Jeanne Fowler | President

The passion behind Big Family of Michigan started nearly 50 years ago in an abusive home, where at a very young age, Jeanne and her brother Peter experienced one of the most horrific childhoods ever. Beaten and tortured daily, the two clung to each other as their only source of love and reason for living. That bond was broken when Peter, at the age of 3, was beaten to death at the hands of their own mother.

The memory of her brother is what has pushed Jeanne Fowler to make the lives of children better, to stop child abuse and to improve the lives of children in foster care so that they never have to experience a childhood like hers.

Richard Van Heukelom | Chairman

Richard Van Heukelom is currently the Vice President of Human Resources for Lear Corporation’s Global Seating Operations which includes Europe, South America, Asia, Canada, Mexico and U.S. plants, Lear Tech, and the metro Detroit SSD Engineering offices.

Rick brings over 30 years of human resources management and general management to Big Family of Michigan. He has worked at such companies as Allied Signal, Bendix, AJM packaging and Allen Bradley, and has had responsibility for organizational development, compensation, benefits, labor relations and recruiting.

Van Heukelom earned a Business Administration Degree in Personnel Management and Industrial Relations from Niagara College, Ontario, Canada. He is currently a member of the board of directors of New Horizons and the Labor Management Pension Group. He has also held several other positions in professional organizations.

Rick is married to Anne and has two children and two grandchildren. He enjoys golf, and has previously coached minor league hockey for several years.

Debra Anderson

Debra Anderson has been a fastener account executive for over 30 years and has been employed by Darling Bolt for the past 22 years. She works in sales and handles several of their biggest accounts. She prides herself on her great organizational skills and attention to detail.

She is a member of Kensington Community Church; has been part of the hospitality team for the past 9 years and also assists in wedding planning. Debra is actively involved with the Pontiac Salvation Army, Grace Centers of Hope and Power Company of Pontiac. Most of her involvement includes donation of goods, time, money and /or fundraising. Because of her creative nature she finds fundraising events to be a fun challenge.

Debra believes that our duty is to pay it forward whenever possible. Being able to do positive things for children enables us to touch the future in ways that would not be possible without Big Family.

Growing up in Rockford, Illinois she moved to Michigan when she married her husband Gary 22 years ago. They have lived in Shelby Township for the past 15 years; have a daughter and 2 granddaughters. They love Michigan and plan on staying here.

Larry Hamilton

Larry is currently owner/operator of Larry Hamilton Golf and the Director of Instruction at the Twin Lakes Golf Academy. Larry has been a member of the PGA of America since 1995.

Larry brings over 20 years of retail sales, customer service, sales and business management experience to Big Family of Michigan.

Larry is a graduate of Western Michigan University where he majored in education and minored in graphic arts.

In addition to being a golf professional, he maintains his life & health insurance licenses where he helps a group of companies with their group health and 401k plans.

He has been an active member of Kensington Community Church for over 10 years and he has actively worked and supported Big Family of Michigan for the past 2 years. He is also a member of the Rochester Rotary Club.

Married to Tanya and a father of two; a son Max and a daughter Ella. Larry and his family reside in Rochester Hills. His interests revolve around his faith in God, his love for his family and friends, golf and fitness. He has developed a passion for what Big Family is doing and has a desire to be a part of helping Big Family survive and thrive long into the future.

Mark Huber

Mark is currently the SVP and Chief Financial officer at FNBH Bancorp, Inc., in Howell, Michigan. Prior to this he worked at Plante & Moran, PLLC, in Auburn Hills for 16 years as a Senior Manager in the audit and assurance department.

Mark brings more than 18 years of accounting, finance and compliance experience to Big Family. His years of experience with Plante & Moran afforded him increasing responsibilities in financial management, engagement management, consulting and business advisory services, tax planning and structuring and Sarbanes-Oxley 404 in a variety of industries.

Mark earned his bachelor’s of economics degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and completed post-graduate accounting studies at the University of Michigan, Dearborn. Mark has been a licensed certified public accountant (CPA) since 1995 and is affiliated with the Michigan Association of Certified Accountants and American Institute of Certified Public Accounts.

Mark resides in Farmington Hills with his wife and two sons. He is a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Farmington Hills and enjoys being active outdoors, participating in fun runs, distance running and golfing.

