West Michigan Strategic Alliance Staff
Administration
Greg Northrup
616-356-6060
It has been a pleasure and a wonderful experience serving as President of West Michigan Strategic Alliance for the past six years. In December 2011, I officially resigned to pursue other interests. However, as we look forward to the organization's transition in the coming months, I am pleased to announce that the West Michigan Strategic Alliance Board of Directors has asked me to remain active during this period. I believe a stronger and more viable structure will be put in place.
Our region has gained a great reputation for its ability to accomplish regional goals and objectives collaboratively. This foundation of success will allow West Michigan to continue our leadership in regional thinking and action at a time when our state is focusing its limited resources on developing working regional economies.
On behalf of the West Michigan Strategic Alliance Board of Directors, we look forward to a successful 2012!
Click here to connect with Greg on LinkedIn.
Peter Metsker, Controller
616-356-6060
Peter Metsker serves as the Controller, handling all the detailed financials for WMSA. He also keeps the organization up-to-date on all of its information technology needs. He spent over 25-years in the construction machinery industry holding increasing positions of responsibility ultimately Executive Vice President and Treasurer of a Michigan based machinery distributor. Prior to WMSA, Peter worked in the manufacturing industry as Controller for a manufacturing supplier of automotive related materials. He brings many years of hands-on practical experience in operations, finance, HR and IT to WMSA.
Cooking is a passion and in addition to taking culinary classes, Peter has traveled internationally with groups from the Culinary Institute located in Grand Rapids. Additional interests include sailing, computers and photography.
Patricia Strachan, Executive Assistant to the President
616 356.6060
Patricia comes to the West Michigan Strategic Alliance office with twenty + years
experience in a variety of organizations from Holland Public Schools, to the
Holland Area Chamber of Commerce, and as staff for a Congressional campaign.
Her involvement in community events and regional organizations has brought
connections that benefit West Michigan Strategic Alliance. Patricia is the Executive Assistant to the
President, with additional administrative responsibilities to the initiatives of the organization.
Patricia has served on the Lakeshore ATHENA Committee, the
committees of Tulipanes Latino Film & Art Festival, Latin Americans United for
Progress Fiesta and the Juneteenth Festival. She currently serves as Chair on
the International Relations Commission of the City of Holland.
Green Infrastructure
Elaine Sterrett Isely, Project Manager
616-871-2450
Elaine Sterrett Isely joined the WMSA team as Project Manager of the Green Infrastructure Initiative in June 2010. Before coming to WMSA, she served as a member of the Green Infrastructure Leadership Council since June 2006. She holds degrees in finance, law, and biology, and brings with her more than 15-years of experience in law, environmental policy, research, outreach, and public speaking.
After a successful career as a litigation attorney, Elaine spent several years working on environmental policy and scientific research projects affecting West Michigan and the Great Lakes region. Most recently coming from Grand Valley State University Grand Rapids and West Michigan , and she is currently the President of the Community Spay/Neuter Initiative Partnership (C-SNIP).
Click here to connect with Elaine on LinkedIn.
Internship Initiative West Michigan Strategic Alliance congratulates Cindy Brown in her new role as Quaeris, HelloWestMichigan Executive Director! Connect with Cindy at brownc@hellowestmichigan.com.
Literacy to Work Initiative
Jessica Materson, Project Manager
616-622-4085
Jessica comes to WMSA after graduating with her Master’s of Social Work degree from Grand Valley State University. During her graduate program she interned with Ottawa County Michigan Works! Agency and was involved with Adult Education collaborative groups and projects. Jessica brings her years of experience in program development and implementation, project management, leadership, and collaboration.
A West Michigan native, Jessica has been involved with many organizations throughout both Kent and Ottawa Counties. While attending GVSU, Jessica was the Vice President of the Master’s of Social Work Student Organization and was also a member of the Academic & Professional Student Organizations Funding Board. She has traveled to both Ireland and New Orleans on service learning trips and worked with a professor on conducting research for his doctoral dissertation.
