Board of Trustees
The members of the Northwood University Board of Trustees help to define the philosophy of the University and have numerous additional roles, including:
- Providing vital policy leadership and oversight in critical areas, evaluating the extent to which the Central Administration effectively supports the faculty and students in their pursuits
- Overseeing financial performance and actively participating in academic planning
- Donating to and oversight of the advancement function and long-range planning
Chair and Vice Chair
Albert F. Zehnder
Chairman, Northwood University Board of Trustees
Albert Zehnder is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Zehnder's of Frankenmuth in Frankenmuth, Michigan. Zehnder was recognized nationally in 2004 as one of Northwood University's Outstanding Business Leaders and received an Honorary Doctorate from Northwood in 2007.
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Jennifer M. Panning
Vice Chair of the Northwood University Board of Trustees
Jennifer Panning is the President of Artisan Tile Inc. in Brighton, Michigan. She is an alumnus of Northwood University.
Executive Committee and Committee Chairs
Phillip D. Brady
Vice Chair of Advancement
Phillip Brady is the Retired Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at Phillips 66 in Alexandria, Virginia. Brady was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Northwood University and has served on the Board of Trustees since 2006.
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Daniel G. DeVos
Chair of Executive; Member of Advancement, Compensation, and Nominating
Daniel DeVos is the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of DP Fox Ventures, LLC in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dan is a 1980 graduate of Northwood University, and was bestowed a Honorary Doctorate by the University in 1999.
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James C. Fabiano II
Vice Chair of Nominating; Member of Communications and Recruitment
James Fabiano is the President of Fabiano Brothers, Inc. in Bay City, Michigan. He has served as a trustee for Northwood University since 2007.
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Richard J. Garber
Member of Advancement, Communications, and Recruitment, and Investment
Richard Garber is the President of Garber Management Group in Saginaw, Michigan. Garber is a 1978 graduate of Northwood University, was a Northwood University Outstanding Business Leader, and received the Outstanding Alumni award.
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Robert J. Grubb
Chair of Advancement; Member of Executive
Robert Grubb is the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Alliant National Title Insurance Company, Inc. in Longmont, Colorado. A 1980 graduate, Northwood University honored Grubb with an Outstanding Alumni Award in 1993 and an Honorary Doctorate in 2008.
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Jason Brickl
Jason Brickl is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ballweg Automotive Companies in Middleton, Wisconsin. He is a Northwood University alumnus.
Mary Ellen George-Hess
Mary Ellen George-Hess is the Head of North America operations for Tramada Systems (USA), Inc. in Frisco, Texas.
Mauro Gregorio
Mauro Gregorio is the Chief Executive Officer of Dow Corning in Midland, Michigan.
Rick Guirlinger
Rick Guirlinger is the President of Bourke Services, LLC in Raleigh, North Carolina. He received his MBA from the DeVos Graduate School of Management.
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Ken Lingenfelter
Ken Lingenfelter is the Owner of Lingenfelter Motor Sports in Brighton, Michigan.
Steve Madincea
Steve Madincea is the Managing Partner, Fantastec Sports Technology Ltd. in London, England. A Northwood alumnus, Northwood honored Madincea as an Outstanding Business Leader in 2015.
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James Massie
James Massie is the President, Chief Executive Officer at Georgian International Limited in Barrie, Ontario, Canada. Massie is a graduate of Northwood and recipient of its Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award and Honorary Doctorate.
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Edward J. McBrien
Edward McBrien is the Chief Operating Officer, Manhattan Beer Distributors, Bronx, New York. He earned his bachelor's degree from Northwood University and was the Senior Class Valedictorian as well as the Academic Athlete of the Year. He received an Honorary Doctorate in 2017.
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James T. Mestdagh
James Mestdagh is the President and Owner of Landquest Properties, Inc. in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. He is a 1987 graduate of Northwood.
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William A. Parlberg
William Parlberg is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Zehnder's of Frankenmuth in Frankenmuth, Michigan. He is a Northwood University alumnus.
Gary Short
Gary Short is the Vice President of Go-To Transport, Inc. in Bay City, Michigan. He is a graduate of Northwood University.
Noelle M. Walsh
Noelle Walsh is the Corporate Vice President of Supply Chain, the Dow Chemical Company in Midland, Michigan. She joined Northwood's Board of Trustees in May 2014.
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Graham Williams
Graham Williams is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Power Process Piping, Inc. in Plymouth, Michigan.
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Robert W. Wilson
Robert Wilson is the Vice President of Mid Michigan Materials in Jeddo, Michigan. Wilson graduated in 2005 from Northwood University and in 2006 completed his MBA from Northwood's DeVos Graduate School.
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Trustees Emeriti
Dr. John J. Ferron
Lynn Ferron
Dr. Jerome M. (Jerry) Fullinwider
Dr. Louis J. Furlo, Sr.
Dr. Christi Harris
Lyttleton T. Harris IV
Dr. Marjorie McIntyre Hohman
Dr. Leo C. Jerome
Dr. Cleve L. Killingsworth, Jr.
Dr. Macauley Whiting, Jr.