Board of Directors
Mark Lemoine
Coloma/St. Joseph KOA HolidayMark Lemoine is the Owner & Managing Partner of Fifth Level Hospitality, Inc., an outdoor hospitality company that he and his wife founded in 2016, and through which they operate the Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday campground. His current pursuits, which he refers to as a “Mid-Life” reset, follow a 24-year career in government affairs where he held leadership staff roles in the Michigan Senate, lobbied at the state and federal-levels of government for the retail and health care industries, and served as a township trustee.
He earned a Bachelor’s degree from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, and has served in governance roles with several local, state and national organizations. In addition to the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber of Commerce, he currently serves on the board of the Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds of Michigan, is a member of the Hagar Township Downtown Development Authority, and is an active advocate for KOA Care Camps, a charity that helps kids with cancer enjoy a camping experience.
He and his wife reside in Hagar Township along with their two teen-age children, and are the proud parents of two adult children and a recently added daughter-in-law. When they are not hosting guests at their campground, they enjoy “Living the Dream” by adventuring in the great outdoors all over the world.Member Since: 2019
Robert “Bob” Clark
Lake Charter TownshipBob graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Crop and Soil Sciences. His first job was with an agriculture lender but he worked most of his career at a local Credit Union in lending and operations. His career path changed in 2012 when he ran and was elected as the Lake Charter Township Treasurer. The change allowed him to become involved in municipal government and continue his strong community involvement in the Bridgman area. He serves on several Boards including Bridgman Chamber and Economic Growth Alliance, the Bridgman Foundation for Educational Excellence, numerous Lake Township Committees and the Berrien County Treasurers Association. He is married to Barb who is a special education teacher and has grown twin boys.
Member Since: 2019
Committees: Finance & Administration
Julie Thomsen
Zoup! Eatery & Biggby Coffee
Julie Thomsen purchased the St. Joseph franchise for Zoup! in 2018, and the Biggby Coffee franchise in 2019. Her past careers include working in the financial industry since 2010 and owned her own business prior to her banking career. She is passionate about managing teams and offering excellent customer service to her clients.
Julie earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Ferris State University and also attended Butler University. She has served as an Ambassador Board Member for the Chamber for the last 4 years, she is a Foundation Advocate for the Lakeland Hospital Foundation and also volunteers for United Way.
Julie and her husband Jim reside in St. Joseph. The have three children, Dayton, Demi and Dylan who attend St. Joseph Public Schools. Her interests include exercise, reading, travel and spending time with her family.
Member Since: 2016
Committees: Events
Matt DerbyKotz
Sangster
Matt is an attorney with Kotz Sangster’s law office in downtown St. Joseph. He represents and advises private and public sector employers in a wide variety of matters in the areas of employment, labor, corporate and commercial law. His practice includes negotiation of, counseling on, and drafting of individual employment contracts, collective bargaining agreements, severance agreements, employment policies and work rules, commercial vendor/supplier agreements, and asset and stock acquisition agreements. He also routinely advises and represents clients in the areas of: employee hiring; investigation of employee misconduct; controlled substances/alcohol use; promotions/demotions; acquisition/closure/sale of unionized businesses; ERISA withdrawal liability; reductions-in-force; progressive discipline and discharge; employment severance agreements; family medical leave act compliance; disabilities discrimination and accommodation; race/gender/age discrimination matters; and labor relations/collective bargaining. Matt presents seminars on labor and employment law issues for employer groups and in university management courses. Additional practice areas include business law; commercial contracts; corporate and business planning; litigation; human resources counseling and administration.
Member Since: 2017
Committees: Government Affairs
Judee Hopwood
Williamson Employment Services
Judee Hopwood is President and Co-Owner of Williamson Employment Services, a Certified Women’s Business Enterprise. Founded in 1992, Williamson is a full-service staffing company with offices in St. Joseph, Kentwood, Grand Rapids, and Mishawaka. Hopwood received her MBA from Western Michigan University in 2004. She is dedicated to promoting the local community, and currently serves as the Chairwoman of the Women’s Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance Advisory Board.
Hopwood is a member of the American Staffing Association, Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), Cornerstone Alliance, Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber, Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce, The Chamber of St. Joseph County, Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce, Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, Southwest Michigan SHRM, and the Executive and Professional Women’s Association, where she served on the board from 2009 to 2017. She also teaches classes in Human Resources, Hiring Employees, and Business Etiquette, and assists women who are obtaining their Women-Owned Business certification for the first time.
Through her company, Hopwood provides scholarships to students in the Industrial Arts programs at Lake Michigan College and is a named sponsor of the Hanson Technology Center.
