Everyone has a Torch Lake memory worth telling—summer days on the water, family traditions, quiet mornings, or moments of discovery. Your story helps show why protecting Torch Lake matters. Submit your experience for a chance to be featured on the Torch Lake Protection Alliance website and inspire others to keep the lake blue for generations to come.
Education + Professional History
Alisa grew up in Southfield and attended Michigan State University where she earned a degree in Journalism before embarking on a communications and public relations career that would take her to Arizona, Boston, and Seattle. She worked in development communications as a writer for Harvard University, spent years in tourism and hospitality PR, and a majority of her career in promotions and public relations for Starbucks. Alisa and her family live in Seattle full time where Alisa is a communications and public relations executive for Amazon.
Personal + Torch Lake Story
Alisa’s mom discovered Torch Lake as a teenager when she was a counselor at Camp Maplehurst. Loving the area so much, Alisa’s grandmother purchased a small log cabin on Ladd Drive. In the 1970s, Alisa’s parents bought a cottage just down the street from her grandmother on Crystal Beach Road. This is where she, her husband Anthony, and teenage son Julian spend their summers.
More About Alison
In addition to serving on the board of the TLPA, Alisa is also a member of the board of the Alzheimer’s Association’s Washington State Chapter She enjoys spending time with her family downhill mountain biking, snowboarding, camping and planning their next big adventure.
Education + Professional History
Dave grew up in St. Louis, MO and attended the University of Michigan in the 70’s. He graduated with a degree in Music Education which led to two high school band teaching positions in Michigan – 5.5 years in Reed City, MI and 12.5 years in Jackson, MI. In the 80’s, Dave received a Master’s in Musical Arts from the University of Colorado.
In 1999, Dave began his position as the Executive Director of YMCA Camp Hayo-Went-Ha. A position he held for 20 years. He retired from the camp in 2018. He concurrently held the position of CEO of the State YMCA of Michigan from 2010 through 2017.
Dave has worked, since 2019, for the State of Michigan as a Licensed Camp Consultant inspecting summer camps in the Northwest Michigan area of the Lower Peninsula.
Personal + Torch Lake Story
Dave Martin has spent his life on Torch Lake. Originally, coming to Torch in the summers enjoying his grandparents log cabin cottage, to enjoying his parent’s cottage in later years, to now living in Antrim County since 1999. Dave and his wife Niki live on Torch Lake. They have four children who all love Torch and two grandchildren that they enjoy spoiling!
More About Dave
A lifelong lover of the out-of-doors, Dave has a particular passion for Torch Lake. Sailing E-scows or butterflies or just enjoying a great motorboat ride on Torch is an unequaled experience. Outside of Torch Lake, Dave enjoys music and participating in all four seasons of Antrim County, though he openly admits he loves summer best.
Education + Professional History
Rick has been an advocate for natural resource protection and conservation his entire professional life. While in college during the sixties, he became inspired by the environmental movement – and consequently focused his studies in this arena. He received a B.S. in Forestry (1971), an M.S. in regional planning (1972), and a Ph.D. in natural resources policy (1976) from The University of Michigan. After serving eight years with the U.S. Forest Service in water policy research, he joined the faculty of Arizona State University in 1986. Rick now serves as ASU Emeritus Professor of Sustainable Communities.
Personal + Torch Lake Story
Rick’s love for Torch Lake can be traced back to the 1940s when his father-in-law attended Camp Hayo-Went-Ha. The beauty and magic of Torch changed his life forever. His father-in-law was overjoyed when he was able to buy a cabin in Alden where family memories could grow forever. Rick married into that family with all of its Torch memories in the early 1970s. Since that time, Rick and his wife Janet have been in Alden every summer, infusing their two children and five grandchildren with the Torch spirit. Rick is committed to helping all families experience that same spirit for generations to come.