In her spare time, Jessica has volunteered with the American Red Cross, Alpha Women’s Center, Guiding Light Mission, and was an intern with Trinity Reformed Church and the Northwest Food Pantry."
Click here to connect with Jessica on LinkedIn.
Resource Partners
Professional Administrative Resources
Julie Metsker & Laura Melendez
616-451-4348
Professional Administrative Resources LLC (PAR), provides administrative and communications support to WMSA as well as event coordination and database management.
Julie Metsker is President of PAR, and has over 25-years of experience working with organizations like WMSA.
Laura Melendez serves as the Project Manager for WMSA , handling all our special events and the monthly E-newsletter.
With over 25 years of experience, PAR provides association management and administrative services for regional trade associations, non-profit organizations and small business. Clients such as ACG Western Michigan, AAF West Michigan, Central Fabricators Association, West Michigan Chamber Coalition and West Michigan Strategic Alliance take advantage of services ranging from event planning and management, media communications, project management, bookkeeping and financial support. For more information, visit www.proadminresources.com.
Think Again
Pam Landes, Chief Thinker
616-396-2698
With a diverse background in television, creativity training and print media, Pam Landes, is the Chief Thinker at Think Again. This firm,established in 1991, provides a variety of consulting services. Pam has been involved in the development of the West Michigan Strategic Alliance since its beginnings. During Phase I, she managed 12 committees and served as writer/editor for The Common Framework in 2002. Most recently, she was the Project Manager for creating regional indicators featured in the West Michigan Vital Signs. A video project, completed in late 2006 for the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council, Into the Watershed,won both a Communicator Award of Distinction and a Silver Telly.
Pam Chairs the Academic Boosters group at Holland High School and has volunteered as an Odyssey of the Mind Coach for many years.
Click here to connect with Pam on LinkedIn.
Penning Ink Public Relations
Tim Penning, Ph.D., APR
616-844-2492
Professor Tim Penning, Ph.D, APR, teaches courses in public relations. He has worked as a staff writer and editor for Traverse Magazine and Advance Newspapers. Following his career in journalism, Tim was Communication Director for an international mission agency, media relations manager for Grand Valley State University, and Public Relations Director for the Grand Rapids Community Foundation. As a professor, he continues to practice public relations as a consultant with his own business, Penning Ink. He was won several awards for his public relations work and was named "Distinguished Practitioner" by the West Michigan Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America in 2001 and 2005. He is active with the Public Relations Society of America, having served as president of the West Michigan chapter in 2004 and on its board for seven years. He also advises the GVSU student chapter of PRSSA. Tim is a founder and board member of Interchange: The Association for West Michigan Communication Professionals and a member of the Phi Kappa Phi National Honors Society. (B.A., Journalism, Central Michigan University; M.A., Organizational Communication, Western Michigan University, Ph.D. in Media and Information Studies at Michigan State University. He writes a blog about advertising and public relations in West Michigan: http://gr-pr.blogspot.com/
Click here to connect with Tim on LinkedIn.
Greg Northrup
616-356-6060
It has been a pleasure and a wonderful experience serving as President of West Michigan Strategic Alliance for the past six years. In December 2011, I officially resigned to pursue other interests. However, as we look forward to the organization's transition in the coming months, I am pleased to announce that the West Michigan Strategic Alliance Board of Directors has asked me to remain active during this period. I believe a stronger and more viable structure will be put in place.
Our region has gained a great reputation for its ability to accomplish regional goals and objectives collaboratively. This foundation of success will allow West Michigan to continue our leadership in regional thinking and action at a time when our state is focusing its limited resources on developing working regional economies.
On behalf of the West Michigan Strategic Alliance Board of Directors, we look forward to a successful 2012!
Click here to connect with Greg on LinkedIn.
Peter Metsker, Controller
616-356-6060
Peter Metsker serves as the Controller, handling all the detailed financials for WMSA. He also keeps the organization up-to-date on all of its information technology needs. He spent over 25-years in the construction machinery industry holding increasing positions of responsibility ultimately Executive Vice President and Treasurer of a Michigan based machinery distributor. Prior to WMSA, Peter worked in the manufacturing industry as Controller for a manufacturing supplier of automotive related materials. He brings many years of hands-on practical experience in operations, finance, HR and IT to WMSA.
