Board & Staff
Our organization is guided by compassionate and experienced leaders from across the community.
Our Staff

Tom Nobel
Founder/CEO
After several years in the assisted living industry, Tom noticed that seniors living in his communities were often asked to leave when financial hardship struck. Tom recognized the need for a program that enables seniors to make their home with the assurance that they could stay even in times of financial or medical hardship. In 1997, he founded Baruch Senior Ministries, with the goal of providing permanent homes for seniors. He places a strong emphasis on providing excellent care not only for seniors’ physical well-being, but also for their emotional and spiritual well-being.
After 19 years serving as the owner and CEO of Leisure Living Management, Tom shifted his full-time efforts to Baruch Senior Ministries in 2014. Prior to1996, Tom was the Executive Vice President of Hospice of Michigan (1994-1995) and Executive Director and CFO of Hospice of Western Michigan from 1990 until 1994. Before working with Hospice, Tom, a CPA, spent twenty years with the accounting firm of Ernst & Young servicing healthcare organizations, privately held businesses, and several SEC-registered corporations.

Mitch McNeal
President
Mitch McNeal joined Baruch Senior Ministries in January, 2011 as its Community Outreach Manager, and in 2014 was named Vice President of Business Development. He was appointed President in November, 2018. Immediately prior to joining Baruch, Mitch was employed in the oil and gas industry as an independent Landman in Michigan and North Dakota. Mitch also spent over 20 years as a co-owner/officer of Gus Macker Basketball, conducting multiple grassroots charity basketball tournaments throughout the United States and Canada. Throughout the years, he has been involved in all aspects of business management including personnel management, sales and marketing, contract negotiation, operations, financial management, new market development and event management. Mitch holds an undergraduate degree from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan and a Juris Doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing.

Connie Clauson
Vice President Operations

Ryan Hoekstra
Chaplain, Spiritual Care Director
Ryan Hoekstra joined Baruch Senior Ministries in May 2014 as a chaplain intern. Since 2014, Ryan has served as a chaplain for Baruch. In July 2018, he was named Director of Spiritual Care. Ryan holds an undergraduate degree from Northwestern College and a Master’s of Divinity from Calvin Theological Seminary. Ryan enjoys reading, especially fantasy and history books, camping with his wife, and spending time with their dogs.

Christopher P. Murphy
Vice President Advancement

Ben Krombeen
Vice President Finance
Our Board

Matt Wieringa
Chairman of the Board
Matt Wieringa is the President/Owner of Kent Home Services, a family-owned business headquartered in Byron Center, MI that serves homeowners, homebuilders, and property managers. He has a BA from Calvin College and an MBA from Indiana University. Matt is married to Melissa and has three children. In his free time, he enjoys coaching and refereeing soccer.

Ken Drenth
Board Member

Matt McGowan
Board Member

Joan Cornelison
Board Member

Scott Zylstra
Board Member
Scott Zylstra is the Vice President of Finance for Automatic Spring Products Corp, a manufacturing company based in Grand Haven, MI. Scott previously served on the Baruch board from 2008-2016 after Baruch purchased several properties from his family. Scott graduated from Calvin University with a B.S. in Accountancy. He and his wife Anna are parents to two children. In addition to Baruch, Scott also serves on the Board for Treetops Collective, a non-profit organization focused on connecting new Americans with people and opportunities in our community.
David Koetje
Board Member
David Koetje served as President/CEO of Christian Schools International and is now retired. He currently serves as chair of Grand Rapids Community College Board as well as Haiti Foundation Against Poverty. He is also currently a consultant for Sim Com LLC: “Simplifying Complexity,” focusing on education and service industries. David and his wife have three adult children as well as eight grandchildren.