Land and Building Staff
Our Land and Building personnel diligently care for the campus property and initiate seasonal projects to beautify the land.
Cris Ritsema – Site Manager
Cris Ritsema, born and raised in Grand Rapids, MI, worked for the Bouma Corporation for over twenty years and graduated from Michigan State University’s Landscape and Nursery Program. Cris began his association with the Sisters through the community workdays. In 2005 started in the site manager position at the Center. Because of his training at MSU and his background in construction, Cris creates beautiful landscapes with special features like our new waterfall. In addition, he is an excellent leader and manager of the many work groups and volunteers that come to the Center.
Barb Ritsema – Site Support Staff
Barb Ritsema learned about the Center when she sent her children here for preschool in the 1990’s. After working in a variety of roles in the service industry, she was hired as support staff in 2007 to help with the management of the land, and the maintenance of our meeting facilities and overnight accommodations. Barb creates an environment that is both welcoming and professional. Her work on the indoor space of the Center makes visitors and guests feel at home.
Austin Ritsema – Land Program Assistant
Austin graduated from Cedar Springs Public Schools in 2018 and has been working with the Franciscan Life Center since 2021. Austin is a hard working, motivated individual who has a strong passion for helping others. He has been involved with multiple mission trips. The furthest from home was in Slidell, Louisiana to repair properties damaged by hurricanes. Other mission trips included work with Rippling Hope in Detroit to aid individuals with repairing and maintaining properties.
During his free time, Austin enjoys composing songs, playing music, and illustrating. He loves working together and spending time with his family, friends and coworkers.
Steve Foote – Land Program Assistant
Steve serves as the handyman making repairs and working on projects on the land. He is a retired band director and has a BS in Music Education from Grand Valley State University.
Amanda Whitscell-Fischer – Land Program Assistant
Amanda Whitscell-Fischer initially encountered the Center when she and her family participated in the first annual Franciscan Rhythms Trail Run in 2015. She was excited to see that a prairie restoration was underway and felt an immediate connection to the land. Amanda graduated from Grand Valley State University with a degree in Natural Resources Management, she has worked for various non-profits, land stewardship agencies as well as the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. She is grateful for the opportunity to assist the Land and Building Team in supporting the mission of the Center.