Terri Butler, Senior Philanthropy Director
Email

Heather Vlietstra, Director of Gift & Estate Planning
Email

Heather began her career with The Salvation Army as the Development Director for Battle Creek, MI Salvation Army Corps in 2017. After meeting with the Battle Creek Corps Officers, it was clear to Heather that The Salvation Army closely aligned with her personal values and beliefs.

"Hundreds of people came in daily to The Salvation Army of Battle Creek's daily meal program, Sally's Kitchen. Many who came were seniors and veterans who were often broken and lonely, even some being homeless. Our community meal was their opportunity to not only enjoy a hot meal with others, but to know that they are welcomed and loved - no matter what their situation may be."

Heather transitioned into her role as Director of Gift & Estate Planning in 2019. She enjoys meeting donors and hearing stories about how they remember The Salvation Army being there for those in need – many for their own family loved ones and ancestors. In fact, Heather's own father often talks about how her grandfather appreciated The Salvation Army's personal service during his military years in WWII.

Heather lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan with her husband, Ryan, two girls, Ava and Ali, and their puppy Rook. They love spending time together as a family and always look forward to snow skiing.

Bob Johnson, Director of Gift & Estate Planning
Email

Bob joined the Salvation Army Gift & Estate Planning team in 2021, after doing similar work at his alma mater, Hope College. His desire is that his work would benefit those in our West Michigan community who live with unmet needs, physically, spiritually and emotionally. Bob's dream is that children can grow up in stable families, where they can thrive in school and come home to parents that love them. And if that family needs extra food or the furniture to provide a warm bed for that child, the Salvation Army should stand ready to meet those needs.

Bob has experience in helping donors plan tax wise gift strategies, through IRA's and other appreciated assets such as stocks or real estate. He is prepared to discuss how a tax-wise asset gift through a Charitable Trust can benefit a donor's family during their lifetime and then benefit the most needy in our community later.

Bob and his wife, Barbara, live in Zeeland. They enjoy time with their children and grandchildren. In his free time, Bob enjoys a long list of sports, especially anything that includes being on the water.

Kathleen Wentzel, Director of Gift & Estate Planning
Email

Kathleen Wentzel is a Director of Gifts & Estate Planning at The Salvation Army since 2017. Kathleen believes in educating and encouraging people to realize their "dream" legacy gift. After spending nearly three decades working in development, Kathleen believes that building relationships is key to helping donors fulfill their giving desires. Kathleen has secured various types of gifts including residential property, life insurance policies, gift annuities, wills, living trusts, and retirement income gifts. Kathleen has worked in the community service, education and healthcare industries.

As an active board member of the Planned Giving Roundtable of Southeast Michigan (where she is the current Vice President of the Board, member of the Membership committee and serves as a Mentor on the Mentorship Committee), she also has helped present multiple programs involving case studies to area professionals.

Kathleen is a Certified Specialist in Planned Giving (CSPG) from the American Institute for Philanthropic Studies at California State University, Long Beach, and holds a BA majoring in Communications from The University of Michigan.

Kathleen spends some of her leisure time camping, hiking and kayaking across the country with her husband of more than 30 years.

Cassandra (Casi) Pinheiro, Administrative Assistant
Email

A graduate of Aquinas College, Mrs. Cassandra Pinheiro began working at The Salvation Army Divisional Headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 2009 as the Senior Administrative Assistant to the Divisional Secretary for Business. After a hiatus to care for her infant daughter in 2015, she returned in 2019 as the Administrative Assistant to Development and Gift & Estate Planning. In her current role, she takes pride in Doing the Most Good providing service to her department and donors. Cassandra enjoys traveling domestically and internationally with her family and supporting the arts in West Michigan.