CEO/Managing Partner Lew Chamberlin
Lew Chamberlin initiated the effort to bring minor league baseball to our community in 1984. A native of Grand Rapids, Chamberlin, the CEO/Managing Partner of the Whitecaps, received a B.A. from Allegheny College in 1973 and a J.D. from the University of Toledo College of Law in 1977.
Following two years of independent private law practice, Chamberlin joined his family's business, Grand Rapids Steel and Supply, in 1979 where he served in a variety of managerial roles. In 1984, Grand Rapids Steel and Supply was sold to Alro Steel Corporation. Chamberlin remained an employee of Alro Steel until 1989, when he left to devote his full-time effort to the baseball project.
Chamberlin oversees strategic planning, corporate development, finance, community relations, capital investment decisions, and charting the future course of the Whitecaps. He is an active member of numerous organizations, including: Board of Directors, Midwest League of Professional Baseball; Former President of Board of Trustees, Grand Rapids Art Museum; Board of Directors, Devos Children's Hospital Foundation; Board of Directors, G.R. Convention & Visitors Bureau; Board of Trustees, Grand Rapids Metropolitan YMCA; and in April of 2000, he was appointed to the seven-member Convention/Arena Authority, which will be charged with owning and operating Van Andel Arena and the new $200 million Convention Center.
In 1998, Chamberlin and his wife, Bettegail Shively, served as Co-Chairpersons of the Children's Miracle Network Telethon, which raised over $1 million for children's health care needs in West Michigan.
Chamberlin was the recipient of the National Kidney Foundation's 1996 Galaxy Award. He was also named Michigan's Entrepreneur of the Year in 1996.
Chamberlin resides in Grand Rapids with Shively and their children, Joe and Meg.