About Us: Heyward Dortch

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The DIVERSA GROUP

ABOUT US

Heyward Dortch, Founder & CEO

Heyward Dortch is the Founder and CEO of The Diversa Group, Inc, a global management and consulting company. The firm was established in 1995 and its services are provided to clients worldwide. Mr. Dortch provides visionary leadership for The Diversa Group and work directly with business owners, prospective business owners and other clients providing development and consulting services on starting, operating and managing their businesses. In addition, he consults and provides development and consulting services for officers and leaders of faith based and non-profit organization in the development and implementation of sound leadership, management, accounting, budgeting, customer service and risk management practices.

Mr. Dortch is well versed in the area of business and entrepreneurship and is the author of several books including, “Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship,” a guide that teaches persons who dream of becoming entrepreneurs, how to start, manage, operate and grow their own business. In addition to serving as CEO of The Diversa Group, Mr. Dortch is the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Ebenezer A.M.E. Church Non-Profit Housing Corp and Vice President of Robert Thomas Limited Dividend Housing Association Limited Partnership. He has provided leadership in the development and rehabilitation of a five million dollar apartment building for qualified applicants. Mr. Dortch is also a Trustee and Chief Financial Officer for Ebenezer A.M.E. Church where he has developed and implemented many creative leadership, finance, property management and community outreach programs.

Mr. Dortch's entire professional career has been in the field of business. He has an extensive background mentoring and teaching young people business, entrepreneurship and career preparation. He volunteered for thirty years as a Junior Achievement Advisor and instructor and taught economics and entrepreneurship in middle and high schools for twenty seven years. He served for several years as a Consultant for the University of Michigan School of Business (Dearborn, Michigan campus) entrepreneurship program.

In addition, Mr. Dortch developed the business plan for Northern High School, Detroit, Michigan, to start a franchise sign operation. Prior to founding The Diversa Group, Inc, Heyward Dortch was Executive Vice President of Michigan Consolidated Homes Limited Dividend Housing Corp, a subsidiary of Michigan Consolidated Gas Company. There he was responsible for the operation and management of all the company’s housing development functions. At MichCon, Mr. Dortch rose from the rank of being a Senior Auditor, Administrator, and other positions before being appointed Executive Vice President of the subsidiary.

While at MichCon, Mr. Dortch founded and served as Chairperson of the company’s Annual Jobs & Career Seminar. For 15 years, this program brought together more than 1000 high school students and over 125 professionals who met an mentored students in the importance of education, sound career preparation and career opportunities in various fields. Mr. Dortch has written a career resource book that is being used in many schools to teach middle and high school students how to prepare for their future career. He has also served as a mentor for young men in several high schools in Detroit, Michigan.

Mr. Dortch has years of experience working in business in the private, non-profit and religious sectors. He has been recognized with numerous awards including: the “Spirit of Detroit” award from the Detroit City Council, “Minority Achiever In Industry” award presented by the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit, “Door Opener” award from Payne-Pulliam School of Commerce and Trade, “Strong Achiever” award from radio station WJLB, Budweiser, and Inacomp, and is in Marquis Who’s Who in Business in The Midwest.

Mr. Dortch is an entrepreneur, community activist, leader, mentor and counselor. He has served on numerous boards and held leadership positions in the private and non-profit sector. Mr. Dortch holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Tennessee State University, a University of Cambridge Certificate in Risk Management and has done some additional study toward a master’s degree at Wayne State University.

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