Michigan 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees elections were held at the Michigan 4-H Foundation annual membership meeting Oct. 4, 2019.

Trustees are volunteers who serve as community advocates for 4-H and lead the Michigan 4-H Foundation. Trustees manage foundation policies and operations, oversee the work of  staff members and work on committees developed to facilitate foundation operations.

Trustee elections

Reelected to three-year terms on the board were: Tom Bosserd, of Plymouth; Douglas Lewis, Milan; and Roxanne Turner, Fowlerville.

Mike Sweers,  Dansville, was newly elected to a three-year term on the board. Sweers served as  a 4-H volunteer in Ingham County, where he was the dairy superintendent alongside his wife, Jan, for 12 years. They raised three daughters, who all participated in 4-H from ages 5 to 19, and he was leader of the Dansville 4Leaf Clovers 4-H Club throughout those years. In addition to dairy, Sweers also assisted in the goat and rabbit project areas.

Sweers is the executive chief engineer for the Toyota Tundra, Sequoia, Tacoma and 4Runner vehicle programs at Toyota Motor North America, Research and Development (TMNA R&D), headquartered in York Township, Michigan. Sweers also serves as executive vice president at the global parent company, Toyota Motor Corporation. Since joining Toyota in 1990, Sweers has held several leadership roles of increasing responsibility at Toyota Technical Center and TMNA R&D. Before joining Toyota, Sweers served as a project engineer with Chrysler Corporation from 1986 to 1990. He started his career at General Motors Oldsmobile Division, later becoming BOC J/N Platform. Sweers received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Detroit. He followed this with a specialty in Quality Control Management, from which he graduated magna cum laude with an associate of applied science degree from Lansing Community College. He has received U.S. patents for automotive seating and interior trim components. He is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers and is a senior member of the Society of Plastics Engineers.

Officer elections

Sara A. Stuby, of Centreville, was reelected president of the Michigan 4-H Foundation. Stuby retired from MSU Extension in 2008 as the s MSU Extension southwest regional director. Stuby and her husband, Dale Stuby, co-own and operate Dale Stuby Farms and Legacy Land Farms, a 1,000-acre crop farm in Constantine. Stuby is a St. Joseph County 4-H alumna, a 4-H Emerald Clover Society member and a longtime 4-H volunteer. Since 2014, Sally and Dale have been members of the Leadership 10, serving as leadership supporters and public advocates for the Campaign for Michigan 4-H’s Future.

Also reelected were: as vice president, Sheila Wade Kneeshaw, Detroit; as treasurer, Melissa Humphrey, Fowler; and as secretary, Jacob M. DeDecker, St. Johns. The immediate past president is Douglas E. Lewis, Milan.

Additionally, youth trustee Emily Kittendorf’s  term expired, and she was recognized for her service to 4‑H.