Commissioners | East Grand Rapids, MI - Official Website

Chris Wessely has a bachelor's degree in political science and communication from Aquinas College and an associate's degree from the Secchia Institute of Culinary Education. He lives with his wife, Kim, and their four children in East Grand Rapids, where they have been since 2013. 

Chris is the founder of the Sport & Social Club and the new Noodlepig Ramen shop, two local businesses in town. On the side, he teaches private culinary and mixology classes. 

Chris is currently a commissioner for East Grand Rapids, Ward 2. He was first elected in November 2021.

Supports local businesses, activating downtown areas, and developing vacant land with community input.

Believes in using data to drive "smarter planning and spending" for economic decisions.

- Supports local businesses, activating downtown areas, and developing vacant land with community input.
- Believes in using data to drive "smarter planning and spending" for economic decisions.

Economy

As of August 14, 2025, Chris Wessely’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Healthcare

Wants to enhance social and sports activities by improving local fields and courts.

Wants to "innovate better ways the city communicates with the residents."

- Wants to expand access to Reed's Lake.
- Wants to enhance social and sports activities by improving local fields and courts.
- Wants to "innovate better ways the city communicates with the residents."

Public Services

Energy & the Environment

Wants to enhance mobility safety by improving infrastructure and increasing visibility and enforcement of traffic laws.

Wants to improve safety at boat launches.

- Wants to enhance mobility safety by improving infrastructure and increasing visibility and enforcement of traffic laws.
- Wants to improve safety at boat launches.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Facebook

Instagram

Chris Wessely

Chris Wessely is from East Grand Rapids, Michigan. He has a bachelor's degree in political science and communication from Aquinas College and an associate's degree from the Secchia Institute of Culinary Education. He lives with his wife, Kim, and their four children in East Grand Rapids. 

Chris is currently a commissioner for East Grand Rapids, Ward 2. He was elected in November 2021 and his term ends in December 2025.

As of August 14, 2025, Chris Wessely did not have a website or any information online.

Walter Ley

Buket Urgen

LinkedIn

Erica Dunten is from East Grand Rapids, Michigan. She is married to James Panter. Erica has a bachelor's degree in marketing from Michigan State University.

Erica is a digital marketing professional.

As of August 14, 2025, Erica Dunten did not have a website or any information online.

Erica Dunten

Erica Duntenn

Michael Stelter is a data engineer with Corewell Health.

As of August 14, 2025, Michael Stelter did not have a website or any information online.

Michael Stelter

- City commissioners in Michigan help make city-level laws, approve budgets, and oversee city services to serve the community’s needs. 
- Commissioners attend regular meetings, listen to public concerns, and vote on city issues like zoning, public safety, and spending. They also appoint and direct officials, like the city manager.
- City commissioners may be elected in partisan elections or nonpartisan elections, depending on the city. They may represent either the whole city or residents of a specific district. 
- Terms for city council members often last two or four years, depending on the city.