The KCC Foundation is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization governed by a 15-member Board of Directors who give unselfishly of its time and talents to ensure all people have access and opportunity to achieve their educational goals.
2021-22 Board of Directors
Adrien L. Bennings, Ph.D.
Dr. Adrien L. Bennings is President of Kellogg Community College. She earned a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Texas Tech University, a Master of Business Administration from Wayland Baptist University and a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Development from Texas A&M University. Dr. Bennings is a former professional track and field athlete and serves as a certified peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission. Prior to becoming President at KCC, Dr. Bennings was Vice President for Finance and Administration at Clovis Community College in Clovis, New Mexico.
Jill Booth
Jill Booth earned her Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Kalamazoo College and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Michigan Law School. Currently, she works as a regional administrator for the Michigan Supreme Court, State Court Administrative Office in Lansing. She is a member of the State Bar Association of Michigan and Phi Beta Kappa. In addition to serving as a member of the KCC Board of Trustees and as a member of the KCC Foundation Board of Directors, Jill is active in the local community as a member of the Calhoun County Senior Millage Allocation Committee. She is married with four grown children and seven grandchildren.
Steve Claywell, Vice Chair
Steve Claywell is the President for the Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council. In addition to serving on the KCC Foundation Board of Directors, he is the Chair of the KCC Board of Trustees. Steve is a Battle Creek native who graduated from Battle Creek Central High School, served in the U.S. Navy, served on the U.S.S. Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) and is also a Desert Storm Veteran. Steve is very active in the community, currently serving on the International Festival of Lights Committee, the South Central AFL-CIO Labor Council, the Calhoun County Michigan Workforce Development Board, the Kingman Museum Board, the Southwest Michigan Building and Construction Board, as Chairman of the Michigan Electrical Employees Healthcare Plan board, as Trustee on the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Pension Plan board, and on the Battle Creek Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee and on the Kellogg Community College Foundation Board of Directors. Steve is married with three children.
Matthew A. Davis
Matthew A. Davis is a 1988 graduate of Marshall High School, where he excelled on the gridiron, earning 1st Team All-State Honors and a full athletic scholarship to play football at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1992, and after a stint as the Inter-Collegiate Athletics Strength and Conditioning Coach at North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina, Matt returned to Marshall and began a career in real estate. He is currently licensed as a Real Estate Broker and is the owner of Real Estate One Rosemary Davis. Professionally, Matt was appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder to the State of Michigan Board of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons, where he served eight years, including four years as chairperson. He served two terms as president of the Battle Creek Area Association of Realtors and was the 2019 President of the 35,000-member Michigan Realtors. Davis was elected to the Marshall School Board in November 2020 for a six-year term and also serves on the Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance Board of Directors as its Chairperson. Matt is a member of Marshall United Methodist Church and is a vocalist in the Worship Band, along with his daughter, Kendall. He is married to Leigh and has two daughters at home, Kendall and Madelyn. Matt was appointed to the KCC Board of Trustees in 2007 to fill a partial term; he won election to the board in 2009 and re-election in 2016 and is currently the longest-serving trustee.
Vivian Aycox Davis
Vivian Aycox Davis has a long history in local education, having worked as a social worker, director of guidance and district test coordinator for Albion Public Schools and as an academic advisor and adjunct instructor for Kellogg Community College. In addition to the Kellogg Community College Foundation Board of Directors, Vivian is involved with the National Education Association, Michigan Education Association, Albion Rotary Club, Albion Lions Club, Bohm Theater Board of Directors, Albion Philanthropic Women, Albion Branch of the NAACP and several other organizations. Vivian and her husband, Arthur, have two grown children, Arthian and Adrian; and four grandchildren, Jorden, Logan, Christian and Cameron. Vivian earned a bachelor’s in sociology from Fort Valley State University, a master’s in counseling psychology from Western Michigan University and a master’s in social work administration from Case Western Reserve University and completed graduate studies in educational leadership at Grand Valley State University.
John Dilworth
John Dilworth is a licensed psychologist with a longtime clinical therapy practice in addition to many years as a professor and department chair at Kellogg Community College. John has been an adjunct professor at KCC since 1970 and was the Chair of Social Science from 1997 to 2009. The Army veteran served on the board of the Women’s Center at Western Michigan University and on the Hospice Ethics Committee and currently serves on the Kellogg Community College Foundation Board of Directors. John’s family includes his wife, Deborah (deceased); sons Brandon, Jonathan and Gabriel; and grandchildren Lucy, Jack, Malcolm, Debbie, Liam and Henry. John earned a bachelor’s degree from Ohio Northern University and a master’s degree from WMU and completed doctoral work at WMU.
Adam R. Dingwall
Adam R. Dingwall is the retired chief executive officer of the Battle Creek YMCA. He has served on the boards of the Battle Creek Family YMCA, Lakeview Schools Educational Foundation and Battle Creek Area Catholic Schools Foundation. In addition to the Kellogg Community College Foundation Board of Directors, he is currently serving on the boards of Charitable Union, Neighborhoods Inc. of Battle Creek and the Community Impact Cabinet of the United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region. Adam and his wife, Debbie, love to travel, bicycle and give back to the Battle Creek community. Adam graduated from Lakeview High School in 1981, attended Kellogg Community College from 1981 to 1983 and earned a bachelor’s in marketing from Western Michigan University in 1985.
