Michael F. Lobbestael
2055 Robinson Road, SE616-458-5950 (home)
Grand Rapids, MI 49506616-446-0034 (cell)
616-458-0957 (fax)
Profile
Energetic, hands-on executive manager withthirty + years of diverse experience in sales, marketing, product development and operations leadership. Demonstrated success in both new business development and turnaround situations. Skilled communicator with collaborative work style, effective at building consensus and alignment. Creates participative, engaging, high performance work environment focused on ambitious objectives and providing clear accountabilities. Works comfortably in both tactical implementation and strategic planning initiatives. Balances varied, demanding tasks while retaining focus on outcomes. Values integrity, open and honest dialogue and creativity.
Experience
MichiganStateUniversityAugust, 2005 - Present
East Lansing, Michigan
Professor of Practice:Teaching courses (graduate level) on corporate entrepreneurship / business development / marketing strategy
VISION TECHNOLOGY INC.April, 2003 - August, 2005
Grand Rapids, Michigan
General Manager: Operational leadership responsibility for $1.5MM VAR / re-seller in the video surveillance industry
CASCADE ENGINEERING INC.April, 2003 - May, 2005
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Vice President, Industrial Solutions Group: Leadership responsibility for $65M business unit serving the solid waste material handling market, the OEM/contract seating market and several key account relationships encompassing a wide range of plastic component parts
STEELCASE INC.1977 - 2002
Grand Rapids, Michigan
25 Year career spanning sales, marketing and executive roles – a few key positions are highlighted as an indicator of experiences gained:
Vice President, Workplace Services:Created an independent operating unit with P&L by integrating five independent groups
Vice President, Product Development & Launch:Led all new product development activity, including project management, product engineering, manufacturing engineering, testing and quality processes. Total scope of ~ 300 people. Global process responsibility – liaison to European units ensuring consistency and removing redundancy
President, Steelcase Canada, Ltd.:General management of $250M operation, including all sales, marketing, operations, finance and human resources activity for a 650 person standalone unit. Included 800,000 sq ft production facility in Markham, Ontario and showrooms across Canada.
Vice President, Worldwide Alliance Sales: Led 45 senior sales personnel responsible for ~ $400M in annual sales to 56 major accounts
AMWAY CORPORATION1974 - 1977
Ada, MichiganPublic Relations & Promotion department, various positions
GRANDVALLEYSTATEUNIVERSITY1973 - 1974
Allendale, MichiganHousing Administration
WESTERNMICHIGANUNIVERSITY1972 - 1973
Kalamazoo, MichiganHousing Administration
Professional / Community Affiliations/ Certifications
Licensed Real Estate Professional, State of Michigan, May, 2005 through present, affiliated with Patriot Realty in Grand Rapids, MI
Past Chair, American Cancer Society Leadership Council, KentCountyChapter
Education
Master of Communication Arts & Sciences1973
WesternMichiganUniversity
Bachelor of Arts & Sciences1971
WesternMichiganUniversity
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