LEAD 2023 Speakers

Programs Coordinator – Student Statesmanship Institute

Aimee has been working with SSI since 2015 as the Director of Programs.  Before hiring on, she had attended SSI as a student twice and volunteered as an ADC for four years.  Aimee has experience as a tutor, and for five years after graduating high school she worked with homeschool groups and co-ops offering classes in math, English, speech, debate, and American Sign Language.  She loves helping people understand things which is why the environment at LEAD is so perfect for her.  Aimee also enjoys coaching the Lansing area homeschool junior high soccer team (LA Dragons) and playing music in her spare time (especially show tunes). 

Corporate Communications Specialist – Covenant Eyes

Dan Armstrong is the corporate communications specialist for Covenant Eyes Internet Accountability and Filtering in Owosso, MI. He handles the public relations and promotion of the company. Prior to his current role, Dan directed the marketing and communications department at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy and spent 10 years as a television news anchor and reporter at two NBC stations in Michigan. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Radio and Television Broadcasting from Bob Jones University and master’s degree in Journalism from Regent University. He and his wife Amber have five kids.

Associate Professor of Business, Spring Arbor University

Gary W. Britten is a 1973 graduate of the University of Michigan School of Business and a 1976 graduate of the University of Detroit School of Law. He has been on the faculty of the Gainey School of Business at Spring Arbor University for over thirty years, teaching law, economics, argumentation, and business strategy.

President and CEO – Small Business Association of Michigan

As President and CEO of the Small Business Association of Michigan, Brian is able to put his passion for Michigan’s small businesses to work. He serves as a director of a publicly traded community bank and as a Trustee of Oakland University as well as sitting on various boards, including Special Olympics Michigan, Sparrow Health System, Disability Rights Michigan, and the Autism Alliance of Michigan,

Calley had the honor of serving as Michigan’s 63rd Lieutenant Governor from 2011-2018. Prior to that, Calley served in the Michigan House of Representatives, as an Ionia County commissioner, and worked for over a decade in community banking. He holds degrees from Michigan State University (BA), Grand Valley State University (MBA), and Harvard University (MPA).

Calley is an avid runner, having completed more than a dozen full marathons and a capable piano player. He and his wife Julie live in Portland with their three children: Collin, Reagan and Karagan.

Attorney with Warner Norcross & Judd

Kelsey is from Grandville, Michigan. She has four siblings and two (equally!) wonderful parents. She double majored in Spanish and Psychology at Hope College. During law school (where she and Frankie met), she interned at a county prosecutor’s office and a premier Michigan law firm. She joined that law firm right after graduating and currently practices labor and employment law and criminal defense.  She and Frankie now live just outside Grand Rapids. In her spare time, Kelsey loves to travel internationally (she’s been to over 30 countries!), hang out with friends, and watch and read all the true crime stories she can get her hands on.    

Majority Legal Counsel for the Michigan House of Representatives

Frankie is from West Branch, Michigan (a tiny town up north). He has seven younger sisters and two wonderful parents and is married to his lovely wife Kelsey. He was homeschooled through high school in a strong Christian home and attended SSI four times: once in the House and three times in the media track. He graduated with a BA in Political Science from Thomas Edison State University and a J.D. from MSU law school. During law school, Frankie was on the law review and moot court and interned for the DOJ in Washington, D.C. the UN in the Netherlands, and a judge and several other political figures in Lansing. After law school he clerked for a few years for a federal judge in Detroit, writing opinions and memos for the judge. He then litigated at law firms for three years and worked as the Majority Legal Counsel for the Michigan House of Representatives through the end of 2022.  Since then, he has worked remotely as a special assistant in the West Virginia Solicitor General’s office handling state and federal appeals and other high-stakes litigation for the State of West Virginia.

General Manager – SAU Radio

Tom Davis is an experienced broadcaster and voice-over artist, with over 24 years of broadcasting & marketing experience. He currently holds the position of General Manager for SAU Radio where he oversees radio operations for 106.9 HOME.FM and The Arbor FM. Both radio stations are broadcast ministries of Spring Arbor University and provide positive music and programming that reflects Christ in a relevant way.

