Author: KMF Infotech

Mike Behm, Director of Business Development at Gentex  

 

Gentex is committed to an “ownership mentality”. What does that mean to you, and how is that company culture lived?  

 

Fostering an ownership mentality is a cornerstone of our culture. To me, it means approaching our collective goals, resources, and teams with the care and commitment of an owner — guided by trust, integrity, collaboration, and grit. We embed this mindset throughout our culture by encouraging individuals to consider how their decisions affect the broader organization, beyond just their own role or team. This perspective supports both financial sustainability and long-term growth, with success shared among all through our profit-sharing program. We also welcome and encourage constructive challenges, ensuring we hold each other accountable and move together toward our shared goals. 

 

Can you share your perspective on the current trends and challenges in the automotive and aerospace industries? How does Gentex navigate these trends? 

 

The mobility sector — especially automotive — is undergoing rapid growth and transformation. Electrification, advanced consumer technologies (AI, connectivity, mobile computing), and new entrants/OEMs are accelerating innovation and shortening development cycles in a traditionally slow-moving industry. These shifts create opportunities for Gentex to leverage our core technologies and expertise while also demanding we evolve to deliver unique value amid rising competition. 

 

We’re also seeing increasing convergence between automotive and aerospace, as consumers expect seamless access to information, entertainment, and comfort across home, car, and air travel. Airlines are enhancing passenger experiences with connected, tech-enabled services throughout the journey — from booking to in-flight. 

 

Gentex is well-positioned as a trusted partner to bring innovation, quality, and value to these industries, and we see significant opportunities ahead. 

 

After graduating from Michigan Tech, were there any significant challenges or setbacks in your career? How did you overcome them? 

 

After graduating from MTU’s Chemical Engineering program, I was fortunate to have several exciting opportunities. One of my greatest challenges came when I relocated from California back to Michigan, pivoting from sales and market development into engineering, production, and manufacturing support. It was a humbling experience — the skills I had built in sales no longer applied day to day, and I had to rely on persistence, grit, and strong relationships to work my way back to where I wanted to be. That journey taught me resilience and reinforced my passion for sales. After a couple years of hard work, I earned a junior sales position and got back on the path I had envisioned. 

 

How do you keep learning and growing in a role that spans both automotive and aerospace technologies?  

 

I feel very fortunate that my role as part of the Business Development team provides opportunities to engage in an extremely diverse environment that’s never the same one day to the next. One day I will meet founders of startup companies looking to take the next step in commercialization, learning about their goals and how Gentex may generate value in partnership. The next day might involve in-depth contract negotiations with one of our aerospace customers, or I might participate in an internal creative brainstorm to generate new product ideas or new markets to pursue. Change, variety, and diversity are a part of my every day at Gentex, and that provides an awesome platform to learn and grow. 

 

For someone wanting to build a career in engineering, technology, or technology sales, what skills or qualities do you think are most critical for success? 

 

Building a foundation of process-oriented decision-making has been invaluable to me. It’s the main theme that has stuck with me from my engineering background, and can be applied to almost any problem, task, or solution. Keeping an open mind and working with a sense of curiosity is also important. Ask questions to understand, discuss, and even challenge topics or decisions together with your peers. Lastly, but maybe most beneficial in my career – learn about other functions in your organization: What their goals are, what specific challenges they have and how it may relate to your own personal work. That knowledge will reshape your perspective and ultimately result in better decision making. 

 

You get to experience a lot of different communities, living on the East side of the state, and travelling to West Michigan and globally. What do you enjoy most about doing business from West Michigan? 

 

Working in West Michigan offers many advantages I truly appreciate. Minimal traffic and short commutes mean we can spend more time focusing on meaningful work and being productive. The region’s diverse industrial and business landscape creates a unique environment for collaboration, cross-industry learning, and innovation—something I’ve found rare compared to other places I’ve lived or visited. Even amid competition, there’s a refreshing spirit of cooperation that strengthens the entire community. 

 

Can you share why it is a priority for Gentex to invest in economic development? 

