Thomas L. Bylenga, charities foundation board vice president and  GR Rotary Club member since 1982. Earned a BA in economics with honors from Denison University, Granville, Ohio (1973) and  Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Lansing.

Tom spent 43 years in various management positions, including President, at Star Truck Rentals, a Grand Rapids-based truck rental, leasing and maintenance company with some 2000+ vehicles, 18 locations, and about 250 employees.

He is married to Kay for 40+ years, 4 children and a whole bunch of grand and great grandchildren.

Chelsea Dubey is a communications and marketing strategist with a commitment to community service and professional excellence. As Past President and Board Member of the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids, Chelsea made history as the youngest female president in the Club’s history. She led a diverse membership, significantly expanded the club’s social media presence and worked collaboratively with her fellow Rotarians to foster meaningful relationships.

In her professional career, Chelsea has experience across multiple facets of marketing, communications, public relations and business development. Currently, she serves as Senior Account Manager at Deksia. In this role, Chelsea manages client accounts, develops strategic marketing campaigns, and enhances client engagement with innovative communication strategies. Her responsibilities include overseeing project execution, coordinating with clients, and driving impactful results.

Chelsea holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Public Relations from Michigan State University. She resides in Ada with her husband Jeff and their three sons. A dedicated professional and Rotarian by day and a soccer mom by night, Chelsea balances her community service with her most important roles – wife and mom.

Brian LaFrenier is a Certified Public Accountant and Principal with Doeren Mayhew Assurance and Doeren Mayhew Advisors, LLC. Brian has over 30 years of experience in Public Accounting. Brian specializes in the areas of financial statement preparation, cash-flow management, overhead analysis, succession planning, and mergers and acquisitions. He also has extensive experience in personal and corporate income tax planning and compliance.

Brian has spent many years serving IKUS as a board member and volunteer and currently sits on the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids Charities Foundation Board as its treasurer. In his spare time, Brian enjoys hunting, fishing and traveling with his family.

Grace O. Shearer has been a member of the Grand Rapids Rotary Club for over thirty years. She was the Club President in the 2000-2001 year in which the Club reached its highest membership, approximately 400 members. During her experience, she served on the Invocation Committee, Foundation Board and the Song Committee.

In her professional career, she was extensively involved in Executive Leadership Positions in hospital administration and a large physician group practice. Her volunteer activities included being Board President of G R Center for Ecumenism, Pine Rest Christian Health Services and Jellema House. She also serviced on the GR Chamber of Commerce Board and the Calvin University Board. She participates extensively in her church, LaGrave Ave. Christian Reformed Church.

Mary Jo Baweja, MA, LLP is the Founder and President of Blank Canvas Consulting. As a Clinical and Organizational Psychologist, Mary Jo helps leaders lead more effectively, teams function more effectively, and individuals become their best professional selves to take their career in the direction they want it to go. Mary Jo’s expertise ranges from fundamental leadership development, employee selection and development, behavioral assessment, team building, career coaching and workplace relationships

When not working to help organizations and individuals achieve lasting change, Mary Jo enjoys spending time with her husband and adult children, as well as photography, bike riding and hiking.

Ping Liang
Managing Director, AlphaMax Advisors LLC

Ping Liang is Managing Director of AlphaMax Advisors LLC, a consultancy providing forensic commercial due diligence, strategic advisory, and venture development services. She draws on more than 40 years of experience in banking, consulting, and investments across Asia, Europe, and North America.

Her career includes senior roles at Bank of Boston, Old Kent Financial Corporation, Fifth Third Bank, and Reams Asset Management, as well as leadership positions at Burson-Marsteller in Greater China and with the Massachusetts Port Authority promoting U.S.–Asia trade and investment. She has advised global corporations, pension funds, and state-owned enterprises on market entry, IPOs, and cross-border investments.

A committed community leader, Ping is Board Chair of Experience Grand Rapids and serves on the boards of the Grand Rapids Symphony Foundation and the Gilmore Piano Festival. She has chaired the boards of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, St. Cecilia Music Center, the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan, and the Yale-China Association.

