OUR MEMBERS ARE EXPERTS IN THEIR FIELD – COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE BROKERS, REAL ESTATE ATTORNEYS, LENDERS, ARCHITECTS, ACCOUNTANTS, DEVELOPERS, COMMERCIAL INTERIOR DESIGNERS, ENGINEERS, TITLE COMPANY PROFESSIONALS, ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS AND OTHER RELATED FINANCIAL, MARKETING AND CONSULTING DISCIPLINES.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ALISON DEKOK - BOARD PRESIDENT
Alison is a Global Accounts Executive with Haworth, working with her company’s global clients. Within the commercial real estate industry, she has built a reputation of being a trusted advisor to her clients. Alison’s industry expertise revolves around workplace strategy, negotiating pricing contracts, and helping clients develop global purchasing strategies.
Working with a variety of clients around the globe, Alison interacts with a multitude of global real estate teams. CREW Network provides a gateway to developing meaningful relationships worldwide.
FUN FACT: I am a self-proclaimed nomad; I am passionate about travel. I love to explore new and uniquely different places. I am married and have two teenage sons, which keeps life interesting!
DORIS DRAIN - BOARD VICE PRESIDENT
Doris is Vice President of Commercial Loans at United Bank of Michigan, an independent, locally-owned community bank headquartered in Grand Rapids. She just celebrated her 33rd year with United Bank! She works with small businesses and real estate investors to find real solutions for their financing needs.
One of Doris’s passions is connecting people and she joined CREW not only to make her own connections, but to connect other women in the real estate industry.
FUN FACT: When the weather is nice, you’ll usually find me riding my bike. I rode just under 2,000 miles last year!
JULIE PARKER - BOARD TREASURER
Julie is the President of the Economic Development Foundation (EDF) in Grand Rapids, MI. EDF is one of only three Certified Development Companies in the State of Michigan, specializing in Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 and 7(a) Loans to help small business owners finance commercial real estate and equipment. EDF partners with various lending institutions throughout Michigan to offer these business owners a low down payment (typically 10%) at a very competitive and fixed interest rate for 10, 20 or 25 years. p
Prior to joining EDF in 2015, Julie was the Executive Director at Lakeshore 504 for 14 years, which at the time was its own strategic business unit within the Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce. It was there Julie realized her passion for helping small businesses, and being and integral part of their overall expansion and growth. Like the Chamber of Commerce, CREW is an organization that allows her to make the important connections that help facilitate this process.
Julie loves spending time with her family, walking her dog, riding her bike, traveling and boating on Lake Michigan. She has a son and a daughter that are now grown, and a husband of nearly 30 years, who is also a small business owner.
Fun Fact: Julie followed in her grandfather’s footsteps! Del Crowe was a former Vice President at Old Kent Bank (now Fifth Third Bank) and retired in 1988. After his retirement, Del subsequently volunteered at EDF and was one of their original founding board members. Ultimately Del became the President of EDF, until he officially retired in 2005. In the late 90’s, Julie, who was also a former Old Kent Bank employee, took some time off to be at home with her two small children. Del offered her a part time position at EDF and she worked there for a few years before making the move to Lakeshore 504 in Holland. In 2015, she left Lakeshore 504 and went back to EDF to take her current position as President. Today, Del Crowe is going on 98 years old and he still loves reminiscing with Julie about EDF and is an inspiration to all.
Jessica McGowan - Board Secretary
Jess is a commercial real estate agent with Ben Muller Realty Company, a third-generation family owned company and the oldest continuously operating brokerage in the Grand Rapids area. Her background includes leasing and zoning for Horvath Communications, a company that develops and owns cell tower sites across the nation. Her studies garnered her a Law Degree from Thomas Cooley Law School and a Bachelor’s Degree from Oral Roberts University. Jess is passionate about building relationships and adding value for her clients and the community wherever she can.
Her enthusiasm for growth and learning brought her to CREW; at which she has found a brilliant group of professionals passionate about succeeding in their field.
Fun fact: Jess was formerly a tour guide in Washington D.C. and loves to travel. In her free time she enjoys volunteering at her church and golfing.
anne ficeli - past board president; board member
Anne is President of PURE Real Estate Management in Grand Rapids. She has been in commercial property/asset management for over 20 years and has built a reputation of building trusted partnerships with her clients. Her clients include investors and developers with portfolios of all asset types.
As a woman in a male dominated industry, she is committed to helping support and encourage other women in the commercial real estate industry. Being involved in CREW is a great way to do just that!
FUN FACT: I am passionate about animal welfare and a proponent of the “Adopt don’t shop” movement. I have served on the Board the Humane Society of West Michigan for over four years. In my spare time, you will find me practicing yoga or spending time with dogs, two of my favorite things.
nikki probst - board member
Nikki Probst is the Vice President of Business Relations with Custer, Inc., the leading integrated interiors firm in West Michigan offering strategy, design, and installation services to businesses throughout the state. With Custer since 2016, Nikki leads the marketing and strategic alliance efforts for the organization. With the partnership of Steelcase, she delivers research to help clients make more informed decisions around their space. She works closely with economic development organizations, area architects and interior designers to educate on Custer’s capabilities and industry shifts to support more inspiring, holistic design.
Prior to joining Custer, Nikki worked for Vanerum Stelter, a Michigan based educational furniture manufacturer, where she introduced ergonomic seating and desking solutions to K-12 school districts nationally. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Finance from Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Living in Heritage Hill, she loves walking to restaurants and shops in the area and enjoys spending time with her 2-year-old niece, Siena.
valery young - board member
As the Vice President of Real Estate, Valery contributes her strong real estate background in project management, market research, brokerage and community relations to both US Retail Holdings Inc., the largest franchisee of Pet Supplies Plus as well as Coach Road Capital.
Valery provides project management services, market impact studies such as demographic and cannibalization analytics for USR Holdings and continues to be heavily relied upon to help qualify new locations, space plan, bid out and negotiate pricing, asset ordering and coordination; manage sign vendors, architects, and construction contractors; and deliver remodeled stores and new stores on time and on budget and per specifications.
Fun Fact: Valery is a veteran of the US Army Reserves. She has lived in California, Arizona, Kentucky, S. Carolina, and of course Michigan. She is married to Aaron Young and has 3 bonus littles – though no so little at 19, 17 and 15. Traveling the world is the next chapter