Board of Trustees

Stephen Rajzer has been a member of the Jackson community since 2011. He was appointed to the Library Board in December 2023 by the Jackson County Board of Commissioners for a second term.

Stephen is passionate about citizen involvement in our government. He served seven years on the Board of Directors for the Region 2 Area Agency on Aging three of which he served as Chair. He has also served on several committees for the City of Jackson. Prior to moving to Jackson, Stephen served one elected term on the Decatur Public Schools Board of Education.

Stephen currently works for Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt in the Michigan Senate. He previously worked for the Office of Congressman Tim Walberg where he served as District Director of Administration.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University and a Master of Public Administration from DePaul University.

Jacqueline Barber, a life long resident of Jackson County, joined the board in September 2014. She and her husband John are parents to four children and eleven grandchildren. She has an Associates degree from Jackson College and a Bachelor Of Arts from Spring Arbor University. For Thirty-Seven years she has worked as a Children’s Program Manager at Community Action Agency, overseeing the daily operation of nine Head Start/GSRP early childhood classrooms and a food service department. Barber is also an active member and Trustee at Lily Missionary Baptist Church. During her free time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, tending to flower beds (during the summer months), walking, bike riding, attending and teaching aerobics, reading, and just spending time at home.

Kelsey Heck Wood was appointed to serve as Trustee on the JDL Board in January 2022 by the Jackson City Council. She is a proud resident of the city of Jackson, where she’s lived since moving to the area in 2015.

Kelsey is a graduate of Central Michigan University. The first person in her family to earn a college degree, she credits public investments in education, along with hard work, for her good fortune. Kelsey believes in service to our community and has held positions on several boards and commissions, including currently serving as Vice Chair of Jackson’s Environmental Commission.

In her free time Kelsey enjoys reading, cooking, and tackling DIY projects around the 100-year old home she shares with her husband, daughter and two cats.

The Jackson District Library Board of Trustees welcomed Erik Lyman into the fold after Jackson City Council members appointed him to the position in December 2018.

Lyman is set to serve on the board of trustees through Aug. 23, 2025. “Since returning to Jackson in 2015, I have really taken advantage of all that JDL has to offer,” Lyman said. “I love JDL and am honored to serve them moving forward.”

Lyman grew up in Fenton and earned degrees from Mott Community College and Spring Arbor University. Erik comes from a non-profit and small business marketing background, working at Ella Sharp Museum in Jackson and Albion College. He enjoys watching movies, playing board games, and reading in his spare time.

David K. Elwell was appointed to the Library Board in June, 2021, to serve the remainder of a partial term. David has resided in Blackman Township since approximately 1978. He received his Associates Degree from Alpena Community College, and attended the Police Academy at Jackson Community College in 1980.

After graduation from the police academy, he was hired as a patrol officer for Leoni Township Police Department, and then in November of 1980, by Blackman Township. He cross-trained as a fire-fighter, becoming a Public Safety Officer, performing both police and fire duties. He retired as a Detective Sergeant in 2004, and was then hired as the Chief of Police for Columbia Township, where he retired from in 2020.

David served 18 years as a County Commissioner, as well as having served on the Westwood Community Credit Union board as both a trustee and board president. David is married to Sharon, has three adult children and three grand-children.

David has been a frequent visitor of the library, recognizes the importance of the library in our community, and looks forward to the ongoing success of the library as it continues to evolve.

Brenda C Pilgrim was appointed to the Library Board in March of 2022. Brenda relocated to Jackson in the late 90’s and has served on various boards and volunteered for groups, organizations and nonprofits in Jackson County.

Earning a BA in communications from Marycrest College, Brenda’s professional experience has been focused on nonprofits and using her diverse experience in financial development, communications, grant writing and legislative involvement. Her areas of passions are children/women’s issues, education, equity, and community activism.

As the Assistant Director of Government Relations for the Michigan Association of School Boards, Brenda directly affects legislation of K-12 Education in Michigan.

The library has always been an important part of Brenda’s life from childhood on. She credits her varied love of music, history and art to being able to access a public library. It is a resource that is available to all and must be protected.

Michael Way was born and raised in Jackson Michigan. He is married to his wife of 43 years Jennifer, together they have three children and four grandchildren. He was appointed to the Library board in 2023 by the County Commission to fill a term vacated after a resignation.

Michael retired from the Jackson YMCA after 30 years and also retired from the Library after 17 years of service.

Michael believes in giving back to his community as evidenced by his six years as a County Commissioner, and trustee for Summit Township. He has served 17 years on the Jackson County Parks board, 10 years on both the Downtown Development Authority board and as a trustee on the Jackson Public School board. Michael has also served on many boards and committees at Trinity Lutheran church.

Michael believes that the Jackson District Library is one of the top public libraries in Michigan and looks forward to working with the board and staff to make JDL the best that it can be.