Board of Directors

Jack W. Townsend – Chair

Jack is the CEO of Michigan Kitchen Distributors in Marshall and has been involved with the family owned business since 1985. Prior to working at Michigan Kitchen Distributors, Jack worked as the supervisor of the paint division for GM Cadillac. Along with being the chair of the Oaklawn Hospital board of directors, he is also serving as a community board member for Chemical Bank/TCF Bank. Jack is very active in the Marshall Community where he has lived his entire life. His commitment to Marshall has been demonstrated over the years as he has served in several other community organizations such as the Marshall Rotary Club, the Marshall Manufacturer’s Association, and the Marshall Chamber of Commerce. Jack received a marketing degree from Michigan State University in June of 1983.

Catherine A. Yates – Board Secretary / Treasurer

Catherine earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Michigan in 1989 with a concentration in economics. Catherine has been in banking since 1991, and at TCF Bank  (formerly known as Chemical Bank) in Marshall since February, 2009. Her current position at Chemical Bank requires her to analyze complex financial reports to determine potential risk and ability to repay, and to make loan decisions based upon that data. Volunteerism is one of her core values, and she has held various positions in the community. In addition to her role as Secretary/Treasurer of the Oaklawn Board of Directors she is the Treasurer of the Homer Community Schools Board of Education, Board Member of the Kellogg Community College Foundation, Co-Chair of the Marshall United Way Campaign, Chair of Marshall’s LDFA/DDA Board of Directors, Treasurer of the Marshall Manufacturer’s Association, and a member of the Exchange Club of Marshall.

Randall Davis, EdD

Dr. Davis has been Superintendent of Marshall Public Schools since July 2009.  He served as superintendent of Athens Area Schools from 2003-2009.   From 2000-2003 Dr. Davis served as Consultant for Wayne County Dept. of Community Justice and as VP and COO of Starfish Family Services of Wayne County.  He was a consultant to the Ministry of Social Affairs in Denmark regarding CQI for social services.  Dr. Davis was a member of the staff of Starr Commonwealth from 1979-2000,  serving as Residential Care Educator 1979-1984, Community-Based Program Director 1988-1997, and Director of Research and Evaluation 1997-2000.  He most recently served on Governor Snyder’s 21^st Century Education Commission; the commission focused on long-term improvements to enhance student achievement and better prepare students for a global economy.  Dr. Davis attended Wittenburg University where he earned a Bachelors in Psychology and Philosophy.  He also attended Oakland University where he attained a Masters degree in Agency Counseling.  In addition, he earned his Doctorate in Education Programs in Child, Youth, and Family Studies from Nova Southeastern University.

Derek King

Derek King is the owner of King Jewelers and DTK&F Holdings LLC, a multi-unit strip mall in Battle Creek. Derek is a former township trustee. He was the Calhoun County board chairman the last two terms and just started his fourth term as county commissioner. Derek was appointed to the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission by Governor Snyder in 2017.  Derek is very involved in the community where he sits on numerous boards and committees. King attended Kellogg Community College where he studied Law Enforcement. Derek is also a journeyman electrician. Derek is married to his wife Terra of 13 years and has five kids.

Hon. Franklin Line

The Honorable Franklin Line is the Presiding District Court Judge for the 10th District Court in Calhoun County, Michigan. Judge Line completed his A.B. from the University of Michigan and his J.D. at the Detroit College of Law. He is a member of the Michigan District Judges Association, the State Bar of Michigan, and the Calhoun County Bar Association. He was Calhoun County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney from 1978-1986 and has been a District Court Judge since 1987. He resides in Marshall, Michigan.

Thomas Neidlinger, M.D.

Dr. Neidlinger completed his undergraduate studies at Michigan State University and received his medical degree from the University of Michigan. He completed his residency in family practice at the Grand Rapids Medical Education Center. Dr. Neidlinger is certified by the American Board of Family Practice and joined the active medical staff at Oaklawn in 1978.

Mark P. O’Connell

Mark O’Connell has served as President of Kellogg Community College since 2015. Mark received a Business Counselor Certification from Wayne State University School of Business and holds a Master’s degree in Education Administration from Western Michigan University. In addition to his private sector business experience, Mark has taught business classes for KCC, Siena Heights University, Western Michigan University and Wayne State University. Mark is active in the Marshall community and has been for over forty-five years where he lives with his wife, Janet. Mark currently serves on the Cronin Foundation Board in addition to the Oaklawn Board of Directors. He also serves the Battle Creek area on committees and community initiatives as the Battle Creek Vision team, the Workforce Development Board, Battle Creek CAN/Legacy Scholars, Battle Creek Unlimited, and several others.

Joseph P. Palchak

Bruce Rasher

Bruce Rasher is with the trust established by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York to clean up and sell the assets of the former General Motors Corporation that were abandoned in its 2009 bankruptcy. Prior to joining the trust, Bruce was a vice president with CBRE, the world’s largest real estate services firm. Bruce has a B.S. from Michigan State University, and MBA in Finance from Western Michigan University and was a fellow in Michigan State University’s political leadership program. Bruce had served on Oaklawn’s Board of Directors for 18 years and recently re-joined the board. He is also a former Mayor of Marshall.

Gregg Beeg – President and CEO (ex officio/non-voting)

Eric Blackwell, M.D. – Chief of Staff (ex officio/non-voting)