Board of Directors

ANDREW BARNARD, INCE BD. CERT.

Andrew is the Vice President for Research at Michigan Technological University and a Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. He previously spent time as a researcher at the Penn State Applied Research Laboratory and as the Director of the Great Lakes Research Center at MTU working in advanced technology for maritime systems.

His speciality is noise control engineering. In underwater acoustics that means developing quiet mechanical systems that radiate less noise pollution into the waters of the world. Andrew is co-founder of a start-up company, SwimSmart Technology LLC, that focuses on preventing nearshore drownings through smart, autonomous beach warning systems, currently located on beaches in Michigan and beyond.

WARREN CALL

Warren is the President and CEO of Traverse Connect, the economic development organization focused on advancing the economic vitality of the Grand Traverse Region as well as supporting area businesses through a combination of attraction and expansion strategies, talent development efforts, and strategic coordination among partner agencies. Traverse Connect hosts the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance, an advocacy coalition of chambers of commerce and economic development organizations representing over 7,500 businesses across Northern Michigan.

Warren’s role is to lead strategy for the organization, advocate for area businesses, represent the region globally, and collaborate with local, state, and national organizations on critical issues related to economic development and regional competitiveness. He holds leadership roles in several public policy initiatives and was appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to the board of directors for the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.

Prior to joining Traverse Connect, Warren served as Vice President and Regional Manager for Huntington National Bank, with oversight for Investment and Private Banking across northern Michigan. Warren holds an M.B.A. in International Finance from St. John’s University and a B.A. in History from Michigan State University, where he was the Captain of the Michigan State University Alpine Ski Team.

DOUG GAGE

Doug is Vice President for Research and Innovation Emeritus at MSU. Before retiring as VPRI and as Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in February 2026, he oversaw all aspects of MSU’s research enterprise, strategic initiatives, and support for the university’s $923 million annual research program. He has fostered collaboration, excellence, and integrity in research. Dr. Gage’s additional leadership roles included serving as co-chair of the research implementation of MSU’s Strategic Plan 2030, leading research integration for MSU’s partnership with Henry Ford Health, and serving on the board of the Corewell-MSU Research Alliance.

A scientist for more than 30 years, Doug’s research focused on the metabolic engineering of plant biochemical pathways. Taking a six-year break from his academic career, he used this expertise as the senior director leading the Discovery and Early Clinical biomarker effort at Pfizer Global Research and Development in Ann Arbor before rejoining MSU’s administration. Today he remains active in supporting research collaborations with MSU’s healthcare system partners.

RACHEL JOHNSON

Rachel is the CEO at Cherryland Electric Cooperative which provides power to 40,000 homes and businesses in the Grand Traverse region of northwest Michigan. In addition to her work at Cherryland, she represents Michigan on the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association board of directors. Locally, she serves on the Traverse Connect board of directors and is a former trustee at Northwestern Michigan College.

DENISE KAY, PhD

In 2021, Denise co-founded Enspired Solutions to commercialize a photoactivated reductive defluorination technology to permanently destroy PFAS in water. As CEO of Enspired Solutions, she leverages more than 20 years of environmental consulting experience including leadership positions in technical and project management roles to guide the company to success. Her scientific experience embraces organic and inorganic contaminant investigations in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. Management experience includes launching two consulting offices where she was responsible for positive dynamics and growth of each office team. Denise's communication and leadership skills in combination with a strong scientific background provide value to problem solving complex scientific issues.

GREGORY M. LUYT

Greg is an attorney based in Traverse City, Michigan, with a practice focused on business law and transactions, real estate, and estate planning. Beyond his legal practice, Greg is committed to serving the northwest Michigan community, and currently serves as a board member for a number of local nonprofit organizations. Greg is passionate about supporting initiatives that promote innovation, opportunity, and long-term community impact.

MATT McDONOUGH

Originally from southwestern Michigan, Matt has a Bachelor’s degree in Resource Development with an emphasis in Water Resources from Michigan State University. After college, he worked in the fields of water rights and fisheries in Montana, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts. He then moved across the pond to be a Peace Corps volunteer in Gabon where he worked as an aquaculture extension agent. Upon his return, Matt began a 20-year career in land conservation that started in southwestern Michigan and led to his move to Traverse City in 2000 to work for the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy.

In 2019, Matt became the first CEO of Discovery Pier. Under his leadership, Discovery Pier developed its first educational and recreational programs and raised over $30 million for the redevelopment of Traverse City’s old coal dock and the development of the Freshwater Research and Innovation Center.

Matt is a volunteer with Norte and serves on the Board of Directors of both TART Trails and the new Freshwater Research and Innovation Center.

ERIC ROBERTS

Eric graduated from Michigan Technological University with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and later earned an MBA from DePaul’s Kellstadt School of Business. Eric spent his entire career in the technology space – from engineering and product management to operations and executive management. Eric made the move to the nonprofit sector in 2021, when he joined 20Fathoms as its Executive Director. In late 2024, Eric retired from 20Fathoms, but remains actively involved as a member of its Board of Directors. Eric enjoys all sorts of outdoor activities in his spare time, as well as his newfound love of baking.

JASON SLADE

Jason serves as Northwestern Michigan College’s VP of Strategic Initiatives and leads the execution of the college’s new strategic plan to meet the future needs of its learners and the community. He also oversees workforce and professional development, University Partnerships, the Great Lakes Water Studies Institute, innovation initiatives, and emerging strategic partnerships. Prior to this role, Jason was NMC’s Director of the Technical Academic Area and served as a faculty member in the Engineering Technology program.

Jason has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering from Michigan State University and is a member of various advisory and career readiness committees. 

Jason is focused on helping build the Blue Tech economy not only for the Grand Traverse region, but for the entire Great Lakes basin. He sees the Freshwater Research and Innovation Center as an opportunity to build an even more effective network to support students and businesses in order to expand employment opportunities and fuel a thriving Grand Traverse region. He’s excited to collaborate with other leaders across all sectors to achieve this goal.

HANS VAN SUMEREN

From 2008, until joining the Marine Technology Society team in 2024, Hans served as the Director of the Great Lakes Water Studies Institute at Northwestern Michigan College (NMC). Prior to that, he spent 21 years at the University of Michigan where he obtained bachelor's and master’s degrees in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering followed by appointments as a Research Associate with the Ocean Engineering Laboratory and the Associate Director of the Marine Hydrodynamics Laboratory at the University of Michigan where he was active in both laboratory and field research programs. 

While at NMC he developed several new initiatives focused on the blue economy including degrees in Freshwater Studies, Water Quality and Environmental Technology, Marine Technology, and the ADCI Entry Level ROV Pilot Training credential.

Throughout his career, he has led numerous research projects throughout the Great Lakes and U.S. coastal oceans focusing on mapping and exploration of infrastructure, ecosystems, and marine archaeology. Hans is the Marine Technology Society - Great Lakes section chair and is also a past trustee at large with the Hydrographic Society of America. He is a Chartered Marine Technologist with the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology.