Mitch Buikema

Mitch Buikema is an experienced operations leader currently serving as Vice President of Operations at The GFB since February 2024. Prior to this role, Mitch held the position of Operations Manager at Yanfeng USA Automotive Trim Systems Inc. and Tennant Company from June 2023 to February 2024 and December 2020 to May 2023, respectively. Mitch's extensive career also includes significant tenure at Shape Corp., where responsibilities as Plant Manager involved overseeing multiple sites with substantial annual sales. Beginning at Johnson Controls, Mitch advanced through various positions, including Production Manager, and played a key role in implementing Lean processes and Six Sigma methodologies over a 15-year span. Mitch earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication from Grand Valley State University.