Detroit Executives Association

Much thanks to those who attended the Detroit Executives Association last social event of the year at the beautiful Book Tower! If you are a business owner and want to learn more about this wonderful organization please let me know! Bravo Payment Systems #paymentsdoneright

What a great event today at the DAC put on by Detroit Executives Association. My boys Marshal Simons and John Kassa really delivered and congrats to EOTY Todd Sachse! Thank you to my #Q5 teammate Sarah Greifenberger for the invite. Sarah Greifenberger Mark Weiby Mike Sullivan Diane Sawinski Tracey McLenon Christina Gennari Kelly Milstein

Kara Desmond is the founder of Utterly Uncluttered LLC and lives in Berkley with her husband Pat, their son, and their dog. A Michigan State University graduate with an MBA from Wayne State, Kara has always been passionate about organization, a love that began with her grandfather, a cabinet maker who introduced her to creative organizing solutions. As a child, she often organized her closet and even received her first label maker at eight. She continued this love of order through her teenage years, color-coding her dorm room and watching TLC organizing shows. Although she began college as a Pre-Med major, she eventually switched to business and found her knack for merchandising in sales. When at a career crossroads, Kara discovered the field of professional organizing, which led her to create Utterly Uncluttered nearly six years ago. Utterly Uncluttered serves both residential and commercial clients within a 35-45 minute radius of Berkley, helping those who lack the time or desire to organize themselves. The process begins with an online form, followed by a discovery call, in-home consultation, and preparation, including measuring the space and purchasing necessary products. They handle donation pickups and get straight to work, offering clients a choice of hands-on or hands-off involvement. Services range from quick “In A Flash” sessions to full-scale home makeovers, and they cater to clients of all types, often acting as both organizers and unofficial therapists. Kara’s team of organizers helps clients maximize space, reduce stress, and even limit spending, as backed by science. By decluttering spaces, Utterly Uncluttered also helps clients achieve mental clarity, making daily life easier and more enjoyable. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/ggueaQAi

Kevin Desmond is a third-generation funeral director at A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Directors. Based in Birmingham with his wife and three children, Kevin grew up surrounded by the funeral business. He started working with his family at the funeral home during college after other internships, and he later earned his degree in mortuary science from Wayne State University. A.J. Desmond & Sons traces back to Kevin’s grandfather who originally acquired the business in Highland Park, which eventually closed in the 1980s. Today, they operate three centrally located facilities in Metro Detroit, two of which were acquired. They are proud of their modern facilities, which serve about 1,100 families each year, offering a wide range of services. Kevin emphasized that being a funeral director means wearing many hats: they act as event planners, counselors, scientists, and more. The company also offers the most extensive bereavement program in the area, providing counselors, support groups, and holiday programs, as well as community presentations. They have a comprehensive pre-planning program, and their team includes funeral directors, associates, administrative staff, and housekeeping staff. Kevin is a co-owner with his sister, and he spends most days visiting all locations, focusing on business development to support the company’s future. He values delivering meaningful experiences for each family, tailored to reflect the unique life of their loved one. He shared that the future of funerals lies in personalized services and the growing emphasis on convenience, with families often opting for simpler services. Learn more at desmondfuneral.com

Sarah Greifenberger of Arbor Valuation and Consulting shared that valuation is an “unusual” type of business. She mentioned that people are often curious, and she enjoys shedding light on what it really entails. Originally born and raised in Michigan, Sarah now lives in Ann Arbor. After spending time on the East Coast, she returned in 2018 when her daughter started at the University of Michigan. Sarah loves being back, supporting her parents, and exploring Detroit and beyond. Sarah took an 18-year break from corporate life to raise her children. When transitioning back, she faced challenges, so she decided to start her own business. During her corporate career, she developed a skill set in company valuation and later became a Certified Valuation Analyst. She now values privately-owned companies with a worth of $5–$100 million. Her work typically involves legal matters, where she provides reliable reports. Sarah’s services fall into three main categories. The first is gift and estate tax reporting for the IRS when equity is transferred. The second is buy/sell agreements, where she helps set share prices within a company. The third is exit planning, typically for those ready to retire or sell. A valuation takes about three weeks. She gathers extensive financial and legal information, then conducts a half-day deep dive with key individuals to understand the business's risks and opportunities. Sarah uses three approaches: the asset approach, the income approach, and the market approach. The final result is a detailed report shared with the client. Learn more at arborvaluation.com

