MERS is administered by a nine-member Retirement Board consisting of the following members:

•  Officer Members
  Three members of the Retirement System who are officers of a participating municipality or of a participating court, who shall be designated as Officer Board members.
• Employee Members
  Three employee members of the Retirement System who are not officers of a participating municipality or of a participating court, who shall be designated as Employee Board members.
•  Expert Members
  Two members appointed by the Retirement Board who have knowledge or experience in retirement systems, administration of retirement systems, or investment management or advisory services.
•  Retiree Member
  One member who is a retiree of the system, appointed by the Board.

Mr. Keith Van Beek – Officer Member – Chairperson
City Manager – City of Holland
Serving the Board since: February 2023
Committee: Budget
Education: Masters of Public Administration, Grand Valley State University
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Criminal Justice, Calvin College
Term expires: 12/31/2026

Mr. Kirk Harrier – Officer Member
Managing Director – Otsego County Road Commission
Serving the Board since December 2023
Education: Masters of Public Administration – Western Michigan University
Bachelors in Business Administration – Lake Superior State University
Term expires: 12/31/2027

Ms. Lesley Foxx – Officer Member
Executive Director – Saginaw Housing Commission
Serving the Board since: October 2024
Education: Masters in Business Administration, University of Michigan Flint
Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Michigan State University
Term expires: 12/31/2028

Mr. Jason Sarata – Employee Member – Chair Pro-Tem
Firefighter/Paramedic – Delta Charter Township
Serving the Board since: January 2016
Committee: Leadership Development
Education: Bachelors in Business Administration/Finance, Associates in Fire Science, LCC
Term expires: 12/31/2027

Mr. Kyle Lewis – Employee Member
Firefighter/Paramedic – Northville Charter Township
Serving the Board since: October 2022
Education: Masters of Science – Columbia Southern University and
Bachelors in Applied Science, Fire Technology – Sienna Heights University
Term expires: 12/31/2026

Ms. Rechelle Porter – Employee Member
Human Resource Specialist – Montcalm County
Serving the Board since January 2026
Education: Business Marketing – Lake Superior State University
Term Expires: 12/31/2028

Mr. James R. Wiersma – Public Member
President, Family Investment & Resource Management, LLC, Holland
Serving the Board since: 2009
Committee: Investment
Education: BA, University of Michigan
Master of Business Administration, Bowling Green State University
Term expires: 12/31/2026

Mr. Michael Gilmore – Public Member
President & CEO, The 4100 Group, Inc.
Serving the Board since: 2012
Committee: Investment, Leadership Development
Education: Master of Business Administration, Finance, Michigan State University
Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Michigan State University
Term expires: 12/31/2028

Mr. John Ogden, CPA – Retired Member
Retired Finance Director from the City of Port Huron
Serving the Board since: 2003
Committee: Budget
Education: BA, Walsh College
Certified Public Accountant
Term expires: 12/31/2027