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.

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.

Experience:
Michael serves as the West Michigan president of KeyBank in Grand Rapids. Michael is a native of Grand Rapids. He has over 20 years of banking experience in the West Michigan market, including middle-market banking, leasing, real estate finance and business banking, plus more than 10 years of experience in real estate development and investments. Prior to joining Key, Michael served as Sr. Vice President with TCF Bank.
Michael serves & represents the community as a leader of several boards and select committees, as a volunteer or advisor to several organizations and as a participant in many West Michigan initiatives including bringing a national aquarium to West Michigan.

Community Involvement
Michael serves as Immediate Past Chair & board member for Priority Health, board Past President for Grand Rapids Rotary Foundation, board President & Co-Founder of Christophe’s Children, board member & Chair of Aquarium Committee for John Ball Zoo and board member of Covenant House of Michigan.
Michael is also actively engaged with Family Promise, New City Kids, Downtown Dragonflies, Grand Rapids Symphony, Economic Club of Grand Rapids, DeColores Ministries, Family Promise, Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Keystone Community Church.

Shannon Kolarik is a Workplace Sales Advisor at Custer, the Steelcase Furniture Dealer for West Michigan. She graduated from Grand Valley State University in 2010 with a Bachelor’s degree in English. She enjoys learning about the diverse companies that make Grand Rapids unique and creating environments for their employees to thrive. Shannon has been a Rotary Board Member for 4 years and is involved in several committees within Rotary, including Club 77 (co-founder and co-chair), Women of Rotary, Service Above Self, and the Charities Foundation.

 

Her volunteer activities include Habitat for Humanity, Kids Food Basket, Village Water Filters, Ronald McDonald House, Hand 2 Hand, Family Promise, and various Women’s Ministries including the Working Moms Group she helps lead. She enjoys reading, golfing, traveling, and spending time with her husband and two girls. Her happy place is anywhere there is sunshine and water.

Derek Aten is Vice President of Commercial Lending at Lake Michigan Credit Union serving as its SBA specialist, focusing on financing transactions in the Mergers and Acquisitions space.  He has worked in the banking industry for over 23 years, collaborating with business owners across the state.  Derek graduated from Central Michigan University with a BSBA, majoring in Finance, and has his MBA from Grand Valley State University with a focus on Economics.

 

Derek has been a member of the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids for over 20 years and also participated in its Interact Club while in high school.  During this time, he has served in many capacities, including STRIVE mentor and Co-Chair for ten years and helped develop the “Service Above Selfie” contest and what is now the Community Engagement committee and Club 77.  Derek also served on the Club’s Board of Directors, including being Club President in 2015-16, and currently serves on the Charities Foundation Board of Directors.  In 2021, he created the Community Impact Grant, which along with other members of the Club, granted $100,000 to seven local non-profits that were impacted by the COVID pandemic.  Derek also currently serves as Board Chair for CASA of Kent County.

 

Derek has been married to his college sweetheart, Jennifer, for 22 years and have two wonderful children; Ella, who is a freshman at Michigan State University, and Dylan, who is a freshman at Grandville High School.  His family also has a very spoiled golden doodle named Daisy.  In his spare time, Derek enjoys spending time with his family and friends, golfing, working out and cheering on the MSU Spartans.

Charles Caldwell retired in 2016 from full time orthodontic practice after 40 years in Grand Rapids. Chuck holds a B.S. from Western Michigan, DDS from University of Michigan, M.S. from University of Minnesota
He sold his practice to my daughter Elizabeth Christopherson.

Joined Rotary in 1981 and has served several terms on the Foundation and went through all chairs to serve as president of the Club.
Previously Chaired Committees: World Community Service, Interact, Indian Trails, Rotary International Foundation, and the Duck Derby Race Fundraiser

Married to Lucy Caldwell for 50 years. Four children, seven grandchildren.

Past president of Indian Trails Camp and West Michigan Dental Society

Founded Baxter Community Dental Clinic.

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.

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.