State of the Community Luncheon 2025

Megan Dean • November 25, 2025

Rockford Chamber of Commerce hosts Annual State of the Community Luncheon

Each year the Chamber hosts the State of the Community Luncheon to bring community updates from representatives in the area to our business leaders. This year, we will have presentations from the Rockford area townships, schools, and Chamber.

Rockford Chamber of Commerce

Justin Goushaw, Vice President of Rockford Chamber

Justin Goushaw Agency - Farm Bureau Insurance

Chamber Activity

Justin Goushaw is currently the Vice President of Rockford Chamber of  Commerce and Chair of the Executive Board. He has been a member of the Chamber since 2018 and has been on the  Board of Directors since 2022. He has been on the Annual Scholarship Golf Outing Committee since 2019 and on the Euchre Committee since it’s inception 2 years ago. Prior to joining the Rockford Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Justin was the President of the Rockford Sports Boosters.  


Career

Justin owns the Farm Bureau insurance agency in downtown Rockford.  As an active member of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce he has seen his business grow substantially.  In fact in 2024 Justin’s production placed him in the top 15% of all Farm Bureau Agents.  


Personal

As a graduate of Western Michigan University, Justin relocated to Rockford in 2001 with his wife Wendy.  They have raised 3 beautiful boys who all attended Rockford High School.  His older two sons  graduated from Michigan State University and Trine University, while his youngest son is currently attending Western Michigan University.       


Algoma Township

Kevin Green, Supervisor

Kevin Green has dedicated over two decades to public service and community leadership. Currently serving as Supervisor for Algoma Township, Kevin brings extensive experience in municipal governance, legislative policy, and strategic planning.


Kevin serves as the Supervisor for Algoma Township since 2016, where he focuses on infrastructure improvements, fiscal responsibility, and enhancing quality of life for residents. His public service career began on the Wyoming City Council (1999–2005), followed by six years in the Michigan House of Representatives (2005–2010), where he rose to the position of House Republican Whip and was a member of both the Appropriations and the Policy Committee including Health, Banking and Finance, and Senior Health committees.


Kevin’s professional background includes leadership roles in the private sector. Kevin was one of the top managers in the country in the outdoor advertising industry. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Central Michigan University and a Master of Public Administration from Grand Valley State University.


As a committed community advocate, Kevin values transparency, collaboration, and innovation in local government. Outside of work, he supports Rockford Public Schools, where his children, Elliot and Meadow, participate in marching band and color guard.


City of Rockford

Professional

Thad Beard was appointed City Manager of Rockford in September of 2017. He has been in City Management since 1996, serving in Otsego, MI for 17 years, prior to his appointment in Rockford. As City Manager, he ensures the policies of the elected officials are carried out on a day-to-day basis. While conducting research and providing  recommendations to the Council, the manager serves as the Chief Administrative Official ensuring services are provided to the residents as professionally and efficiently as possible.

Member of the International City Managers Association, Member of the Michigan Municipal Executives.  Appointed to Michigan Municipal League Liability and Property Pool board. Appointed to the Grand Valley Metro

Council Board and Policy Committee.

 

Education

Bachelor of Religious Education from Great Lakes Christian College, Lansing, MI, and Master of Arts in Organizational Communication from Western Michigan University.

 

Civic

Service in Rockford Area Rotary Club

Member of Rockford Chamber of Commerce Board 

 

Personal

Married to his wife Tracy for 36 years with two adult children and three grandchildren.


Courtland Township

Rachel Crowther, Trustee

Rachel Crowther is a local Rockford small business owner and recently elected to her first term as Courtland Township Trustee in November 2024. She has spent many years volunteering in local elections as a Precinct Chair and serving on the Parks Committee, helping to improve public spaces and enhance community life.


Rachel also serves as Vice President of the Rockford Area Community Foundation and co-chair of Rockford’s Got Talent, reflecting her ongoing commitment to supporting and uplifting the community. Passionate about making the Rockford area a better place to live, work, and do business, Rachel is dedicated to forward-thinking initiatives that strengthen local connections, foster growth, and create a vibrant, thriving community for everyone.

Rockford Public Schools

Dr. Steven Matthews, Superintendent

Professional

• Started work as the Superintendent of the Rockford Public Schools on July 1, 2022

• Superintendent of the Novi Community School District from 2011 - 2022.

• Previously worked as the Superintendent of the Grand Ledge Public Schools, the Director of Curriculum and Assessment in the Troy School District, Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan – Dearborn and

Wayne State University.

• Served on the Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators (MASA) Executive Board for six years and was President in 2019-2020.

• Serves on the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) Governing Board


Education

• Graduate of the University of Washington, Texas Tech University, and Wayne State University.


Personal

• Married, with three sons, a daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren.

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