University Club of Grand Rapids

Join us for a special Charities Foundation announcement, a special Christmas story reading, some holiday music and a surprise interview!

As founder and CEO of BAMF Health, Dr. Chang is leading a growing global team to build a Bold Advanced Medical Future. Headquartered in the Doug Meijer Medical Innovation Building in Grand Rapids, Michigan and opening in 2022, BAMF Health will operate the world’s most advanced cyclotron-equipped Radiopharmacy and Molecular Imaging Clinic. This clinic will be the home to never-before-seen…

John Ryder is the Executive Director at the Michigan Heroes Museum in Frankenmuth Michigan and has been there for the last 8 years of the organizations 45 years in existence. Mr. Ryder has reinvented himself many times and has worked in many fascinating careers, often holding several fulltime positions at the same time, from sales…

Carl Paganelli NFL #124 Carl comes from a long line of sports enthusiast. His father, fondly known as the “Godfather of Officials in West Michigan” began officiating in the sixties. His brothers, Perry and Dino are NFL officials and have officiated Super Bowl games. Carl started his officiating career in 1978 as a member of…

Please join us for networking, appetizers and drinks at the University Club overlooking beautiful downtown Grand Rapids beginning at 4:30pm. We will have a short welcome, followed by plenty of time to network with fellow Rotarian's while enjoying the view of the city from the 10th Floor. We hope that you will bring your spouses,…

Mark Washington has been Grand Rapids’ City Manager since October 2018. As City Manager, he functions as the municipal corporation’s Chief Executive Officer. He oversees a $540 million budget, a 1,600-person workforce and all city departments, operations, policies and programs related to public safety, economic development, community services, mobility, infrastructure, health, environment, recreation and community…

Jim has been officiating basketball games for over 25 years. He has officiated high school, small college and D1 games over his career. He is currently officiating in the Pac-12, Mountain West, West Coast, Mid-American and Summit League. He has had many great experiences during his officiating career, and he will share some of his…

Tim Hileman is the President and CEO of Special Olympics Michigan, an organization that provides sports, health, leadership, and educational programing for over 20,000 individuals with intellectual disabilities across the state of Michigan. In January 2021, Tim was appointed to the Protect Michigan Commission by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, where he serves as a committee member…

A native of Northwest Michigan, Emilee Syrewicze previously served as the Executive Director of the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation in Charlotte, North Carolina. Prior, she was Executive Director of the Northwest Michigan Supportive Housing (NMSH) in Traverse City, Michigan. Syrewicze, a classically trained pianist, earned a B.A. at Alma College, Alma, Michigan, in Political Science with…