Traditionally our May board meeting includes an annual dinner with the board, full team, and significant others. While this year’s meeting was held via Zoom, our board chair still “passed the gavel” while we bid farewell to our outgoing board members and welcomed two new members.
This year, Randy Hansen and Tammy Bailey have reached the end of their terms, and we welcome Mary Carole Cotter and David Swain to the board.
Outgoing Board Members
Randy Hansen, president of Centennial Securities Company in Grand Rapids, joined the board in 2013. He became Chair in 2018 and served two terms during the GHACF president transition. He also served on the Investment and Executive Committees, putting his financial skills to work for the foundation. His presence, both in the boardroom and the office, and his unwavering support for the team have been invaluable.
“I love helping people. Whether it’s planning for a financially stable retirement, fulfilling a charitable goal, or catching their first fish, it’s all very rewarding to me.” —Randy Hansen
Tammy teaches Personal Finance at Grand Valley State University and owns and operates a packaging supply business with her husband Howie. She joined the board in 2012, and in addition to serving as Board Chair in 2017, she actively participated in several of the foundation’s committees. Her knowledge and experience in the financial industry was particularly helpful on the Investment Committee. As a Certified Financial Planner and retired Wealth Manager, Tammy brought strong fiduciary oversight to ensure that our donor’s gifts are carefully stewarded to grow and support our community for good and forever.
“It is my honor to serve on the Board of the GHACF. To see first-hand the incredible positive partnerships that exist on our Board and throughout the community to help our individuals, families, and businesses thrive at all levels is inspiring. Our staff and Board have worked hard over the years to forge these positive partnerships and while they do great work all the time, these partnerships become even more important and powerful when we face true adversity like the COVID-19 pandemic. Our GHACF is truly one of our greatest community assets.” —Tammy Bailey
We’re grateful for Randy and Tammy’s years of service and wish them both well with their next philanthropic plans. But this isn’t the last we’ll see of them—Randy will be joining the GHACF Supporting Organization and Tammy will stay on the GHACF Impact Investing Committee.
Incoming Board Members
Mary Carole Cotter grew up in Grand Haven and graduated from Grand Haven High School. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame Law School, she joined Exxon’s legal department in Houston, TX where she worked for 10 years. While there, she met her future husband Tom, a fellow Exxon lawyer from San Francisco. They married in Grand Haven in 1990. They eventually moved back to Michigan to raise their family. Mary Carole took a job as a corporate lawyer for Kellogg Company and then the Kellogg Foundation, where she worked for 10 years, eventually becoming General Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary. She currently works part-time at North Ottawa Community Hospital in the Volunteer Services Department.
“I am honored to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation. I am looking forward to contributing time and energy to help the community foundation continue its valuable work toward making life better for the area’s residents.” —Mary Carole Cotter
Originally from Illinois, Dave Swain moved to Grand Rapids in 1983 to practice dentistry. In 1987 he moved to Grand Haven after purchasing a local dental practice. He received his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Northwestern University in 1978, and then graduated from the University of Illinois College of Dentistry in 1982. The dental profession has allowed Dave to meet many great people in the Tri-Cities. He realizes this is truly a special place to live amongst others who care about the well-being of all citizens in our community.
Service to others has always been important to Dave. He has served on various committees at his church, St. John’s Episcopal Church. He was a board member of the Ottawa County Red Cross, Greater Ottawa County United Way, West Michigan Dental Society, and is a past president of the Grand Haven Area Jaycees and the Rotary Club of Grand Haven.
“The Grand Haven Area Community Foundation has had an incredible impact on the Tri-Cities area and beyond. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity to serve and look forward to engaging with new colleagues in continuing the foundation’s great tradition.” —Dave Swain
We look forward to the experience and insight Mary Carole and David bring to the board. See our full Board of Trustees.