Mick McGraw Enshrined In Hall of Fame

Published in 2017

Mick McGraw, President and CEO of Grand Rapids-based Eastbrook Homes, was enshrined in the Michigan Construction Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Constructor at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan on October 27^th.

McGraw took a small West Michigan business and built it into one of the country’s largest privately-held home building companies. In 2015 Eastbrook Homes was ranked the 110^th largest U.S. homebuilder by Builders Magazine.

Under his leadership, Eastbrook Homes launched innovative land planning and community planning techniques which helped spur the company’s growth beyond Grand Rapids to the Lake Michigan shoreline, Lansing, Michigan and Auburn, Alabama.

With McGraw at the helm, Eastbrook Homes has built approximately 10,000+ residential units and developed hundreds of communities while also being a steward of the local environment.

McGraw received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Olivet Nazarene University in Kankakee, Illinois in 1972 and has served on the university’s Foundation board. Prior to joining Eastbrook Development Company in 1979, he served as Vice President of Union Bank & Trust and two of its subsidiaries from 1973 to 1978.  He became President of Eastbrook Development Company and Eastbrook Homes in 1986. At the time of the founder’s passing in 1994, he also became CEO.

Always an advocate for industry involvement, McGraw served as president of the Grand Rapids Home Builders Association in 1984 and 1985 and on several boards for the Michigan and National Association of Home Builders. McGraw himself views this honor as a company award, not a personal one. “This is a testament to the enduring and steadfast commitment of the many people who work with me at Eastbrook Homes as well as a large number of committed trade partners and suppliers,” he states. “Every day, they all work tirelessly to provide communities and homes to the people of West and Central Michigan. Many of them have worked with Eastbrook for 20 plus years; some have been with us our entire history.”

Over the years, McGraw has continuously been a champion for housing, community development, service and the environment. He has chaired several state committees and served on a variety of non-profit boards including his current service on the Grand Valley Metro Council and Community Link Boards.

Since 2006, Mick has partnered with Wedgewood Christian Services and St. John’s Home in conducting two annual camps for underprivileged youth at his working ranch in Montana. The two-week camps for youthful residents of group and foster homes teach ranching skills which help develop self-reliance and confidence in these young people, many of whom have never been out of a city environment. Each camping group also works on a community project during their stay.

Throughout his career, Mick has been an advocate for responsible business practices and attention to the environment which is demonstrated by awards he’s received from the Department of Environmental Quality for being a partner in water quality and the National Audubon Society for working to preserve the beauty of our trees. He is also a past recipient of the Izak Walton League’s Constructionist of the Year Award (2003), the Grand Valley Metro Council’s Design for Community Stability and Conservation/Preservation Award (2000), and the Grand Rapids Fair Housing Center’s Building Inclusive Communities Award (1998.)

Eastbrook Homes began in 1967 and is now one of  Michigan’s largest homebuilders, with communities throughout Kent, Ottawa, and Muskegon counties as well as and Lansing, Michigan.