Becca Nelson, Petoskey Noon Kiwanis (President)

Nik McLane, Community Member (Vice President)

Grant Martinchek, Community Member (Treasurer)

Margaret Bowers, Community Member

Rick Gross, Community Member

Ross McLane, Secretary

Josephine Roberts, Community Member

Mark Tarquini,Community Member, Alumni

Jeremy Wills, Little Traverse Bay Kiwanis

Bob D’Alcorn, Charlevoix

John DiMartino, Boyne City

Jerry Donnelly, Petoskey

Bob Esford, Petoskey

Mike Farrimond, Petoskey

John Hess, Charlevoix

Pat McFall, Petoskey

Jock Rader, Boyne City

Andy Hayes, Executive Director

Andy Hayes, who recently retired as President of the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance, joined Camp Daggett as Executive Director on June 1, 2021. Andy served for 10 years with scout councils in West Virginia, Florida and Alabama. He moved back to Petoskey in 1987 to become the executive director for the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce, and eventually became the president of the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance, a position he held for 15 years before retiring. He attributes his love for camp from his years with the scout councils. Becca Nelson, Board President, Camp Daggett, states, “While his expertise in business structuring, fundraising and economic development are areas of technical expertise that Andy will bring to this role, his passion and experiences with scouting make him a really good fit for Camp.” Andy stated, “I have officially ‘flunked’ retirement. I am both excited and humbled to join such a great organization with a super staff and board of directors. I have truly loved everything I’ve done throughout my career, and I’m equally excited about this move too.”

Scott Lakin, Programs and Summer Camp Director

Scott brings extensive experience in youth development and summer camp programming to the year-round Camp Daggett team. Scott grew up in scouting, was a counselor and director at a YMCA camp throughout college, and most recently worked as a year-round camp professional for 5 years in Newaygo, Michigan. He has also worked in afterschool programs and supported 4H youth mentoring programs across the state. Scott has a Masters in Architecture from the University of Detroit Mercy with a focus on youth participatory design, community development, and creative problem solving. At Camp Daggett, Scott leads our year-round camp programming and acts as Camp Director for summer camp. Hailing from Metro Detroit, Scott and his beagle-lab mix Lola are loving Michigan life. 

Brian Patten, Summer Camp Coordinator

Brian has a long history with camp, and one that he shares with his wife Charity and his daughters Emma and Erin.  Brian started with camp as a cabin counselor in 1992 and returned on summer staff for several summers as the canoeing director, sailing director, and assistance summer camp director.  After graduating college, work took him to Tulsa for a few years, but the desire to return to northern Michigan won out and Brian returned to Camp Daggett as the year-round maintenance director.  Charity was the assistant summer camp director during this time, so they both spent summers at camp, eventually adding to their family and watching their daughters grow up at camp for many years.  Brian is also a paramedic and currently works full time as a supervisor for Emmet County EMS.  Brian is happy to be back at camp part-time helping to get ready for the next summer season.

Julie Guirey, Registrar

Julie worked as a summer camp area director in the early 80’s, and has worked at camp since 1993 in different roles alongside her husband John who was the summer camp director form 1993-2019. She has a BFA degree from MSU, and an art teaching degree from Wayne State University. Since 2008 she has worked as an Administrative Assistant at camp. Julie manages summer camp registration, the budget, and purchasing of supplies.

Mary Ling & Laurie McMurray, Adventure Center Co-Directors

Sometime in the early 2000’s Laurie participated in a three-day training to learn the Camp Daggett Adventure Center’s Low and High Ropes Program.  With her professional background in teaching, it seemed like a perfect fit.  She graduated from Alma College with a degree in Elementary Education and then three years later received her Master’s Degree from Central Michigan University in Special Education. As of August 2021, she has worked part-time at the Adventure Center for 18 years. Currently, she is serving as the Adventure Center Co-Director along with Mary Ling.  Laurie is married to Mark and has three adult children and two grandchildren. She has instructed skiing for over 18 years at Boyne Highlands. She also is a member of the National Ski Patrol, specifically involved with teaching Outdoor Emergency Care. Beekeeping is a newer found hobby and she is the co-president of the Little Traverse Bay Beekeepers Guild.  Chances are you will find her somewhere with her family, outdoors and in a teaching role!

Alena Engstrom, Programs Support & Office Manager

Alena moved to Northern Michigan to enjoy the abundance of forests and fresh water after nearly six years working in libraries in Texas.  She attended Valparaiso University and the University of Arizona where she earned her bachelors degree in English Literature and a master’s degree in Information Science respectively.   Alena is looking forward to connecting her outreach, marketing and programming experience with her passion for connecting children to nature at Camp Daggett.  Her unique blend of office skills, outdoor skills and interests and a sincere passion for children will be a great addition to the Camp Daggett team.

Ed Leverenz, Facilities & Maintenance Director

Ed has been our Facility Manager since 2003, but he has a long history with Camp Daggett. Ed first set foot at Camp Daggett on the shore of beautiful Walloon Lake in 1975 and has helped at camp over the years including a position as a summer camp counselor. Ed hails from the Chicago South Suburbs. He attended Northern Illinois University where he earned a bachelor’s degree with a double major in Accounting and Computer Science plus a Masters Degree in Computer Science. In addition, he has passed the Certified Public Accounting exam. Ed originally started working as a computer consultant for a variety of companies including Argonne National Laboratory and the Annual Chicago Marathon Race. Before coming to Camp Daggett, he operated his own Shell Service Station for 13 years. Ed’s interests and hobbies include scuba diving, snowmobiling, travel, maple syrup production, and running. He has run the Chicago Marathon four times and has always finished in the top third. In 1995, Ed was instrumental in starting Camp Quality Illinois, serving as its first director. This one week camp for children suffering from cancer is still going strong some 15 years later.  For several years he has also served as the Office Manager and Maintenance Director.

Grace Ketchum, Development Director

Grace has a BA from Central Michigan University and an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University. She has been involved with Camp Daggett for over 30 years, first as a volunteer and as the Development Director for the past 12 years.  Grace’s career in government and with non-profits has been focused on advocacy for children and youth. Her past work history includes working as an executive director of several non-profits as well as policy development on the state level.  It is exciting to be at Camp Daggett where she has the opportunity to work on behalf of an organization that she passionately believes in.