MEET THE TEAM
Jim Baker
Founder & CEO
Jim started working in the furniture industry in 1991. Innovare was born out of Jim’s desire to offer unique and innovative furniture solutions for all budgets and project scopes. Jim graduated from Western Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. He maintains memberships and affiliations with the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Knights of Columbus, Building Owners and Managers Association, and Office Furniture Recyclers Association. He lives in Lansing with this wife and four children, coaching football at Lansing Catholic High School and spending weekends up north, where he golfs with friends and spends time with his family.
517-202-1580
Nick Baker
CFO
As Innovare's controller, Nick specializes in the company's daily operations. He manages the company's financial, procurement, and project management departments. Nick graduated from the Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University with a Bachelors Degree in Accounting. In his free time, he likes spending time in Northern Michigan with friends and family, and coaching football for Lansing Catholic High School.
517-898-3267
Kristin Prince
Director of Design
As Innovare’s Senior Interior Designer, Kristin handles space planning, product specification, project coordination and design team management. Kristin graduated from the Honors College/High Honor with a BA in Interior Design from Michigan State University. She worked in the commercial design/furniture industry for 4 years and has maintained LEED Green Associate certification since 2019. Her specialties include sustainability, higher education, and corporate office environments, with additional prior experience in residential design, facilities management, student mentorship and technology training. In her free time, Kristin loves spending time with her husband and kids, baking, quoting movies and playing strategy games.​
616-990-6201
Bella Guerrazzi
Executive Assistant & Marketing Specialist
Bella serves as the administrative assistant on the team who works directly with our CEO. Bella also coordinates installations and is the head of marketing and social media for Innovare, along with many other tasks to help better the team. Bella is currently a student at Michigan State University studying Interdisciplinary Studies in social science before heading to law school. Outside of work, Bella enjoys spending time with family, hanging out with friends, and teaching dance.
517-927-8332
Mitch McInnis
Sales Representative
Mitch has been in the installation industry for 6 years now. He dedicates his time to ensure the installs operate at a smooth pace and prioritizes creating good relationships with the client. He is a people-person and loves making both his coworkers and clients laugh and smile. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, golfing, playing with his dog, Arlo, and being outdoors.
517-212-5754
Melanie Stone
Senior Designer
As Innovare’s Senior Interior Designer, Melanie brings over 25 years of experience in the commercial furniture industry solutions market. A graduate from Michigan State University’s prestigious Interior Design program, she leads her projects with a professional, detail-oriented, and creative perspective. Her passion for creating functional, and unique spaces continues to influence her evolving design approach. In her free time, Melanie enjoys spending time with her family, friends and traveling.
313-719-6878
Abbey Brackett
Interior Designer & Volunteer Events Coordinator
Abbey graduated from Central Michigan's CIDA-accredited design program with a BA in Interior Design. She brings prior experience from an independently owned design firm and architectural product consulting. She is passionate about designing for the safety, well-being and health of all end users. Abbey enjoys caring for her plants and her puppy, Aura.
517-898-3267
Lauren Duthler
Interior Designer
Lauren is a graduate of Central Michigan University with a B.A.A. in Interior Design and a minor in Professional Sales. She comes with professional experience in residential, educational and furniture application design. As an integral member of Innovare's design team, she helps with all aspects of a project from start to finish, including specification, 3D modeling & renderings. Her interests include spending time outdoors, playing piano and playing board games with family.
616-843-4270
Hannah Hamel
Hannah is a student at Michigan State University, pursuing her B.A. in Interior Design with a minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. She is actively involved in the Interior Design Student Organization. She's on Innovare's core design team, providing space planning, presentation composition and product/finish selection expertise. In her free time, Hannah plays club field hockey at Michigan State.
Design Intern
313-550-9735
Tim Farhat
Ensuring that concepts and ideas are fully formed into real-world tangibility is the focus for Innovare Interiors lead installer. When Tim completes a task, clients are left with job specifications that are fashionable, functional, and fulfilled to excellence. The HOPE Academy graduate has supervisory experience at Fasco Motors, as well as a consultant, for North Coast Systems and as a director of operations at Partners Book Distributing. He and his wife have six children and four grandchildren. Tim enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, grilling, and watching sports.
Lead Installer
517-897-6103
Alec Shelton
Installer
Alec has been an installer for 10+ years. He has a lot of experience with our main product lines. Alec is all about learning and evolving for the benefit of smoother installs and happy clients. If there is anyone who can tackle any job, it would be Alec! He loves to play golf with his friends, playing with his pets, and is a barbeque expert!
517-282-5146
Joey Baker
Warehouse Manager
As our warehouse manager, Joey spends most of his time shipping, receiving, and organizing our product in storage. Another one of his daily tasks consists of working on our remanufactured product. Lastly, Joey also will participate as a part-time installer when extra hands are needed. Joey is currently a student at Lansing Community College studying business and enjoys golfing with his friends.
517-930-4293
Justin Techentin
Purchasing & Controller Assistant
Justin grew up in Grand Ledge, Michigan and has three years of experience in the furniture industry. He has his associate's degree in accounting, and is currently working towards his bachelor's degree as well. In his free time, he likes to play basketball, football, and spend time with family and friends.
517-643-6107
Renee Burns
Teknion Representative
Renee has been in the furniture industry for roughly 20 years in a multitude of roles. Her past experience as a salesperson for a Teknion dealer created a seamless and natural transition into her current role with the manufacturer. Renee supports our dealership in several facets of our business from seeking out opportunities, updating our staff on products and their intended applications to assisting with designing a discount structure to best fit the needs of our clients. She is currently a board member of IIDA MI, serving as Director of Publishing, an active member of C.R.E.W. and volunteers with charitable organizations throughout the state.
She and her husband live in Brighton, have 3 adult children and 2 adorable rescue dogs. Weekends are filled with exercising, boating, reading and attempts to understand the game of golf.
Apply Today
Innovare is always looking for new and inspiring people to join our team. If you are interested in working for us, email today!