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. Michael Brown – Officer Member – Chairperson
County Administrator, Barry County
Serving the Board since: November 2007
Committee: Investment, Leadership Development
Education: Masters of Public Administration, Central Michigan University
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Michigan State University
Term expires: 12-31-2025

Mr. Keith Van Beek – Officer Member
City Manager 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: 12/31/2024

Mr. Jason Sarata – Employee Member – Chair Pro-Tem
Firefighter/Paramedic for Delta Township
Serving the Board since: January 2016
Committee: Leadership Development
Education: Bachelors in Business Administration/Finance, Associates in Fire Science, LCC
Term expires: 12-31-2024

Mr. Kyle Lewis – Employee Member
Firefighter/Paramedic for Northville 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. Lisa Rauch – Employee Member
Senior Human Resources Generalist – Gerald R. Ford Airport Authority
Serving the Board since December 2023
Education: Associates Degree Business Management – University of Maryland
Term expires: 12/31/2025

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: 12-31-2025

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: 12-31-2024