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Our Team

Expanding West Michigan Trails. Join us in our continued efforts to connect our communities to the trails!
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Our Staff

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John Morrison

Executive Director

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Jennifer Antel

Program Manager

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Emerson Rosenberg

Communications Coordinator

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Our Board

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John Arendshorst

Board Chair

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Mara Gericke

Board Vice-Chair

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Barb Brown

Board Treasurer

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Erin Gordon

Board Secretary

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Lorena Aguayo-Marquez

Board Member

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Aaron Bodbyl-Mast

Board Member

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Smiling man (Kevin Cusack) in a suit with a pink tie, standing against a wooden background.
Kevin Cusack

Board Member

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Dale Manske

Board Member

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Michael McGraw

Board Member

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Scott Post

Board Member

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Chris Zull

Board Member

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Our Committees

Committee Board Application

Governance

We believe extraordinary governance serves as a foundation for connection and community growth. Our Governance and Nominating Committee is where thoughtful leadership takes shape—a gathering place where ideas, experience, and vision come together to guide our shared journey.

Finance

Just as our trails connect communities, our Finance Committee connects vision with reality. This group of dedicated pathfinders includes at least three members walking alongside our Executive Director, with our Board Treasurer helping navigate the journey.

Development

Support is built on the relationships we nurture together. Just as our world-class trail network connects neighborhoods and strengthens communities, our Donor Engagement Committee creates meaningful pathways between passionate supporters and our mission.

Outreach

We believe that connections are built through sharing our story. Our Outreach Committee ensures these stories reach joggers exchanging friendly waves, families from different neighborhoods, and everyone who benefits from our local trail economies.

Sound Interesting?

If you are interested in serving on one of our Committees, please use the “Contact Us” button below to get started.

Contact Us
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1345 Monroe Ave NW Suite 244
Grand Rapids, MI 49505

WMTGC is a registered 501c3 organization
WMTGC has a Gold rating from Guidestar

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Smiling man with glasses in a light blue shirt, outdoors with blurry green foliage background.
John Morrison

Executive Director

John has been involved in the nonprofit world for nearly 20 years, starting with public television and radio. Working at WMTGC is a perfect blend of his passion for trails and alternative transportation. He serves on the Non-motorized Advisory Workgroup as part of Michigan’s State Trails Implementation Plan, planning committees for the 2017 mParks Trail Summit and the 2018 MATAG Conference (Mid America Trails and Greenways), Grand Region Non-Motorized Plan, Vital Streets, and more. He enjoys running and especially enjoys bicycling and exploring Michigan’s Trails.

Smiling woman in glasses standing outdoors near a wooden bridge on a sunny day.
Jennifer Antel

Program Manager

Jennifer has served in local government for over 30 years as an administrator, elected and appointed official, and volunteer. She and her husband, Ray, started the friends’ group that is now working on the River to River project. Jennifer currently serves on the City of Wayland’s DDA and City Council. She is also a middle school track and cross country coach. Jennifer loves the outdoors and is passionate about trails. She and her family enjoy exploring trails and parks wherever they travel.

Smiling woman in business attire standing outdoors against a blurred green background.
Emerson Rosenberg

Communications Coordinator

Bio coming soon!

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John Arendshorst

Board Chair

John is a partner at Varnum LLP with ten years of experience in employee benefits, executive compensation, and corporate law. John lives in East Grand Rapids with his wife Liz and their two daughters, and is a member of the East Grand Rapids Planning Commission. When he’s not working, John enjoys road and mountain biking, hiking, sailing, and skiing with his family. He enjoys volunteering for WMTGC because he believes,

“Trails are a distinguishing feature of West Michigan, and connecting the various trail systems adds value to all of them. I love the Mission of increasing accessibility, trail use, and community connections.”

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Mara Gericke
Board Vice-Chair

West Michigan Trails is excited to welcome Mara to the Board. Her experience on the Metro Council’s Nonmotorized Transportation Plan Steering Committee will provide WMT the perspective on current nonmotorized initiatives and priorities through the region we serve.

Mara has lived in Grand Rapids since attending and graduating from Grand Valley. She enjoys mountain biking, gardening, and spending time at Lake Michigan. Mara believes trails are important because they allow people to connect with nature, other people, and other places in a space that is comfortable, peaceful, and safe.

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Barb Brown

Board Treasurer

West Michigan Trails is honored to have Barb join our Board after serving on our Governance Committee. A retired eye doctor, university employee, and fundraiser, Barb comes to us with extensive experience in non-profit work.

Following her retirement from the UMSL – College of Optometry, she moved from Missouri to Michigan. She got involved with West Michigan Trails because she believes that having excellent multi-use trails for use for all ages and abilities keeps our hearts young.

Barb rides the Grand Haven-Saugatuck Connector trail the most but her favorite trail is the White Pine. “Although I have only biked 82-miles on the White Pine, I have fallen in love with it. I am looking forward to biking it all.”

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Erin Gordon

Board Secretary

Erin joins the Board having served on our Governance Committee. As a corporate governance professional, Erin was a great addition to our Governance and Recruitment Committee and her unique perspective as a corporate governance lawyer will be a huge asset to the organizational side of our Board.

