Community Foundation Welcomes New Trustees

The Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of four new trustees to its Board: Erin Ludwig, Scott Mertes, Tina Powell and Marilyn Sweeney.

Erin Ludwig is a financial advisor with Edward Jones. After receiving a bachelor's degree from CMU in 2004, she spent 13 years in the marketing and telecommunications industry before moving to Edward Jones. She holds her series 7 and series 66 registrations as well as life, health and annuities licenses. Erin serves as a board member for Beal City Public Schools and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid Michigan; chair of the Mid Michigan College Foundation board; adult mentor for the Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Committee; and volunteers at her daughter's school. Erin is married to Phil Ludwig and is the proud mother to Sophie and Delia.

"After being involved with the Foundation in various roles, most recently with YAC, I am excited to expand my role to the MPACF Board. I am a strong believer that service to others is what we are put on this earth to do. I look forward to continuing to serve the mid-Michigan area and set an example of community service and philanthropy not only for my daughters, but for all area youth," Ludwig said.

Scott Mertes is Provost at Mid Michigan College, where he has worked since 2005. He serves as president of Art Reach and is on the boards of Michigan Center for Student Success, the Alden B. Dow Museum, Epicenter, Clare Area Chamber of Commerce and the Midland District School Improvement Committee. Mertes has held adjunct faculty appointments at Walden University and Central Michigan University and is a peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission. He was elected as the youngest president of the Midwest Cooperative Education and Internship Association. Mertes earned his bachelor’s degree from Winona State University in Minnesota, his master’s degree from the University of Iowa, and his Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska. He has been married to Michelle for 26 years; their daughter Emma is a high school senior.

“The Mt. Pleasant community has always held a special place in our hearts, having lived and/or worked here for over 25 years. I am honored to join the MPACF Board and excited to be part of an organization that goes above and beyond in supporting area residents in meeting their goals and needs and improving our community as a whole,” Mertes said.

Tina Powell was born and raised in Isabella County, graduating from Shepherd High School and earning an accounting degree from CMU in 1990 and her CPA license in 1995. She worked for seven years at Blystone & Bailey, CPAs and for the last 24 years has been at RFM Group (formerly Robert F. Murray & Co. CPAs), where she is a partner and the audit manager. Tina raised her children in Beal City and now lives at Lake Isabella.  Tina serves on the boards of the Pardee Cancer Treatment Fund of Isabella County, Community Cancer Services, Isabella Community Credit Union, as well as on the Community Foundation finance committee. 

“The Community Foundation helps so many individuals directly and through non-profits. It fits with my passion to help others. I am excited to lend my hand now, knowing the legacy of the MPACF will go on forever,” Powell said.

Marilyn Sweeney graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and Master’s Degree in School Administration from CMU. She’s a retired educator from Mt. Pleasant Public Schools. Following retirement, she spent time as a substitute at the Chippewa River District Library System. She was married to James Sweeney, a retired member of the Isabella County Sheriff's Department, for 45 years. Her involvement with the Community Foundation began with the Women's Initiative Committee. She serves on the Women's Initiative Advisory Board and the grant review and scholarship committees.

 “The Foundation has had so many positive impacts on the development of our community. I am pleased to be able to participate in its future," Sweeney said.

 The new board members replace outgoing directors Bob Wheeler, Nancy Ridley and Damon Brown; Cheryl Gaudard’s position is being filled as well, as she moves into the role of past president.

Wheeler had a 39-year career in local banking, including at Chemical Bank, Firstbank and Mercantile Bank of Michigan, from which he retired in 2016 as senior vice president. He went on to work at Mt. Pleasant Abstract & Title, retiring again in 2021. Wheeler helped create the Community Foundation in 1990 and was its longest-serving trustee.

Ridley was on the board 13 years. She began her career in finance at CMU. She spent 17 years as the City of Mt. Pleasant’s finance director and in 2014 was appointed city manager, a role she filled until retiring in 2021. She will continue on the Foundation’s Grant Review Committee.

Brown, who joined the board in 2021, is Vice President for Student Affairs/Chief Diversity Officer at Alma College and previously worked at CMU. He established and operates the Keisha Y. Brown Angel Wings Fund, which is named for his late wife and provides resources and support to individuals and families battling cancer.

Gaudard completed her year as president of the Foundation in December after serving as a trustee for 9 years. Gaudard is retired from Mercantile Bank of Michigan as Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer, is a member of the Blanchard Auxiliary and served as an active member of the Mt. Pleasant Oilers Athletic Boosters.

The four new trustees join 21 other community members with diverse professional expertise and organizational experience. The Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation is a tax-exempt public charity that seeks to enhance the quality of life for all citizens of Isabella County, now and for generations to come, by attracting and holding permanent endowed funds from a wide range of donors, addressing needs through grant making and providing leadership on key community issues. To learn more, please visit www.mpacf.org.