Engineer honored as Muskegon Innovation Hub: Innovator of the Year

For more than 30 years, Michael Gerstweiler has been at the forefront of developing industrial control equipment with his company, Pribusin. As an engineer, innovation is a mainstay in his career developing technology to solve complex problems. 

For his work, and his most recent innovative work, Gerstweiler was named the 2024 Lakeshore Innovator of the Year, presented by the Muskegon Innovation Hub on July 25. 

“I would have never thought, given the caliber of all the finalists that I would be on top,” Gerstweiler said about winning the award. “I feel re-energized to reboot my company and make even bigger things happen.”

As all of the finalists received their runner-up awards, Gerstweiler was there to shake hands and congratulate them on their accomplishments. Then, he shared a message to the audience about the importance of giving back to the community.

His technological advancements may not be apparent to the general public, but they are vital to a variety of complex technical systems, such as wastewater management systems.

His most recent development could have wider applications beyond wastewater systems, Gerstweiler said. Pribusin has developed a cellular-based telemetry system that addresses an issue for his clients. Similar industry systems are cloud-based, but Pribusin’s, Gerstweiler said, allows for a two-way control option. 

The Muskegon Innovation Hub saw an audience of the finalists' friends and family come to celebrate their accomplishments. Live music was followed by EmCee Darius Mitchell, COO of Shoreline Staffing, welcoming the crowd to the event. 2023 Innovator of the Year winner Lisa Spaugh gave the keynote address.

Muskegon Innovation Hub leaders are happy with the growth of the event, with Director Kevin Ricco noting they have been blown away by the number and quality of nominations they receive from year-to-year. He added that they have always received fresh nominations without repeats from finalists of previous years.

“That just goes to show how many creative small businesses and entrepreneurs we have,” Ricco said. “It’s our municipalities doing unique things. It’s our nonprofits doing unique things, and innovative and creative things to solve problems.”

This year’s finalists included: 

Dakoyta Greenman

Greenman’s firm, Westwood AI , is on the cutting edge of a technology that’s rapidly progressing by the day. Westwood AI provides a variety of services — vendor procurement, solution architecture, project/program management, big data consultation and AI consultation. His client base stretches across government, defense, academic and private industry. “In my experience, the only successful innovation has been when it's truly embedded and foundational with the organizational culture,” Greenman said.

Corine Rose

For caterer Corine Rose, innovation encompasses nearly every aspect of her business, Corine’s Cakes and Catering . Her customizable menus accommodate diverse dietary needs and build inclusivity among her customer base. Her zero-waste kitchen promotes sustainability and her support of local food sources provides a sustainable network for her business, customers and suppliers. “Without innovation, you can't keep everybody together, and you need them in your restaurant to make it successful and it’s up to you to help bring it all together,” Rose said. 

Jim Rudicil

Jim Rudicil, executive director at the Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park , said he knows the importance of innovation to a venture like his. His organization revolves around winter sports in Michigan, so it’s imperative to diversify during the off-season or during a mild winter. It was equally important to provide accessibility to the site, allowing all customers access to the activities, Rudicil said. “This is our 40th season coming up this winter, so we knew that for us to survive and to pave a way into the future that we really needed a year-round presence and year-round recreation,” Rudicil said. 

Kaja Thornton

Faced with the challenges of COVID-19, Kaja Thornton’s innovative way of thinking has produced a community hub for Muskegon Heights and provided a home for those in need. During her time as a student at Savannah State University, Thornton fell in love with Georgia’s lowcountry cuisine. That led her to create Cajun Cuisine, whose proceeds fund her nonprofit, Overcoming Barriers, an adult foster care community that promotes residents’ independence. “It’s a story of my passion and my purpose meeting together,”Johnson said. She has also opened The Us Cafe, a spot for customers as well as local business and community leaders to congregate, network and exchange ideas.

Additional writing by Thomas Chavez.