2011 Board of Directors

NAME	OFFICE	TERM ENDS	TERM #
Dave Hawley	President	2011	1
Robert Baltzer	Vice President	2012	1
Susan Griffin	Secretary	2011	1
Doug Buikema	Treasurer	2012	1
Marcia Martin	Director	2012	1
Ceil Heller	Director	2013	2
Lenore Janman	Director	2011	1
Marcia Walsworth	Director	2013	1
Tammy Howell	Director	2013	1

President-

David A. Hawley was born and raised in Ludington, MI and has lived here his entire life. After graduating Ludington High School (the gymnasium is named for his Grandfather) he received educational credentials from West Shore Community College, Michigan State University, and did graduate work at Michigan State and Notre Dame University.  He has taught all the geography class offerings at West Shore Community College for the past twenty three years.  In addition, he has an extensive background in workforce and human resource development.  He is currently the Workforce Development Specialist for the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians tribal government in Manistee.  A charter member of the Big Sable Point Lighthouse Keepers Association, (the forerunner to SPLKA) Dave currently serves SPLKA in his second year as President after serving as VicePresident.  His favorite quotation is, “We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won't need to tell anybody it does.  Lighthouses don't fire cannons to call attention to their shining- they just shine.”  ~Dwight L. Moody

Vice President-

Although hedidn’t grow up in Ludington, Bob Baltzer feels very familiar with it, with both parents from the area.  His family has been visiting on summer vacations since he was a small child.  This family has had a summer cottage on Hamlin Lake since 1960 and he remembers Big Sable when it was "boarded up and given for loss".  He and his brother often hiked out to the lighthouse with their two boys, wondering what it would be like to be lighthouse Keepers.  During one visit, Bob and his wife Becki ran into a gentleman carrying a shovel out to work around the driveway (Bob Sperling). Well, "the rest is history."  They were hooked and have been Keepers ever since. Bob now has the privilege of serving on the Sable Point Lighthouse Keepers Association Board of Directors.  After completing a year as Treasurer and member of the Planning Committee, Bob has taken over as Vice-President.  He looks forward to serving as a Keeper a long time, Lord willing, both supporting the organization and doing his best to help position SPLKA for future growth and long-lasting viability. 

Treasurer-

Doug Buikema was born and raised in Wyoming, MI, but he has lived in Hudsonville since he was married in 1969.  He worked for a large Office Furniture Manufacturing Company for thirty eight years before retiring in 2007.  He and his wife, Carol, became involved with SPLKA after they saw an article in the Grand Rapids Press that showed a picture of a lady (from Hudsonville of all places!) sitting at the top of the tower at Big Sable Point Lighthouse, enjoying a cup of coffee early one morning.  In 2000, after learning the process to become a Keeper, he volunteered and has been doing it ever since.  This is his second year on the Board, and he currently serves on the Planning Committee, the 25th Anniversary Committee and as the new Treasurer in 2011. 

Secretary-

Born in Charleston, South Carolina on a Naval Base, Susan Griffin’s father served 22 years in the Navy and she scoured the countryside with him.  Finally settling in Bay City, Michigan, Susan has lived in numerous cities within the state.  She has two associate’s degrees and a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.  Upon graduating, she went to work for General Motors Corporation in Bay City, MI.  As an engineer, a floorsupervisor, a tool room supervisor and on special assignments, engineering was her desired choice.  She has retired from GM due to an industrial injury.  She has always loved the water and therefore lighthouses and became involved with SPLKA in 2007.  After she walked out to Big Sable Point to meet another friend who was a Keeper she was offered an application and has been a Keeper ever since.  Susan volunteers at Buchanan Art Center, teaching a glass fusing class, with hobbies that include but are never limited to: photography, traveling, fishing, lighthouses, quilting, knitting and jewelry making.  She joins the Board as Secretary in 2011 and is single with one fat, lazy but loveable cat.  

Director-

Ceil Heller grew up in Hudson, MI and has lived in the Lansing area for over 40 years.  She is a nurse and EMT, currently working in a busy, Level 1 Trauma ER.  Her hobbies include bicycling, photography, and lighthouse enthusiasm.  In 1987, Ceil’s family joined as Life Members.  She has been a Keeper for eight years and a Board member for three, where she has served as Fundraising Chair, and has held the offices of President and Vice President.

Director-

Born near Muncie, Indiana, Tammy Howell moved to Ohio twenty years ago but is still a Hoosier in her heart. Currently living in Lakewood, Ohio, Tammy has been a Registered Nurse for seventeen years, in ICU for thirteen; she is now in home health care and loves it. She works so she can afford her lighthouse trips, tours, and stays. Tammy met Little Sable Point in 2003 and a love affair began. It's still her first love. She wanted to volunteer as a Keeper and learned that she could, as a SPLKA member – so she joined!  Tammy is new to the Board this year; where she has sat on meetings with the fundraising committee and really enjoys it. For Tammy, it's about doing the things necessary to help to keep the lights burning- through restoration, future plans and working with other SPLKA members to share these treasures with as many visitors as possible.The western shore is Tammy’s favorite vacation destination. She knows Michigan geography better than Ohio geography and has been in every lakeshore county in Michigan except for two in the Upper Peninsula.

Director-

Lenore Janman was born in Detroit and raised in Lathrup Village, MI.  She has lived in Indiana, Minnesota and South Dakota in addition to Michigan.  Lenore spent thirty three years working in public education, starting out as a classroom teacher then becoming a principal, a human resources director, assistant superintendent and a superintendent. After retiring from public education in 2003, she was looking for volunteer opportunities and came across an article in Midwest Living Magazine that talked about the volunteer Keepers program.  The following summer she volunteered as a Keeper at Big Sable.  She has been involved with SPLKA since 2004, first volunteering at Big Sable and the North Breakwater Light and then filling an unexpired two year term on the Board in 2009.  Additionally, she volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate, advocating for children going through the court system; teaches graduate education courses for Eastern Michigan University and Oakland University and works part time as a Consultant.

Director-

Marcia Martin is from Kentwood and spent her time working in the educational field for 21 years.  She and her husband, Bruce, now live in the Shelby area about four miles south of Little Sable Point Lighthouse.  They joined the Lighthouse Seekers after moving to Oceana County and then joined SPLKA so that they could volunteer at Little Sable Point. She has, however, worked at all three lights and has enjoyed each one, as they are all unique.  She highly encourages you to try all three!  As a board member, Marcia sits on the Fundraising committee and is coordinating the Big Sable Point video project. 

Director- (Picture coming soon!)

Marcia Walsworth got involved with Big Sable Point in 1997 when she and her Mom purchased an overnight stay at the Lighthouse during a silent auction at theSPLKA Annual Meeting.  They loved it so much that they decided to become Keepers at Big Sable, serving from 1998 until 2004.  During that time she was elected to the board, she became the Gift Shop Manager, and she was appointed Assistant Director (2003 & 2004).  She joins the Board of Directors in 2011.