Julie Callaway
BDN Industrial Hygiene Consultants
Julie is the President and Owner of BDN, a health and safety consulting company specializing in OSHA compliance through employee exposure monitoring, noise monitoring and hazardous materials building inspections for heavy renovations and demolition. Julie is a graduate of Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor of Biology emphasis in Environmental Health and Chemistry. She is a 2023 graduate and alumni of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, a 2024 Graduate of the Tuck School of Business Building a Successful Diverse Business, 2025 Graduate of Leadership Greater Kalamazoo and a 2026 graduate of the WBENC WeTHRIVE Executive Education Program.
Mike Cash
Retired
Mike Cash recently retired from Amcor Flexible Packaging, where he was based in Singapore, and had responsibility for 40 manufacturing plants, 8,000 employees, and more than $1.6 bln in sales of food, personal care, home care, pharma, and medical device packaging throughout Asia Pacific. Prior to this, Mike had 36 years of global leadership experience in the paint and coatings industry with Sherwin Williams, AkzoNobel, and Axalta (a private equity buy-out from Dupont). Mike’s track record in sales growth, customer focus, new product promotion, operational excellence, and care of employees puts him in a unique position to help developing businesses expand their capabilities.
Prince Covington
MovePortz
Prince A. Covington is a retired corporate trainer and adjunct professor teaching at Ivy Tech Community College and Notre Dame University. He has more than 30 years teaching experience including an extensive background in the areas of management/supervision, adult education, and soft skills. After retiring from education, Prince started his own business with the intent of making an impact in South Haven and the surrounding community. In January 2021, he co-founded Moveportz Private Car and Shuttle service to satisfy the need for short-haul passenger transportation. Prince holds a master’s degree in both Business Administration and Public Administration and is a retired serviceman spending 23 years in both the Marines and Army reserves.
Michele Coy
Michele Coy Enterprises
Michele Coy is a Business and Leadership Strategist who empowers clients to build strong relationships and achieve sustainable success. She utilizes NLP techniques like Time-Line Therapy to help individuals overcome limiting beliefs and improve communication with their teams, families, and themselves. With extensive experience in business administration and accountancy, coupled with certifications from Dale Carnegie and John Maxwell Team, Michele provides comprehensive support to her clients. She fosters a collaborative approach, encouraging self-reflection and gratitude to facilitate personal and professional growth.
Bruce C. Gobdel
Retired
Bruce C. Gobdel is a retired Chairman of Crowe LLP, a top 10 accounting and consulting firm, with 37 years of experience in strategic leadership, organizational development, and human resources. He served as Chairman of the firm and its staffing affiliate, Creative Financial Staffing, while also leading the Human Resource Management Consulting Group and the Crowe Foundation. Now, through Gobdel Consulting LLC, he advises closely held family businesses on strategic and succession planning, executive coaching, and compensation. His expertise spans strategic planning, organizational design, and management effectiveness, grounded in his credentials as a Certified Public Accountant and Licensed Industrial Psychologist. He holds a Doctorate and Master of Business Administration in Organizational Behavior and Social Psychology, and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, all from Indiana University. Throughout his career, he has also served in numerous not-for-profit board leadership roles.
Paul Hansen
Retired
Originally from Chicago, Paul Hansen is a third-generation laundromat owner whose career in the laundry industry spans over three decades. His deep expertise was cultivated from his teenage years, assisting in the family business. Hansen previously owned five Su Nueva Lavanderia locations, which he later sold to Laundry Growth Partners, a multi-laundry operator in Chicago. He remains involved with the company as a member of its Board of Directors. Further demonstrating his commitment, Hansen also serves on the boards of both the LaundryCares Foundation and the Coin Laundry Association, showcasing his dedication to industry best practices and community enrichment through laundromats.