 

Contributing to regional economic development is essential to fostering prosperity—not just for our employees, but for their families and the broader community. A strong regional economy enhances key factors that influence where businesses and individuals choose to relocate and put down roots, including cost of living, quality amenities, and robust public services. It also sustains a steady pipeline of skilled talent through universities and trade programs, which is vital to achieving our growth goals in an increasingly competitive job market. 

Julie Parker is the President and CEO of Great Lakes Commercial Finance (GLCF), a Certified Development Company based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. With over 25 years of experience in small business lending and economic development, she has played a pivotal role in helping businesses across Michigan access the capital they need to expand and grow. Since becoming President and CEO of GLCF, Julie has overseen significant growth, a brand transformation, and a broader statewide presence.

 

A lifelong West Michigan resident, Julie enjoys spending time outdoors golfing, biking, traveling, and boating on Lake Michigan. She and her husband Scott, a small business owner, have been married for 33 years and have two grown children. Their son and daughter-in-law live in St. Joseph, Michigan and their daughter lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Julie values family and staying connected to her community in both her personal and professional life.

 

We’re grateful to Julie for sharing her leadership and life philosophies with us:

 

What strategies do you employ to motivate and inspire your team to achieve their best performance?

 

I work to create an environment where people feel valued, supported, and trusted to do their jobs well. I genuinely care about my team.  Not just their performance, but also their well-being and professional growth. I believe in empowering people by setting expectations and giving them the autonomy, support, and resources they need to succeed.

 

I also value open communication, recognition of hard work, and making sure each person’s role is connected to the broader mission. When people understand how their work makes an impact and feel part of something meaningful, they’re naturally more engaged and motivated.

 

How has your approach to leadership evolved over your career?

 

Early in my career, I focused a lot on the work itself, getting things done, hitting targets, and staying on task. Over time, I’ve learned that leadership is more about people than checklists. I’ve tried to become more intentional about listening, creating space for others to lead, and making sure we’re aligned not just in what we’re doing but why we’re doing it. I’ve also learned that it’s okay to slow down and reevaluate when something isn’t working.  I believe leadership isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about asking the right questions and being willing to adapt.

 

 

What’s special and unique about Great Lakes Commercial Finance?

 

What sets us apart is our deep understanding of both the financial side of lending and the human side of business ownership. We know our borrowers aren’t just numbers on a loan application, they’re people building something that matters. Our team brings deep expertise, but we’re also accessible, responsive, and committed to getting projects done the right way. We take pride in being a reliable partner that business owners can count on, and we try to never lose sight of the impact our work has on the communities we serve.

 

 

What is the most rewarding aspect of working with small businesses in West Michigan?

 

The most rewarding part is seeing how our work directly helps business owners take that next big step, whether that’s buying a building, expanding, or hiring more people in their community. At GLCF, we work with entrepreneurs all over the state. The industries and locations might be different, but the determination and hard work behind each business are always the same.

 

These are people who have often put everything on the line to pursue an idea or build something meaningful. Being able to provide the kind of financing that is not always easy to access, and knowing it opens a door they may not have been able to walk through otherwise is incredibly fulfilling.

 

We see firsthand how small businesses fuel local economies, support families, and create opportunities. They truly are the backbone of our economy. Being part of their growth story and knowing we helped make it possible in a way that is tangible and lasting is what makes this work so meaningful.

 

Why is it important for you to continue to invest in economic development for West Michigan’s lakeshore region?

 

Before becoming President and CEO of Great Lakes Commercial Finance, I spent nearly 15 years as Executive Director of Lakeshore 504, another Certified Development Company serving the lakeshore region in partnership with the West Coast Chamber of Commerce. That experience gave me a deep connection to the business community and a clear understanding of the region’s opportunities and needs.

In 2017, I led the merger of GLCF with Lakeshore 504. The two organizations shared the same mission and values and combining them made us stronger. It also deepened our roots in a region we had both been committed to for years. The lakeshore has always been a key part of our footprint, and the merger reinforced that by expanding our reach and deepening our relationships with the lenders, clients, and partners we continue to serve today. We’ve been active in the lakeshore lending environment for decades, and staying connected and continuing to invest in the region remains a priority.