​

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.

Devon is the owner of Epic Blue Marketing, a full-service creative agency serving clients across Mid-Michigan and the U.S. with branding, press and communication plans, social media management, web development, and video storytelling campaigns. Devon is also the owner of Belle Row Boutique, a women's online and traveling clothing boutique. Before launching Epic Blue, Devon held senior leadership roles as Director of Public Relations at Lansing Community College and Marketing Director at TiiCKER, building deep experience in media relations, event management, public affairs, and advertising. She's passionate about mentoring young professionals and giving back to her community, having volunteered with organizations including Junior Achievement USA, the MI-ACE Women's Network, the Children's Trust Fund, and Michigan Tribe.

Retired-Associate Regional Director guiding entrepreneurs and small businesses to start and stay in business. Formerly, an entrepreneur with over 9 years experience in business management, event planning, marketing, communications, accounting, and kitchen management.

​

Amy is a seasoned marketing strategist and social media expert with over 25 years of experience creating and executing marketing and communication strategies. A small business owner herself, Amy owns Come to Your Effin' Senses with her family in Brooklyn, MI, giving her firsthand insight into the entrepreneurial journey. She has a proven track record of leading projects, managing social media content, producing engaging content, and collaborating with executive leadership to deliver high-quality results. Amy hold a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a specialization in Health & Humanities from MSU, along with certifications in Social Media, Coaching for Excellence, and a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt. She's passionate about continual learning and helping others put effective marketing strategies to work.

Joe is committed to helping business owners, executives and salespeople get BOLD ENOUGH TO GET UNCOMFORTABLE to be more effective selling, and managing people through breaking the rules of traditional approaches with ongoing reinforcement training and coaching.

Lauren is the founder of Taurusroad Creative, a creative and strategic marketing agency. She helps businesses and nonprofits clarify their brand, simplify their marketing, and build strategy that actually works -- bringing clarity to the chaos of branding, marketing, and content. Lauren believes every organization deserves high-quality design and marketing regardless of size or location. She works with organizations at every stage, from first-time founders to established companies and community-rooted nonprofits, acting as a strategic partner who helps leaders step back, see the bigger picture, and build marketing systems that support growth instead of creating stress.

Aaron Kopplin is the founder of Kopplin Co., a digital marketing agency based in Jackson, Michigan. He graduated summa cum laude from Grand Valley State University with a degree in Computer Science, then spent five years as a software engineer at a Fortune 500 company in Grand Rapids, where he sharpened his expertise in building reliable, production-grade systems. Aaron's approach blends engineering rigor with marketing strategy: every campaign is measurable, every site is built to perform, and every line of code is written to last. He works closely with founders and operators who want a technical partner that moves fast, communicates clearly, and treats their business like his own.

Justin specializes in offering Fractional AI Officer services. Services encompass everything from training sessions for management and employees to developing custom AI workflows and applications that streamline your business processes and enhance productivity. The process starts with a thorough AI Audit and use-case identification for your business.

Stu is an EIR at LRL, a storyteller and customer experience enthusiast who brings the perspective of an entrepreneur and restaurateur to his work. He helps organizations create better experiences for their customers and teams through video, design, journey mapping, and storytelling.

Maury is an Expert in Residence at LRL, a photographer and designer passionate about creating beautiful, functional websites. As the owner of Mevo Creative Studios, a Michigan-based web design company, Maury specializes in building custom websites tailored to each client's needs and goals.

Margaux is an Expert in Residence at Lean Rocket Lab, providing grant matching, grant writing, and fundraising strategy to organizations across conservation, preservation, education, museums, community development, and housing. She has managed over $10 million in grant funding over the past seven years and brings more than a decade of experience working with nonprofits and government entities. Her mission is to connect people to the resources they need to make the world a better place.

Christie Myers is an Expert in Residence at Lean Rocket Lab, where she draws on a career spanning economic development, community-building, and collective impact. She has worked across sectors—building relationships with state and local leaders, businesses, civic organizations, and neighborhood advocates—to align missions and create momentum for growth. With experience moving the needle on transportation, education, infrastructure, and development, Christie helps entrepreneurs and organizations connect to the people and resources they need to succeed. Her genuine approach and ability to build trust through empowerment have earned her lifelong relationships across the communities she serves.

Veronica is passionate about marketing, entrepreneurship, and building a life that blends family, faith, creativity, and self-sufficiency. She is the director of marketing at Creature Control, owns and co-owns businesses specializing in digital marketing and custom wood mantels, and bring years of experience growing brands through digital strategy and design.

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.

Joe is an automotive engineer turned entrepreneur, mayor, and leadership guide. Over his career in the tech and automotive sector, he earned promotions, a patent, and industry recognition for his engineering work. After navigating an industry downturn, Joe took the same tools, training, and strategies that made him successful in engineering and applied them to leadership in a new arena—founding HomeGrown Leadership, where he helps people lead with the same rigor, communication, and goal-setting they use at work. Today, as a small-city mayor and entrepreneur, Joe brings an engineer's mindset to building strong teams, clear systems, and resilient communities.

​

​

​

​

​

​

Nadia serves on the board of Lean Rocket Lab, bringing extensive experience in economic development and technology commercialization. As Federal Opportunities Director at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, she directs the state's engagement with federal funding agencies. Nadia's expertise spans advanced manufacturing, advanced energy and materials, biofuels and bioenergy, and carbon capture and sequestration. Her deep knowledge of funding pathways and emerging technology makes her a valuable voice on the LRL board.

​

Sean serves on the board of Lean Rocket Lab, bringing the perspective of a hands-on manufacturer and entrepreneur. He is the president of Cobra Aero, founded in 2012 to create a safer, more connected world through the precise application of advanced propulsion technology, and also serves as president of Cobra Moto, which designs, manufactures, and distributes the finest youth competition motorcycles in the world. Sean's leadership across advanced manufacturing and production innovation makes him a valuable voice on the LRL board.

​

​

​

​