James Lenon | Community Member Spotlight

I'm James Lenon, and at my core I'm someone who loves building community.

I serve as the Executive Director of the Old Town Commercial Association, where I work alongside business owners, residents, volunteers, and community partners to help Old Town remain a vibrant place to live, work, shop, and gather. My background includes public service with the Michigan Senate and owning a photography business, both of which strengthened my passion for connecting people and telling stories.

Family is at the center of everything I do. My wife, Jamie, and I have been married for more than 27 years, and we're proud parents to our two sons, Christian and Ty. They have always been a source of inspiration and a reminder of the importance of investing in the future of our communities.

Outside of work, you'll usually find me on a mountain bike. As President of the Mid-Michigan Mountain Biking Association, I spend much of my free time advocating for trails, organizing volunteer efforts, and promoting outdoor recreation. I'm also an avid endurance mountain biker, regularly taking on events that exceed 100 miles and sometimes even 200 miles. I believe both downtown districts and trail systems have something in common, they create places where people connect and build lasting relationships.

My goals aren't centered around positions or titles, but centered around making a lasting impact. I love helping things grow, whether that's Old Town, a local trail system, or an experience that brings people together. I find the most fulfillment in taking something with potential and helping it become something greater. I hope to leave Old Town, Lansing, and the communities I serve stronger, more vibrant, and more connected. Most importantly, I want to be remembered as someone who invested in people and helped make a positive difference.

Tell us about a recent local event or experience you enjoyed.

We have been looking forward to the grand opening of the Fish Ladder Music Park for months, and the kickoff weekend did not disappoint.

Seeing the park fully activated and filled with people enjoying the space was truly inspiring. As a photographer, I documented the Fish Ladder long before any renovations began, and later worked with Lansing 5:01 to capture the energy of the Dam Jam summer festivals held there.

Watching this area transform from an underutilized space into a vibrant community gathering place gives me hope for so many other corners of Old Town that hold untapped potential. It's a reminder of what can happen when a community invests in its spaces, embraces creativity, and believes in a vision for something greater.

If you could only eat at ONE locally-owned restaurant for an entire month, which would you choose (and why)?

Pablo’s Old Town, I’m in love with the gorditas. Being a Old Town resident means I’m there often and usually I say “Im going to try something new”......I never do. For over 5 years now I’ve gotten the same meal, everytime.

Which local business, organization, or place deserves way more attention than it gets?

What’s a piece of life advice you’d like to share with anyone reading this?

"Show up, do the work, and leave the place better than you found it." If I could build on that with some pillars I always found helpful.

• Community doesn't happen by accident. 

• Progress beats perfection. 

• Invest in people first. 

• Be a steward, not an owner.

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