Cheri Bales, M.A.
Marketing and Communication Subject Matter Expert
Cheri Bales has spent 30 years in the marketing industry from nonprofit to education and especially small businesses. Cheri provides marketing and communications strategy and support including website development, social and digital marketing, email marketing, graphic design, event planning and implementation. Cheri volunteers as a marketing consultant to South Haven Region Business Hub leadership team and clients and serves as a SCORE Mentor for Van Buren County and the surrounding area. Mission: Making Marketing Easier for Business Entrepreneurs.
Sara Burks, E.A.
Nonprofit Taxation Subject Matter Expert
Sara Burks, E.A., serves as a Subject Matter Expert in tax and accounting for our mentoring platform, leveraging over 25 years of industry experience and her professional background at Nova Accounting Solutions. A graduate of Andrews University and Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Sara advanced from staff accountant to earning her prestigious Enrolled Agent designation, granting her full authority to represent taxpayers before the IRS. Specialized in individual, fiduciary, and nonprofit taxation, she serves as a trusted business mentor dedicated to guiding entrepreneurs through complex regulations, payroll, and strategic tax planning with integrity and personalized care.
Jacob Christensen
Bookkeeping Subject Matter Expert
Since December 2021, Jacob Christensen has been a professional bookkeeper and owner/operator of Great Lakes Bookkeeping, LLC. He is an Intuit ProAdvisor member certified in QuickBooks Online Advanced. He has helped clients with training, account setup, cleanup, tax preparation, and ongoing monthly services. He enjoys teaching and helping other companies get a handle on their books. Jacob supports in-person, and one-on-one mentoring at the Hub location at Lake Michigan College or virtually via zoom.
Jennifer Cohen
Virtual Assistant, Subject Matter Expert
Jennifer Cohen is a seasoned administrative professional with 30 years of experience. She’s spent her career leading departments, supporting high-level executives, and is now the owner/operator of EssentialJen Virtual Services, where she helps small business owners with the administrative and technical pieces of their businesses. Whether it’s managing the day-to-day, setting up technology, implementing systems, assisting with marketing and communications, or coordinating events, Jen’s mission is to make life easier for small business owners.
Dan Cubr
Sales Subject Matter Expert
Dan Cubr, Sandler/EAM Consulting Group, provides a wealth of knowledge and trusted thought leadership to his clients by tapping into lessons learned over a 25+ year career. With an extensive background in cultivating high performing and cohesive sales teams, Dan’s hands-on approach and collaborative nature allow him to help individuals and groups break through barriers and find success. He has a passion for serving others and helping people develop both personally and professionally.
Steven Cummings
CFO Subject Matter Expert
Steven Cummings is the managing partner at SPC Consulting. He has a wealth of experience leading three different companies ranging in size from $3M to $50M. His no-nonsense approach to devising a business plan makes it simple even for the novice. Steve and his team guide executives on strategy, process, and culture. Steve is passionate about working with people in the manufacturing industry. In the community, Steve is a Certified business mentor for SCORE, helping local entrepreneurs with their small businesses, a board member of Goodwill Industries, a featured speaker, and a blogger.
Korey Force
Marketing and Project Management Subject Matter Expert
Korey Force is the founder of Force Field Applied Solutions, where her mission is to empower the growth and success of small to mid-sized businesses. Drawing on deep roots in agriculture, broad industry experience, and formal training as an MBA and certified Project Management Professional (PMP), she brings a 360, wrap-around approach to marketing. Korey works from the top down, helping organizations align strategy, messaging, and execution so marketing investments stay lean, focused, and high impact. She is a board member at Tillers International and a consistent sponsor of Milwood Little League and the Kalamazoo Nature Center, reflecting her commitment to community, stewardship, and long-term value.
Logan Herzog
Nonprofit Subject Matter Expert
Logan Herzog is the Executive Director of RISE, a nonprofit focused on economic development through entrepreneurship education. He previously held growth roles at startups like BambooHR, Process Street, and Flatfile, and is a two-time agency founder with one successful exit in 2024. Logan has consulted for alumni of Y Combinator, Techstars, and 500 Startups, and has taught Go-to-Market strategy at Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business. His work at RISE blends his passion for startup growth with a commitment to supporting the next generation of founders.