Cooking is a passion and in addition to taking culinary classes, Peter has traveled internationally with groups from the Culinary Institute located in Grand Rapids. Additional interests include sailing, computers and photography.
Patricia Strachan, Executive Assistant to the President
616 356.6060
Patricia comes to the West Michigan Strategic Alliance office with twenty + years experience in a variety of organizations from Holland Public Schools, to the Holland Area Chamber of Commerce, and as staff for a Congressional campaign. Her involvement in community events and regional organizations has brought connections that benefit West Michigan Strategic Alliance. Patricia is the Executive Assistant to the President, with additional administrative responsibilities to the initiatives of the organization.
Patricia has served on the Lakeshore ATHENA Committee, the committees of Tulipanes Latino Film & Art Festival, Latin Americans United for Progress Fiesta and the Juneteenth Festival. She currently serves as Chair on the International Relations Commission of the City of Holland.
Elaine Sterrett Isely, Project Manager
616-871-2450
Elaine Sterrett Isely joined the WMSA team as Project Manager of the Green Infrastructure Initiative in June 2010. Before coming to WMSA, she served as a member of the Green Infrastructure Leadership Council since June 2006. She holds degrees in finance, law, and biology, and brings with her more than 15-years of experience in law, environmental policy, research, outreach, and public speaking.
After a successful career as a litigation attorney, Elaine spent several years working on environmental policy and scientific research projects affecting West Michigan and the
Click here to connect with Elaine on LinkedIn.
Internship Initiative West Michigan Strategic Alliance congratulates Cindy Brown in her new role as Quaeris, HelloWestMichigan Executive Director! Connect with Cindy at brownc@hellowestmichigan.com.
Literacy to Work InitiativeJessica Materson, Project Manager
616-622-4085
Jessica comes to WMSA after graduating with her Master’s of Social Work degree from Grand Valley State University. During her graduate program she interned with Ottawa County Michigan Works! Agency and was involved with Adult Education collaborative groups and projects. Jessica brings her years of experience in program development and implementation, project management, leadership, and collaboration.
A West Michigan native, Jessica has been involved with many organizations throughout both Kent and Ottawa Counties. While attending GVSU, Jessica was the Vice President of the Master’s of Social Work Student Organization and was also a member of the Academic & Professional Student Organizations Funding Board. She has traveled to both Ireland and New Orleans on service learning trips and worked with a professor on conducting research for his doctoral dissertation.
In her spare time, Jessica has volunteered with the American Red Cross, Alpha Women’s Center, Guiding Light Mission, and was an intern with Trinity Reformed Church and the Northwest Food Pantry."
Click here to connect with Jessica on LinkedIn.
Resource PartnersProfessional Administrative Resources
Julie Metsker & Laura Melendez
616-451-4348
Professional Administrative Resources LLC (PAR), provides administrative and communications support to WMSA as well as event coordination and database management.
Julie Metsker is President of PAR, and has over 25-years of experience working with organizations like WMSA.
Laura Melendez serves as the Project Manager for WMSA , handling all our special events and the monthly E-newsletter.
With over 25 years of experience, PAR provides association management and administrative services for regional trade associations, non-profit organizations and small business. Clients such as ACG Western Michigan, AAF West Michigan, Central Fabricators Association, West Michigan Chamber Coalition and West Michigan Strategic Alliance take advantage of services ranging from event planning and management, media communications, project management, bookkeeping and financial support. For more information, visit www.proadminresources.com.
Think Again
Pam Landes, Chief Thinker
616-396-2698
With a diverse background in television, creativity training and print media, Pam Landes, is the Chief Thinker at Think Again. This firm,established in 1991, provides a variety of consulting services. Pam has been involved in the development of the West Michigan Strategic Alliance since its beginnings. During Phase I, she managed 12 committees and served as writer/editor for The Common Framework in 2002. Most recently, she was the Project Manager for creating regional indicators featured in the West Michigan Vital Signs. A video project, completed in late 2006 for the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council, Into the Watershed,won both a Communicator Award of Distinction and a Silver Telly.
