CIVIC LEADERS
BETSY DEVOS
Secretary U.S. Department of Education, Washington D.C.
CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN
Betsy DeVos was confirmed as the 11th U.S. Secretary of Education on Feb. 7, 2017, after being nominated by President Donald J. Trump. DeVos has been involved in education policy for nearly three decades as an advocate for children and a voice for parents. She is especially passionate about reforms that help underserved children gain access to quality education. DeVos’ interest in education was sparked at an early age by her mother, a public school teacher. Prior to her confirmation, DeVos served as chair of The Windquest Group, an enterprise and investment management firm.
MARK WASHINGTON City Manager City of Grand Rapids
EDUCATION: Calvin University (B) BOARDS: Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Kids Hope USA, ArtPrize, Mars Hill Bible Church, the Kendall College of Art and Design. FAVORITE BOOK: My favorite book is whatever I’m reading, and I usually have two to four different ones underway at the same time. FAVORITE QUOTE: My favorite quote is a Bible verse, Micah 6:8. “He has shown you, oh mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” GRAND RAPIDS ATTRACTION: I am a little biased, but ArtPrize is my favorite. I remember Rick (DeVos) describing his idea initially and am inspired and moved by how that idea has provided a platform for many to share their artistic gifts with the world.
JOHN BITELY
President Sable Homes, Rockford
John Bitely, a fourth-generation Algoma Township resident, founded Sable Developing Inc. in 1996. At that time, the company’s focus was on residential development. The company has since evolved into Sable Homes and Sable Realty as a way to provide land development, home construction and sales. Bitely’s goal has always been to build value into homes, allowing families to buy a high-quality home that is affordable to buy and operate. Sable Homes aims to build “larger, high-quality homes with amenities and energy efficiencies at a lower price point than its competitors.”
Mark Washington began serving as Grand Rapids’ city manager in October 2018, a role in which he functions as the chief executive officer for the municipal corporation and oversees the $531 million budget, workforce of 1,500 employees and all city departments, operations, policies and programs related to public safety, economic development, community services, mobility, infrastructure, health, environment, recreation and community engagement. Washington has worked in local government for 24 years. Prior to his current post, he served as assistant city manager for Austin, Texas. Washington is a member of the International City/County Management Association, Grand Valley Metropolitan Council and Planning Organization, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. Advisory Board, Spectrum Health Community Commitment Advisory Board and National Forum for Black Public Administrators. He holds the International Public Management Association-Senior Certified Professional designation and the Senior Professional in Human Resources certification from HR Certification Institute and the Society for Human Resources Management Senior Certified Professional designation. EDUCATION: Tarleton State University (B), Amberton University (M), Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M, Ph.D.) GRAND RAPIDS ATTRACTION: The Calder stabile
TODD CUSTER
President, CEO Custer Inc., Grand Rapids
FIRST JOB: I worked many hours on the family farm and then full time out of high school at my uncle’s farm. FAMILY: I have been married to my wife Annette for 33 years. We have five children: two boys and three girls. FAVORITE HOBBIES: I personally enjoy hound dogs, fishing, hunting, my vegetable garden and hobby farming. BOARD SERVICE: Previous board member of the Home Builders Foundation and serve on multiple Home Builders Association of Greater Grand Rapids committees. I also have served on the organization’s board of directors. Previously, I served as board president of Urban Family Ministries in Grand Rapids, a Christian-based organization committed to helping inner-city youth, young adults and parents.
37 THE GRAND RAPIDS 200
Todd Custer took over as president and CEO of Custer Inc., which includes sister companies CS Erickson and Century Floorspace, in 2016. As a second-generation family business leader, he makes sure Custer continues to live and practice the core values built and established by his father since 1980, but also to continue to focus on growth and expansion within all the family companies to become a full service, interior solutions firm, including furniture, technology, flooring, architectural solutions and custom solutions. Before joining the family business in 2007, Custer spent time with Steelcase living in Denver, Colorado. During that time, he collaborated with Steelcase dealers in the Mountain West Region, working with them to develop and grow their businesses. Custer also has a passion for the West Michigan community, working closely with the Family Business Alliance mentoring young leaders and working with local health care and education organizations on philanthropy needs. EDUCATION: Michigan State University (B, M) INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE: “Take time to plan and schedule your upcoming week on Sunday nights. Then, on Monday morning, you are ready to go before everyone else.” Jim Hackett, former CEO of Steelcase, now CEO of Ford TRAVEL DESTINATION: For cold, it’s Big Sky, Montana, but for warmth it’s Palm Springs, California, or anywhere in the Caribbean
