Vote
DAN POTTS
for Muskegon County Commissioner
On or before November 5th, 2024
Champion for Muskegon
Thank you for taking the time to visit my website.
My life has been filled with great experiences that have led me to seek election for Muskegon County Commissioner in District 4. Politics has become so divisive in recent years, as well as, how people are approaching each other. I want to take a different approach using common sense and doing what’s best for the most.
The current commission has many fine accomplishments and has set Muskegon on a course of progress. This needs to continue.
My main purpose if elected is to continue this upward trajectory and try to bring along all the stakeholders in Muskegon. From our residents, to our business partners, County Leadership, Employees, and the many people who visit our great town.
The 2022 was a learning experience. After defeating my opponent in the Republican Primary, 1,800 to 1,200, it was on to the General Election. I was defeated by a well-known and experienced opponent in a very tight race, losing 6,875 to 6,346.
I learned a great deal from this election, with the most positive boost being how many people supported me in so many different ways. I look forward to the next challenge.
Business Experience
This year, I embarked upon a new venture with my career. I have started a new job as a business development manager with Hanger Clinic, a national company that provides custom orthotics and prosthetics. Prior to working for Hanger, I was in the orthopedic sales business for 30 years.
In my sales career, I was a consistent performer that was highlighted by a few incredible years, which led to some National awards and opportunities to serve on national leadership teams. It has been a great experience in learning to forge long lasting relationships, built on integrity, friendship, and hard work.
Family
I have been married to Paula Johnson Potts for 31 years. She is a wonderful, beautiful, and intelligent person. She is an incredible partner and mother to our two daughters, Kennedy, and Logan. My wife has had a tremendous and positive influence on our kids, and myself.
Kennedy, 26, is an attorney at Parmenter Law in Muskegon. Her practice focuses on civil litigation and city prosecution. She played varsity women’s volleyball at Western Michigan University, for 3 years, earning her spot on the team as a walk-on. She graduated from Mona Shores near the top of her class, and competed in volleyball, golf, and soccer. Kennedy won the prestigious Muskegon Hall of Fame Female Athlete of Year Award in 2016.
Logan, 21, is attending Wayne State University and is competing on the Women’s Golf Team. She is studying to be a special education teacher. Logan was recently presented with the Dean’s Award from the WSU’s College of Education. She also finished near the top of her class at Mona Shores HS, in 2020. Logan was a phenomenal athlete, competing in competitive cheer and golf. She was awarded All-State recognition in both sports, a rare feat.
Our kids are our greatest investment of love, energy, and nurturing. We are so proud of who they are and who they strive to become.
I grew up in Laketon township. I was born in 1968 to Thomas and Darlene Potts. Both my parents were hard workers, giving their all to raise 5 kids. They both had dedicated work ethics and made a little go a long way. I have 3 brothers, Tom, Marty, and Mike, and 1 sister, Ann Gatt. They are all incredibly supportive of this political endeavor.
Coaching
I coached the Fruitport Girls Varsity Team from 1991 to 2007, building it into one of the best programs in the State. Being named #9 all time in top 10 dynasties in High School Volleyball.
Check out the MLIVE article here.
In 2010, Tom Kendra of the Muskegon Chronicle called us the TEAM of the DECADE from 200-2010. That is quite a feat with all the impressive Football programs in the area.
I was the catalyst, the driving force behind this quest for greatness, but I could never take all the credit. There were so many people along the way that helped make a huge difference. The number one supporter was my wife, Paula. She never got much credit, but I know who believed in me and gave me sage advice behind the scenes and supported my obsession to bring the Fruitport Girls Volleyball Program to elite status.
My proudest accomplishments at Fruitport is how we were able to elevate girls’ sports to higher levels of respect and recognition. They become role models for the younger girls to look up to a strive to be like.
I believe that coaching parallels politics. As each issue, goal, or challenge arises, stakeholders need to be identified and collaborated with to achieve end results that benefit many.
Community
When Mona Shores had an opening on the school board, I applied and was appointed to the Mona Shores School Board where I served from 2008 to 2013. Taking part in something as important as our children’s education process was an educational and fulfilling experience. I enjoyed serving my community along with other committed individuals and some great leaders.
Some of the most important lessons I have learned as an elected official is that it is critical to listen to the people that I represent and take into consideration all of the information, including and especially my constituents’ opinions, expertise, and needs.
It is important to objective and consider the consequences of new policy and budgetary decisions and how those decisions will affect the community in the short term and long term. This experience will serve me well if I am elected as a Muskegon County Commissioner.
I am an advocate for investing in our community while being fiscally responsible. We need to support our senior citizens and make sure they are aware of all the services that are available to them in Muskegon County. We need to continue to invest in infrastructure, specifically road maintenance. We need to welcome private investment and reduce some of the barriers and unnecessary costs. After learning that 1 in 5 adults in Muskegon County cannot read above the 4th grade level, I have made it a mission of mine to bring awareness to our community about the epidemic of adult literacy. It is important to improve this statistic because it will benefit not only the individual but will also benefit our community’s labor force.
Most recently I’ve spent time bringing awareness to and volunteering with a pivotal organization in Muskegon, READ Muskegon. READ Muskegon is an outstanding resource for improving adult literacy rates and has had and will continue to have a significant positive impact on Muskegon County. My wife, daughter, and I all volunteer on a regular basis with two wonderful younger learners and work with them to improve reading skills and inspire a love for life-long learning.
District 4
District 4 includes City of Norton Shores, City of Roosevelt Park and part of City of Muskegon.
If you live in District 4 please vote for me in the August 2nd Primary!
If you are looking for your voting district click the button below and search your address to find your voting district.
Endorsement
” I’ve worked hard to represent the voters in the County Commission District I’ve proudly served for the last 20 years. While it’s time for me to step away, I was concerned that my constituents…the residents of Muskegon County Commissioner District 4…should have excellent representation at the County in the future. I’m endorsing Dan Potts as my choice for County Commissioner in District 4. I’ve spent a lot of time talking to Dan and learning about his career, how he things and his leadership abilities.
He’s had a very successful business career, he served on the Mona Shores School board for four years and has had a terrific run as a Girls Varsity Volleyball Coach, winning a State Championship at Fruitport and then as a Mona Shores Varsity Coach. These very successful coaching activities show his dynamic leadership skills and his ability to get along with many types of personalities. He has a great family with two successful children, a terrific wife and partner of almost 30 years. I enthusiastically endorse Dan Potts for County Commissioner.”
– Bob Scolnik, County Commissioner
How to Donate
Please help support my campaign with a donation. Use the button to donate now through Venmo,
or mail your contribution to the address below. And as always, I thank you for your support.
Make checks payable to:
CTE Dan Potts, 2352 S. Hilltop Ave. Muskegon, MI 49441