Occupation / Current Position
Retired, City of Kalamazoo
Education
B.A., Western Michigan University; M,A. Cornerstone University; Univ of Phoenix Advanced coursework towards a Masters in Public Administration; Cornell University - Diversity/Inclusion Certification
Experience & Qualifications
I have served on many boards including but not limited to - Kalamazoo Board- Girls on the Run, Building Blocks (Secretary), and Board of Trustees - Kalamazoo Public Library (Current President). Rockford Illinois - United Way of Rock River Valley (Secretary). Also while working for the City of Kalamazoo I provided staff leadership to two boards and assisting the formation of one of those boards.
Campaign Mailing Address
5049 Green Meadows Rd
I am currently completing a two-year term on the board, serving as its President. When I joined the board in 2024 to fill a vacancy, I was selected due to my background in diversity, equity, and inclusion. However, I learned quickly that the skills I brought- the ability to see the big picture, coupled with the ability to design processes to take us on the path to the reality of the big picture were equally important as equity. The board has made great strides over the past two years, and I am running to support the momentum of change. This includes a focus on the staff.
1. Develop processes to support the board in working as a consistent, structured body. In addition to serving as President, I chair the bylaws committee, where we updated the bylaws and are developing the board's first administrative policies.
2. Building the new Alma Powell Library on the Northside of Kalamazoo. I will continue to support the work of the ad hoc committee designated to lead this project.
I have been impressed by the wide range of services the library offers, but I'm concerned our marketing may be missing potential users. I am encouraging us to become more creative in our marketing methods to make every effort to ensure that people who need our services- such as those who need a notary, need to make copies, are looking for work, or need to know how to program their phones are aware of those free services. Information about available services is often the first step in accessibility, inclusiveness, and equity.
Age
47
Occupation / Current Position
Attorney
Education
BSc (Biology) - Alma College / Juris Doctor - Notre Dame Law School
Experience & Qualifications
Attorney for 22 years representing nonprofits and governmental institutions; current KPL board member and city resident that is passionate about the library.
Campaign Mailing Address
3320 Bronson Blvd
I am a current board member and a supporter of the library and its mission. I am collaborative and have spent my previous term working to build a strong cohesive board that is conscious of its charge to act as a governing board and to help steward taxpayer resources in a manner so as to ensure that the KPL is offering comprehensive library services to the community.
My primary focus will be on ensuring that we have identified procedures as to how the board will govern, ensuring that the board provides appropriate input and guidance to library leadership. Second, work to ensure the continued development of the leadership team at the library so that the library is able to carry out its strategy, offer comprehensive library services to the public, and be an employer of choice.
We have great facilities and there is work to be done to build on that foundation. First, we need to ensure that we re-establish the Alma Powell branch as an anchor in the community. Secondly, we need to ensure that the library remains a welcoming and safe environment for our patrons and staff. Ensuring this is multi-faceted, and library leadership should focus on development of staff and build out of facilities (both through capital and material acquisitions as well as programming and community engagement) to encourage literacy and access to information.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Age
74
Occupation / Current Position
Retired Military Officer/Corporate Manager
Education
MBA
Experience & Qualifications
Over 50 years managing and leading in Military and Corporate American
I'm running for the Kalamazoo Library Board to give back a portion of service to this community that has supported my family and myself for the last 18 years
I can remember people in my life, who took the time to invest in me. I want to give some of that energy and effort back.
Over the last 50 years, I have learned through academics and experiences, how to manage large and small organizations?
In all my experiences, education was the key to better opportunities. The ability to read and understand enables people to overcome their challenges.
As the Teasurer of the Van Buren District Library. I learned many facets of running library.
Enhance the inter-connection between various agencies who advocate literacy with Kalamazoo District Library to increase comprehension across all grade levels.
Stronger skills in reading will increase confidence and desire to learn. The only way we the maximum value from the Kalamazoo Promise is to prepare are kids to read and comprehend. It start at ground zero reading.
Yes,
The effort there but we can improve the present model. Let's look at where and how we are spending our resources. I fell if we increases overall desire to read Our communities level of expectation will rise too.
