Lean Startup Collective

Leland Falde

Expert in Residence

FALDELAND LLC

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.

Zach Kraabel

Director of Operations

Lean Rocket Lab

Zach Kraabel is Director of Operations at Lean Rocket Lab in Jackson, Michigan. He specializes in go-to-market strategy for manufacturing startups, technology vetting and market research, and connecting Michigan manufacturers with contract-manufacturing partners. He has helped vet 400+ startups and build partnerships with small manufacturers and Fortune 500 OEMs.

Aaron Kopplin

Expert in Residence

Kopplin Co

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.

Emmett Barrett

CEO

Barrett Solutions LLC

Emmett Barrett is the founder of Barrett Solutions, an Ann Arbor-based custom software and AI automation firm. After studying computer science at Michigan State and working in product roles at Nutshell CRM and TechSmith, he started Barrett Solutions nights and weekends before going full-time in late 2024. Emmett specializes in helping growing companies figure out the right way to adopt AI and automation, not chasing every new tool, but sequencing implementation to match where an organization actually is. He's spoken on practical AI implementation for Michigan Works! Southeast, Ann Arbor SPARK, and Bamboo Ann Arbor, and has advised founders and legacy businesses alike on when to build, when to buy, and when custom software is the wrong answer entirely.

Brandon Bartel

Program Manager

Lean Rocket Lab

Brandon Bartel is a sales and revenue-growth professional currently at SWYFT Solutions, where the focus is on guiding innovative startups and growing manufacturing teams. He specializes in sales coaching and strategy, a client testimonial credits him with helping develop a sales playbook that nearly doubled the business year-over-year. He's also active in the Jackson, Michigan community, having served on the Drive Jackson Key Leadership Committee, which fits with the local focus of your funders project.

Tom McFadden

Tom McFadden is an experienced business financial professional with over 40 years of experience. Most recently, he worked for 14 years in small business finance for the U.S. Small Business Administration. Previously, Tom was a Finance and Strategy Specialist with the Michigan Small Business Development Center, where he worked as a consultant for small manufacturers throughout Michigan, helping them obtain working capital and other financing.  Tom is a seasoned commercial lender with decades of experience, having worked for NBD Bank, Republic Bank and a de novo bank in Ann Arbor, MI.  He also worked for many years for GE in corporate finance. Tom holds an MBA degree from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business with double majors in Marketing and Finance and a BA degree from the University of Notre Dame where he double majored in Economics and Government.