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OTTAWA/ALLEGAN COUNTIES — Todd Whiteman, a city councilman serving Holland’s fifth ward since 2009, has been named executive director of Disability Network/Lakeshore, a disability information and advocacy organization serving Ottawa and Allegan counties.

Whiteman, 38, succeeds founding executive director Ruth Stegeman, who left in December after guiding the nonprofit from its official inception in 1992.

“Todd Whiteman is a values-based leader with strong integrity, high morals, and a deep desire to impact Ottawa and Allegan counties so that everyone can contribute, participate, and belong,” said Mary Jo Baweja, a Disability Network board member and chair of its search committee. “We find him to be results oriented, reliable, empathetic, and visionary. We are very excited to have Todd lead an exceptional team that staffs this organization.”

Raised in northern Indiana, Whiteman has lived in west Michigan for ten years and is married to a Holland native. He worked almost four years for United Federal Credit Union, serving as the Holland branch’s business development manager. Before that, he directed Golf Pro Links, a Christian nonprofit serving professionals in the golf industry, for four years and also worked as a golf pro in Saugatuck.

Whiteman’s background in business and management, along with his effectiveness in networking, relationship building, and public policy, impressed Disability Network’s board of directors and staff, Baweja said.

“One of my mentors taught me to orient my life around that which others cannot or will not do, and this is an organization where that role will play out,” Whiteman said. “My interactions with staff and board confirmed that people at Disability Network are deeply committed to serving others.”

“My hope is to continue a great body of work in issues that are relevant to people with disabilities living in Ottawa and Allegan counties, and to provide a seamless transition from previous leadership to advance Disability Network’s objectives,” said Whiteman, who begins his work as executive director June 13.

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• disability network
• economic development
• ottawa allegan counties
• todd whiteman