Brian Maynard

Vice Chair

Brian Maynard is the “Benevolent Overlord” at Forté Coffee in St. Joseph, Michigan. Forté Coffee roasts and serves craft-coffee one cup at a time. Founded in 2018, the company has expanded to three locations and sells roasted beans online. Forté Coffee also sells to several wholesale accounts.

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Before retiring in 2018, Maynard held a variety of positions with increasing responsibilities for Whirlpool Corporation. He served as the head of marketing for the KitchenAid and JennAir brands. Additionally, he oversaw the corporation’s reputation as global director of corporate social responsibility.

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In 2001, Maynard co-created Cook for the Cure, which has raised more than $13 million benefitting Komen for the Cure and the fight against breast cancer. He serves on the board of The Jacques Pepin Foundation, Mystic Lake YMCA and others.

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His “side-hustle” is volunteering for duty as an emcee and auctioneer for various charity events.

Brian holds undergraduate degrees in business administration, hotel management and the culinary arts, and an MBA from Western Michigan University.