Meet the WMAA Board Members
William J. Boer
Bill is President of Grey Dunes Associates, a financial consulting firm based in Grand Rapids. In addition to his background in finance, banking and strategic planning, Bill served as CFO at Calvin College for six years and was an administrator with the University of Southern California for eight years. He has also volunteered in many capacities at area schools. His expertise in facilities, financing, curriculum and site planning, and governance will prove invaluable in making WMAA a premier high school.
Dr. Tandy Champion
Tandy is an internal medicine/pediatric physician in an independent, private practice and also teaches as an adjunct professor at Michigan State Medical School and the Grand Rapids Medical Education and Research Center for Health. She has a passion for child development and serves as a mentor with Kids Hope, USA. She’ll play a huge role overseeing WMAA’s health and mentoring programs.
Richard M. DeVos, Jr.
Dick DeVos has led the founding and formation of West Michigan Aviation Academy. He’s also the founder and president of Windquest Group and co-chair of the Grand Action committee. Dick has also held public office on the Michigan State Board of Education, served on numerous boards and committees, and ran for governor in 2006.
All Dick’s professional interests are centered on revitalizing Grand Rapids, most notably through education. His love of flying and shared passion with his wife, Betsy, for innovative educational options in Grand Rapids, led to the development of West Michigan Aviation Academy.
Vernon Ehlers
Vernon Ehlers served as a U. S. Congressman, representing the people of Michigan’s Third Congressional Federal District from 1993 to 2010. Mr. Ehlers’ background is in teaching, research and public service. He earned his undergraduate degree in Physics from the University of California at Berkeley in 1956. He remained at Berkeley to do graduate work in Nuclear Physics and earned his Ph. D. Degree in Physics in 1960. While at Berkeley Vern did research in, and taught Physics. Vern stayed at Berkeley until 1966 and then returned to Grand Rapids to join the Physics Department Faculty at Calvin College. He remained there for 16 years, teaching, doing research and serving as the Physics Department Chairman. During his tenure at Calvin College he also served as a volunteer science advisor to the then U. S. Congressman Gerald R. Ford. In 1982 he left Calvin College to serve in the Michigan Legislature.
Rick Fiddler
Rick is the Amway Corporation’s director of aviation. His expertise in piloting, aviation management, and aviation infrastructure qualify him to be a strong contributor to the development and oversight of our aviation curriculum.
Clifford Maine
Clifford is a practicing attorney and chairman of the Aviation Law Group at Barnes and Thornburg, LLP. He serves as general counsel for a number of aviation groups and is a licensed pilot himself - solo flying an airplane for the first time on his 16th birthday and obtaining his private pilot's license as a Junior in high school. Clifford’s support of our aviation-focused high school will come out through his proficiency in business, aviation law, and his passion for flying.
Kathleen Maine
Kathleen has over 20 years experience as a practicing attorney in the healthcare field, currently serving as general counsel and chief compliance and privacy officer for Michigan Medical Patient Care in Grand Rapids. She has experience in board governance, strategic planning, and policy development, which will be huge benefits to our board.
Bruce Matthews
Bruce is a former aircraft manager for Lear-Siegler, and is very interested in supporting our new aviation high school. His passion for education and flying make him a great addition to the board. He’ll be working on marketing efforts with the parent community and curriculum development in aviation management.
Joe Nienhaus
Joe Nienhaus is an international distributor of OrGano Gold International USA. He has experience as a Senior Specialty Sales Executive in the BioPharmaceuticals industry serving in Sales/Marketing roles for 14 years. He is an Aviation Enthusiast determined to serve as WMAA Liaison for parents and students pursuing their dream of Aviation & Aeronautics while attending a stellar alternative in education at the West Michigan Aviation Academy. His vision is for all students to pursue their dreams with a purpose in mind, realizing achievements can be attained through focused effort, planning, and execution. He believes students can achieve anything they put their heart & mind into. Joe's excellent communication skills, staff-centricity, positive attitude, motivating team leadership, and maximizing strategic partnerships, will assist the WMAA Board of Directors, Students, Parents, and Staff Administration in achieving their goals.