Gov. appoints investment firm executive and current trustee to GVSU board

Gov. Rick Snyder announced the appointment of Randall S. Damstra and the reappointment of Kate Pew Wolters to the Grand Valley State University Board of Trustees. The eight-year terms begin January 1, 2017.

Damstra is the senior managing director and head of global private equity at RDV Corporation in Grand Rapids and a Grand Valley alumnus. He holds a master’s degree from the University of Iowa and a bachelor’s degree from Grand Valley’s Seidman College of Business. Damstra serves as a Grand Valley University Foundation director. He will be replacing David L. Way whose term expires at the end of this month.

Wolters was on the Grand Valley board from 2005-2012 and then was appointed to serve out the remainder of a term beginning in 2013 and ending December 31. She is president of the Kate and Richard Wolters Foundation and chair of the Steelcase Foundation. She holds a master’s degree from Michigan State University and a bachelor’s degree from Aquinas College.

Wolters said she is pleased Gov. Snyder has appointed her for another term. “It’s no secret I have strong family and community ties to Grand Valley,” Wolters said. “I have a special interest in its continued success, and I hope I can bring historical and strategic perspective to the board. We are incredibly fortunate to have a university of the caliber of Grand Valley, with the board, faculty, staff and students all committed to excellence.”

Wolters also cited the facilities at Grand Valley, which include the Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons named in honor of her mother.

Wolters received an honorary degree from the university on December 10, and given her affiliation and length of service quipped, “I really am a ‘Laker for a Lifetime!’”

The appointments are subject to state Senate approval.