Jim Hettinger
Economic Development Consultant
Jim Hettinger started his economic development career in 1978, when he was named the Marketing Director of Battle Creek Unlimited, a non-profit corporation formed by the City of Battle Creek, Michigan, to market and manage the Fort Custer base transformation to a modern global industrial and business park. During his 30 years, he developed expertise in workforce development strategies, financing, and international logistics associated with the operation of a US Customs Port of Entry and Foreign Trade Zone.
KC Johnson
Leadership Subject Matter Expert
Seasoned workforce leader and Women’s Entrepreneurship professional with 15+ years of expertise in career readiness and professional growth. Specialist in dismantling barriers for disadvantaged populations, transforming trials into triumphs through skill-building and resilience initiatives. Founder of Kingdom Business Consulting E.T.C., leveraging tailored mentoring and workshops to cultivate leaders and nurture the entrepreneurial spirit.
Afiya Latham
Leadership Subject Matter Expert
A321 Consulting, a structured consulting firm focused on helping entrepreneurs build and operate businesses with clarity, structure, and purpose. Through her signature methodology, The Gameplan FrameworkTM, she equips business owners with the systems, strategies, and leadership tools needed to move from startup to sustainable growth. Afiya specializes in supporting entrepreneurs as they transition from working in their business to leading it—focusing on operations, team development, and foundational business practices that drive long-term economic empowerment. Her approach is practical and results-driven, ensuring clients not only create a plan, but execute it effectively.
Michele Mollard
Curriculum Advisor, Mentor, Subject Matter Expert
Michele Mollard is passionate about designing all aspects of your life. Michele started her first business right out of college. It was a business-to-business leads group. Michele works with entrepreneurs and their leadership teams to teach them how to run their businesses, so they get more of what they want from their business. Her calling as a facilitator, coach and teacher have been fulfilled as she works with Leadership Teams in many organizations annually helping people and companies reach their full potential. She has volunteered her time for several companies and nonprofits to help them grow.
Christopher Moraitis
Legal Subject Matter Expert
Christopher Moraitis is a Partner Attorney at Schuitmaker Moraitis Law Office, specializing in estate planning, probate, real estate, and municipal law. He earned his degree in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy from Michigan State University, providing him with a strong foundation in legal and governmental systems. Subsequently, he obtained his Juris Doctor from Michigan State University College of Law. Admitted to the Michigan Bar and eligible to practice in all UBE jurisdictions, Christopher is the President of the Van Buren Bar Association. He actively serves the community through involvement in the Rotary Club and the Downtown Development Board in Paw Paw. With a commitment to both professional excellence and community service, Christopher brings a well-rounded perspective to his legal practice, which also encompasses business formation, contract drafting, and probate matters.
Jim Neumann
Subject Matter Expert
Jim Neumann embarked on his career in specialty markets, accumulating a lifetime of experience in sales and marketing. With a track record of full accountability, Jim has built and managed highly successful national and international sales teams, overseen marketing and creative departments, and motivated customer service professionals to achieve exceptional results. His broad career spans diverse sectors including sporting goods, consumer products, military computers, manufacturing components, the private club and hospitality industries, and the automotive and marine markets, among others.
Fred Schubkegel
Business Attorney, Legal Advisor
Fred Schubkegel is with Varnum LLP, provides general legal counsel to private business interests and non-profit organizations. He has more than 30 years’ experience assisting for-profits and nonprofits with advice, strategies and services including entity formation and governance, financing, partnership agreements, contracts, asset protection and business succession planning. Fred has specialized expertise in real estate and economic development, finance, and businesses or properties impacted by environmental regulations or concerns. Fred serves as the administrator of Varnum LLP’s MISpringboard program which provides legal counsel to qualified businesses and individuals. Fred is one of Varnum’s go-to experts for legal matters involving business ventures of Native American tribes, and minority business enterprises.
Brad Scoffin
Business Succession Subject Matter
With more than 30 years of experience in business and financial services, Brad specializes in succession planning and preparing business owners for the sale of their company. Larry, who has 30 years of experience in business appraisal, provides clients with valuable insights into their market value and sets realistic expectations. Brad is highly engaged in the small business community, volunteering with SCORE.org and serving on SBAM’s Leadership Council. He is also the current president of the Michigan Business Brokers Association. Brad earned his degree in Quantitative Economics and Decision Sciences from the University of California San Diego.
