BERKLEY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director of Communications
Job Titles:
- Assistant to the City Manager
Job Titles:
- Manager of Senior Programs and Events
Dennis S. Hennen was elected to a four-year term on the City Council in 2017 and re-elected in 2021. He moved to Berkley in 2011 with his wife Jennifer after an exhaustive search of area communities convinced them that Berkley was the ideal city due to its location, schools, services, and small-town feel.
He received bachelor's degrees from Lipscomb University in Mathematics and Computer Science and a master's degree in Computer Science from Ohio State University. He has worked for many small to medium-sized startups, currently working for Mercury Banking as a Senior Software Engineer. He also owns his technology consulting firm.
He is a recipient of the Michigan Municipal League's Elected Official Academy's Education Award, Leadership Award, and Michigan State University's Master Citizen Planner Certification.
Dennis has been active with the following organizations:
Council Liaison, Zoning Board of Appeals
Council Liaison, Tree Board
Board Member of Elected Official Academy, Michigan Municipal League (MML)
Member of Municipal Services Committee and Elections Subcommittee, MML
Active member, volunteer, and leader at his church
A supporter of the Friends of the Berkley Public Library, the Friends of Berkley Parks and Recreation, Berkley/Huntington Woods Youth Assistance, Tri-Community Coalition, and the Berkley Education Foundation, among others.
Gregory Patterson was appointed to City Council in February 2023. Greg holds two bachelor's degrees from Oakland University in nursing and in health sciences with a concentration in molecular imaging.
Greg earned his Master of Science degree in nursing with a concentration in management and leadership from Western Governors University. Greg is a former intensive care unit nurse and is currently a Professor of Nursing as well as a nursing educator.
Greg moved to Berkley in 2012 for the excellent services our Public Works Department offers, the safety that is provided by our Public Safety Department, and the excellent proximity to the metro Detroit area.
In his spare time, Greg helps run the family farm in the Michigan thumb area. Greg completed the Michigan State University's Citizen Planner Program in 2018 and is currently enrolled in an Elected Official's Academy offered through the Michigan Municipal League.
Greg has been active in the following organizations:
Council Liaison for the Planning Commission
Secretary, Parks, and Recreation Advisory Board, 2017
Vice Chairman and Planning Commissioner, 2018
Supporter of the Friends of Berkley Parks and Recreation
Key stakeholder and contributor to the City of Berkley's Master Plan which was adopted in 2021
Key stakeholder and contributor to the City of Berkley's 2020 Parks and Recreation Master Plan
Job Titles:
- Administrative Project Coordinator
Jessica Vilani was elected to a four-year term in November 2021. She chose Berkley for the excellent schools, community involvement, and sense of safety. Her daughter Sydney currently attends Anderson Middle School.
Jessica earned a bachelor's degree in Education and a master's in Management. She is also a Senior Certified Professional of Human Resources (SHRM-SCP) through the Society for Human Resource Management. Jessica is a former teacher and now serves as the Director of Channel Relations for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, where she leads strategy for chamber and association relationships as well as agency partnerships. She also has an extensive background in corporate education and human resources.
Jessica has been active in the following organizations:
City Council liaison to the Berkley Area Chamber
Board Chair, Berkley Citizens Engagement Advisory Committee (CEAC)
Volunteer for Moms Club Softball and Coach for Berkley Steelers Cheer
Former Board Chair, Serenity Services of Detroit
Job Titles:
- Maintenance Leader / Public Safety Department
Job Titles:
- Community Development Director
Job Titles:
- Director / Chief of Public Safety
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Public Works
Ross Gavin was elected to City Council for a four-year term in November 2019. He and his wife Allie were drawn to Berkley because of the strong sense of community and excellent schools. They have lived in Berkley since 2015 and have a son, Isaac. Ross was formally the Deputy Treasury for Public Policy and Outreach in the Oakland County Treasurer's Office from 2013-2022 and now is the Policy Director for Urban Land Use, Water Infrastructure, and Transportation at the Michigan Environmental Council.
Ross has been active in the following organizations:
Board Member of the Berkley Downtown Development Authority
Treasurer of the Berkley Downtown Development Authority
Chair of the Finance and Organization Committees for the Berkley Downtown Development Authority
Member of the Coolidge Avenue Action Task Force
Committee Member of the Berkley Citizen's Advisory Committee for Infrastructure Improvements
Member of the Master Plan Steering Committee
Board Member of the Oakland Conservation District
Board Member of Scenic Michigan
Member of the Rogers Elementary PTA
Member of the Energy & Environment Committee for MML
Job Titles:
- Manager of Recreation Programs
Job Titles:
- Chief Information Officer
- Chief Innovation Officer
Steve Baker was re-elected to a four-year term on the City Council in November 2017. He and his wife Nicole have lived in Berkley for well over 20 years. Steve leads the IT strategy and innovation agenda for DTE Energy, where he oversees IT-related interaction and outreach, strategic alignment and integration, and innovation and feasibility on behalf of the company.
Steve holds a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science and a Master of Science in software engineering from Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan. He is a Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Computing Professional (CCP), and also a published author, conference speaker, and Six-Sigma Black Belt candidate.
Mr. Baker has been active in the following organizations:
Council Liaison, Berkley Downtown Development Authority (DDA)
Council Liaison, Berkley Historical Committee
Board of Trustees, Michigan Municipal League (MML)
Board of Directors, FAR Conservatory of Therapeutic and Performing Arts
Voting Member, Woodward Ave. Transit Analysis Steering Committee
Energy and Technology Committee, Michigan Municipal League
Legislative Governance Committee, Michigan Municipal League
Project Management Institute
International Association of Facilitators
A supporter of the Friends of the Berkley Public Library, the Friends of Berkley Parks and Recreation, and the Berkley Junior Women's Club, among others
Job Titles:
- Director of Parks & Recreation