In the summer of 2010, DeAnna saw a listing for the “Learn to Row” program in the GR Parks & Rec. catalogue and thought, “Why not?” She has been an active member of the club ever since. A Michigan native (and UM graduate), DeAnna left the state in 1994 to attend graduate school at NYU and didn’t return again until a few years ago. She is employed at Burke E. Porter Machinery Co. where she wears many administrative hats. DeAnna is looking forward to helping the club grow this year through increased visibility and community goodwill.

At 21, Karin graduated from Hope College, got married, and moved to Germany. As an Army wife, she worked as a civilian employee in Germany; as secretary to the commander of the 200th Division at Fort Knox during Desert Storm; managed customer service, billing, and networks for Bluegrass Cellular in KY and Cellular One in ND; managed a non-profit Thrift Shop and cataloged native plants at White Sands Missile Range, NM. Karin rode and raced dirt bikes with her husband at each location. Back in Michigan, she went to Aquinas for her master's degree in education while subbing in her kids' elementary school, and has now been teaching third grade for 9 years.

Karin discovered rowing when her daughter (who now rows with the GRRA high school team) was a novice rower and coxswain. She started Learn-to-Row in June 2012 and rowed (sweep or scull) several times weekly until dock out in November. Karin hopes to work with the board in the areas of record keeping, website management, and the Junior team.

Renee Zuidema works full-time as a Network Analyst at X-Rite, Incorporated.  When time allows, she loves to be on or near water.  A friend told her about the Learn To Row classes at GRRA and she decided to give it a try for at least a year.  She took her first Learn To Row class in the Spring of 2012 and was hooked... and Learn To Scull is on the agenda for 2013.  She is hoping to help spread the word about the great programs offered at GRRA.

Walt Alexander grew up in North East, Maryland, a little town located at the north end of the Chesapeake Bay. He went on active duty with the U.S. Army soon after high school graduation and was fortunate to spend most of his 3+ year enlistment in Germany. There Walt met a soldier from Riverview, Michigan … his wife Donna. They originally came to Grand Rapids so that Walt could attend Electronics School, and found a town they liked and for Walt a part- time job that turned into a 30+ year career.  Walt works at Micron Manufacturing, a small, family-owned company that produces precision machined parts, where his duties include estimating and directing safety, health, and environmental efforts. 

Walt got interested in rowing after going to a regatta in Grand Rapids to watch Donna’s niece Kelli compete as a member of the Riverview HS team. He took an Adult Learn-To-Row at the GRRA in 2009 and not only found rowing to be fun and a great workout, but it’s a great way to make new friends.  Walt decided to seek a position on the Board, after realizing that there’s a lot of work going on behind the scenes that makes GRRA possible. Aside from continuing to compete and help out at regattas and around the Boathouse, he hopes to encourage greater member participation and maybe even find some new members. See ya on the water!