LEADERSHIP
Helen Goyings - Chair
Helen graduated from WMU with a masters degree in Education. She taught government and economics for 15 yrs., earning several local & national awards before she left to pursue other opportunities. A life-long political junkie, she found her love of local politics from her father-in-law, who was a long time rural township supervisor.
Larry Blose - Treasurer
Larry Blose is Professor Emeritus of Finance at Grand Valley State University. He has authored over 100 academic publications, proceedings, and presentations and has taught at GVSU, Kent State University, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and Otago University (Dunedin, New Zealand). Prior to his academic career he worked for the US Government Accountability Office (GAO). He is a veteran of the US Navy where he served as an Oceanographic Research Officer.
Dianne DeYoung - Secretary
Dianne De Young is a graduate of Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. Both studying and writing poetry have been lifelong pursuits. She is retired from a career in College Advancement at Hope College. Working with the Allegan County Democratic Party is a challenging and rewarding opportunity to have a part in advancing democracy.
Austin Marsman - First Vice Chair
A lifelong resident of Allegan County, Austin has served as 1st Vice Chair since 2019. His involvement extends to the state level, where he serves as Youth Vice Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party.
Tom Richmond - Second Vice Chair
I have lived in Monterey Township since 1973. My education includes a bachelor of business with a marketing influence. In 2000 I began a career in real property appraising and reached the highest level of licensure by 2004. My priorities include belief in climate science, health care and quality education for everyone.
Mark Ludwig - Third Vice Chair
Mark was born and raised in Michigan. His youth was spent assisting his father during the early days of the environmental movement, studying Great Lakes water birds affected by industrial pollution. He settled in Allegan County, founding a small beef farm in Clyde Township in 2005 with his wife Kim. Mark served on the Fennville Public School Board, Clyde Township Planning Commission and currently serves as Director of the Allegan Conservation District. He is also Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party Rural Caucus and is an alternate to the MDP State Central Committee. Mark graduated from Michigan State with a degree in Environmental Issues and has a Short Course Degree from UW Madison in Grass Based Dairy.
Jill Dunham- Candidate/Elections
Jill graduated from MSU with a degree in Engineering. She has worked in the telecommunications field for almost 40 years and is currently the Allegan County Broadband Project Manager. Born and raised on a farm in Ingham County, Allegan County feels like home after living here 20 years. Jill serves on the Plainwell Community Schools Board of Education and she attends Unity of Kalamazoo, where she teaches Sunday School. Jill served as the Chair of the Allegan County Democratic Party for 6 years, before being elected Chair of the MDP 4th Congressional District Committee.