BOARD MEMBERS

Doug Slenk

Board Member

Doug and his wife have five children who are frequent visitors to Critter Barn. Their daughter Anna is a member of Critter Barn’s Barnyard Crew. Anna volunteers weekly with Miss Lisa, and loves being a volunteer. Doug is in his third term as a board member and is employed at Tramec Sloan in Holland

Brian Geerlings

Board President

Meet our Board President, Brian Geerlings. Brian is a nutrient specialist. Retired now from Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch, Brian finds time to assist with various projects at the Critter Barn in addition to his leadership as president.

Chris Machiela

Vice President

Meet our Board Vice President, Chris Machiela. Chris and his sons raise livestock, hay and have been active in 4H and livestock shows. Chris has supplied hay to the Critter Barn for years and has seeded and harvested hay at Critter Barn’s New Farm fields. He works for the Ottawa County Drain Commission.

Pat Mitchell

Board Member

Pat is the Director of Quality for Coastal Container and also runs his own farm, Shamrock Acres, with his wife Linda where they raise registered Dexter cattle and Katahdin sheep. Pat has been on the Critter Barn board for 8 years, and served as Board President for 5.

Laurie Wright

Board Member

Meet Laurie Wright, DVM. Laurie is the Program Director of Veterinary Technology at Baker College in Muskegon. Baker’s Vet Tech students have participated in animal care and education at Critter Barn since 2004.

Brian Terborg

Board Member

Brian Terborg is the CFO of Zeeland Farm Services, a major supporter of Critter Barn. He served for 8 years as our treasurer and continues his involvement as a director. Brian and his wife have a son and a daughter.

Audrey Patterson

Board Member

Meet Audrey Patterson. Audrey is Vice President of Regulatory Affairs for Hazel Technologies, an Ag Biotech
Company. Audrey has been a Board Member since March 2020 after an introduction to the Critter Barn through the Michigan Agribusiness Association. Audrey and her husband, Dan, have two sons and reside in Ada.

Phillip Preston

Board Member

Phillip is employed at Greenstone Farm Credit Services as a Crop Insurance Specialist focused on fruit and specialty crops. He is a beekeeping hobbyist and has kept honeybees for 20+ years. He and his wife have 2 amazing young daughters. 

Paul Pyle

Board Member

Meet Paul Pyle. Paul is the Facilities Director at Engedi Church. He was a full time 6th generation dairy farmer for 20 years and currently raises dairy heifers and crops. He has 5 kids who love the Critter Barn!

Mary Rottschafer

Executive Director

Mary worked initially in music and elementary education after graduating from Hope College in 1974. Her passion for teaching and working with animals continues to grow because of the profound effect the whole farm experience has on children and youth.