Commissioners

                                                  To send an email to the entire commission, send to City Clerk Karen Brower
Ward 1
Kris Pachla

Kris Pachla and his wife Anne Marie Carson have lived in East Grand Rapids since 2016, when they moved back to West Michigan from the Washington, DC area. Kris works as the Director of the Regional Math and Science Center at GVSU and formerly taught high school physics.  He serves on the Finance and Personnel committees as well as the Joint Facilities Committee. Kris and Anne Marie have one young child, a dog and two cats. In his free time, Kris enjoys spending time outside, including running, biking and swimming.


Home Address:   3012 Hall St SE                       Phone: (616) 425-9159       Email Kris
Date Elected:      November 2019                       Term Ends: December 2023
Brad Hecksel

Brad Hecksel and his wife, Andrea, have lived in East Grand Rapids since 2005. During that time their family has grown to include three children - all of whom attend East Grand Rapids Public Schools. Brad works for Polaris Real Estate as an agent specializing in residential real estate. Brad serves as a member of the Board of Review, the Joint Facilities Committee and the EGR Community Foundation and acts as one of the city commission's liaisons to the Gaslight Village Business Association.

Home Address:   1103 Eastwood Ave SE            Phone:  (616) 940-4800 x635     Email Brad
Date Appointed:   February 2020                         Term Ends: December 2021


Ward 2
Claudine Duncan
 Claudine Wagenaar serves on the Library Commission and Infrastructure Committee.  She also acts as liaison to the Community Action Council and the Superintendent's Advisory Council. She and her husband have four children, all currently in the East Grand Rapids School system.

Home Address: 1621 Amberley Ct SE                  Phone: (616) 243-4460   Email Claudine
Date Elected: November 2013                              Term Ends: December 2021
Karey Hamrick
 Karey Hamrick and her husband Brian are real estate investors and have lived in East Grand Rapids since 2005. They have two young children in the EGR school district. Karey serves on the Joint Facilities and Infrastructure and Finance Committees.

Home Address: 3004 Oakwood Dr SE                    Phone: (616) 326-1608   Email Karey
Date Elected: November 2015                                Term Ends: December 2023
Ward 3
John Arendshorst

John Arendshorst and his wife Liz live in East Grand Rapids with their two daughters, who attend Lakeside Elementary. John is a partner with Varnum LLP specializing in employee benefits law. John serves on the as a member of the Infrastructure Committee, and is the City Commission's liason to the Planning Commission, where he served from 2015-2019, and the Parks and Recreation Commission. When not working, John enjoys biking, hiking, skiing, and cooking.

Home Address: 2056 Wilshire Dr Ave SE                Phone: (312) 919-0773   Email John
Date Elected: November 2019                                 Term Ends: December 2023

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