Mitchell Padnos
Mitchell Padnos
TERM AS TRUSTEE
September 2025 - Present
BIOGRAPHY
Born in Holland, Michigan in 1950 to Seymour and Esther Padnos.
Grew up in Holand attending Holland Public Schools until starting boarding school at Culver Military Academy, Culver, Indiana.
Following graduation from Culver, a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Marketing was earned at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Mi.
The year after graduation was spent in Spain, during the Franco days, employed at a shipbreaking operation followed by a marketing position for a steel rolling mill in Barcelona.
Working for the family business began at the West Michigan Furniture Company, in Holland, which the Padnos company owned and operated. Eventually the parent Company, Louis Padnos Iron and Metal became the full time focus of work and continues to include being a part of the 5-member multi-generational management team.
In 1995, joined with other concerned Holland citizens, the process of forming one of the earliest K-12 charter schools in Michigan. Active involvement with Black River Public School continued, and included serving 8 years on the school board, with 2 years as president of the board.
Currently on the board of the Macatawa Bay Junior Association. This 501 C3 organization is responsible for the youth development program for sailing education. While sailboat racing is a part of the focus, the largest programs are the Learn to Sail for students as young as 8 up to adult lessons. The training that is instilled is designed to provide self-confidence, respect, and teamwork in addition to leadership development.
Recently elected a board member of the Macatawa Bay Yacht Club and completing a 2nd term as a board member of the Island Goats Sailing Society.
Mitchell lives in Holland with his wife Karen, a retired City Planner and their 2 dogs. Their son, who also works for the family business and daughter-in-law, live in the Detroit area.