Current Board Members:
Kim Langridge
Co-President
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Kim Langridge begins her second year as a Board member, and will now assume a leadership role as Co-President. For the past 20 years, she has been a senior copywriter for a Detroit-based ad agency, and has written several award-winning radio spots for clients that include ESPN's "College GameDay", the TBS TV series "Sex and the City", and the CBS TV series "The Big Bang Theory". She is also a former comedy writer, and co-wrote three episodes of the ABC TV series "Home Improvement". Before joining the Board, Kim served as an enthusiastic volunteer on several Pride events and has plans for many new fundraising, marketing, and social projects. As a trans woman, she is proud to be a co-facilitator of B.C. Pride's Trans Support Group, as well as our Constellations youth group. "Since I came out as transgender, Pride has been a huge influence in my life,” Kim said. “I’ve had more fun and made more friends in the past two years than I have in the previous 20 years. Happily, being on the Board of Directors gives me the chance to help others do the same.” Kim is a lifelong resident of Marshall, and considers herself "tragically single".
Deana Spencer
Co-President
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Deana Spencer returns this year as Co-President of the Board of Directors. She is a lifelong resident of Battle Creek and works as a Branch Banker at PNC Bank. She has three adult children – son Spencer, daughter Taylor and her partner Shayne, and son Connor and his partner, Lacey. She loves spending time with her family and her partner, Kim Haist. Deana embraces the rich history of her hometown and is committed to making Battle Creek and the surrounding areas a more diverse and accepting city. She is dedicated to promoting equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community and all marginalized people through education, training, and understanding. Deana is an active and resourceful volunteer for several local and regional causes. She is a member of the City of Battle Creek Human Relations Board, the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Calhoun County, and the Population Health Alliance Advisory Cabinet. She is also proud of her ongoing work with the Calhoun County Board of Commissions to adopt an all-inclusive EEO Policy that will include language protecting gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation.
Elaine Hadley
Treasurer
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Elaine Hadley is a lifelong resident of Battle Creek. She is a U.S. Army veteran and retired in 2015 from her position as Financial Operations Liaison at the Hart, Dole Inouye Federal Center. She has one son, Aaron, and five beautiful grandchildren whom she adores. Elaine serves as a Mentor for an LGTBQ+ Subgroup in an all-women's online group – NoBS Weight Loss Program – founded by Corinne Crabtree of Nashville, Tennessee. She offers support, accountability, and encouragement for others in their weight loss and life journeys. Elaine has served on the B.C. Pride Board of Directors and has held the position of Treasurer since 2017. As a Board member, she believes it is imperative that everyone in our LGBTQ+ community has a welcoming and safe place to gather for resources and support. “I love that we are always striving to be more inclusive,” she said, “and that we support other marginalized members of our community. As an organization, I want Battle Creek Pride to be a beacon where all are welcomed – just as I was when I first reached out. We need your voice, so come join us.”
Tabatha Cain
Administrative Assistant
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Tabatha begins her first term on the Board of Directors and will serve in the position of Administrative Assistant. She is a Personal Lines Account Manager at Insurance Network in Battle Creek and has worked in the insurance industry for the past six years. She loves her job, and especially enjoys helping people with their finances. Tabby is the proud mother of a son and a daughter who are both members of the LGBTQ+ community, and she continues to be a forceful advocate for each of them. She has been an elementary school substitute teacher, an active member of the Post Elementary School PTA, and is very passionate about being a voice for those who are too afraid to stand up for themselves. Tabatha’s favorite hobby is photography, and in her spare time enjoys taking nature and portrait photos with her son.
Jean Candelaria
Director
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Jean Candelaria brings a diverse cultural background to the Board of Directors this year. As a newcomer to the Board and to Michigan, Jean has roots in Ecuador from his mother, Puerto Rico from his father, and Brooklyn, New York from birth. Jean comes to Battle Creek from Orlando, where he worked as an Administrative Assistant at Carrousel Therapy Center – a state-of-the-art facility that offers pediatric therapies and behavioral health services for children, adults, and families. He also has experience in the restaurant business, as well as retail, marketing, and sales. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Jean is looking forward to helping B.C. Pride reach out and develop closer alliances with our local Latinx community. Jean loves cooking for large gatherings and has often volunteered his time and culinary skills for his church. When he’s not cooking or working, he relaxes by watching Steven Universe, drag queen performances, and various YouTube videos. Since moving to Battle Creek last June, Jean has been unofficially “adopted” by the family of his best friends, Amanda, Vicki, and Mark, and now lives in the same apartment building.