Arthur Harrison
Retired
Arthur Harrison is a retired executive with 45 years of experience in the manufacturing sector, supporting industries from turf equipment to solar and recreational vehicles. He successfully launched four ERP systems and led diverse organizational functions including Operations, Production Planning, Inventory Control, Purchasing, and Business Development. Arthur also mentored students in the South Bend School Corporation, showcasing manufacturing career opportunities. He established KPIs to track progress towards corporate goals and completed the University of Notre Dame Executive Training program. For 23 years, Arthur was integral to the management and executive teams at General Stamping and Metalworks, contributing to the business’s significant growth from $7 million to over $100 million in annual sales.Debi Howe
Board President
Debi Howe is a seasoned entrepreneur and community leader with a proven track record of fostering small business growth. After successfully building and selling a technology company with over 400 employees, Debi has dedicated her career to supporting entrepreneurs in Southwest Michigan. As the Board President of the South Haven Regional Business Hub, Debi is passionate about creating a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. She has held leadership roles in numerous organizations, including SCORE Kalamazoo/SW Michigan, the Greater Kalamazoo Business Resources Network, and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Her expertise in business development, mentorship, and nonprofit management has benefited countless entrepreneurs and community members.
Bob Jank
Consultant/Investor
Robert (Bob) Jank has been involved in economic development since retiring from commercial banking in 2012. He has served on the LISC Chicago Board of Advisors, an organization dedicated to empowering low-income communities. Additionally, he is a member of IrishAngels, an angel investing group focused on early-stage ventures. Since 2020, Bob has been a Certified SCORE Mentor, assisting aspiring entrepreneurs in Southwest Michigan. He primarily helps business owners with business plan development and securing financing.
Rob Paliani
Retired
Rob Paliani retired from HSBC Bank where he was most recently the Head of Retail Portfolio Management and Analytics based in Canada. He has 36 years banking experience with leadership roles in risk management, marketing, and financial modeling. While at HSBC, Rob served as a leadership coach to mentor future leaders, and served on his local school board while residing in metro Chicago. He earned a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Michigan and is a Certified Financial Risk Manager (FRM). Rob’s interest in small business began as a teenager when he worked in his family’s restaurant and continues today as he assists with his wife’s store (Lakeshore Trends) in downtown South Haven.
Alan Silverman
Retired
“Professional problem solver” is how Alan always responded to the question “What do you do? Although his title was “lawyer,” Alan’s clients—primarily business owners and operators—sought him out to solve business problems. He maintained a similar focus while serving as president of the board of the Michigan Maritime Museum, chair of the South Haven Harbor Commission, member of the board of the South Haven Community Foundation and chair of its Grants Committee, and as a flag officer of the South Haven Yacht Club. These roles helped him develop a broad understanding of diverse business and financial interests. Now retired from the practice of law he is still sought out by condominium boards, real estate developers, area businesses and non-profits for his practical approach to solving business problems.
Janice Varney
Retired
Janice Varney served as the first Executive Dean of Lake Michigan College, South Haven Campus. She was the former chair of the South Haven Chamber of Commerce Board, on the Michigan Maritime Museum Board, and LDFA/Brownfield Authority. She received the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chamber of Commerce and the Community Service Award from the South Haven Rotary. Janice currently serves on the South Haven Speakers Series Board, and Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy Board with special interest in Pilgrim Haven and Black River Preserve. Janice chairs the SHCF Grant and Scholarship Committee.Debra Zabloudil, FACHE
The Learning Studio
Debra Zabloudil is the President and Founder of The Learning Studio (TLS), a consultancy and training organization. With a career marked by strategic insight and a passion for helping organizations and individuals grow, Debra has guided countless organizations in assessing their strategy, product and service portfolios, and operations. Under Debra’s leadership, the firm has developed and delivered impactful leadership development experiences for both seasoned professionals and emerging leaders. Her approach is grounded in openness and transparency, with a belief in finding purpose at the intersection of life and work.
For more information: Debi Howe, Executive Director South Haven Region Business Hub debihowe1960@gmail.com (269) 207-0747