Think Boldly. Plan Collegially.
Act Urgently.
Spearheaded and co-chaired by John Canepa, Dick DeVos and David Frey, Grand Action is a not-for-profit organization comprised of more than 250 individuals from throughout the community.
Its primary objectives have been to identify downtown building and revitalization projects, to galvanize public opinion and support for these projects, and to design and implement funding strategies for each project, including securing enough private sector support to guarantee funding from existing public funds.
Grand Action is an outgrowth of the Grand Vision Committee. In April, 1991, Dick DeVos assembled more than 50 West Michigan community leaders and volunteers from the business, labor, civic, academic and sports sectors to explore the possibility of building an arena and expanding and renovating local convention facilities. In April, 1993, Grand Vision officially changed its name to Grand Action and set-up offices at 120 Lyon N.W. John Canepa and David Frey joined Dick DeVos as Co-chairs of the new organization.
Original Committee
General Chairs: John Canepa (In Memoriam), Richard M. DeVos (In Memoriam), David Frey (In Memoriam)
Honorary Chairs: The Honorable Gerald R. Ford (In Memoriam), Peter C. Cook (in Memoriam), Richard M. DeVos, Richard M. Gillett (In Memoriam), MaryAnn Keeler, Miner S. Keller II (In Memoriam), Frederik Meijer (In Memoriam), L. William Seidman (In Memoriam), Jay Van Andel (In Memoriam), Edward Frey (In Memoriam)
Executive Committee: Marty Allen, Loren Andrulis, Dick Haslinger, Steve Heacock, Bob Hooker (Campaign Chair), Mike Jandernoa, Kurt Kimball, Birgit Klohs, Jim Leach, Don Maine, Lou Moran, Jon Nunn, Judy Rose, Carol Van Andel, Michelle VanDyke, Casey Wondergem (In Memoriam)
Executive Director: Jon Nunn
Executive Assistants: Phyllis Tillema, Abby Jefferson
Accounting Systems: Kelly Hanke
