About Mike
Community Minded
Family Focused
My name is Mike Sullivan, and I am running to represent you on the Grandville City Council to build a stronger future for all families in our community.
My wife, Carolyn, and I live in Grandville with our daughter, Emma. We love living in our community. As we were looking at where we would purchase our first home together and to start a family, Grandville was first on the list. We are parishioners at St. Pius X Catholic Church. As an Eagle Scout, I continue to give back by volunteering with the Boy Scouts of America. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time outdoors with our yellow Labrador Retriever, Locke, who often joins me on walks through the City.
Dedicated Public Servant
I am actively engaged in our community and currently serve on the City of Grandville’s Zoning Board of Appeals and Tree Board. The mission of the Tree Board is to develop and manage our community's urban forest. We organize various projects annually including our City's Arbor Day Celebration and Tree Grandville sale. At the Arbor Day celebration, we plant trees in public spaces within our community. Our annual Tree Grandville sale offers trees at a reduced rate to residents within the City of Grandville so that they may plant trees on their property. Lastly, we also research grant opportunities to purchase and plant additional trees in public spaces.
The Zoning Board of Appeals reviews and decides on applications for variances or relief from the City's Zoning Ordinance. This provides a mechanism for property owners to utilize if they feel a hardship is created for them under zoning regulations due to exceptional circumstances.
I am a dedicated public servant with extensive experience in local and state government. I am employed as the Kent County Elections Director, where I work to ensure secure, transparent, fair, and accurate elections for our community.
My career has included roles with the Michigan Attorney General’s Office, the Michigan State Senate, and Ada Township, all of which have given me a deep understanding of public policy and governance. I understand inter-governmental communication and how issues on the federal and state level can have an effect on our community. I have managed large budgets, managed people, and have engaged in conflict resolution.
My education includes a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in State, Regional, and Local Governance from Grand Valley State University (GVSU).
During my graduate studies, I was honored to receive the Excellence-In-A-Discipline Award and the Graduate School Citation for Academic Excellence in Public Administration. My academic interests included governmental accounting, strategic planning, economic development, and urban development. I am also proud to be a 2021 fellow of the Michigan Political Leadership Program at Michigan State University. This program taught me the importance of leadership and the qualities needed to be a good leader.