Board of directors

Our board of directors is our chief governing body and is composed of community members nominated by current board members and elected by affirmative vote of two-thirds of the directors present at a meeting of the Board at which a quorum is present. The total number of directors varies year by year, but averages 12-15. Each member is asked to contribute annually. The term of office is three years and the board meets monthly. Our board is an active board and all members take on significant roles and tasks as board members. Board committees include: program, finance, personnel, partnership, communication, evaluation, grants and fundraising/event committees.

Executive team

Dr. Robert L. Smith, president

Director of Smith Educational Associates

A 21-year member of Phi Delta Kappa, Smith is a veteran educator who has worked extensively at the K-12 and collegiate levels, as well as within the Michigan Department of Education. He serves on the steering committee of Bridges to Digital Excellence in Benton Harbor. Smith Educational Associates provides nonprofit organizations with research, grant writing and other education-related services.

Andrew Sinclair, first vice-president

Government Relations Specialist and Manager of the U.S. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency sponsored Energy Star® appliance efficiency program for Whirlpool Corporation

Sinclair, a former Big Brother Program Coordinator, was initially recruited to assist with the expansion of Big Brother Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass into the northern portion of Berrien County. Prior to becoming a board member, Sinclair showed his passion for the organization’s mission by donating money from a “Jeans Day” fundraiser with fellow Whirlpool Corporation employees.

Karen Marsman, second vice-president

Senior Support Account Manager for Infor Global Solutions

A Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass board of directors’ member since 2006, Marsman has been a Big Sister to a Niles Elementary School student since 2005. “Participating in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Lunch Buddy program is a terrific way to spend quality time mentoring a young person in the community,” says Marsman. Marsman has been involved in developing business partner sponsorships and has chaired the annual Bowl For Kids Sake fundraising event during her tenure on the board of directors.

Neil Miller, treasurer
City President for 1st Source Bank

As the City President of 1st Source Bank, Miller oversees branches in Niles and Dowagiac while handling the needs of business banking clients. Miller is a graduate of Marian College in Indianapolis, Indiana with a B.S. in Accounting. In addition to his involvement with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass, Miller is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Niles.

Directors

Tim Brown
Owner, Brown Funeral Home

Jazmine Kyles
Branch Supervisor of the Niles main office for Chemical Bank

Susan Larson
Loan Department Manager of Greater Niles Community Federal Credit Union

Misty LaViolette
Assistant for The Red Shoe and Cupcaketree.com

Emily McLoughlin
Human Resources Department Administrator for K & M Machine - Fabricating, Inc. Dowagiac High School Junior Varsity Girls Basketball Coach.

Jerry Rossow
Past president Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien & Cass

Jane Wise
Owner, wiseHaus design, LLC.

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