Watch CBS News

Leaders & Innovators: Michael Sharber

MICHAEL SHARBER is co-founder and CEO of GreenLancer.com in Detroit. GreenLancer is a national network of green energy engineering freelancers (greenlancers) that uses a web-based system to design green energy systems. Sharber is responsible for the company's day-to-day operations and serves as the main point of communication between the board of directors, investors, and corporate operations. Prior to starting GreenLancer.com, he held a sales and marketing position with a prominent global industrial supply distributor where he successfully managed 400 accounts nationwide. Under his leadership, GreenLancer.com has grown from three to nine full-time team members and moved to a new location in the David Stott building. The company quadrupled the size of its customer base from 2012 to 2013. GreenLancer.com won the Start-up Alley Challenge at the Solar Power International Conference, was named Emerging Company of the Year by the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council, and was a semi-finalist in the 2013 Accelerate Michigan Innovation competition. During 2013, GreenLancer.com engineered and designed solar systems in 32 states and six countries while more than 200 contractors used its site. The company also completed a second round of investment in November from Bizdom (Detroit), Start Garden (Grand Rapids), Blue Water Angels (Midland), and Northern Michigan Angels (Traverse City) and expects to close on another $500,000 of investment early in 2014. Sharber received his bachelor's in business administration from Western Michigan University. Read the full profile at www.ltu.edu/leaders.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.