Board Nominee Biographies

 

Information about and Qualifications of

Candidates for the Board put forward by the Nominations Committee 

15 April 2010 

      Pursuant to the Michigan Maritime Museum By-Laws, Article III, Section 3, the Nominations Committee puts forward the below persons to serve upon the Board for a three year term beginning in May, 2010: 

1.  Arlene Dickerson.  Arlene is from South Haven, earned her college degree at MSU and taught school for 30 years.  Arlene is a long time, tireless volunteer for the MMM and is regularly in attendance at events, while offering her experience on the Board and Chairs the Membership Committee.  Just this year, memberships to the MMM have increased significantly, thanks in large part to her efforts. 

2.  Charlotte Giesler.  Charlotte has served on the MMM Board for three years, while active in the management of All-Seasons, Marine, of South Haven.  She has offered her business experience to assist, quite literally, her neighbor and the relationship has been positive, cooperative and quite often, valuable.  Charlotte also volunteers at the MMM and assists with the logistical needs of many events held on our campus. 

3.  Bob Hoppes.  Bob is a South Haven resident, has retired from service in the military and has served on the MMM Board for three years.  He is currently the MMM Treasurer.  During his tenure, he has revamped the financial statements, simplifying them for greater understanding on the part of the Board, staff and members.  His analysis of our needs as a seasonal business, the importance of our relationship with lenders, his encouragement to pay down debt and render all of our programs profitable has led to a sustainable business model and a springboard for future, modest growth. 

4.  Gary Horton.  Gary is from South Haven, after retiring from a career in advertising and marketing with a firm in Chicago.  He has served on the MMM Board and as a dedicated volunteer over a span of years that reveals his dedication to our mission and success.  He currently Chairs the Marketing Committee and has revamped promotional material, assisted with the redesign of the web site, writes, reviews and approves press releases and arranged for bill boards and other inexpensive yet hig- impact forms of advertising on behalf of the MMM.  His creative ideas have added to all discussions. 

5.  Cleo Miller.  Cleo is from South Haven and is President of Mid-American of Three Rivers.  She has served on the MMM Board for three years and is its current Vice President.  While her business perspective and experience is valuable in securing the future for the MMM, her leadership as Chair of the Human Resources Committee and assistance with the employee handbook has been valuable. 

6.  Eli Thomssen.  Eli spent most of his career at Pharmacia & Upjohn's Animal Health Division, where he retired as Vice President, Business Development and Strategic Planning.  He is currently President and CEO of Armune BioScience, Inc., a molecular diagnostic company he helped found in 2007.  He has only recently been elected to the MMM Board, where his experience and enthusiasm is already felt in his efforts to assist with a promotional piece about the MMM which can be used in many ways, such as marketing to visitors or assisting with grant applications.  Eli owns property in South Haven, where he enjoys what free time he can manage. 

7.  Gerald Webb.  Is a South Haven high school graduate and returns to the community after focusing upon mechanical engineering in college.  He has affiliated with several business entities centered in Memphis, TN, but with operations and interests across the country.  Gerald was President, co-founder and board member of Studsvik Processing Facility and is currently Chairman of Equity Holdings, LLC.  His business experience has been helpful to the MMM staff in the redesign of the MMM website.