New Laketown manager starting Sept. 29

Laketown Township has a new manager who will start Sept. 29, 2025.

Stephanie Fox, the new manager, and Supervisor Steven Ringelberg on behalf of the township signed a 2-year contract on Sept. 4.

“I am honored to serve as the next Laketown Township manager,” Fox said. “I am eager to work collaboratively with the board, staff, and residents to accomplish the goals of the township. Laketown Township is a wonderful community, and I look forward to ensuring it continues to thrive!”

The contract sets Fox’s annual salary at $110,000 with the possibility of a bonus of up to $15,000 if she meets agreed-upon objectives set by the board in her first 30 days. The proposed contract also includes added vacation days requested by Fox and evaluations of her performance after 90 days and 6 months in the first year of the contract.

The search for a manager began after longtime Manager Al Meshkin announced his retirement plans on July 3, 2024. His last day was Jan. 3.

The board hired Ryan Cotton of the firm MGT in August 2024 to guide the process. The first attempt to hire a replacement ended after the finalist withdrew on Jan. 28. The board paused the search in an effort to learn how to better work together, going through training sessions. In June, the board agreed to restart the search.

Fox was chosen as a finalist from a field that started with 45 applicants for the manager position and was narrowed to four for interviews on July 15.

The board voted on July 21 to begin contract negotiations with Fox pending a review of her references. She was called back for a third interview on Sept. 2 after which the board voted to offer her a modified contract with the added evaluations.

Since Meshkin’s departure, Ringelberg has been serving as manager.  Ringelberg will do a transition and hand off the role to Fox during the week of Sept. 29.

“Laketown has a very good staff to support the manager. I have enjoyed my time as manager, enjoyed getting to know and work with the staff, and enjoyed meeting and working with many residents over the past nine months,” said Ringelberg.  “I will continue to be involved in improving recycling, trash, and yard waste services in Laketown, and obviously I will continue as supervisor of Laketown. Miss Fox is going to have the support of a strong staff as she learns the job of manager and as she learns about Laketown, its residents, its challenges, and its assets.”

Fox will be leaving her current position as executive assistant to the mayor of the City of Kentwood. She was previously administrator of Ionia County, which is east of Kent County. Ionia County has a population of more than 66,000.