TY FOR TCAPS

Born and raised on the Canadian prairies, now a proud northern Michigander, Ty is both an idea guy and a doer guy.

Trained as a physical therapist, Ty left the clinic in 2017 after 18 years of practice to focus on founding several youth-focused, health-centered social change missions here in Northern Michigan’s capital.

He’s a proven community organizer and experienced in fundraising, project management, strategic planning, communications, and a systematic approach to complex problem-solving.

A highly motivated learner and connector, Ty is dedicated to helping build a happy, healthy, and just Traverse City where all kids thrive.

He’s a 1999 graduate of the University of North Dakota with a master’s degree in Physical Therapy and was elected to the TCAPS Board of Education in 2024.

He lives in Traverse City’s finest neighborhood, Oak Park, with his wife, Johanna, and two sons.

TY’S PROJECTS & CAMPAIGNS

• Carter’s Compost
• El Grupo Norte
• Good Works Lab
• We Fight
• Live TC
• School Health & Wellbeing Systems Change
• Civic Saturdays
• Neighbors For A Better Traverse City
• MoveCorps
• Elevate Northern Michigan
• Yes TC
• Roadrunner Nation
• Coach Traverse City
• Everyone A Changemaker Northern Michigan
• FrameWorks Institute Fellowship
• Traverse City Walks
• We Give A Schmidt Physical Therapy

TY’S WRITING & SPEAKING

• Traverse City Record-Eagle Columnist – Out ‘n About
• The Always Possible Newsletter
• TEDx Traverse City

TY’S COMMUNITY SERVICE

• TCAPS School Board Trustee (2025 – 2028)
• Oak Park Neighborhood President (2021-2023)
• Interlochen Public Radio Community Advisory Council member
• Safer Kids Safer Schools task force member (2022-2023)
• Sunrise Rotary Club of Traverse City member (Global Service Committee member – Malawi Bike Project)
• Traverse City Area Public Schools Bond Yes Committee member (2018)
• Warm Hearts Foundation (social media manager)
• Big Brother with Northwest Michigan Big Brothers Big Sisters
• Northwestern Michigan Health Services Community Advisory Council member (TCAPS Student Health Center at West Middle School)
• Traverse Heights Elementary PTO Board of Directors (At-large community member)
• Traverse City Central Wrestling Team (2023/24 – communications)

TY’S AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

• Systems Change Fellow by Rotary Charities – 2022
• Big Little Local Hero by Northwestern Community College · Apr 2019
• Governor’s Traffic Safety Advisory Commission Award by Michigan State Police · Apr 2019
• Governor’s Champion For Health Award by Michigan Fitness Foundation · Apr 2018
• Hometown Health Hero and Jean Chabut Health Policy Champion award by Michigan Department of Health & Human Services · Apr 2018
• Traverse City’s 40 Most Influential People by Traverse City Business News · Sep 2015
• Take It Back Recycler of the Year by Grand Traverse County (Carter’s Compost) · Dec 2013

CONNECT WITH TY

Follow Ty for TCAPS on Facebook, Instagram and Threads.

Email tyfortcaps@gmail.com

Book a walk, coffee or phone chat with Ty HERE.