Jerry VanWoerkom served 28 years as a teacher and administrator in Christian education, retiring in 1997. He was elected to the State House of Representatives in 1998 and 2000. In 2002, he was elected into the State Senate.
As a State Senator, Jerry has worked with local communities in bringing opportunities to West Michigan. He has devoted his time to improve the state's economic troubles, protect the environment and better the education and safety of our state's children. He serves as the Chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Forestry and Tourism Committee, which has helped establish the agriculture industry as the 2nd largest industry in the state. He also serves on the Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee, Education Committee, and the Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee.
Jerry is an active member of the community. He is a member of Calvin Christian Reform Church, Muskegon Farm Bureau and Ducks Unlimited. He is also active in the White Lake and Muskegon Lake Public Advisory Committee and several Muskegon County watershed projects. Before being elected into public office, Jerry was the former principal and superintendent of Muskegon Christian Schools.
Jerry holds a Master of Arts degree in Education from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Arts degree in World History from Calvin College. He has been married to his wife Valerie for 36 years and has five grown children and five grandchildren.