Attorney

Steven M. Jentzen, founder of Steven M. Jentzen, P.C., has been in private practice for over 40 years and provides a broad range of legal services to clients throughout Michigan. He has participated in landmark cases in family law, land development, free speech, and religious liberty. Jentzen graduated from the University of Detroit School of Law in 1978. He received a B.A. in History cum laude from Colorado State University in 1975, where he was a Rhodes Scholar Nominee, recipient of the Merrill-Gheen Award, and captain of the Colorado State University Wrestling Team.

Business Analyst – Doxim

Ryan Kolis is a LEAD alum and attended the Business Track himself when he was a student. Ryan studied Business at Macomb Community College and later at Walsh College of Accountancy and Business Administration. He currently works as a Business Analyst with Doxim, a company providing both print and electronic communication solutions to financial institutions and municipalities primarily in the US and Canada. In his spare time Ryan enjoys being a member of his church’s choir, playing boardgames, competing in CrossFit, working in the outdoors, and expanding his handyman skill set while he renovates his home in Fraser, MI.

For nearly forty years, Mr. Mailand has worked in the field of education at the college and secondary level as an administrator, teacher, and coach. He has taught classes in a variety of subjects including Bible, apologetics, history, government, and comparative world-views. Along the way, he was able to attend seminars conducted by Dr. David Nobel, founder of Summit Ministries. In his own teaching he has utilized an adaptation of the “Understanding the Times” curriculum. His other contributions have included curriculum development, teacher training, and coaching where his teams have recently won three National Homeschool Soccer Championships.

Attorney

Kerry Lee Morgan is an Attorney admitted to practice in Michigan, Virginia, the District of Columbia as well as the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court. He formerly served as an Attorney-Advisor with the United States Commission on Civil Rights in Washington D.C.  In addition to practicing law, since 1980, Mr. Morgan has also written a number of thought-provoking articles in the areas of natural law and unalienable rights. He completed an extensive legal review of religious liberty principles and Supreme Court cases titled, Unalienable Rights, Equality and The Free Exercise of Religion. In 1997, University Press of America published his book, Real Choice, Real Freedom in American Education, a scholarly work that articulates the legal and Constitutional case for parental rights and against governmental control of American Education. He has been nominated every year since 2017 as a Super Lawyer in Municipal law, an honor reserved for the top 5% of Michigan attorneys.

CEO – Pearl’s Hope

Adam Motley is a self-described “Jesus-loving backyard athlete, armchair nerd, and child at heart” who holds a B.S. from Miami University (OH) and an MBA from Northwestern University. He has a passion for teaching and for enabling people to flourish; and his academic, professional, and entrepreneurial endeavors are an outlet for that passion. Adam began his career at Deloitte Consulting focused on growth strategy and full-cycle M&A across healthcare, B2B services, retail, and consumer products. He currently serves as CEO of Pearl’s Hope, a company providing senior citizens in Ohio with the skilled and non-skilled care they need to live independently in the comfort of their own homes.

Outside of work, Adam can be found playing guitar poorly, passionately debating the best fast food, dreaming up product ideas (ask him about his ergonomic desk chair or his ill-advised golf card game), or coaching basketball.

Judge of the Michigan Court of Appeals

Christopher Murray is a judge of the Michigan Court of Appeals. He assumed office in 2002, and his current term ends on January 1, 2027.  He served as the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals from 2018-2021.  While on the Court of Appeals, he also served on the Court of Claims as its Chief Judge.  His term on that court expired on December 31, 2021.  Before joining the Court of Appeals, he was a judge on the Wayne Circuit court.

Attorney
Jonathan E. Robe earned a B.S.M.E. degree summa cum laude in Mechanical Engineering from Ohio University and a Juris Doctor degree from Duke University School of Law.  He is admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Virginia, the District of Columbia, and the State of Ohio.  He is also registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, where he focuses his practice on electro-mechanical and medical device technologies.  He practiced for a number of years at a large firm in D.C. but now practices under his father, Scott Robe.  He resides in Athens, Ohio with his wife and two young children.  His favorite book is The Development of the Flour-Milling Industry in the United States, With Special Reference to the Industry in Minneapolis by Charles B. Kuhlman.

