Michael Gunther, President
Michael brings to the table both a passion for transforming businesses and a wealth of experience helping small- and mid-sized companies realize their goals. His expertise in business planning, finance, sales and marketing, operations and management has enabled clients to proactively respond to changes in the market and to aggressively grow their business.

As a business consultant with Atlanta-based Askier Development, Inc., and in his role as president of Collaboration LLC, Michael has executed sales and organizational development strategies for many clients, including CoreXpand LLC, Newton Park, Inc. (one of the Top 25 Fastest Growing Private Companies in Georgia two years in a row), Shurgard, Inc. and Theratx, Inc., among others. Michael also spent eight years growing real estate holdings and operations with Shurgard, and he remains that company’s youngest regional vice president to date.

Michael is certified by the Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City, MO to administer and facilitate its FastTrac business development programs. He is also certified in conducting and interpreting Myers-Briggs assessments, which he utilizes to help organizations build exceptional management and work teams.

Michael earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Loyola Marymount University in 1985 and a Masters degree from the Georgia School of Professional Psychology in 1994.

Christine Sommer, Vice President of Marketing

Business Consultant/ Facilitator

Christine Sommer came to Collaboration with over 13 years of sales, operations, and training experience. In 2004, Collaboration partnered with the Kauffman Foundation of Kansas City which allowed Christine to launch the educational division with the FastTrac courses, graduating over 200 participants since that time.

Prior to Collaboration, she spent 6 years growing a start-up specialty food company which allowed her to collaborate with customers ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small family owned businesses. This experience provided Christine with a deep understanding of the struggles and issues facing the entrepreneur in today's competitive environment.

In addition, Christine had a 7 year career in the insurance industry. Her roles involved evaluating companies' operations, developing and facilitating seminars/workshops and engaging in one-on-one consultations with her clients. The variety of issues surrounding worker safety, operations and property protection allowed her to gain an insight into the operations methodologies of some highly successful enterprises.

Christine is certified by the Kauffman Foundation to administer and facilitate the FastTrac business development programs. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Technology from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA

Jennifer Porcher, Vice President of Educational Services

Business Consultant/ Facilitator

Jennifer Porcher joins Collaboration to offer clients business advice through the Advisory programs as well as facilitate educational programs. With enthusiasm and high energy that enhances all the company's training programs, she equips participants with the practical and easy-to-implement tools they need to strengthen their business.

In addition to training business owners at Collaboration, Jennifer owns and operates a successful customer feedback and service training company that gathers information for business owners. With local and national clients that range from the service industry, professional firms, manufacturing and the medical industry, Jennifer develops and designs training and business processes that support better business-to-business relationships and customer service.

Her experience has provided her with opportunities to work and train top executives who value her overall business understanding and passion for success. This same value is shared amongst her consulting clients as she educates and passes on those business experiences.

She studied International Business at the University of San Francisco and ventured abroad to South America for further education where she learned to speak the Castilian language. Jennifer has eight years of experience in seminar development and instruction, is certified by the Kauffman Foundation to facilitate the FastTrac business development programs and has successfully completed collaboration courses for her own business.

Dawn Rowland,  Business Consultant/Facilitator
Starting three businesses from scratch in San Luis Obispo and experiencing their success is an incredible feeling. This feeling however did not come without its challenges. Having moved from the mid-west to a small rural California town not knowing a soul had its challenges-- yet I did it. It has been a great trip.
As a partner in The Coffee Diva, The Chocolate Diva and Outspoken, A Beverage Bistro, we are living proof that with the right concept, location, and planning, one can take next to nothing and create success. If Cheers and Friends' Central Perk had spawned a love child on an island romance after successfully nailing the Tour de France, Outspoken would be it. Our secret? Relationships. It’s about knowing names, community involvement and the desire to make a difference. We committed ourselves to being a part of this area professionally and personally. My volunteer, fundraising and donation “resume” is too vast to detail but some highlights include the San Luis Obispo Women’s Network, Literacy Council & Friends of the Library, Community Counseling Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters, United Way and a graduate of Leadership SLO Class XI. It all gets back to relationships.
Entrepreneurship has always been in my blood. Growing up, my family owned a wholesale industrial supply business. I observed early on what it took to be an entrepreneur, the discipline, skill and persistence. Curiosity got the best of me and my desire to become a professional led me to law and business school. Although a great learning ground, large corporations were not for me. Small business was my passion. Eventually a “ground floor” opportunity came my way to work with a restaurateur who had successfully created business concepts and franchised them. As their in-house franchise attorney, I not only learned the legal perspective of franchising but was part of the business modeling. Before moving from the mid-west, other ventures I founded included an extensive bed and breakfast real estate development project and a nationwide physician search firm.
As a facilitator and business consultant for Collaboration, I use my well-rounded experience to coach small business owners on business planning, sales and marketing, budgets, operations, and lease concerns. If you’re thinking about taking the “trip” of your life, let me know. I love to travel—and I can help you read the map.