Pam Chairs the Academic Boosters group at Holland High School and has volunteered as an Odyssey of the Mind Coach for many years.
Click here to connect with Pam on LinkedIn.
Penning Ink Public Relations
Tim Penning, Ph.D., APR
616-844-2492
Professor Tim Penning, Ph.D, APR, teaches courses in public relations. He has worked as a staff writer and editor for Traverse Magazine and Advance Newspapers. Following his career in journalism, Tim was Communication Director for an international mission agency, media relations manager for Grand Valley State University, and Public Relations Director for the Grand Rapids Community Foundation. As a professor, he continues to practice public relations as a consultant with his own business, Penning Ink. He was won several awards for his public relations work and was named "Distinguished Practitioner" by the West Michigan Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America in 2001 and 2005. He is active with the Public Relations Society of America, having served as president of the West Michigan chapter in 2004 and on its board for seven years. He also advises the GVSU student chapter of PRSSA. Tim is a founder and board member of Interchange: The Association for West Michigan Communication Professionals and a member of the Phi Kappa Phi National Honors Society. (B.A., Journalism, Central Michigan University; M.A., Organizational Communication, Western Michigan University, Ph.D. in Media and Information Studies at Michigan State University. He writes a blog about advertising and public relations in West Michigan: http://gr-pr.blogspot.com/
Click here to connect with Tim on LinkedIn.
West Michigan Strategic Alliance congratulates Cindy Brown in her new role as Quaeris, HelloWestMichigan Executive Director! Connect with Cindy at brownc@hellowestmichigan.com.
Jessica Materson, Project Manager
616-622-4085
Jessica comes to WMSA after graduating with her Master’s of Social Work degree from Grand Valley State University. During her graduate program she interned with Ottawa County Michigan Works! Agency and was involved with Adult Education collaborative groups and projects. Jessica brings her years of experience in program development and implementation, project management, leadership, and collaboration.
A West Michigan native, Jessica has been involved with many organizations throughout both Kent and Ottawa Counties. While attending GVSU, Jessica was the Vice President of the Master’s of Social Work Student Organization and was also a member of the Academic & Professional Student Organizations Funding Board. She has traveled to both Ireland and New Orleans on service learning trips and worked with a professor on conducting research for his doctoral dissertation.
In her spare time, Jessica has volunteered with the American Red Cross, Alpha Women’s Center, Guiding Light Mission, and was an intern with Trinity Reformed Church and the Northwest Food Pantry."
Click here to connect with Jessica on LinkedIn.
Resource PartnersProfessional Administrative Resources
Julie Metsker & Laura Melendez
616-451-4348
Professional Administrative Resources LLC (PAR), provides administrative and communications support to WMSA as well as event coordination and database management.
Julie Metsker is President of PAR, and has over 25-years of experience working with organizations like WMSA.
Laura Melendez serves as the Project Manager for WMSA , handling all our special events and the monthly E-newsletter.
With over 25 years of experience, PAR provides association management and administrative services for regional trade associations, non-profit organizations and small business. Clients such as ACG Western Michigan, AAF West Michigan, Central Fabricators Association, West Michigan Chamber Coalition and West Michigan Strategic Alliance take advantage of services ranging from event planning and management, media communications, project management, bookkeeping and financial support. For more information, visit www.proadminresources.com.
Think Again
Pam Landes, Chief Thinker
616-396-2698
With a diverse background in television, creativity training and print media, Pam Landes, is the Chief Thinker at Think Again. This firm,established in 1991, provides a variety of consulting services. Pam has been involved in the development of the West Michigan Strategic Alliance since its beginnings. During Phase I, she managed 12 committees and served as writer/editor for The Common Framework in 2002. Most recently, she was the Project Manager for creating regional indicators featured in the West Michigan Vital Signs. A video project, completed in late 2006 for the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council, Into the Watershed,won both a Communicator Award of Distinction and a Silver Telly.
