Along with serving as Mayor of the City of Zeeland and 21 years prior as a City Council member, Rick is a third-generation member of his family to work at Michigan West Shore Nursery, a Zeeland-based wholesaler of Christmas trees and greenhouse grown flowers. When he is not serving the citizens of Zeeland or working in his day-to-day role, Rick enjoys spending time with his family and friends, traveling, and coaching his children’s various sports teams
You were recently sworn in as mayor of Zeeland. What first inspired you to become involved in public service and local leadership?
Serving and giving back to our community has been an important part of my family for as long as I can remember. Many members of my family who have called Zeeland home have served the community in a variety of ways, and their example instilled in me a deep appreciation for public service.
For as long as I can remember, one of my personal goals has been to serve as Mayor of Zeeland. When Kevin Klynstra announced his retirement, I saw an opportunity and felt it was the right time to take the next step in my public service journey. Thankfully, the citizens of Zeeland felt it was the right time as well, and they entrusted me with the honor of serving as their Mayor.
Tell us about your leadership style. Who are the people or what were the experiences that have most shaped your style as a leader?
My leadership philosophy is rooted in service. I believe leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room it’s about listening first, treating people with respect, making informed decisions, and earning trust through consistency. I strive to lead with integrity, balancing a long-term vision with practical, common-sense solutions.
I’ve been fortunate to learn from many outstanding leaders throughout my life. My parents taught me the importance of hard work, humility, and treating people the right way. During my more than 20 years on the City Council, I’ve had the opportunity to serve alongside dedicated public servants like Les Hoogland, Al Dannenberg and Kevin Klynstra to name just a few whose commitment to our community has helped shape my own leadership style. Every experience has reinforced that the best leaders never stop learning.
From your perspective, what are the biggest opportunities facing Zeeland over the next five to 10 years?
Fortunately, Zeeland is in a strong financial position and, by all indications, will remain so for the foreseeable future. That stability is due in large part to significant public and private investments that have been made in our community over many years.
While much of the city is built out, there are still exciting opportunities ahead. I believe we can continue expanding and strengthening our downtown district along Main Street while preserving the character that makes it so special. Another key area of focus will be the Washington Avenue corridor, where we have opportunities for thoughtful redevelopment and investment that will benefit residents and businesses alike.
Zeeland has a strong sense of identity and community pride. What do you think makes Zeeland special?
There are many things that make Zeeland a special place to live and work, but if I had to choose just one, it would be the people. Although our city has changed in many ways since I was growing up here, it has never lost its strong sense of community.
People genuinely care about one another and take pride in making Zeeland a great place to live, raise a family, and operate a business. That community spirit is what continues to set Zeeland apart.
Many communities are balancing growth with preserving quality of life and character. How do you hope Zeeland continues to evolve while staying true to what people love about it?
Finding that balance has been a priority throughout my years on the City Council and now as Mayor.
The Planning Commission, on which I serve, is in the early stages of updating the City’s Master Plan. Once completed, it will provide a roadmap for future growth and development while helping ensure we preserve the qualities that have made Zeeland such a desirable community.
Thoughtful planning today will allow us to embrace new opportunities while protecting the small-town character, strong neighborhoods, and sense of community that residents value.
On a personal note — do you have a favorite Zeeland tradition, local restaurant or coffee spot, or place in the city that means the most to you?
Zeeland has no shortage of wonderful traditions, events, restaurants, and gathering places, making this a difficult question to answer.
If I had to choose one tradition, it would be how our City commemorates Memorial Day. Every year, City staff spend countless hours preparing our parks, streets, and public spaces to ensure Zeeland looks its very best. At the same time, residents, businesses, churches, and civic organizations take tremendous pride in decorating their homes, storefronts, and neighborhoods with American flags and flowers. It truly becomes a community-wide effort.
If you want to see Zeeland at its finest, come for our Memorial Day observance. Seeing thousands of people line Main Street to honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country is both humbling and inspiring. It’s a powerful reminder of the values we share as a community and one of the moments that makes me especially proud to call Zeeland home.
Why do you feel it is important for Zeeland to invest in and work with Lakeshore Advantage for economic development?
Lakeshore Advantage has been an invaluable partner to Zeeland and the entire region since its inception more than twenty years ago. The City has directly benefited from the organization’s work with employers such as Gentex, Mead Johnson, JR Automation, and MillerKnoll, among many others.
The positive economic impact generated through those partnerships has created jobs, encouraged private investment, strengthened our tax base, and enhanced the quality of life for our residents. Our investment in Lakeshore Advantage has delivered significant returns, and I believe continuing that partnership is essential to Zeeland’s long-term economic success.
