Matt Mace, B.B.A.'98

Department of Business Information Systems - Outstanding Alumni Award

Even while still a student at WMU, Matt Mace was laying the foundation for his firm BlueGranite. A recognized leader in business intelligence, BlueGranite's promise is "Business insight. Delivered." The firm has been recognized by Crain's as a leader in the "knowledge economy" and was selected as a 2009 Microsoft Worldwide Partner Awards finalist in Business Intelligence.

In 2011, BlueGranite was named the winner of the Partner of the Year Award in Exceptional Sales Management, which honors exceptional sales management practices, continuous sales improvement, and a commitment to building a sales team with deep Microsoft solution knowledge, skills training, and certification. The firm was noted for excelling in sales management, routinely analyzing wins and losses to extract replicable best practices, and promoting skill development for a competitive edge.

BlueGranite, located in WMU's Business Research and Technology Park, has contributed significantly to the local and state economy. Mace has been identified as one of the Top 40 Business Leaders Under 40 in West Michigan. He is certainly a top leader for the department of business information systems, serving as chair of the department's advisory board for several years and adding immeasurably to the department's programs through his industry expertise.

He has provided incubator space in his offices for student projects, participated in the Professor of the Day program, and hired employees from his alma mater.

He is a consummate ambassador for WMU whether he is encouraging a student in the community to consider the WMU computer information systems program or providing perspective on new curriculum initiatives.

In 2008, he earned his MBA from the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business.