More About Richard
Throughout his career, Rick has served many non-profit organizations. One of the most meaningful: a nonprofit that helps single women in poverty achieve a college degree. He is energized by working with people who have a passion for serving – as the board members of TLPA clearly are. As he sees it, TLPA board members are driven by three qualities: serving others, protecting nature, and leaving legacies. He is thrilled to become part of that kind of chemistry, and to serve the TLPA membership for years to come!
Education + Professional History
Steve grew up in Marshall, Michigan and obtained his BS from Western Michigan University in Automotive Management & Service. He held a number of positions with Ford Motor Company based in several locations in Customer Service and Product Marketing over 22 years. In 2007, he left Ford to become the VP of Sales for Extang Corporation, a truck accessory manufacturer in Ann Arbor and is now the OEM Channel Director for the parent company Real Truck, where he works primarily from his home.
Personal + Torch Lake Story
Steve and his wife Wendy have enjoyed vacationing with their two daughters in the Elk Rapids area for over 20 years, towing their boat from down state to enjoy Elk and Torch Lakes. For many years, they longed to own a cottage, convinced that the area offered so much enjoyment and memories. In 2017 that dream came true, finding an original owner, small ranch on the West side of Torch Lake with a beautiful lot. During the pandemic, plans developed to rebuild which was completed in 2022 and they moved to their new home full time that year. With two other TLPA board members as neighbors, Steve has now joined the board in 2023 and looks forward to contributing to our great lake’s preservation.
More About Steve
Steve and Wendy spend time away from the area visiting their two daughters, grandsons and his parents. They also enjoy entertaining friends and family at their lake house. In the winter months, they frequent the family condo in S. Florida. Like many, Steve enjoys the great outdoors. Favorite activities include boating, biking (Rode around Torch several times), running, kayaking, cooking and yard work. He’s an automotive enthusiast and enjoys driving, maintaining and modifying his cars, truck and boat.
Education + Professional History
Tom worked as an Engineer in Aerospace for 13 years at LTV in Michigan and Texas. Tom then spent 31 years at Ford, including time with Visteon and ACH before returning to Ford to retire in 2009, working his way up to the position of Engineering Director. Following Tom’s retirement, he remained working as an engineering consultant for another 10 years.
Tom and his wife Linda married in 1967 and have 3 grown children and 6 grandchildren who range in age from 17 to 32.
Personal + Torch Lake Story
Tom first learned about Torch Lake in the ’80’s and began renting a cabin for a week or two for several summers. Spending vacation time with his family at the lake always ended with plans to return.
One evening, Tom and his wife Linda sat by the bonfire and dreamt “If we could only find a way to get a place on the lake where we could retire”.
That dream came to fruition in 1996 when, after a lot of effort, they purchased the home they live in today. As a family cottage, they have countless memories that have served to help their family stay closer together. In 2010, they moved to the lake house full time, to begin their long-awaited, hard worked for retirement years.
More About Tom
We cherish our time at Torch Lake and plan to pass the home on to the family for future generations to enjoy. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to support TLPA and the mission statement to preserve this beautiful resource we call Torch Lake.
Education + Professional History
Mark received his BS in Business Administration with a major in accounting from Central Michigan University. Two years later he received his certification as a Certified Public Accountant. Mark continued his education receiving a MBA from Central Michigan University.
After receiving his BS degree Mark went to work for the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) with the State of Michigan. Mark worked as an auditor, audit supervisor and audit manager with the (OAG) before transferring to the Department of Social Services (DSS). At DSS, Mark worked as Director of Internal Audit until being promoted to Chief Deputy Director for the Department. After 35 years of service with the State of Michigan Mark retired and began teaching accounting, tax, and business classes at Grand Rapids Community College. Mark then retired for a second time in December 2023.
Personal + Torch Lake Story
Mark and his wife Marilyn started coming to Torch Lake in the 80’s for the “Ride Around Torch Lake” bike ride. Their experiences took them on a long search for property on Torch Lake, making trips to Torch too numerous to count, from their home in Lansing, MI. Finally, in 2008 they purchased a home with a friend and in 2015 purchased their friends share. Since then, they have totally remodeled their home and are now living here full time. They enjoy sharing their lake experiences with their children and friends.