Teacher – Miller High School

Justin Robe works as a high school Mathematics Teacher in a rather small school located somewhere in the foothills of the Appalachians. While not born in Ohio, Justin has practically lived in and worked around Athens, Ohio for the vast majority of his life. Justin was once a student at SSI LEAD and now comes back for two different weeks of camp to work with the Mock Trial and Campaign Tracks. Justin graduated from Ohio University with dual degrees in Mathematics and History and then went through a graduate level program in Mathematics Education. His hobbies include, but not limited to, buying and then reading books, playing soccer, reffing soccer, and chasing his young mini-me around.

Attorney

Scott M. Robe, Esq., earned an A.B. degree summa cum laude in History at Ohio University in 1984. He received a Master of Public Policy and a Juris Doctor degree from Regent University in 1986 and 1989 respectively. He passed the Virginia Bar Exam in 1989, the District of Columbia exam in 1990, and the Ohio exam in 1991, and is admitted to practice in each of those jurisdictions.

As a recent graduate of Calvin University, Grace Anne is looking forward to starting her career as an English and Math teacher.  She has attended LEAD as a student, ADC, and last year, she had the honor to work as Summer Staff.  Now that she gets to make homework instead of finishing it for classes, her free time is even more limited.  But, you would find her spending that time with family and friends, cooking, or reading one of the many unread books that haunt her bookshelves.

Judge – Barry County District Court

The Honorable Michael Schipper was appointed by Governor Rick Snyder to the Barry County District Court in July of 2011. He was elected by the people of Barry County in 2012 and served a 6-year term and was re-elected in 2018 for another 6-year term. After earning an economics degree from Hope College in 1985 and going on graduate from The Ohio State University College of Law in 1988, Judge Schipper began his legal career in Grand Rapids at the Clary Nantz law firm. He also acted as the prosecutor for the City of Kentwood and served for 20 years in the U.S. Attorney’s office in Grand Rapids. Judge Schipper’s most cherished accomplishments, however, come from his work with kids. He has coached sports for over 20 years. He currently coaches both football and swimming at Hastings High School. He also is a regular speaker at all of the schools in Barry County and shares about topics such as teen crime, leadership, the proper role of a judge in our system of government, and the Constitution.

Professor of Communication and Media – Spring Arbor University

Prior to coming to SAU, Shelby gained her real-world experience as anchor, producer, and reporter from 1980-89 at WILXTV-10, the NBC affiliate in Lansing, Michigan. From 1989-1995, she was a reporter and Jackson bureau chief for WLNSTV-6, the CBS affiliate in Lansing. After joining the faculty of SAU, she continued working as a freelance reporter for WLAJTV-53, the ABC affiliate in Lansing, and WKHM 970AM radio in Jackson, Michigan.

Judge 

Judge Brock A. Swartzle was appointed to the Court in 2017. Prior to joining the bench, Judge Swartzle was Chief of Staff for the Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives, as well as General Counsel for the House, where he worked on numerous legal and policy issues, including the Detroit bankruptcy settlement package. Judge Swartzle was previously a litigation partner with Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP, where he practiced in antitrust, healthcare fraud, white-collar crime, securities, and other areas. Judge Swartzle had extensive experience in federal court prior to joining the Michigan Court of Appeals, clerking for three years in both the Eastern District of Michigan and the Western District of Michigan, as well as four years with the Hon. David W. McKeague on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Judge Swartzle currently sits on the editorial board of the American Bar Association’s Appellate Practice Journal, a publication for which he was Co-Editor-in-Chief for several years, as well as on the George Mason Law & Economics Center’s Judicial Education Advisory Board. He has authored numerous legal articles as well as co-authored a chapter in the practitioner treatise, Business and Commercial Litigation in Federal Courts (West). Judge Swartzle received his B.S. with distinction from the University of Michigan and his J.D. with honors from George Mason University School of Law, where he served on the George Mason Law Review Board of Editors.

