Contact:
Matt Bach
Michigan Municipal League
c: (810) 874-1073; [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 29, 2022

Hastings Mayor David Tossava Elected as President of Michigan Association of Mayors

Auburn Mayor Lee Kilbourn Named Vice President

MUSKEGON, Michigan – The mayors of Hastings and Auburn were recently elected to lead the statewide Michigan Association of Mayors (MAM).

Hastings Mayor David Tossava was named president of MAM and Auburn Mayor Lee Kilbourn was selected as vice president. Both were appointed to one-year terms that commence Jan. 1, 2023. They were elected Oct. 20 at the organization’s annual board meeting, which took place during the Michigan Municipal League 2022 Convention in Muskegon.

MAM is the official nonpartisan organization of Michigan’s chief elected officials. Representing 139 Michigan communities, MAM works to assist the chief elected officials of cities, townships, and villages; advance the various interests and operations of communities represented by its members and all Michigan communities; promote cooperation among communities statewide; and advocate local interests at the state and federal level.

Tossava was elected mayor of the City of Hastings in November 2016. He began his career working for the Department of Public Works for the City of Hastings as a mechanic in 1978. Tossava held that position for 22 years before being promoted to superintendent of the Department of Public Works, a position he held until retiring in January 2006. He spent a total of 28 years working for the City of Hastings.

In November 2008, Tossava was elected to his first term as a city councilmember. He served two four-year terms as councilmember before being elected mayor in 2016. As mayor, he serves on the Planning Commission, Downtown Development Authority, Local Development Finance Authority and Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, Hastings-Barry County Airport Board, Cemetery Preservation Advisory Board, and the Commission on Aging Board for Barry County.

Prior to being named MAM president, Tossava served on the MAM board for several years and spent the past year as the board’s vice president. He is also a member of the Michigan Municipal League’s Workers’ Compensation Fund Board. Tossava replaces as MAM president, Port Huron Mayor Pauline Repp, who served three consecutive one-year terms as president during the pandemic.

“I feel it’s an honor to represent my community on the board of the Michigan Association of Mayors,” Tossava said. “I will do my best to make everyone proud.” Tossava added serving on statewide boards is an excellent way for him to promote his community.

“I get to represent my city and brag about my city all over the state of Michigan,” Tossava said. “I feel privileged to be able to serve on this association with my fellow mayors and talk about issues we all share, whether we’re a big city or a small city or village.”

Tossava added that one goal for the year as president will be to encourage more Michigan mayors and village presidents to become MAM members. “It’s all about giving back and that’s what I’m trying to do is give back,” Tossava said. “I’d like to see every mayor and village president in our state become a member.”

Prior to being named MAM vice president, Kilbourn served on the MAM board for several years, including a previous stint as MAM board president. He has been mayor of Auburn since 2011 and previously served as mayor when elected in 1981. Kilbourn has served on several community organizations and the Auburn-Williams Fire District for 25 years. He is currently a member of the Auburn-Williams Lions Club, the Auburn Downtown Development Authority, and the Auburn-Williams Intergovernmental Committee. Kilbourn graduated from Oral Roberts University with a bachelor’s degree in business. He and his wife, Kathy, are second generation owners of their family’s 61-year-old furniture business and proud grandparents of four children.

“I am honored to serve as vice president of this excellent organization,” Kilbourn said. “I look forward to working with MAM President Tossava to help lead our fellow mayors and village presidents through the next year.”

The group also selected to three-year terms on the board, Baraga Village President Wendell Dompier, Port Huron Mayor Pauline Repp, and Fremont Mayor James Rynberg. Those continuing to serve on the MAM board are Bad Axe Mayor Kathleen Particka, Monroe Mayor Robert Clark, St. Johns Mayor Eric Hufnagel, and Zeeland Mayor Kevin Klynstra.

For additional information, contact Matt Bach, Michigan Municipal League assistant director of strategic communications, at [email protected] and (810) 874-1073.