Meet Our Board Members

Keri Rogers: President
Keri Rogers was a frequent visitor to the Port Austin area since she was 10 years old. She has fond memories of her trips to the Grindstone General Store for ice cream and fishing! She loved the area so much, that in 2005, she bought a house and made Port Austin her home. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends and working on all of the events Friends Promoting Port Austin (FPPA) puts on throughout the year.

Keri is made for this position. She has this way of always smiling and making us happy, yet still keeping us all on track to get the work done! She was born for this job, but just hasn't realized it yet!


Mike Nichols: Vice President
Mike has been a part of the Port Austin area his whole life beginning with vacationing with his parents as a child. Since retiring, he resides in Port Austin full time while running the Blue Spruce Motel & Cabins with his wife, Rene. He has two sons, Steve (Kate) and Nate (Karen), but likes to be known as Ella, Penelope & Mae's grandpa! He loves fishing and is an avid duck hunter.

Mike is better known within the FPPA circle as "The Ruler of the Cooler", but others will find him behind the scenes, setting up tents, transporting signs, dropping off flyers and recruiting any number of his buddies to help out with FPPA's special needs.


Rene Nichols: Secretary/Treasurer
Rene began as a Trustee April 2008 - Sept 2008. As one of the founders of FPPA, it was Rene's vision to create an avenue for every day people to be a part of the Port Austin area by providing opportunities to volunteer and create new events with a support system to back them. She envisioned FPPA being an extension of the Chamber of Commerce adding a unique opportunity for those without a business to be a part of the community by taking part in the events.

Rene wanted to make sure that FPPA welcomed all businesses, full and part time residents, seniors to grade school students, non profits, civic groups, vacationers, or in other words, everyone and in the process, make them all feel comfortable and welcome to take part as much or as little as they wish. She said "If you have a pulse, we have a spot for you!" and enjoys discovering the creative side of others and relishes in the warmth and compassion that others have to offer.


Kim Scruto: Trustee
Kim currently sits on the Friends Board as a trustee for a one year term. She has been a resident of Port Austin since 1999, with her husband Jim and daughter Steff.

Kim graduated from Baker College in 2010, with an Associate of Business degree with a concentration in Accounting.

She enjoys arts and crafts, reading, baking, snowmobiling and enjoying the out doors when possible.

Kim has brought many ideals to FPPA and has been a great proof reader for many of our brochures, flyers, and button designs.

Mary Barnes: Trustee and Music Coordinator
Mary retired from a hectic job as a New York Air Traffic Controller to the peaceful Port Austin area six years ago. She enjoys using her organizational skills to help with many of the Friends activities.

Her "hobby" (this was her word, not this writer's!) of harp playing has led her to help organize the annual "A Christmas with Friends" concert and the "A Summer with Friends" concert series. She really enjoys volunteering and this has rubbed off on her husband and other family members as they have all taken turns helping with FPPA events.

Mary brings so much to FPPA. She is chairperson of Tour di Lago and is involved in ALL FPPA events. She loves working on the activities that work directly with the children. Mary is also a gifted quilter. She made and donated the Pirate quilts that were raffled for Pirates on the Great Lakes in 2009 & 2010! Mary also brings her cooking and baking skills to FPPA, providing her cookies at Tour di Lago, the Christmas Concert and Cookies & Crafts with Santa!

Terri Small: Donation Committee Chairperson
Terri loves being a part of Port Austin and considers her second home Bay Port! She was born in Bay Port and moved out of the area, but couldn't stay away and returned to Huron County in 1971. Terri has 2 children and 3 grandchildren and enjoys spending time with them when time permits, (and seeing all the hours she works we realize that there isn't much time!)

Terri enjoys knitting, reading and candy making. Terri's baking skills are also tapped into as she provides yummy cookies for our events. She is our go-to person. Regardless of her tight schedule, Terri always finds time and you'll find her behind the scenes getting things done for FPPA.

Terri says to let everyone know that if they have donations of items that FPPA can use for any of their button prize gift baskets, silent auction and other event prizes, please contact her via e-mail at terri-pashell@centurytel.net and she'll make arrangements for pick up. Terri would also like everyone to know that her committee is always looking for members if this is something you like to do!

You can write us at the following address:

Friends Promoting Port Austin
PO Box 580,
Port Austin, MI 48467