Contact:

Jessica Weirauch
Michigan Municipal League
[email protected]
 734-669-6311

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 20, 2026

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Michigan Association of Mayors (MAM) has selected Norton Shores Mayor Gary Nelund to serve as its new board president, and Hudsonville Mayor Mark Northrup as vice president. These one-year appointments were announced during MAM's annual meeting held on Thursday, October 8, at the Michigan Municipal League's 2026 Convention in Traverse City. 

"As 2027 MAM President, I hope to advance the goals the Board has set and give back to the organization. Our goal is to expand the group so that we may continue to learn from colleagues who are part of MAM," said Mayor Nelund. "The knowledge that we gain from one another is one of the greatest benefits of joining MAM and by growing our membership, we will all have more peers to learn from. After 17 years of being mayor, I also hope to impart some of my own knowledge to fellow MAM members." 

"Our goal is to grow the association and increase opportunities for participation so that our members can best serve Michigan's communities," said Mayor Northrup. 

The Board of Directors also announced one new member: Springfield Mayor Harry Burdett, who will serve a three-year term.  

"Being a member of MAM has been a good experience because I have learned a lot from the other members over the years," said Mayor Burdett. "I am looking forward to working with the board to continue the work they've done to grow the organization and hopefully help bring even more members on board." 

One outgoing board member, Hastings Mayor David Tossava, was recognized for his service. He had served on the board since 2017. After eight years on the City Council, he was elected mayor in 2016. 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. Mayor Tossava is stepping down from his position at the end of the year. 

Additional information about MAM is available at michiganmayors.org. 

Michigan Municipal League is dedicated to making Michigan's communities better by thoughtfully innovating programs, energetically connecting ideas and people, actively serving members with resources and services and passionately inspiring positive change for Michigan's greatest centers of potential: its communities. The League advocates on behalf of its member communities in Lansing, Washington, D.C. and the courts; provides educational opportunities for elected and appointed municipal officials and assists municipal leaders in administering services to their communities through League programs and services. Learn more at mml.org. 

###