Democrat for County Commissioner

MEET Steve

wave-blue

(NE)w leadership for the NE Side - Kent County’s District 18

Steve with his wife Lizzie, daughter Bettie, and sons Eliot and Levi
Steve's mom Geri (82) and daughter Bettie (2.5) - both call District 18 home

I’ve called NE Grand Rapids home for over 20 years. I care deeply about my neighborhood and making our community a better place to live, raise a family and grow old – together.

I have extensive experience in the private, nonprofit and public sectors, leading and managing projects that have a positive, community impact.

As the founding Executive Director of Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, I brought together our community to revitalize public parks, preserve public spaces and increase our urban forest. I’ve organized hundreds of volunteers and raised money to plant trees in Riverside Park, rebuild the playground at Aberdeen Park and save Briggs Park pool. 

For much of the past decade, I led the West Michigan Team for a progressive public relations and communications firm that specialized in protecting the environment, funding public education and working on issues that impacted Michigan’s working families. Working with the community, I helped to pass the Ready by Five Early Childhood Millage, Kent ISD Regional Enhancement Millage, Zoo and Museum Millage and both Grand Rapids parks millages. Most recently, I’ve been working for Kent County to find alternatives to landfilling in Kent County and to increase recycling and composting programs. I’ve seen first hand how local government works and how it has a positive impact on people’s lives.

My vision is that Kent County is a place where everybody thrives. Together, we can advance solutions to some of Kent County’s most pressing issues. 

I believe people own what they help create. My goal is to have more people feel included and part of local government decisions that impact their lives. We can only do that by actively listening and including others in solving problems. 

I hold a Master’s Degree from the School of Public and Nonprofit Administration at Grand Valley State University and received their Distinguished Alumni Award. I’m also the recipient of the David D Smith Humanitarian Award from the American Institute of Architects for my work in preserving public spaces and being a founding member of Newberry Place Cohousing Community. 

I live in Creston with my wife Lizzie, our daughter Bettie (2.5) and my two sons Levi (18) and Eliot (14). Levi graduated from Grand Rapids Public Museum School this spring and is attending GVSU,  and Eliot is pursuing his soccer dreams in Columbus, Ohio at the Columbus Crew Academy.

If you haven’t had a chance to meet Steve in person, here’s what some of his friends, neighbors and colleagues have to say:

“Steve Faber is a caring leader that will work hard at the county level on the issues that matter most to neighbors.” Rosalynn Bliss, Mayor of Grand Rapids
 
“I’ve had the pleasure to work with Steve since I started on the commission, and I see quickly why so many people support him: He’s kind, thoughtful, collaborative, and innovative. His community experience is both vast and deep, spanning multiple community organizations and local leaders.” Kris Pachla, Kent County Commissioner
 
“I’ve known Steve for nearly a decade and found him to be a hard-working, smart, consensus builder. Exactly what Kent County needs!” Michael Loughman, Friend
 
“Steve is the definition of a community minded leader. He treats everyone with respect and compassion. He seeks first to understand, before developing opinions. And perhaps most importantly, he rolls up his sleeves and dives in when it’s needed most.” Lee Mueller, former co-worker at Friends of GR Parks
 
“Steve is incredibly hard working, loves our community, and will make a true impact on the challenges and opportunities facing our neighbors.” Sarah Abel, Friend and Neighbor
 
“[Steve’s] an excellent communicator who unifies voices like no other candidate. I am happy to support him for County Commissioner.” Tommy Allen, Friend and Neighbor
 
“[Steve’s] always selflessly given back to our community to build a better, more progressive Grand Rapids. I know he’ll stand up for affordable housing and dealing with the mental health crisis, and I know he’ll be the champion we need for Grand River corridor parks and trails, smart growth, and improved recycling and composting, because he already is just that.” State Rep. Phil Skaggs

Be a neighbor,
StaY in Touch with faber!

We need people who love their neighborhood and Kent County to join Steve in building a better place to live for everyone. Fill out this form to receive periodic updates. Other ways to get in touch: use the contact form, email info@faberforkent.com or call (616) 821-8006. 

Facebook Instagram
Name(Required)

Paid for by: Committee to Elect Steve Faber, 1845 Meadowfield Dr NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505 Phone: (616) 821-8006