Thank YOU for making an impact

Rick Tromble is an entrepreneur, a successful business owner and a gentleman farmer. His business career can be traced back to his late teens when he began working at his father’s accounting firm. He had always dreamed of owning a car dealership, and after graduating from Lapeer he applied to UM-Flint to pursue a BBA degree. He married his high school sweetheart, Michele, while he was a sophomore in the accounting program, and their first daughter was born a month after graduation.

“I was lucky to get accepted at UMFlint as I was an average student,” said Tromble. “Being a graduate from UM opened many doors of opportunity for me over the years. I worked full time at a CPA firm in Lapeer and went to school with a full credit hour load. Now I want to help students that have similar goals in accounting and business management.”

Tromble worked at a CPA firm before opening a drive-thru convenience store in Lapeer and purchasing a retail store in Bay City. Michele worked in a factory. When their children were in first and second grade, the Trombles moved to Florida to purchase a Taco Bell franchise; it was one of three on the west coast of Florida at the time. Rick oversaw operations during the day; Michele oversaw them at night. Their persistence paid off and the couple eventually accumulated 65 Taco Bell locations across Florida. They built 40 themselves, then purchased failing businesses to turn them around. Michele was asked to oversee all of Taco Bell’s marketing in the state of Florida.

In 2005, the couple started selling off their restaurants and pursued a new type of business — farming and horses. Michele, an equestrian, boarded horses and the couple discovered that the conditions for growing hay in Michigan were superior to Florida’s. They began growing hay on their property in Cheboygan to ship to Florida.

Today, the Trombles continue to oversee several business and real estate ventures. In 2020, they sold their tractor dealership in Florida, purchased a marina in Cheboygan and sold it last year. They opened a Rite Aid in Traverse City (to lease) in 2021 and are presently building a Starbucks in Port Charlotte, Florida, with plans of leasing. Rick serves as the chairman of the board for Citizens National Bank in Cheboygan. Michele is the president of the Catholic Community Foundation of Venice, Florida, where she has been a director for 13 years. The couple’s 1,500 acre solar farm in Cheboygan is two years away from being built.

“Throughout our lives, Michele and I have been blessed in so many ways — our marriage, careers, families — it’s immeasurable,” said Tromble. “We see giving back, whether financially or through our involvement on campus, as a way of showing our appreciation for the school that has done so much for us. We’re proud to be part of it.”

Samantha CADOTTE

SENIOR

Double major in marketing and entrepreneurship and innovation with a minor in women and gender studies

“The Tromble Family Scholarship has helped me to continue my education without the stress of taking out a bunch of loans. In today’s world most college students must take thousands of dollars out to pay for their classes and textbooks. Receiving this scholarship helped reduce the amount of loans I needed to take out, allowed me to save the income I make from working full time and relieved a lot of financial stress for my family and me.

“Scholarships play a major role in helping students fulfill their educational goals. Without scholarships, would not be able to afford college. I have worked hard throughout my college career to ensure that I would be a candidate for scholarships to further my education and achieve my personal goals. Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Tromble, I am one step closer to finishing my degree. I’m honored to have received the Tromble Family Scholarship and hope that have made the Trombles proud through my educational achievements here at UM-Flint.”

SENIOR

Double major in marketing and entrepreneurship and innovation.

SENIOR

Major in entrepreneurship and innovation with a minor in communication.

“Receiving the Tromble scholarship came as a surprise for me. It has allowed me to stress less about the financial burden that comes with paying for an education. I’ve also been able to focus more on my studies and engagement–thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Tromble and their generous donation.

“The Trombles’ generosity has had such a positive impact on students like myself. I would like to thank them for caring about students and providing opportunities through generous gifts. Without a scholarship, many opportunities such as networking and attending events would be difficult to do. I am beyond thankful to be a Tromble scholarship recipient.”

“The last four years of paying for college has been tough for me. I am paying 100% of tuition costs by myself. Unfortunately, more times than not, I am overlooked for scholarships due to my FAFSA although tuition costs are my responsibility. This scholarship has helped me be able to finance my final year of college and for that I am very thankful. I didn’t have to take out any other loans, and I was able to pay tuition up front this semester.

“Mr. and Mrs. Tromble, I cannot thank you enough for your generosity in creating a scholarship aimed at helping students like myself. It is incredible what you are doing to help the community. All I can say is thank you for considering me and for helping me finish my degree with the scholarship.”