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April 21, 2026

Welcome to our New Board Leadership


With the beginning of our new fiscal year, we are pleased to announce our new Board Chair, Vice Chair and incoming board members as we continue to put our vision into motion to support the future growth of The Chamber.


Shelby Bytwerk - MillerKnoll will serve as our Board Chair and Kevin Green - Spring Lake Country Club will serve as our Vice Chair.


New Board Members are Sharon Behm - Borr’s Shoes and Accessories, Brooke Karl - R.A. Miller (RAMI), Bill Beland – Concept Metals Group, Ashley Latsch – City of Grand Haven, Jim Tompkins – Straight Line Design, and Tiffany VanderKolk – Warner, Norcross + Judd.


Their leadership combined with the leadership of our current board members will create an exciting next chapter for the Chamber as we focus on growth, innovation and meaningful impact for our membership and business community.


Chamber President & CEO, Mark Allen says “Each of our board members brings a unique perspective, depth of experience, and a strong commitment to advancing the Chamber’s mission. Together, our board leadership team will help guide our strategic priorities, strengthen partnerships, and position our organization for continued success in an ever-changing economic landscape.”


A special thank you to Pete Klahorst – Shape Corporation for serving as our board chair over this past year and our departing board members Dave Jerovsek – C.S. Erickson, Chris Peel – Greenridge Realty, Bill Cargo – Grand Haven Charter Township, Cara Galbavi – Cara Galbavi Law, Scott Zylstra – Automatic Spring, and Bret Lewis. We are grateful for their leadership and support.



A full list of chamber staff and board members can be found online at About – Grand Haven Chamber.

The Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Awards Ceremony

Last call for registrations and sponsorships!

Join us and fill the last 38 seats for the Annual Chamber Dinner & Awards Celebration!


Congratulations to the 2026 Annual Award Recipients:

Thank you to our generous sponsors:

Contact Heather here for sponsorship opportunities!

Applications for the 2026-2027 Leadership Connect Cohort open on Wednesday, April 22!


Leadership Connect is a comprehensive Community Leadership Program that contains two components:


Community Awareness

The class will explore seven different areas of the community and learn how they connect with one another. The class will be meeting at various locations throughout the area. The participants will finish with a comprehensive understanding of the community.


Personal Leadership Development

Participants will build leadership skills through ongoing training, with dedicated time focused on leadership development.


Leadership Connect is more than a professional development experience, it’s an opportunity to cultivate leaders who understand the broader community, recognize regional challenges and opportunities, and actively contribute to solutions that strengthen where we live and work. Participants gain expanded perspectives, build lasting relationships across industries, and develop the skills needed to lead with purpose and impact.


Some of the skill sets that will be covered in the program are:


  • Understanding your leadership style
  • Teamwork
  • Problem Solving
  • Decision Making
  • Managing Conflict
  • Communication


For more information and to apply, please click here.

Community Impact Day Volunteers Needed

Volunteering together does more than just give back - it strengthens the fabric of Northwest Ottawa County while building meaningful connections among those who serve. When your team comes together for a shared purpose, barriers break down, collaboration grows, and a stronger sense of belonging takes root. Whether it’s coworkers, friends, or family, volunteering as a group fosters teamwork, boosts morale, and creates lasting memories rooted in impact.


Beyond the immediate benefit to those being served, your group will feel more connected to the community where they live and work. Volunteering cultivates pride, encourages civic engagement, and often inspires ongoing involvement.


Simply put, when we serve together, we don’t just improve our environment - we build a more connected, compassionate place for everyone.


Step out of the office together and join forces with thousands of Michiganders to give back to the communities we love to enjoy so much!


Volunteers will have the opportunity to serve a variety of local nonprofits and make a lasting impact.

Show your organization's support for our nonprofits through sponsorship of Community Impact Day.


For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Heather here.

Nominations are now open for ATHENA on the Lakeshore! The ATHENA awards are presented annually to recognize outstanding lakeshore women who have demonstrated excellence in their business or professions, have provided valuable service by devoting time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in their community, assist women in reaching their full potential, and exhibit the spirit of regional collaboration. ATHENA on the Lakeshore is presented by The Chamber of Commerce - Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Ferrysburg and Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce.

Looking to grow your visibility and connect with Chamber members and the community


Consider the impact of sponsoring:


Sponsorships are a powerful way to showcase your business, build relationships, and support the vibrant community we all share.


To learn more about how your business can support this work, please email Heather here.

The Chamber Blog is now live on the website next to the Newsroom! Check it out regularly for Member Spotlights, Ambassador Spotlights, and longer content pieces.


For more information on Member Spotlights and Member Advertising, please email Megan here.

Paid Member Advertising


Member Spotlight:

Hallmark Homecare - Grand Rapids & the Surrounding Lakeshore Area

What if finding care for your loved one didn’t feel overwhelming, but instead felt like finding the right person at the right time?