We are thrilled to invite you to an exclusive event celebrating leadership and innovation in Detroit's business community. The Detroit Executives Association is proud to honor?Todd Sachse, CEO of Sachse Construction, as our?2024 Executive of the Year?at the?45th Annual Executive of the Year Luncheon. Event Details: Date:?Thursday, November 21st, 2024 Time:?11:30 AM – 1:30 PM (Cocktails at 11:30 AM, Lunch at 12:15 PM) Location:?Detroit Athletic Club, 241 Madison St, Detroit, MI 48226 Tickets:?$60 per person, Table of 8 for $400, Table of 10 for $450 RSVP Deadline:?October 21st, 2024 (Guest adjustments accepted until October 31st) Why Attend? At this event, Todd Sachse will share his incredible journey in business and the principles that have driven?Sachse Construction?to success across the U.S. and internationally. This luncheon offers a unique opportunity to gain insights from one of Detroit’s most influential business leaders, while connecting with other top executives in our community.

Bat Seymour of BBC Title Agency shared that he was born in Grosse Pointe and earned his degree from Georgetown University, followed by Georgetown Law School. He has two sons and a girlfriend, Kathy. During the winter, he coached an intense basketball team. Bat is the national vice president for St. Vincent de Paul, the largest social services organization in the country, which provided over $12 billion in aid last year. The organization supports individuals in various aspects of life to improve their well-being. This past Labor Day, BBC Title celebrated 20 years in business. Bat left his law firm and co-founded BBC Title with two others. He explained that title insurance is a guarantee aimed at eliminating risk. Their role is to collect all the necessary funds and documents to ensure a smooth transaction process. Over the years, BBC Title has handled numerous unique transactions, primarily between sellers and buyers. Learn more at bbctitle.com

Amit Jain of The Salvati Insurance Group began his presentation by clarifying that he does not personally adjust his clients' insurance rates—that is determined by the state. Good to know! He reassured us that if your rates are high, everyone is experiencing the same situation. Tommy Salvati, the owner, has led the agency for 15 years. The group is a full-service insurance agency with a focus on risk management, providing clients with the best policy for their needs, not just the cheapest option. Their goal is to ensure you have the coverage and protection you need when it matters most. Amit reminded us that during a catastrophe, the last thing you want to worry about is crunching numbers—you need to trust you're taken care of. He shared a personal story about his own home exploding, expressing how grateful he was to be insured with Tommy Salvati. The agency operates by five core values: doing the right thing, doing what it takes, being humbly confident, focusing on customer service, and having fun. Amit shared that he's originally from Farmington Hills, attended Brother Rice High School and Kettering University, and started his career as an automotive engineer at Ford. He has two children and is proud to be part of the DEA.

Mallory Kallabat is an attorney at Clark Hill Law's Birmingham office, specializing in estate planning. She grew up in West Bloomfield with two older sisters and started her legal career at Clark Hill in 2014 after graduating from Wayne State University Law School. In her nearly 10 years of practice, she has had the opportunity to work closely with clients, assisting them in important life transitions such as preparing wills and trusts for protection during times of incapacity or after death. At Clark Hill, Mallory appreciates the firm’s culture of recognition and celebration of its attorneys, as well as the firm's impressive growth, having expanded from about 300 to nearly 700 lawyers globally, with international offices in Ireland and Mexico. The firm’s dedication to providing cutting-edge technology and research tools, along with a team of highly regarded attorneys—including many who are recognized as Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America—sets it apart. Mallory emphasizes that estate planning is not limited to a specific age or asset threshold and encourages anyone interested in protecting their life and property to reach out for a consultation. After an initial conversation, clients can expect a clear discussion of fees and a detailed plan for moving forward with their estate planning needs. Learn more at clarkhill.com

Don Kirkland, of ArborOakland Group, likes to say, “If there’s ink on it, think ArborOakland.” In other words, they can print just about anything. The business, founded 58 years ago, was acquired by Don over 14 years ago. His passion lies in providing a place for people to work, and today, he proudly leads a team of over 55 employees. Housed in three buildings, ArborOakland Group handles everything from business cards to envelopes, but what excites Don the most is partnering with large organizations, municipalities, chambers of commerce, and agencies to create extensive collateral. Their team doesn't just print—they also offer design services and consultation. Don’s passion for his work is matched by his commitment to giving back to the community. Learn more at arboroakland.com