Staff
Our Team
LINC's work is reflective of a rich organizational culture represented by the different ideas and talents that our staff bring to the team. We take pride in the diverse history, backgrounds and skills of our staff.
LINC's staff come from 4 different countries, speak 3 different languages, and have had very divergent career and life tracks.
Read about our team members below.
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Co Executive Director
Darel Ross II Email
Darel Ross II has been living in and serving the Grand Rapids community his entire life. Feeling a strong connection and passion for his community in Southeast Grand Rapids, ... read more
Co Executive Director
Jeremy DeRoo Email
Jeremy Deroo has a BA in Psychology from Calvin College and a Masters in Public Administration from Grand Valley State University. Born and raised on a dairy farm in Southern Ontario, DeRoo came to Grand Rapids to attend ... read more
Director of Economic Development
Jorge Gonzalez Email
Jorge, a Grand Rapidian, grew up by Division and Pleasant on the Southeast side of Grand Rapids. He graduated from Union High School and went on to Grand Valley State University where he received a Bachelors in Public Administration and ... read more
Director of Neighborhood Services
Ana Doonan Email
Ana has been the Director of Neighborhood Services since early 2011. Prior to that Ana was our Grants Administrator for five years. Ana has provided management and leadership in various capacities for LINC, including fund development, grant compliance, media relations ... read more
Director of Real Estate Development
Stephanie Gingerich Email
Stephanie joined LINC as Director of Real Estate Development in June 2011. Previously, Stephanie was the Neighborhood Stabilization Program Manager for Kent County and a Community Development Administrator for the City of East Lansing for 8 years. Stephanie previously lived ... read more
Director of Resident Services
Venessa Remo Email
Venessa provides leadership and direction through the management of the Department of Housing Services. Her primary responsibilities include operations, programs, and funding for maintenance and development of the Housing Services programs. Housing Services Programs include: Acquisition, Development & Resale (ADR), ... read more
Outreach & Engagement Coordinator
Kari Bergman Email
A lover of people and a strong advocate for community, Kari interned with LINC in 2009 and officially joined the team in June 2010. Since then Kari has journeyed with LINC and the communities they serve, witnessing significant growth, potential realized and relationships ... read more
Planning Coordinator
LaKiya Jenkins Email
Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a product of Creston High School, LaKiya has always had a desire to give back to her community. Over the past 7 years LaKiya has been active throughout the community serving in area ... read more
Executive Assistant
Erica Hooser Email
Erica joined the team in September of 2008 as a LISC/AmeriCorps member. Erica grew up on the southeast side of town and is "excited to see its transformation to a place that is improving so much. There is a difference from ... read more
Accounting Assistant
Andrew Graham Email
Andrew Graham has his Bachelors of Arts Degree from Western Michigan University with a major in Economics and a minor in General Business.
Originally from the Kalamazoo area, Andrew joined LINC in August 2011 and serves as the Operations Assistant. ... read more
LOC Coach
Alisa White Email
Alisa has been with LINC since February 2007 and provides various levels of support to the Resident Services department. Prior to joining the LINC team, Alisa processed loans for Centex Home Equity for two years and worked for a collection ... read more
Intake Specialist
Debra Wadlington Email
Intake Specialist
Omar Gonzalez Email
Omar was born in Grand Rapids, MI and Graduated from Grand Valley State University where he received his Bachelor's degree in International Relations with a minor in Spanish and Latin American Studies. Omar is very passionate about giving back to the community and ... read more
Development Coordinator
Adam VanderLaan Email
Adam joined LINC in June 2008 and has been involved with the Lead Hazard Control Program in the City of Grand Rapids for the past 4 years, working with several contractors to help make hundreds of homes healthier and ... read more
Housing Rehab Specialist
Scott Jewell Email
Scott was born in Grand Haven Michigan. He has worked in a variety of construction areas from a traveling construction company, to the local carpenters union and running his own business. His experience has involved residential and commercial jobs. His ... read more
B2B Central Community Liaison
Willie Patterson III Email
Willie L. Patterson III, was born and raised right here in Grand Rapids, where he now lives with his wife of ten years and daughter. He has always had a strong love for people and community, this foundation has helped ... read more
B2B Natural Helper
Hugo Claudin Email
Hugo Claudin is a Natural Helper for the Believe 2 Become West Zone. He is originally from Guadalajara, Mexico and moved to Grand Rapids to study fine arts and design. He has worked as a community health worker, a promoter, ... read more
