About: Who We Are

Mike Stillman

After graduating from Penn State in 1985, Mike assumed the role of “family business problem-solver.” Whenever a business faced challenges, Mike stepped in to lend his expertise. His diverse roles included restaurant manager, short-order cook, repo man, bill collector, general contractor, and CEO of a 100-year-old manufacturing company.

Today, Mike remains actively engaged in every business under Affiance Partners’ ownership. Serving as a board member for each company in our portfolio, he diligently monitors financial matters, regularly confers with general managers, and visits each business multiple times throughout the year.

Beyond his professional commitments, Mike is a devoted family man. He’s the proud father of six children, a grandfather to eight, and has been married for 37 years.

Pamela Loewen

.Pamela spent her early years immersed in the family businesses, stepping in where needed. She worked at several of her father’s restaurants, managed a Dairy Queen for a year, and put her MA in communications from Wheaton College to use as a writer and graphic designer for the family businesses.

Today, Pamela participates in strategic planning for the businesses. Pamela is also pursuing her passion as an artist. Her medium is quilt making. She has renovated a 100-year old building in Williamston, Michigan, turning it into an art studio and gallery.

In addition to her diverse professional experiences, Pamela is passionate about family, especially her husband, twin boys, daughter, and one grandson.

Suzan Jaskulis

Growing up, how did you help with the family businesses?

I started working in the family businesses in my teens. My father referred to me as his “trouble shooter” because he’d send me wherever I was needed most. That meant I’d work at one of our restaurants for a period of time, then move on to a hotel, then to a factory—the needs were always shifting. I learned about these businesses first-hand by working in a range of positions before progressing into management as an adult.

What’s a lesson Pat taught you?

Speak the truth in love. This means always being honest, regardless of the personal cost. It also means that when you need to have a difficult conversation with someone, you approach them humbly and speak from a place of genuine care and empathy. 

What skills do you bring to Affiance?

Managing people. I think working all those odd-jobs at different levels of our businesses has helped me understand how to empathize with and communicate to folks at different levels of an organization. I also bring a female perspective to a male-dominated environment.

Robert Stillman

What’s a favorite memory of growing up in the family business?

I’ll never forget the time my Dad brought me along on a Christmas tree delivery to Philadelphia. I was around 10 years old, and he let me steer the big rig he rented for the trip. Of course, at the end of the job, I also got to pick out a Christmas tree for our family.

Can you tell us about your career?

I’m a producer, entertainment investor, and entrepreneur with experience in off-Broadway productions. My first show, The God Committee, was made into a movie starring Kelsey Grammer, Julia Stiles, and Janeane Garofalo. More recently, I helped produce the award-winning film Freud’s Last Session, starring Anthony Hopkins. 

Other Broadway shows I’ve invested in include A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Puffs, and Amazing Grace.

What are your passions in life?

I have many interests, including golf, poker, snowboarding, and tennis, but my passion is my family.