Our Team

Meet the Executive Team

Steve Acorn

CEO/Director of Expansion

 

In 1985 I started with the company as a Branch Manager in Sarnia, Ontario. As President of the company since 1985, I have had the wonderful opportunity of working with students from all over the United States. Being able to mentor and guide them in finding their true potential as young business men and women is extremely rewarding. This is an outstanding opportunity for the right person. If you have heart, desire, and a hard work ethic, it is amazing what can be achieved. It is very exciting to watch the growth of the student managers throughout their career with Student Painters. Each Manager can tell an incredible story to any full time employer once they have completed their journey with Student Painters. A story that will definitely set them apart from their peers. When they graduate and go out in the real world, I look forward to finding out what career path they have chosen and how being a part of Student Painters helped them achieve their goals.

Josh Drushel

Vice President - Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Indiana Divisions

 

My journey with Student Painters began back as a Junior at The Ohio State University as a Branch Manager.  In my first summer with the company I was given the incredible opportunity to run and oversee a $77,000 business.  Although I initially saw Student Painters as a one-year opportunity that I would move on from, that changed pretty quickly.  Ultimately, it ignited a passion in me to help other students realize their true potential all while helping them develop their leadership skills.  I have found a career path here that helps me change young students lives, develop them professionally, as well as earn great income to pay for school.  My greatest satisfaction comes from receiving the phone call from a past manager that our experience and recommendation letter helped them land the job of their dreams upon graduation!  It is great to be a part of the Student Painter family!

Aaron Acorn

Vice President - Michigan, New England and Indiana Divisions

 

Student Painters has given me real world business skills that cannot be fulfilled in any class on a college campus. I have developed skills in management, marketing, sales, and also buliding customer relationships. I love the Student Painters system: I am free to manage my time how I please and what I put into my business is what I get out of it. During my second summer, I made over $18,000 and my entire team was responsible for more than $165,000 in revenue!

Ryan Shepherd

General Manager - Ohio/Kentucky Division

 

As a sophomore in college I began my journey with Young Entrepreneurs Across America as a branch manager.  I was given the opportunity to run my own business for my first, real life work experience where the “buck” stopped with me. I love this company because of the experience it provides to college students, the growth opportunity, and the Work Hard, Play Hard culture. The set of skills that branch managers are able to take away is something that is unique to this internship with YEAA.  The program taught me things both as a manager and mentor that cannot be learned in a classroom without getting out and gaining real-world experience. Having the opportunity to work with driven college students and seeing them being successful is one of the most awarding experiences I could ever have.  I am excited to continue my role as the general manager of the Ohio/Kentucky Division and helping other college students attain the same success I’ve had. 

Mat Harvey

General Manager - Ohio/Kentucky Division

 

My name is Mat Harvey, 2016 graduate of Miami University, and I am a General Manager of the Ohio division. I was an intern with the program for two years prior to leaving to work at ALDI as a District Manager. My first year with Young Entrepreneurs I ran a $60,000 business and made $6k in Galloway, OH while my second year I oversaw $252,000 in revenue and made $30k. After realizing what I wasn't getting out of my full-time job with ALDI, I came back to Young Entrepreneurs Across America to join full time because of the passion I have for mentorship and running my own business. This business isn't for everyone, but for those crazy enough to believe it is, it is a life-changing opportunity.

 

Kevin Hiselman

General Manager - New England Division

 

I decided to return as an executive because I saw the opportunity to lead students to the success I found my first year. I also realized right away that I'd learn how to inspire people to put forth their best and learn how to scale and replicate a business model. Recognizing that these two skill sets are heavily compensated for in the business world and will pay out immense dividends in my future, it was a no brainer for me to return to cultivate and learn these new skills while also having the opportunity to develop and foster new relationships with high caliber people. Thus far I have learned how to lead people at a higher level and how to replicate and scale the Student Painter blueprint to seven different branches. My overall revenue goal is $600,000 and I plan to profit around $55,000. The difference between my first and second year is that year 2 forces you to be better. It's more accountability, more hustle and boatload more fun. You learn how to build stronger relationships with people and have the opportunity to take on more responsibility and accountability than any other student at your college, guaranteed. 

Noah Ellinger

General Manager - Michigan Division

 

I became apart of Young Entrepreneurs Across America as a junior in college. My first year with the company as a Branch Manager, I ran a $113,000 business while profiting $24,000. The culture of the company and the people are why I wanted to come back for a second year as a Regional Manager. In this position I learned how to go from managing employees to managing managers. I learned substantially more my second year with the company and grew a lot as a person and leader. Seeing how much more growth potential there was not only for myself, but for the Michigan division is why I decided to come back full time as a General Manager. The connections and relationships you can build at this company are like none other. I also get the opportunity to influence the lives of many college students like myself. I am excited to learn more at the General Manager level and see where the Michigan division can go!

