Yvonne and J.W. Fisher to be named Midland Area Community Foundation’s Philanthropists of the Year at the 2024 Ripple Effect event.
October 21st, 2024
The Midland Area Community Foundation’s Ripple Effect celebration, taking place on October 16 at the Midland Country Club, will celebrate community philanthropy and honor Yvonne and J.W. Fisher as Philanthropists of the Year.
The purpose of the Philanthropist of the Year award is to honor community members who have demonstrated a passion and call to action for the Midland area. Recipients of this award are those who have impacted our community through their service.
Yvonne and J.W. Fisher have been married for 37 years and are proud parents of four children, all of whom were raised in Midland. Yvonne and J.W. both have extensive resumes worthy of recognition.
Yvonne Fisher is a dedicated community leader and long-time volunteer with deep roots in Midland. She is a current member and past President (2013-2015) of the Contemporary Review Club, one of Midland’s oldest continuous women’s organizations, founded in 1940.
Yvonne has also been actively involved with several other local organizations. She served as Chairperson of the Northwood Town and Campus group and was President of the Midland Public Schools Sports Boosters, where she led the inaugural Booster Bash fundraising events, raising over $175,000 for student athletes at Midland High and Dow High.
Throughout her life, Yvonne has been a passionate volunteer, especially in programs that support children, teens, and young adults. She was a member of the Plymouth Elementary PTO for 14 years, served as a Sports Representative for the Midland High School Girls Tennis Team, and contributed to the Midland High School Sports Boosters.
In addition to her involvement in education and athletics, Yvonne has served on the Advisory Board of the Alden B. Dow Museum and the House and Social Committee at the Midland Country Club. For the past 37 years, she has also been a strong supporter of Midland County 4-H programs.
Currently, Yvonne is a member of the Great Lakes Bay Region Mental Health Partnership, where she serves on the Anti-Stigma Committee. She is also a member of the Michigan County Social Services Association (MCSSA) and has been the Chair of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for Midland County for the past decade. In addition to her DHHS duties, Yvonne is actively involved with Pinecrest Farms, a county-operated facility that serves a population of frail elderly, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill residents. Her 16 years of service on the DHHS Board reflect her commitment to improving the welfare of these vulnerable communities.
W. Fisher started in the family business at Fisher Sand and Gravel designing ready mix concrete mix designs, oversaw quality control for the gravel pits and the concrete plant, and worked as a fill in dispatcher for the concrete plant. He moved into a role as project supervisor at Fisher Contracting Company in 1980 and moved through the ranks as an estimator/project manager until he became president in 1990. As a member of the Board of Directors of the Fisher Companies J.W. exercises owner control and provides the knowledge he has gained over 40 years at Fisher Contracting to the management of the Fisher Companies involved with Heavy Civil work.
J.W. Fisher has demonstrated extensive leadership and dedication to both his community and the business sector through a variety of influential roles. He serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Tri-Star Trust Bank in Saginaw, MI, and is the past President of the Board of Directors for the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association. Additionally, Fisher is Chairman of the Steering Team for the Great Lakes Mental Health Partnership and held the position of Chair of the Midland Business Alliance, where he currently co-chairs the Advisory Committee on Infrastructure. His commitment to fostering inclusion is evident through his involvement with the Midland Inclusion Alliance. Fisher’s past leadership roles further highlight his service, including his time as President of the Board of Directors for the Great Lakes Safety Training Center in Midland, MI, and Chair of the Steering Team for the Construction Owners Safety Team. He has also held positions as a board member and president of both the Saginaw Valley Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors and the Tri County Contractors Association in Mid-Michigan. In addition, he is an active member of the Michigan and National Society of Professional Engineers, underscoring his commitment to the engineering profession. Fisher’s impressive track record reflects his passion for community service, infrastructure, and professional development across multiple sectors.
J.W. Fisher’s educational background is rooted in civil engineering, having earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Michigan Technological University in 1979. His academic foundation in this field has been instrumental in shaping his professional career, where he has applied his technical expertise to various leadership roles. In addition to his degree, Fisher is a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Michigan, a designation that underscores his commitment to upholding the highest standards in engineering practice. This combination of formal education and professional licensure has equipped him with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead in industries related to infrastructure, construction, and engineering.
The Ripple Effect celebration will kick off with light appetizers and networking at 4:30 PM. The program will begin at 5 PM and feature Community Foundation information from Midland Area Community Foundation President & CEO Sharon Mortensen. Guests from the Midland Area Youth Action Council, The Bridge Food Center, Reece Endeavor, and a current Midland Area Community Foundation fundholder will tell their stories about the Midland Area Community Foundation builds long-term community capital. The Fishers will round out the night with remarks and reward acceptance. The program is expected to end by 6 PM.
The Ripple Effect is a free event. If you would like to attend, please visit midlandfdn.org/ripple-effect to RSVP or call 989-839-9661.
