About the Executive in Residence Program
The Executive in Residence Program at Northern Michigan University is designed to enrich student learning and faculty development by introducing accomplished leaders to the university community.
The College of Business’ program began in the fall of 1979. In its 40 years of existence, it has brought to the campus senior corporate executives and professionals, as well as successful entrepreneurs, from organizations near and far, large and small, private and public, manufacturing and service.
Typically, the executive’s visit is several days to a week in length. During that time he or she meets with a variety of classes, along with student and faculty groups. The executive usually also provides a public presentation on the topic area of his or her expertise for the NMU campus and Marquette community.
Current Executive in Residence
Martin Heike
Martin Heikel, NMU College of Business Alumnus, is the successful Founder and CEO of Flatiron Apps Company. The New York City-based firm created one of the first-ever mobile transportation apps, ZabCab.
Martin Heikel: Executive Background
Successful CEO and Entrepreneur
Martin began his career at PepsiCo in a fast track sales management program. He eventually moved into sales management in the technology sector at MCI Telecommunications and later Verizon, racking up several one-of-a-kind achievements. One included his negotiating of a $700 million outsourcing contract, the largest ever for MCI Corporation. In fulfilling the contract, Martin built a multi-functional organization (marketing, engineering, client support, sales, finance, and operations) of hundreds of people reporting to him in spearheading the building and operation of the world’s most advanced trading network for The NASDAQ Stock Market. At Verizon, Martin rose to Vice President where he envisioned and created the Verizon Financial NetworkTM, a self-contained business unit that sold an industry-based solution to the financial sector, connecting capital markets around the globe. Martin’s sales strategy and operational execution of these breakthrough businesses generated $1.45 billion in new business.
Martin was 49 when he stepped away from the corporate world to pursue his own entrepreneurial ideas. In one venture, he established a start-up in New York City and launched the first-ever mobile transportation app called ZabCab, capturing media attention across the U.S and solving a major problem for daily cab riders. ZabCab was unique technology that allowed passengers to hail yellow cabs electronically, a feat that had not yet been conquered in the city. Ultimately, ZabCab was undercapitalized compared to competitors such as Uber and Lyft. As a result, Martin now consults for other companies and is pursuing additional startup ideas.
Past Executives in Residence
Name |
Position |
Organization |
---|---|---|
Joan Kimball |
Business Development Director |
Québec Government Office-Chicago |
Dr. Barry C. West | President | Mason Harriman Group |
Suzanne Latvala Johnson |
Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing | Wolverine Worldwide, Inc. |
Robert Hunter |
Retired Chief Executive Officer | Weatherhead Corporation |
Gaylord Freema |
Chief Executive Officer | First Chicago Corporation |
James Duncan |
Chairman | First of America Bank |
Scott Holman |
President | Bay Cast, Inc. |
John Schlueter |
Chairman of Board Services | Korn/Ferry International |
William Jensen |
Managing Partner | Ernest & Young |
Bennett Bidwell |
Chairman | Chrysler Corporation |
Chester Francke |
General Director of Education | UAW/GM Human Resource Center |
Maribeth Rahe |
Department Executive | Harris Trust & Savings Bank of Chicago |
Linda Lindroth |
President | Computerland of Metro Detroit |
Robert Marcell |
General Manager | Chrysler Corporation |
Carl Thiem |
Vice President Customer Service | Schneider National, Inc. |
Esam Trabulsi |
President | EMT & Associates, Inc. |
John Frere |
President | World Book International ad World Book Publishing |
John Berry, Jr. |
Chief Executive Officer | Berry Investments |
Michael H. Nelsen |
AMOCO Trading & Supply Co. | |
T. Dennis George |
Denderon Corporation | |
Robert Jacquart |
President | Jacquart Fabric Products, Inc. |
Thomas Ungrodt |
President | President, Ideation, Inc. |
Paul Essinger |
President | Hiawatha Log Homes |
T. Dennis George |
Attorney | McNaul Ebel Nawrot & Helgren, PLLC |
Steve LaHaie |
Senior Vice President, Shaw's Division | Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Inc. |
Teri List |
Vice President, Finance, Global Household Care | Procter & Gamble, Inc. |
John Withers |
Vice President, North America Global Sales & Marketing | Edwards LifeSciences, Inc. |
M. Steven DeCarlo |
Chief Executive Officer | AmWINS Group, Inc. |
Dr. Matthew N. Songer |
President and Board Chair | Frontier Medical Devices |