Pine River Township (Gratiot Co.) Supervisor Kevin Beeson has been elected first vice president of the Michigan Townships Association (MTA), which represents more than 99% of Michigan’s 1,240 townships. He was elected to the position helping to lead the state’s largest municipal association by his township peers during MTA’s 2025 Annual Educational Conference, held earlier this month in Grand Rapids.
Beeson has been a member of the MTA Board of Directors since 2014. He also serves as director of MTA District 16, which encompasses Montcalm, Gratiot and Ionia Counties.
Beeson says that collaborating with neighboring communities, helping to provide improved services for lower costs, has been among his most rewarding experiences in local government. Just as he works to improve his township and region, he hopes his leadership role in the Association will also help to improve our state.
“I want to leave my township and all Michigan townships in better shape than they are today,” he said. “We don’t always make touchdowns, but it’s important to move the ball forward. MTA offers Michigan townships, and their leaders, support and resources through its education, best practices and advocacy. These three areas are an ever-changing dynamic, and I want to see MTA continue to lead the way in each of them.”
Beeson was first elected township supervisor in 2004. He was chair of the township planning commission from 1994 to 2003 before he was appointed as a township trustee in 2003. He also served as the chair of the Gratiot County MTA Chapter for six years, until 2020. He represents MTA on the Michigan Fire Fighters Training Council, and is treasurer of Greater Gratiot Development, Inc. In addition, he is chair of the St. Louis Area Fire Department and a member of the Gratiot Community Airport Advisory Board.
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The Michigan Townships Association advances local democracy by fostering township leadership and public policy essential for a strong and vibrant Michigan.