Pine River Township (Gratiot Co.) Supervisor Kevin Beeson has been elected president of the Michigan Townships Association (MTA). Serving more than 99% of Michigan’s 1,240 townships—including over 6,500 elected leaders plus tens of thousands of additional appointed officials, staff and volunteers—MTA is the largest municipal association in the state and one of the largest in the nation. Beeson was elected Association president by his township peers at MTA’s 2026 Annual Educational Conference, held last week in Acme Township (Grand Traverse Co.).
“I am grateful for this opportunity, and thank our members, staff and dedicated MTA Board of Directors for their continued support,” Beeson said. “MTA offers Michigan townships, and their leaders, essential support and resources through its education, best practices and advocacy. I’m looking forward to leading us forward to the future.”
Beeson served as interim 2025 MTA president, following the unexpected passing of the Association’s 2025 MTA President Harold Koviak last fall. Beeson has been a member of the MTA Board of Directors since 2014. Prior to becoming MTA president, he served as director of MTA District 16, representing townships in 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. In accepting the nomination as MTA president, Beeson thanked all township leaders for their efforts in their own communities serving the government closest to the people. Echoing the 2026 MTA Conference theme of “Pathway to the Future,” he also urged them to take an active role in developing and supporting future township leaders.
“I encourage local officials to find younger people and active members of the community, and get them involved in their local government, to get them to understand that good government isn’t just happening,” Beeson said. “It’s by a decision that we make. We’re trying to leave this world in a better place than where we started.”
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 is also a past chair of the Gratiot County MTA Chapter, and served as the MTA representative on the Michigan Fire Fighters Training Council. Beeson is treasurer of Greater Gratiot Development, Inc. 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.