Events

Born in 1951 in Michigan City, Indiana.  (Go Bobby Knight!)

Attended Kalamazoo College 69-73

Worked as a laboratory scientist in Germany 1973-1975 - Nuclear Research Institute (Kernforschungsanlage Julich) Ha!, try saying that!

Attended Medical School in Germany (Justus Liebig Universitaet, Giessen,) 1975-1980

Did 4 years of residency in Pathology at the U of Wisconsin and Northwestern University 1980-1985

Worked as a pathologist in a few places until I took a job at Memorial Medical Center in Ludington 1991-2018

Been married to Carole Siewert for what seems my whole life (45 years or so)

2 children: Kim 41 Doctor of Physical Therapy; and Brendan 35 Doctor of Medicine (Both very sweet)

4 grandchildren 2, 6, 8, 10 years old  (Would you like to see some pictures?)

Retired since 2018

Hobbies:  

  I read a lot.  I forget most of what I read.  

  I tried gardening but the weeds won

  I tried carpentry but I hit my thumb too many times

  Music: I like The Beatles more than the Stones; Beethoven more than Brahms; Can't see why everyone likes Mahler's 5th.

• Timbers Prime on the corner of Ludington Ave and James Street

• Time:  5:01

• Toys for Tots Collection: Bring a new unwrapped toy/book with a $10.00 or higher value.

John Cotten is the Mason County Veterans Service Officer for the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs.   In observance of Veterans Day, John will be speaking about his transition from 20+ years in the Army to civilian life.

A little about John:

• Raised in a small town in northern Iowa, roughly the same size as Ludington

• Attended Texas A&M University on a four-year Army ROTC Scholarship

• Commissioned as a Field Artillery Officer in the United States Army in 1990

• Retired at the end of 2010 as a Lieutenant Colonel with two combat tours in Iraq

• Knowledge Manager/Project Manager for Volant and Associates and Intelligent Software Solutions from 2011 to 2020

• Traveled to Afghanistan seven times for tours lasting anywhere from four to 13 months between 2011 and 2018

• Mason County Veterans Service Officer from January 2021 to present

• President/lead dog trainer/book keeper/kennel boy at Cotten's Sunset Kennels

Marianna Smith is a Foreign Service Officer with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). She is currently assigned to the Southern Africa Regional Mission based in Pretoria, South Africa where she designs and monitors development projects in the education, environment, democracy, economic growth, and health sectors. Prior to her assignment with USAID/Southern Africa, she worked for USAID/Washington in the Office of Policy and in the Africa Bureau. Before joining USAID, Marianna was a Migrant Services Specialist at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and worked for a contractor of the U.S. Department of State implementing an exchange program for U.S. business leaders and Latin American entrepreneurs. 

Marianna holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan and a BA in Communication and Spanish from Alma College. Marianna is an alumna of the Donald M. Payne International Development Fellowship. She is a 2013 graduate of Ludington High School and a recipient of a Rotary scholarship for her undergraduate education.

Kristi Lucas-Zimmerman, Economic Development Director
Ludington and Scottville Chamber of Commerce

Kristi holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Central Michigan University and a Master’s from Walden University. Prior to joining The Right Place, she taught social studies at Ludington High School for 22 years, then served as principal of O. J. DeJonge Middle School.

Following a 27-year career in education, she joined United Way of Mason County, where she was the coach for the Lakeshore Employer Resource Network, a collaboration among 12 county employers, Michigan Works!-West Central and the Department of Health & Human Services. She also started the Getting Ahead/Staying Ahead program at United Way, a class to help people living in or near poverty build their resources. Additionally, Kristi helped create and facilitate Impact Mason County, a collective impact initiative for economic development.

She will work to improve the overall economic state of Mason County through business retention, expansion, and attraction. Her employment is a partnership of the Chamber and The Right Place.

Commander Nicholas Gera
BM1 Demeron Lauze
USCG Station Manistee

We will be meeting at the Mason County Research Center for lunch and a tour.  

Mark Barnett and his wife, Lisa, and three children moved to Ludington in 2001 when he was hired as the chief of Ludington Police Department.  He went on to serve in that role for over 19 years, retiring in 2020.  Mayor Barnett was recently elected to a four-year term, ending 12/31/26.

Brandy H. Miller, Executive Director
Ludington Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Brandy obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations & Advertising from Grand Valley State University and has had various roles since joining the Chamber in 2010. She has an extensive background in communications, strategic marketing, event planning and working in the community. She was born and raised in Ludington and proud to call it home.