Joel Ferguson of Lansing has been re-elected to a fifth two-year term as chairman of the Michigan State University Board of Trustees.
At a special meeting today, the board also elected Mitch Lyons of Rockford to a two-year term as vice chairperson.
Ferguson was first elected to the MSU board in 1986. He was elected again in 1996, 2004 and 2012. He was elected board chairman in 1992, 2007, 2010 and 2013.
Ferguson is the co-founder of the F&S Development Co.; founded and served as president and owner of WLAJ-TV, an ABC affiliate in Lansing; and has organized several banks, including Capitol National Bank, the only locally owned bank in Lansing. He also was appointed by former President Bill Clinton to serve on the board of Freddie Mac.
Very active in civic affairs, Ferguson is a Golden Heritage member of the NAACP, and sat on the boards of the Boy’s Club, the Arthritis Foundation and Junior Achievement.
Lyons was elected to the board in 2010. He grew up primarily in the Grand Rapids, Michigan, area and has lived in Rockford since 1996. After graduating from Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern High School in 1988, he attended MSU on a football scholarship, playing for fellow MSU Trustee George Perles from 1988 to 1992.
After earning a degree in general business administration, Lyons played professional football, retiring in 1999. He now is a principal at Lyons Kitzrow Wealth Advisors, consulting with individuals and businesses in the areas of wealth accumulation, protection and distribution.
Lyons is active in his community, serving on various boards that have included Mentor One, the YMCA, and the West Michigan Sports Awards, including eight years as chairman.