Midtown Board of Trustees
Bob VanWyngarden acts as the business manager for the Midtown counseling practice in addition to serving as Board President. Bob works as a medical facility development project manager for Corewell Health and has teamed with his wife Sue in this ministry from its inception. “I wholehearted share the mission of Sue and Midtown in reaching out to the neediest of our neighbors here in the heart of the city we both love.”
Kerri Sue Smits - Kerri-Sue is currently serving as the Board Vice President. When she is not working at the locally owned business in Zeeland that she shares with her husband James, you'll usually find her with their 3 children enjoying God's creation. It may be at the sport's fields cheering on their kids, hunting, or playing on the shores of Lake Michigan. Kerri-Sue was raised in the Holland/Zeeland area and graduated from Hope College with a degree in education. "I deeply value the mission and the heart of Midtown and its gifted therapists"
Brenda Bouman - Two important reasons why I serve on the Board of Midtown Counseling are 1.) Jesus said to "love the least of these." Through counseling at Midtown, the least of these are valued, loved and counseled with Christ's love, and 2.) those who don't have access to counseling because of their financial situation are able to receive it. I'm honored to be a part of such a ministry!
Janie Briones – Janie has served as the Neighborhood Liaison the City of Holland . She is a remarkable advocate for our brothers and sisters in Holland's core city neighborhoods. She joined the Board of Midtown in the organization's early years and has now returned "home" as a valued member of the Board. More to come ...​​
Esther Fifelski – Esther is the Human/International Relations Director for the City of Holland. She is our most recent and very welcome addition to the Board. Her connections and record of service to the city have already impacted Midtown Counseling in profound ways. Her vision is that all might have access and opportunity to receive mental health services. Esther was the recipient of the Excellence in Equity Award which recognizes individuals who impact the public sector in Ottawa County with a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens and received the Fair Housing Center of West Michigan Award for advancing Fair Housing in the community. She humbly advocates for all members of our community and works to build bridges for the best community outcomes. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and master’s degree from Aquinas College. Her mental health outlets are singing psalms, reading, swimming, and attending mass.​​
John Weathwax – Sergeant Weatherwax joined Midtown as part of the police department’s expanding the community policing program and he has been an invaluable addition to the Midtown team. John is very active in the schools and has forged valuable relationships with the leadership of many of Holland's non profit organizations. More to come ...
Sue Sloop – Sue is a retired social worker, having spent most of her career working for Corewell Health and Grand Valley State University. Currently Sue volunteers in the Ottawa County CASA program, working with foster children. In addition, she volunteers at Holland Hospital as well as volunteering as a board member for Midtown Counseling Services. Sue has served on the Midtown board for several years and is committed to building awareness of the importance of mental health awareness and helping to expand mental health services to all those in need. ​​​
Jack Huisingh - I’m so happy to support the Midtown Counseling Services Board and its faith-based mission. We are very fortunate to have skilled counselors available who are making a difference with our youth and their families in West Michigan. As recent retirees, my wife Julie and I have been doing some traveling to discover God’s special wonders and to meet people from around the world. I am also thoroughly enjoying my new role as Papa to my two married children along with 5 grandchildren! It’s my hope that my experiences with skilled teams in the automotive industry and most recently with supporting and completing a major renovation of our Holland Aquatic Center, that I can be helpful to David Wood, our Executive Director and to our great Midtown Board.
Mark VanFaasen – As our former Board president, Mark has worked as a human resource leader Prince, Hospice of Holland and most recently, Tiara Yachts. Mark began his career as a Social Studies teacher at GR Christian HS and has been married to wife Kathy for 49 years; they have 3 married children and 10 busy grandchildren. Mark states, “I’m delighted to provide assistance to Midtown. I have a great admiration for its mission, its faith-based philosophy, its approach to reaching those in need and their commitment to the core city.
