William (Brad) Kessel, President and CEO of West Michigan-based Independent Bank, is being recognized as one of the 200 Most Influential Leaders in West Michigan for 2024 by Crain’s Grand Rapids Business. Kessel is one of 11 executives named within the Banking & Finance industry and one of three category CEOs.
The second annual Grand Rapids Business 200 is a highly selective list of the region’s most powerful executives across 20 industries. Honorees are determined exclusively by Crain’s Grand Rapids Business journalists based on a mix of factors, including company size, growth rate, geographical reach, and extensive personal contacts.
Brad Kessel began his career at Independent Bank Corporation in 1994 and has held numerous positions within the Company. In 2011, he was named President of both the Company and Independent Bank Corporation and was appointed CEO in 2013. Kessel earned his undergraduate degree in accounting from Miami University and a master’s in business administration from Grand Valley State University. He is also a graduate of the ABA’s Stonier Graduate School of Banking. Before joining Independent Bank, Kessel worked for regional public accounting firms and earned his CPA designation.
Kessel co-chairs Housing Kent and serves on The Right Place, Inc.’s Board of Directors. He also serves on GVSU’s Seidman College of Business Dean’s Advisory Board and as an advisor for the Kent County Revolving Loan Fund for affordable housing projects. He is a past chair of the Michigan Bankers Association, Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes, and the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce.
As President and CEO of Independent Bank, Kessel has introduced and advocated for programs like the Company’s statewide “Be the Difference Day” of service and affordable housing development initiatives in Grand Rapids. Independent Bank recently earned Best-In-State Bank from Forbes and America’s Greatest Workplaces from Newsweek.
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