Meet the 2025 Michigan and Northwest Ohio finalists

Scott Irwin is the CEO of Aktion Associates.

Aktion Associates has built a reputation for offering leading-edge technology solutions, industry-specific software, and application consulting to businesses of every size. Our emphasis on architecture and engineering, construction, distribution, and manufacturing industries allow us to focus on the business processes that are most important to our customers.

We understand technology and the important role it serves. Aktion strives to be one of the top value-added resellers in the country by partnering with the best-of-breed, next-generation software suppliers. We have two corporate-owned data centers to support our vendor applications and be a scalable, secure, fully redundant, high-availability environment that meets our clients’ needs.

To deliver this level of service, Aktion employs more than 250 full-time IT professionals, including software engineers, application specialists, network engineers, consultants, industry specialists, and support staff.
This approach has earned Aktion more than 8,400 customers in North America who view Aktion as a trusted technology advisor.

Sunil Palakodati is the CEO of Artivo Surfaces.

Artivo Surfaces is a newly formed powerhouse in the flooring and tile industry, combining the strengths of four market-leading distributors: Galleher LLC, Tom Duffy, Trinity Hardwood, and Virginia Tile Company. Backed by private equity, Artivo Surfaces spans across the U.S., with 78 locations in 18 states, offering unparalleled geographic reach and a deepened product portfolio that includes hardwood, tile, luxury vinyl, and installation accessories.

Mathew Vachaparampil is the CEO of Caresoft Global Technologies, Inc.

Caresoft Global is a technology-driven global engineering solutions company addressing challenges relative to product development, cost optimization, manufacturing, and aftermarket for major automotive OEMs, off-highway, commercial vehicle manufacturers, and their suppliers. Our award-winning technologies combined with highly evolved processes enable our customers to gain actionable insights that accelerate R&D programs, fuel growth decisions, cut costs, and improve efficiencies.

Sydney Williams, PhD is the President of Designetics.

At Designetics, we are at the forefront of fluid dispensing systems. With decades of experience and a commitment to excellence, we have built our reputation on providing products and services that not only meet but exceed the highest industry standards. As our journey began with a simple vision, it has evolved into a legacy of quality, innovation, customer partnership and community support. Additionally, we believe that our success is intrinsically linked to giving back and supporting our community. Our organization is dedicated to making our community more successful and we do this by providing our time, talent and treasure. As we look to the future, Designetics remains committed to redefining the standards of fluid dispensing technology. Our passion for innovation and our dedication to quality have set us apart, and we look forward to continuing to serve our global clientele with the same commitment that has defined our journey thus far.

Brian McKinney is the Founder and CEO of Gayanga Co.

Gayanga Co. stands as a transformative force in Metro Detroit's construction landscape. Since its inception in 2016, the company has spearheaded innovative solutions to urban blight and infrastructure challenges. Specializing in total demolition, underground utility work, and environmental remediation, Gayanga Co. has reshaped dilapidated environments into thriving spaces.  Notable achievements include demolishing over 1000 blighted structures, securing contracts with major entities to create environmentally safe buffers for residents, participating in the demolition of power plants, and clearing over 40 acres for an international bridge connecting Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan. Through strategic collaborations with industry giants, Gayanga Co. continues to expand its footprint to lead the charge in redefining urban landscapes and fostering inclusive economic development.

Nathan Baar is the Founder and CEO of HealthBar.

HealthBar provides custom primary and preventative care services to businesses and schools addressing the most pressing challenges to our healthcare industry: cost, quality, and accessibility. By offering our unique version of onsite clinics, virtual care, system navigation, and much more, we're producing outcomes not seen by any of our competitors. We're scaling across the Midwest, and soon across the US. 

Brett Logan is the Founder and CEO of Immaculate Flight, LLC.

Immaculate Flight provides aviation detailing services for corporations, fleets, individual owners, governments, and aircraft maintenance facilities in 12 different states. With a team of over 250 professionals, we are mobile to service our clients 24/7/365.

Kevin Heras is the Co-Founder and CEO of InvestNext.

