Board of Directors

President Stephen Stier grew up on a farm, has a love of old-world techniques and enjoys teaching them. He has twenty years’ experience as a barn preservation expert and contractor. He holds masters’ degrees from Western Michigan University in Industrial Education and from Eastern Michigan University in Historic Preservation. Steve and his wife, Julie Avery, have both held numerous board positions with the Michigan Barn Preservation Network. In 2015 the couple was  awarded a Lifetime Achievement award from the Michigan Historic Preservation Network. Julie Avery holds a PhD from Michigan State University in Interdisciplinary Arts & Letters. She was Curator of Rural Life & Culture at the MSU Museum where she produced programs, exhibitions, and publications interpreting and linking the historical with contemporary life. She designs and manages our  Facebook page updates, email blasts and e-newsletters, chairs our Discovery Days committee, and contributes as consultant for most of our activities.

Board Secretary Laurel Jeris is Professor Emeritus of Adult and Higher Education at Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL. Her research and teaching foci included leadership studies, international community development, women’s empowerment, and research methods. Laurel and her husband David moved to Empire Township after over 30 years living in the Chicago area. They were raised in Detroit and are alumni of the University of Michigan. Laurel grew up loving the area as a summer resident on Glen Lake since 1955. David passed the premarital “cottage test” and the desire to retire here began early in their marriage. Their two children and families, as well as extended family, visit as often as possible. David Jeris is the LCHPS “go-to” technical and digital specialist.

Julie Dowd Board Treasurer has extensive experience in charitable endeavors, having served on numerous boards throughout the years. Julie dedicated eight years to the Board of Kids in Distress Auxiliary in Weston, FL,  where they contributed significantly to the organization’s mission of supporting children and families in need. Additionally, Julie served on the Board of Buckets of Rain for five years, helping to provide sustainable solutions to hunger and poverty. Currently, Julie is serving on the Board of Row by Row in Northern Michigan, continuing their commitment to improve the lives of the underserved by providing nutritious, fresh food and access to clean, fresh water.

With a background in finance, Julie brings valuable expertise to her roles, ensuring effective management and allocation of resources. Outside of her charity work, Julie enjoys spending time with her family and friends in Michigan during the summer months. She resides in Florida in the winter months,  which gives her the opportunity to golf all year round.

William Bradley (Scott). Scott is a retired Leelanau County employee. During his years with the County, he was the primary caretaker of Myles Kimmerly Park, along with other responsibilities. Scott is a true history buff and has visited numerous historic sites and national parks in the USA. It is this passion that raised his concern when he got wind of the notion that the County Commissioners were floating the idea of demolishing the Poor Farm Barn within Myles Kimmerly Park. This occurred months before it came to the attention of the media and the public. It is safe to say that Scott is one of the earliest champions of the “Save the Barn” campaign. While we found our footing in forming the Leelanau County Historic Preservation Society, Scott found many ways to help us learn as much as possible about the barn.

Scott’s family history has been a major influence on his interest in preservation and rehabilitation. His mother was one of 12 children, 7 boys and 5 girls.  When times got impossibly hard during the Depression, the 5 girls were sent to live in a Catholic Orphanage, basically the equivalent of a Poorhouse for orphaned or abandoned children.   When Scott looks at the barn and what it symbolizes as the last remaining structure of the Poor Farm, his mother and her siblings come to mind. It is important to Scott that (with our help) these physical representations of our past continue to tell their stories.

Coming from Dayton, Ohio, Jane Cline has spent every summer on Glen Lake since her birth. After graduating from Northwestern Michigan College, Jane returned to Dayton to help care for her father. In 1983, Jane began a career at LexisNexis and became an account executive. While raising three sons, she was involved in nonprofit fundraising. After Jane‘s youngest son graduated from high school, she fulfilled her dream of living in Leelanau County. She enjoys hiking, biking, reading, gardening and exploring the beautiful waters of the county.

Chase Heise joined the board of the Leelanau County Historic Preservation Society in 2024. His commitment to preserving our area’s rich history was sparked during his time volunteering at the Poor Farm, where he collaborated closely with Board President Steve Stier on a variety of historic restoration projects.

Chase’s dedication to historic preservation grew through his management of the restoration and rehabilitation of the Leelanau Conservancy’s DeYoung Farmstead—a landmark project that involved the thoughtful restoration of a circa 1860s farmhouse and two timber-framed barns. This experience solidified his desire to become more involved in the preservation efforts of Leelanau County’s historic sites.

Residing in Leelanau County with his wife and their many animals, Chase has plenty to keep him occupied. In his free time, he enjoys spending time outdoors, hunting, fishing, and maintaining his homestead. Chase looks forward to ensuring that the county’s rich history remains accessible and meaningful for future generations.

Joe VanderMeulen is a writer and filmmaker who believes in the power of narrative. He has helped write, direct, and produce a wide range of short films for nonprofits and individuals, ranging from book trailers and creative works to in-depth documentaries. LCHPS is so fortunate that our paths crossed with Joe and that he agreed to direct and film our documentary, Saving the Barn: The Leelanau County Poor Farm.

Throughout his career, Joe VanderMeulen has helped to facilitate community conversations – narratives of place that build social capital and improve local economies while preserving cultural and natural resources for future generations. He has worked to provide significant and meaningful support to nonprofit organizations, local governments and community groups that contribute to the sustainability and resilience of our communities.

Joe holds BA and MS degrees in English and creative writing, U.S. History, and Earth Science (hydrogeology) from Western Michigan University. He also holds a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in Natural Resources and the Environment emphasizing community planning and resource management.

Andrew White (Andy) first came to Leelanau in 1977 to work at Camp Innisfree in the Port Oneida Rural Historic District. He has been involved in local historic preservation efforts at the Glen Arbor and Port Oneida Cemeteries, the Port Oneida School (about which he has written a book), and the Kelderhouse Orchard (as a National Park Service Volunteer). He helped others, including LCHPS before he became a board member, with research projects involving local archival records. He retired from a varied career which included years spent as an engineering officer on Great Lakes bulk carriers (“ore boats”), as an environmental educator, and as a residential builder. He lives in Traverse City.

A special thank you to Barbara Siepker, one of our three founding board members, Barbara is now Board Member Emeritus. She has retired from her Board membership. She is eager to take on tasks and projects as needed but has stepped away from the day-to-day responsibilities. We will miss her leadership, deep knowledge of local history, success in writing winning grant applications, attention to detail, and her sense of good humor. Thank you very much Barbara for all you have contributed to LCHPS.