 
Kent County Board of Commissioners Elects New Leadership
Greene Becomes Youngest Chair in County History
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Jan. 3, 2025) — The Kent County Board of Commissioners ushered in a new era of leadership today as members were sworn into office by Kent County Clerk/Register of Deeds Lisa Posthumus Lyons. During the organizational meeting, the Board unanimously elected Commissioner Ben Greene (District 1) as Chair and Commissioner Dan Burill (District 8) as Vice-Chair.
At 36 years old, Greene becomes the youngest person to serve as Chair in the County’s history. He brings extensive experience to the role, having served as a Plainfield Township Trustee from 2016 to 2020 and as a Legislative Aide and Legislative Director in the Michigan House of Representatives for a decade. Greene is also a small business owner, leading a marketing and public relations firm headquartered in Grand Rapids. First elected to the Board in 2020, he is committed to advancing the County’s priorities and addressing the needs of its residents.
“Being elected Chair is a tremendous honor, and I am grateful for the trust my colleagues have placed in me,” said Greene. “I am committed to fostering collaboration as we address the challenges ahead, seizing opportunities to strengthen our communities, and improving services for residents—all while ensuring we remain fiscally responsible and accountable.”
Commissioner Michelle McCloud (District 13) was elected as Minority Vice-Chair. Commissioner Dan Burill, in addition to serving as Vice-Chair, will Chair the Legislative and Operations Committee.
Other leadership roles include Commissioner Lindsey Thiel (District 11) as Chair of the Finance Committee and Commissioner Dave Hildenbrand (District 5) as Chair of the Community, Health, and Safety Committee.
This year's transition introduces a new committee structure to enhance oversight and accountability across the County’s operations. It also marks the beginning of a significant change, as commissioners now serve four-year terms instead of two due to a recent change in state law. The Board welcomed five newly elected members, each bringing fresh perspectives to the Board.
"We are looking forward to implementing the new committee structure,” concluded Greene. "We also warmly welcome our newly elected members, whose fresh perspectives and energy will be invaluable as we address key issues and work together to drive meaningful progress for Kent County residents."
In other business, the Board approved appointments to various county committees, commissions, and boards. The County received more than 200 applications for 41 vacancies, showcasing the community's strong engagement and interest in public service.
Visit our website for more information on the Kent County Board of Commissioners and its initiatives.
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