Bob Tagatz, Resident Historian at Grand Hotel 

Named an Historic Hotels of America Historian of the Year, Bob Tagatz is a natural storyteller. He will intrigue you with information about the hotel’s history and how the Island and the hotel came to be what they are today.

Jimmy Yeary

Jimmy Yeary is the rarest of speakers. Because his content is filled with instantly recognizable moments, audiences are quickly taken to a high level of energy. For well over a decade, he has influenced millions of people--how they think and what they think about--on a daily basis. Jimmy Yeary is not only a highly sought-after speaker, he is a hugely successful songwriter and his music is all around you.

Jimmy Yeary was writing songs long before becoming the lead singer of the Grammy Award winning supergroup SHENANDOAH. These were years that saw Jimmy performing #1 hits like Mama Knows, Somewhere In the Vicinity of the Heart, and Sunday in the South.

Today, in Nashville and Los Angeles, one of the most common calls in the music industry is from an artist's representative to Sony Publishing requesting availability on songs from Jimmy Yeary's catalogue of music.

It's not surprising. Jimmy has written more than two-thousand songs, many of which have been featured on albums selling millions of copies--Grammy winners, gold and platinum awards among them. Nine of Jimmy's songs have been certified "Number 1" hits as singles by Billboard Magazine.

Recently, both the CMA and ACM awarded Jimmy Yeary with "Song of the Year" for I Drive Your Truck--the inspiring song he wrote about the father of a fallen soldier and how he continues to remember his son. Jimmy's most recent Number 1 was Everything's Gonna Be Alright, a song he wrote for Kenny Chesney and David Lee Murphy.

He has also been called "one of the most engaging speakers in the country". Jimmy takes the lessons he has learned and the experiences he has encountered in his music career and applies them to the process of creating results for businesses, organizations, and teams.

Facilitating growth while creating and maintaining significant relationships has become Jimmy's trademark as a communicator. Emotional awareness, a greater understanding of other people, and the shared experiences that build an effective team herald the genius of Jimmy Yeary. Not only can he speak to who you are as an organization, he will put it to music!

Jim Morris

Jim Morris was a high school science teacher and coach in west Texas who miraculously made it to the Major Leagues at the age of 35. His life story made cinematic history with the heartwarming and unforgettable Disney movie, The Rookie, starring Dennis Quaid. Jim pitched two seasons for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays reaching speeds up to 102mph and chose to retire to raise his children.  Since 2000, Jim has been a highly sought-after motivational speaker traveling the world inspiring audiences to follow their dreams and never give up.  

In his latest book, Dream Makers: Surround Yourself with the Best to Be Your Best, Jim shares more of his incredible life story including the people who helped make him the success he is today: his Dream Makers.  

Jim has been honored to receive a Lifetime Achievement award from the Bobby Bragan Youth Foundation, a CAMIE award for Character and Morality in Entertainment for The Rookie, has been involved with BCFS, Arms of Hope, Texas Youth Commission and other philanthropic efforts. He launched his own Foundation in 2015 giving back to underserved communities and children. Jim and his wife, Shawna, have raised five children and live near San Antonio.        

Eric Waggoner
Eric Waggoner is Managing Director of Waggoner Financial. He, along with his team, strives to help clients make smart financial decisions. Eric is a Chartered Financial Analyst^® (CFA^®), Certified Financial Planner^TM (CFP^®), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU^®), Chartered Financial Consultant^® (ChFC^®), and Accredited Estate Planner^® (AEP^®). He holds bachelor’s degrees in Mathematics and Astrophysics from Michigan State University, along with master’s degrees in Mathematics and Global Finance. When he is not advising clients, Eric teaches Financial Risk Management at Michigan State University.

Andrew Brisbo
Andrew Brisbo was named the Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC) Director in 2022. Previously, Andrew served as the Executive Director of the Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA), where since March 2017, he oversaw the operations of CRA, working hard to establish the mission and vision of the agency while focusing on education, outreach, and collaboration in the formulation of policies and programs to regulate the cannabis industry in the state. 

Andrew has spent nearly 20 years serving the public in a variety of leadership and frontline staff roles both within LARA and other state agencies. 

Chris Fisher
Having skillfully lobbied local, state, and federal governments, Chris Fisher is known for winning both the big fights and the behind the scenes battles on behalf of clients. With a keen focus on policy details, a strong ability to navigate Michigan’s lawmaking and rules process, and deeply-rooted relationships, his focus areas include construction management, criminal justice, economic development, higher education, insurance, labor law, regulatory systems, and taxation. His efforts have earned Chris a reputation as one of Lansing’s most effective lobbyists by the MIRS News Survey. Chris has recently been honored by Crain’s Detroit Business 50 Names to Know in Lobbying among more than 1400 registered lobbyists in the state.

Chris also has substantial business and trade association experience having previously served as CEO of Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan, equipping him with association management expertise and a long list of accomplishments representing the industry’s interests before the Michigan Legislature and U.S. Congress. Prior to his business association and lobbying career, Chris worked for two Speakers of the Michigan House of Representatives, the Assistant President Pro Tempore of the Michigan Senate, and the U.S. Congress.

Chris is a graduate of Hillsdale College with dual degrees in history and political science.

Jeff Wiggins
Jeff Wiggins is currently press secretary/senior advisor to Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt. Formerly, he lead ABC of Michigan from June 2016 until the summer of 2020. Before joining ABC, he served as a policy advisor in the House Republican Policy Office in the Michigan House of Representatives, serving as the lead advisor on the Energy and Regulatory Reform committees.

Prior to that, Jeff worked in the Michigan House since 2011, serving as Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor in the office of Majority Floor Leader Aric Nesbitt from October 2011 – May 2015, and Legislative Assistant to Speaker Pro Tempore John Walsh from January 2011 – October 2011. Jeff also served as Special Assistant to Attorney General Mike Cox from October 2007 – August 2008.

Jeff is a graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law (2011) and Michigan State University (2007).

Jimmy E. Greene
Jimmy E. Greene is the former President & CEO of Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan (ABC). He’s responsible for the Public Policy and Government Affairs in Michigan for ABC Members.

Prior to this role, he served as CEO and President of Associated Builders & Contractors, Greater Michigan Chapter, and The Greater Michigan Construction Academy companies that advocates, educates, and trains over 300 builders and contractors in 36 counties. He is the first Black CEO in ABC's 60-year history. 

Born and raised in Flint, Michigan: a graduate of Flint Southwestern High School he attended Washtenaw Community College, Delta College, and is a graduate of the College of Banking & Finance.   

Shane Hernandez
Shane Hernandez is the President of Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan (ABC). He’s responsible for the Public Policy and Government Affairs in Michigan for ABC Members.

Prior to this role with ABC, Shane spent time in both private business and a public office. He holds a master’s degree in architecture from Lawrence Technological University and worked for SyDesign Architects for 12 years. Following his time at SyDesign, Shane served as the 83^rd District Representative in the Michigan House of Representatives and was the House Appropriations Chair from 2019-2020. He also spent time as the Director of Strategy for Speaker Jason Wentworth, and Director of Caucus Services and Director of Policy for the House Republicans.  In 2022, following a short time as a project manager for a small construction company, Shane became the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor and running mate of Tudor Dixon.