Heather Schaefer
Branding and Marketing Subject Matter Expert
Heather Schaefer is a brand strategist, designer, and founder of Branding You Big, LLC, with over 30 years of experience building more than 100 brands nationwide. She created the Million Dollar Brand Strategy using her proprietary MVP Essentials™ framework (Mission, Values, Vision, Voice, and Purpose), which has driven client revenue increases between 50% and 77% while helping authors achieve bestseller status. A University of Kansas journalism and art and design graduate, Heather serves as Managing Director of eWomenNetwork Southwest Michigan. She actively coaches and mentors women business owners within the regional ecosystem, speaking frequently on the critical business differences between long-term strategic market positioning and a basic logo design.
Dezarai Shepherd
Operations Subject Matter Expert
Dezarai Shepherd, BSET, is the founder of Dezarai Shepherd Consulting, where she helps founders identify and eliminate the operational bottlenecks slowing their growth. Through her “Scale-Ready Operations” workshop, she gives founders a clear, systematic framework for finding the root cause of problems and implementing solutions that stick. Beyond workshops, Dezarai serves as a rapid point-of-contact for operational questions, quickly connecting founders with the right solution. For product-based founders, her 10 years in product development and design engineering—backed by a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology, Product Design and Development—make her an especially valuable resource, guiding teams from requirements through testing to a robust launch.
Jennifer Sistrunk
Economic Development Subject Matter Expert
Jennifer Sistrunk is the Executive Director of Visit South Haven and Destination Paw Paw, the official destination marketing agency for South Haven and Van Buren County. With over 20 years of experience in hospitality and destination marketing—and a background in graphic and communication design—she leads strategic branding, storytelling, and development initiatives that position Southwest Michigan as a premier travel destination. Jennifer serves on the boards of the West Michigan Tourist Association, the Michigan Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, the South Haven Area Recreational Authority, and the South Haven Center for the Arts. She was named Convention and Visitors Bureau Star of the Year by the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association, received the 2024 South Haven Mayor’s Service Award, and was recognized in Moody on the Market’s 40 Under 40 in 2023.
Darren Timmeney
Finance Subject Matter Expert
Darren Timmeney spent 40 years at JPMorgan Chase advising businesses at every stage of growth—from early-stage startups to mid-market companies—navigating capital raises, acquisitions, and exits. He has worked across the full financing spectrum: angel rounds, venture capital, debt restructuring, M&A, and IPOs. Today he serves as CFO of Humphrey Products Company, a 125-year-old family-owned manufacturer here in Kalamazoo—bringing that same capital markets experience to bear on a business built to last. Darren is also an adviser to Kalamazoo Forward Ventures and serves on the boards of the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, and Downtown Kalamazoo Inc.
Kevin S. Whiteford
CPA & MST Subject Matter Expert
Kevin S. Whiteford is the owner and operator of multiple small businesses with the two main businesses being Whiteford Wealth Management, Inc., and Whiteford Properties Inc., in South Haven, Michigan. Kevin started up his investment and financial planning business in December 1999 and is licensed with a series 7, series 66 and series 24. Kevin utilizes his tax knowledge and international business experience when assisting businesses and individuals in meeting their retirement investment needs. Whiteford Wealth Management, Inc. currently serves clients in 28 states who operate businesses all over the country. In November 1997, Kevin decided to start his own firm specializing in small businesses and the business owners. Kevin currently sits on the board of directors for the DDA for the City of South Haven.
Anh Wilkins
Bookkeeping and Payroll Subject Matter Expert
Anh Wilkins serves as a Subject Matter Expert in accounting and bookkeeping for the Hub, bringing over 20 years of real-world expertise and her professional experience with Nova Accounting Solutions. A graduate of Kalamazoo Valley Community College and Western Michigan University with a degree in accounting, she blends academic depth with decades of hands-on insight to help entrepreneurs navigate complex financial requirements. Known for her professionalism, discretion, and sharp attention to detail, Anh is a trusted mentor dedicated to helping founders build compliant systems, streamline payroll, and achieve absolute confidence in their numbers.
For more information
Elizabeth Bernhard, Executive Director
South Haven Regional Business Hub
southhavenregionalbusinesshub.org
elizabeth@southhavenregionalbusinesshub.org
(269) 720-1699