DIRECTORS
For all housing and general inquires please contact us or call us at 1-616-414-9209
Our dedicated staff and board of directors are always available to answer any questions you might have about Gracious Grounds.
KATIE APPOLD
PRESIDENT: KATIE APPOLD
LAUREN GOWMAN
Vice President
VICE PRESIDENT: LAUREN GOWMAN
Lauren Gowman is a bright and knowledgeable young woman who grew up in Grand Haven, Michigan. She attended Grand Haven High School, Hope College, and recently graduated with her MBA from Cornerstone University in early 2017.
Currently, Lauren serves as the Director of Operations for the Assisted Living portfolio for Heritage Property Management, which is also her family business. She is one of five current 4th generation family members to work for the company. She started working in the kitchen at age fourteen and worked her way up through various roles. Her great grandfather, Arthur Reenders, stared the business in 1946. Arthur started building single family houses, her grandpa started multifamily housing, and her dad, uncle, and aunt got into senior housing twenty-three years ago. They currently have nine assisted living communities and six independent senior community properties located around the state of Michigan.
Lauren’s relationship with Gracious Grounds started in 2016. In 2016, Sandy Baker reached out to Lauren to see if Heritage Property Management had any employment opportunities for her residents. Through this process, Lauren and Sandy created a bond that would last for years to come. “I immediately fell in love with the organization and what Sandy was providing for the community” Over the years, Lauren has had the Gracious Grounds residents to her house for a summer fire, to her parents’ house for a swim and cook out, and to a Hope College basketball game. Grand Pines Assisted Living currently employs several Gracious Grounds residents and is in walking distance from Gracious Grounds. We can not thank Lauren and her family enough for providing such wonderful opportunities for our residents!
Lauren believes that she can be an asset to Gracious Grounds because her expertise with senior living can be applied to Gracious Grounds. “We both work with vulnerable adults that need a lot of love, compassion and care.” Lauren’s main desire is to help others; therefore, she feels honored to work in her daily job and feels that being a part of the Gracious Grounds board will fill her cup even more. “I can’t wait for this journey, there are big things in store!”
JENNIFER VANSKIVER
Secretary
SECRETARY: JENNIFER VANSKIVER
ERIN LYON
Treasurer
TREASURER: ERIN LYON
KEVIN GREEN
Member
MEMBER: KEVIN GREEN
Kevin Green lives in Spring Lake with his wife Rachel and daughter Gianna. He has lived in the community since 1996 when he started working at Spring Lake Country Club where he is now the General Manager. He has worked with Spring Lake High School for over a decade to host off-site work and employability skills training for students with unique skills and learning needs. Kevin is active with the Rotary Club of Spring Lake serving on the Board as the Membership Chairman. He also serves on the North Bank Community Fund Advisory Board, the 100 Men Who Give Steering Committee and the Michigan Club Manager’s Association Board as Past President.
DENNIS SWARTOUT
Member
MEMBER: DENNIS SWARTOUT
GAY COLE
Member
MEMBER: GAY COLE
JEFF TROUPE
Member
MEMBER: JEFF TROUPE
MEET THE STAFF
DAVID BURDO
Executive Director
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: DAVID BURDO
David joined Gracious Grounds as Executive Director in June 2020 and is responsible for overseeing the administration, programs, and strategic plan of the organization. In this position, David’s other duties include fundraising, marketing, and community outreach, serving as chief liaison with other community organizations and key constituent groups.
David’s professional career has included 15 years of leadership and law practice in both nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Following a 9-year career practicing law, he most recently served as the Director of Membership and Marketing, including a period as Interim Executive Director, at the Tri-Cities Family YMCA. It was during this time that he was able to fully grasp and understand the philanthropic spirit of the Tri-Cities.
David and his wife Gina live in Spring Lake with their two kids, Ethan and Emma. In their spare time, they love to camp, travel, and spend time with our family and friends. As a big believer in impacting our community through volunteerism, David is an active member of the Tri-Cities Kiwanis Club, serves on the Board of Dunegrass Healing LLC, and coaches youth hockey with the Lakeshore Chiefs.
ROSE DUNLAP
Operations Director
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR: ROSE DUNLAP
Rose has been the Operations Director at Gracious Grounds since December of 2019 and is responsible for the direct oversight of the day-to-day operations across all three Gracious Grounds properties, focusing on several key areas; property management, resident life, family liaison, Resident Assistant collaboration, and training along with providing support for the Executive Director for fundraising and event planning.
Prior to joining Gracious grounds, Rose had a 20-year career in radio sales, marketing, and as the Director of Operations for WGHN radio and its two sister stations. Rose provides a wide scope of knowledge in organizational support, event execution, human resources, team training, community outreach, and client retention. Rose has worked alongside numerous non-profit organizations and is active in the Grand Haven Chamber of Commerce.
Rose has lived in Spring Lake for almost 25 years with her husband Harold. They have two children, Aubrey and Erice. In their spare time, Rose and her husband enjoy hunting for antiques and adding to their collection of vinyl records. Rose is also a member of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and attends Pow Wow’s throughout the year with her family and sisters, continuing to honor their Native American traditions and beliefs.
GRACIOUS GROUNDS WELCOMES NEW RESIDENT SUPPORT STAFF
GRACIOUS GROUNDS ANNOUNCES OPENING OF LAKESHORE FLATS, WELCOMES 25 NEW RESIDENTS
SUPPLIES AND DONATION WISHLIST
2020 VIRTUAL GALA INFORMATION & REGISTRATION