Stephen Kepley - Grand Rapids Chamber

Stephen Kepley holds a bachelor of science in engineering from Virginia Tech. He is married to Susan, and they live in Kentwood with their two daughters.

Stephen is a professional engineer and is certified by the State of Michigan in multiple vocations. He spent 11 years as the city’s Director of Engineering and Inspections, and another 15 years in the private sector leading manufacturing design and construction projects.

Mayor Stephen Kepley

Stephen Kepley currently serves as the Mayor of Kentwood and has held this position since 2013.

Supports local businesses, job growth, and new housing developments.

Supports local businesses and job growth.

- Supports local businesses and job growth.

Economy

Supports local businesses and job growth, and wants to promote new housing developments.

Wants to promote new housing developments.

- Wants to promote new housing developments.

Housing & Urban Development

As mayor, led efforts to increase police and firefighter/EMS employees.

- As mayor, led efforts to increase police and firefighter/EMS employees.

Public Safety

Supports the construction of a new community center to promote mental and physical health, with amenities like a fitness center, basketball courts, and shared-use features.

Supports the promotion of mental and physical health, with amenities like a fitness center, basketball courts, and shared-use features.

- Supports the promotion of mental and physical health, with amenities like a fitness center, basketball courts, and shared-use features.

Healthcare

As mayor, paid off the library debt 10 years early, saving taxpayers $1.36 million.

Led the city in developing new trail systems, parks, and the new Community Center and Covenant Park.

Plans to foster community unity by building relationships with residents, schools, youth groups, neighborhood associations, and community organizations.

Plans to foster community by building relationships with residents, neighborhood associations, and community organizations.

- As mayor, paid off the library debt 10 years early, saving taxpayers $1.36 million.
- Led the city in developing new trail systems, parks, and the new Community Center and Covenant Park.
- Plans to foster community by building relationships with residents, neighborhood associations, and community organizations.

Public Services

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Plans to protect and enhance Kentwood's parks by combating invasive species and preserving green space.

- Plans to protect and enhance Kentwood's parks by combating invasive species and preserving green space.
- Supports native habitat restoration.

Energy & the Environment

Supports leading the city’s master plan with a focus on infrastructure improvements.

- Supports leading the city’s master plan with a focus on infrastructure improvements.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Plans to build deeper relationships with residents, schools, youth groups, neighborhood associations, and community organizations.

Plans to build deeper relationships with schools and youth groups.

- Plans to build deeper relationships with schools and youth groups.

Education

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Stephen Kepley

Stephen is a professional engineer. He holds a B.S. in Engineering from Virginia Tech and is certified by the State of Michigan in multiple vocations. He spent 11 years as the city’s Director of Engineering and Inspections, and another 15 years in the private sector leading manufacturing design and construction projects.

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

As mayor, led the city master plan initiatives, including new trail systems, parks, and the development of the new Community Center and Covenant Park.

As mayor, led the city’s master plan initiatives, including new trail systems, parks, and the development of the new Community Center and Covenant Park.

- A mayor’s job can be different in each city, but they usually make sure city laws are followed, help create and manage the city’s budget, appoint people to boards and committees, and oversee city services like police, fire departments, parks, and public transportation.
- The mayor works with the city council and sometimes helps make decisions by voting.
- They may be elected in partisan elections or nonpartisan elections, depending on the city. 
- They are elected to a two- or four-year term, depending on the city.