The State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) has announced the appointment of Stacy L. Westra as the new Region 5 Administrator, effective April 15. Westra will act as SCAO's liaison to 40 courts across 12 counties, including Muskegon, Ottawa, Kent, Allegan, Barry, Van Buren, Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph, and Branch.
Westra joined SCAO in 2012 as a management analyst and was promoted to Court Analyst Manager in 2022. Her new role involves providing management assistance to trial courts within the region on judicial assignments, funding and policy disputes, complaint investigations, and serving as a resource for judges and court staff.
State Court Administrator Tom Boyd expressed confidence in Westra's abilities: "Stacy Westra understands how courts operate inside and out. Her strong experience as an analyst and her proven leadership abilities make her an outstanding person for this position."
In her previous role at SCAO, Westra supervised management analysts in the Field Services division. She also coordinated support for Michigan's "Clean Slate" initiative and served as lead e-filing analyst for pilot projects at Wayne Circuit Court and Ottawa Probate Court.
Before joining SCAO, Westra worked at the Kent County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office from 2003 to 2012. Reflecting on her new position, she stated: "As a lifelong resident of this region...my goal is to strengthen existing relationships and develop new ones with the judges and court administrators."
Westra holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Legal Studies from Davenport University and a Master of Justice Administration degree from Norwich University.