Eva Aguirre Cooper is currently Vice President of Community Partnerships at Univision Communications. Univision is a Spanish language multimedia broadcast company in the top 25 markets across the United States. Prior to this, Eva was the Community Affairs Director for WOOD TV8 for 22 years. Eva is active on local community boards including West Michigan Aviation Academy, Mary Free Bed Foundation and Experience Grand Rapids.

Dr. Tandy Champion is an Internal Medicine/Pediatric physician in an independent, private practice. She teaches as an adjunct professor at Michigan State Medical School and Spectrum Graduate Medical Education Program. She serves on the Spectrum Internal Medicine/Pediatric Residency Clinical Competency Committee, and is Medial Director of the NHBP tribal clinics. She has a passion for child development and mentoring of students at all stages of education. She has earned her Private Pilot license since becoming a board member.

Richard M. DeVos, Jr., has led the founding and formation of West Michigan Aviation Academy. He’s also chairman at Windquest Group and co-chair of the Grand Action committee. Dick has also held public office on the Michigan State Board of Education, served on numerous boards and committees, and ran for governor in 2006. All Dick’s professional interests are centered on revitalizing Grand Rapids, most notably through education. His love of flying and shared passion with his wife, Betsy, for innovative educational options in Grand Rapids, led to the development of West Michigan Aviation Academy.

George Kiefer recently retired as the VP/GM, Computing & Networking and site leader at GE Aviation Systems after 32 years in the avionics business. Prior to it being owned by GE, it was Lear Siegler and George was a systems engineer for them while obtaining a master of business administration degree from Western Michigan University. He also attended the US Naval Academy and graduated with a BS degree in operations research and served 20 years between the academy, active duty and the navy reserves retiring in 1994 at the rank of Commander. During his active duty and reserves he was a naval flight officer where his experience included tactical coordinator and mission commander of P-3 combat aircrews.

Robin Koop is a retired Amway Executive and worked for Amway for 33+ years in various executive positions including Vice President World Wide Human Resources. Prior to Amway, Robin was an educator in both Florida and Michigan. Her strong commitment to WMAA’s vision of, “Providing the best possible environment for student’s to achieve their goals” and the mission, “Students learn best by doing” is what brought her to WMAA’s Board. Robin serves on several other community projects and committees.

Brian Lennon is a partner with Warner Norcross & Judd, where he specializes in criminal defense, corporate and higher education internal investigations and compliance matters, and privacy and security concerns. Prior to joining the firm, Brian was a federal prosecutor in Michigan and Virginia, a trial attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Division, and Judge Advocate with the United States Marine Corps. Brian currently serves on the Michigan Colleges Alliance Board, and he is a former teacher and coach. Brian’s oldest son, Jack, was a member of WMAA’s first graduating class, and another son, Patrick, recently graduated from WMAA.

Clifford Maine is a practicing attorney and chairman of the Aviation Law Group at Barnes and Thornburg, LLP. He serves as general counsel for a number of aviation groups and is a licensed pilot himself – solo flying an airplane for the first time on his 16th birthday and obtaining his private pilot’s license as a junior in high school. Clifford’s support of our aviation-focused high school is exhibited through his proficiency in business, aviation law, and his passion for flying.

Kathleen Maine is a healthcare attorney and Chief Compliance Officer of Spectrum Health Medical Group. Before joining Spectrum Health Medical Group, Kathleen was a partner at Varnum Law and General Counsel at MMPC. She brings experience in board governance, strategic planning, and policy development to the WMAA board. Her commitment to WMAA, as well as her past board service and community involvement, is based on providing educational opportunities for K-12 students.

Tim Platz is a Vice President at Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber, Inc. (FTCH) a Grand Rapids Headquartered Architectural/Engineering Consulting Firm. A Professional Surveyor, he is the Survey Department Director managing survey staff on projects throughout Michigan and Ohio. Tim currently serves on the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Professional Surveyors Board and the Northwest Michigan Colleges Survey Advisory Committee. All three of his daughters have attended WMAA.