Understanding the GR Power Structure – Part III: Families and people who have tremendous influence in Grand Rapids

In Part I of this series I began an updated version of a Grand Rapids Power Analysis, which lays out the ground work for what the Grand Rapids Power Structure looks like and what it means for this community.

When I use the phrase, the Grand Rapids Power Structure and who has power, it is important to note that I mean power over. A local power analysis is designed to investigate who has power over – who oppresses, exploits and engages in policy that benefits them to the exclusion of everyone else – the majority of people living in Grand Rapids.

In Part II of this series on the Grand Rapids Power Structure, I looked at the DeVos family, which I argue is the most powerful family in this city, in terms of economics, politics, social and cultural dynamics.

In Part III of the series I want to look at some other families and individuals that also wield tremendous power in this city, economically, politically and socially.

As with my first series on the GR Power Structure, which was done in 2018, several people of influence have died. Besides Rich DeVos, Peter Secchia also died in recent years, so the families and people I include in the 2024 version of the Grand Rapids Power Structure will be somewhat different. 

The families that have tremendous influence in Grand Rapids besides the DeVos family, would certainly be the Meijer and the Van Andel families. Hank, Doug and Mark Meijer are each worth $5.5 billion, which makes their collective worth $16.5 billion. Not far behind are Steven and David Van Andel, in terms of wealth and influence.

Other people who have significant influence in Grand Rapids, both in terms of their economic and political influence are Michael Jandernoa (42 North Partners) , John Kennedy (CEO of Autocam), Mike VanGessel (CEO of Rockford Construction), J.C. Huizenga (CEO of National Heritage Academies), Jeff Connolly (Blue Cross Blue Shield of MI), Doug Small (President & CEO of Experience Grand Rapids), Michael Verhulst (Verhulst Ventures and Pure Architects), Birgit Klohs (New Community Transformation Fund), Randy Thelen (President of The Right Place Inc.) and Rick Baker (CEO of Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce). This is not an exhaustive list, but as you will see in the graphic above these people are also tied into numerous institutions in Grand Rapids, providing them with tremendous access and influence. 

Interlocking Systems of Power

Besides the wealth that many of the people I have named have, they also have significant influence because of position they hold with an organization or the businesses that they own or their role as a leader in those businesses.

In the graphic above, you can see some of these people and their involvement with organizations that also have tremendous influence in Grand Rapids, a topic I will explore in Part IV. These members of the Grand Rapids Power Structure are part of an interlocking system of power, with organizations that provide them with access and influence over the Grand Rapids economy, politics, plus social and cultural dynamics.

In addition to their involvement with these interlocking systems of power, most of the members of the Grand Rapids Power Structure also influence local and state politics with their deep pockets in the form of campaign contributions. Just from 2022, look at these previous GRIID posts and you can see which members of the local power structure were buying political influence.

Grand Rapids 2022 First Ward GR City Commission 

Grand Rapids 2022 Third Ward GR City Commission 

Grand Rapids 2022 Second Ward GR City Commission

Kent County 2022 Commission races 

One last area of influence for some of the members of the Grand Rapids Power Structure has to do with the fact that they use their foundations to both influence outcomes and silence potential critics from the social services sector. Here are some of the foundations that members of the Grand Rapids Power Structure own and operate. 

The Janderoa Foundation

The David and Carol Van Andel Foundation 

The Steve and Amy Van Andel Foundation 

Meijer Family Foundation 

While these members of the Grand Rapids Power Structure don’t have the kind of influence that the DeVos family does, they still use their money and their positions to influence political, economic, social and cultural outcomes in Grand Rapids that not only helps them to maintain power, but to prevent organized movements from challenging their power. In Part IV, I will look at the organizations that the members of the Grand Rapids Power Structure have a role in, specifically the Board of Directors, with a focus on what these organizations do.