Timothy Terrentine earned both a master's and bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University. He served as the president of the Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce from 2013 to 2015, during which time he gave a speech on leadership. Terrentine also served on the founding board of Kalamazoo County Ready 4S from 2010 to 2013, which developed an early childhood education initiative supported by research on the benefits of high-quality preschool. He is a skilled marketer, publicist, and fundraiser able to connect with diverse groups of people.