President

Don Gerrie serves as mayor for Sault Ste. Marie, where he previously served as city commissioner from 2007 to 2019. A native of the city, he graduated from Sault Area High School and Skill Center, received his BA in business administration/accounting from Alma College, and attended MBA courses at Lake Superior State University. After twelve years in banking, Gerrie began a career at USDA Rural Development, where he is now area director. An advocate for community service, his personal philosophy is “service is the price you pay for the space you occupy.” Gerrie has volunteered to serve and held leadership positions on the board of directors for many local organizations that have a positive impact on our community, including Sault Area Chamber of Commerce, United Way of the EUP, Sault Historic Sites, Northern Transitions, Presbyterian Church Trustees, and the Sault Convention and Visitors Bureau. His term expires in 2025.

Vice President

Joshua Atwood serves as mayor pro tem for the City of Lapeer. He previously served as commissioner and was the youngest commissioner elected since Lapeer was established as a city in 1869. Atwood co-established the cities first-ever Youth Council. Under his leadership, the Youth Council established the cities first volunteer group, Lapeer City Superheroes. The volunteer group is very proactive in doing city cleanups, planting flowers, and lending a helping hand whenever possible. As a public servant, Atwood is not afraid to get dirty as he leads from the front. He can be seen planting city flowers one day, picking up garbage and sweeping up cigarette butts downtown the next day. Atwood holds a monthly event, “coffee with a commish” that has been very instrumental for public engagement. He has even hosted, “coffee with a commish teen edition” targeting the next generation of leaders, business owners, and residents. He has been a leader in the growth of ecotourism in the city and an important part of the growth and success of downtown Lapeer. His term expires in 2026.

Jennifer Antel serves as the first female mayor for the City of Wayland where she has served on the council since 2005. She is dedicated to local government, having served over three decades in public service both in appointed and elected positions. After receiving her master’s degree in public administration from Grand Valley State University, she started her career as the Otsego DDA Director. She was the administrative assistant and then the assistant to the city manager in Kalamazoo. Antel currently works as the program manager for West Michigan Trails. She has served the city on various boards and committees including the Planning Commission, DDA, Ambulance Board, Parks Committee, and Budget Committee. An active community member, Antel serves as a Wayland Union Schools Key Communicator, a Chamber Ambassador for the Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce, and she serves on the League’s Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Antel is a strong advocate for youth and has stepped into various roles including Cubmaster, Girl Scout Leader, and founder of a youth swim club. She is an avid runner and is co-founder of Wayland Road Runners, and currently coaches varsity cross country and middle school track. Her term expires in 2027.

George M. Bosanic serves as the city manager for the City of Greenville. He has thirty-five years of experience in city management with thirty years in his current position. In his career, he has served on and chaired numerous local boards and commissions including, but not limited to, the Montcalm Brownfield Authority, Montcalm Area Dispatch Authority, Montcalm Economic Alliance, Montcalm/Mecosta Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce. Bosanic has served on the Michigan Municipal League Workers’ Compensation Board of Trustees and currently serves on the Michigan Municipal League Property and Liability Pool Board. He is a member of the International City/County Management Association and a member of the Michigan Municipal Executives. Bosanic is a graduate of Manistique High School, has a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Grand Valley State College, and a master’s degree in public administration from Grand Valley State University. His term expires in 2027.

Rebecca Chamberlain-Creanga serves as a councilmember for the City of Troy. As an economic anthropologist, her career has spanned philanthropy, academia and international development. Born and raised in northern Michigan, Chamberlain-Creanga previously worked for the World Bank in Washington, D.C. as a Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellow. She was named a U.S. Department of State Title VIII Research Scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, where she briefed U.S. government officials as a recognized expert on social change and development. She was previously a member of the Global Troy Advisory Committee and Troy Downtown Development Authority. Chamberlain-Creanga holds a Ph.D. and a master of science from the London School of Economics, a master of arts from University College London, and a bachelor of arts from Wheaton College in Norton, MA. The author of numerous practitioner and scholarly studies, she has taught at the London School of Economics and Oakland University. Chamberlain-Creanga is also a member of Leadership Oakland Class XXIX, a program for regional leaders that focuses on creating awareness of key issues affecting the metro Detroit region. Her term expires in 2025.

