Guide to the 2024 Grand Traverse County Commission Candidates: Part 2, Districts 5-9

Nineteen candidates are vying for nine Grand Traverse County commission seats this year – with only one candidate unopposed and the rest facing one or more challengers heading into the August 6 primary. Only one candidate from each party will advance from the primary to the November 5 general election to compete for each district’s single seat. To help familiarize readers with the field, The Ticker has profiles of each candidate in a two-part series running Wednesday and Thursday this week. Today’s story covers candidates in districts 5-9; read yesterday’s story covering candidates in districts 1-4 here.

District 5: Robert D. Hentschel (R), Trenton Lee (D)
Robert D. Hentschel – Republican
Bio: Incumbent Robert D. Hentschel, 45, is owner/partner at Roy's General Store and the current chair of the county commission. He’s also vice chair of the Northwest Regional Airport Authority board. Hentschel is a member of Rotary Club of Traverse City and a volunteer for Safe Harbor. He was previously a board member of Central Dispatch and the membership chair of the Grand Traverse County Republican Party.
Why Running for County Commission: “This being my sixth year as chair of Grand Traverse County, I'm proud of many accomplishments that have put our community on solid footing to build a sustainable future for our residents,” Hentschel says. “We have reduced taxes, reduced government red tape, eliminated and updated outdated laws and policies, created better fiscal policy leading to the best bond rating in the history of our county and a sustainable rainy-day fund, and most importantly we secured the pensions of our past public servants while saving taxpayers millions by restructuring the unfunded pension liability.”
3-4 Issues/Projects That Would Be a Priority if Elected: Customer service, balanced economic development, environment and recreation, and housing and childcare. “We need to continue to help government get out of the way to let the free-market economy solve our community issues,” Hentschel says. The county should encourage “diverse industries” for economic resilience and maximize “outdoor recreation opportunities while preserving our natural beauty for generations to come,” he says. Hentschel says the county “can be part of the solution by leading initiatives that address the needs of our community” in housing and childcare.
Qualities Would Bring to Role of County Commissioner: “You matter. Growing up in a small business – Roy's General Store – has conditioned me to being customer oriented. I am here to serve and give back to the community that has given me so much...you can count on me to approach issues with a small government mindset with a keen eye on the value delivered to taxpayers,” Hentschel says.

Trenton Lee – Democrat
Bio: Trenton Lee, 31, is a former educator and has been working as a media and communications specialist at North Country Community Mental Health since 2021. He currently serves as an alternate on the East Bay Township zoning board of appeals and is a member of the East Bay Beach District Vision Process Implementation Team. He has volunteered with local groups including Up North Pride, Old Town Playhouse, Safe Harbor, TC Street Outreach, and Grand Traverse Conservation District.
Why Running for County Commission: “I'm stepping up for county commissioner because I'm tired of waiting for change and ready to be the catalyst. Traverse City is my hometown, but like many, I grew up hearing that happiness and success lay elsewhere for folks like me,” Lee says. After living in Ann Arbor and London, Lee replanted his roots here and wants to “rewrite that narrative for the next generation, ensuring that they see Grand Traverse County as not just a place to live, but to thrive. That means advocating for affordable housing, protecting public health, and promoting civic engagement.”
3-4 Issues/Projects That Would Be a Priority if Elected: Reinvigorating the county as a partner in local and regional planning, “specifically to fill the gaps in housing for the working class and chronically homeless living in our community,” Lee says. He wants to change the time and accessibility of commission meetings to “foster better engagement with the community we represent and allow more folks with the opportunity to have their voices heard for public comment.” Lee says the county’s appointment policy for boards should be rewritten for better transparency given recent appointment controversies at BATA and Northern Lakes Community Mental Health. He’d also advocate for overturning the county’s “ill-informed” ban on remote work for employees.
Qualities Would Bring to Role of County Commissioner: “I will bring the qualities of an empathetic leader with the ability to think about the bigger picture, to digest all data and information presented to the board for major decisions, and to collaborate with all stakeholders in our community,” Lee says.

