Alan Turfe has been elected chair of the Western Michigan University (WMU) Board of Trustees after a unanimous vote at the board’s meeting on Thursday, Feb. 12. Kelly Burris was also chosen as vice chair for 2026.
“Thank you all for the trust you’ve placed in me. I’m honored to serve as your chair at this moment in our University’s history,” Turfe said following his election.
Turfe expressed gratitude to outgoing Chair Shelly Edgerton, stating, “I also want to thank our outgoing Chair Edgerton for her leadership and steady fiduciary guidance for the past two years. This board and all of Western Michigan University are better today for Shelly Edgerton’s service.” He added that he looks forward to working closely with his fellow trustees, Burris as vice chair, and Dr. Kahler B. Schuemann, secretary to the board.
Turfe acknowledged WMU President Russ Kavalhuna’s role by noting that Kavalhuna is “clearly continuing as a champion to ensure that shared governance is our top priority and that our students are at the focal point of everything we do.”
Edgerton reflected on her time leading the board: “It has been an honor and privilege to chair this board for three years of my tenure. Serving with trustees as we searched, appointed and transitioned our new president has been one of my greatest rewards in serving the WMU community. I have appreciated Alan being a supportive partner with me in our work on the board. He offers great experience and insights.” She added, “We are in capable hands under the direction of Chair Turfe and Vice Chair Burris.”
Turfe brings leadership experience from several sectors including automotive, e-commerce, metals, medical devices, biotechnology, life sciences and pharmacy. He started his career at General Motors before holding senior roles across finance, operations, procurement, supply chain and sales.
As former chairman, president and CEO of J M Smith Corp., Turfe led what was then the fourth-largest pharmaceutical distribution company in the country with $3 billion in annual revenue. His previous executive roles included positions at Thermo Fisher Scientific, IDEX Corp., GM and Fresenius Medical Care.
Currently serving as chairman of Zoom Home Lending—the fifth-largest mortgage lending company nationally—he also sits on several boards such as Perigon Health; Detroit Medical Center Rehabilitation Institute; Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy; Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine; and Arkestro.
Turfe holds both a Bachelor of Science degree and an MBA from the University of Michigan.
He joined WMU’s Board by appointment from Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2020 and had served as vice chair since 2023 prior to becoming chair.
“I have truly valued the opportunity to work with Chair Turfe,” said President Kavalhuna. “Having led a national company with $3 billion in revenue as CEO, in addition to his experience across multiple industries, he brings a practical, forward-looking perspective as we navigate a rapidly changing landscape in higher education. That ability to think across sectors and champion innovation helps position our System to serve students and our communities.”
Other officers elected during Thursday’s meeting include Dr. Kahler B. Schuemann (secretary), Jan Van Der Kley (treasurer/assistant secretary), and Colleen Scarff (assistant treasurer). Schuemann is WMU’s chief of staff; Van Der Kley serves as vice president for business and finance; Scarff is associate vice president for business and finance.
Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo with over 17,000 students enrolled according to its official website. The university supports inclusive excellence among its student body and promotes sustainability through initiatives like LEED-certified buildings and award-winning landscaping. It fields 16 Division I varsity sports teams within the Mid-American Conference and offers more than 150 undergraduate majors. Several graduate programs have received top-100 rankings nationally according to university data.
