Director – Leelanau County
Term: 2026

(231) 386-5234
[email protected]

Tom Van Pelt was re-elected in June 2023 to serve a three-year term through 2026.

Van Pelt, a self-employed farmer, operates a family fruit farm in Leelanau Township. He is also Captain with Leelanau Township Emergency Services.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in Horticulture from Michigan State University. Van Pelt also earned an associate degree in Business from Manatee Junior College.

Van Pelt has served on the board of the Michigan Association of Cherry Producers. He also served on the Leelanau County Board of Commissioners, Leelanau Township Planning Commission, and Leelanau Township Board of Review. Van Pelt is former chair of Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative’s board of directors and founding board chair of Wolverine Power Marketing Cooperative. He is a current member of the Leelanau Energy Group.

Van Pelt has been a PGA Golf Professional for over 25 years.

Director bios are updated annually in June.