District 6: Darryl V. Nelson (R), Jan Wyant (D)
Darryl V. Nelson – Republican
Bio: Incumbent Darryl Nelson, 61, is a native of Grand Traverse County and raised three children while living in Acme Township. He’s been married for 35 years and a small business owner for 38 years. Nelson previously served on the Acme Township board of trustees and now serves as a commission representative on boards including Central Dispatch, BATA, Traverse Transportation Coordinating Initiative, and Emergency Management Committee.
Why Running for County Commission: “I love my community. Others have worked so hard to get us where we are today,” Nelson says. “I have a unique set of experiences as a lifelong GT County community volunteer, resident, and business owner who understands how county government affects our citizens. I have enjoyed two terms as a commissioner, and I believe I have brought a common-sense, measured approach to the commission.”
3-4 Issues/Projects That Would Be a Priority if Elected: “Continue our efforts to improve the less-than-ideal community mental health resources in our community,” Nelson says. “Help bring affordable rural broadband internet to those who do not have it available. Look at what this county needs in a long-term view to better plan for the next generations who will live, work, and play in our county. Make Grand Traverse County an example of customer service excellence in service to our citizens.”
Qualities Would Bring to Role of County Commissioner: “I don’t play politics, I look at each issue from a standpoint of what is the right thing for our citizens, townships, and staff of Grand Traverse County,” Nelson says. In addition to having “common business sense and long-term strategic planning” as skillsets, Nelson says his time on the board “has come with a lot of learning. We have more work that we’ve started, and I’d like more time to work on them.”

Jan Wyant – Democrat
Bio: The seventh child in a home of nine siblings, Wyant – 51 – grew up in a rural farming community learning “the value of hard work at an early age.” After relocating to Traverse City in the 1990s, Wyant and her husband founded Wyant Technologies in 2003. “Our family has flourished in Grand Traverse County, with all three of our children, their partners, and my granddaughter putting down roots here,” she says. “Sadly, I've witnessed too many individuals forced to leave due to the rising costs.”
Why Running for County Commission: “I am running for Grand Traverse board of commissioners because I am concerned about the direction in which our current board is steering our community,” Wyant says.
3-4 Issues/Projects That Would Be a Priority if Elected: “Three ongoing lawsuits that caught my attention are BATA, the Road Commission, and Twin Lakes Park,” Wyant says. “These issues underscored the need for accountability and responsible governance.” She questions county decisions ranging from changing meeting times from evening to the morning to the abolition of the planning commission in 2018 to pursuing spending over $3 million on the GO-REC property instead of using those funds for housing, road repairs, and sewer upgrades.
Qualities Would Bring to Role of County Commissioner: “When I am elected, I will be transparent to the constituents,” Wyant says. “I will help appoint qualified candidates to fill board positions. I will be involved with making policies that are strategic and thought-out so we can get it done right the first time and will support the growth of our community for many years to come. I have integrity and am honest and compassionate.”

District 7: Kathleen Haueisen (R), Darcie C. Pickren (R), T.J. Andrews (D)
Kathleen Haueisen – Republican
Bio: The chair of the Grand Traverse County Republican Party, Kathleen Haueisen is a business owner, asset manager, and Hospital Finance Authority Board member. She has been involved with Impact 100, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan, and the Traverse Area Pickleball Association (TAPA) board. She is a volunteer for the Cherryland Humane Society, National Cherry Festival, Northwestern Michigan Fair, and State and Bijou theaters.
Why Running for County Commission: “Grand Traverse County is thriving because we’re committed to family, faith, community, and hard work,” Haueisen says. “I am running for county commission district seven to keep it that way by preserving the traditional values of this county. I wholeheartedly believe that serving in the community where I live is the calling of a citizen servant. For me, serving in public office isn’t about a title or recognition...being a county commissioner is about giving a voice to my neighbors and the community I love and standing up with an unwavering commitment to the values we hold dear that make our community great.”
3-4 Issues/Projects That Would Be a Priority if Elected: “Some of the issues that will be a priority for me include focusing on financial stability, efficiency, housing, mental health, advanced public safety, and supporting businesses in the county with problematic staffing issues,” Haueisen says.
Qualities Would Bring to Role of County Commissioner: “Tireless efficiency, an independent thinker who can stick to an unpopular position because it’s the right thing to do, the ability to identify problems quickly and either crowd-source or work independently toward solutions, a joyful multi-tasker who continues to smile in the face of challenge, a natural ambassador of goodwill and the communication skills to go along with it, (and) a sense of justice and fairness that will be applied to the issues for all the residents of the county,” Haueisen says.

