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Two Michigan Business Leaders Named to Ferris State University's Board of Trustees

new trusteesGrand Rapids-based real estate developer and former Ferris State University trustee Gary Granger and Ferris alumnus and Meijer vice chairman Paul Boyer of Grand Rapids have been appointed to the university’s Board of Trustees by Gov. Rick Snyder.

They replace outgoing board members R. Thomas Cook of Fife Lake and Jim Haveman of Grand Haven. Granger and Boyer have been appointed to eight-year terms expiring in 2018 and their appointments are subject to approval by the state Senate.

Ferris President David L. Eisler said, “Given Gary’s and Paul’s long association and engagement with Ferris, they are wonderful choices to our board, and I am grateful for the way Governor Snyder and his leadership worked with the university on these board appointments.”

He added, “I am also most appreciative of Tom’s and Jim’s strong service and leadership for our board during their tenure as trustees.”

Board chairman Ron Snead of Greenville echoed Eisler’s sentiments by noting, “It is a pleasure to welcome Gary Granger back to the board and to have Paul Boyer, a Ferris distinguished alumnus, joining us. Both are familiar with Ferris, and I look forward to their input, insight, commitment and the contributions I am confident they will make to the board and the university.”

Granger is president, founder and owner of the Granger Group, a national design-build and development group. He was first appointed to Ferris State’s Board of Trustees by Michigan Gov. John Engler in 2001 and served until 2008.

The Granger Group has established partnerships and relationships leading to a portfolio of more than $700 million in successful developments in West Michigan and throughout the state. Granger began his career in business with his family’s construction company before starting his own development company. His parents, Alton and Janice Granger of Lansing, are 2004 Ferris honorary doctorate degree recipients and benefactors of Ferris’ Granger Center for Construction and Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration.

“Having had the experience of working with the Ferris team, I am honored and privileged to be associated with a university that so well-equips its students for the working world. I look forward to collaborating with my board colleagues and others throughout the university to focus on Ferris’ niche in the higher education landscape and to ensure that we are adding value to citizens’ lives.”

Granger earned a bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering from the University of Colorado and is a 1992 graduate of the Harvard Business School’s Owner/President Program. His son, Jason, of Grandville, is a 2004 graduate of Ferris’ College of Business and served as Student Government president. He is employed by the Granger Group and currently serves on the Ferris Alumni Association Board of Directors.

In addition to his previous service as a trustee, Granger was a member of Ferris’ 2006 Commission for the Future and has remained active in the university.

His community outreach includes service on the Van Andel Institute Board of Governors and the Lansing Christian School Board, among others.

Boyer, who earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Ferris in 1968 and a master’s degree in business administration from Western Michigan University, began his professional career at Meijer 39 years ago, serving in multiple senior leadership positions, including Co-CEO, before becoming vice chairman. Today, the company operates more than 190 stores in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky.

“I deeply respect the commitment demonstrated by Ferris’ board, the administration, faculty, staff and students. I hope that I can be a positive influence by applying some of the business practices I learned at Ferris and in my professional career in board matters that will be dealt with as we work together to move Ferris forward,” Boyer said.

A 1992 Distinguished Alumni Award and 2005 Honorary Doctorate in Business and Industry recipient, Boyer has remained active in Ferris alumni and fund-raising activities as a former member of the Ferris Alumni Association Board of Directors, co-chair of Ferris’ Commission on the Future and a member of the university’s capital campaign feasibility study leadership team.

His wife, Cathy, also earned a degree from Ferris.

In addition to his corporate board work with Meijer and Topco Associates, Boyer serves on the boards for Goodwill Industries, J.E.M. Mentoring and The League, a non-profit education organization.

Both Granger and Boyer are members of Ferris’ Presidents Donor Society.

Other members of the Ferris Board of Trustees include Sueann Walz of Big Rapids, vice chair; George Menoutes of Flint, secretary; Alisha Baker of Mount Clemens; Dr. D. William Lakin of Clinton Township; and Art Tebo of Walloon Lake.