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.

Colonel Mark Tillman
Chosen as the nation's 12th Presidential pilot, Colonel (ret) Mark W. Tillman served as pilot and commander of Air Force One from 2001-2009. Col. Tillman was at the controls of Air Force One through numerous national events. Most notably, he protected the President on September 11, 2001 by keeping him out of harms way and connecting the flying oval office to the nation's first responders.

Another historic event was being the first pilot to fly the Commander-in-Chief into a war zone. The challenge was unprecedented--transport the most targeted man in the world into the heart of terrorism. One mistake would have left the President open to attack and cost the lives of US service members. Col. Tillman personally orchestrated and executed the covert operation with flawless success. His planning, done in complete secrecy, allowed for a complete surprise to the entire world.

Col. Tillman's distinguished career spans 30 years in the United States Air Force. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 2004 and promoted to Brigadier General by the President of the United States--the first military line officer to receive this honor. For political reasons this was not confirmed by the Senate, hence Tillman retired as a Colonel.

A man devoted to serving his country, this captivating storyteller will give you a first-hand account of remarkable moments in history.

Colonel Mike Mullane

Colonel Mullane was born September 10, 1945 in Wichita Falls, Texas but spent much of his youth in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he currently resides. Upon his graduation from West Point in 1967, he was commissioned in the United States Air Force. As a Weapon Systems Operator aboard RF-4C Phantom aircraft, he completed 134 combat missions in Vietnam. He holds a Master's of Science Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology and is also a graduate of the Air Force Flight Test Engineer School at Edwards Air Force Base, California.

Mullane was selected as a Mission Specialist in 1978 in the first group of Space Shuttle Astronauts. He completed three space missions aboard the Shuttles Discovery (STS-41D) and Atlantis (STS-27 & 36) before retiring from NASA and the Air Force in 1990.

Mullane has been inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame and is the recipient of many awards, including the Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Merit and the NASA Space Flight Medal.

Since his retirement from NASA, Colonel Mullane has written an award-winning children's book, Liftoff! An Astronaut's Dream, and a popular space-fact book, Do Your Ears Pop In Space? His memoir, Riding Rockets: The Outrageous Tales of a Space Shuttle Astronaut, has been reviewed in the New York Times and on the Jon Stewart Daily Show. It has also been featured on Barnes and Noble's 2010 recommended summer reading list.

Mullane has held a lifelong passion for mountain climbing. Since age 60 he has summited Africa's highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro, as well as Mt. Rainier in Washington State and thirty-five of Colorado's 14,000 ft. peaks.

Colonel Mullane has established himself as an acclaimed professional speaker on the topics of teamwork, leadership and safety. He has educated, entertained, inspired and thrilled tens of thousands of people from every walk of business and government with his incredibly unique programs.

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.

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.