Juan Ganum serves as city manager for the City of Bridgman. He has over twenty-five years of experience in local government, having started his career as the community development director for the City of Niles in 1998. Ganum has a bachelor of science in urban and regional planning from Michigan State University and earned his master of public administration from Western Michigan University. He currently serves as the chair of the Michigan Municipal Executives Ethics Committee, is a board member of Michigan Municipal League’s Workers’ Compensation Fund, and is engaged in community building through service on a variety of committees and boards within Berrien County. Ganum believes that engaged residents hold the keys to meaningful and lasting change in Michigan’s cities, townships, and villages. His term expires in 2028.

Dennis Hennen serves as a councilmember for the City of Berkley. His focus includes protecting the vulnerable and ensuring that constituents are kept informed and that their voices are heard. Hennen is the liaison to the Tree Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals and has received his Master Citizen Planner Certification from Michigan State University. Additionally, he serves on the Michigan Municipal League’s Municipal Services Committee, the Elections Subcommittee, and is vice president of the Elected Officials Academy, where he is a recipient of the Academy’s Education and Leadership Award, as well as the Ambassador Award, the highest honor they bestow. Hennen is a senior software engineer for Mercury Banking and holds a bachelor of science in mathematics and computer science from Lipscomb University, as well as a master of science in computer science from The Ohio State University. His term expires in 2028.

Stephen Kepley serves as mayor for the City of Kentwood. He gained much of his valuable experience while working for Kentwood as the director of engineering and inspections/city engineer for eleven years, along with an additional fifteen years in the private manufacturing design and construction sector. Kepley serves on various boards including The RAPID (former chair and vice-chair), Grand Valley Metro Council’s executive board, and the Kentwood Community Foundation (president). He holds a bachelor of science in engineering from Virginia Tech and is certified by the State of Michigan in multiple vocations. Kepley has always loved working with people to solve problems, encourage growth, and serve the common good of those around him. His term expires in 2026.

Valerie Kindle serves as mayor for the City of Harper Woods. She has served on the city council since 2012 and is the current president of the Michigan Women in Municipal Government and a board member of the Friends of the Harper Woods Library and the Harper Woods Lions Club. Kindle is a member of the Harper Woods Planning Commission and Ordinance Committee, a board member and second vice president for the Grosse Pointes & Harper Woods NAACP, and a board member and program committee chair for The League of Women Voters Grosse Pointe. She is a member and volunteer for New Life Ministries Worldwide (Harper Woods, MI), a retired State of Michigan delinquency worker, and a case manager with Michigan Works. Kindle has a bachelor’s degree from Ferris State University in criminal justice and is a graduate of Wayne State University Labor College and WCCCD. Her term expires in 2025.

Kevin Klynstra serves as mayor of the City of Zeeland. He served as a councilmember for sixteen years prior to being elected mayor. Klynstra serves on the Zeeland Planning Commission, Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, Downtown Board, Macatawa Area Express (MAX) Bus Board, Michigan Municipal League Workers’ Compensation Board, and recently finished his term on the Michigan Association of Mayors board. Klynstra is a lifetime resident of Zeeland, and he worked for the postal service for thirty-five years before retiring in 2011. His term expires in 2028.

Karen Kovacs serves as city manager for the City of Marquette and has over fifteen years of municipal government experience. She began her career as an auditor before joining Plante Moran’s Governmental Accounting Professional consulting team where she worked with both large and small municipalities across Wayne, Oakland, and Washtenaw counties. Kovacs left her consulting role to become the finance director and eventually city administrator for the charming city of Milan. She is grateful to have been part of the team in Milan that accomplished many community initiatives including the revitalization of the downtown area and construction of an award-winning boardwalk along the lake. In 2021, Kovacs moved across the Mighty Mac to Marquette. She is far from earning “Yooper” status, but she has quickly embraced the occasional bear sighting, surprise blizzard, and tourist craze of the U.P. Kovacs is heavily involved with the Marquette County Ambassadors, a group of community leaders dedicated to promoting economic vitality in the Upper Peninsula region. She serves on several boards and committees including the Marquette Downtown Development Authority, Innovate Marquette SmartZone (chair), and Community Action Alger-Marquette (chair). Her term expires in 2028.

