Our Team
Matt became the first CEO of Discovery Center & Pier in the fall of 2019. Originally from southwestern Michigan, Matt has called Traverse City his home since 2000. He has a B.S. in Resource Development with an emphasis in Water Resources from Michigan State University. Prior to a 17-year career in land conservation, Matt worked in the fields of fisheries and water rights in Wisconsin, Massachusetts and Montana, and was a Peace Corps volunteer in Gabon. He lives in Traverse City with his wife, Ann, and their son and daughter.
Matt McDonough, CEO
Amanda Gower, Development Coordinator
Laura joined the Discovery Center & Pier staff in October 2023. She was born and raised in Traverse City, graduating from West Senior High School, and attending Northwestern Michigan College. She finished her education at Maharishi International University, receiving a B.A. in Media & Communications. She enjoys being a part of peoples’ big days and helping to make their events memorable and fun. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends (including the many dogs) and losing herself in a book.
Laura Muzzarelli, Venue Manager
Our Board
Discovery Center & Pier’s Board is appointed by Rotary Camps & Services. Community members serve alongside representatives from the Noon Rotary Club of Traverse City and delegates from Rotary Charities and Rotary Camps & Services. Board members are carefully chosen for having the skills and experience necessary to move the project forward.
Pictured Here: Bob Stowe, Rick Summers, Elaine Wood, Mack Beers, Beth Karczeski, Jerry Ring, Matt McDonough, Sid Lammers, Steve Feringa and Greg Luyt. Not pictured: Kate Redman, Deborah Kasemeyer, Mike Wills.
Mack Beers | Treasurer | Rotarian at Large
Retired banker with over 40 years’ experience, including extensive commercial credit and business financial analysis. Has been working intensively on the Pier and Collaborative projects
Mike Brown | Community
President of Burdco Incorporated, a commercial development and design/build firm located in Traverse City. Mike is a member and past President of both the Traverse City Optimist Club and the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA Board of Directors
Steve Feringa | Community
Member of GT Band, and Corporate Architect for Grand Traverse Resort & Casinos’ Economic Development Corporation (EDC). Also manager for the EDC’s Project Management Department.
Beth Karczeski | Rotarian at Large
Fund development and strategic planning consultant, with over 20 years’ experience in fundraising experience for the Munson Healthcare organizations.
Deborah Kasemeyer | Community
Senior VP, Director Community Development & Investment at Northern Trust Corp., where she oversees community development capital deployment and an Impact Investment portfolio.
Sid Lammers | Rotarian at Large
Business owner and Elmwood Township resident who has long been involved in planning for the Discovery Center & Pier, including serving on the Harbor Committee and Visioning Team.
Greg Luyt | Rotary Charities Delegate
Attorney with over 10 years’ experience in a broad range of legal practice areas, including real estate, construction, business organization, and condominium law.
Kate Redman | Secretary | Community
Attorney and founder of CommonPlace, the region’s leading co-working space, operating from two sites. Currently developing Commongrounds, a 48,000 sq. ft. collaborative co-op on Eighth Street.
Jerry Ring | Rotarian at Large
Founding Principal of Center for Public Affairs Strategies. Doctorate of Management in Organizational Leadership with focus on collaborative partnerships between for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Retired President and Executive Director of The Dow Chemical Company Foundation.
Bob Stow | Chair | Rotary Camps & Services Delegate
Semi-retired architect, who continues to use his skills for community projects, including the Bijou Theatre, Old Town Playhouse, and most recently the DC Collaborative.
Rick Summers | Rotary Camps & Services Delegate
Director of Fox Motors Northwest Division for more than 12 years, with experience in property and business acquisition, as well as in-depth financial analysis.
Mike Wills | Rotarian at Large
Over 40 years’ experience in Real Estate Development, and 12 years as President of the Discovery Center & Pier Board. Facilitated Mike Dow’s donation of the original Discovery Center & Pier property.
Elaine Wood | Vice-Chair | Rotarian at Large
Retired from Networks Northwest as CEO after 41 years working there and developing experience in municipal organizations, community development, economic development, strategic planning.