Residential Services Manager – PotterVilla Applied Technologies

Alex Telloyan has worked at PotterVilla Applied Technologies in Charlotte, Michigan since his senior year of high school. Over the years, he has grown from being a parttime employee to his current role as Residential Services Manager. He also has past experiences in videography, machining, agriculture, and the electrical field. Alex is now working towards a cyber security specialist degree from Western Governors University. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with cats, playing board games and D&D, reading, and tinkering. He now lives with his wife, Lily, in Charlotte, Michigan.

Teacher – The Potter’s School and LifeTech Academy

Lily Telloyan earned her Elementary Education and Teaching All Learners Bachelor’s Degree from Grace College in Indiana. Currently, she teaches students of all ages online through The Potter’s School and LifeTech Academy. This summer, she is also working on her masters’ degree in special education at Michigan State University. Her favorite quotation, “The end of all learning is to know God, and out of that knowledge, to love and imitate Him,” (Milton), summarizes why she is excited volunteer at LEAD. In addition to teaching, Lily enjoys making art with paper and all things book/reading related. Lily grew up in Japan until she was eight years old and experienced life in a multigenerational household upon moving to the United States. She now lives with her husband, Alex, in Charlotte, Michigan.

Pastor and Teacher – Debunked

Juan has always had a curious mind and asked lots of questions growing up. Searching for answers is his passion and lifelong journey. He had his first debate in 10th grade Biology class. Juan believes people have good questions and we as Christians need to have good answers. He desires to live out the command in the Bible where we’re told to always be ready to give an answer and to do so with the right attitude (1 Peter 3:15).

Further, Juan feels called to equip young people for the battles they face every day in an increasingly hostile culture. He also desires to equip parents and pastors so that they are able to engage the youth. Juan loves to see people emboldened when they realize that there are excellent arguments in support of the Truth. Most importantly, he enjoys removing the obstacles that keep people from surrendering to Christ.

When Juan’s not traveling, he is engaged in the pastorate of his bilingual congregation in Miami, FL. When he has down time (which isn’t often) you might find him in a quiet place reading a book or fishing. Juan’s educational background includes graduate work at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and master’s degrees from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and Logos Graduate School. He also has a Doctorate of Ministry in Apologetics from Southern Evangelical Seminary.

President and Co-Owner – The Douglas J Company

Scott Weaver saw his future in marketing or business management, but upon graduating from Northwood Institute with a B.A. in Marketing and Management in 1993, he became the Admissions Director for the Douglas J School for cosmetology. To get a better understanding of the salon industry, Scott graduated from Cosmetology school in 1995. Scott is a role model for the modern salon professional. He possesses a stylist’s technical skill, but he is also able to successfully manage a thriving business. Today, as President, Scott heads up Operations and Development.  Douglas J has 4 salons and 6 Aveda Institutes. As the company continues to grow, Scott’s focus remains constant–expanding Douglas J while maintaining the same level of customer service and professionalism that his father founded the company 53 years ago.  Scott also leads the company in making an impact on the greater good through various community fundraising.

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Pastor and Teacher – Northwestern Michigan College

In addition to being a pastor for the past 17 years, Anthony Weber was an English, Logic, and Comparative Worldviews teacher at Traverse City Christian school from 1997 until 2017. He currently teaches a Contemporary Ethical Dilemmas class at Northwestern Michigan College along with his pastoral work.

A lot of Anthony’s life revolves around seeking to engage a wide variety of people in conversation that is bold, honest, and true when it comes to issues of life: God, morality, politics, the church, etc. Anthony blogs on worldview and church issues at empiresandmangers.blogspot.com; he podcasts with two other friends at Breaking the Surface (on Spotify, Pocket Casts, Radio Public, and Google Podcasts)

Hobbies: napping, drinking coffee, writing, reading, and ineffectively trying to avoid arguments on Facebook.

Anthony married up, as everyone in his life will attest. He and wife, Sheila, have been married 31 years and have three boys: AJ (25), Braden (21), and Vincent (15).

Former Communications Manager – Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning

Kendall Wingrove spent eight years with the Michigan State Police handling communications for the Office of Highway Safety Planning.  Before that he was media services manager for Michigan Senate Republicans and a press secretary in the Michigan House. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University and a master’s degree from Michigan State University. Kendall is also a free-lance historical writer and mentor.