Board of Directors

The Board of Directors meet as a whole six times per year, and each member also works regularly on a board committee in order to expand the number of abused and neglected children helped by CASA. Board members ensure the CASA mission is fulfilled, participate in the development of long-range plans, set and approve policies and financial management, assume primary responsibility for fundraising projects, and personally participate in and contribute to CASA events and projects.

Board terms are three years, with the possibility of an additional three-year term. Individuals interested in serving on the Board of Directors will be interviewed and approved by the Board, and should contact the Executive Director, Patty Sabin at 616.632.5112.

Officers

Sigrid Valk-Feeney

President

Current Employment: Turnaround Manager – Self Employed
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Sigrid is an operations executive with 25 year experience creating, implementing, maintaining, and training staff in low and high level business policies and procedures. She finds it especially rewarding to work with business owners of small to medium sized companies to incorporate all aspects of their business functions, including finance, human resources, information technology and international relations with technical competence in plastics engineering. In addition to her service as CASA's Board Vice President and Chair of the Policy Committee, she is also a Guild Member of D.A. Blodgett Children Services. Sigrid has lived in Grand Rapid for over 14 years and is committed to making Kent County safe for children.

"I believe that our most valuable assets are our children and being a part of CASA allows me to give the most vulnerable children in our community a voice. Children can fall through the cracks in a very crowded and complicated legal system. I believe that if we invest in these kids today they will have a better opportunity in succeeding in life and will make better choices in their future."
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Terri Gray

Secretary

Current Employment: Vice President/Retail Lender, Mercantile Bank of Michigan ...Read More

Terry Gray is a Retail Lender for Mercantile Bank of Michigan, working out of both the Grand Rapids and Holland markets. She has over 20 years of banking experience in both the Retail and Commericial Loan areas. In addition to her service as CASA's Board Secretary and Chair of the Communications & Public Relations Committee, she also facilitates financial literacy classes for organizations such as Guiding Light Mission and Catholic Secondary Schools.

Terri has lived in the Grand Rapids area for the last 20 years, currently residing in Grandville with her husband and two children. Her kids keep her extrememly busy as her daughter is involved in competitive dance and her son is an avid golfer. She is originally from Frankenmuth, so of course loves Christmas and chicken!

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Richard L. Chrisman

Treasurer

Current Employment: CPA, Hungerford, Aldrin, Nichols, & Carter PC ...Read More

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Members

Susan Brasic

Current Employment: Business Development Manager, Opportunity Concepts & Lawson Insurance Services ...Read More

Susan Brasic is the Business Development Manager for Opportunity Concepts and Lawson Insurance Services located downtown in the McKay Tower. She has been in the life insurance industry since 1993. Lawson Insurance Services is a brokerage company supplying products to agents across Michigan. Opportunity Concepts operates as the only fee-based life insurance consulting firm in the area providing objective information driving informed decisions.

Susan is a member of INFORUM, a member of Downtown Rotary , NAIFA, WMAIA, Economic Club, Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and actively involved in Junior Achievement. She is a member of St Mark's Episcopal Church where she volunteers serving breakfast to over 100 downtown residents. Susan also serves on the board of Widowed Persons Services.

Susan enjoys running and competes in half marathons, biking tours, golfing, traveling, theatre and reading mystery novels. She lives with her husband, Bud and cat, Max on the city's northwest side. There they enjoy a breath-taking view of the city skyline where they both love entertaining and hosting parties!

"I joined the CASA board shortly after learning about the organization and its mission. I previously volunteered in City elementary schools through the former JUMP (juvenile mentoring program) and SIS (sisters in support). It was through these programs that I learned the importance and effectiveness one-on-one work has on an at risk child or teenager. The opportunity CASA has to make a difference in a child's life is tremendous."

"CASA of Kent County quietly and effectively helps the children who have found their fate resting in the the family court due to abuse or neglect. We need your support to insure these children will continue to receive the guidance and advocacy from our highly trained volunteers. After all what's more important than providing a child an opportunity to grow into a contributing member of our society?"
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Brandon Finnie

Current Employment: Senior Analyst, Adamy Valuation Advisors
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Brandon assists closely held businesses with the valuation and advisory services within mergers & acquisition, divorce, ESPOs, business litigation, management succession planning, and corporate strategic planning.

