Campaign Phone
616-885-7115
Age
40
My background in commercial banking and business leadership has prepared me to evaluate complex issues, work with budgets, assess risk, and make thoughtful long term decisions. Throughout my career, I have worked closely with business owners and leadership teams, helping them navigate important financial and strategic decisions. That experience has taught me to ask good questions, listen to different perspectives, understand the facts, and consider how decisions will impact people over time. I believe that combination of financial knowledge, leadership experience, and practical decision making would serve me well in setting policy for the district.
Hudsonville is a strong district with a lot to be proud of, so I see the challenge less as fixing something that is broken and more as continuing to move in the right direction. We need to make sure every student is challenged, supported, and prepared for what comes next, whether that is college, a skilled trade, the military, or the workforce. I would focus on strong academics, supporting teachers and staff, maintaining safe and respectful schools, and using resources wisely. My hope would be to help the district continue building on its strengths while always looking for ways to improve and help every student thrive.
I am already very involved in the Hudsonville community as a parent, coach, and longtime resident. With four children in the district, regular involvement in youth sports, school activities, and community events, I have many opportunities to connect with parents, teachers, staff, students, and other families. I value those conversations because they help me understand what people appreciate about the district, where they see opportunities to improve, and what matters most to them. If elected, I would continue that same approach by staying visible, accessible, and willing to listen, while making sure people feel comfortable reaching out and sharing their perspective.
Campaign Phone
6169021857
Age
65
Candidate Information
Born in Kalamazoo, childhood spent in Onaway, in the northern part of the Lower Penninsula. I have a BS in Engineering Technology, and an MBA. I am now retired from a career of over 40 years in various automotive and plastics manufacturing companies in West Michigan. My wife Mary Lou and I have 5 children, all graduates of Hudsonville Public Schools. I have served for 23 years on the HPS board and I participate at the state level on the Michigan Association of School Boards Policy Comm.
My wife Mary Lou and I have lived in the Hudsonville community for 35 years. All five of our children attended Hudsonville Public Schools from kindergarten through graduation.
During our time in the Hudsonville area, I have been involved in various community activities, including AYSO Soccer as a coach and referee, Scouting as a Den leader, the Hudsonville Band Boosters, and many church related committees and projects.
I have served as a member of the Hudsonville school board for 23 years, with three superintendents and during challenging times such as the COVID pandemic. This experience has provided a deep understanding of district challenges and opportunities. I have over 40 years in leadership in automotive and plastics manufacturing.
The role of technology, both AI and screen time, must be understood and managed within our district. Teachers, administrators and the board are working to understand how to appropriately use technology as a support and not a replacement for learning.
Providing additional opportunities in career and technology education (CTE), and partnering with businesses that need individuals with skills in electronics, construction and similar areas, is important to our students and our district.
HPS currently does a good job of recruiting talented teachers, administrators and support staff as they are needed. We must also develop an internal “pipeline” for new teacher and administrator talent.
I will continue push the state for necessary funding.
My key priorities include expanding academic and extra-curricular opportunities for students, enacting the district strategic plan, and promoting continuous improvement across all district functions and facilities. At HPS, our mission is to educate, challenge and inspire ALL students, and this is accomplished through thoughtful planning, aligning with the superintendent to set an expectation of continuous improvement and excellence, and supporting our teachers, administrators and staff by providing the resources needed to excel in their roles.
A public school board has a fiduciary responsibility to the taxpayers of a district. The board must ensure that the district has a budget, and all financial decisions are made in full transparency.
Age
63
Candidate Information
Graduated from HPS in 1981; attended Ferris State University and Davenport College.
1. In addition to my 17+ years of experience on the HPS Board of Education, I understand how a healthy school board should function. Also, my background as a paralegal will continue to benefit the board as we continually update our policies and make certain they align with current Michigan law.
One of my continuing priorities as a school board member is to encourage all students to learn, excel, and become contributing members of a global society. As our district continues to grow, I will seek ongoing input from the community to ensure that our extra-curricular offerings and facilities continue to grow with us and are supported by the taxpayers. When facing technological changes, especially the use of AI, it will be important that we educate teachers, staff and students on how AI can be useful in the workplace, but perhaps may be detrimental to the K-12 learning process.
I will continue to advocate for all students, and desire to continue seeking input from all stakeholders in the community as we join together to move public education forward.
