Tracy Willard Co-Founder & Executive Director
Tracy Willard was born and raised in Port Huron, and sincerely believes there's no better place to call home. She studied education at St. Clair County Community College and Wayne State University, but thanks the Lord daily that she didn't end up becoming a teacher. As a stay-at-home mom, she was a PTA president, a lunch lady, a classroom aid, and perhaps the world's biggest hover mom, ever. In the rare moments she could pull herself away from her three sons, she was a freelance writer and worked as an administrative assistant for a local non-profit organization. In 2011, Tracy and her husband, Jeff, co-founded Hunter Hospitality House. As the Executive Director, she loves spending her days networking, raising funds, and recruiting volunteers. Her hobbies include fishing, writing, crocheting, staring at pictures of her grandchildren, and spending as much time with her family as they'll allow.
Tracy Willard was born and raised in Port Huron, and sincerely believes there's no better place to call home. She studied education at St. Clair County Community College and Wayne State University, but thanks the Lord daily that she didn't end up becoming a teacher. As a stay-at-home mom, she was a PTA president, a lunch lady, a classroom aid, and perhaps the world's biggest hover mom, ever. In the rare moments she could pull herself away from her three sons, she was a freelance writer and worked as an administrative assistant for a local non-profit organization. In 2011, Tracy and her husband, Jeff, co-founded Hunter Hospitality House. As the Executive Director, she loves spending her days networking, raising funds, and recruiting volunteers. Her hobbies include fishing, writing, crocheting, staring at pictures of her grandchildren, and spending as much time with her family as they'll allow.
Jeff Willard Co-Founder, Board President & Manager
Jeff was a teacher in the Port Huron Schools for 29 years before retiring in 2018. He has been a life-long resident of the Blue Water Area and married the love of his life, Tracy, in 1988. Together they are the parents of sons Garrett, Cullen and Parker. Another son, Hunter, passed away in 1991. Hunter Hospitality House was created in his memory. Jeff continues to be amazed at the support and generosity of the community, allowing HHH to offer three houses, full of amenities, absolutely free to those supporting loved-ones in a medical facility, or who are receiving treatment themselves.
Jeff was a teacher in the Port Huron Schools for 29 years before retiring in 2018. He has been a life-long resident of the Blue Water Area and married the love of his life, Tracy, in 1988. Together they are the parents of sons Garrett, Cullen and Parker. Another son, Hunter, passed away in 1991. Hunter Hospitality House was created in his memory. Jeff continues to be amazed at the support and generosity of the community, allowing HHH to offer three houses, full of amenities, absolutely free to those supporting loved-ones in a medical facility, or who are receiving treatment themselves.
Toni Forstner Administrative Manager
Toni says she is blessed to be able to help HHH with the mission of providing free medical lodging, and enjoys every part of her job. She is a long time Blue Water Area resident currently living in Fort Gratiot with her husband and two daughters. She graduated from Port Huron High School and continued her education at St. Clair County Community College and Jefferson State University in Alabama. Toni loves being active in her daughters' extra-curricular activities and spending family time outdoors.
Toni says she is blessed to be able to help HHH with the mission of providing free medical lodging, and enjoys every part of her job. She is a long time Blue Water Area resident currently living in Fort Gratiot with her husband and two daughters. She graduated from Port Huron High School and continued her education at St. Clair County Community College and Jefferson State University in Alabama. Toni loves being active in her daughters' extra-curricular activities and spending family time outdoors.
Diane Cummings Registrar
Diane has worked as an administrative assistant at (then) Port Huron Hospital for 35 years and Children’s Hospital of Michigan for 9 years, after which she retired. She and her husband Chuck have 3 children and their spouses, and 8 grandchildren. She loves attending her grandchildren’s events, gardening, and reading.
Diane has been a volunteer cleaner at Hunter Hospitality House since 2015 and knew she wanted to volunteer as soon as she heard about the house opening. She feels honored to be able to provide a clean, comfortable atmosphere for those who are going through difficult situations. Everyone who comes through the doors of any of the houses deserves compassion and a peaceful environment for rest.
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Diane has worked as an administrative assistant at (then) Port Huron Hospital for 35 years and Children’s Hospital of Michigan for 9 years, after which she retired. She and her husband Chuck have 3 children and their spouses, and 8 grandchildren. She loves attending her grandchildren’s events, gardening, and reading.
Diane has been a volunteer cleaner at Hunter Hospitality House since 2015 and knew she wanted to volunteer as soon as she heard about the house opening. She feels honored to be able to provide a clean, comfortable atmosphere for those who are going through difficult situations. Everyone who comes through the doors of any of the houses deserves compassion and a peaceful environment for rest.
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Stephanie Ask Registrar
Stephanie graduated from Port Huron Northern. She went on to achieve training in medical assisting. She worked for several doctors' offices in the Port Huron area. Her longest work experience was with ATT as a service representative.
