Meet Our Experts
Innovare is filled with hardworking, dedicated individuals who work together to bring you your dream space from start to finish.
Jim Baker
CEO & Founder
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
jimb@myinnovare.com
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 Bachelor’s 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
nickb@myinnovare.com
Kristin Price
Director of Design
As Innovare’s Director of Design, Kristin leads Innovare’s design team while also managing projects for new business and corporate accounts. Kristin graduated with High Honor from the Honors College from Michigan State University with a BA in Interior Design. She has worked in the commercial design/furniture industry for 4 years prior to Innovare and has maintained a LEED Green Associate certification since 2019. Her passions include sustainability, technology and student mentorship, and has guest-lectured for several design classes at MSU and EMU. She also has 3 years of experience in facilities management and residential design. In her free time, Kristin loves spending time with her husband and children, baking, quoting movies and playing strategy games.
616-990-6201
kristinp@myinnovare.com
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
bellag@myinnovare.com
Kevin McMillan
Sales Representative
517-214-1685
kevinm@myinnovare.com
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
justint@myinnovare.com
Melanie Stone
Director of Design
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
melanies@myinnovare.com
Lauren Dulthler
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
laurenb@myinnovare.com
Hannah Hamel
Interior Designer
Hannah is a recent graduate from Michigan State University’s Interior Design Program and a full-time Interior Designer at Innovare. While at MSU, she also pursued a minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
She is on Innovare’s core design team where she performs her expertise in space planning, material and product selection, and client interaction. In her free time, Hannah enjoys running, hot yoga, cooking, and spending time with her family and friends.
313-550-9735
hannahh@myinnovare.com
Tim Farhat
Lead Installer
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.
517-897-6103
timf@myinnovare.com
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!
517-897-6103
alecs@myinnovare.com
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
joeyb@myinnovare.com
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.