Pam Chairs the Academic Boosters group at Holland High School and has volunteered as an Odyssey of the Mind Coach for many years.
Click here to connect with Pam on LinkedIn.
Penning Ink Public Relations
Tim Penning, Ph.D., APR
616-844-2492
Professor Tim Penning, Ph.D, APR, teaches courses in public relations. He has worked as a staff writer and editor for Traverse Magazine and Advance Newspapers. Following his career in journalism, Tim was Communication Director for an international mission agency, media relations manager for Grand Valley State University, and Public Relations Director for the Grand Rapids Community Foundation. As a professor, he continues to practice public relations as a consultant with his own business, Penning Ink. He was won several awards for his public relations work and was named "Distinguished Practitioner" by the West Michigan Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America in 2001 and 2005. He is active with the Public Relations Society of America, having served as president of the West Michigan chapter in 2004 and on its board for seven years. He also advises the GVSU student chapter of PRSSA. Tim is a founder and board member of Interchange: The Association for West Michigan Communication Professionals and a member of the Phi Kappa Phi National Honors Society. (B.A., Journalism, Central Michigan University; M.A., Organizational Communication, Western Michigan University, Ph.D. in Media and Information Studies at Michigan State University. He writes a blog about advertising and public relations in West Michigan: http://gr-pr.blogspot.com/
Click here to connect with Tim on LinkedIn.
Professional Administrative Resources
Julie Metsker & Laura Melendez
616-451-4348
Professional Administrative Resources LLC (PAR), provides administrative and communications support to WMSA as well as event coordination and database management.
Julie Metsker is President of PAR, and has over 25-years of experience working with organizations like WMSA.
Laura Melendez serves as the Project Manager for WMSA , handling all our special events and the monthly E-newsletter.
With over 25 years of experience, PAR provides association management and administrative services for regional trade associations, non-profit organizations and small business. Clients such as ACG Western Michigan, AAF West Michigan, Central Fabricators Association, West Michigan Chamber Coalition and West Michigan Strategic Alliance take advantage of services ranging from event planning and management, media communications, project management, bookkeeping and financial support. For more information, visit www.proadminresources.com.
Think Again
Pam Landes, Chief Thinker
616-396-2698
With a diverse background in television, creativity training and print media, Pam Landes, is the Chief Thinker at Think Again. This firm,established in 1991, provides a variety of consulting services. Pam has been involved in the development of the West Michigan Strategic Alliance since its beginnings. During Phase I, she managed 12 committees and served as writer/editor for The Common Framework in 2002. Most recently, she was the Project Manager for creating regional indicators featured in the West Michigan Vital Signs. A video project, completed in late 2006 for the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council, Into the Watershed,won both a Communicator Award of Distinction and a Silver Telly.
Pam Chairs the Academic Boosters group at Holland High School and has volunteered as an Odyssey of the Mind Coach for many years.
Click here to connect with Pam on LinkedIn.
Penning Ink Public Relations
Tim Penning, Ph.D., APR
616-844-2492
Professor Tim Penning, Ph.D, APR, teaches courses in public relations. He has worked as a staff writer and editor for Traverse Magazine and Advance Newspapers. Following his career in journalism, Tim was Communication Director for an international mission agency, media relations manager for Grand Valley State University, and Public Relations Director for the Grand Rapids Community Foundation. As a professor, he continues to practice public relations as a consultant with his own business, Penning Ink. He was won several awards for his public relations work and was named "Distinguished Practitioner" by the West Michigan Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America in 2001 and 2005. He is active with the Public Relations Society of America, having served as president of the West Michigan chapter in 2004 and on its board for seven years. He also advises the GVSU student chapter of PRSSA. Tim is a founder and board member of Interchange: The Association for West Michigan Communication Professionals and a member of the Phi Kappa Phi National Honors Society. (B.A., Journalism, Central Michigan University; M.A., Organizational Communication, Western Michigan University, Ph.D. in Media and Information Studies at Michigan State University. He writes a blog about advertising and public relations in West Michigan: http://gr-pr.blogspot.com/
Click here to connect with Tim on LinkedIn.