Erin is passionate about the continued growth and success of the West Michigan trail system. She sees how trails draw people from all over and how that draw enhances the local economy. Erin believes that trails make a community. “Trails provide so many opportunities for people to exercise, meet people, adventure, and try new things. If a community has a trail, it has a way to connect people with others within the community and to other communities.” Erin added. Her favorite trail is the Kent Trail because she grew up running and biking on that trail, so it is a special place to her. She also loves the White Pine Trial and the Lakeside Trail round Spring Lake.

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Lorena Aguayo-Marquez

Board Member

West Michigan Trails has been thrilled to welcome Lorena Aguayo-Marquez to our board. Lorena’s passion for education, social justice and the outdoors has led her to different undertakings. Lorena is an active community member in West Michigan, serving on the board of the Latina Network of West Michigan, Finance Council for St. Francis Xavier and Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine and active member of Latino Outdoors GR.  She was a critical thought partner in the creation of La Lucha Fund and has volunteered as an application reviewer for the fund.  She holds a master’s degree in education from Grand Valley State University with her day job being with Grand Rapids Community College, where she has held a variety of positions supporting students in her 14-year tenure.  She currently works as the Program Manager for Strengthening Community Colleges in Healthcare Grant, responsible for building capacity in the healthcare industry workforce. She enjoys spending time with her family/friends, reading and being outdoors. You might see her walking in her neighborhood, biking, hiking, or taking in the sun rays at one of the many beaches of Lake Michigan. 

Lorena is excited to be part of West Michigan Trails. She believes trails are important because they connect you to mature nature, friends, family, and the community.  Lorena is looking forward to working with the board and the community to connect people to the trails and create a welcoming space in nature where everyone feels they are safe and belong.

Smiling man (Aaron Bodbyl-Mast ) in blue shirt with cross necklace in a verdant park setting, standing near trees on a sunny day.
Aaron Bodbyl-Mast

Board Member

Aaron comes to us from Ottawa County Parks and Recreation. He has over 15 years experience with planning and recreation and is passionate that thoughtfully and well-designed recreational facilities can transform a community. Aaron served as project manager on Phase I of the Spoonville Trail in Ottawa County and is now assisting with project management on the Idema Explorers Trail and the Grand Greenway Fundraising Campaign. He thinks outside the box with trails and has brought great ideas for the development of our regional trail network and the operations of WMTGC.

Smiling man (Kevin Cusack) in a suit with a pink tie, standing against a wooden background.
Kevin Cusack

Board Member

Kevin is passionate about the trail system in West Michigan. He believes that the trails are an equal opportunity for everyone: runners, bikers, walkers, or anyone who wants to be outside. “There is an adventure at every turn, “adds Kevin. He has been active in running, riding, mountain climbing, and Nordic skiing all his life and has had the opportunity to ride bikes on every continent in the world, including Antarctica (pictured). Kevin is excited to see the expansion of trails in West Michigan, hoping to help connect and expand the network.

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Dale Manske

Board Member

Dale is Director of Finance and Technology for Viking Products, earning his CPA from Western Michigan University. Dale is an avid cyclist and enjoys biking the various trails in West Michigan. In his spare times he also enjoys reading. Born in Kalamazoo, Dale grew up in Spring Lake and Grand Haven. With his passion for cycling and 25 years of business consulting he will be an asset to the WMTGC Board. He enjoys giving back to his community and believes trails add to the region by adding tourism, increasing property values, and providing opportunities for healthy living.

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Mike McGraw

Board Member

Mike brings a unique perspective to the board as a land developer and residential community builder. He seeks to represent the thoughts and concerns of the underserved with respect to trail networks. He is interested in helping to provide connectivity between residential areas and recreational areas. Mike is an avid outdoors advocate. He enjoys running, biking and walking with his family and dogs on trails. “I am a very active person and I’d call myself an advocate for encouraging people to just get up, get outside, and move. Whether on food, on a bike, or a trike – activity has a positive psychological impact on happiness,” Mike shared. He believes trails provide a safe place for individuals and families to get out and do something fun together.

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Scott Post

Board Member

Scott is a civil engineer at Prein&Newhof with over 21 years of experience in the industry. For the past 18 years his career has primarily specialized in the planning, design, and construction oversight of nearly 200 miles of non-motorized trails and pathways in Michigan, including the White Pine Trail and trailhead in downtown Comstock Park, the Fred Meijer CIS Trail, the Fred Meijer River Valley Rail Trail, and many others. Scott has presented on the topic of non-motorized trails to numerous groups including MDOT, MDNR, and the Institute for Transporation Engineers. In addition to serving as Vice President for WMTGC, he is a past President of the Western Michigan Branch of the American Society of Civil Engineers and is a graduate of Calvin College.

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Chris Zull

Board Member

Chris is a registered professional civil engineer with extensive transportation experience in West Michigan working for Progressive AE as their Transportation Practice Leader. Prior to his current role, Chris worked as the Traffic Safety Manager for the City of Grand Rapids for 15 years, having established over 80 miles of on street cycling infrastructure since 2010. His experience with operations, maintenance, and infrastructure provides a valuable perspective for trails and greenways. Chris joined the board in 2016 and regularly enjoys outdoor sports and coaching his two sons.