Ian Gallagher
Director
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Ian Gallagher was born in New Jersey, but grew up in the Homer area and moved to the Urbandale area in 2009. Since then, Ian has been a constant promoter of equality for all LGBTQ+ people in the Battle Creek area, and is a strong advocate for HIV/AIDS education and prevention. Ian is currently employed at Systex as a material handler. When he’s not working he spends much of his time taking care of his mother, who suffers from multiple sclerosis. Ian is also an avid animal lover. He has an orange tabby named “Pumpkin”, a German Shepard named “Piper”, and every month he makes a recurring donation to the Humane Society of South Central Michigan.
Jim Haadsma
Director
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Jim Haadsma is our Michigan State Representative in the 62nd District, following his successful re-election campaign in November of 2020. He is a native of Muskegon and has lived in Battle Creek since 1994. As the child of foreign missionaries, Jim spent most of his early years in Africa. When he returned to Michigan, he graduated from college and law school, and eventually opened a satellite office of McCroskey Law, where he is a partner. With 36 years of legal experience, Jim specializes in labor relations and workers’ compensation. He is a fighter for hard-working people and their families and has always been a passionate advocate for equal opportunity. Jim is deeply engaged in his community and his District. He has served as a member of the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners for four terms, and he continues to serve on several other boards and committees, including the Haven of Rest, local chapters of the NAACP, and the Rotary Club of Battle Creek.
Tina Germinder-Metzger
Director
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Tina Germinder-Metzger is a community activist and a staunch advocate for social justice and for the victims of domestic violence. She is also a passionate supporter of Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome awareness and education – a cause that is very close to her heart. Tina is called to help others find their voice and seeks every opportunity to express herself. As a former educator, one of her proudest accomplishments was “Camp Just Us” – a summer day camp for school-aged children she helped create and lead with her friend and co-worker, Chris. The Camp focused on teaching children about social justice issues such as racial inequities, body shaming, environmental issues, feminism, and LGBTQ+ education and acceptance. Tina is a lifetime Girl Scout member and volunteers much of her spare time as leader of local Troop 80721. She and her wife are parents to two amazing children who are also active in local community organizations.
Lori Smith
Director
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Lori Smith is a first-year Board member and a native of Battle Creek. As a woman born with a physical disability, Lori has been a forceful advocate for herself and for the disability community. She has served as a chairperson for the Regional Interagency Consumer Committee – a local grassroots group that is funded and supported by the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council. She has also worked as an Outreach Advocate for Disability Network Southwest Michigan – a center for independent living in Kalamazoo. Lori received an Associate of Arts degree in Communication from Kellogg Community College and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Family Life Education from Spring Arbor University. She enjoys singing and listening to rock music, laughing with close friends, and spending time with her service dog, Omar.
Charlie Fulbright
Immediate Past President
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Charlie Fulbright is the Immediate Past President of the Board of Directors this year, after serving as Co-President. He works as a Program Analyst for the Department of Defense at the Hart, Dole, Inouye Federal Center. Charlie grew up in Battle Creek and has been a lifelong promoter of his hometown. He loves volunteering and continues to be a courageous advocate for equality, equity, and diversity. In 2013, he was a leading voice in getting the non-discrimination ordinance passed in Battle Creek. Charlie has also served on the city's Historic District Commission and is currently a member of the Board of Trustees for the Battle Creek Public School District. Over the past several years, Charlie and his husband, Chris Fulbright, have proudly served as foster parents for four kids. He is an active member of First Congregational Church of Battle Creek, and in his spare time he enjoys singing, dancing, bowling, badminton, and hanging out with friends and family.