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Chad Lahey was raised and has spent most of his life in Grand Haven. Achieving a double major in business and recreation at Western State College of Colorado, Chad has managed a motel in Crested Butte, along with having owned and operated the family restaurant– Zaragoza – formerly on Harbor Drive in Grand Haven. In addition, many Grand Haven residents may also know him from his role as the friendly manager of the Lahey’s second restaurant, Poncho’s.

Currently, Chad is a commercial real estate advisor with Encore MRA. He is involved with various groups to promote entrepreneurialism and to retain and attract businesses. Chad Lahey has always been an active leader in our community as a longstanding member of the Grand Haven Young Professionals and the Grand Haven, Spring Lake, and Ferrysburg Chamber of Commerce – serving on multiple boards and committees.

Some of Chad’s Chamber of his Commerce Activities include:
  • Economic Development Action Committee (2 years)
  • Leadership Connect Graduate (2006-07) – a course to help improve leadership skills
  • Leadership Connect Board (2007) , Chair (2008-2009)
  • Ambassador (2008-2009)
  • Chair for the “Buck for Luck” – a committee that welcomes new businesses to the community
  • Current President of Leads Group III – the Chamber’s initiative to promote business growth
In addition to his leadership activities, Chad has volunteered and helped many local charitable organizations. For the last three years he has been the site coordinator for the Alliance for the Great Lakes’ Grand Haven State Park Beach Clean-Up, helped Love INC, the St. Patrick’s Church food drive, The Peoples Center, The United Way, The Lance Armstrong Foundation, and St. John’s Home in Grand Rapids. He has helped organize volunteers for the Grand Haven Rotary Lights for the past two Holiday seasons that has brought hundreds of tourists to Grand Haven and raised thousands of dollars for local charities.

A well rounded individual, Lahey has always been an active outdoor enthusiast. In college, he was a whitewater raft guide, ski instructor, snowmobile guide, and taught elementary students mountain biking.