ALI-1

Amy Butler has over 32 years of experience in State government, developing state programs.  Her tenure includes working closely with industry, utilities, businesses involved in the development of next generation advanced manufacturing technologies, energy and process assessments and implementation of energy efficiency projects; student internships, workforce training, and development of innovative financing mechanisms to encourage deep implementation of energy efficiency projects.  

Prior to moving to OU INC, Amy Butler was the Director of the Bureau of Energy Systems, for the Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth for the State of Michigan.  In this role, she aligned Michigan’s energy sector initiatives, promoted economic growth, and job creation for Michigan’s transition to the energy economy.  She directed policy and program development; legislation; and coordinated agencies and stakeholders including building local public private partnerships.  She facilitated the cross-functional public/private initiative: Economic Development and Growth through Energy Efficiency (EDGE2) Initiative.   She has provided program design and implementation in the areas of bankruptcy, oil and gas, and brownfield development, climate action, and urban land use planning and redevelopment.  

She continues to serve on the Board of the National Association of State Energy Offices (NASEO) as a Regional Coordinator and co-chair for the Buildings Committee and Energy Star Task Force.  She was recently elected to the national board of the Energy Services Coalition and has served nationally on the ANSI-ASQ Registry Accreditation Board.

Paul Darling was promoted to the North American Design and Development Manager of TTI Global in January of 2012 and provides leadership and direction to all training development activities.  Paul’s experience includes 10 years of project management, 6 years of training development, and 6 years of international automotive vehicle development.   Paul holds an associate’s degree in automotive service, a bachelor’s degree in instructional systems design, and an MBA with a concentration in leadership.

Following a career as a teacher with a masters degree, Charlon began a home based business as a Mary Kay Consultant in 1981, in order to be at home mom to raise twin sons Jay and Brad.  A year and a half later, she moved up to become an Independent Sales Director, a position she continues to hold. As a Sales Director, she has earned 14 Mary Kay cars, been awarded to the prestigious Queens Court of Personal Sales six times as well as numerous other achievements. She loves making people feel great about their skin, women love their makeup and helping her team of consultants, both men and women, build successful businesses.  

She has recently started a "Green" company that represents several lines of environmentally safe products.  Commercial-grade sealers, cleaning products and an air-conditioning additive, that help protect the environment as well as those applying them and working around them.  

In her non-profit life she has served on the board of directors of St. Luke's Episcopal Health Ministries and Canterbury on-the Lake as Vice-President, The National Association of Career Women, both the National and local chapter boards. Currently she sits on  PVM's board for the Village of St. Martha, the St Martha's Commons Planning & Stake Holders Committee and is VP of the Leadership Oakland's board.  

Charlon is an avid skier, serving as a Senior member of the National Ski Patrol for 40 years, enjoys hiking, camping, backpacking and numerous other  outdoor sports including adding Telemark Skiing to her Patrolling life.  Her son's now own the company, Jim, her husband of 40 years began.  They inspect and do construction in underwater tunnels, hydro-electric plants and environments, around the world, using remotely operated vehicles.  Remote 'subs' referred to as ROV's.

Judy Muhn is the owner of Rainmaking For Good, a consulting firm supporting non-profit organizations through staff and volunteer development, strategic planning and community engagement.  Judy’s previous employment includes United Way for Southeastern Michigan, Girl Scouts of Metro Detroit and executive staff roles in non-profits in New York, California, Texas, Germany and Michigan for over 25 years.  A professional genealogist and providing workshops on researching family trees, Judy also provides workshops on Native American (specifically Lakota) culture and spirituality.  Serving on the boards of Winning Futures, Planned Parenthood (in Texas, California and New York), United Way in Sacramento, Judy developed skills in fundraising and communications.  Hobbies include horseback riding, scrapbooking, reading and travel, with Egypt and Peru being two trips that Judy will never forget.  Judy has been on television and radio in Scotland, Germany, Switzerland, and around the US because of her workshops and travel experiences.  Judy and her husband of 37 years, Denny, lived in New York, California, Texas, and Germany during Denny’s 22 years of service in the Air Force.  Judy and Denny met at Michigan State University, where Judy obtained her B.S. in Medical Technology.  She also has a MA from Boston University in HR/Adult Education, and Ed.M. from University of San Francisco in Counseling Psychology.  They returned home to Michigan in 1998, living in Commerce Township with their two Siamese cats, Jala and Joya.