Darcie C. Pickren – Republican
Bio: Darcie C. Pickren, 69, is a self-employed legal assistant, court mediator, and life coach. She is a 50-year resident of Grand Traverse, Antrim, and Benzie counties, mother of four children, and grandmother of 14 grandchildren. The former president of the Cherry Capital Cyling Club, Pickren is an advisor to the Keys to Freedom Ministries board and a current volunteer and former board member at Before During After Incarceration (BDAI).
Why Running for County Commission: “I am interested in running for county commissioner because I have lived here for decades and care deeply about this place that I refer to as a ‘small slice of heaven,’” Pickren says. “In order to keep it that way, we must sincerely listen to the needs of others through community engagement, asking questions, and finding solutions for the betterment of all. I am a boots-on-the-ground, get-it-done kind of person.”
3-4 Issues/Projects That Would Be a Priority if Elected: Public safety and security, including “mental and medical health, safe community and schools, personal responsibility, and resource systems and support,” Pickren says. She also includes agriculture preservation/resource protection and fiscal management and responsibility among her priorities.
Qualities Would Bring to Role of County Commissioner: “I appreciate and look to others for their opinion and advice. I don’t run from the truth or from hard decisions,” Pickren says. “I believe my experience and knowledge of our criminal justice system would be an asset to Grand Traverse County...important decisions are made at the county level that greatly affect our community, our families, our businesses, and our livelihoods. I ask questions and do my own research.”

T.J. Andrews – Democrat
Bio: Incumbent T.J. Andrews, 49, is an attorney and has been a county commissioner since 2022. She is on the Michigan Association of Counties Environmental & Agriculture Committees and was previously with Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay and the Traverse Area Women Lawyers Association.
Why Running for County Commission: “We have an opportunity to transform the county commission into a board that effectively addresses crucial community issues with smart planning and effective coalition-building,” Andrews says. “District seven is defined by 50 miles of Grand Traverse Bay shoreline and unique geography. The climate crisis and unprecedented local growth impact everything from roads and runoff to farming and the shoreline. Environmental sustainability is particularly important in this district, and I bring expertise as an attorney working on these issues for over 20 years. I am running to help reshape the county commission into a board that steps up to the challenges.”
3-4 Issues/Projects That Would Be a Priority if Elected: Supporting the local workforce by “leaning in to address the housing and childcare challenges in our community” and improving country road management are two priorities, according to Andrews. Marshalling “planning, resources, and political will” can help the county move the needle on every issue from housing to childcare, Andrews says. She believes the commission must improve community engagement “by inviting public input, approaching board appointments respectfully, prioritizing transparency, seeking out partnerships for collaborative solutions, and setting and holding commissioners to high ethical and civility standards.”
Qualities Would Bring to Role of County Commissioner: “I am a critical thinker, a hard worker, and I try to find solutions and ways forward,” Andrews says.

District 8: Scott Sieffert (R)
Scott Sieffert – Republican
Bio: Incumbent Scott Sieffert, 53, works for Dean Transportation and has been a previous member of the Village of Kingsley Downtown Development Authority and Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, in addition to serving as a village trustee. He is running unopposed in district eight.
Why Running for County Commission: “I’m running to continue to represent my friends, neighbors, and communities on the south side of Grand Traverse County,” Sieffert says.
3-4 Issues/Projects That Would Be a Priority if Elected: “My top issue in all things county government is to reduce taxes as best I can by introducing and supporting efficient government, reducing its size and spending, and removing extra layers that inhibit responsibility and accountability to the taxpayers,” Sieffert says.
Qualities Would Bring to Role of County Commissioner: “My qualities are my tenacity, my willingness to listen, and that I believe I represent my constituents instead of declaring myself their leader,” Sieffert says.

District 9:  Penny Morris (R), Lance Boehmer (D), Pamela Kaiser (D)
Penny Morris – Republican
Bio: Incumbent Penny Morris, 56, is the artistic director at Crystal Bindi Dance and Drum. She is also the co-administrator for the Bed, Bath, and Behold Community Pantry at Creekside Community Church. Morris is on the Department of Health and Human Services board, Northern Lakes Community Mental Health board, and the community advisory community for the new mental wellness center.
Why Running for County Commission: “I am running for a third term because I am in love with this community in which I have raised my family for over thirty years, and grateful for the way I was surrounded with kindness and compassion when our family suffered the loss of our teenaged daughter twenty years ago,” Morris says. “It’s an amazing community with a continued small-town feel in spite of its exponential growth. They deserve governance that works for them.”
3-4 Issues/Projects That Would Be a Priority if Elected: In addition to a “renewed confidence in our governmental bodies,” Morris says she’s passionate about continuing to develop a new mental health system for Grand Traverse County and is a “strong advocate for the infrastructure needs” in her district. Morris also wants to work on the implementation of the county’s new facilities master plan and is “committed to fiscal responsibility in the development and implementation of the county budget.”
Qualities Would Bring to Role of County Commissioner: “I am open minded – I want to hear all sides of any issue before making decisions,” Morris says. “I’m an effective negotiator and communicator. I often bring diverse groups of people together for a common purpose. I’m a good listener, I listen to understand, and am always accessible to my constituents. As a current commissioner, I have learned much about effective governance – and equally important, what not to do.”

