Board of Directors
President - Andrew Barnes
Vice President - John Kersaan
Hello! My name is John. My wife and I have three boys involved in the STARS program. Aaron, Lucas and Will. We have been members of the association for several years and have grown to love the game of hockey and all that it teaches our boys.
Team Director - Dave Atkinson
My wife and I have two boys in the program, Caleb is squirt and Ben is a bantam. I have been a member of the association for the last several years as both a Head Coach and Assistant Coach. I am an Engineering Design Manager at Lacks Trim Systems in Grand Rapids and referee hockey when there is spare time!
Manager Coordinator - Karen Sobeck
Karen Sobeck serves as the Manager Coordinator and will facilitate training of team managers as necessary and be a resource for Team Managers for various questions from time to time. She will also ensure that each travel team has a treasurer in place to handle team financial matters.
WHAT DOES KAREN LOVE ABOUT HOCKEY?
Treasurer - Vicki Vandre Veen
Secretary, Equipment and Merchandising Director - Audra Atkinson
Audra Atkinson serves as the Equipment and Merchandising Director for GVAHA. She will coordinate the selection of vendors for jerseys, socks, embroidery and will be responsible for the ordering and distribution of jerseys, socks. Audra will also will be responsible for maintaining and storage of GVAHA owned equipment and for ensuring we have ‘welcome packs’ for incoming Squirts and any new players to the association.
Audra is an elementary Special Education Teacher for West Ottawa Public Schools. She and her husband, Dave live in Zeeland with their boys, Ben and Caleb.
WHAT DOES AUDRA LOVE ABOUT HOCKEY?
“I love hockey because all my boys love hockey! My husband grew up on the ice as a player, ref, and now coach, and my boys are following in his steps. Hockey teaches them life lessons about working hard, being focused on a goal, and the importance of working with others. And as an added bonus, they sleep much better on hockey nights! ”
Fundraiser Director - Kelli Sterley
Kelli Sterley is the Fundraising Director for GVAHA. Kelli is responsible for coordinating all of the association fundraising activities including maintaining detailed records for each family using the SCRIP program. One of GVAHA core purposes is to help defray the expenses associated with playing ice hockey. Kelli works closely with each team to distribute fundraising ideas to help defer the cost.
Kelli and her husband Craig live in Hudsonville with their son, Kobe. Kobe skates as a Squirt at GVAHA and Kelli plays in the Women’s and Coed Leagues at Georgetown.
Kelli works at Holland Special Delivery in Hudsonville as a Network Administrator. Kelli loves helping people save money on their hockey bill and is always looking for fun, new fundraisers that don't require members to ask people to buy items that they don't need. You will often find Kelli visiting with new families and helping them get started with our SCRIP program.
WHAT DOES KELLI LOVE ABOUT HOCKEY?
“I love the team aspect and the respect kids learn. Learning about teamwork and camaraderie within the teams. The confidence it gives players both on and off the ice. Not to mention the physical aspect of playing hockey. There's nothing like a good sweat!”
Sponsorship Director - Brandon Gorby
My name is Brandon Gorby and I live in Caledonia with my wife Nicole and our two boys, Chace & Tanner. Both boys play hockey at GVAHA and we absolutely loved it. Outside of hockey, I currently serve as Asst. General Manager at ArtiFlex Manufacturing primarily focusing on the tool and die division.
Communications and Events Director - Ciji Marckini
Ciji Marckini serves as the GVAHA communications director. She is responsible for all communications to members, association-wide emails, GVAHA website, yearbook production and photography vendor. As communications director she is also responsible for brand consistency for all uses of association logo and mark.
Ciji lives in Grandville with her husband Nick and their two kids, Lucas (mite) and Isabella (learn to skate). Nick and Ciji have been part of the STARS family for over 10 years now.
What Does Ciji Love About Hockey?
"Hockey brings out obstacles that can be overcome, mistakes that are learned from, hard work that pays off and success that isn't given but is earned. When you are part of a hockey team you are part of a large family. The lessons you learn and the memories you make together last a life time."
Hockey Directors
Joel
Joel Breazeale serves as the part-time Co-Hockey Director at Griff's Georgetown. Joel is responsible for setting-up the learn to play, learn to skate, cross ice programs, as well as coordinating coaches for these levels. Joel works in cooperation with the GVAHA VP to coordinate both house and travel GVAHA teams and then works in collaboration with Mike Hatkowski to set the schedules. He also provides opportunities for players to work on skills and development.
