Brian McGrain is proud of his deep connections to Lansing and Ingham County.  Born at St. Lawrence hospital, Brian spent his childhood outside of the state, attending schools throughout the U.S., in Japan, and in Germany, before graduating from high school in Virginia.  He returned to the Lansing area nearly twenty years ago to attend Michigan State University, where he received both his Bachelors degree in Urban and Regional Planning and his Masters degree in Public Administration and Urban Studies.

Brian is a 4th generation graduate of Michigan State University.  His father (Brian E. McGrain of Fairview, Pennsylvania), his grandparents (Thomas and Eleanore McGrain of Okemos), and his great-grand-aunt (Alice Jennings, formerly of Okemos) were all graduates of MSU, as well as several other family members.  Brian also spent four years working at the University’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research.

Brian currently serves as the Associate Director/Chief Operating Officer of the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM).  CEDAM is a state-wide trade association which provides advocacy and training services for its members, which are predominantly community-based nonprofit development organizations.  Brian oversees operations, trainings, and communication efforts for CEDAM, as well as handling some partnership-building and advocacy initiatives.  Brian has over a decade of experience in the community development industry and is a proponent of the transforming power of community reinvestment.

Brian is engaged in a number of community service activities. He is currently serving in his fourth term on the Ingham County Board of Commissioners, during which time he has served as Chair, Vice Chair, and chaired both the Human Services and Finance committees (and also served on the County Services and Judiciary committees).  He serves on the City of Lansing Board of Zoning Appeals, the Ingham County Land Bank (as Treasurer), the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission (formerly as Chair), the Ingham County Economic Development Corporation and Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau, and is a frequent supporter of local political campaigns. He served as the first President of the Grand River Connection, the young professionals’ group of Greater Lansing.  He is partner in a small rental holdings company, CJM Properties LLC.  Brian is a member of American MENSA.

Brian enjoys the great quality of life offered by the Greater Lansing area.  He is a cheerleader for his neighborhood, city, and region.  Brian is excited about the opportunity to serve his community in a greater capacity and looks forward to continuing his service on the Ingham County Board of Commissioners.