About Us

The Mishawaka Business Association (MBA) believes that a vibrant business community is healthy for the community at large and is committed to enhancing and developing the commercial environment in Mishawaka.

Membership Benefits

  • Business advice
  • Seminars
  • Special Events
  • liaison with civic and government offices
  • Marketing opportunities

Our Mission

The Mishawaka Business Association is dedicated to the promotion and growth of our community and business environment. We are a committed advocate for the success of our members and a facilitator for the continued development of business opportunities.

Our History

The MBA was first formed in 1961 as a merger of four smaller business associations that were active in various parts of the city. Each association had the same goal in mind but were often competing against each other for members and in different promotions in the city. As a result the associations gathered together to form the Mishawaka Businessmen Association. For years the association’s focus was on downtown Mishawaka only and it produced Mishawaka Sidewalk Days and other smaller community and business events.

 
In 2005, the MBA moved its office at the Yorktowne Center building at Lincolnway and Main – in the heart of downtown to a new location on West Fourth Street, then in 2016 moved to Grove St. still in downtown. The articles of incorporation were officially changed, and the MBA was born with the expansion of its focus to include all businesses in the City of Mishawaka and the renewed focus on providing services to members and being a local advocate for businesses.

Our Governance

The MBA is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. The Board has seats reserved for one appointment by the Mayor of Mishawaka and one appointment by the Mishawaka City Council. The remaining members consist of seven representatives from the following sectors: retail, professional services, financial, real estate and legal sector. All other members are representative of the diverse businesses in the City. The MBA has an Executive Director responsible for member and governmental relations. The Membership of the MBA has elected the current Board of Directors slate.

Our Executive Director

Felicia Seals-Buchanan is the Executive Director of Mishawaka Business Association and is the owner of G W Solutions, LLC, a grant writing agency. For more than fifteen years, Felicia has worked with small, medium, and large nonprofit and for-profit organizations around the country helping them secure funding needed for innovative community improvement programs. Felicia has been part of fundraising teams that earned over a million dollars for projects such as community playgrounds, computer centers, hospitality houses, Group Mentoring Programs, STEM Programs, and dozens of other projects across the Country. She strives to ensure that her work promotes the well-being of the disadvantaged, promotes greater understanding and inclusion, and advances critical connections that improve the businesses and communities involved. 

Felicia earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Michigan State University as well as grant certifications through the Grantsmanship Center, Saginaw Valley State University, Arizona State University, and other courses.

Learn more about the benefits of membership

We work together to execute event and promotions plan designed to draw attention to Mishawaka businesses.

Learn More

Board of Directors

The slate of candidates for the MBA Board were elected by acclimation during the 2024 Annual Meeting.

President
Stacy Vervynckt
McCarthy Insurance Group

Immediate Past President
Dan Riley, 1st Source Bank

Vice President
Jeri DeCola, AJ Property Services

Secretary/Treasurer
Dr. George Mighion, DDS

Board Members

Brandon Cruz, Cruz Family Funeral Homes
Cindy Cohen, C2Your Health Women’s Initiative
Cindy Reinoehl, Mayor’s Appointee
Lacy Hahn, Hahn Janitorial Services
LaRae Perrin, Craft One Half
Matt Carroll, City Council Appointee
Philip DeAngelis, Arkos Design
Ryan Woodruff
Schaune Johnson, IP Solutions
Sonya Smith, Wealth In Motion

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