Board of Directors
The Citizens Coalition of Old Mission Peninsula is a resident-led organization dedicated to restoring unity, promoting fair governance, and ensuring a sustainable future for our agricultural community. We bring together farmers, shoreline owners, and residents who believe in transparent leadership and sensible policies that work for everyone.
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My name is Fred Swaffer, and for the past 33 years, I have called the Old Mission Peninsula home, witnessing its transition from vast, bountiful orchards to a landscape of increasing residential development. More concerning than the physical changes, however, is the shift I’ve seen in our community—where neighbors who once worked together now find themselves at odds in meetings and on social media. This prompted me to help form the Citizens Coalition of Old Mission, a group of residents dedicated to correcting a governance structure that has left 59% of our neighbors feeling that the Township is headed in the wrong direction. Drawing on my background as a retired USAF/USAFR Officer, Gulf War Veteran, and 33-year international airline pilot, I believe in addressing the root causes of our community’s friction: over-regulation and a restrictive ordinance structure. My focus is on working with the Township to repeal Amendment 201, establish equitable shoreline rules, and protect individual property rights, all while maintaining total transparency through the public disclosure of our donors and legal documents. As the owner of Old Mission Cultivars, I am convinced that if we can restore unity and empower our farmers to prosper, we will successfully preserve the heritage and beauty of this peninsula for the generations that follow us.
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With a career rooted in complex land use and community adaptation, I bring a wealth of experience as a former real estate attorney serving the I-94, I-75, and I-96 corridors and as the past President of a private family foundation in Battle Creek. My professional focus has centered on urban redevelopment and mitigating the impact of urban sprawl by crafting the legislative tools and "repurposing" strategies necessary for communities to adapt to shifting economic landscapes—from transforming downtowns into professional hubs to repurposing military bases for global industrial investment. I see a direct parallel between these experiences and the challenges facing the Old Mission Peninsula today. I believe our focus must be on saving the farmers themselves, not just the farmland, and I embrace a pragmatic philosophy that recognizes we may not be able to save every acre in its original form. To ensure the long-term viability of our agricultural heritage, I advocate for the Township to adopt significant, forward-thinking changes that allow for strategic land development and diversified commercial activity, ensuring the peninsula remains a prosperous, living community for generations to come. -Fred Woodruff
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Bern Kroupa serves as the Treasurer for the Citizens Coalition, bringing a unique blend of financial expertise and deep-rooted local heritage to the board. A fifth-generation resident of the Old Mission Peninsula, Bern is a dedicated fruit grower and processor with a firsthand understanding of the challenges facing modern agriculture. His professional background includes a distinguished career as Senior Vice President of Lending at MFC, providing him with the financial acumen necessary to advocate for transparent and responsible Township fiscal policies.
Bern is a passionate advocate for the evolution of the local farming industry, often noting, “This isn’t our forefathers’ agriculture - we want the freedom to grow.” Through his leadership, Bern seeks to ensure that the peninsula remains a place where agricultural heritage is preserved by allowing current and future generations of farmers the flexibility they need to thrive.
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Amanda Danielson is a distinguished hospitality executive and systems development specialist with over 25 years of experience dedicated to advancing quality-driven, agriculture-centered hospitality and education. As the founder of Verlaris Hospitality and the executive director of the nonprofit Intentional Agriculture, she specializes in building cross-institutional collaborations and grower-led research initiatives—such as the Le Tre Sirene field lab—to foster both ecological and economic sustainability. Her leadership extends to co-founding Dirt to Glass™, Michigan’s premier viticulture and enology educational platform, and serving since 2004 as the Beverage Director for Trattoria Stella, where she oversees producer-centered wine programming and strategic organizational planning. With a proven track record in strategic leadership, global wine benchmarking, and curriculum design, Amanda remains a key driver in elevating Michigan’s wine industry through regional innovation and multi-stakeholder alignment.
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Tom Menzel brings an exceptional track record of executive leadership and public service to the Citizens Coalition. With an MBA in Project Management, Tom built a successful corporate career with industry leaders like Xerox and McGraw-Hill before serving as Mayor, City Treasurer, and Alderman for the City of Rolling Meadows. A twice-recognized Crain’s Chicago Business "Top 50 Business Leader," Tom’s expertise in large-scale management later benefited the Grand Traverse region, where he served as CEO of the National Cherry Festival and as Grand Traverse County Administrator. His extensive background in strategic planning and civic governance is now dedicated to fostering responsible, transparent leadership for the Old Mission Peninsula.
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Kathleen Haueisen is a highly versatile business professional and community leader with a diverse background in asset management, strategic marketing, and non-profit development. Holding both a Master of Arts and a Bachelor of Science from Central Michigan University, Kathleen brings a unique combination of analytical rigor and communication expertise to the Board. Her professional career is marked by significant leadership roles, including serving as a District Manager overseeing 400+ employees and as an Advancement Officer for Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools, where she specialized in major gift stewardship and grant writing.
A seasoned asset manager and published author, Kathleen has extensive experience in board-level governance, currently serving as Treasurer for the Munson Finance Authority and as President of multiple community associations in Michigan and Florida. Beyond her financial and management acumen, Kathleen is a multi-year recipient of "Educator of the Year" honors and has served as a technical writer for the automotive and engineering sectors for over two decades. Deeply committed to the Grand Traverse region, her civic contributions included leadership roles with the Grand Traverse County GOP, National Cherry Festival, and the Northwestern Michigan Fair.
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Brad Niergarth is a Senior Partner at Dennis, Gartland & Niergarth (DGN) with a distinguished career in public accounting spanning nearly five decades. Since becoming a partner in 1984, Brad has specialized in business valuation, litigation support, and strategic planning, providing expert guidance on business acquisitions and management consulting with a particular focus on the manufacturing sector. A graduate of Central Michigan University with a B.S. in Business Administration, he is a dedicated member of both the American Institute of CPAs and the Michigan Association of CPAs. Beyond his professional practice, Brad is a deeply engaged community leader, notably serving as the Past President of the Traverse Area Chamber of Commerce, where he leveraged his financial acumen to support regional economic growth and stability.
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A lifelong resident of the Old Mission Peninsula, Jed Hemming brings an invaluable, deep-rooted perspective to the Citizens Coalition as a second-generation farmer. Having spent his life working the land that defines our region, Jed possesses an intimate understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities facing the Peninsula’s agricultural community. His commitment to the board is driven by a desire to preserve the heritage of Old Mission while advocating for a governance structure that allows local farms and families to thrive for generations to come. Jed’s lifelong connection to the community ensures that the Coalition’s efforts remain grounded in the authentic needs and values of the people who live and work on the Peninsula.
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Walt Knysz is a dedicated Old Mission Peninsula property owner and the owner of Eagle’s Vineyard, a role that underscores his deep personal and professional investment in the region’s agricultural landscape. Bringing a wealth of business acumen and a steward’s perspective to the board, Walt is committed to the long-term health and preservation of the Peninsula. His dual role as a resident and a vineyard owner allows him to bridge the gap between community interests and the practical realities of maintaining the area's iconic viticulture. Walt advocates for strategic, transparent leadership that protects the Peninsula’s unique character while ensuring it remains a vibrant and sustainable home for future generations.
