PGMI Legislative Panel Discussion
Join Potato Growers of Michigan President Dennis Iott and Lansing insider Tony DeChenes as they host an informative discussion with State Senators Winnie Brinks and Curt Vanderwall.
Friday, February 4th
9:20-10:30am
About The Panelists
Senator Winnie Brinks (D) District 29
Senator Winnie Brinks is the first woman to represent Grand Rapids in the Michigan Senate since Eva McCall Hamilton was elected in 1920.
As the daughter of dairy farmers and Dutch immigrants, Brinks learned the importance of hard work at a young age. Her mother raised five children and ran the family’s farm after the death of her father. This set an example of resilience and determination that Brinks carries with her to this day.
Before her election to the Michigan House of Representatives, Brinks was a caseworker at The Source. There, she helped businesses and nonprofits improve workplaces to grow and retain employees. She also previously served as the executive director of a community-based corrections agency and as a school paraprofessional.
Brinks is dedicated to keeping the Grand Rapids and West Michigan an economic leader in the state. In the state House, Brinks worked tirelessly to protect our drinking water from toxic PFAS contamination, create jobs, ensure every child has access to a world-class education and honor our state’s debt to our veterans.
Brinks is a graduate of Calvin College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish with a concentration in sociology.
She and her husband Steve, a Spanish teacher, live in Grand Rapids and are the parents of three incredible daughters, Olivia, Annalise and Emma. She attends Sherman Street Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids.
Senator Curt Vanderwall (R) District 35
In November 2018, residents of Michigan’s 35th Senate District elected Sen. Curt VanderWall, R-Ludington, to the state Senate, representing the counties of Benzie, Crawford, Kalkaska, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Mason, Missaukee, Ogemaw, Osceola, Roscommon and Wexford.
VanderWall chairs the Health Policy and Human Services Committee and serves as vice chair of the Economic and Small Business Development Committee and the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee. In addition, he is a member of the following four committees: Elections, Environmental Quality, Finance, and Regulatory Reform.
Prior to joining the Senate, VanderWall served two years in the Michigan House of Representatives, representing the 101st District.
VanderWall is the owner of Turf Care Mole Man of Ludington. Before that, he worked with Eberhard foods and Prevo’s Family Market for much of his adult life. He also served on the board of Old Kent Bank as well as the Mason County Growth Alliance Board, Northern Michigan Counties Association and the Mason County Housing Board.
Before being elected to the Michigan House, VanderWall served as commissioner and chairman for the Mason County Board of Commissioners. He also served on the Western Michigan Fair Association for six years, was district chair for MSU Extension and served on boards for the United Way of Mason County. Curt is currently chair of the Women’s Jericho House Board.
Curt and his wife, Diane, have been married for 37 years and have three children, a daughter-in-law, a son-in-law, and a granddaughter. They are involved with Covenant Christian School in Ludington and are active members of Mason County Reformed Church.
Dennis Iott, PGMI President
Dennis Iott is President of Potato Growers of Michigan, and owner of Iott Seed Farms in Kalkaska, Michigan, a multi generation family farm. In his time as PGMI president, Dennis has been at the forefront of key legislative efforts to advance the potato industry in Michigan, and across the U.S. He has served on the board of The Michigan Seed Potato Association and is currently a board member of the Kalkaska Soil Conservation District.
Dennis is the oldest of eight children and farms with his brother, Greg Iott, and nephew, Bryan Fischer. After completing a BS in Engineering at Lake Superior State University, he returned in 1981 to farm with his father, Ralph Iott. He has overseen the steady expansion of Iott Seed Farms through the years and remains active in all aspects of the business. The Iott family have been farmers as far back as genealogy can trace and we look forward to continuing that tradition through sound business practices and careful, sustainable use of our land and water.
Dennis and his wife Dawn, a retired science teacher, have been married for 41 years. They are the parents of two children and three grandchildren. They live near the farm in Kalkaska and are active members of St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church.
Tony DeChenes, Michigan Legislative Consultants
With Tony’s expertise, which includes the ability to identify business opportunities and develop relationships with key decision-makers, he thrives as a procurement and policy specialist. Understanding the tedious maze of government procurement is also a major asset for lobbying the state legislature and Tony knows the process inside and out. From monitoring procurement venues for potential bid responses, bid preparation assistance, and negotiation of contracts to bid follow-up and procurement success evaluation, Tony provides unparalleled counsel and strategy.
Prior to joining MLC, Tony’s over 20 years of experience includes several roles within the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget, including Director of Policy and Public Affairs, Director of Strategic Business Development, Director Commodities Division, and Acting Director of Procurement Operations. Additionally, Tony previously served as advisor to the State Transportation Commission.
