Ann Arbor SPARK today announced several organizational advancements that reflect the continued strength and growth of the region’s most successful SmartZone.
To position the organization for its next phase of expansion, President and CEO Paul Krutko has created a new Chief Operating Officer (COO) role. The position, reporting directly to Krutko, will help streamline internal operations and ensure effective execution of SPARK’s strategic plan. This transition enables Krutko to remain focused on key external relationships, organizational strategy, SPARK’s annual budget, capital investments, and hiring decisions.
Phil Santer, formerly Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff, has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer. As COO, Santer will oversee the day-to-day operations of the organization, with responsibility for implementing SPARK’s strategic plan, aligning cross-functional priorities, and enhancing internal systems and processes.
Santer has more than 15 years of experience in economic development at both the practitioner and policy levels. Prior to joining SPARK, he held roles at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and George Mason University in Washington, D.C. He earned his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University’s James Madison College and an MBA from Wayne State University. He is a certified Economic Development Financial Professional and serves on the boards of Lake Trust Credit Union, Michigan Works! Southeast, and Destination Ann Arbor.
With Santer’s advancement, Jennifer Olmstead has been promoted to Vice President of Business Development. In her expanded role, Olmstead will lead SPARK’s business attraction and retention efforts across Washtenaw County, including oversight of the Innovate Ypsi program, which provides incentives for companies locating and growing on the county’s east side. During her tenure, Olmstead’s work has supported the creation of more than 1,000 jobs and $120 million in investment. She holds a B.A. from the University of Michigan and a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Additionally, Janis Seabolt has been promoted to Director of Mobility Programs, reporting to Loren Townes, director of Entrepreneurial Services – SPARK Central. Seabolt’s new role recognizes her growing leadership in advancing SPARK’s mobility and autonomous-vehicle initiatives. She works directly with startups to accelerate commercialization and strengthen industry partnerships. A University of Michigan graduate, Seabolt previously worked in the AV/ADAS sector, including helping to launch a German lidar technology company’s U.S. operations.
“These promotions reflect the deep talent within our organization and the strength of the region’s innovation economy,” said Krutko. “As SPARK continues to expand its impact, this leadership structure ensures we remain focused on both operational excellence and our mission—driving innovation-led economic growth for the greater Ann Arbor region.”
As Michigan’s most successful SmartZone, Ann Arbor SPARK is the state’s leading hub for innovation-driven economic growth — connecting startups, established companies, investors, and academic institutions to turn research and ideas into jobs and investment. The Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti SmartZone has generated more than $50 million in reinvested local tax revenue and supported over 700 technology startups since its inception. Anchored by the University of Michigan’s $2 billion research enterprise and a highly skilled STEM workforce, the region is a national leader in mobility, electrification, life sciences, and cybersecurity. Ann Arbor was recently ranked the fifth-most significant innovation ecosystem in the Midwest — ahead of Detroit — for startup density, momentum, patents, and capital investment strength, reinforcing its status as a powerhouse of talent, research, and entrepreneurial activity driving Michigan’s global competitiveness.