Member Since: 2020
Ryan Howard
Creative Landscaping & Design
Ryan Howard and his wife Kati are the owners of Creative Landscaping & Design, a company with 44 years of history helping to build beautiful, healthy communities in southwest Michigan. The Creative team is known for their beautiful designs, professional staff and their desire to positively impact everyone they come into contact with. You can find out more at www.creativelandscapinginc.com.
Prior to business ownership in 2018, Ryan worked as a Whirlpool HR executive with responsibility over multiple global functions. He earned both a Bachelor’s degree and M.B.A. from Michigan State University. He and his wife reside in Royalton Township along with their two teen-age children who are active in their business during the summer months. They enjoy family vacations and church activities at The Chapel in St. Joseph.
Member Since: 2020
Bruce Piekarski
Horizon Bank
Member Since: 2020
Olivia Starks
Starks Family Funeral Homes
Member Since: 2020
David Costas
Silver Beach Pizza
Member Since: 2017
Committees: Events
Zack East
Mid-West Family Southwest Michigan
Zack East is now the Vice President of Engagement and Experience at Mid-West Family – Southwest Michigan (WSJM Inc.) where he has spent a seventeen-year career in radio. From starting as one of the youngest Program Directors (ROCK 107 WIRX at age 23) and Morning Show hosts in the group’s history (he began hosting 98.3 The Coast in 2010 at 26 years old), to leading the build-out of both MoodyontheMarket.com platform and the Town Crier Wire App, Zack has used his talents to expand offerings, enter new media markets, and create products that are now household names. Zack can be heard weekday mornings on soft adult contemporary station 98.3 The Coast and middays on alternative rock 106.1 The New QYQ and throughout the Midwest in other small voiceover projects. He has also served as the Associate Vice Chair of the Board for United Way of Southwest Michigan, as a Board Member of the OutCenter, and he founded the David A. Hicks Scholarship for the Arts, which was established with help from the Berrien Community Foundation following the death of his younger brother from a rare cancer. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling to his second home in Grand Rapids with his partner Charlie, reading, kayaking, watching sports, attending concerts, and taking his dog to the park.
Member Since: 2020
Committees: Marketing
Dr. James Gendernalik. DO
Family Physicians of St. Joseph
Dr. Gendernalik is a board-certified family physician and has been a part of Family Physicians of St Joseph, PC since July 2015. Prior to joining FPSJ, Dr. Gendernalik spent 5 years serving our country as a Flight Surgeon and General Medical Officer in the United States Navy, ultimately reaching the rank of Lieutenant. He completed his residency at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois and has published research papers on various topics in some esteemed medical publications. Dr. Gendernalik and his wife have two girls and enjoys spending time with his family as well as time outdoors, fishing, boating, all things Michigan, and if the wind is right, kitesurfing.
Member Since: 2021
Committees: Government Affairs
Thomas Norbey II
A Visible Change Painting Company
E. Thomas (Tom) Norbey II is a native of the Stevensville area and a proud graduate of Lakeshore High School. He attended the University of Michigan where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Archeology. He is the owner of A Visible Change Painting Company which he founded 25 years ago. Tom’s service to his community is extensive. He currently serves as President of the Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, as a member of the Lincoln Township’s Zoning Board of Appeals, and as Chair of the Annual Community Fun Day in Lincoln Township (since 2010). His prior experience includes serving as a Trustee on the Lincoln Township Board for eight years and as Chair of the Lakeshore Fire Department Board of Directors. Tom and his wife, Megan, live in Stevensville with their two children who are carrying on the Norbey legacy at Lakeshore High School. When he is not with his family, working or serving his community, you can find him enjoying pursuits like gardening, camping, hunting, trapping, and anything else that involves Michigan’s great outdoors.
Member Since: 2021
Committees: Events
Barbara Antonucci
Among the Vineyards Bed & Breakfast
Barb is the Owner/Innkeeper of Among the Vineyards B&B in Baroda. Opened in July 2018, she took a one family home in the heart of SW Michigan wine country and converted it into a 4 bedroom get away complete with farm to table breakfasts.
Service has always been in Barb’s heart. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from the University of Michigan and worked as a nurse for 37 years in various staffing, management, and educational positions at the University of Michigan Hospitals and in hospitals and surgery centers in Colorado. She was very active with her children’s schools, including several years as PTO president in their grade and high schools. Shortly after returning to Southwest Michigan, Barb became a trustee for the Baroda Area Business Association (BABA) and has served since 2018.
Barb grew up in St. Joseph, graduated from Lakeshore HS, and moved away for 38 years. Always hoping to return to SW Michigan, life circumstances allowed her to return to the area 3 years ago to be near her family and bring to life her dream of owning and running a B&B. She has 3 grown children, Matthew, Sarah, and Grace.
Member Since: 2020
