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
Kevin McMillan
Account Executive
517-214-1685
kevinm@myinnovare.com
Justin Techentin
Purchasing & Controller Assistant
Justin operates as Innovare’s Purchasing and Accounting Assistant. He has had over 4 years of experience in the office furniture industry, including as an installer. Justin graduated from Northwood University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. He enjoys spending his free time with friends and family.
517-643-6107
justint@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
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.
Joey Baker
Installer & Warehouse Manager