Panel Discussions

Meet the Speakers: Scott Gibson is co-founder of CollierGibson, a Midwest-based real estate development firm specializing in adaptive reuse and ground-up projects across asset classes from hotels and restaurants to industrial and multifamily. With over 3 million square feet of commercial space renovated or developed nationwide, he’s built a reputation for transforming underutilized properties into vibrant community assets. His focus on creative redevelopment and cross-sector collaboration positions him at the forefront of conversations about innovation and regional growth. Andrew Mason plays a key role in supporting and bringing together local entrepreneurs, helping them connect, grow, and succeed. With a passion for innovation and a commitment to community engagement, Andrew plays a pivotal role in managing memberships, driving member engagement, and ensuring seamless operations across CMURC’s regional coworking spaces. Corbin Pilaske is a Program Coordinator at CMURC, where he helps deliver SmartZone programming that connects entrepreneurs with critical resources, mentorship, and funding opportunities. With a strong interest in programming and technology, he works to build systems that streamline support for startups and strengthen the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Rajani Muraleedharan is a Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering and Interim Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at Saginaw Valley State University. Her research blends machine learning, behavioral science, and security to build inclusive, human-centered technologies. She has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications and earned multiple best paper awards for her interdisciplinary work and featured in outlets such as Science Daily and the Huffington Post. With a Ph.D. from Syracuse University, she brings deep expertise at the intersection of technology, human experience, and innovation. Roy Furbank is Senior Vice President of Hemlock Semiconductor, where he leads process capabilities for hyper-pure polysilicon production, overseeing productivity, quality, R&D integration, and enterprise manufacturing optimization. He brings decades of global chemical manufacturing experience from leadership roles at Axalta Coating Systems, Rohm and Haas, and The Dow Chemical Company, and also served four years on active duty as a U.S. Army Combat Engineer Officer. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Georgia Tech and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.

Meet the Speakers: Matt Riddle is a husband, father of 2 lovely young women, and co-owner of Motor City Gameworks. Engineer, all-around geek, and sneaky athletic for a fat guy, he keeps busy by designing board games you may or may not have heard of; playing video games you probably have heard of; and eating. Lee Gaddies is the founder of Gaddis Gaming and a veteran game designer with 25 years of experience. He created the revolutionary TableTopper, developed the Guards Rule System, and is the author of published titles including Shattered Crown, Empires Fall, and Guardians of Luna. His work has also supported institutions such as the U.S. War College and the University of Michigan, blending innovation, education, and play.

Meet the Speakers: Jeremy Goossens is the Director of Esports at Trine University, where he oversees programs that connect students to competitive play and career pathways. A Brussels-born esports producer and event manager with more than a decade of experience in Europe and the U.S., he launched his first company as a teen to host Esports tournaments and later earned a master’s in Event Management. Today, he focuses on building community-driven competitions and live experiences that link students, creators, and fans. Andrew Bigos is the Director of Esports at Albion College. He is going into his 3rd year coaching collegiate Esports, and his most notable achievement is leading the Jackson College Fortnite team to a NJCAAE national championship. When he is not working with Esports he is gaming, playing board games, and going on adventures with his wife, Holly. hristopher Bilski is the Director of Esports at Michigan State University, where he leads a campus-wide program supporting an expanding network of student clubs (500+ active members) and external partnerships. Previously at Grand Valley State University, he helped evolve esports from a single student-led club into a dedicated space with competitive teams, building on earlier stints at Muskingum University and Aquinas College. His focus is inclusive, intentional programming that ties esports to student success and MSU’s game design ecosystem. Adam Antor is an Assistant Professor of Professional Esports Production at Ferris State University, where he focuses on building academic-to-industry pathways in broadcast and competition. Previously the Director of Esports at Florida Southern College—earning conference titles and a CLoL national appearance—he was named NAECAD College Coach of the Year (2021–22) and is a multi-year Esports Awards collegiate finalist. He also launched programs at Aquinas College and West Catholic High School, building Michigan’s first dedicated high-school esports facility.