Staff & Contact Info Justin Horvath, CEcD President/CEO .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Justin Horvath is the President and Chief Executive Officer having been with the SEDP for over 20 years. Justin has been an active member of the Michigan Economic Developers Association (MEDA) since early in his career, including completing the Practitioners Training Certification Program, 2017 Medalist of the Year recipient, 2019 Robert Sieghart Award recipient, Business Retention & Expansion & Managing an Economic Development Organization instructor for the Basic Course, and service on the MEDA Board (including a leadership role as President in 2019). He is also a member and Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) through the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and led the SEDP to become an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) through IEDC in 2022. He has also been twice (2015 & 2021) recognized as a top 50 economic developer in North America by Consultant Connect, and top 40 under 40 economic developer by DCI in 2017. Justin received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics, Master of Arts degree in Applied Economics, and a Master of Public Policy degree, all from the University of Michigan. Brent Jones Vice President .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Brent is the Vice President of SEDP and has been with the organization since 2008. His responsibilities include overseeing marketing activities and managing client projects. Brent was the recipient of the 2012 President’s Award from the Michigan Economic Developers Association (MEDA) and has completed several courses through the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) including the Basic Course, Business Retention & Expansion, Marketing & Attraction. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Central Michigan University. Alexis McDowell Investor Relations Manager .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Alexis is Investor Relations Manager at the Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership, where she supports investors and ensures their needs are met. She also serves as the head of the Shiawassee Young Professional Network, a program that fosters networking and collaboration among the county's workforce. Alexis holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics from Northern Michigan University. Sally Warren Accounting Manager .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Sally Warren is the Finance & Investor Coordinator for Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership. She joined the SEDP team in 2019 as the bookkeeper, and in 2022 she became the Finance & Investor Coordinator. She oversees financial data and compliance by maintaining accurate books on accounts payable and receivable, and daily and monthly financial responsibilities. Sally also took on the role of Investor Coordinator working with potential and existing investors. Sally has over 30 years of accounting and bookkeeping experience and many years of customer service. Sally and her husband operate a 400-acre farm in Shiawassee County. She enjoys finding creative ways to spend time with her family, and in her free time she likes to garden, go camping, fishing, and hunting. Jody Roethele Program Coordinator .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Jody Roethele is the Program Coordinator for the Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership (SEDP). She has been with the SEDP for over 8 years. She provides administrative support to SEDP, maintains the database, plans events and participates in multiple regional childcare initiatives. Jody has 30 years of administrative experience. She also has over 20 years of database management and over five years of event planning experience. Jody is a lifelong resident of Shiawassee County. She grew up in Laingsburg and lives there now with her husband and son. She has owned a photography business for almost 20 years. She loves photographing people, capturing images of nature and enjoys taking photos at SEDP events. Emily Marrah Small Business Consultant .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Emily Marrah is a professional business consultant who specializes in hospitality, food and beverage establishments. She has worked in a 5 Star Resort, 3 Michelin Star Chef Restaurant and Event Facility in a Leading Hotel on the World with a Director of Operations Capacity. Marrah’s professional skills include Project Management, Program Development, Public Relations, Pricing and Cost Analysis Reporting, Marketing, Event Planning (Corporate and Social), Senior Management Officer, Vendor Relations, Product Ordering, Staffing, Financial and Budget Oversight, Hospitality Management, Hospitality Industry – Food and Beverage, Restaurant Management, Pre-Opening, Catering, Revenue Analysis, Menu Development, Banquet Operations. Emily has 3 years of experience as an SBDC Consultant. Tanya Green Business & Community Liaison, Shiawassee RESD .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Tanya Green joined the Shiawassee RESD in January 2024 as the new Work-Based Learning Facilitator and has most recently partnered with us as the new Business and Community Liaison with the SEDP. Tanya began her career as a Secondary Science Teacher in the Plymouth-Canton Community School District and later spent eight years in Career Services and Internship Placement at Davenport University. Upon earning her MBA in Human Resources from Davenport, Tanya also taught undergraduate Health Careers courses as well. She later transitioned to a position with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services where she served for five years in an Organizational Development role. In addition to an MBA, Tanya also holds a Post-Graduate Degree in Health Care and an A.A.S. in Health Information Technology from Davenport University, as well as a B.S. in Secondary Education Biology from Eastern Michigan University. Tanya has two kids in the Corunna Public School District and is excited to be serving the community she loves through her work at the RESD. Ashley Connelly Grant Writer, Lionbear Ventures .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Through a partnership with Lionbear Ventures, SEDP is able to offer our investors support in pursuing grant funding for projects. Ashley and her team are available to discuss, strategize, even provide grant writing support for select projects. Justin Horvath, CEcD President/CEO .