For many families, the search often starts with a simple hope: “We just want someone we can trust.”


That search proved overwhelming for one daughter. Her Dad, living with dementia, had already experienced care through traditional agencies, but the revolving door of different caregivers made things harder. Each new face meant starting over, explaining routines and rebuilding trust. For someone with memory challenges, that lack of consistency can be especially distressing.


The daughter found Hallmark Homecare for her father.


At Hallmark Homecare, we do things differently. Rather than staffing shifts with rotating caregivers, we recruit experienced caregivers and match them with families through a direct-hire model. This means greater consistency, stronger relationships, and better outcomes. Families communicate directly with their caregiver and benefit from added peace of mind because Hallmark Homecare is bonded and insured.


The difference was pivotal for this family.


From their very first meeting, the caregiver connected in a meaningful way with the father. By bonding over a love of sports, asking thoughtful questions, and talking with him about his favorite teams and players, the caregiver connected with her client. As a sports fan, she already knew the players. It wasn’t just small talk. It was genuine connection. And over time, something valuable happened: he began to feel comfortable with his caregiver.


Beyond companionship, her years of experience made a practical difference. The caregiver shared helpful, personalized tips related to his specific health needs, making daily life easier.


The client's daughter shared that she “feels so comfortable with the new caregiver due to her experience and how she connects with my Dad.”


That’s the heart of what we do.


Home care isn’t just about helping with daily tasks, it’s about preserving dignity, building trust, and creating meaningful human connection. At Hallmark Homecare, we’re proud to offer a more personalized, empowering approach to care by putting relationships first.



Because when care feels consistent, experienced, and truly connected, families can exhale and focus on what matters most: simply being family.


Connect with Hallmark Homecare by visiting their website here or email Sarah Riley here.

AMBASSADOR SPOTLIGHT

Q: Can you tell us about your business and what you offer local companies?

Best Version Media specializes in helping local businesses connect with their communities through targeted marketing. We produce over 1,300 magazines across North America and offer integrated print, digital, and web design solutions. Locally, I publish Grand Haven Neighbors (now in its 7th year) and Norton Shores Living (in its 6th year), which serve as community-focused print platforms. In addition, we can connect businesses to a network of more than 40 publications across Michigan for expanded reach.


Q: What inspired you to get into this line of work?

My background has always been rooted in retail and marketing, so this work felt like a natural fit. I love helping businesses tell their stories and build meaningful connections within their communities.


Q: What brought you to the Grand Haven area?

Grand Haven has always held a special place for me. I spent my summers here while attending Hope College, and I fell in love with the community and lakeshore lifestyle.


Q: What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I enjoy downhill skiing, gardening, and running a vintage collectibles and antiques resale business. I’ve always loved the thrill of finding unique pieces and giving them new life.


Q: What motivated you to become a Chamber Ambassador, and what do you enjoy most about it?

I became an ambassador because I want every member to feel seen, welcomed, and connected within the Chamber. What I enjoy most is building relationships and helping others feel like they truly belong in the business community.


To reach Dawn, you can email her here or call 616-498-7794.

Click here to view our most recent New Members!



Access Health

Aeros IT Group

AI Business Check Up

Barrix Law Firm

Conference Grounds Christian Ministries

ERA Group, Inc.

Expert EOS Implementer - Ken Bogard

Good Guys Garage

Grand Haven Eyecare

Harbor Terrace Senior Living

Know Honesty

LEADERWORK

Marks Orthodontics

The League of Women Voters of the Grand Haven Area

Sam's Club

Winsor Place Apartments

April

30 | The Annual Chamber Celebration 2026


May

5 | Advocacy in Action

7 | BASH at Westwind Construction

13 | Community Impact Day

15 | Early Bird Breakfast at Holiday Inn Spring Lake

19 | Chamber Takeover Happy Hour at Snug Harbor

21 | Morning Brew at Kenzie's Be Cafe

28 | Networking at Noon


June

11 | BASH at Tower Pinkster

18 | Thursday Early Bird Breakfast at Holiday Inn - SL

23 | Chamber 360: Boost Your Business


July

9 | BASH at Vanderwall Brothers

16 | Thursday Early Bird Breakfast at Holiday Inn - SL

21 | Coffee & Counsel: People Problems and Legal Pitfalls: Mid-year Compliance Tune-Up

23 | Networking at Noon



Learn more about upcoming events by visiting our events calendar.

Have an event that you want to add to our calendar?

It's easy to submit an event!

From the Chamber homepage, go to 'Calendar,' and then you will find 'Submit Your Event' in the upper, righthand corner. After you submit it, Hanna will approve it and then it will appear on our calendar as a Community Event.

We would like to recognize our Premier Partners

Our office is open M-F 9AM - 4PM,

call at 616.842.4910, or email a staff member directly.


We look forward to hearing from you!

Would you like to advertise in our eNews?

Contact Director of Marketing & Communications, Megan Tobin.

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