Annual Election & Member Voting Information

My name is Jill Grung and I am running for a seat on OUR Board of Directors.

I am a retired CPA with 30+ years of auditing nonprofit organizations. My work focused on the financial side of looking at an organization and how that organization spends responsibly and plans for its future.

This is my 3rd season here at Sandy Pines. I spend the entire summer right here in phase 5 enjoying everything Sandy Pines has to offer. In the off-season I live locally in Jenison.

I meet so many new and interesting people here in the park. I have developed an understanding of many issues on the minds of the membership. I believe I can offer a new, clean and refreshing perspective to “business as usual”.

I do come with experience of sitting on a large Board of Directors. I spent six years as a member of the Community Unit School District 300 Board of Education in Illinois, and for many of those years, I was an officer on the board. This governing body was responsible for a $90 million budget and approximately 15,000 students. I learned there are times when hard decisions are necessary to protect the masses and that you can’t please all the people all the time. However, I found that being transparent with information and educating your constituents on the reasons behind certain decisions, can gain the respect of all parties.

I would appreciate and consider it a privilege if you allowed me the opportunity to represent YOU, the membership, on OUR board.

Thanks Jill Grung, CPA

Hello, my name is Brad Hutchins. My wife and I are in our 10th season at Sandy Pines, a place we discovered through my sisters and niece, all of whom have places here. We have two adult children who enjoy visiting when their schedules allow. I grew up in Holland, Jackson, and Ann Arbor, Michigan, and after college, we moved to a Chicago suburb where we've lived for over 35 years.

I'm proud to be part of this vibrant community. Sandy Pines offers a unique environment with activities focused on family, recreation, and social bonds, all of which keep us coming back year after year.

I've always believed in giving back. I've served on several Sandy Pines committees, including the Long-Range Planning Committee for five years and the cross-functional Capital Reserve Master Plan team for the past year and a half. Many members may also recognize my name as the instructor of the Fused and Stained Glass Classes here. This experience has allowed me to connect with many members, many of whom I now consider friends.

My professional background is in healthcare, beginning as a Speech-Language Pathologist and later as a Hospital Vice President of Clinical Programs. The second half of my career was spent as a Chief Development Officer, notably at the American Academy of Pediatrics and the national Easter Seals organization.

In addition to my roles here at Sandy Pines, I have extensive experience serving on various Boards of Directors, including Our Children’s Homestead, a foster care organization focused on helping adolescent children in foster care, and the International Pediatric Association Foundation, which promotes education and pediatric healthcare worldwide. Additionally, I also served on two school Boards in Glen Ellyn.

All these experiences have taught me the importance and role of Board Members in strategic oversight, fiduciary responsibility, active listening, effective communication, and respectful collaboration—key qualities for a Board Member. I believe in offering relevant insights and being open to discussions on important topics.

I hope to serve as your representative on the Sandy Pines Board of Directors. My background and experiences have prepared me to help guide Sandy Pines' growth today and into the future.

Please feel free to contact me with your thoughts, concerns, or goals for Sandy Pines as you decide your vote.

All the best, Brad Hutchins, M.A.

Hello everyone,

My name is Angie Kuppler and I am running for a seat on the Sandy Pines Board of Directors.

My husband Kurt and I have been married for 34 years. After purchasing our Sandy Pines site in 2022 and later purchasing a condo in 2024, we chose to make Sandy Pines our year-round home. We are fully invested - emotionally, financially and wholeheartedly in the future of this community. I want to ensure that the decisions made today will sustain the Sandy Pines experience and to continue making Sandy Pines a place everyone can enjoy.

Prior to moving here we lived in Texas Township, near Kalamazoo, and raised our three children. Today, our family includes four grandchildren, and some of our greatest memories are made right here at Sandy Pines. Family, community, and creating lasting traditions are at the heart of why I am running.

PROFESSIONAL & LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

I founded and operated three successful service businesses, including a 440-customer cleaning company, along with window cleaning and mosquito/pest control businesses. Through those experiences, I developed strengths in budgeting, financial oversight, operations, staff leadership, long-range planning and customer service.

I have also served in numerous volunteer leadership roles. I was PTO President for two different elementary schools, sat on a committee when the school system expanded, President of a little league - 750+ player little league program and managed my sons travel soccer team. Given that one of those tenures as President of a PTO involved starting a new school - I have also had involvement with drafting governing by-laws to support long-term organizational success. I know what it means to lead, to collaborate, and to make decisions that stand the test of time.

Currently, I serve as Secretary on the Sandy Pines Condo Board of Directors. In this role, I work closely with fellow board members on governance, communication, meeting administration and representing condo co-owners’ interests while balancing responsible stewardship of community resources. This experience provides current hands-on insight into board operations, decision-making, and serving the broader Sandy Pines membership.

MY VISION FOR SANDY PINES

Sandy Pines should continue to improve without losing the character that makes it unique. I support thoughtful growth, strong stewardship of member investment and preserving the traditions that bring families together. We need to remember that the foundation of this community started based on camping, camp fires, enjoying friends and family, safe spaces for children and being budget friendly. While we can add new additions to the park-like pickle ball courts, tennis courts, new pools and various other items that we would enjoy, I would like to see the park stay like a park - open, natural and family centered. No big structures with restrictive guidelines that would block the lake or take away from the family camping experience.

I feel like I “check all the boxes” required for someone in the role of a board member. In addition to my past experiences:

We have a condo and a trailer so I am invested in both places. I pay two sets of dues and want to keep them reasonable while protecting your investment.

We own a boat with a boat stake - so I care deeply about the lake and the infrastructure that supports it.