Stephanie has four beautiful children, and is a grandmother to two beautiful granddaughters. She is presently a proud owner and caretaker of silky chickens.
Stephanie is pleased to make your stay at Hunter House pleasant and enjoyable.
Stephanie graduated from Port Huron Northern. She went on to achieve training in medical assisting. She worked for several doctors' offices in the Port Huron area. Her longest work experience was with ATT as a service representative.
Stephanie has four beautiful children, and is a grandmother to two beautiful granddaughters. She is presently a proud owner and caretaker of silky chickens.
Stephanie is pleased to make your stay at Hunter House pleasant and enjoyable.
Lynn Fiedler Registrar
Lynn is a lifetime resident of Fort Gratiot, attending Port Huron Northern High School, SC4, the University of Michigan (GO BLUE!), and Marygrove College. She spent more than 36 years as an educator, starting her career at Great Lakes Christian School and then moving to the Port Huron Area School District. She graced the halls of Chippewa and Fort Gratiot Middle Schools, mainly as a 6th and 7th grade ELA teacher.
As much as she loved her career, Lynn looks forward to devoting her time to her family, gardening, beachcombing, reading gobs of books with a hot cup of coffee, and - of course - working for Hunter Hospitality House!! She is hoping one day to publish a children’s book.
Lynn is excited and honored to join her husband, Scott, an Executive Board member of HHH, to help Jeff & Tracy provide free lodging and rest for families and loved ones of those hospitalized in our community. Together, they have 6 adult children and are Mimi & Papa to 7 grandchildren (with one more on the way!)
Lynn is a lifetime resident of Fort Gratiot, attending Port Huron Northern High School, SC4, the University of Michigan (GO BLUE!), and Marygrove College. She spent more than 36 years as an educator, starting her career at Great Lakes Christian School and then moving to the Port Huron Area School District. She graced the halls of Chippewa and Fort Gratiot Middle Schools, mainly as a 6th and 7th grade ELA teacher.
As much as she loved her career, Lynn looks forward to devoting her time to her family, gardening, beachcombing, reading gobs of books with a hot cup of coffee, and - of course - working for Hunter Hospitality House!! She is hoping one day to publish a children’s book.
Lynn is excited and honored to join her husband, Scott, an Executive Board member of HHH, to help Jeff & Tracy provide free lodging and rest for families and loved ones of those hospitalized in our community. Together, they have 6 adult children and are Mimi & Papa to 7 grandchildren (with one more on the way!)
Jennie Leishman Board Vice-President
Jennie was born and raised in Emmett, graduated from Yale High School, Nazareth College, Saginaw Valley State University and The University of Nebraska-Kearney. She has been a resident of Marysville, MI for over 25 years with her husband, Jim and two grown children, Emma and Derek. Jennie brings more than 25 years of leadership in public education to her role on the Hunter Hospitality House Board of Directors. Her professional background includes serving as a special education teacher, building principal, and Director of Special Education within the Marysville Public School District.
Now retired from her work in education, Jennie currently serves as an independent travel advisor with Must Love Travel. In her spare time Jennie loves spending time with family, friends and traveling with her husband to new places whenever they get the opportunity. She remains active in community service through various organizations and volunteer work. Her volunteer experience with Hunter Hospitality House has given her a deep appreciation for the comfort and care it provides to individuals and families navigating medical crises.
Jennie is honored to contribute her leadership, compassion, and dedication to service as a member of the board. She is passionate about helping HHH continue to provide a place of rest, peace, and dignity to those in need during some of life’s most difficult moments.
Jennie was born and raised in Emmett, graduated from Yale High School, Nazareth College, Saginaw Valley State University and The University of Nebraska-Kearney. She has been a resident of Marysville, MI for over 25 years with her husband, Jim and two grown children, Emma and Derek. Jennie brings more than 25 years of leadership in public education to her role on the Hunter Hospitality House Board of Directors. Her professional background includes serving as a special education teacher, building principal, and Director of Special Education within the Marysville Public School District.
Now retired from her work in education, Jennie currently serves as an independent travel advisor with Must Love Travel. In her spare time Jennie loves spending time with family, friends and traveling with her husband to new places whenever they get the opportunity. She remains active in community service through various organizations and volunteer work. Her volunteer experience with Hunter Hospitality House has given her a deep appreciation for the comfort and care it provides to individuals and families navigating medical crises.
Jennie is honored to contribute her leadership, compassion, and dedication to service as a member of the board. She is passionate about helping HHH continue to provide a place of rest, peace, and dignity to those in need during some of life’s most difficult moments.
