Meet the Team
The Highland Park Chamber of Commerce Leadership team is comprised of dedicated and committed business profiessionals committed to the revitalization, advancement growth of the City of Highland Park. We are here to serve the community and promote prosperity through unity.
Executive Committee
Rodger Penzabene, Jr., President & CEO
Rodger Penzabene, Jr. is the President & CEO of the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce (“HPCC”). He founded the HPCC in May 2016 after identifying a void of available business support and advocacy service entities in Highland Park. Mr. Penzabene lends to his role his expertise in various business industries including broadcasting, entertainment, community development and arts and culture in the Metro Detroit community and abroad.
Dr. Paula Whittaker Watkins, Chair
Dr. Paula Whittaker Watkins is an education and business professional with more than 30 years experience in teaching, leadership and corporate environments. Over the years, she has engaged in teaching and education/corporate training, strategic planning, organizational assessment and development, change management, instructional design and planning, business development, project management, and client/customer relations negotiations. Additionally, she served as a literacy coach for Wayne and Genesee Counties, as assistant professor of Education at Marygrove College, adjunct professor of Education at Wayne State and Oakland Universities and graduated from Oakland University with the doctoral degree from the School of Education and Human Resources. Married to husband, G. Wayne Watkins for 30 plus years; they are proud parents of three.
Wayne Watkins, Chief Operating Officer
G. Wayne Watkins is a information systems engineering/project management and business professional with more than 30 years experience in education, leadership and corporate environments. He taught at the community college level, engaged in systems development, business development, project management, and client/customer relations negotiations. Wayne worked on the EDS/General Motors account in Russelsheim, Germany as he and Paula lived with their 3 children in Weisbaden, Germany. He has served as the CEO and CFO guiding educational organizations . Additionally, Wayne has experience in the banking, automotive supply and insurance industries. On a quick side note, in the late 1970s he was an on-air radio personality in Tennessee, hosting his own radio show. Married to wife, Paula Whittaker Watkins for 30 plus years; they are proud parents of three.
Dorian Harvey, First Vice President
Dorian is a licensed real estate broker and founder of AfricanTown Business Association, who currently serves as president of The Detroit Association of Realtors (DAR). This role allows Dorian to do what he has always aspired to do and that is: give back.
With over 28 years experience selling residential and commercial real estate in the state of Michigan, Dorian has dedicated the remainder of his career to creating opportunities for those who have been denied access to markets and economic resources.
Ron Butler, Second VIce President
Harveen Kaur, Chief Financial Officer
Harveen is currently a Managing Partner at SK Universal Tax & Consulting CPA PLLC. The expert team at SKU has over 22 years of experience in public accounting, working with Big 4 accounting firms and Fortune 500 companies. Consequently, the team members have been extensively exposed to complex tax and accounting issues arising out of complicated business transactions, whether it is mergers and acquisitions or restructurings to small start –up company and routine issues. In addition, SKU also provides the full suite of CPA services, along with implementations in sophisticated ERP packages, e.g., SAP, Governance Risk etc.
Brandon Crawford, Secretary
Treasurer
Vacant
Board of Directors
Dr. Paula Watkins, Chair
Richard Rubins
Sunanda Samaddar Corrado, PHD
Heather Dell
Tim Hall
Monet Harris
Malcolm Miller
James Henry Jr.
Tom Thorland
Rochelle Prestage
Liasion Team
Cassie Rice, Community Affairs
Donor Relations, Vacant
Member Services, Vacant
Government Affairs, Vacant
Public Affairs, Vacant
General Counsel
Bob Goldsmith
Highland Park Chamber of Commerce
Prosperity Through Unity
Highland Park Chamber of Commerce, registered 501C(6) not for profit business organization.
All rights reserved
Website proudly powered by GoBrilliant360, a Go HighLevel affiliate
Highland Park Chamber of Commerce
Prosperity Through Unity
Highland Park Chamber of Commerce, registered 501C(6) not for profit business organization.
All rights reserved
Website proudly powered by GoBrilliant360, a Go HighLevel affiliate