Who we are
The Holland Film Group was formed under the leadership of local businessman Howard Veneklasen who was inspired by a documentary about another community. He pulled together a team of journalists, historians, documentarians, educators and business representatives, all with a passion for documenting the story of Holland for present and future generations. The Group worked for 18 months, with broad-based community financial support, to produce the award-winning documentary “Wilderness to World Class – The Story of Holland, Michigan.”
Meet our Team
Howard N. Veneklasen
Executive Producer
Howard is a local businessman and lifelong resident of Holland. He holds a B.A. degree from Hope College. He is the moving force that has brought the Holland Film Group together to preserve our local community’s heritage. Currently, he works with various nonprofit and for profit projects locally, nationally, and internationally.
Rob Byrd
Producer/Director
Rob is an Emmy Award-winning producer/director. He has received over 40 national and state awards for production excellence including seven Telly Awards. During his days in television broadcast, Rob received awards for over 14 different productions. Rob is a graduate of Ferris State University with a B.A. in television production. For the past 10 years, he has operated his own company, Moondog Productions.
Ben Beversluis
Script Writer
Ben has 30 years of experience as a writer and editor and operates a communications business in the Holland area. He came to Holland in 1985 to open the Grand Rapids Press Lakeshore Bureau. He held several positions with the Press for 25 years and retired as editor of the Holland Sentinel in 2013. Ben holds degrees in history from Calvin College and journalism from Michigan State University.
Robert P. Swierenga
Historian/Consultant
Robert is Albertus C. Van Raalte Research Professor at the A.C. Van Raalte Institute, Hope College. He is also a professor of history emeritus at Kent State University. He specializes in Dutch religious and ethnic history. Robert is the author of ten books, including the widely acclaimed “Dutch Chicago: A History of Hollanders in the Windy City” and “Holland, Michigan: From Dutch Colony to Dynamic City,” in three volumes.
Louis Hallacy II
Historian
Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Lou moved to Holland in 1956 when he purchased the Goodyear Tire Franchise known as Hallacy Tire & Supply Company. In 1964, he became the leasing manager for R.E. Barber Ford. Lou became active in the Holland community and served as city councilman for five years and three terms as mayor (1973-1979). Lou retired in 2000.
Milton Nieuwsma
Consultant
Milt is a two-time Emmy Award-winning filmwriter, author and creator of the PBS series “Inventing America.” His 1998 book “Kinderlager” was named Best Book for Teens and selected by the Institute for Higher European Studies in The Hague as one of the Top 10 Books on the Holocaust. In 2009, Hope College honored him with a Distinguished Alumni Award.
Gregory J. Dykhouse, Ph.D
Education Consultant
Gregory is a West Michigan native who has devoted his life to secondary education. He joined the Black River School in Holland at its inauguration. His unique qualifications as an educator and historian make him a great asset to the Holland Film Group. Supported both as a Board of Regents Fellow and Fulbright Scholar, he earned his doctorate in theatre at Louisiana State University.
Bob VandeVusse
Historian
Bob is a Holland native where he lived most of his life. He has degrees in history and library studies. He has been a teacher, school librarian and freelance writer. He served 24 years as a member of the Holland City Council, and also served as director of the Howard Miller Library in Zeeland. Bob has an active interest in our local and state history with a special passion and fondness for railroads and Great Lakes shipping.
Tom Van Howe
Journalist/Narrator
A Holland native, Tom spent four years in the Air Force stationed in the Middle East and returned to Michigan State University where he obtained a B.A. in journalism. Tom went on to work as a print journalist in Martha’s Vineyard, Miami and Louisville. Tom’s broadcast TV career journeyed through Buffalo, New York; Louisville, Kentucky; and home to West Michigan, where for many years he anchored the WOOD TV8 local news.
Randall P. Vande Water
Historian
Randall P. Vande Water spent 40 years as an editor of The Holland Sentinel and wrote and published 15 books on Holland history. He was a frequent and popular speaker on local history up until his death in 2018. A Hope College alumnus and recipient of a Distinguished Alumni Award, Vande Water did his graduate work at Michigan and UCLA. He served on Holland boards and committees, was past president of the University Press Club of Michigan, and received the Holland Historical Trust Friend of History Award.
Dawn Ward
Legal Counsel
Dawn Garcia Ward is passionate about the law, travel, her family and community. Senior counsel at Warner Norcross & Judd LLP, Dawn helps companies manage the data that drive their businesses. She believes in giving back, serving on the board of Holland Hospital and having served on the board of Holland Historical Trust and the Hispanic Center of West Michigan. Since moving from New Mexico to Holland in 1999, she sees both communities connected by a focus on God, family and a strong work ethic.