‘Service is in Ken’s DNA’ 

CEO oversaw massive growth with calm, principled leadership

Several people who have worked with Estelle over the years describe him as kind and humble, a leader who can exert influence because of his integrity and consistency.  

“Ken can’t help but serve. Service is in Ken’s DNA,” said Dr. Phil Knight, Executive Director of the Food Bank Council of Michigan.  

Knight sees Estelle as the lode stone of the Food Bank Council of Michigan board of directors, meaning Estelle’s clear moral compass kept the organization pointed to its “true north,” the mission of feeding people and treating them with dignity.  

Knight added that Estelle was frequently recruited to serve on Feeding America’s national network task forces and committees. “The national organization does not take appointments to task forces lightly. They seek out those who they believe are the right people with the right balance of expertise to serve,” he said. The most significant appointment was to the committee that drafted the Feeding America charter and operating agreements, which guide the work of every food bank and affiliate food bank in the United States. Knight credits Estelle with ensuring that the needs of smaller food banks were fairly represented in the agreements.   

Back in West Michigan, Estelle led the food bank through massive growth and ambitious initiatives that included the COVID-19 response and the move to a new warehouse that more than doubled warehouse capacity and significantly improved operational efficiency.  

Practical and creative problem-solving has been a key characteristic of his food banking career. At the beginning of his tenure, Estelle joined a group of community leaders who wanted a client-centered food pantry model to resemble a grocery store experience. Estelle said the work group found no similar model in the United States, so they developed what is now known as the food club model. The model continues to be replicated in communities throughout the United States. 

“When Ken joined that (food club planning) group, it changed everything,” said Dave Jacobs, who is also a founding member. “If he hadn’t joined, I believe the project would have stalled. With his connections through Feeding America and his business background, he could help us think logistically, operationally, and financially … this is absolutely part of Ken’s legacy.”  

As Estelle leaves, the demand for charitable food remains stubbornly high, and the causes of food insecurity seem even more complex than they were 15 years ago. Yet he said the core commitment to nourish people never changes, and he is inspired by the staff, board, volunteers, and donors who are committed to this work.  

“The causes of food insecurity are complex and variable depending on the household,” Estelle said. “We don’t control factors like transportation, childcare costs, employment or the lack of it. Our role is to understand the needs no matter where they are in our service area and understand the best way we can help.”