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Justin Horvath is the President and Chief Executive Officer having been with the SEDP for over 20 years. Justin has been an active member of the Michigan Economic Developers Association (MEDA) since early in his career, including completing the Practitioners Training Certification Program, 2017 Medalist of the Year recipient, 2019 Robert Sieghart Award recipient, Business Retention & Expansion & Managing an Economic Development Organization instructor for the Basic Course, and service on the MEDA Board (including a leadership role as President in 2019). He is also a member and Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) through the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and led the SEDP to become an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) through IEDC in 2022. He has also been twice (2015 & 2021) recognized as a top 50 economic developer in North America by Consultant Connect, and top 40 under 40 economic developer by DCI in 2017. Justin received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics, Master of Arts degree in Applied Economics, and a Master of Public Policy degree, all from the University of Michigan. Brent Jones Vice President .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Brent is the Vice President of SEDP and has been with the organization since 2008. His responsibilities include overseeing marketing activities and managing client projects. Brent was the recipient of the 2012 President’s Award from the Michigan Economic Developers Association (MEDA) and has completed several courses through the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) including the Basic Course, Business Retention & Expansion, Marketing & Attraction. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Central Michigan University. Alexis McDowell Investor Relations Manager .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Alexis is Investor Relations Manager at the Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership, where she supports investors and ensures their needs are met. She also serves as the head of the Shiawassee Young Professional Network, a program that fosters networking and collaboration among the county's workforce. Alexis holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics from Northern Michigan University. Sally Warren Accounting Manager .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Sally Warren is the Finance & Investor Coordinator for Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership. She joined the SEDP team in 2019 as the bookkeeper, and in 2022 she became the Finance & Investor Coordinator. She oversees financial data and compliance by maintaining accurate books on accounts payable and receivable, and daily and monthly financial responsibilities. Sally also took on the role of Investor Coordinator working with potential and existing investors. Sally has over 30 years of accounting and bookkeeping experience and many years of customer service. Sally and her husband operate a 400-acre farm in Shiawassee County. She enjoys finding creative ways to spend time with her family, and in her free time she likes to garden, go camping, fishing, and hunting. Jody Roethele Program Coordinator .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Jody Roethele is the Program Coordinator for the Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership (SEDP). She has been with the SEDP for over 8 years. She provides administrative support to SEDP, maintains the database, plans events and participates in multiple regional childcare initiatives. Jody has 30 years of administrative experience. She also has over 20 years of database management and over five years of event planning experience. Jody is a lifelong resident of Shiawassee County. She grew up in Laingsburg and lives there now with her husband and son. She has owned a photography business for almost 20 years. She loves photographing people, capturing images of nature and enjoys taking photos at SEDP events. Emily Marrah Small Business Consultant .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Emily Marrah is a professional business consultant who specializes in hospitality, food and beverage establishments. She has worked in a 5 Star Resort, 3 Michelin Star Chef Restaurant and Event Facility in a Leading Hotel on the World with a Director of Operations Capacity. Marrah’s professional skills include Project Management, Program Development, Public Relations, Pricing and Cost Analysis Reporting, Marketing, Event Planning (Corporate and Social), Senior Management Officer, Vendor Relations, Product Ordering, Staffing, Financial and Budget Oversight, Hospitality Management, Hospitality Industry – Food and Beverage, Restaurant Management, Pre-Opening, Catering, Revenue Analysis, Menu Development, Banquet Operations. Emily has 3 years of experience as an SBDC Consultant. Tanya Green Business & Community Liaison, Shiawassee RESD .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Tanya Green joined the Shiawassee RESD in January 2024 as the new Work-Based Learning Facilitator and has most recently partnered with us as the new Business and Community Liaison with the SEDP. Tanya began her career as a Secondary Science Teacher in the Plymouth-Canton Community School District and later spent eight years in Career Services and Internship Placement at Davenport University. Upon earning her MBA in Human Resources from Davenport, Tanya also taught undergraduate Health Careers courses as well. She later transitioned to a position with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services where she served for five years in an Organizational Development role. In addition to an MBA, Tanya also holds a Post-Graduate Degree in Health Care and an A.A.S. in Health Information Technology from Davenport University, as well as a B.S. in Secondary Education Biology from Eastern Michigan University. Tanya has two kids in the Corunna Public School District and is excited to be serving the community she loves through her work at the RESD. Ashley Connelly Grant Writer, Lionbear Ventures .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Through a partnership with Lionbear Ventures, SEDP is able to offer our investors support in pursuing grant funding for projects. Ashley and her team are available to discuss, strategize, even provide grant writing support for select projects.