More About Mark
Mark and Marilyn have been members of TPLA for two years and hope to help continue the TLPA’s mission so many generations can enjoy beautiful Torch Lake.
Education + Professional History
Bruce attended Michigan State University and earned a bachelor’s degree in 1975. Bruce went to work for United Parcel Service in 1972 and spent the next 35 years in many positions and locations. Bruce retired in 2007 as the State of Michigan’s Operations Manager.
Personal + Torch Lake Story
His wife’s family first owned property on Torch Lake in the 70’s. Marlene, his wife of 41 years and Bruce bought their first house on Torch Lake in 1994. They built their current home in 2009.
More About Bruce
Bruce feels very fortunate to have enjoyed all these years on Torch Lake. He hopes serving on Torch Lake Protection Alliance’s board is some repayment for all the joy Torch Lake has provided to his family.
Education + Professional History
Sharon graduated from Michigan Tech with a Chemical Engineering degree and has an MBA from University of Michigan. She worked nearly 40 years at General Motors and retired in 2021 as an Engineering Manager.
Personal + Torch Lake Story
She has homes in Grand Blanc, Michigan and in Milton Township on Torch River. She is married to husband Bill and have 3 adult daughters, all who love the area. She has been coming to Northern Michigan most of her life with time on Lake Charlevoix and previously owned a home on Elk Lake and now Torch River (near Torch Lake!). Her parents and brother have northern homes as well, so family gatherings are often in Northern Michigan.
More About Sharon
She has been actively involved in the group TESA (Torch Elk Skegemog Alliance) and has worked with Milton Township and Antrim County (including the Antrim Conservation District) on environmental issues of concern. Her favorite pastimes include Jazzercize, landscaping/yard work, entertaining and spending as much time as possible on the waters of Torch Lake and Torch River.
Education + Professional History
Randy received his pharmacy degree from Purdue University in 1982, with specialized training in Nuclear Pharmacy. After graduation, he worked in the nuclear pharmaceutical industry for Cardinal Health as a pharmacist in Des Moines, a manager in Boston and Toledo, and a regional manager in Ohio and Michigan. In 1994, Randy opened his own business, Capital Pharmacy, Inc. in Lansing. After selling his business in 2007, Randy joined Hot Shots Nuclear Medicine as a Partner and Director of Development. He retired in May 2014.
Personal + Torch Lake Story
Randy is a native of Northwest Ohio and has enjoyed vacationing in Northern Michigan his entire life. He recently moved to Torch Lake after living 23 years in Okemos, Michigan with his wife of 38 years, Peg. They have two adult children, Leigh who resides in Cleveland and Mitch, who live in Austin. He has been enjoying summers at Torch Lake since 2003.
More About Randy
Randy enjoys spending time outdoors with family and friends and is an active golfer, cyclist, boater, and sports enthusiast.
Education + Professional History
Laura’s educational credentials of Bachelor of Science; Para-Law & Bachelor of Art’s; Art & Design History from Madonna College, Livonia, Mi along with her NCIDQ (National Coalition for Interior Design Qualification) equip her to work alongside fellow TLPA Board Members. Her work with law firms and as an independent business woman for 21+ years equip her to engage in all of the various challenges and opportunities overseen by the TLPA.
Personal + Torch Lake Story
Laura has been a full-time resident of Milton Township /Kewadin since August 2021, in the home her husband Dave & she built from 1992-1994 on Torch Lake property that they bought in 1987. She has been a longtime supporter of TLPA and always aware of and concern for the vitality and health of Torch Lake. In her early years of life, her parents rented a cottage on Clam River just off of Torch which gives her decades of knowledge & love of the beautiful spectrum of colors that abound in Torch Lake.
More About Laura
As an avid boater and slalom skier on Torch, she has great respect for the lake. As such, she looks forward to being a contributing Board Member of TLPA. “Work put in today will keep Torch Lake Blue for decades to come.