Ping earned her Master’s degree in Public and Private Management from the Yale School of Management. She and her husband, Tim, reside in Ada, Michigan.

Andy is a graduate of Grand Rapids Christian High School and holds an undergrad from Calvin University, and graduate degrees from Michigan State and Central Michigan University.

He’s been married 53 years, has 3 children and 9 grandchildren.

Andy taught and coached twelve years at Jenison Christian School and co-authored three textbooks. Jenison BMX Co -Founder/Director of first BMX race track in West Michigan for three years. Director of Recreation – Georgetown Township for eight years. Executive VP of TeleDial America for twelve years. President of SportsXchange for three years. Professor of Business and Director of Internships at Calvin University for six years. Head coach of Calvin’s Women’s Rugby team. Director of Corporate Giving at Calvin University for ten years. Director of Business Development at Superior Foods for three years. Author of the book “Common Threads: Passion, Perseverance and Praise”

Rotary Involvement:

• Past Club Board Member and Past Club President
• Assistant District Governor for 6 years
• Keynote speaker at Life Leadership Conference for 10 years.
• Grand Rapids Charities Foundation Board Member.
• Board member of Indian Trails Camp for 6 years partnering with Rotary activities
• Founder of STRIVE student mentoring program
• Chair of Golf Committee for 15 years
• Paul Harris Award Fellow x 10

Community Involvement:

• Gerald R Ford council of Boy Scouts of America Board Member
• Recipient of the Whitney Young Service Award and chair of the golf outing – 12  years
• Camp Roger Board of Directors – 6 years
• YMCA Board Member – 6 years
• Bethany Homes Board Member – 3 years
• Jenison Christian School Board – VP 3 years
• FBI Citizens Council – 3 years
• Spectrum Health Patient and Family Advisory Council – President and Co-Founder – 6 years
• Deacon and Elder at Bethel CRC – 6 years
• Deacon and Elder at Ridgewood CRC – 6 years
• Trustee and Chair of Finance – Roser Church (FL) currently
• Calvin University Alumni Board – 3 years
• West Michigan Sports Commission – Charter Member and still serving.
• Excel Charter School board president- 20 years
• Grand River Preparatory HS Board President – 10 years and still serving
• Anna Maria Choir and Orchestra – 6 years
• West Michigan Soccer Officials Association – founder and officer holder/board member – 50 years
• West Michigan Volleyball Officials Association – 10 years.
• Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Commission – Vice President, chair of finance and personnel committees for 20 years.
• Fans of Valley Field Co-Founder and President – 5 years

Awards:

• Outstanding Young Educator Award – Ottawa County
• 20, 30, 40 and 50 year awards from Michigan High School Athletic Association for officiating basketball, baseball, soccer and volleyball.
• GVSU charter schools office for 30 years of guidance and leadership in the K-12 school system
• USA volleyball 2000 Open Championship
• US Senior Olympics – Golf medal 2003 volleyball
• 2014 Calvin University recipient of the Outstanding Business Partner Award

Jackie serves as an Executive Coach and Leadership Consultant for Pondera Advisors. A respected leader and passionate volunteer, she served as a college Vice President and President for nearly 30 years in New York, Pennsylvania & Michigan, most recently as Vice President/Provost of Davenport University. Jackie received Davenport University’s Peter C. Cook Excellence in Business Award.

An alumna of Aquinas College, she holds M.A. & Ph.D. degrees from Michigan State University & was named the first female Vice President of Lansing Community College. She established international partnerships with several countries & worked with superintendents to launch the first middle college in PA for at-risk high school students. Her focus in assisting women & minority owned businesses is reflected in her service on loan committees of Rende Progress Capital & MI Women Forward.

Jackie currently serves on the Boards of Brio Living Services, Emmanuel Hospice, the YMCA of Grand Rapids, the Rotary Charities Foundation of the GR Rotary Club, and is a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.