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Meet Kevin

Kevin grew up in Comstock, MI, Kalamazoo County.  He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Western Michigan University's  Lee Honors College where he earned a bachelors in secondary education. 


While attending university, he worked with his grandpa Bourner on his centennial farm cutting hay and tending the orchards. Kevin learned the value of hard work from his grandpa, as well as his grandpa's sense of humility, passion for the environment, the importance of relationships, and service to the community.


Kevin is a dedicated and hard-working husband and father of three awesome kids on a small hobby farm in rural Allegan County. He first came to Allegan County to work at Perrigo where he met his wife Bree Davisson. Kevin became interested in the law while at Perrigo, and went back to school at WMU Cooley Law School in 2009.  While working full time at Perrigo, he attended law school at nights and on weekends, and didn't slow down with work even while studying for the bar exam.  


Kevin was sworn into the practice of law in November 2013 by Judge Kevin Cronin in Allegan's 48th Circuit Court. Inspired by his WMU classmate Michael VanDenBerg (Gun Plain Township Supervisor) and Judge Cronin (who was formerly the Hopkins Township Supervisor), Kevin ran for the office of Watson Township Supervisor - where he has served since 2016. Kevin is grateful for the love and support of his family in this journey. 



Integrity


The highlight of Kevin's career so far was writing an Amicus Curiae (friend of court) brief to the Michigan Supreme Court on behalf of Watson Township and having his brief mentioned by Justice Elizabeth Welch in her opinion. (page 30). The case of People v Loew involved Judicial and Prosecutorial ethical violations in Allegan County and fairness in the legal system. Kevin was one of the very few attorneys - other than attorney and current prosecutor Mike Villar - that had the courage to speak up and address this fundamental unfairness in Allegan County courts. Kevin will uphold the highest integrity as a judge; our Allegan Courts will not be a punchline under his watch.





Servant Leadership



“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).  


 “In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works. In your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech…” (Titus 2:7–8). 


Servant Leadership matters because many of the problems encountered in District Court are symptoms of societal decay; whether it be a lack of belonging, hopelessness, or lack of community pride. Communities matter, because for District Court's success in the long-term we need strong communities to help those with substance abuse disorder and community environments that promote civility. 



In addition to being the Watson Township Supervisor since 2016, Kevin also serves on  the Hopkins Area Fire Board and is also the HAFD Board's Secretary. He also served on the Wayland Area EMS Board. Kevin is also a member of Rotary Club of Otsego. 


Kevin has a long list of accomplishments as a servant leader.  When he first took office, he found that the Township lacked a sense of place, identity, and community.  The Township had no brand, no logo, no flag.  So he sought to get the next generation involved by inviting local high school students to design a logo for the township as a contest.  Over 30 entries were submitted from every district within Watson Township (Otsego, Allegan, Hopkins, and Martin). An Otsego student's design was adopted as the logo. The runner-up was a student from Allegan who's design now adorns Watson Township's flag.   


A long-time dream of Watson Township was the creation of a township park.  Kevin not only helped in making the park a reality, he also brought cultural recognition to the Township's tribal residents by getting permission from the Gun Lake Tribe to name the park Seven Generation's Park.  In one of the greatest highlights of Kevin's life, the park was opened and blessed with tobacco by tribal representatives.    Kevin also helped in securing over $150,000 in grants from state and private entities for park improvements which included a park pavilion, walking trails, and Pottawatomi language signs so residents can learn more about the culture of our tribal residents.  In 2026 a veteran's memorial will also be dedicated. 


Kevin also created an environment for better interdepartmental fire and medical first responder coverage, and pushed for brownfield status of the former Watson-Martin dump to secure safe drinking water. He also promotes a safe and inclusive environment for all residents.  Kevin believes in helping others take ownership and inspiring others to help out their neighbors, a culture that is strong in Watson Township today. 

News Articles

Bringing People Together

Problem Solving






Send a PROBLEM SOLVER to lead in Michigan's Problem Solving Courts.  Kevin first learned to solve legal problems when he clerked with Judge Kevin Cronin in Allegan's 48th Circuit Court. Kevin clerked with Judge Cronin for 18 months before moving into private practice, where Kevin's first jury trial was in District Court.  Kevin has also handled landlord tenant matters and civil litigation in district court.  Prior to becoming an attorney, Kevin was a Continuous Improvement Engineer at Perrigo for 7 years and was recognized twice with the Perrigo Global Continuous Improvement Award 2010 and 2011. Kevin focused on helping people become MORE SUCCESSFUL as a SERVANT LEADER. A judge needs to be a problem solver because judges must mediate disputes fairly and equitably among litigants. 

Endorsements

Thank you for your support!

Testimonials

Watson township citizens support Kevin 100 percent! Best of luck Kevin, but we will sure miss our township supervisor! All I hear is Allegan County needs changes with our Judges, If you want fairness and change this year in the primary election, vote for Kevin Travis!  - Kathy M. 

As a resident of Watson Township I am excited to see you explore other opportunities in sharing your expertise with a much larger population. The other side of me really hates to see our township potentially lose you as we have been fortunate to be blessed with your leadership skills over the years. Either way I am comforted in knowing you will still be representing the citizens of our area. Thank you Kevin and also thanks for your family in sharing you with us.  Best of luck. - Ken C.

I know from reading your amicus brief that you are a dedicated public servant with the temperament and passion for justice that we need to see on the bench! Best of luck  - Remy H.