Board of Directors

NAME	OFFICE	TERM ENDS	TERM #
Lenore Janman	President	2014	1
Robert Baltzer	Vice President	2015	1
Tammy Howell	Secretary	2013	1
Doug Buikema	Treasurer	2015	2
Ceil Heller	Director	2013	2
Dave Dietrich	Director	2014	1
John Truxell	Director	2014	1
Linda Hummel	Director	2015	1

President-

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.

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 fourth 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 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!  This is Tammy's third year on the Board; 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-

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 six, where she has served as Fundraising Chair, and has held the offices of President and Vice President.

Director-

Linda Hummel, LPC was born in Toledo, but her family moved to Newaygo, Michigan where she attended the South Garfield one-room schoolhouse through elementary. She joined the Air Force following graduation and used the GI Bill at CMU for her teaching degree, later getting a masters at both GVSU (special education) and MSU (counseling and licensure). Following a 30 year career in education, she retired in 2008 and moved to Ludington and is very active in the community as an Art Center and Memorial Medical Hospital volunteer. As a child, Linda often visited Stearns Park with her grandparents, but later camped at the Ludington State Park with close friends. Visiting Big Sable during these campouts, she picked up a volunteer brochure and began her first keeper assignment at BSP in 2007, while also spending four days at NBL when it initially opened. She has also served at LSP, as a NBL Breaker, and evening events at both BSP and NBL. Linda enjoys flower gardening, crocheting, knitting, walking, biking, reading, golf and spending time with her four grandchildren.

Director-

John S. Truxell was born in Detroit, Michigan and moved to Grand Rapids at an early age.  He graduated from East Grand Rapids High School, spent four years in the Navy, returned, and then graduated from Western Michigan University.  His career was spent with General Motors Corporation in Sales and Marketing.   He lived in South Africa for six years and spent many years travelling internationally before retiring.  John has been happily married to his wife, Nancy, for 37 years. 

John has been involved in many civic and service organizations since retiring including Boy Scouts, Project 2000 Plus, Montague City Council, White Lake Historical Society, Lake Watch, Celebrate White Lake, Milwaukee Clipper Preservation Association, Lake Michigan Federation, White Lake Association, Rotary International, Eagles, and Friends of the White River Light Station.  Besides his interest in the White River Light and visiting other lights around the world, he enjoys boating, trap and pistol shooting, hunting, reading, travel, and keeping up a fitness regime.

Director-

David Dietrich was born in Chicago, schooled there in the field of architecture and civil engineering. He is now retired and living in Shelby Mi. near the Little Sable lighthouse where his great, great uncle James Davenport was the first keeper.  In his spare time he loves to paint, work with the wood lathe and be outside in the open air as much as possible.  For the past 15 years his passion has been in light housing. His beloved deceased wife May in her love for genealogy discovered so much of his family past. Her passion started his passion in discovering the Davenport side of his family.  All, for the most part, light keepers on the Great Lakes.  He is now a board member of SPLKA and treasurer of the Seekers of Little Sable lighthouse.