Joel and his wife Kate recently moved back to Jenison after living in Grandville for the past 16 years. Joel currently serves as the Dean of Students at Grandville High School and Varsity Hockey Coach.
Their children, Michael, Thomas, and David, all grew up playing hockey. All 3 played at GVAHA while Joel was hockey director and all 3 have played or are presently playing for Grandville.
Joel's coaching background includes these notable accomplishments:
- 2016 MHSAA State Frozen Four, Div. 1 (State Quarter Champion, Regional Champion, OK Conf. Champion)
- 2015 MHSAA State Finalist, Div. 1 (State Quarter Champion, Regional Champion, OK Conf. runner up)
- 2014 MHSAA State Frozen Four, Div. 1 (State Quarter Final Champion, Regional Champion)
- 2013 MHSAA Regional Champion
- 2012 MHSAA State Quarter Finalist (Regional Champion)
- 2011 MHSAA State Quarter Finalist (Regional Champion)
- 2010 MHSAA State Quarter Finalist (Regional Champion)
- 2009 JV State Champion, GVAHA
- 2008 Mite State Champion, GVAHA
- 2008 Hockey Person of the Year, Michigan Hockey Magazine
- 2004 Nominated as Michigan’s Volunteer Coach of the Year, for establishing Cross Ice in Michigan
- 2004 Established and organized first ever Cross-Ice Jamboree in USA
- 2003 Founded first Cross Ice program in Michigan, Kentwood Ice Arena
WHAT DOES JOEL LOVE ABOUT HOCKEY?
“As an adult/coach I love the relationships and helping in the development and growth of players, coaches and programs and critical initiatives for the betterment and growth of youth hockey. For example starting the first cross-ice program in Michigan, maybe the USA (at Kentwood), developing the first cross-ice jamboree in the USA, growing GVAHA from 5 teams to 14 in 3 seasons or developing Grandville Hockey into the program it is now. This is what I LOVE!”
Jack
Jack Williams serves as the part-time Co-Hockey Director at Griff's Georgetown. Jack is responsible for setting-up the learn to play, learn to skate, cross ice programs, as well as coordinating coaches for these levels. Jack works in cooperation with the GVAHA VP to coordinate both house and travel GVAHA teams and then works in collaboration with Mike Hatkowski to set the schedules. He also provides opportunities for players to work on skills and development.
Jack and his wife Kelli and two sons live in Grandville.
WHAT DOES JACK LOVE ABOUT HOCKEY?
“It's more than a game, it's a lifestyle. The kids learn to be better hockey players as well as people and are able to make memories that last a lifetime.”
Feedback
Send us your feedback, comments, questions or concerns. This form is directed to the hockey directors.
GVAHA Board Information
Below is a list of the current board and term. Each spring nominations are accepted for positions with terms expiring. If you are interested in volunteering to serve on the Board of Directors or in another volunteer capacity, please contact us at hockey@gvaha.org.
GVAHA Board Terms
| Position | Name | Term Expires |
| President | Andrew Barnes | 2025 |
| Vice President | John Kersaan | 2025 |
| Team Director | Dave Atkinson | 2024 |
| Secretary, Equipment & Merchandising | Audra Atkinson | 2023 |
| Treasurer | Vicki Vander Veen | |
| Fundraising Director | Kelli Sterley | 2023 |
| Communications & Events Director | Ciji Marckini | 2024 |
| Manager Director | Karen Sobeck | 2025 |
| Sponsorship Director | Brandon Gorby | 2025 |
The Co-Hockey directors are non-voting roles as they are employees of GVAHA, reporting to the Board of Directors.
Meeting Minute Archive
2023 Meeting Minutes
1-17-23 Meeting Minutes
July- no meeting
2022 Meeting Minutes
1-18-22 Meeting Minutes
7-19-2022 No Meeting
2021 Meeting Minutes
7-20-21 Meeting (Postponed)
Minutes are normally posted after they are approved by the board at the following months meetings.
2020 Meeting Minutes
April- No meeting
2017 Meeting Minutes
December - No Meeting
The Grand Valley Amateur Hockey Association (GVAHA) is a non-profit, volunteer organization that provides hockey programs in West Michigan. We serve hockey players from many surrounding communities including Hudsonville, Jenison, Grandville, Wyoming, Byron Center, Zeeland, Holland, Grand Haven, Allendale and more. GVAHA provides hockey opportunities for all ages.
Home Ice is Griff's Georgetown - 8500 48th Avenue, Hudsonville, Michigan 49426
Questions? Contact: hockey@gvaha.org