Jim Piper is the President and owner of Ralco Industries, Inc. which produces complex and tight tolerance metal stampings, tools, welded assemblies, and automated manufacturing processes for the automotive industry.  Recently, Jim and his brother-in-law ventured into the medical devise industry by starting up a company called Clinton River Medical Products (CRMP).  CRMP has plans to introduce a new patented product in the first quarter of 2013.  Jim has over 25 years experience in the automotive industry ranging from purchasing, operations, and finance.  He is a graduate of Albion College where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Management in the Carl A. Gerstacker Institute.  Jim also has an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan.  

Jim’s mission is to be the catalyst for change in others who are struggling to find their passion.  Through his work in business, non-profits, lobbying organizations, coaching and parenting, Jim hopes to make a difference in the lives of people financially, personally, and spiritually.  

Jim volunteers his time with City Mission, Forgotten Harvest, Community Foundation of Flint, and University of Detroit High School.  He is a member of Kensington Community Church where he leads boy’s and men’s small groups.  He serves as a board member of Leadership Oakland and the Precision Metal Forming Association.

He also enjoys playing golf, tennis, and landscaping.  Jim is married to Sarah Piper and has two sons—David (15) and Zack (12).

Wendy Strip is director of development at the Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit, where she oversees the agency’s fundraising efforts.  Located in West Bloomfield (with a second facility in Oak Park), the Center is a social, recreational, educational and cultural center open to the entire community.  

Strip has split her career between development and economic development work.  

She has been extensively involved in the Farmington/Farmington Hills community, where she served on the boards of a number of organizations and was named Optimist of the Year by the community’s Optimist Club.  A graduate of Leadership Oakland III, Strip serves on the LO Arts and Culture Session planning committee and is an active member of the Alumni Association.  She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and serves as vice president of the West Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce.  

She holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations from American University in Washington, D.C. and a master’s in public administration from the University of Pittsburgh.  A native of Columbus, Ohio, Strip lives in Farmington Hills with her two teenage daughters.

Tracy has over 20 years of experience working with innovative nonprofits in various leadership roles and has over 13 years of specialized experience in fund development.  She has had proven success helping to drive strategic growth and mission visibility for local community organizations such as HAVEN, the Judson Center, The Guidance Center and most recently CARE House of Oakland County.  Using her passion for helping others and connecting causes to resources, she established expertise in fundraising, partnership building, brand development and donor engagement.  She began her career in fundraising combing her education in Psychology at Wayne State University and receiving a Master’s Degree from the University of Michigan with a focus on both Nonprofit Management and Clinical Social Work, with her passion for helping others.  She has also received her Certificate in Fundraising Management from the Indiana School of Fundraising.

Nicole graduated from Youngstown State University with her Bachelor of Science degree in 2001 and her Master’s of Science degree in 2003.  She then went on to pursue her Doctor of Pharmacy degree at The Ohio State University.  Upon completing that degree in 2007, she moved to Michigan, where she did her PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at Henry Ford Hospital.  After graduating in 2008, she was asked to become the General Practice Unit (GPU) Pharmacy Clinical Specialist at the new Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital that was still in the phases of being built.  The hospital officially opened in March of 2009, and Nicole was asked to become the Manager of the Inpatient Pharmacy department in May of 2009.  Since then, she has been nominated for Henry Ford Health System’s Leadership Academy and Leadership Oakland’s Cornerstone Program.  Nicole was elected President of her LO Class XXII this past year.  In addition, Nicole was just promoted to Director of Pharmacy at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital.

David Williams founded Williams Consulting Services, LLC in 2004 following a steady career progression in health care administration and consulting that spanned Florida, Alabama, and Michigan. His extensive background in hospital operations, medical practice management, and regulatory compliance offers a unique blend of experience to his clients whether they are large corporations or entrepreneurial individuals.  

A native of Birmingham, Alabama, David earned a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and master’s degrees in business administration and health care administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.  

As a board certified Fellow in both the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Healthcare Financial Management Association, David actively participates in local, state, and national health care professional societies.