildings, serving a broad range of clients in the educational, health care, commercial and infrastructure market segments. He has been involved in hundreds of planning, design and construction projects throughout Michigan, across the U.S. and abroad. As a partner, Watt is involved in the day-to-day operations of the regionally based construction management company with a focus on strategic planning, business and project development, and preconstruction phase services. Prior to joining Triangle, his career included more than 20 years with URS (now AECOM) in various design, project and business management roles, including 10 years as managing principal for the firm’s Great Lakes region. Watt currently serves on the boards of the Grand Rapids Art Museum, Grand Valley State University Foundation and Versiti Corporation, a blood services and research institute headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. EDUCATION: University of Kansas (Two B) FUNNIEST WORK EXPERIENCE: We had renovated and installed frameless glass doors to the conference rooms. One colleague was running late but didn’t realize the door was closed; huge face-plant! We placed logo stickers across the glass of all doors shortly after.
ED GARNER
Regional director Michigan Small Business Development Center West Michigan Region, Grand Rapids
EDUCATION: Ferris State University (B, M) HOBBIES: Fishing, hunting, hiking TRAVEL DESTINATION: Islamorada, Florida SPEND DOWN TIME: With family, enjoying the Florida Keys ADVICE TO AN 18-YEAR-OLD: Don’t be afraid to take risks, be honest and hardworking, and be grateful for the opportunities and challenges in your life FAVORITE ATTRACTION: Riverside Park FAVORITE CHARITY: Community Media Center BUCKET LIST: Visit all the continents
41 THE GRAND RAPIDS 200
Ed Garner is responsible for providing comprehensive leadership, oversight, planning, resource development, coordination and management of the Michigan Small Business Development Center’s West Region Center, at Grand Valley State University. Garner has over 35 years experience in economic and business development, marketing and sales, lending and customer service. Prior to joining the SBDC, he was the president and CEO of Muskegon Area First Economic Development Corporation and economic development vice president for the Grand Haven Chamber of Commerce. Previously, he served as the executive director of the Kent Area MicroBusiness Loan Services — the first SBA microloan program in the region. EDUCATION: Michigan State University (B), Western Michigan University (M) FIRST JOB: Sales engineer for Westinghouse Electric Corporation in Southfield. TOUGHEST CHALLENGE: Refusing to fire an employee at the risk of losing my own job because a stakeholder had personal issues with the person. Lesson learned: Do the right thing, and things will undoubtedly work out. DOWNTIME: I enjoy live musical performances, especially jazz, relaxing on the beach and spending time with loved ones. BUCKET LIST: To visit the Egyptian pyramids
