BOARD MEMBERS

Wayne Sall

Board Member

Wayne enjoys traveling, golf, grandchildren and serving as an advocate for Critter Barn. Wayne has served as vice-president and on our Fundraising team.

Doug Slenk

Board Member

Doug is the father of five children who are frequent visitors to Critter Barn. Doug has served on the board for 7 years, and is employed at Tramec Sloan in Holland.

Brian Geerlings

Board President

Meet our Board President, Brian Geerlings. Brian is employed at Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch in Saranac, but finds time to serve on our board and assist with construction projects at Critter Barn.

Chris Machiela

Vice President

Meet our Board Vice President, Chris Machiela. Chris has been a friend of Critter Barn through providing hay for many years. He is also a member of our New Farm Committee.

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 for 12 years. 

Brian Terborg

Treasurer

Meet our Board Treasurer, Brian Terborg. Brian is the CFO of Zeeland Farm Services, a major supporter of Critter Barn. He has served on the board for over 8 years as Treasurer.

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!

Carol Schoenborn

Board Member

Carol, along with her husband and sons, own and operate Schoenborn Family Farms LLC in Holland. Their family has been friends of the Critter Barn for over 15 years. Carol joined the Critter Barn Board in 2020 and enjoys the many opportunities the Critter Barn offers to educate the importance of farming and agriculture.

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.