More than 500 business leaders gathered at The Economic Club of Grand Rapids on February 23 as West Michigan Works! honored six frontline workers with the 2025 Beverly A. Drake Essential Service Awards. Each honoree received an award in recognition of their service. The awards highlight non-managerial employees who consistently exceed expectations, demonstrating integrity, dedication, and commitment to their workplaces and communities.
“Strong communities and strong economies are built by people like this year’s honorees,” said Mark Bergsma, workforce development board member, West Michigan Works!. “At a time when our communities can feel divided, the Beverly A. Drake Essential Service Awards recognize the people who keep West Michigan moving forward every single day.”
2025 Essential Service Award honorees are Grace Clark, operations specialists, STEM Greenhouse; Paula Holm, licensed practical nurse, Optalis Health & Rehabilitation of Whitehall; Leemon Johncock, banquet lead cook, Bay Pointe Inn; Cole Marschall, project superintendent, Owen-Ames-Kimball; Melissa Thatcher, youth services specialist, Hackley Public Library; and Dan Vandermarkt, team member, Health Care Associates Transport.
“We are proud to host conversations that brings our business community together and it’s especially meaningful to do so while recognizing the frontline workers who keep West Michigan moving,” said Natalia, Kovicak, president and CEO, The Economic Club of Grand Rapids. “The dedication of the honorees exemplifies the spirit of service that strengthens our communities.”
Each honoree’s impact extends beyond their job duties, creating meaningful benefits for both their workplaces and the broader community.
“It’s really awesome that this nomination came from someone who is outside of the library that they are a community member who comes in to use our services and felt that Melissa was going above and beyond,” said Lydia Schmidt, youth services supervisor, Hackley Public Library.
That commitment to service is exemplary of why Bev Drake Essential Service Award recipients are selected.
“I love the work. I love the actual work. It fulfills so many different needs that I have,” said Thatcher. “You always go the extra mile when it comes to helping people and making sure people’s lives are better. If you can do that, then you’ve really succeeded.”
Essential Service Awards are presented across a range of frontline fields, including administrative and office roles; cleaning, housekeeping and groundskeeping; childcare; food service; government; health care and elder care; hospitality; nonprofit; retail; skilled trades; and transportation.
Another honoree recognized for her long-standing dedication to frontline care was Paula Holm of Optalis Health & Rehabilitation of Whitehall. “Paula’s not just a nurse, she’s also their family. She’s worked here for over 20 years, so the residents see her as that. She treats them as such,” said Lindsay Cooper, nursing director, Optalis Health & Rehabilitation of Whitehall. “She’s gone from the housekeeper to CNA to nursing. She’s worked up through the ranks, so she’s a very valuable employee here.”
Holm said that perspective guides her work every day.
“Sometimes I have up to 25 patients for one nurse, so it can be time consuming,” said Holm. “I guess I look at them as my family members. How would I want my family taken care of? And that is how I do my duties.”
A similar sense of duty, both on the job and in the community, defined the selection of Cole Marschall of Owen-Ames-Kimball.
“Cole’s actually a volunteer first responder with his local fire department. There was a young girl on the playground that fell and broke her arm and was in a lot of pain and Cole went right to his truck. He grabbed his first responder bag, helped the girl out and comforted her,” said Cade Dammen, director of field operations, Owen-Ames-Kimball.
Marschall said that commitment to helping others is rooted in lessons he learned early in life.
“My work ethic comes from a really big example in my life. I don’t normally bring this up, but my dad passed away when I was eight years old and he always told me, and my brother, you’re not allowed to use this as an excuse,” said Marschall. “I just show up and do my job. This award means a lot to me, actually, to get recognized for hard work and trying and caring, that feels really good.”
To be eligible for a Bev Drake Essential Service Award, individuals must have at least two years of employment with their current employer, hold a non-managerial position, and demonstrate pride in their work along with a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and effective time management. Winners are selected by a committee of the West Michigan Works! Workforce Development Board.
