Chris is the chief administrative officer of the City responsible to the City Commission for the administration of all City affairs placed in the Administrator’s charge by or under the City’s Charter.  He oversees all departments and is responsible for administering and enforcing the City’s policies and ordinances.  He is also one of the City’s head cheerleaders, always expounding on the virtues of working, living, visiting and doing business in East Jordan.  As the City Administrator, he is focused on fiscal responsibility and the revitalization of the downtown area along with the continuation and strengthening of the sense of “community” in our area.

Chris is a native of West Michigan, growing up in the Spring Lake/ Grand Haven area and graduating from Spring Lake High School.  He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Sciences & Land Use Planning from Grand Valley State University in 1979 and his Masters of Public Administration Degree in Local Government Management from Roosevelt University in Chicago in 1990.

Chris has been the City Manager for the City of East Jordan (pop. 2,351) since August 20, 2012.  He previously served for two & ½ years as the City Manager of Wayland, MI (pop. 4,079), fifteen years as the City Manager of Fremont, MI (pop. 4,081) and for 10 years as the Capital Budget Officer for the City of Evanston, Illinois (pop. 74,486 and home to Northwestern University.)  Prior to that, Chris was employed for five years as the Assistant Executive Director for the Kaysinger Basin Regional Planning Commission (pop. 100,000) in southwest Missouri.

Among his many professional activities, he serves as an advisor & staff support for the following City organizations: City Commission, Downtown Development Authority, Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals.  He also serves as the City’s Zoning Administrator and Airport Manager.

While in Wayland, Chris guided the City to many significant accomplishments and projects:

• Combined several state grants and local bond funds to install new decorative LED streetlights from US-131 to and throughout the City’s downtown.
• Obtained state grants for the purchase of 26 acres along the Rabbit River and the construction of the new Rabbit River Park & Nature Trail.
• Assisted the Downtown Development Authority to apply for and receive designation as a Selected Level community under the MI Main Street program.

• Chris has relocated to East Jordan and is renting a house in the city until he can secure a new home.  He enjoys various outdoor pursuits such as hiking, boating, fishing and bike riding.  His wife Diane was most recently the Program Director for the Newaygo County Dogwood Center for the Performing Arts & a former 17-year veteran as the Ex. Director of the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce.  They have three wonderful children: Kristin in Grand Rapids, Evan in Fremont and Emilie in Breckenridge.
 

Paul Timmons
536-0845         
Term Expires 11-2015

Commissioner John Doebel is a Senior Project Engineer for EJ (the former East Jordan Iron Works, Inc.).  He started with EJ in 1993 as a Project Engineer.  In this position John designs equipment, manages capital improvement projects and develops ideas related to the physical plant and equipment for the East Jordan, MI,  Ardmore, OK and other US facilities.

Prior to working for EJ, John has worked as a manufacturing engineer, delivery driver, racing engine machinist and a wood craftsman.

John holds an Associate of Science degree from Muskegon Community College and a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Western Michigan University.

John has been married to Julia for over 30 years and has four children – Jennifer (Joey), Janelle, Jarred and Jebbediah – and two grandsons – Josiah and Jonah
 

Commissioner Mark L. Penzien is the owner of the Penzien Funeral Homes, Inc. in East Jordan and had previously served on East Jordan DDA prior to being appointed to the city commission. 

He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Olivet College in 1978 and Mortuary Science degree from Wayne State University in 1980.

Mark and his family came to East Jordan on August 28, 1986 at the urging of a friend in the funeral industry to work for RT Paullin in East Jordan and Mancelona.  That turned out to be a very fruitful relationship.  Mark and Cyndi bought both funeral homes on January 5, 1995 and then sold the Mancelona funeral home in 2003.

Mark and his wife, Cyndi have three boys, Mark, Kevin and Jeremy.

Mark is a member of the East Jordan Rotary Club and attends the Lighthouse Missionary Church
 

Russ Peck, Commissioner, Mayor
536-9578
Term Expires 11-2013
rpeck@eastjordancity.org

2012 State of the City Address

Commissioner Cutler is a Graduate of Lake Superior State University and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Economics and Business Administration, Management. Born and raised in East Jordan, he graduated from East Jordan High School in 2001.

After graduating from college, he worked in banking in Chicago and was promoted to operations manager returning him to Northern Michigan. He is currently working on a degree in secondary education with a focus on mathematics in hopes of teaching high school math.

He has also managed and worked on several political campaigns in Northern Michigan including State House, State Senate, and U.S. Congressional races.
 

Michael Burr

536-3181
Filling out partial term until 11-2013
Term Expires 11-2015