James E. Wheeler, II, President

Tenure: 2016 – Present
Jim Wheeler comes to Greater Gratiot Development, Inc. with a long history in the banking industry. Most recently, he was Community Bank President of Mercantile Bank in Alma, Michigan. Additionally, Jim has been an advocate for economic development in Gratiot County; he is currently a member of Alma Industrial Development and has served on Greater Gratiot’s Board of Directors for 18 years, including 18 years on the Executive Committee, 5 years as Chairman, and 2 years as Past Chair.

Education | BS, University of Illinois, 1981

Kasey Zehner, VICE PRESIDENT

Tenure:

September 2022 – Present: Vice President
October 2019 – August 2022: Director of Business Development
April 2013 – Sept. 2019: Project Manager
April 2012 – April 2013: Intern

Certification: Economic Development Finance Professional, National Development Council

Education | BA, Alma College, 2013
                    | MSA-Public Administration, Central Michigan University, 2018

Shelly Brown, Finance Officer

Tenure: 2015 – Present

Education | BS, Central Michigan University, 1999