Board of Trustees

Appointed October 17, 2018 by Governor Rick Snyder

Kurt Hofman, Ferris alumnus and President of RoMan Manufacturing, joined the Board in January 2019. Hofman earned an associate degree in Welding Engineering Technology from Ferris’ College of Engineering Technology in 1983 and a bachelor's degree in Welding Engineering from Arizona State University. He serves on the advisory board for Ferris’ Welding Engineering Technology program and served as chair for The Ferris Foundation Board of Directors. In addition, he has served the industry in various roles including those of Chairman of the Western Michigan Section of the American Welding Society and member of the Board of Directors of the Resistance Welding Manufacturing Alliance where he chaired various committees. Hofman resides in Grand Rapids and will serve a term expiring Dec. 31, 2026, filling the seat previously held by Gary Granger.

Appointed February 2, 2023 by Governor Gretchen Whitmer

Michael Fisher, of Lake, currently serves as an associate general counsel for the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan. After graduating law school, he joined Miller Canfield, Paddock and Stone as an associate attorney in the Energy, Environmental, and Regulatory Practice Group. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University Law Center, Master of Public Administration from Central Michigan University, and Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology from Ferris State University. Mr. Fisher is a direct descendant of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan. Mr. Fisher is appointed for a term expiring December 31, 2030, filling the seat previously held by Rupesh Srivastava.

Appointed February 2, 2023 by Governor Gretchen Whitmer

Vivian TerMaat, of Ada, is the chief executive officer for Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore in Grand Rapids. Previously, she was chief advancement officer for Wedgwood Christian Services. She is active in West Michigan as a part of the Grand Rapids Economic Club, Inforum - West Michigan, the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, and Leadership Grand Rapids. TerMaat received a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Western Michigan University and a master’s degree in Management from Aquinas College. She is also a Certified Fundraising Executive. Mrs. TerMaat is appointed for a term expiring December 31, 2030, filling the seat previously held by Ana Ramirez-Saenz.

Appointed December 28, 2020 by Governor Gretchen Whitmer

Ronald E. Snead, Sr., of Stanwood, is retired from Dixien, LLC, a supplier of metal stampings and plastic molded parts to the automotive industry, where he served as vice president of corporate relations. He is a former member of the Board of Trustees and was the first African American alumnus of Ferris to chair the Board of Trustees. He is the recipient of the 1995 Ferris Distinguished Alumnus Award and the Giants William Glenn Trailblazer Award in 2011. Snead is appointed for a term  expiring December 31, 2028, filling the seat previously held by Lori Gwizdala.  

Appointed December 19, 2024 by Governor Gretchen Whitmer

Matthew Evans, of Grosse Pointe Park, is the CEO of Invictus Builders and operating partner of Prospect Park LLC, a financial services firm. Previously, he was vice president of Rockford Construction, principal of University Preparatory Academy Middle School in Detroit, and executive director of E-Three Labs, an international organization focused on international education and development projects in Southeast Michigan and sub-Saharan Africa. Evans is also a former member of the Grosse Pointe Park Planning Commission and is a founding board member of the Grosse Pointe Park Public Safety Commission. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in education from Eastern Michigan University and a Master of Education in educational leadership from Wayne State University. Matthew Evans is appointed for a term expiring December 31, 2032, filling the seat previously held by Amna Seibold.

Appointed December 28, 2020 by Governor Gretchen Whitmer

George K. Heartwell, III is the former mayor of Grand Rapids. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and English Literature from Albion College and a Master of Divinity from the Western Theological Seminary. Heartwell currently serves as a member of the Great Lakes Water Quality Board, Muskegon River Watershed Assembly, Newaygo Economic Development Corporation, Environmental Law and Policy Center Michigan Board, and the Zoning Board of Appeals for the City of Newaygo and for Garfield Township. He will serve a term expiring December 31, 2028, filling the seat previously held by Robert Hegbloom. 

Appointed February 2, 2023 by Governor Gretchen Whitmer

Michael Ryan, Ph.D., of Big Rapids, is a former professor for the Ferris State University Department of Biological Sciences. Dr. Ryan retired in 2017 after teaching at Ferris for 40 years. During his time at Ferris, Dr. Ryan was the president of the Ferris Faculty Association and a member of the Michigan Education Association Board of Directors, Michigan Association for Higher Education Board of Directors, and several Ferris State committees. He holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology from SUNY at Buffalo School of Medicine, a Master of Science in Biology from Duquesne University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from St. Vincent College. Dr. Ryan is appointed for a term expiring December 31, 2026, filling a vacant seat.

Reappointed December 19, 2024 by Governor Gretchen Whitmer

LaShanda R. Thomas, a certified public accountant, joined the Ferris Board in January of 2017. A certified public accountant for more than 20 years, Thomas established The Clairmount Group, PLC, Certified Public Accountants, in 2002, where she is the Founder and Managing Partner. She graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. She is active in her community and is a member of the local chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Jack and Jill of America, and The Links, Incorporated. She resides in Grosse Pointe and will serve a term expiring Dec. 31, 2032, filling the seat she previously held.