Brandon's background in providing litigation support and economic damages analysis proves beneficial when helping attorneys and their clients. Brandon has extensive experience in document review, financial analysis, and preparing expert reports. He lends his insight to answering discovery requests, as well as deposition and trial preparation.

"My mission as a board member is to ensure that the neglected children of our community have a voice in family court by providing support and encouragement to the wonderful people who serve as CASA volunteers."
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Barbara Granger

Current Employment: On hiatus from the practice of law
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Barbara graduated with a BA in 1989 from the Pennsylvania State University, as well as from the University of Baltimore School of Law in June 1994. She was employed as an attorney with Black, Rogers & Ruth PA, concentrating in family law until 1999. Barbara moved to Peachtree City, GA in 2002 and relocated back to Grand Rapids, MI in 2006. She is currently licensed to practice law in the state of North Carolina.

Barbara is currently on hiatus from the practice of law to focus on her family. Since moving to Grand Rapids, Barbara has volunteered as a reading tutor at the Martin Luther King Academy and at Thornapple Elementary School.

When practicing law, Barbara's primary focus area was family law, including child custody and safety issues.

"CASA is an important program because there are so many children out there who need someone looking out for their interests only so they don't get lost in the legal system."
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Dan Jablonski

Current Employer: Commercial Lines Producer, Berends Hendricks Stuit Insurance Agency
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Dan Jablonski joined Berends Hendricks Stuit in January of 2000 after owning and managing the General Insurance Agency for seventeen years. He has developed a portfolio of both commercial lines property casualty clients and specializes in manufacturing, hospitality and wholesale distribution.

After graduating from Aquinas College, Grand Rapids with a B.A. in Sociology, Dan worked for three years as a Commercial Lines Underwriter with United States Fidelity & Guarantee. In 1983, he started with the General Insurance Agency and then joined Berends Hendricks Stuit in January of 2000. Dan holds the Licensed Insurance Counselor (L.I.C.) designation. He served on HBA Insurance Committee for two year and is an active member of Toastmasters International.

Dan lives in Ada with his wife, Mary Ruth, and their two daughters. He has worked for two years with Junior Achievement teaching business to 8th graders and for four years with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program. Dan enjoys the outdoors, hunting, camping, fishing, Civil War history, birding and photography. He serves on the Kent County Conservation League and is member of his church.
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Nick Koster

Current Employment: Referee, 17th Judicial Circuit Court, Family Division
Board Position: Board Member, Program and Policy Committee
Years of Involvement with CASA: 5
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Nick Koster has worked in Child Welfare Services in Kent County since 1973, having worked in both direct services and administration at Bethany Christian Services, St. John’s Home, and D. A. Blodgett. He is currently on the boards of the Christian Counseling Center, Western Michigan University M. S. W. Program, and United Way. Having served as a Big Brother Volunteer, a foster parent, a Little League Coach, a Sunday School teacher, and in several other community capacities, Nick currently acts as a court referee, conducting hearings for neglected and abused children in which CASA volunteers are involved.
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Brian Lassiter

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Brian has been a part of the Grand Rapids community for eight years. His educational background is in the field of human resources with an emphasis in training and development and holds an advanced degree in public administration. Brian was employed with Bethany Christian Services for six years and with Kent County for two years. Brian continues to work and advocate for the importance of young adults being prepared and ready for the workforce. As a life-long learner, Brian is currently transitioning into the area of higher education.
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Damian W. Lockhart

Current Employment: Financial Advisor, Merrill Lynch
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Damian has been in the Financial Services industry for the last 5 years with a business focus on Wealth Accumulation and Distribution for individuals, families, and businesses. He assists clients on all aspects of their financial lives including retirement planning (accumulation phase), cash management and borrowing needs, and retirement income strategies (wealth distribution). He has been a Kent County resident for 10 years since graduating from Grand Valley State University in 2001. Damian has also been on the Board of Directors for the Grand Rapids Children's Museum for the last 2 years, and loves to dedicate his time to causes that improve children's lives.

