Welcome
Since starting up "Greg's Lawn Mowing Service" at the age of 10 years old, I have always undertaken an entrepreneurial approach to following my pursuits. From the lawn mowing service as a kid, to owning a landscaping company and an aircraft cleaning company in college, to outsourcing global operations of Fortune 50 companies after graduation, to my current role working in a partnership with my father, each of my business experiences has taught me that if you set your mind to something you can achieve virtually anything! This is a motto I follow in every aspect of my career.
"Experience isn't what happens to you; experience is what you do with what happens to you." Aldous Huxley
Biography
the essentials
Name: Greg Chapman
Born: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Lives and works: Novi resident since 1997, works in Novi and Grand Rapids
the details
I was born in
Grand Rapids
Michigan
, the oldest of three sons. I was educated at The Hayworth College of Business at
Western
Michigan
University
. I originally went to WMU to be a pilot. I obtained my pilots licenses after a year in the aviation program while nurturing my passion for flying. It was in college when I started my own businesses, Chapman Irrigation and Hanger 1 Aircraft Cleaning Company. Both companies proved to be successful by any measure, providing income to pay for college, skiing trips to
Colorado
and the purchase of my first Volkswagen. Despite my original interest in aviation, the lure of business was strong and my attention shifted to how global business operates. I became increasingly interested in international business and even acted as Executive Vice President of the WMU International Business Association.
In college, I took an internship with Gainey Corporation. This experience provided me with an opportunity to work with an entrepreneurial CEO who turned a small trucking operation into the most reputable long-haul carrier in the country. During my internship, I was involved in various business areas including logistics, collections, finance, and operations. I even outsourced a small operation of the company as a professional project.
My first job out of college was with Unisys, selling technology outsourcing services to global companies like Ford, Kellogg,
Toyota
and Dow Corning. With hard work, I rapidly became one of the top global account managers, almost doubling revenue each year for 6 years. My work garnered multiple awards starting with “Rookie of the Year”. The company CEO recognized my leadership in the sale and implementation of the firm’s first centrally-managed global deployment program to 100 countries around the world for Dow Corning. Personally, one of my most memorable projects during my tenure with Unisys was with Toyota Motors and SPX in designing, purchasing, installing and supporting the Toyota Technical Information System to
Toyota
dealers nationwide.
Today, I am partners with my father in a wealth advisory business he started over 28 years ago. This business was built upon the simple principal that if you take care of your customers, give them the best possible service and treat them greatly, you will have them as customers for life. These principals continue to be followed today.
I enjoy spending time in my community and am actively involved with various business and civic groups. I am on the Board of Directors of the Novi Chamber of Commerce, a member of the 12 person Grand Rapids CEO Round Table, contributor to novi.org, and producer & host of Novi Pulse© seen on TV13 Novi. My favorite community activity, however, is coaching youth soccer!
To read about my personal and business philosophy click below:
