Elder Board

Trish Buttleman and her family have lived in Traverse City since 1970. She has been married to Bob for forty five years. They have five children (Troy, Corbin, Jason, Tyler, & Koren) and ten grandchildren. They love having all of their children living in Traverse City. Trish’s interests are reading, biking, boating, traveling and dining out. She also has enjoyed the diversity of managing their various rental properties.

Trish’s husband, Bob, is a commercial pilot, is retired from NMC as Director of Aviation, and is currently a FAA Designated Pilot Examiner. They work together with their international Amway Global Business and their resort on Long Lake. Trish currently serves at The HUB on Sundays and with the Bay Pointe prayer ministry. They are both involved in a small group. She is looking forward to serving a second term on the 2012 Elder Board.

Fred LaPres and wife, Karen, (married 38 years) have made the Traverse area their home for 30 years. They have two children, Kara and Dustin. Kara and her husband Dave, both active at Bay Pointe, have two sons Dominic and Kalin and a third child due in May.

It was Kara who discovered Bay Pointe and led the way for the family, beginning in 2001. ”We all found relevance and inspiration in what Bay Pointe was teaching and providing.” Fred received a BA degree at Michigan State University and then later an MBA at Lake Superior State University. Fred’s career has been largely in manufacturing management, the last 28 years with AlcoTec in Traverse City. Karen tends to home and grandchildren, but makes time to volunteer in the community and, of course, at Bay Pointe. Fred and Karen love outdoor activities including hiking, biking, kayaking, etc. “It is a privilege to join with the elder board representing this loving organization.”

George Varga was raised in Columbus, Ohio. He met his wife of 28 years, Lauri, on a business trip to The Homestead in 1981, where she had recently taken a job as Marketing and PR Director. The Vargas have two grown daughters and three precious grandchildren. George received Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Aeronautics and Astronautics from MIT, and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Prior to retirement, George was the portfolio manager of a large real estate investment fund in Connecticut. He served as a deacon and chaired the finance committee of their local church, while Lauri served in women’s ministry.

After retirement, the Vargas moved to Northern Michigan, where they enjoy the water, power-walking and biking. They have worshipped at Bay Pointe for five years, and have been blessed to become involved in ministries to the homeless, including serving at Safe Harbor alongside their small group members. George also assists in Bay Pointe’s Dave Ramsey financial seminars. George’s spiritual gifts are administration, discernment and wisdom, and he considers it a “humbling privilege” to serve Bay Pointe as an elder.

Linda Vaught was raised in Grand Haven, Michigan, lived twelve years on Neebish Island in the Upper Peninsula, and moved to the Traverse City area in 1994. She has two grown children, Zach and Michelle. She is a Registered Nurse and currently is employed as Clinical Manager at a large family practice office in Traverse City. She enjoys many types of crafts, snowshoeing, biking, and being outdoors. Linda has been married to Bob, who has two grown sons, Paul and Rob, since June of 2010. Linda and Bob both love being members and serving at Bay Pointe. Linda is involved at Bay Pointe through women’s ministry, ushering, Divorce Care, prayer ministry, and more. She is excited and honored to have another opportunity to serve God by being on the elder board at Bay Pointe.

Tom Wigton grew up in Rochester, Michigan, where he met his wife, Joan, a registered nurse. A few years into their marriage (of 31 years) they moved to the north and built a home in the Glen Lake area where they raised their family. Their daughter, Sarah, and her husband Marxengels, now live in Ann Arbor and their daughter, Theresa, lives in Chicago. Tom worked in the food and beverage industry, and then as a charter salmon fisherman, before returning to school for six years to become a Nurse Anesthetist. He has worked for Traverse Anesthesia at Munson Medical Center for sixteen years. Tom enjoys fishing, hiking, woodworking, and going on road trips with Joan. Tom and Joan have loved being a part of the Bay Pointe community for almost six years. Tom, as an elder, is especially excited to see how God will use all of us to further His Kingdom.