Gary Verplank, is co-founder and CEO of Shape Corp., Light Corp., Finish Corp., Bio-Solutions, Net Shape, Pliant Plastics, and other affiliated local companies that employ more than 1,300 area residents and contribute tremendously to the community in countless ways.
His community service roles include being a member of the Ferrysburg City Council, Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce of Grand Haven, Spring Lake and Ferrysburg, President and Board member of the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, Chairman of the North Ottawa Community Coalition, and past Spring Lake Yacht Club Commodore and Board member.
Gary’s honors include being recognized by the West Michigan Business Hall of Fame, and he is the recipient of the Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Citizen Award and Lifetime Achievement Award.
Among his many philanthropic causes are the Grand Haven and Spring Lake High Schools, the GHHS Science Olympiad Team, the GHHS Excellence in Service Program, Buccaneer Stadium, Grand Haven D.A.R.E Program, Spring Lake Bike Path, Grand Haven Community Foundation, Greater Ottawa County United Way, Imagination Station, Spring Lake Junior Sailing Association, and Spring Lake High School sailing team. At Shape Corp. he established a Giving Back program that enables employees to perform volunteer community service during their work hours that helps hundreds with needs in the community. He and his brother Midge’s significant Challenge Grant helped to raise one million dollars toward the preservation of the North Ottawa Dunes.
Gary received his B.S.E. in Industrial Engineering degree from the University of Michigan. He resides in Spring Lake, and has three children and five grandchildren.