John Iras

John is currently with 21st Century Digital Learning Environments. He has also been the Principal of Fillmore Elementary School and a Crisis Coordinator in the Warren Consolidated School district.

John brings over 37 years of education experience to Big Family of Michigan. He has been published in the Student Assistance Journal; and his professional activities such as creating the District Teen Awareness Conference and securing WCS Drug Grant from the federal government are just some of the ways John has dedicated his time to helping education and counseling children.

John graduated from Wayne State University with a bachelors of science degree and a master’s degree in education. He was a member of the Macomb County Association for Counseling/Development where he has held offices of Public Relations Chairman, Membership Chairmen and President elect. He is a former member of ASCD, NEA, MEA, WEA and WAA.

John is married to Lynda and together they have six children and 10 grandchildren with number 11 on the way in August. They have lived in Troy for the past 15 years. Some of John’s many community activities have included; Chairman, Tri-Community Soccer Business Partnerships and Board of Directors, Travel Coach. Chairman, founding member and Grant Writer for Warren Coalition for a Healthy Community. Former Board Chairman of the Warren Family YMCA, a former Board member of the Macomb County’s C.A.R.E. program and a former member of the Warren City parade committee.

David Ladd

David Ladd is the Executive Director, Marketing and Communications for International Automotive Components Group (IAC). In this role, Ladd is responsible for all media relations activities, internal and external communications efforts, corporate responsibility and community involvement, government affairs, branding, trade show involvement and advertising.

Ladd brings more than 20 years of automotive communications experience to Big Family. He has worked for companies such as Siemens VDO Automotive, Campbell & Co/PCG Campbell, and Volkswagen of America, guiding the company’s business in communications, public relations, marketing strategies/programs, sales and branding objectives.

David received his bachelor’s degree in German and Journalism/Public Relations from Wayne State University. He is an active member of the Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA) Communications Executive Council, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the Automotive Press Association (APA) and the Automotive Public Relations Council (APRC).

Married and a father of three, David and his family reside in Lake Orion, where he actively serves in high school career development programs; the LOHS athletic booster committee; Kensington Community Church campus leadership team and other church-organized programs in the community.

Ladd’s hobbies include outdoor recreation, such as fly fishing, hunting and camping. He likes to introduce teenagers to the out of doors who would otherwise have limited or no exposure to such activities.

Ann Trerice

Ann is currently an Account Manager at Rudgate Communities and the founder of Details…Details…Details where she creates and designs a wide range of decorative personal touches for celebratory and charitable functions. Prior to that she taught religious education at St. Hubert’s Catholic Church. She also worked as a Graphic/Mechanical Artist for H.O.Trerice Co.

Ann has been very active in her volunteer work. She is the founder of Hands of Hope which provides support and material needs to children and organizations that help both foster children and those living in impoverished areas of Metro Detroit. She has co-chaired the Passion for Life committee which raises funds for ALS _TDI, a research facility in Boston. She has worked on and supported the Harrison Township Relay for Life, Liberty Family Outreach – Summerfest in Warren, and has worked on several boards and committees within the L’anse Cruese School District. In her years as president of a L’anse Cruese elementary PTO, she organized various fundraisers, art shows, family events and implemented a birthday program for all of the children, coached children’s activities, and helped implement a National Reading program.

Ann studied Mathematics and Graphic Art at Michigan State University. She has three grown children and resides with them in Harrison Township.

Karen Whetter

Karen Whetter works independently for the Certif-A-Gift Company where she is responsible for managing corporate gift accounts. Karen has over 20 years experience in the retail industry having held positions in management, merchandising, and event planning. The majority of her career was spent in corporate events with Art Van Furniture and Dayton Hudson Corporation.

Karen has played a role in a variety of charitable and corporate events including Fash Bash, The Detroit Fire Works and the Thanksgiving Day Parade. She has also planned many store openings that benefit local organizations in the community.

Karen earned her bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Marketing from Western Michigan University. She is also on the Staff Parish Committee at Orchard United Methodist Church, a Girl Scout Leader and a member of PTA.

Karen is married to Scott and lives in Commerce Township with her two children. Karen enjoys variety of activities including boating, water skiing and entertaining.