Lance Boehmer – Democrat
Bio: Lance Boehmer, 35, is the owner of 231 Landscape & Lawn and regional sales manager at Fullpath, an automotive AI software company. He has served as president of the Bates-Hendricks Neighborhood Association and as a board member of the Southeast Neighborhood Development Corporation (SEND) in Indianapolis. He was a volunteer Meals on Wheels driver in Denver and has volunteered with the Civil Air Patrol (search and rescue) since his teens.
Why Running for County Commission: Boehmer says he realized “there’s not much transparency happening in the county – think Twin Lakes Park transfer, annual budgets, and the lack of formalized purchasing processes” – which he believes “has to change.” An advocate of “effective governance focused on sustainable growth and development, enhanced public mental health services, and overall transparent governance,” Boehmer says his background makes him “uniquely equipped to tackle the pressing issues our community faces.”
3-4 Issues/Projects That Would Be a Priority if Elected: Affordable housing and childcare, environmental conservation initiatives, public transportation improvements, and enhanced mental health services. “I plan to use innovative solutions such as developing affordable housing on underutilized and tax delinquent land, which is crucial not only for community growth but also for generational wealth development,” Boehmer says. Combating invasive species spread in county lakes is another priority, as is “integrating mental health education in schools and workplaces” and expanding opportunities for recreation and alternative transportation modes.
Qualities Would Bring to Role of County Commissioner: “My commitment to community service and my technical knowledge as a pilot, software company leader, and sustainable landscape expert provide me with a comprehensive skill set ideal for a county commissioner,” Boehmer says. “With a strong track record of managing hundreds of millions of dollars for leading organizations like Subaru of America and Cars.com, and a history of hiring and guiding large teams, I am eager to apply this extensive business knowledge to serving our county. My approach is detail-oriented...I am dedicated to transparency, accountability, and community-focused leadership.”

Pamela Kaiser – Democrat
Bio: Pamela Kaiser, 63, is a former teacher of English and French at Purdue University and adjunct instructor at Northwestern Michigan College. She is an outreach and solutions professional at Positive Outcome Communications and an advocate and mentor for students, families, and schools at Positive Outcome Education. Kaiser previously ran for county commission in 2022.
Why Running for County Commission: Kaiser lost her 24-year-old son, Aaron, to gun suicide “hours after a local gun merchant defied state law without any legal penalty to sell him a semiautomatic rifle a month after the Second Amendment sanctuary was adopted by a majority of the GOP members of the board,” she says. That tragic loss has galvanized Kaiser to work on overturning the county policy – which she says conflicts with Michigan gun safety laws – and to provide better security for employees in county buildings. “Grand Traverse County workers and residents need to know that state gun safety violations will be enforced and that our community is united in maintaining peaceful public elections and places for all,” she says.
3-4 Issues/Projects That Would Be a Priority if Elected: “Safety and affordable housing are my two greatest concerns as a parent whose ancestors farmed and taught here but whose children have to either accept low pay without housing or work elsewhere to afford housing,” Kaiser says. “Our rapidly growing region in Long Lake and Grand Traverse County faces unprecedented environmental and population growth challenges that require a historical understanding of our changing landscape, economy, demographics, opportunities, and challenges.” Kaiser adds that “as a parent and bereaved mother, I support safety and law enforcement in our county, where peace, clean water, protecting natural environment, shelter for the homeless, and providing better mental healthcare are essential to keeping our county safe and sustainable for all.”
Qualities Would Bring to Role of County Commissioner: “I am trained as a counselor and teacher to listen to different points of view and to help people consider and agree upon solutions that meet their needs,” Kaiser says. “Good governance is like counseling. We need to listen more and talk less. With appropriate resources, people, not government, are the best sources of answers for their own particular lives.”

Pictured (top, left to right): Robert D. Hentschel, Trenton Lee, Darryl V. Nelson, Jan Wyant, Kathleen Haueisen, Darcie C. Pickren; (bottom, left to right):  T.J. Andrews, Scott Sieffert, Penny Morris, Lance Boehmer, Pamela Kaiser