Becky has provided strategic planning and business development consulting services for non-profit and for-profit companies over the past 20 years. Becky is a founding partner of Strategiz, LLC, launched in 2012. Strategiz is focused on assisting organizations in strategic planning, operational coaching, focus group facilitation, and executive coaching and leadership development.
Becky was part of the interim management team for the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority when the Authority was formed in 2009. The interim team developed a comprehensive strategic plan for the Authority; financial operating statements and financial projections; recommendations regarding the future funding of the organization; and establishment of strategic and financial operating initiatives. Becky has continued to support the DRCFA and TCF Center (formerly Cobo Center) Operations team in a variety of business planning and business management processes including quarterly Balanced Scorecard reports for the DRCFA Board; working with the Board to develop and report on key initiatives (post-renovation); the design of a customer satisfaction survey utilizing local college interns; and annual business planning for the TCF Center Operations team. Becky has also provided strategic planning support for several convention centers managed by SMG in other destinations including Mobile, AL; Florence, SC; Pittsburgh, PA; and Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Becky, as a partner in The Macke Group, participated in the development of the M-1 Light Rail financial framework and business plan from 2009 through 2013. Becky has worked with and supported the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy on a variety of projects from business and financial planning to recruitment and HR programming initiatives. Becky was a part of the team that created and implemented the strategic business plan for Wayne State University’s business development project known as TechTown. Becky launched their first entrepreneurial program, the Frontline Accelerator for Science and Technology, to accelerate the commercialization of start-up and early stage businesses.
Becky developed and taught a variety of undergraduate and graduate business at Wayne State University for over 18 years. Becky mentored students through the DePaul Coleman Entrepreneur Center; taught a continuing education program known as Start-Up Chicago, and developed and taught an entrepreneurial class designed for formerly incarcerated individuals to provide the skills and resources necessary for them to develop and launch successful businesses.
Prior to her consulting practice, Becky spent 15 years in global account sales and marketing for AT&T in Boston and Detroit. She has been an active member of her community as a board member, trustee and chairperson for numerous fundraising events. She is currently Board Chair for the Detroit Institute of Children.
Becky has an MBA from the University of Texas with a concentration in marketing and a BS from the University of Texas. Becky is an accredited Peer to Peer Facilitator from the Edward Lowe Foundation.
Al is a founding partner in Strategiz, LLC, a consultancy concentrated on assisting organizations in strategic planning, operational coaching, focus group facilitation, and executive coaching and leadership development. In this role, he manages the firm’s business operations and works directly with clients of the firm as a business consultant and coach.
Al is an owner and director of Schmaltz Delicatessen, a Jewish deli concept, based in the Chicago suburbs. He is CEO of the SchmaltzOnline.com e-commerce sales organization and is COO of Schmaltz Retail Products
Al has experience as a chief operating officer, managing director, senior vice president of worldwide professional services and founder of several businesses. He previously was Chief Operating Office of illuma, a recruitment management firm based in Chicago. Al was previously owner and Executive Vice President of Systems Start-Up, Ltd., a software consulting firm specializing in modification and implementation of Computer Associates’ ERP product, CA-PRMS. He led the team that coordinated the sale of Systems Start-Up to Computer Associates in 1997. After the sale was completed, he managed the ERP Professional Services group within Computer Associates as Senior Vice President.
As a member of the Advisory Board of the Coleman Entrepreneurship Center at DePaul University, Al was a member of the strategic planning committee that developed a 5-year plan to revamp the organization’s mission and increase development within the Center.
Al served as Vice President of Congregation Etz Chaim of DuPage County for 2 years and as President of the Congregation from 2009-2011. In this role he coordinated the budgeting process, led a $400,000 fundraising campaign for introducing solar power to the congregation and installing a new roof and led the committee that organized the 50th Anniversary celebration for the congregation. He is currently the Treasurer of the Board of Trustees for the Wheaton (IL) Public Library.
Al received his BS in Computer Science from Michigan State University and MBA with a concentration in Entrepreneurship from DePaul University. Al is an accredited Peer to Peer Facilitator from the Edward Lowe Foundation.