Who We Are

We have a few distinct teams within OOPs, based on the commitment level and interests of each volunteer. Our Advisory Team is the group that meets regularly during office hours, working with new and returning projects and helping to find solutions. Our Subject Matter Experts are a roster of individuals who have expertise in specific areas and an interest in working one-on-one with entrepreneurs. We also have a panel which hears pitches and presentations that may be eligible for financial support through the NMC Foundation.

Guiding this operation, bringing in the duct tape and white board markers, is consultant Will Kitchen and NMC faculty member Steve Rice. Will brings his experience, energy, wit, and connectivity to help new ideas grow and develop.Steve brings a passion for disruptive innovation in the education space.He wants to change the way we learn and to provide learners with an opportunity to flourish.

Willard Kitchen is an experienced performance consultant with expertise in both the business and non-profit worlds. He is skilled in working with businesses and nonprofit organizations on business development, networking, strategic planning, and board development. Will has a strong education background with a bachelors focused in education from University of Maine and Masters of Education and Technology from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Reach Will at wkitchen@nmc.edu

Will's LinkedIn Profile

Steve Rice is a teacher and educator. He is a faculty member at Northwestern Michigan College as well as Co-Designer/Co-Creator of the Office of Possibilities (OOPs). He brings an amalgam of educational experiences;BS Accounting, University of Delaware;MBA Finance, Boston College;MA Spiritual Formation, Wheaton College, to a mission and purpose of making post-Covid higher education more human. Steve is an innovator, creator, futurist, and thought leader in the space of higher education.

Reach Steve at srice@nmc.edu

Steve's LinkedIn Profile

• Will Kitchen – Entrepreneur, Co-Director OOPs
• Steve Rice – NMC, Business Faculty – Co-Director OOPs
• Ed Bailey – NMC, Director of Portfolio & Program Development
• Nick Beadleston – Executive Director, Commonplace
• Loghan Call – Entrepreneur and Founder, Audacia Elixirs
• Francis “Tex” Criqui – Francis Criqui & Associates
• Al Everett – Principal, ThriveTC
• Mollie Everett – SCORE Mentor
• Susie Grace – Founder, Valor Skin Care
• Josh Hart – Founder, Riley’s Candles
• Jason Slade – NMC, Vice President for Strategic Initiatives
• Brittany Vanderbeek – Director of Development & Community Engagement, 20 Fathoms

• Ed Bailey – NMC, Director of Portfolio & Program Development
• Nick Beadleston – Executive Director, Commonplace
• Francis “Tex” Criqui – Francis Criqui & Associates
• Al Everett – Principal, ThriveTC
• Mollie Everett – SCORE Mentor
• Ken Hartman – Founder, Lucid Truth Technologies
• Amber Hasan – Artist, Poet, Filmmaker
• Will Kitchen – Entrepreneur, and Co-Director OOPs
• Chuck Meek – PFAS R&D, Cambium Analytics
• Bill Palladino – Founder, Krios Consulting
• Ann Ralston – Principal and Co-Founder, Ralston Consulting
• Laura Rutkowski – Instructional Designer
• Russ Schindler – Founder, Sample Serve
• Teresa Smith – Co-Founder. Ola Filter
• Jennifer Szunko – Metaverse Consultant and Entrepreneur
• Senegal Tuklor – SilverHook Studios
• Brittany Vanderbeek – Director of Development & Community Engagement, 20 Fathoms
• Ben Whiting – Speaker | Entertainer | Consultant
• John Zaloudek – Retired Executive, Owens Corning and Member, Northern Michigan Angels

Commonplace – Commonplace is a 501c3 nonprofit community innovation hub which holds space for people who enliven healthy, collaborative, and creative organizations and communities in which to work, learn, and connect.

20Fathoms – Serving Traverse City’s entrepreneurs and tech professionals, 20Fathoms removes barriers and provides the resources you need to help your career and business grow.

SCORE Traverse City – SCORE Traverse City has 45+ highly successful and seasoned business professionals and entrepreneurs with the experience and knowledge to help you achieve your small business goals.

Michigan Small Business Development Center – Owning a small business isn’t a job. It’s a calling. Our best advice? Don’t try to do it alone. Wherever you are on your entrepreneurial journey, the Michigan SBDC is here to help.

TCNewTech – TCNewTech is a pitch competition supported by tech enthusiasts, businesses, entrepreneurs, and Michigan policy makers. We are building a culture of innovation, economic growth, and opportunity for local talent in the Traverse City region.