Board of Directors
Dan Taber
Chair
Dan Taber is a Project Engineer with the City of Grand Rapids. Dan has been employed with the City since 2013, and his main work responsibilities include the design, review, and permitting of both public infrastructure projects and private site developments in terms of stormwater management and soil erosion and sedimentation control. Dan was born in Grand Rapids, and lived and played within the Indian Mill Creek Watershed having graduated from Kenowa Hills High School. Following high school, Dan spent his days along the banks of the Red Cedar having graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Civil Engineering. Prior to joining the City of Grand Rapids, Dan worked in Phoenix Arizona as a private development engineer for entities like Discount Tire and AMC Movie theatres, and as an engineering consultant for municipalities such as the City of Romulus and Farmington Hills around Metro Detroit. Currently, Dan resides with his wife Kate, in the upper reaches of the Spring Lake watershed, where they enjoy boating with their family and spending time at PJ Hoffmaster State park along beautiful Lake Michigan.
Grant Simons
Technical Chair
Grant Simons is a Civil Engineer with the City of Wyoming. His primary responsibilities at the city include site plan review, field inspections, project design, and responding to drainage complaints. Prior to working with the City of Wyoming, Grant worked at the Kent County Drain Commissioner’s Office, where he gained valuable stormwater experience and was first introduced to LGROW. Grant attends meetings and volunteer events with Plaster Creek Stewards, Friends of Buck Creek, and the Refuge Church Stream Team (Rush Creek) to support watershed groups in Wyoming. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Michigan and is currently working on a Master’s degree in Water Resources Engineering from Old Dominion University.
Scott Yonkers
Vice Chair
Scott Yonkers is the Assistant Superintendent of the Grandville Clean Water Plant, where he has been employed since 2006, working his way up through the ranks. Raised in Fennville, MI from a very early age, growing up on a small inland lake fueled his desire for the outdoors, nature and water ecosystems. Graduating from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor’s in Science in Biology and Chemistry further prepared him for the future career in the water industry. As assistant superintendent, he oversees the day-to-day operations and compliance of approximately 6-6.5 million gallons a day of sanitary wastewater being cleaned and discharged into the Grand River. Scott is also on the board of Friends of Buck Creek and active with the Rush Creek Partners sub watershed groups. He currently resides in Jenison with his wife Rachel and daughter Whitney. Scott actively enjoys the outdoors including hiking, boating and hunting besides being a state licensed turtle and reptile rehabilitator and educator for these less popular cold-blooded animals.
Kate Milzarski
Public Engagement Chair
Kate Milzarski is an Administrative Assistant with the City of Hudsonville, Department of Public Works. Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Kate graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Global Business and Leadership. Her interest in Public Works began in 2006 while working in the Water & Sewer Department for the Town of Florence. It was there that her pursuit of promoting public education and conservation began. Kate moved to Michigan in 2022 bringing 14 years of utility experience in the public and private sectors. Michigan winters continue to be a learning curve, however she enjoys comparing and growing her knowledge within Public Works.
Ben Jordan
Subwatershed committee chair
Ben Jordan is the Watershed Coordinator for the Ottawa Conservation District, where he oversees several projects focused on improving water quality. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Analysis and Natural Resource Management from Western Michigan University, and has worked in the Environmental field for almost 10 years. Much of his career has focused on working with landowners and agricultural producers to mitigate stormwater runoff and non-point source pollution.
Bradley Boomstra
Stormwater Ordinance Chair
Brad Boomstra is a Professional Engineer with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Calvin College and a Master of Science in Environmental and Water Resource Engineering from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. He has over 20 years of experience working in the water resource and environmental engineering field. In 2020, he began working for the City of Kentwood as City Engineer. He is certified by EGLE in Construction and Industrial Storm Water Management and Comprehensive Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control.