Great Lakes Chapter West MI Economic Summit 2025

Keynote Speaker

Paul Isley, PhD

Grand Valley State University

Join Paul Isely, PhD, from Grand Valley State University as he leads a discussion on the Western Michigan economy.

This program will include expert insights into the West Michigan economy. Leaders in their respective industries will share invaluable first-hand perspectives, including the economy, commercial and residential real estate, investing in real estate, housing development, business development, local and national housing market, mixed-use development on the local economy, and how this all affects the Assessors and Appraisers of Michigan. The issues presented will benefit both assessors, residential and general commercial appraisers, in their day-to-day activities of estimating market values throughout the state.

About Dr. Isley

Dr. Paul Isely is the Associate Dean and Professor of Economics for the Seidman College of Business at Grand Valley State University, which he joined in 1995 after earning his Ph.D. in Economics from Purdue University. He also holds an M.S. in Economics from Purdue University and a dual B.S. in Physics and Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Isely’s research interests have led to many local articles and reports. These articles have explored West Michigan’s economy including forecasts of growth, the state of entrepreneurship, health care costs, environmental clean-up values, economic impacts of various activities, and the costs and benefits of wind power. He has been interviewed extensively by TV, radio, and newspapers on the West Michigan economy and its relationship to the national and state economies.

Jeff Genzink, MAI

IRR

Commercial Moderator

Mr. Genzink, Senior Managing Director has been active in appraisal and advisory services since 1990. Mr. Genzink has extensive experience with easement valuations and diminution-in-value assignments, which include environmental, title defects, eminent domain and other conditions involving a wide variety of property types. Additional appraisal and counseling assignments have been completed for estate planning, tax appeal, charitable tax contribution, divorce settlement, acquisition and disposition, and loan underwriting. As a qualified expert, Mr. Genzink has testified in Federal, State and County Courts.

Commercial Panelist

John Wiegand

As Business Research & Intelligence Manager for The Right Place, John provides business intelligence and economic research for the organization, investors and other stakeholders.

Prior to joining The Right Place team, John worked as a senior associate within the consulting arm of global accounting and consulting firm, BDO. In this role, John was responsible for conducting investigative due diligence, primarily for the finance industry. Preceding this role, John spent three and a half years as a business journalist for MiBiz, where he covered manufacturing, economic development and agriculture. John has a Bachelor of International Relations from Grand Valley State University.

Kenneth Visser, MAI

Visser Appraisals

Residential Moderator

Residential Panelists:

Sam Sterk

Experience · Licensed Broker the State of Michigan · Licensed builder in the State of Michigan Areas of Expertise · Marketing and negotiation expert with over 3,000 career sales · New home specialist with experience in new construction as partner and manager in a construction company with over 25 homes built in four years · Experienced land development being a partner and sales manager in several subdivisions with over 150 lots sold · Partner and manager in real estate leasing as part owner in over 44 residential units Professional Designations · GRI: Graduate Real Estate Institute · CRS: Certified Residential Specialist. Less than 5% of all REALTORS® have this designation for expertise in the residential field Awards · Realtor of the Year - 2015 · SODREP Award - Society of Distinguished Real Estate Professionals · Most Professional Realtor award from GRAR 2018 Board of REALTORS® · Elected by 3,000+ fellow REALTORS® to serve a three year term on the Grand Rapids Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors · Served on the West Michigan Real Estate Forms Committee developing contracts for real estate sales throughout Western Michigan · Chaired Grand Rapids Association of REALTORS® Government Affairs Committee using our influence as REALTORS® to help direct and provide legislation to protect home ownership and private property rights · Chaired Professional Standards Committee, a committee charged to uphold a standard of integrity and ethics throughout the real estate industry and to instigate action against those who refuse to “run by the rules” · Served on several task forces dealing with professional standards of foreclosed property issues, selling the homes on short sale, long range planning for our Realtors.

Tim Katerberg

He is a 38-year member of GRAR and an Associate Broker with RE/MAX of Grand Rapids. I currently sit on the GRAR Board of Directors and have been involved with the professional standards and grievance committees for the last 8 years. My experience includes involvement with various developments, from approval and planning to selling new homes/condos. Additionally, I mentor and train new agents at RE/MAX of Grand Rapids.

Adam Paarlberg 

He is now serving as President of Greenridge Realty, Adam Paarlberg has been with the company over the last two decades as a licensed REALTOR® and later a branch manager and the Vice President of Sales. Adam deeply values the opportunity to be part of a local, family-owned brokerage and describes his current role as a chance to work hard, grow and make a positive impact. He believes that real estate done right is our opportunity to impact the world for good – and that is what drives him every day. Dedication to Real Estate and professional growth have lead Adam toward various leadership roles within our industry – most notably having served as President of the Greater Regional Alliance of Realtors (GRAR) in 2017 and as a member of the GRAR Board of Directors in 2018. At the state level he serves as an RPAC Trustee for Michigan Realtors, and at the National level as a member of the NAR Risk Management Committee. Adam was also honored as GRAR's 2020 REALTOR® of the Year. Personal and professional growth through mentorship are key values for Adam and inform his life and work daily. His career has been marked by a passion for sales, a clear mission for leadership and a drive to make a positive impact.