Grand Rapids, Mich. (Jan. 24, 2022) – Michigan Capital Network (MCN), the state’s largest association of regional angel investing groups, announced today that it has named four new directors to its leadership team.
Meg Eveland will take on the permanent role of director of the Grand Angels, based in Grand Rapids. Likewise, Leland Richards has been named permanent director of BlueWater Angels, based in the Midland-Bay City-Saginaw region. In Detroit, Lynn Bishop will take the helm at Woodward Angels and Mike Gerfen is now the director of Ka-Zoo Angels in the southwest region of the state.
“We are extremely fortunate that these extraordinary individuals have chosen to step into leadership positions,” said Paul D’Amato, CEO of Michigan Capital Network. “Each brings a high level of professional experience and commitment to the organization, which will benefit our investors and the startup companies we support.”
Ms. Eveland takes over the director position at Grand Angels from Dale Grogan who now serves as a managing partner with MCN. Mr. Richards, an active investment member of the BlueWater Angels since September, 2018, now shifts into the director role previously held by BlueWater co-founder, Ken Kousky. Mr. Bishop has been a member of the Woodward Angels investing group since June, 2019 and has agreed to now fill the vacant role of director for that group. Mr. Gerfen will take the reins from long-time director Eli Thomsson at Ka-Zoo Angels, a position Mr. Thomsson held for more than four years.
“We want to thank Eli for his remarkable leadership with our Kalamazoo group,” said MCN Chair, Carl Erickson. “His vision and exceptional business instincts were instrumental in the success of that angel fund. We are confident all four new directors will work diligently to meet the high standards set by their predecessors.”
The new regional angel investing group directors were introduced during the trade association’s membership meeting earlier this month.
“These directors are actually volunteers who step forward from within the regional group to lend their leadership talents to their fellow angel investors,” said D’Amato, “For them, it’s about supporting Michigan entrepreneurs and building a stronger business climate in their community and throughout the state.”
Click here to learn more about Michigan Capital Network and its regional angel investing groups.