Chairman of the Board - Brent A. Yax
Brent Yax is President and CEO for Troy-based Awecomm Technologies L.L.C. The company (founded by Yax in 1999) specializes in online consultation, web site and application development, web hosting, and Internet marketing services. For his entrepreneurial achievements, he was recognized in the 2008 edition of Crain’s Detroit Business “20 in their 20’s,” highlighting young and rising leaders in the business community as well as Junior Acheivement of Southeast Michigan's 2010's "Champions of the New Economy".
Prior to Awecomm Technologies, Yax attended Western Michigan University to study Computer Systems Engineering. Yax is both a Microsoft and Novell-certified engineer and has been featured in various media outlets including StartUpNation podcasts, ITBusinessEdge, and Corp! Magazine. In conjunction with Awecomm Technologies, he sat on the board of the Detroit AfterGlow business networking group, instrumental in introducing and promoting businesses in the Detroit area.
As Chairman of the Board for the R.A.N. Family of Services, Yax aims to grow fund-raising activities and help design and build the business / charity connection network. In addition, Yax is Tournament Director for the annual Gull Lake Fellowship Open, also aimed at raising funds for non-profits dedicated to cancer research.
President - Brian A. Nawrocki
Brian has over 10 years of experience in financial accounting and reporting. He is currently responsible for external financial reporting for TRW Automotive, a $15 billion dollar automotive supply company. His responsibilities include overseeing the drafting and filing of financial reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission as well as assisting with financial statement consolidations and technical accounting research and implementation.
Before joining TRW, Brian worked for Collins & Aikman for over 3 years and Ernst & Young for about 7 years. At Collins & Aikman he was primarily responsible for assisting them through their bankruptcy reorganization efforts. At Ernst & Young he worked in the Assurance and Advisory Business Services practice, serving primarily large automotive supply companies. During his time with Ernst & Young, Brian also spent 2.5 years in Dusseldorf, Germany, assisting a $50+ billion German company with its US GAAP compliance.
Brian has been involved in various charitable organizations including the Cornerstone Schools, the American Cancer Society, the United Way and Habitat for Humanity. In 2007 he started a team to participate in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, which generated over $20,000 of donations in the past two years.
Brian is also a certified public accountant in the state of Michigan.
Secretary - Janet G. Nawrocki
Janet is currently the Chairman of the Board of Awecomm Technologies. She splits her time between Awecomm and APAC PAPER & PACKAGING where she was formerly the VP of Operations. She is the Secretary of APAC’s Board of Directors. Jan has also worked with several other small companies through Plan B Consultants, of which she is part owner. She has her BS and MA degrees in Special Education from Eastern Michigan University and has served as a Director for the Allen Park Chamber of Commerce.
Treasurer - Ben Swaine
Benjamin Swaine was one of the founding shareholders of the firm of Hirzel, Jackson & Swaine, P. C. in 1983. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in management from Lawrence Institute of Technology, now Lawrence Technological University; a member of the America Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants. He specializes in providing tax, accounting and auditing services to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofit organizations in the Detroit metropolitan area. He has over thirty years of experience serving the nonprofit sector. He is married to Janice, has two children and three grandchildren.
Board Member - Ashley Alexander
Ashley Alexander has five years experience as an Account Executive with Hour Media, along with several years experience in retail sales and management. After her time at Hour Media, Ashley decided to leave the media world and pursue other endeavors in Los Angeles. After spending a short time cross-country, she soon realized her love for the Midwest and moved back to Detroit. Now reconnected with Hour Media, she works as a freelance stylist. Beyond having a creative eye, Ashley also has an interest in the health and beauty industry, where she works for Michael H. Freedland, MD & Visage Spa.
Ashley received her Bachelor's degree from the College of Communications Arts & Sciences at Michigan State University, where she studied Organizational and Interpersonal Communication, as well as Business.
Ashley supports additional non-profit organizations such as Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Michigan Humane Society, Purple Heart, COTS, and The Judson Center.Bio coming soon
Board Member - Richard Balamucki
Richard E. Balamucki is the founding member of Cranbrook Wealth Management, LLC. Cranbrook is an industry leader in fiduciary wealth management. Richard and Cranbrook have substantial expertise in estate planning, planned giving, and other charitable initiatives.
Richard is married to Susan and has three children; Alex, Gina and Noah. Alex has special needs and that has led to Richard’s involvement in many endeavors that support individuals with disabilities. Richard has been a Special Olympics coach for the last fifteen years. He is also a founding board member of SPRING. SPRING is a non profit that provides guardianship services for adults who have no family member left to fill that role. Residential Services Inc. is a non profit that provides housing to people with disabilities. Richard has worked with them for many years to provide extra recreational opportunities for residents by sponsoring a summer bowling league, dance parties, and music therapy classes.
Board Member - William Coon
William Coon is an attorney and shareholder at Dean & Fulkerson, PC. Since 1987 they have been representing business organizations in a range of areas including mergers and acquisitions, bank financing, joint ventures and other strategic alliances, business contracts, intellectual property transfer and licensing, and international business transactions. William's educational background includes: Detroit College of Law, Detroit, Michigan, J. D. cum Laude, 1975; Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan, B.S. Metallurgical Engineering, 1971; University of Michigan, Graduate School of Business Administration, Graduate Courses. He is married to Kathy, has three adult children and resides in Royal Oak, Michigan.
Board Member - Matthew Jaeger
Matt has 12 years of commercial banking experience in the metro Detroit area. He has been working with Fifth Third Bank for the past 5 years in the Bank’s Middle Market Lending and Special Assets Departments. Prior to joining Fifth Third, he had spent the previous 7 years at Michigan National Bank/Standard Federal Bank, now part of Bank of America.
Matt earned his BA from Michigan State University and an MBA from Walsh College in Troy, MI.
Matt is active in various charitable organizations, primarily through his involvement with his church, Kensington Community Church.
Board Member - Dwayne Nawrocki
Dwayne has been living and working in Fort Worth Texas for the past six years. During this time he had been teaching environmental education and aquatic studies to the elementary kids of Fort Worth and the surrounding areas. He has also acquired various awards for his work through the Fort Worth YMCA. Needing a change Dwayne moved back to Michigan and is currently working at Awecomm Technologies.
Dwayne holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Education with a minor in Spanish from Grand Valley State University.
He is married to Melissa and no children as of yet, but currently has a dog “Ridley” and two cats “Buffett” and “Bodie”, and currently reside in Lake Orion, MI.
Board Member - Gavin Smith
Bio coming soon
Board Member - Chris Spiek
Chris has over 10 years of experience in the technology and interactive marketing industries, having led the development of highly successful web marketing initiatives in a wide variety of B2B and B2C markets. Chris is currently Managing Partner at Awecomm Web Strategies, a provider of web marketing solutions and interactive affiliate marketing programs.
Chris is active in the technology community, sitting on the Board of Directors of ConnecTech Detroit, one of the largest technology professional organizations in the country. He also holds a seat on the Board of Advisors of The Rewired Group, an industry-leading management consultancy focused on business model innovation and product development.
Chris is a graduate of Central Michigan University, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems