The LeBel Foundation was established by Steve and Marge LeBel in September 2021. Steve and Marge consider themselves blessed, and they created the Foundation as a way of sharing those blessings. With a dedicated Board of Directors, they hope to develop funding strategies that will make a real difference in our community.
The Board Members are:
Steve LeBel, President and Treasurer
Steve was born in Maine and grew up in Muskegon where he graduated from Mona Shores High School. After graduating from Michigan State University, he began as a counselor, and eventually served 17 years as President of a mental health and substance abuse hospital system with multiple locations around Michigan. He retired from healthcare in 1997 and started AbleTeam, an internet company, which he sold before returning to Muskegon in 2007. He spent six years as an active stock trader before becoming the author of an award-winning young adult book series called The Universe Builders.
Marge LeBel, Secretary
Marge was born in Pennsylvania but grew up in Dearborn where she graduated from Edsel Ford High School. After graduating from Michigan State University (where she and Steve met), she became a math teacher in inner-city Flint. She held that position until 2001 when Steve drafted her to be the bookkeeper for their internet company. Marge has a passion for art and became a pastel portrait artist. Her work has won several awards.
Larry LeBel, Member
Larry followed Steve from Maine to Muskegon and graduated from Mona Shores High School in 1968. He entered the Army and served in Vietnam (’70-’71), earning a Combat Infantry Badge and two Purple Hearts. Larry joined the Michigan State Police (’73) as a road Trooper and lived/worked in Ypsilanti-Belleville for 40+ years. After attending Eastern Michigan University, earning Bachelor of Science and Master’s Degrees in Criminal Justice, Larry was promoted to Detective Sergeant and team leader for an undercover narcotic unit and later an auto theft/chop shop unit. After retiring, he started a company specializing in salvage vehicle inspections until retiring in 2014 when he returned to Muskegon.
Wendy LeBel, Member
Wendy grew up in the Flint area. Like her parents, she also graduated from Michigan State University. She’s always been an animal lover and she and her husband have a house full of pets, including one of the feral kittens they tamed at their previous residence. They are strong believers in trap-neuter-release programs.
Alexis Robertson, Member
Alexis brings over a decade of experience in nonprofit leadership, community outreach, and organizational development. A graduate of Grand Valley State University with a degree in Public and Nonprofit Administration, she is passionate about strengthening local communities and supporting mission-driven work. Alexis currently serves as the Executive Director of a West Michigan nonprofit, where she leads strategic initiatives, fundraising efforts, and community partnerships. Outside of her professional life, Alexis enjoys life on her growing homestead with her husband and a variety of rescue and farm animals. She is excited to contribute her experience and energy to furthering the Foundation’s impact.