West Michigan Sports Commission Announces Two Promotions

The West Michigan Sports Commission has promoted Katy Tigchelaar to vice president of operations from director of marketing and events, and Julie Shields, previously event coordinator, is now director of the State Games of Michigan.

Tigchelaar will provide a strategic approach to growing WMSC’s sales, marketing and event departments. In this new position, she will work with the WMSC’s national sales manager, marketing manager and event coordinator to develop greater results and growth of the WMSC’s sports tourism efforts.

“Katy has been instrumental in the growth of the West Michigan Sports Commission over her 12 years with us,” said Mike Guswiler, president of the WMSC. “Her knowledge of our local sports landscape coupled with her experience on a national level has contributed to this organization greatly. I am excited for Katy and for what she will do to advance the WMSC moving forward in this new role.”

Tigchelaar joined the WMSC in 2009 as an intern. She returned to the organization for a permanent position in 2011 as event coordinator, subsequently being promoted over the years to event manager and director of marketing and events. She is also vice chair of the Michigan Sports Commission and serves on the board of the Sports Events & Tourism Association.

“We have a great team at the WMSC, and I feel privileged to be selected to help guide our marketing, sales and events divisions,” said Tigchelaar. “I look forward to continuing our partnerships in the community while making new ones as we strive to elevate the brand of Grand Rapids through sports tourism.”

Shields will lead operations of the Meijer State Games of Michigan, a multi-sport, Olympic-style event. Shields was event coordinator with the National Congress of State Games from 2018 to 2022. She assisted with the 2019 and 2022 State Games of America and helped execute its annual national symposium.

“In her five years with the State Games, Julie has shown great leadership and a keen sense for developing relationships with our many sport directors,” said Guswiler. “Her multi-tasking and organizational skills lend themselves well to this important and signature event of the West Michigan Sports Commission. She is the ideal person to bring into the role of leading the State Games of Michigan.”

Shields was an intern in 2015 with the State Games of Michigan. After working in Anchorage for a few years, she rejoined the WMSC as event coordinator for the State Games of Michigan – a position she held for five years until this promotion.

“I am very excited for this new opportunity to lead the Meijer State Games of Michigan and I look forward to continuing the success it has enjoyed these past 14 years while looking for new avenues of opportunity,” said Shields. “I greatly appreciate the vote of trust from Mike Guswiler and the WMSC board for promoting me to this new role and I am eager to take on 2024.”