Hope College Welcomes Five New Members to Board of Trustees

Five new members have been elected to the Hope College Board of Trustees, bringing fresh perspectives and expertise to the leadership team. The college announced the additions on Tuesday, July 23, along with the re-election of two members and the formation of a new executive committee.

The new members include PJ Huizenga of Hinsdale, Illinois; Eric Keen of Nashville, Tennessee; Steven McMullen of Holland; Dara Spearman of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Frances Traisman of Seattle, Washington. Each member will serve a three-year term, except for McMullen, who will serve for four years.

These new members replace Llena Chavis, Sandra Gaddy, Nathan Hart, David Paul, and Timothy Vande Bunte, who have concluded their time on the board. Additionally, Andrew Ohm and Laura Paredes were re-elected to serve a second three-year term.

Stephen Boerigter will continue to serve as board chair, with Matthew Wixson as vice chair and Victoria Brunn as secretary. The executive committee will also include Lisa Joldersma, Andrew Ohm, and Carol Van Andel, each chairing a specific committee to support the college’s mission.

Each new member brings a unique background and skill set to the board. For example, Huizenga is a managing principal at Huizenga Capital Management, while Keen is a co-founder of Civitas Growth Partners. McMullen is a professor of economics at Hope College, and Spearman is the owner and medical director of Radiant Dermatology Associates in Fort Wayne. Traisman, an alum of Hope, is the senior vice president of sales for the Seattle Mariners.

These new additions to the board are sure to contribute to the continued success and growth of Hope College. For more information, visit hope.edu.