While the Grand Rapids metro area and economy is strong, diversified, and growing, the city's population has been shrinking since 2020. The new Community Master Plan was presented last fall and identifies several important ways Grand Rapids can intentionally become a stronger, more sustainable city for the future. In November 2024, David LaGrand was elected mayor of Grand Rapids and took office on January 1, 2025. As he prepares to deliver his first “State of the City” address, David has graciously agreed to share with us his view of the current state of and future imperatives for Grand Rapids and what we can do to help it become even better in the future.

David LaGrand—Mayor of the City of Grand Rapids, MI
David LaGrand was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan and graduated from Calvin College in 1988 with a BA in History. After graduate work in History at the University of Michigan, David earned a law degree from the University of Chicago in 1992.

Legal Experience
When David returned to Grand Rapids, he worked at Warner, Norcross & Judd before serving for eight years as an Assistant Kent County Prosecutor. In 2000, David joined Gerald Lykins to form a private law firm. In 2007, he joined with Chris Yates and Paul Denenfeld to form Yates, LaGrand and Denenfeld PLLC. Some of his greatest achievements involve working with his clients and their community to seek socially responsible solutions to the breach of law.

Business Experience
David has also been active in the West Michigan business community. David financed his Calvin University studies by starting and operating a construction company. Shortly after returning to Grand Rapids in early 1994, David and Melissa and two college friends opened the successful Four Friends Coffee Shop in downtown Grand Rapids, at the leading edge of what has been a rapid revitalization of downtown.

In 2002, the LaGrands and their neighbors opened the Wealthy Street Bakery in another revitalizing area of Grand Rapids. In 2013, the LaGrands and partners opened Long Road Distillers, which operates a distillery and restaurants in Grand Rapids and Grand Haven.

Public Service
David served as Grand Rapids City Commissioner for the Second Ward between 2007 and 2010, helping the city through difficult economic times. LaGrand served on the Grand Rapids Public School Board between 2012 and 2015 and served as a State Representative between 2015 and 2022, where he was committed to building bipartisan consensus to achieve justice and opportunity for everyone.

David lives in Grand Rapids with his wife Melissa. They have four children, John (29), Issac (26), Helen (21), and Julia (18). He and his family are members of Eastern Avenue Christian Reformed Church.
 

Agenda:
7:00 AM – 7:30 AM Registration, Networking, and Breakfast

7:30 AM – 8:30 AM Keynote & Q&A

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM Networking

Presented by: 
Calvin Center for Innovation in Business
Calvin Alumni Association
Calvin University Career Center