Kelly VanMarter to take on Genoa Township manager position
GENOA TWP. — When Kelly VanMarter got her bachelor's degree in urban planning from Eastern Michigan University, she knew she wanted to put it to use helping foster growth in Livingston County.
That desire has led, now, to VanMarter being selected as the township manager, a position she will assume when Mike Archinal retires in mid-October.
“As an administrator of a community, I think just having an ability to help control and guide growth so that our communities can stay stable and (have) good places to live is important to me,” she said of her thoughts on her role.
VanMarter, a Howell native, became interested in local government after seeing many changes happening in her community — including large corporations locating in the area, including Walmart and fast food restaurants.
So, in the summer of 1999, she contacted local government officials to find an internship. Soon after, she was hired as an intern in Genoa Township, doing site inspections on Grand River Avenue.
When the summer ended, they offered her a position to stay with the township full time. As the years went on, she got her master's degree in resource development from Michigan State. University
She eventually became the assistant township manager and community development director, and has lived in Genoa Township for 13 years.
"Mike has been an incredible mentor," she said of Archinal, who has worked with her since the very beginning.
"She's an exceptional person, I couldn't be more confident handing off the reigns to a better person," Archinal said. "She's local. She lives here and she's extremely bright and talented."
VanMarter said she's focused on maintaining good relationships with township staff, community partners and the county. She said she will make it a priority to ensure that elected officials are supported in their positions so that the township continues to follow the will of the people.
Outside of work, VanMarter said she likes to be outdoors and spend time in northern Michigan near the water. She also likes to spend time with her husband at their three kids' hockey games.
"That takes up most of my time; just being a mom and dedicating most of the time I'm not being a manager to being the best mom I can be," she said.
Archinal has been the manager of Genoa Charter Township since March 1998. Prior to that he was the assistant city manager/community development director for Brighton.
Sophia Lada is a reporter for the Livingston Daily. Contact her at slada@gannett.com or 517-377-1065. Follow her on Twitter @sophia_lada.
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Kelly VanMarter to be new Genoa Township manager