Joe LaRussa serves as mayor for the City of Farmington. He is a registered professional engineer and a veteran automotive industry leader. First elected to city council in 2017, LaRussa’s public policy interests include technology and infrastructure, data-driven government, and transportation. He’s been active in the League, obtaining a Level 2 Certification from the Elected Officials Academy and serving on the League’s Transportation, Infrastructure, and Technology Policy Committee. He is currently a plant manager at Avancez Assembly, a supplier of various complex modules for the automotive industry. He holds a master’s in engineering management, a master’s in automotive systems engineering, and a bachelor’s in electrical engineering, all from the University of Michigan-Dearborn. His term expires in 2027.

Raylon Leaks-May serves as mayor for the City of Ferndale where she has been a resident for over 30 years. She has been a member of the Ferndale City Council since 2015 and served as mayor pro tem from 2019 through 2021. She serves on the Ferndale Board of Zoning and Appeals, as well as the Ferndale Accessibility and Inclusion Commission. She is an active volunteer in the community and is a proud mother of five beautiful children. She is an information and referral specialist by profession, at the Area Agency on Aging 1-B and serves as board president for the Michigan Municipal League Elected Officials Academy. She holds a BA through Madonna University and has an (AA) and (AS) from Oakland Community College. Her term expires in 2028.

Scott McLennan serves as mayor for the City of Rogers City. A retired RN and healthcare administrator, he served as a councilmember prior to becoming mayor in 2018. McLennan previously served six years as a local school board member and chair. He is currently a board member of the Community Foundation of Northeast Michigan, the Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union, and the Northeast Michigan Council of Governments. McLennan was instrumental in Rogers City being recently designated as a Main Street and Redevelopment Ready Community. His passion is focused on building a more vibrant community through positive communication along with the networking of businesses, government and citizens. His term expires in 2027.

Joshua Meringa serves as a councilmember for the City of Grandville. He is passionate about public service and is driven toward having a positive impact by improving quality of life for residents and supporting economic development in his community. Meringa serves on the Grandville Parks & Recreation Board and Business Relations Committee. He has served on many Michigan Municipal League legislative committees and helped Grandville’s Clean Water Plant win the Community Excellence Award in 2012. Meringa has served several terms on the Michigan Municipal League Elected Officials Academy Board, including five years as president, and is an EOA Level 4 graduate. He has also been recognized twice as a ‘40 Under Forty’ Business Leader by the Grand Rapids Business Journal. A registered nurse, Meringa works in nursing professional development for Corewell Health West Michigan. In addition to public service, he serves on the Board of Directors for the American Nurses Association – Michigan, and served two terms on the Michigan Board of Nursing, including seven years as chair. A native of West Michigan, Meringa earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Calvin College (now University), and master’s degrees from Grand Valley State University in Public, Health, and Business Administration. His term expires in 2025.

Khalfani Stephens serves as deputy mayor for the City of Pontiac. In this position, he operates as the COO and advisor to the mayor. He previously served as the director of economic development and assistant city administrator with the City of Flint. He has held positions with the City of Farmington Hills, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the City of Pontiac Downtown Development Authority, Pontiac Growth Group Director, and also for the Pontiac School District. Stephens has a Post Master’s Certificate in Economic Development, an MBA in marketing and finance from Wayne State University and is an honors graduate with a BA in linguistics and history from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor. He is a licensed State of Michigan real estate person, a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP), and Michigan Master Citizen Planner. Stephens is the Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency (OLHSA) chairperson, volunteers as the vice president for The Pontiac Kappa Foundation, serves on the Oakland County Land Bank Authority, and the board of the Michigan Economic Developers Association, and is a lecturer at the University of Michigan – Flint. His term expires in 2026.

David J. Tossava serves as mayor of the City of Hastings. He began his career working for the department of public works for the City of Hastings as a mechanic in 1978. Tossava served as a mechanic for twenty-two years before being promoted to street superintendent, the position he held until his retirement in 2006 after twenty-eight years. Tossava was first elected to the city council in 2008 and served two consecutive four-year terms before being elected mayor. As mayor, he serves on the Planning Commission, DDA Board, Local Development Finance Authority and Brownfield Re-Development Authority, Airport Board, Cemetery Board, Commission on Aging for Barry County, Michigan Association of Mayors as the 2023 president, the Michigan Municipal League’s Workers’ Compensation Board, and the League’s Finance Committee. His term expires in 2027.

