Walter Christophersen

Membership Dev. Coordinator - IBEW Local 275

Walter, a lifelong resident of West Michigan, has committed himself to improving his community through volunteerism, education and involvement in the labor movement.  Walter has been an IBEW member since 2002, having completed an apprenticeship and becoming a successful electrician. Walter was hired as IBEW Local 275’s membership development coordinator in 2013, and has since trained organizers and community advocates and helped labor workers elevate themselves in the workplace.

Walter is a dedicated father, Muskegon resident, and loves to spend time outdoors. 

Donny Crumbsy

Training & Development Partner - Kent Power

Donny loves how construction utilizes raw materials to create things we need in society. Passionate about self-development and people, Donny finds it is best practice to learn each area within construction and the level of skill required for each field.

Donny is a graduate of Spring Arbor University. When he's not working, he enjoys target shooting, spending time with his family, and cooking.

Mac Dodds

Industry Council Lead – Construction Careers Council

Mac is passionate about changing the way people think about the construction industry. Mac has worked in the industry in various roles, now working to build a strong construction workforce in West Michigan through his role as the lead for the Construction Careers Council.

Mac resides in Rockford, Michigan with his fiancé and enjoys sports, being outdoors, and reading. He is a graduate of Michigan State University.

Mindy Curtiss

Human Resources Director - Kent Companies, Inc.

Mindy is an HR director with a passion for guiding and supporting employees throughout their careers. Mindy finds the construction industry to be a “breath of fresh air” that allows her to work with diverse groups of people, from laborers to CEOs.  

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Mindy earned her bachelor’s degree in business management from Davenport University.

Amy Lebednick

Business Solutions Director - West Michigan Works!

Before joining West Michigan Works!, Amy worked in health care management for eight years and specialized in operations, staff and project management, integrated software, and customer service. She graduated from Grand Valley State University with an emphasis in international business and marketing with a minor in Spanish.

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Amy and her two children live in Grand Rapids.

Meg Mathis

Marketing - Dan Vos Construction Company

Meg believes construction is a people business and feels the best way to see the vision behind the building is through storytelling. Meg does this by speaking with the workers in charge of different areas of the building; "the heartbeat of any building is the people who took part in creating the building.” From architect to superintendent, Meg believes pride comes through when a challenge is solved, teamwork is maximized, and expertise is put to the test. 

Meg came to the U.S. from Poland in the early 80’s. She loves to travel and spend time with family.  

Brooke Mahlebashian

HR/Office Administrator - Summit Point Roofing

After spending the majority of her career in the legal industry, Brooke made the switch to construction last year by following her passion for processes and people. She enjoys providing a fresh perspective to not just roofing but construction in general.

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She grew up in the Forest Hills area and enjoys spending her free time golfing, going to brunch, and spending time with her husband and three pets.

Susie Olivarez

HR Director - Ritsema Associates

Susie loves the passionate people in construction; bringing light to construction and the craftsmanship; and teaching others they truly can make a career from working with their hands. “I have the pleasure of working with artists. You dream it and our team will build it”.   

Susie grew up in West Michigan, she enjoys all water sports, skiing and all the seasons West Michigan has to offer. She is a graduate of Ferris State University and currently resides in Grand Rapids with her husband and children.  

Jen Schottke

President, West Michigan Construction Institute

Jen is passionate about inspiring young people to choose careers in construction. Jen dedicates her time to leading her team at ABC Western Michigan in developing exceptional craft and leadership training programs, providing student outreach opportunities, and serving the construction industry. Jen is an advisory council member at Grand Rapids Public Schools Academy for Design and Construction, a board member on the Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority and serves as an elected official on the board of education with Grand Rapids Public Schools.

Jen is a mother of two, an avid North Country Trail hiker, and a proud Yooper hailing from Houghton, MI. 

Ryan Struck-VanderHaak

Resources Business Partner - Wolverine Building Group

After going to Calvin University to study architecture and teaching, Ryan has worked in positions ranging from middle school teacher to college counselor, and has spent the last dozen years working in human resources in manufacturing, architecture, construction, and engineering. 

Ryan is originally from the state of Washington and loves spending time outdoors with his family, ranging from hiking trips to mountain biking with his teenage twin sons.  He’s constantly renovating his 1927 Bungalow and loves how construction builds the environments where people can live, work, play, gather and learn.

Holly Wasielewski

Talent Acquisition Manager - CSM Group

Construction runs in Holly’s blood; family members have been in the construction industry for many generations. Holly is a crucial partner to CSM’s business leaders; sourcing, attracting, and acquiring top talent to support organizational growth. She is also responsible for the company’s workforce deployment strategy related to K-16 student engagement and career readiness initiatives and supports the organizational training and development program in identifying career opportunity plans.

Holly holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in human resources management and psychology from Western Michigan University’s Haworth College of Business.