At InvestNext, we set out on a mission to transform the way real estate investment firms raise and manage capital. Our journey as a company started in Detroit almost ten years ago. At the time, we realized the commercial real estate industry as a whole operates within a black box, with countless hours spent on activities that made fundraising, investment management, and investor relations tedious and inefficient. Since day one, we’ve known that tomorrow’s investor is one who will not only have access to detailed performance metrics across their portfolio, but also have the full picture of the positive impact they have made on the communities they have invested in. With that in mind, we’ve built a software platform that enables investment firms to operate more effectively and provide greater transparency to their investors. Instrumental to this effort has been our close partnerships with commercial real estate syndicators and other investment firms around the globe. As of today, we are trusted by over 70,000 investors, with billions of dollars managed on the platform.

Dave Den Herder is the Founder and CEO of Marceco.

Marceco is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan and is the 2nd largest direct distribution partner for Boost Mobile, supporting over 1,000 Boost Mobile branded dealer locations across the United States. We provide our dealers with the highest quality smartphones plus marketing, sales, and operational support for each of their locations. Marceco was founded in 1995 from the kitchen table of Dave Den Herder, who at the time was a social worker who saw an opportunity to begin offering prepaid calling cards sold through vending machines. Dave has built Marceco into an organization that is "built-to-last". Although the majority focus is on our mobile business, we recently began diversifying and now operate an industrial product wholesale distribution company (ServCorp), an online equipment refurbishing company (Cell It Green), as well as a commercial leasing advisory company (LeasePros).

Gino Mersino is the President and CEO of Mersino Water Solutions.

Mersino Water Solutions is a global water solutions company providing full-service support across multiple industries. We add value by engaging with customers early in their projects, offering expert application engineering to develop the most effective and cost-efficient pumping solutions.

Once a solution is designed, Mersino partners with clients to execute the plan, deploying skilled crews, project management personnel, and specialized equipment to install and operate large-scale pumping systems. Our fleet includes everything from multimillion-dollar trenchers and drill rigs to the Global Pump product line—designed and manufactured in-house to ensure superior quality, efficiency, and availability.

Our services cover a wide range of applications, including groundwater control, sewer bypass pumping, emergency flood response and prevention, and water transfer for various industrial and municipal needs.

Doug Callahan is the President of MMI-es.

MMI-es is an injection molded components and assembly manufacturer with headquarters in Saline, MI. We also have facilities in Troy MI, Warren, MI and Monterrey, Mexico. We manufacture products for the automotive, heavy truck and industrial automation industries. We are also a leading manufacturer of tooling located in the State of Michigan.

Ryan Niles is the CEO of Niles Industrial Coatings.

Niles Industrial Coatings is a leading asset restoration and industrial services contractor specializing in high-quality protective solutions across various sectors. Our comprehensive services include specialty coatings, roof restoration, and mechanical restoration, all designed to enhance the durability and performance of critical infrastructure. We serve diverse industries such as power, water and wastewater, steel, manufacturing, pipelines and terminals, petrochemical, entertainment, sports, dams, and food and beverage. Our team of skilled technicians brings decades of experience to each project, ensuring on-time delivery and the best return on investment for our clients. At Niles, we are committed to innovation, efficiency, and safety, leveraging the latest technologies and industry best practices to meet the unique needs of our clients. Our mission is to unlock potential while protecting your most critical assets, providing tailored solutions that ensure longevity and reliability.

Zachary Verhulst is the Founder and CEO of Pure Architects.

Pure Architects is an architectural firm that provides professional architectural and interior design services, headquartered in Grand Rapids with a Detroit design studio. We design projects throughout the United States with a focus on Michigan-based clients. We believe every project and every building makes an impact beyond its walls. Our insights — as a Black-owned design firm leading a team devoted to equity and design excellence — ensure a comprehensive and inclusive approach to every project. We are committed to an empathetic, economically responsible, and environmentally mindful process, one that manifests purpose in place.

Ime Ekpenyong, PhD is the CEO and Vikki Columbus, RPh is the Chief Pharmacy Officer of ScriptGuideRX, Inc.

