Calvin News

Calvin College (Grand Rapids, Mich.) has named four new members to its Board of Trustees: Pedro Aviles of Berwyn, Ill.; William J. Boer of Grand Rapids, Mich.; David Cok of Rochester, N.Y.; and Ray VanderKooi of Kentwood, Mich.

The 31-member Calvin Board of Trustees meets three times annually on the Calvin campus in October, February and May. Calvin board members serve three-year terms with an option for additional three-year terms.

Pedro Aviles

Aviles is the pastor of Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church in Berwyn, Ill, where he has served for the past year. Prior to accepting the pastorate at Ebenezer CRC, Aviles was an assistant professor of church and ministry leadership at Trinity Christian College. He also planted and pastored a church in the inner city of Chicago for nearly 25 years. Aviles earned his masters degree in Christian leadership from North Park Theological Seminary and has studied at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in the PhD program of Intercultural Studies.

William J. Boer

Boer is the president and founder of Grey Dunes, an independent family office advisory firm that assists families. Prior to starting Grey Dunes, Boer was COO of RDV Corporation, and he also served for six years (1987-1993) as Calvin College’s vice president for administration and finance. Boer currently serves on the board of directors for Independent Bank Corporation, and he recently completed a 14-year term as chair of the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Board. Boer earned a degree in economics from Calvin College in 1977 and completed an MBA in finance and strategic planning from the University of Southern California and an MS in higher education from Indiana University. Boer is a member of La Grave Avenue Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids.

David Cok

Cok serves as vice president of technology at GrammaTech, a research company that creates advanced technology and software products for analyzing software and improving its safety and security. Previously, he worked in the Eastman Kodak Research Laboratories for 28 years, researching, publishing and patenting applications of digital imaging. Cok has also taught at Rochester Institute of Technology, consulted for the European Commission and served on national and international technology standard committees. Cok is a 1975 graduate of Calvin College with degrees in physics and mathematics, and he earned his PhD in physics from Harvard University. Cok has also served in various leadership roles at Rochester Christian Reformed Church, where he is a member.

Ray VanderKooi

VanderKooi is the senior vice president of finance and administration at Irwin Seating Company. He previously served as CFO of an automotive supplier in west Michigan and worked in public accounting at Ernst & Young. He currently serves as an at-large member of the Grand Rapids Christian Schools operations and finance committee. VanderKooi is a certified public accountant, earning an accounting degree from Calvin College in 1989. He is a member of Seymour Christian Reformed Church, where he has served in a number of leadership roles.

“Coming with varied experiences and possessing unique skill sets, the new trustees will certainly enhance the board’s ability to protect and promote the mission of Calvin College,” said Scott Spoelhof, chair of the Calvin College Board of Trustees.

The new members will be present at the board’s next meeting at Calvin College beginning on Thursday, Oct. 23. Pastors, educators and professionals from a wide spectrum of fields comprise the 31-member board.