PRESIDENT

Rachael is passionate about building stronger, more connected communities. She chose Eastown as her home because of its commitment to diversity, support for local businesses and active neighborhood life. A finance and accounting professional by training, Rachael also spends her time cycling, volunteering and gardening. She’s especially interested in community-driven projects that bring people together and promote active, inclusive neighborhoods. 

VICE PRESIDENT

Matt and his wife have lived in Eastown for almost fifteen years. Matt has always had a desire to contribute to positive changes in the community. Although Matt has a personality that is quiet and reserved, Matt wants to show his children the importance of community and action. He wants to help others in the community connect and act because we are all in this together.

SECRETARY CHAIR, COMMUNICATIONS

Paul was born and raised in Eastown. Living in Kentwood for ten years just wasn't the same, so, in 2024, he returned to the neighborhood with a renewed excitement for everything Eastown has to offer. Paul loves walkable cities, cycling, local restaurants, and engaging with the community. You may find them working remotely out of one of the many coffee shops in the area, or admiring everyone's gardens during an evening bike ride.

TREASURER

Having lived abroad and grown up in Chicago, Sam has always been drawn to walkable places that feel connected, personal, and alive. Eastown’s vibrant community made it a natural fit. After getting married and closing on their home on the very same day in 2024, Sam lives in Eastown with her husband Danny and their puppy Rosie. She works at Corewell Health and is passionate about community engagement, climbing, gardening, and practicing yoga at Funky Buddha.

CO-CHAIR, YOUTH & FAMILY

After commuting from Holland for 2 years, Justen officially moved to Eastown in 2022, drawn by the neighborhood’s energy and sense of community. Formerly a small business owner who partnered with several Eastown businesses, he now serves on both the Events Committee and the newly formed Youth & Family Committee of the ECA. His wife and daughter inspire him daily to help create a neighborhood where families can build lasting memories and truly feel at home.

Originally from the Lansing area, Erin found her home in Eastown after moving all over the country in her 20s and 30s.If you’ve been outside at all, you’ve probably seen her on her daily walks with her old rescue dogs, Mabel and Gwen, who both have become quite popular in local shops. Erin has a background in public policy and is passionate about making sure everyone’s voice is heard in community decision-making. Erin is also a champion for disability advocacy and wants to see Eastown become an even more accessible community. In her free time, you can find Erin teaching group fitness classes at the Kroc, watching a whole lot of Dancing with the Stars, and trying to fill her house with as many disco balls as she can find.

Rebecca is a thireen-year resident of the Eastown community. She is also a two-term former member of the ECA Board of Directors. Rebecca has been a realtor for fourteen years. A lover of the arts, Rebecca lives on Hope Street with her two poppers, Petey and Bruno, and her wife Michele. She kindly asks that you not tell Michelle which order her name was listed. :)

Amy grew up in Pittsburgh, then moved a few times before landing in Grand Rapids in 2022. She and her family knew right away that Eastown was the neighborhood where they wanted to live and build community. She loves all animals, being outdoors, and making things with her hands. Catch her selling her work at the Fulton Street Market! She lives near Wilcox Park with her husband, two kids, a rescue pup, and a ragtag flock of chickens. She is particularly passionate about building connections among neighbors and creating native habitat for all of Eastown's non-human neighbors. She is grateful for the Eastown community and is excited to continue to keep it weird.

Ben finally moved to Eastown in 2023, having grown up in Holland and spending a couple of years in San Francisco. He’s passionate about people and the built environment, which, if you ask Ben, are two of the Eastown neighborhood’s best qualities! Ben started volunteering to help keep Eastown weird, of course, and contribute to making the neighborhood walkable, bikeable, and affordable. Consequently, you can often spot him biking and running in the area or enjoying nice evenings on his front porch.

CO-CHAIR, YOUTH & FAMILY

Originally from Evanston, Illinois, AJ moved into a house in Eastown in 2017. Starting at the Post Office in 2019, they were exposed to nearly every neighborhood in the area and quickly learned that Eastown was the best of the bunch. Then, in 2021, they secured a permanent route in Eastown. AJ offers a community face to their 600 homes and serves as a point person for new residents. AJ also converted their partner Annika to the Eastown life, convincing Annika to move from Lansing to Grand Rapids. Now they are on a quest to finally decide who has the best pizza in Eastown. When AJ isn’t delivering the mail on the south side of Eastown, you’ll see them walking with Annika and their dog, Squarsh Dog (yes, that is his real name), who is learning to love Eastown, too.

Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Derek moved to Eastown with his wife Megan in 2020. Derek is putting down roots in Grand Rapids. He and his wife had their first child, Adelaide, in January 2023. Derek is a management consultant and a small business owner. He works for Holden Advisors, where he advises commercial teams at B2B companies on sales and pricing strategy. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Columbia University and an MBA from Kellogg School of Management. When not working, you can find Derek watching Cleveland sports, playing with his daughter, or walking his dog Montana around Eastown.

CHAIR, EVENTS

Alexis has been proud to call Eastown her home for almost 15 years, where she lives with her husband, their two daughters and their big silly mutt. She’s a people person at heart who loves community events, especially the Eastown Streetfair. When she’s not grabbing a local latte, you can find her baking cookies, working out, attending her daughters’ cheer competitions or soccer games, or day dreaming about slowly turning her yard into one of the neighborhood’s beautiful gardens.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Steve and his family have thoroughly enjoyed living in Eastown for the past eighteen years. He appreciates every opportunity to support the ECA’s programs and events. His training in history and secondary education coupled with his administrative, retail, service, and teaching experience has thoroughly prepared him to serve the Eastown Community Association. Since defending his dissertation in the spring of 2014, he has taught a variety of courses as an adjunct professor of history at Western Michigan University, Grand Valley State University, Kellogg Community College, Calvin University, and Hope College. His publications include a recent book with Routledge Press, chapter contributions to four different books, articles in four different journals, and a website. Before his current job at the ECA, he also worked as the head cheesemonger at Aperitivo in the Downtown Market and at Forest Hills Foods. Furthermore, Steve has a real interest in program coordination and enjoys giving back to his community as well as working with diverse groups of people.

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Woof! Rudy is our favorite little office manager. He has lived in Eastown his whole life with the Staggs family. He is a vocal boy and WILL let us know if there’s someone coming into the ECA office. His hobbies include walking around Wilcox Park, chasing tennis balls, herding humans (not sheep), begging for treats, and laying around the house. If you ever want to visit him at the office to give him treats and pets, he would love that. We promise, he’ll stop barking eventually.