Come join your fellow WestSiders and learn about what is going on in the StockBridge Business District. This meet up will be from noon to 1 p.m.
Location: Küsterer Brauhaus, 642 Bridge St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Meet our Host: David Ringler | Cedar Springs Brewing & Küsterer Brauhaus
Dave was born in Grand Rapids and went to school both in Kalamazoo, “craft” was starting, and in Germany, where a love of Bavarian Bier und Kultur was solidified. With nearly two decades in the beer and hospitality industry, at all three tiers, Dave is thrilled to no longer be wearing a tie to work. A fan of shade trees in the Biergarten, Tiger baseball, Steeler football, Chopin concertos, N.W.A. on cassette, and questionable clothing choices, he’s the man behind Gemütlichkeit at Küsterer Brauhaus in Grand Rapids (and Cedar Springs Brewing just 18 minutes north).
Speaker: Joe Dyer | Disher
Joe Dyer is passionate about developing people, leading growth, and Making a Positive Difference in our world as President of DISHER, a nationally recognized engineering, manufacturing technology, leadership, and talent recruitment firm headquartered in Zeeland, Michigan. The combination of Joe’s technical skills, character qualities, and strategic abilities uniquely equip him to guide the DISHER team successfully forward. Joe brings specific expertise in executive leadership, culture design and stewardship, automation, manufacturing, engineering, and innovation. His relational, trustworthy leadership style has created significant ripples of influence not only within the DISHER team but with customers and communities as well. Under his leadership, DISHER has achieved record growth, profitability, and community impact.
Joe graduated first in his class with a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering from Western Michigan University in 2008. Upon graduation, he worked as a Manufacturing Engineer with Parker Hannifin. In 2013, Joe joined DISHER as a Manufacturing and Quality Engineer serving in project management, process development, automation, design, manufacturing, and quality. He led business initiatives, various teams, and became a Team Lead for Manufacturing Tech Solutions. In 2019, Joe transitioned to the role of Executive Pastor at his church before returning to DISHER as President-Select in 2021 and President in January 2022. He also has a Master of Ministry degree from Kuyper College with a focus on Leadership Development and Faith at Work.
Joe and his wife, Stefanie, have been married since 2008 and live in Byron Center, Michigan, with their two school-aged boys. Joe loves spending time with his family, friends, and neighbors; working around the house; and traveling.
DISHER delivers top talent. Clients rely on our nationally recognized team of engineers, manufacturing-tech specialists, recruiters, and business advisors to solve their unique challenges. Since 2000, DISHER has served over 1,000 companies from manufacturers and nonprofits to Fortune 500 companies and global suppliers with the expertise they need to keep their organizations moving forward.
Speaker: Paula Veneklase | Executive Director | Help Pregnancy Aid
Over the past 12 years Paula Veneklase has devoted herself to creating a space where women are welcomed with compassion, understanding, and love. Paula has been Executive Director of HELP Pregnancy Aid, located at 705 Bridge Street, since 2013. Throughout that time, Paula has led the center in expanding and developing programs and services to support expecting mothers and families with children up to three years of age.
To better accommodate the expanded programs and services and increasing number of women turning to HELP for support, Paula led the effort, with support from the community, for the renovation and expansion of the center. In February of 2024, having more than doubled the footprint, HELP was able to open their doors wider, welcoming women and families to a new, thoughtfully designed space. With an average of nearly 600 client visits per month in the past year, HELP has provided support for 38% more women than the previous year.
A visionary with her eyes focused on tomorrow and her heart centered on providing compassionate care today, Paula continues to identify needs and explore possibilities for enhanced programs and services that support and empower women before, during and after pregnancy to abundant motherhood.
Speaker: Monica Hall & Jon WestMaas, Juan Torres, and Cindy Irving. The staff from the City of Grand Rapids engineering will be presenting the Westside Gateway Signage project for the required community engagement.
Speaker: Dale from Rapid River & iheart radio
FAQ: What’s a typical event like? We meet from 12-1 p.m. Sometimes lunch is provided, and sometimes just something light. We have 3-5 speakers present and share a quick update or overview about relevant topics to the WestSide. It's very casual, very authentic, and our meetings are used as a launching pad to create meaningful relationships with our neighbors and fellow business people.