SGRX is a boutique healthcare organization that has been providing prescription benefit management services to self-funded and commercial entities nationwide, since 2001. The company also offers SGRXSaves, a discount program that helps people save on prescription drugs. Over the past 10 years, SGRX has expanded its customer base into thirteen different states and territories, and helped employers reduce prescription costs by 15 to 20%. 

Jim Schaefer is the President and CEO of Storage Control Systems, Inc.

Storage Control Systems Inc., (SCS, Inc.), headquartered in Sparta, Michigan, with locations in New York, Washington, and the United Kingdom, is an international, full solution provider of controlled atmosphere storage and indoor farming solutions. Our services range from building design and construction services, engineering, manufacturing and installation of controlled atmosphere and refrigeration equipment, energy management, controls and software products and monitoring services. SCS, Inc. has been providing growers and farmers products, services, and solutions since 1982, served by three generations of Schaefer family members.

Mark Tapper is the CEO of Tapper's Fine Jewelry, Inc.

Tapper’s Fine Jewelry is Michigan’s premier luxury jeweler, renowned for its unparalleled selection of fine diamonds, designer jewelry, and Swiss timepieces. Founded on a legacy of excellence, Tapper’s has built a reputation for exceptional customer service, expert craftsmanship, and deep community engagement. With multiple locations, including the exclusive Rolex by Tapper’s boutique at Somerset Collection, Tapper’s sets the standard for luxury retail in the Midwest.

Tapper’s offers an extensive collection of fine jewelry, engagement rings, and timepieces from world-class brands along with expert watchmaking, jewelry repair, and custom design services. Beyond its retail success, Tapper’s is dedicated to giving back, supporting numerous charitable organizations through donations, events, and partnerships. Rooted in family values, philanthropy, and innovation, Tapper’s blends tradition with modern luxury, creating a legacy of excellence and community impact.

Katie Balash is the President and CEO of Vaughan Industries, Inc.

Vaughan Industries is a premier supplier of OEM and OEM replacement parts and equipment for conveyorized systems, specifically car wash.  We also produce and distribute cleaning compounds for car washes and a line of metal working fluids for tooling.
What started as a chemical manufacturing operation in 1974, Vaughan has grown into a premier supplier of consumable and replacement parts, unique equipment and unparalleled customer service.

Eric Hardy is the President and CEO of w3r Consulting.

w3r Consulting is more than a minority-owned IT and data management firm—it’s a passionate partner transforming the future. We collaborate with Fortune 500 leaders in Healthcare, Financial Services, and Insurance, driven by a deep commitment to innovation and excellence. Our expertise in Data Engineering, Agile Transformation, Cloud Modernization, and AI Enablement fuels bold solutions that unlock new possibilities.

We tailor strategies to each client’s unique journey, sparking breakthroughs in efficiency and tech advancement. Our flexible engagement models—project-based, SOW, or managed services—adapt to your needs, so you’re never alone in facing challenges. Through our talent solutions, we connect exceptional professionals with top organizations to fulfill strategic goals.

With a strong presence across the U.S., India and the Philippines, w3r empowers digital transformation with industry-specific insight. But beyond business, we’re driven by purpose—to uplift the communities we serve. At w3r, we don’t just work for progress—we live it.

Tifiany Walker is the Founder and CEO of Walker Healthforce, LLC.

Walker Healthforce is a nationally recognized, certified Minority and Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) that delivers strategic project and workforce solutions exclusively to the healthcare industry. We serve leading payers, providers, and integrated health systems across the country, with core expertise spanning Information Technology, Care Management, and Business and Government Services. With a national delivery infrastructure, we offer the scale and rigor of a large consulting firm combined with the agility and personalized service of a boutique partner. Each engagement is led by a dedicated delivery manager, supported by technical and team leads to ensure day-to-day continuity and performance. Our structured model drives reduced turnover, consistent project delivery, and clear communication—delivering measurable outcomes across complex, mission-critical programs. As a certified M/WBE, we help clients meet supplier diversity goals while supporting broader Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives through inclusive, impact-driven partnerships. We deliver not only results, but value that aligns with our clients’ performance and purpose.