Clare County Community Foundation Board welcomes 2010 with New Leadership

As the new year gets started, the Clare County Community Foundation Board of Trustees greets changes in Board member roles as well as new Board members. The new Board of Trustees consists of Clare County residents who volunteer their time and energy directly to the community through the foundation.

In 2010, the officers are: Dan Timmins, Chair; Mike Jenkins, Vice Chair; Tammy Chaffee, Treasurer; and Michelle Neff, Secretary. The 2010 Trustees, Lawrence Barco, Bret Cook, Jim Doherty, Carl Schwind Amy Stark, Anne Smith and Harold Walls were joined by the newly-elected members, Rod Loomis, Tom House, John Wilson and Lesa Witbeck-Bentley. The new members all started their active service with the board meeting in January of 2010.

Rod Loomis was appointed Community President of Chemical Bank Clare in August of 2009.  Rod began his career with Chemical Bank as a loan department clerk in January of 1980.  In 1983 he was appointed Branch Manager of the Pinconning Office.  In 1992 he was named Vice President and Branch Manager of the Standish Office and was promoted to Senior Vice President of Chemical Bank Huron, AuGres in 1998.   Before moving to Clare, Rod was First Vice President and Retail Sales Manager for Chemical Bank Midland and Chemical Bank Clare.

Rod’s community involvement includes past President of the Northern Bay Community Foundation (Bay Area Community Foundation), past President of the Pinconning Area Chamber of Commerce, past Chairman of the Arenac County EDC Board, and past President of Arenac Opportunities. Currently, Rod is the President of Cancer Services of Midland, member of the Finance Committee at MidMichigan Medical Center in Clare, and a member of the Clare Rotary.

Rod is a graduate of the Robert Perry School of Banking at CMU,   BA Commercial Loan School and is a MBA Certified Branch Manager.  He and his wife Sandy reside in Clare and have three married children.  He enjoys guitars, music, photography, and travel.

Tom House is currently the superintendent of Harrison Community Schools and has been since August of 2008. From 1995 until 2008 he was the principal of Harrison Community High School, and from 1991 until 1995, he was the principal of Harrison Middle School. Prior to that, he was a teacher at the high school and middle school levels in Harrison and in Merrill.

He is currently serving the community as a member of the Finance Committee for Mid Michigan Medical Center in Clare, a member of the City of Harrison Planning Commission, and as member of the Board of Directors for United Way of Clare County.

He and his wife, Cathy, have five children and two grandchildren. All or their children are graduates of Michigan State University. Cathy is a teacher at Harrison High School and Middle School.

Lesa Witbeck Bentley

Lesa works hard to support her family and community. She works in the family business, Whitbeck’s Family Foods and she stays very busy managing the properties she and her husband own. In addition, Lesa is actively involved in her church – leading Sunday school courses at the Clare United Methodist Church. Lesa also has valuable experience as a member of the Gateway Community Board.

Sheriff John Wilson

Sheriff John Wilson has also joined the Board of Trustees. Sheriff of Clare County, his knowledge of the community is sure to contribute greatly to the Board’s perspective.

“We are truly excited about this new Board of Trustees,” said Dan Timmins, Board Chair. “The wonderful combination of experienced board members and new trustees empowers this board to continue working toward real change in our community.” "The changes are already evident, " says Jan McGuire, President and CEO of the Foundation. “This board, before even the first meeting of 2010, has been very involved in new initiatives. It is sure to be a great year at the Clare County Community Foundation.”