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Kay Atkinson Board Secretary
Kay was born and raised in North Branch, MI. She grew up on a farm learning the value of hard work and also where she learned how to help others at an early age. (Thanks Mom) She is married to her husband, Rob and together they have two wonderful daughters, Faith and Autumn and one very special granddaughter, Gemma. Together they enjoy traveling, backpacking, hiking, kayaking, camping and just spending as much time as possible in nature. Kay worked as a production manager for 38 years for the Quartermaster Shop, producing historical reproductions for re-enactors, museums, forts, TV shows, movies, and theatres. She also enjoyed traveling to various reenactments all over the country, dressing in first person, educating about living history, and selling men's clothing that they produced Port Huron! She feels blessed to have met amazing customers, some of whom are still great friends today. Kay realized the value of Hunter Hospitality House, remembering the long car rides back and forth to hospitals, or sleeping in waiting rooms when her parents were aging and sick. Before retiring, Kay already had decided she wanted to volunteer for Hunter Hospitality House, and in August of 2022 her HHH work began (Kay does not sit still well). Volunteering at Hunter Hospitality House has become so much more than a cleaning job to Kay. It has given her a purpose by having a listening ear or a kind smile for someone when they are seeking treatment, scared, sick, or just a little stressed out. She feels beyond blessed to be on the board of directors and hopes it is one more way she can make life better for others. |
Scott Fiedler Board Treasurer
Scott graduated from Central Michigan University with his teaching degree and Eastern Michigan University with his Master's Degree in Educational Leadership. He is a retired middle school math teacher who taught and coached in the Port Huron Area School District for 30 years and continues to work with students at Teacher's Pet Tutoring. Scott loves trivia, kayaking, watching sports, and traveling. He and his wife, Lynn, live in Fort Gratiot, and together they have 6 children and 6 grandchildren. Scott truly feels honored and privileged to serve the community through Hunter Hospitality House!
Scott graduated from Central Michigan University with his teaching degree and Eastern Michigan University with his Master's Degree in Educational Leadership. He is a retired middle school math teacher who taught and coached in the Port Huron Area School District for 30 years and continues to work with students at Teacher's Pet Tutoring. Scott loves trivia, kayaking, watching sports, and traveling. He and his wife, Lynn, live in Fort Gratiot, and together they have 6 children and 6 grandchildren. Scott truly feels honored and privileged to serve the community through Hunter Hospitality House!
Jennifer Radar Board Member
Jennifer Rader is a medical social worker who has served the community for more than a decade and currently works with oncology patients in the area. An alumna of St. Clair County Community College, she earned her master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from Wayne State University and is passionate about advocacy, empathy, and connecting individuals and families with critical community resources. Living and working in the Blue Water Area, she has seen firsthand the impact Hunter Hospitality House has on patients and caregivers and is honored to serve on the board to help advance its mission for generations to come.
Jennifer Rader is a medical social worker who has served the community for more than a decade and currently works with oncology patients in the area. An alumna of St. Clair County Community College, she earned her master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from Wayne State University and is passionate about advocacy, empathy, and connecting individuals and families with critical community resources. Living and working in the Blue Water Area, she has seen firsthand the impact Hunter Hospitality House has on patients and caregivers and is honored to serve on the board to help advance its mission for generations to come.
Colin Miller Board Member
Colin Miller retired from Michigan Works administration after 35 years and also served as a part-time EAP counselor with McLaren Port Huron for 22 years. A longtime Port Huron resident, Colin and his wife, Lisa, have volunteered with Hunter Hospitality House for more than a decade and value the opportunity to support families during challenging times. He has also volunteered with McLaren Hospice and enjoys reading about history, particularly Great Lakes history and freighters.
Colin Miller retired from Michigan Works administration after 35 years and also served as a part-time EAP counselor with McLaren Port Huron for 22 years. A longtime Port Huron resident, Colin and his wife, Lisa, have volunteered with Hunter Hospitality House for more than a decade and value the opportunity to support families during challenging times. He has also volunteered with McLaren Hospice and enjoys reading about history, particularly Great Lakes history and freighters.
Hannah Yurgens Board Member
Hannah Yurgens is a dedicated caregiver and community volunteer with a passion for serving others. With years of experience supporting individuals and families through compassionate in-home care, she is committed to improving the well-being of those in need. Hannah has been a longtime volunteer with Hunter Hospitality House, where she has witnessed the impact of community support on families facing difficult circumstances. Her background in caregiving, combined with her heart for service, advocacy, and connection, inspires her desire to contribute as a board member and help further the organization’s mission.
Hannah Yurgens is a dedicated caregiver and community volunteer with a passion for serving others. With years of experience supporting individuals and families through compassionate in-home care, she is committed to improving the well-being of those in need. Hannah has been a longtime volunteer with Hunter Hospitality House, where she has witnessed the impact of community support on families facing difficult circumstances. Her background in caregiving, combined with her heart for service, advocacy, and connection, inspires her desire to contribute as a board member and help further the organization’s mission.