Michigan Business Incubator Association

Executive Team

Sandra Cochrane, President
Assistant Dean/Director of the WMed Innovation Center
Sandra is the director of the WMU Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine Innovation Center (WMedIC), a 68,600 s.f. technology incubator in Kalamazoo. Sandra coordinates entrepreneurial training programs, and assists start-up and early-stage high-tech companies. Services she provides to client companies include business plan development, accessing capital, strategic planning, and general business guidance. She works with pre-seed funds, angel groups, and venture capital firms to connect companies to capital. Sandra previously served six years on the board of directors at the International Business Innovation Association (formerly the National Business Incubation Association). She also serves as a reviewer for the National Science Foundation’s SBIR/STTR Program. Sandra earned a B.A. and an M.B.A. from Michigan State University and holds an InBIA Certificate in Business Incubator Management.

Carmen Wells-Quigg, Vice-President
Project Manager, University of Michigan Economic Growth Institute
Carmen has personal experience in small business management through her background as a partner in both a small manufacturing firm and a start-up real estate investment company. She is a member of the iNBIA and regularly participates in workshops, conferences, and events through the Michigan Economic Developers Association and the Women’s Exchange of Washtenaw, an organization supporting women in business in southeastern Michigan. Carmen received a Certificate of Entrepreneurship and Innovation from Purdue University Calumet in 2004.

Tom Hopper, Treasurer
Associate Director of the Muskegon Innovation Hub
At the Hub, Tom is responsible for general operation and for managing and delivering the business incubator program. In 2016, the Hub opened Muskegon’s first co-working space and Tom helped successfully grow it to a thriving community. Tom is an active member of both MBIA and InBIA, attending and presenting at numerous meetings and conferences. An innovator himself, Tom has served as the co-inventor on several patents, brought millions of dollars in successful new products to market, and developed new business processes that saved millions of dollars. Tom holds his bachelor’s degree in physics and mathematics from Alma College and a Master of Science degree in product development from the University of Detroit Mercy.

Cheryl LeClaire, Secretary
Vice-President of Operations at MTEC SmartZone
Cheryl manages the operation of the MTEC SmartZone including accounting, budget and control, audit, compliance, funding and grant disbursement, and information systems. She is also responsible for procurement, risk management, human resource policy, facilities, auxiliary services, safety and security, and payroll. Cheryl worked at Michigan Technological University as well as a local construction company before joining MTEC’s team in 2011. Cheryl and her family decided to move back to the Upper Peninsula after several years in Southeast Michigan and enjoy being able to live, work and play there. In 2017, Cheryl completed the Business Incubation Management Program through the InBIA, and is a certified coach in Wendy Kennedy's "So what, who cares, why you" methodology.