About

Our Team

OUR TEAM

OUR BOARD

OUR FUNDERS

OUR COUNCIL

Team

BRANDON MARKEN

Founder | CEO

Brandon is the visionary founder of Lean Rocket Lab, driven by a passion for nurturing and empowering startup companies. With a relentless commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurial success, Brandon has created a thriving ecosystem within Lean Rocket Lab.

KEN SENEFF

Co - Founder | COO

Ken has a passion for growth. Throughout his journey as an entrepreneur, he has had some pretty cool successes & fantastic failures. Learning a lot about the lean startup method & is passionate about helping other companies and startups through the lean startup methodology.

SIERRA SIBSON

Director of Member Services

Sierra is a dedicated member of Lean Rocket Lab ensuring that every member & community member enjoys a delightful experience within the space of Lean Rocket Lab.

Alex Masten

Director of Lean Rocket LOCAL & Entrepreneurial Services

Alex is passionate about the Jackson community. Her mission? To make Jackson a destination where people WANT to work, live, and play! Alex is also the co-leader of Michigan Tribe in Jackson, a female entrepreneur nonprofit. Alex also has a creative passion – photography!

ZACH KRAABEL

i4.0 & Manu-Tech
Project Coordinator

Zach is the Program Coordinator for the Industry 4.0 Accelerator, a state chartered program working to connect manufacturing technology startups with Michigan manufacturers.

MICHAEL MAGDICH

Principal Consultant & Investor

Michael is a consulting supplier to the global OEMs. In addition, investing and consulting in start-ups with a current focus are ventures focused on mobility, AI, IoT and software.

Leland Falde

Expert In Residence

Leland is one of our EIR's at Lean Rocket Lab. Leland has a diverse skill set spanning business analytics, software development, manufacturing, and technology. With a wealth of knowledge and experience in these pivotal areas, Leland is a valuable asset to the Lean Rocket Lab community, providing invaluable insights and guidance to fellow members and entrepreneurs.

Scott Phillips

Industry 4.0 Program Director

Scott has had experience in many unique roles with successful companies in diverse industries. With a cross-functional career path of manufacturing, product development, sales, marketing and financial management gives Scott a broad perspective of what it takes to be successful. For the last 8 years, Scott has been advising, assessing and coaching manufacturers regarding their Industry 4.0 Journey.

Ryan Cahalane

Executive In Residence/Advisor

Ryan has a passion for driving growth through collaboration, innovation and empowering the front-line. Ryan has proven success in a broad range of environments, from Fortune 500 to consultancies to startups. Ryan has a passion for creative digital transformation and is an Industry 4.0 expert.

Mike Folster

Expert In Residence

Mike has a passion for helping tech based I4.0 companies engage with the Michigan manufacturing base as part of the Industry 4.0 Accelerator. Also acting as Program Director for the West Michigan Design for Michigan Manufacturers initiative that focuses on incubation of physical products from napkin to tested prototypes.

Our Board

Board

Brandon Marken

Founder & CEO

Ken Seneff

Co-Founder & COO

Jennifer Rivera

CPA

Steve Rick

Abbott, Thomson, Mauldin, Parker, Beer & Rick, PLC

Rich Collins

CEO of Commonwealth

David Shirkey

Orbitform

Nadia Abunasser

MEDC

Sean Hilbert

President at Cobra MOTO, LLC & Cobra AERO, LLC

Martha Feurstenau

President/CEO of American 1 Credit Union

Advisory Council

Fredrick Molnar

Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

Vice President, Entrepreneurism and Innovation

Brad Smith

Endurance Law Group PLC

Attorney

Karena Mills

County National Bank

Vice President – Lending

Christie Myers

Opportunity Dallas

Managing Director

Dan Radomski

LTU Collaboratory

Director

Ron Griffith

Spring Arbor University

Special Advisor to the President

Anita-Maria Quillen

DEP Engineering

President & CEO

Corey Mays

Downtown Development Authority

Executive Director

Steve Rick

Abbott Thomson Mauldin Parker & Beer, PLC

Attorney

Ronald Betzig

Jackson College

Director of entrepreneurship program

Eric Boorom

Worth Investment Group

Founder

Karen Farr

Eaton Aerospace Group

Sr. Administrative Asst

Aaron Mason

Next Door Photos

Director of Expansion

Ric Walton

Walton Insurance Group

President

Paul Gruber

Consumers Energy

Manager, Product & Business Development

Phil Tepley

Small Business Development Center

Director of Technology Commercialization Services

Nick Arcaro

Elite Machining

President

Bill Rayl

Jackson Area Manufacturers Association

President

Mark Kerrins

Private Investor

Jeff Matzen

Fresh Water Ventures

Director

Baker College

Program Director IT/Cis

John Rogers

Albion Malleable Brewing Company

CFO

Michael Halacka

Securencrypt

CFO

Cindy Weaver

Walton Insurance Group

Chief Financial Officer

Arctaris Michigan Partners

Managing Director

Amy Torres

The Enterprise Group of Jackson, Inc.

Vice President of Economic Development

Jon Shackelford

Endurance Law Group PLC

Intellectual Property Attorney

Scott Fleming

Jackson Anchor Initiative

Chief Operating Officer

Cynthia Gascoyne

Walton Insurance Group

Personal Lines Manager

Funders

These companies make our work possible!

consumers energy foundation
Michigan economic development corporation (mEDC)
jackson anchor initiative
the hurst foundation
the phil and pat willis foundation
bond & co
the walton insurance group
gerdau steel
true community credit union
the enterprise group of jackson
eaton aerospace corporation
securencrypt
jackson area manufacturer's association (jama)
Jackson downtown development authority
the cardinal group
orbitform
lally group
peak manufacturing
henry ford allegiance
Meridian wealth management
county national bank
lomar
Alro steel
Walters family Foundation

Council

Funders

LRL DEI POLICY

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are critical components of a healthy and thriving workplace culture. At Lean Rocket Lab, we are committed to creating an environment that promotes and values diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Our DEI efforts focus on several key areas, including:
1 Recruitment and Hiring: We believe that diversity is essential to innovation and success. To that end, we actively seek to recruit and hire a diverse team of individuals with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We also strive to eliminate bias in our hiring practices and promote equity in opportunities.
2 Training and Education: We provide ongoing training and education to our team members to increase their awareness and understanding of DEI issues. We also encourage open and honest communication about these issues to promote a culture of inclusion and respect.
3 Policies and Practices: We have policies and practices in place that promote fairness, equity, and inclusion. We regularly review and update these policies to ensure that they align with our values and goals.
4 Community Engagement: We actively engage with our local community to promote DEI initiatives and support organizations that share our values. We believe that by working together, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

At Lean Rocket Lab, we understand that diversity, equity, and inclusion are ongoing efforts that require continuous attention and improvement. We are committed to being a leader in DEI and fostering a workplace culture that is welcoming, inclusive, and supportive of all individuals.