Meet the Office Staff

Sara Acorn

Office Controller

 

I am responsible for Financial Reports, Financial Systems, training and maintaining all Divisions Office Managers and support staff, and Event planning including the annual tropical awards banquet/trip. I started at Student Painters while attending Oakland University. I feel very fortunate to have been part of the Student Painter business since 1993. The most gratifying part of the business is seeing the next generation of managers come through. These young Entrepreneurs are very motivating, and make this company new and dynamic each year.

 

Natalie MacRitchie

Office Consultant

 

I started working for Young Entrepreneurs Across America in May of 2009. I was a full-time college student looking for work while I was home for the summer. Upon graduating from Michigan State University, I chose to join the YEAA team full time. My full time employment over the last 8 years has been very rewarding and a life changing experience. In 2020 I have taken a new role as the Office Consultant as I transition into becoming an Entrepreneur myself. I am excited to help the team in a new way! 

 

Rachel Fillo

Administrative Specialist

 

Throughout my history with Student Painters/YEAA, I have grown so much as a business woman and person. I have built great relationships and led a group of peers to do astonishing things. The amount of growth a student can go through in a short amount of time with this program is remarkable. It changes how you think, speak and act. It has opened my eyes to the lifestyle as an entrepreneur. I wont go back. I highly recommend this company to anyone who is willing to take on the challenge and develop themselves past their peers.

 

Victoria Meagher

Office Manager

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I started working for Young Entrepreneurs Across America as a communication and advertising intern in 2016. Since then, I have been promoted every year and worked my way up to Office Manager. This company has helped me grow as an individual giving me opportunities I could never imagine. I have grown so much as a businesswoman, person, and a leader, and have learned valuable lessons that I will take with me for the rest of my life. I'm excited to see what this coming year has to offer me and everything that I will learn. I am beyond grateful for the opportunities this company has given me.

Alyssa Capling

Payroll Manager

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I started working for Student Painters in the Recruiting Department during the Fall of 2014. I enjoyed that so much I decided I would continue my journey with the company throughout the summer and years to come. I am now the Payroll Manager and I love all of the experiences that this company has given me. I am currently attending Central Michigan University where I hope to start a career as a special education teacher for students with moderate to severe disabilities. Student Painters has taught me many skills that I will continue to use in the future.  I have enjoyed my time so far with this company and can’t wait to see what other great things this opportunity has to offer. 

Haley Elliott

Public Relations Manager

 

I am a graduate of Wayne State University 2021 and have a degree in public relations. I started working for Young Entrepreneurs upon graduation as a social media specialist. I have such a strong passion for writing and working with others and I am so excited to see how this summer goes! This is a very rewarding opportunity for college students and I am eager to continue learning.

 

Laura Acorn

Junior Payroll Manager

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In 2016 I was hired on seasonally for promotional videos for Young Entrepreneurs Across America. I was hired into the Student Painters office in the spring of 2020 as an Administrative assistant and was promoted to Junior Payroll Manager in 2021. I am a sophomore at Michigan State University where I am studying Business. I hope to learn and gain skills that I will need throughout my life through this position at Student Painters. I am very excited to see where this experience takes me.

 

Christina Daniels

Junior Payroll Manager

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I have previously worked with Student Painters on their yearly Award Celebration Video and I am currently working as a Junior Payroll Manager. I attend Michigan State University studying Supply Chain Management. I am so excited to continue to work with a team of hard workers.  I am looking forward to learning and growing throughout this experience.

 

Reilly Lewis

Newsletter Editor 

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I was hired as an administrative assistant for the Student Painters office in the spring of 2020. I am currently a sophomore at Grand Valley State University, majoring in Public Relations. I am very eager to gain lifelong skills through this company that I will carry with me into the future.

 

Brooke TerMarsch

Administrative Assistant

 

I was hired by Student Painters as an Administrative Assistant in the summer of 2020.  I attend Liberty University in Virginia and study Biomedical Science.  I am very excited for the opportunity to expand my skills and meet new people while working at this company.

Sabrina Daniels

Junior Payroll Manager

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I have previously helped at the Student Painters office over my school break and was hired as an administrative assistant for the summer. I currently attend Michigan State University as a senior and my major is Kinesiology. After graduating I plan on going to nursing school to achieve my nursing degree. I’m eager and excited to begin working with the company and I cannot wait to start this summer to learn and gain knowledge throughout this experience.

Veronica Check

Administrative Assistant

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I was hired as an administrative office assistant for the Student Painters office in the spring of 2021. I am a senior at Oakland University studying for a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications with a minor in Advertising. I am so excited to be a part of this team, and to gain lifelong skills and knowledge in the entrepreneurial world!

 

Lauren Walmsley

Shipping and Marketing Intern​

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I was hired at Young Entrepreneurs Across America in the spring of 2021 as a marketing intern. I am a student at Wayne State University studying marketing management with a minor in communications expected to graduate in the spring of 2022. I am looking forward to joining a team of hard-working young professionals and gaining new experience.