"I feel that any community's future lies in the children of that community and I think that it benefits all if we give our children the most opportunities to have a stable and enriching environment when they are developing. I think the CASA organization's main goal is to not let any children slip through the cracks and to try to do everything in our capabilities to be voice for children when they don't have one. If we have productive children then we will have productive adults and thriving community at the local level and all the way to a global level."
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Michelle McCloud

Current Employment: Senior Grant Accountant, Grand Valley State University
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Michelle is a university accountant that has worked in public service for over 10 years. She worked for the State of Michigan in the Department of Community Health for over 8 years before joining Grand Valley State University's Business of Finance Office of staff in 2006. Michelle has also worked in the private sector for a small CPA firm, and prior to that worked as a licensed cosmetologist while attending college. She is a native of Lansing, Michigan and moved to the Grand Rapids area in 2006.

In addition to her service as a CASA board member, Michelle also serves as the President of the National Association of Black Accountants-Greater Lansing Chapter, as a life skills mentor for Bethany Christian Services, as a hospice volunteer until late 2009, and served as a Meals-on-Wheels volunteer for many years.

"I find great pleasure in working with the public and serving people. I never intended on being a part of the CASA board, as I signed up to participate with the program as a volunteer. I was recruited to the CASA board a week before I finished CASA volunteer training. I was honored to serve such a vital role in an organization that I believe is providing essential support to those that need it most.

As a product of the foster system, I was a child that had no voice. Many times children's voices go unheard because the courts, the authorities and even some parents refuse to hear them. When voices go unheard, injustice seeks refuge. CASA volunteers not only provide voices to children, but they serve as the constant in the ever changing world of the family court system. I understand the importance of CASA services and I'm proud to be a part of this wonderful organization."
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Geralyn Pasi

Current Employment: Indepedent Trustee, Varnum Riddering
Board Position: Director
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Geralyn earned her BBA with a major in Finance from Grand Valley State University, as well as a Certificate in Financial Planning. She has also completed Personal Trust Administration at Cannon Financial Institute.

Geralyn has been in trust administration for over 25 years with both large and small banking institutions, and has served the last ten years and as Independent Trustee. Her professional affiliates include the Western Michigan Estate Planning Group and the West Michigan Planned Giving Group.

Born and raised in the suburbs of Detroit, Geralyn moved to the Grand Rapids area in 1987 with her husband Allan. They now live in Lowell Township, and do not have any children but their house is home to five cats: Mittens, Munchkin, Minnie, Mollie and Mandy.

Geralyn has served on the Board as well as President of the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids East; she was a member of the Endowment Committee for then Girl Scouts of Michigan Trails. She currently serves as a Shelter Volunteer at Crash's Landing, Cat Rescue and Placement Center (so she can care for stray cats without taking them home).
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Gretchen Ross

Current Employment: Latent Print Examiner, Grand Rapids Police Department
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Gretchen works with the Grand Rapids Police Forensic Services Unit as a Latent Print Examiner. Her husband BIll is a school principle. Gretchen has two children, Olivia-12 and Mitchell-10. She enjoys reading and sewing. Gretchen has been a board member since December 2009.

"I became involved with CASA because I was impressed with the positive impact it was having in the lives of children in foster care."
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Tim Sheridan

Current Employment: Attorney, Plunkett & Cooney
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Profile coming soon.
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Suanne Watt-Stay

Current Employment: Attorney, Law, Weathers, & Richardson, P.C.
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Suanne specializes in Personal Service and Litigation Practice. She concentrates her practice in litigation, with a focus on domestic relations and public sector litigation. Prior to joining Law, Weathers & Richardson, P.C. Suanne worked with the Michigan Attorney General's office, Natural Resources Division, the Michigan State Police, and the Michigan, Department of Labor. Her practice specialization includes Domestic Relations, Public Sector Litigation and Civil/Commercial Litigation.

Suanne grew up in the Grand Rapids area and received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from James Madison College at Michigan State University and her law degree from Indiana School of Law at Bloomington. She is a member of the Family Law section of the Grand Rapids Bar Association and the State Bar of Michigan. Suanne also serves as a board member of the Women Lawyers Section of the Grand Rapids Bar and is a board member of the YMCA Child Care Committee.
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