Community Foundation Welcomes New Trustees
The Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of five new trustees to its Board: Liz Conway, Linda Coyne, Daniel M. Gaken, Alan L. Johns, and Brad Wahr.
Liz Conway has developed a sharp eye for relationship building, organizational management, strategic planning, and communications with over 20 years of nonprofit and managerial experience. Liz joined the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce in April 2022 as the President and CEO and enjoys working with our local businesses to build a strong and vibrant community. Other roles Liz has held include Director of Membership and Underwriting at WCMU Public Media, Executive Director of the Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum, and Executive Director at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Liz’s passion for public service stemmed from her service as an AmeriCorps volunteer, where she helped students develop entrepreneurial programs. Liz holds a bachelor’s degree in management and a Master of Public Administration from Northern Michigan University.
“I am honored and excited to be a Board member of the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation, working with others toward MPACF’s mission of enhancing the quality of life for Isabella County residents,” Conway said.
Linda Coyne has been a pillar in the community through her family business, Coyne Oil and Propane. She has been involved in multiple organizations since moving to Mount Pleasant over 40 years ago. Linda is a dual graduate of CMU, earning both a bachelor's and a master's degree, and was a CMU sorority advisor for over 25 years. Linda worked as a teacher in the public school system, as well as CMU, before moving on to assist at Coyne Oil for over 30 years. Linda is married and has three children and seven grandchildren. She is a member of the Women’s Initiative, serving on the committee for three years as co-chair. Linda is also heavily involved in her church, Zion Lutheran, and is a member of the Tourist Club of Mount Pleasant.
“I have a passion for helping others and I am looking forward to giving back through the Mount Pleasant Area Community Foundation," Coyne said.
Daniel M. Gaken has served as the Director of the Sarah R. Opperman Leadership Institute at Central Michigan University since 2009 and teaches leadership coursework in both the College of Education and Human Services and College of Business Administration. Dan's first book, Leadership & Service: An Introduction, which he co-authored with Senator George McGovern was published by Kendall/Hunt in 2008. Dan is an active member of the Mt. Pleasant community, contributing to organizations such as ArtReach and Special Olympics Michigan.
As the facilitator of the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce’s Rollie Denison Leadership Institute, he builds community leaders. Gaken is the past president of the Michigan Chapter of the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) and a directorate member of the ACPA Mid-Level Community of Practice. Dan served ten years as Michigan Association of Secondary School Principal’s Level III leadership curriculum director.
“Mt. Pleasant is a special place, and the Community Foundation is uniquely positioned to build a community where everyone can thrive. I’m excited to be joining a group of talented and caring individuals that is working to build that future,” Gaken said.
Alan L. Johns is a founding member of CRE Capital Group, LLC in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, and brings over 35 years of experience in commercial real estate appraisal and investment. He holds the prestigious Member Appraisal Institute designation from the Appraisal Institute and the Certified Property Manager designation from the Institute of Real Estate Management. Alan, along with his wife Kathy, three children, and three grandchildren, has been a lifelong resident of Isabella County. Actively involved in community service, he serves as a Trustee for Deerfield Township, a volunteer firefighter, treasurer of the Isabella County Fire Chiefs Association, and has been a medical first responder.
“The opportunity to serve on the Board is very special to me, and I only hope that I can serve in a capacity that will honor my father’s legacy with service to the community,” Johns said. Larry Johns, Alan’s father, was a founding member of the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation.
Brad Wahr is the first Vice President of Mercantile Bank, where he has worked since 2005 in the commercial banking department. Brad currently serves on the Foundation’s Scholarship Committee in addition to serving on the Board of the Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce, Isabella County Child Advocacy Center, Isabella Citizens for Health, and Mount Pleasant Little League. Brad has also served our community for the past 6 years as a firefighter for the Mount Pleasant Fire Department. Brad and his wife, Allie, are frequently seen supporting their six wonderful children at various events around town.
“Mount Pleasant is home. It is where we have decided to work, live and play. I am honored to join the Mount Pleasant Community Foundation Board and support its initiatives that make this area such a great place to be,” Wahr said.
The five new trustees join 19 other community members with diverse professional expertise and organizational experience. MPACF is a tax-exempt public charity that seeks to enhance the quality of life for all citizens of Isabella County, now and for generations to come, by attracting and holding permanent endowed funds from a wide range of donors, addressing needs through grantmaking, and providing leadership on key community issues.