Partners
Southwest Michigan First thanks its partners in economic development for their commitment to the spirit of collaboration.
Accredited
Southwest Michigan First is committed to collaboration. We believe the only way we’ll ever be truly great is for the entire community to work well together – and that includes our friends in local government. We are proud to acknowledge these public servants as accredited partners and superheroes of our community! By completing the 3-month Public Service Academy, they have demonstrated a clear commitment to leadership and collaboration within the Southwest Michigan Region. Need help with something government-related? We give these folks our highest nod when it comes to their service to others.
Class of 2016
| Name | Title | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| Tina Boehm | Clerk | Village of Baroda |
| Jakki Bungart-Bibb | Director of Administration | Michigan Works! |
| Carol DeHaan | Treasurer | Cooper Township |
| James Dodd | City Council | City of Dowagiac |
| Don Edgerly | Administration Program Manager | Michigan Works! |
| Aaron Edlefson | Veterans Affairs | Calhoun County |
| Marcos Flores | Trustee | Village of Paw Paw |
| Richard Ford | City Council | City of Portage |
| Lotta Jarnefelt | Director of Planning and Community Development | Kalamazoo County |
| Nadine Jarvis | Trustee | Village of Paw Paw |
| Michele Johnson | Finance Director | Calhoun County |
| Leon Laylin | Mayor Pro Tempore | City of Dowagiac |
| Diana Lundquist | Grant and Contract Accounting Manager | Michigan Works! |
| Christine McComb | Executive Secretary | Calhoun County |
| Brandon Mersman | City Manager | City of Bronson |
| Aaron Mitchell | Village Manager | Village of Decatur |
| Ann Nieuwenhuis | Supervisor | Comstock Township |
| Dallas Oberlee | Director of Program Operations | Michigan Works! |
| Ronald Reid | Supervisor | Kalamazoo Township |
| Donne Rohr | Trustee | Village of Paw Paw |
| Robert Shuur | City Council | City of Dowagiac |
| Ann Simmons | Finance Director | Kalamazoo County Road Commission |
| Jeff Sorensen | Supervisor | Cooper Township |
| Jodi Stefforia | Clerk | Cooper Township |
| Brad Wilcox | Assistant County Administrator | Calhoun County |
Class of 2015
| Name | Title | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| Yasaman Back | Epidemiology Health and Community Services | Kalamazoo County |
| Courtney Davis | Administrative Coordinator Health and Community Services | Kalamazoo County |
| Katherine Ambrose | Court Administrator 10th Distrcit Court | Calhoun County |
| Kristen Getting | Chief Deputy Administrator 37th District Court | Calhoun County |
| Julie Johnston | Planning Director | Osthemo Township |
| Ted Dearing | Assistant City Manager | City of Battle Creek |
| Bret Padgett | Treasurer | Comstock Township |
| Mary Webster | Village Trustee | Village of Lawrence |
| Jonathan Wilson | Economic Development Coordinator | Muskegon County |
| Carol DeHaan | Treasurer | Cooper Township |
| Sharon James | President | Benton Harbor Board of Education |
| Rachael Grover | Planning and Community Development | Kalamazoo County |
| David Harn | Field Operations – Kalamazoo | State of Michigan – Environmental Quality |
| Linda Morrison | Finance Director | City of Battle Creek |
| Jeff Sorensen | Supervisor | Cooper Township |
| Alan Asselmeijer | Planning Commission Chairman | Cooper Township |
| Shannon Koepke | 10th District Court Deputy Administrator | Calhoun County |
Class of 2014
| Name | Title | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| Amy Deprez | Managing Director, Development Finance and Debt Capital Programs | Michigan Economic Development Corporation |
| Kathy-Sue Dunn | Commissioner | Calhoun County |
| Paul Dykstra | Supervisor | Ross Township |
| Richard Ford | Commissioner | City of Portage |
| Ed Freed | Information Technology Director | City of Kalamazoo |
| Marcie Gillette | Neighborhood Services Director | City of Battle Creek |
| Victoria Houser | City Clerk | City of Battle Creek |
| Suzette Joseph | Kalamazoo County | |
| Linda Kerr | Clerk | Texas Township |
| Richard Lindsey | Corporate Counsel | Calhoun County |
| Diana Lundquist | Lead Grants and Contract Consultant | Michigan Works! |
| Wendy Mazer | Trustee | Texas Township |
| Dennis McKinley | Code Compliance Administrator | City of Battle Creek |
| Joyce Neubauer | Trustee | Texas Township |
| Ann Nieuwenhuis | Supervisor | Comstock Township |
| Lynne Norman | Health and Community Services Co-Director | Kalamazoo County |
| Ronald Reid | Supervisor | Kalamazoo Township |
| Trish Roberts | Trustee | Texas Township |
| Jon Scott | School Board | Gull Lake Public Schools |
| Kelli Scott | Administrator | Calhoun County |
| Ryan Simpson | Business Development Director | Kinexus |
| Jeff Sorensen | Supervisor | Cooper Township |
| Kara Stewart | Sector Strategy Coordinator | Michigan Works! |
| Julie VanderWiere | Superintendent | Texas Township |
| Christine Zuzga | Planning Manager | City of Battle Creek |
Add your name to the list.
Are you a public servant and interested in becoming an Accredited Partner of Southwest Michigan First? Connect with Derek Nofz for details on our 2016 class!
