Advisors
Terese Hunwick
Co-founder and Managing Partner, Freshbank partners
30-year executive with deep experience scaling and transforming industrial businesses. Active early-stage investor and board advisor across industrial, materials, and transportation sectors. Combines operational rigor—building and leading high-performing teams—with capital formation expertise and founder mentorship across venture and growth stages.
David Rowe
Chief Executive Officer, MTEC SmartZone
14-year Upper Peninsula tech ecosystem builder with hands-on board and angel investing experience across 6+ high-growth startups. Led commercialization efforts securing $145M+ in government grants and $1.3M+ in NSF funding for portfolio companies. Serves as a Michigan Tech Fund Trustee and chairs the Finance & Audit Committee.
Leo Isleib
Director of Development for JM Longyear
Native Upper Peninsula economic development leader with deep roots in Northern Michigan communities. Five years advising UP startups and small businesses on scaling, operations, and accessing state/federal funding programs. Ten years managing critical operations for regional employers (Pictured Rocks Cruises). Certified Federal Contract Manager with strong network across public and private stakeholders in the UP. Brings on-the-ground regional development expertise and proven ability to connect emerging companies with government support programs and community resources.
Patrick Visser
Chief Commercialization Officer at MTEC Smartzone
30-year commercialization and venture operator with $200M+ capital raised for portfolio companies. Exits include Orbion→York Space Systems and Sightline→Meet Your Class. Spearheaded $145M DOE grant (Revex/REV Nickel). Founder/CEO of Praesidium, an AI-driven investment intelligence platform. Brings founding, M&A, and strategic advisory expertise (PwC) to early-stage companies and sits on family office investment boards.
Brad King
Co-founder and CEO, Orbion space Technology
Brad King is a plasma-physicist-turned-street-fighting CEO and the Co-founder of Orbion Space Technology. Built Orbion (AS9100-certified) into an industry leader in electric propulsion systems, shipping hundreds annually. Brings hands-on deep-tech expertise and proven execution at scale in capital-intensive, mission-critical manufacturing.