Dennis Raup
Founder and President

Career Experience….  For over 20 years, Dennis Raup, founder and president of VisionMakers’ has been involved in key leadership roles in entrepreneurial organizations.  Through earning an MBA from Syracuse University, Dennis also has a strong sense of the business linkage to leadership strategies and solutions.

Dennis began his career in compensation management roles at Harris RF Communications and Rochester Community Savings Bank.  He caught “the entrepreneurial bug” when he served in an internal compensation consulting role supporting several start-up business ventures within Eastman Kodak. 

Dennis joined one of these dynamic start-ups, Genencor International, which accomplished rapid global growth. During his nearly 10 years there the employee base grew from less than 100 to over 1,000 employees.  Dennis had several leadership roles, including Plant Manager, Training and HR Director.  Dennis later was also an HR Director during rapid changes at CVC which had been recognized as one of the fastest growing companies in both Rochester and in the semiconductor equipment industry.

VisionMakers’….Dennis focused his passion for helping business owners and leaders grow in 1999 when he founded VisionMakers’.  VisionMakers’ hallmark is helping leaders center on their inspired purpose and develop the right people for profitable growth.  Dennis has had extensive experience applying these timeless principles in both for-profit and non-profit settings.  Industries served include manufacturing, human services, health, utilities, media and education. With a sharp focus on integrating both leadership and business practices, Dennis is excited about VisionMakers’ role in helping small businesses make a significant impact to our economy.

Community Involvement…Dennis’s outside interests include helping to make a community difference through social entrepreneurship – solving pressing social needs by empowering individuals/groups with business skills.  Dennis is also a member of the Business Advisory Board to the nationally recognized Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) chapter at Roberts Wesleyan College who share a similar social entrepreneurship mission. 

Personal Interests… Dennis is married to Kimberly, a 3^rd grade teacher at East Bloomfield.  They have a college-age son, a daughter in high school and reside in Honeoye Falls where they are active in youth ministry through their local church.  He enjoys the challenge of distance running and recently completed his 2^nd marathon.  He is also an active basketball player and “social” golfer.