Featured Leader: Brandt Iden

“Kalamazoo has a ton going for it,” says Brandt Iden, co-owner of Baron Properties. "It's centrally located, a great family community, and it has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state." In addition to his property management business, Iden serves on the board of Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Junior Achievement, and is the Political Action Committee Chair for the Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Also, Brandt Iden is 25 years old.

One of Iden’s personal goals to is to see Kalamazoo prosper through its youth. He often talks to many of the Western and K College students who live in some of the properties he manages about staying in Kalamazoo. Iden points out that while many of the students may not know it, there are jobs here. “True, there are some companies cutting back on employees, but they’re not closing their doors. Not every community can say that.”

Iden has been on boards, sat through meetings and partnered with many of Southwest Michigan’s leaders. He notes that many of them would like to see more young people take on leadership roles.

Iden got an early start in roles that exposed him to community and political involvement, starting as a K-College student interning for the U.S. House Judiciary Committee. Now, in addition to his service on community boards, Brandt is not afraid to let local leaders know what he thinks. He never misses a Legislative Roll Call meeting at the Chamber of Commerce. “My challenge to Michigan legislators is to sit down with business owners and really listen. Not all elected officials are business people, and business drives this economy. I think local business owners could come up with some great ideas if legislators would just listen to them.”

Iden's political experience and fresh perspective on Kalamazoo serves to inspire community members of all ages. He continues to share his vision for Kalamazoo in hopes of addressing core issues and enlisting the help and support of other young people.