Our grandchildren love to come out and play on all the different playgrounds - each playground is unique. They love the water park and going to the pools. They enjoy all of the kids activities that the Recreation staff provides. These are things that we need to make certain we maintain and keep in good repair.

I play tennis and pickle ball and my husband loves to golf.

We enjoy Karaoke, Music Bingo and clubhouse events, and feel we can expand these offerings while keeping costs down.

With all the above being said I will most definitely fight to keep this park “open” for 6 months and not just the 4 months like we seemed to have morphed into this past season. Sandy Pines should be enjoyed for the full season it was designed for.

I would be honored to earn your vote and the opportunity to serve Sandy Pines with thoughtful leadership, fiscal responsibility, common sense, and a long-term commitment to preserving the community we all love.

Hello Sandy Pines Neighbors,

I am Patience "Pat" Pike, and I am honored to announce my candidacy for the Sandy Pines Board of Directors.

Family & Community Roots

My husband, Dean, and I have been happily married for 34 years. Together, we raised four wonderful children—three boys and a girl. Our journey began in Plainwell, Michigan, before we relocated to Fulton to be closer to my parents. Watching our children grow up alongside their grandparents was a gift, and the lessons my parents taught us about family have shaped exactly the kind of grandparents Dean and I strive to be today.

A Lifelong Dedication to Education

Education and community service have always been at the core of who I am. I earned my undergraduate degree in Mathematics from Grand Valley State University, followed by a Master’s degree in Special Education from Western Michigan University.

For 24 rewarding years, I served with Battle Creek Public Schools, teaching everything from 6th-12th grade mathematics and accelerated middle school math to 8th-grade special education. Though I retired from Battle Creek last year, teaching is truly in my blood. After stepping in to teach part-time at Climax-Scotts High School this past year, I realized I’m not quite ready to step away from the classroom—I have happily accepted a full-time teaching position at Climax-Scotts for the upcoming school year.

Impact Beyond the Classroom: Athletic Coaching

In addition to teaching, my commitment to mentoring youth has always extended to the athletic fields and lanes. My coaching journey began right at home, supporting my own children as a coach for their Little League baseball and soccer teams. Over the years, I expanded my involvement to school athletics, coaching at multiple levels:

• High School: Varsity soccer and bowling.
• Middle School: Tennis and soccer (coaching both the girls' and boys' programs).

Whether on the field or in the classroom, my focus has always been on fostering teamwork, confidence, and dedication in our youth.

Our Sandy Pines Story

Dean and I became a part of the Sandy Pines community in the Fall of 2018, and it is easily one of the best choices we have ever made. Whether spending our summers here or planning for retirement, this park has given us priceless family memories and some of our absolute closest friendships.

Sandy Pines is a family community through and through. Our grandchildren absolutely love the recreational activities here, and watching two of them learn how to swim in the park are memories I will cherish forever. This community holds a very special place in our hearts.

Leadership & Proven Involvement

I believe that the best way to understand and care for a community is to roll up your sleeves and get involved. Over the years, I have sought out opportunities to serve Sandy Pines by volunteering for park activities and dedicating my time to key committees:

• Finance Committee (5 Years): Served actively as a committee member and as the committee’s Secretary, working to ensure responsible financial oversight for our park.
• Library Committee: Recently appointed as the Committee Chair, working to protect and enhance our community resources.
• Public Safety & Securities Committee: Newly joined to advocate for a safe, secure environment for all residents and guests.

My Vision for the Board

I deeply believe in everything Sandy Pines stands for and am dedicated to ensuring it remains a vibrant, safe, and welcoming community for generations to come. As a member of your Board of Directors, my commitment is to represent your voice, preserve our wonderful traditions, and responsibly manage the amenities and activities that make our park so unique.

Throughout my final years in education, I was deeply involved in service-learning programs—initiatives designed to enrich our community by encouraging active, meaningful contribution. This passion for giving back is what drives my candidacy for the board. I would be incredibly grateful for your vote and the opportunity to serve you.

Warmly,

Patience "Pat" Pike Candidate for Sandy Pines Board of Directors

My name is Craig Van Beek, and I am asking for your support as I run for the Sandy Pines Board of Directors.

Sandy Pines has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. My grandparents and my parents were members of the park, and many of my childhood memories were made here. My parents even operated the Golden Onion Restaurant during the late 1970s and early 1980s, making Sandy Pines not just a campground, but a place our family has proudly called home for generations.

I had the privilege of working in the Sandy Pines Maintenance Department for 25 years before accepting God’s call into ministry as a local pastor. Those years gave me a firsthand understanding of how our park operates, the challenges it faces, and the importance of caring for this special community.

Today, my wife Laura and I are members of Sandy Pines and enjoy spending our summers in Phase 4 with our three daughters. We love the friendships, traditions, and sense of community that make this place so unique.

I have always believed that serving others is one of life’s greatest responsibilities. Along with serving as a local pastor, I currently serve as an Allegan County Commissioner and as the Vice Chair of the Allegan County Board of Commissioners. These roles have given me valuable experience in leadership, budgeting, long-range planning, listening to diverse perspectives, and making thoughtful decisions for the benefit of an entire community.

I believe my lifelong connection to Sandy Pines, combined with my experience in public service and leadership, has prepared me well to serve on the Board of Directors.

If elected, I will work hard to represent all members with honesty, integrity, transparency, and respect. I will listen carefully, communicate openly, and strive to make decisions that preserve the traditions we cherish while thoughtfully preparing Sandy Pines for the future.

Thank you for your time, your trust, and your consideration. I would be honored to earn your vote and serve our Sandy Pines community.

Blessings,

Craig Van Beek