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.

Buket Urgen

Monica holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Capella University. She has two children. 

Monica owns Body Sculpt Better Body Bar, a wellness spa. She is also a talk show host for her own show, self-employed consultant, and book author. 

Monica Sparks - Monica Sparks - Grand Rapids, Michigan

Monica Sparks currently serves as a Kent County Commissioner representing District 12. She was first elected in 2018 and is serving her fourth term.

Supports affordable housing, small businesses, and environmental sustainability.

Supports small business growth through initiatives like the Kentwood Business Launchpad, Small Business Concierge, and Commercial Revitalization Grants.

Wants to boost  small business growth through the Kentwood Business Launchpad, Small Business Concierge, and Commercial Revitalization Grants.

- Supports small businesses. 
- Wants to boost  small business growth through the Kentwood Business Launchpad, Small Business Concierge, and Commercial Revitalization Grants.

Plans to introduce the Kentwood Housing for All Initiative to address housing needs for seniors, families, and young professionals.

- Supports affordable housing. 
- Plans to introduce the Kentwood Housing for All Initiative to address housing needs for seniors, families, and young professionals.

Plans to expand neighborhood watch partnerships and public safety forums.

Believes in ensuring first responders have the tools and training to serve effectively.

- Plans to expand neighborhood watch partnerships and public safety forums.
- Believes in ensuring first responders have the tools and training to serve effectively.

Supports access to mental health and healthcare services.

- Supports access to mental health and healthcare services.

Plans to improve infrastructure, parks, and public transit.

- Plans to improve infrastructure, parks, and public transit.

Supports environmental sustainability and conservation efforts.

- Supports environmental sustainability and conservation efforts.

Supports improving infrastructure, parks, and public transit to serve a growing community.

Wants to improve  infrastructure, parks, and public transit to serve a growing community.

Aims to enhance senior mobility, wellness, and housing through Kentwood for All Ages.

Wants to enhance senior mobility, wellness, and housing through Kentwood for All Ages.

- Wants to improve  infrastructure, parks, and public transit to serve a growing community.
- Wants to enhance senior mobility, wellness, and housing through Kentwood for All Ages.

Aims to build strategic alliances to expand higher education and workforce development in Kentwood.

Supports civic learning through student engagement and environmental education programs.

- Aims to build strategic alliances to expand higher education and workforce development in Kentwood.
- Supports civic learning through student engagement and environmental education programs.

Monica Sparks

Monica currently serves as a Kent County Commissioner representing District 12. She was first elected in 2018 and is serving her fourth term.

Monica Sparks is a proud mother of two. She is a cancer survivor and a small business owner. She owns Body Sculpt Better Body Bar, a wellness spa that offers "ancient self-care techniques with modern science and technology."

Monica is the owner of Body Sculpt Better Body Bar, a wellness spa that offers ancient self-care techniques with modern science and technology. 

Monica is currently a Kent County Commissioner representing District 12. She was first elected in 2018 and has served four terms. 

Supports mental health officers and community-based safety programs.

Supports environmental conservation efforts.

- 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.