Mark Washington serves as city manager for the City of Grand Rapids. He is committed to making Grand Rapids a city that is nationally recognized for being equitable, welcoming, innovative, and collaborative with a robust economy, safe, and healthy community, and the opportunity for a high quality of life for all. Washington has worked in local government for nearly twenty-four years—in Austin, TX as assistant city manager and as director of human resources and civil service, and in Fort Worth, TX, as assistant director of human resources, and street services operations program manager. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Tarleton State University, a master’s degree in business administration from Amberton University, a master of arts degree and doctorate degree in education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and holds several certifications. Washington is a member of the International City/County Management Association, Grand Valley Metropolitan Council, and serves on the Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. Spectrum Health Community Commitment, National Forum for Black Public Administrators, Tarleton State University College of Business advisory boards, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and is a Trustee of Paul Quinn College. His term expires in 2026.

Stephanie Grimes Washington serves as the director of government affairs for the City of Detroit. She previously served as fundraiser/funding event coordinator for the campaign of Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, was later appointed to Duggan’s administration as the director of scheduling and advance, and then appointed to city council liaison. With a strong media, sales management and marketing background, Washington has held a variety of media management positions within the fields of radio, television, print and social media. In her current role, she has made significant contributions through her advocacy efforts to elected officials and key stakeholders at the local, state, and federal levels that have impacted Detroit’s transformation and revitalization. Washington earned a bachelor of arts in political science and master of public administration with a concentration in city management with honors from Villanova University. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., a member/treasurer of the Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Board, a member of the Eight Mile/Woodward Corridor Board and the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy Board. Her term expires in 2026.

Tim Wolff serves as the village manager of Lake Isabella. He has over twenty years of municipal experience in both elected and appointed positions. A native of mid-Michigan, Wolff holds a bachelor’s degree from Alma College and a master’s degree from Central Michigan University. Since 2011 he has chaired the Michigan Municipal League’s Land Use & Economic Development Committee. Wolff was a 2007 recipient of the League’s Special Award of Merit and 2012 recipient of the League’s Outstanding Service Award. He is a credentialed manager by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and holds the AICP certification from the American Planning Association (APA). In addition to his service with the Michigan Municipal League, Wolff actively serves on committees for the ICMA and the Michigan Municipal Executives (MME). His term expires in 2025.

Dan Gilmartin is the executive director and CEO of the Michigan Municipal League.  Through his work with communities, Dan is recognized as a national leader in the fields of urban revitalization, placemaking, local government reform, and transportation policy.

Under Dan’s leadership, the League powers innovative programs and practices that improve communities in Michigan and beyond. He is a frequent national and international speaker. In recent years, he has given presentations internationally including in China, Sweden, Australia, and Denmark, and across the nation—from Los Angeles to D.C. to Vermont. In 2018, Dan gave highly publicized testimony before a U.S. Congress Senate Committee on behalf of local governments nationwide regarding state and local transportation infrastructure needs.

Dan is frequently quoted in state and national publications on community-related topics.  He has also authored numerous opinion columns that have appeared in statewide publications, including the Detroit News, Crain’s Detroit Business, mlive.com, and Bridge Magazine.

In 2018, Dan added podcast host to his resume on the Economics of Place podcast, part of the League’s We Love Where You Live podcast series. He is a frequent blogger and a contributing author to the books The Economics of Place: The Value of Building Communities Around People and the follow-up Economics of Place: The Art of Building Great Communities.

He is actively engaged in the National League of Cities and previously served on the NLC’s board of directors.  In 2018, he was selected to the NLC’s National Task Force on Housing and in 2015 was a member of NLC’s President Election Task Force.

Prior to his current position, Dan served for four years as the lead advocate for Michigan’s communities in Lansing and Washington, D.C., where he concentrated on a number of key issues including transportation, land use, and urban redevelopment.

Dan is a Michigan kid, a Detroit native (and booster), and currently resides in the historic downtown of Northville, Michigan with his wife, Lori, and two young sons.

Dan’s blog: Economics of Place