Eric J. Greene
Eric J. Greene is Vice President for Strategy, Relations and Communications at Kellogg Community College. In this capacity, Eric implements strategic initiatives, builds institutional partnerships and oversees the internal relations, external relations and communications functions of the College. At KCC, Eric previously served in the positions of Chief Communications Officer, Director of Public Information and Marketing and Adjunct Instructor of Journalism. Prior to joining KCC in 2012, Eric spent 19 years as a journalist, working for newspapers in Michigan and Montana. Eric grew up in rural Ionia County, graduated from Belding High School in 1993 and later earned a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University and a master’s degree from Eastern Michigan University. In addition to serving on the KCC Foundation Board of Directors, Eric is a longtime marathon runner, serves as President of the Lakeview School District Board of Education and lives in Battle Creek with his wife and two sons.
Joseph Lopez, Secretary
Joseph Lopez was the superintendent of the Branch County Intermediate School District for eight years and Quincy Community Schools for 14 years. In addition to the Kellogg Community College Foundation Board of Directors, Joe is a member of the Beginnings Care for Life Board and a past member of the Branch County Chamber of Commerce Board. Joe and his wife, Lisa, have three children, Heather, Dominic and Claire; and three grandchildren, Sutter, Nash and Nori. Joseph has a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Michigan State University and an education specialist degree from Wayne State University.
John J.H. Schwarz, M.D.
Dr. John J.H. Schwarz is a retired physician, military veteran and longtime resident of Battle Creek. He has served in several elected positions, including mayor of Battle Creek, state senator and member of the U.S. House of Representatives. He has led and served on numerous local boards and initiatives over a lifetime of public service. Dr. Schwarz graduated from Battle Creek Central High School, earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, earned a medical doctorate from Wayne State University and completed residency training at Harvard University. Dr. Schwarz did not attend Kellogg Community College, but the institution named the Schwarz Science Building after him as a result of his impactful legislative support and donations to KCC over the years.
Andrew Schweitzer, Chair
Andrew Schweitzer is president and chief executive officer at Schweitzer, Inc. Andrew is a 1996 graduate of Pennfield High School and a 2000 graduate of Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science in Building and Construction Management. He has been involved with Schweitzer, Inc. since 1994 and assumed the role of president and CEO in 2019. Andrew is actively involved in the community and has served with area organizations in a variety of capacities, including on the boards of the Battle Creek Family YMCA and Binder Park Zoo; as a contributor to the J. Chris Schweitzer Scholarship Fund held at the Battle Creek Community Foundation and in roles with the Labor Contract Negotiating Committee for the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades and with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local 525. He serves on the board of Battle Creek Unlimited and has been a member of the KCC Foundation Board of Directors since 2013. Andrew is married to Stacy and they have two children.
Richard Scott, CPA, Treasurer
Richard Scott has been the Chief Financial Officer at Kellogg Community College since 2003 and previously was a certified public accountant with Plante & Moran, PLLC, for eight years. In addition to serving as treasurer of the Kellogg Community College Foundation Board of Directors, Rick has been involved in the Battle Creek Tax Increment Finance Authority, American Institute of CPAs, Michigan Association of CPAs, Michigan Community College Business Officers Association Board of Directors, Wattles Park Men’s Club, Riverside Country Club Board of Directors and the Child Advocacy Council of Sexual Assault Services of Calhoun County. Rick and his wife, Kelli, have three children, Catie, Carrie and Frank. Rick graduated from Harper Creek High School and later earned a bachelor’s in accounting from Michigan State University.
Chad Smith
Chad Smith is a certified public accountant and partner at Fisher, Spiegel, Kunkle and Gerber, PLLC. A former school board member, Chad is married to his wife, Dawn, and they have two children, Landon and Kyla. Chad has a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University.
Erick Stewart
As co-owner and president of STEWART Industries, Erick Stewart is part of a team that provides next-level contract services, including Assembly, Quality Inspection, FTZ Services and Metrology. Erick serves the community by being active in a variety of areas. Since 2002, he has been a board member of the Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce and the United Way of Greater Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region. Since 2003, he has served on the Starr Commonwealth Board, Battle Creek Tax Increment Finance Authority Board, and the Bronson Battle Creek Board & Finance\Investment Committee. Since 2004, he has become Chairperson of the Urban League Board of Directors, Minority Health Partnership, and Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce. In addition to currently serving on the Kellogg Community College Foundation Board of Directors, Erick in the past has served on the Lakeview Schools Educational Foundation Board and supported the establishment of the Urban League Focus Academy.
Catherine Yates
Catherine Yates has more than 30 years’ experience in banking and currently is a business banking relationship manager at Huntington Bank. In addition to the Kellogg Community College Foundation Board of Directors, Catherine is a member of the Homer Community Schools Board of Education, Oaklawn Hospital board, Marshall Manufacturers Association board, and the Marshall Local Development Finance Authority/Downtown Development Authority board. Catherine and her husband, Kevin, have two daughters. Catherine has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan.
KCC Foundation Staff
Teresa Durham, Executive Director
Alex Carlson, Program and Events Coordinator
