Board Members:
Larry ("Doc") Wiedman, PresidentProfessor of Biology and Director of Environmental Science at the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne. Doc chairs the Executive and Land Use and Research Committees and serves on the Education Committee.
Betsy Huguenard, Vice PresidentSubstitute school teacher and longtime nature lover who chairs the Volunteer Committee and serves on the Executive, Finance, Development, Stewardship, and Land Acquisition Committees.
Barry Ellis, TreasurerRetired senior accountant at a local CPA firm and a Certified Financial Planner. Barry chairs the Finance Committee.
Judy Nelsen, SecretaryRetired professor and Indiana Master Naturalist. Judy chairs the Development Committee and serves on the Executive, Marketing/Publicity and Finance Committees.
Bill EtzlerVice President, Aqua Indiana. At LRWP Bill serves on the Development Committee.
Cathy KelkerRetired nurse and Indiana Master Naturalist. She chairs LRWP's Education Committee.
Kasey KrouseA forester and project manager with Davey Resource Group, Kasey serves on the Stewardship Committee.
Thom MaherVice President, Human Resources for BRC Rubber & Plastics in Churubusco and Vice President, Northeast Indiana Chapter #182 of Pheasants Forever. At LRWP, Thom is Immediate Past President. He chairs the Stewardship Committee and serves on the Land Acquisition Committee.
Tom RussellPartner at Barske, Perkins, Puglise, & Russell Financial Planning Firm. At LRWP Tom serves on the Development Committee.
Karen SurguineRetired from Delaware Investments/Lincoln National Corp. where she was a Vice President. She currently works part-time as a commercial mortgage banker and is an Indiana Master Naturalist. Karen serves on the Development Committee.
Dennis WhiteProperty Manager, Salamonie Reservoir. Dennis chairs the Land Acquisition Committee and serves on the Land Use and Research Committee.
Renee WrightRetired from Lincoln Re, where she was an Assistant Vice President of corporate communications. She currently works part-time as a freelance communications consultant. Renee chairs the Marketing/Publicity Committee.
Dan ZweigSenior Vice President-Investments, Zweig Tribbett Financial Group of Wells Fargo Advisors. Dan serves on the Marketing/Publicity Committee.
Staff:
Sean Nolan, Executive DirectorWith Bachelor and Master’s degrees from Indiana University and the University of Tennessee, respectively, Sean has more than five years of experience in various leadership positions within the non-profit industry. In his spare time, Sean enjoys running, hiking, photography and all things IU.
Betsy Yankowiak, Director of Preserves and ProgramsIPFW graduate in Environmental Geology, experienced naturalist, former co-property manager of the Fort Wayne Chapter of the Izaak Walton League, and committed to local environmental issues.
Don Cunningham, Eagle Marsh Property StewardIPFW graduate in Biology, Indiana Master Naturalist, previously on maintenance staff at Fox Island County Park. Don enjoys hiking, backpacking, and running.
Laura Stine, Administrative AssistantBachelor’s degree from Indiana University, Certificate from Ivy Tech in Landscape Technology, experienced landscape designer with special interest in native plants, how they fit into the home and commercial landscape, and the specific connections they make with our local wildlife.
Travis Paul, Web DeveloperOpen source enthusiast and electronics hacker. Travis enjoys camping, hiking, and macrophotography.
General Advisory Board:
LRWP’s General Advisory Board consists of business and community leaders who have agreed to be available to our regular board and staff for advice in such areas as financial management, strategic planning, landowner relations, history of the Little River valley, and community outreach. GAB members include:
John BrooksExecutive Vice President, Brooks Construction Company, Fort Wayne
Tom CastaldiAllen County Historian and Vice President of Communications (Retired), Essex Group, Fort Wayne
John C. ClarkFirst Vice President, Raymond James & Associates, Fort Wayne
Joe DorkoChief Executive Officer, Lutheran Health Network, Fort Wayne
Kim GrantResource Development Specialist, Impact Strategies, Inc., Fort Wayne
Jay O. JorgensenPresident, J & J Properties, Fort Wayne
Kevin KnightPresident, Knight Mechanical Testing, Fort Wayne
David B. LupkePresident, Lupke Rice Insurance and Financial Services, Fort Wayne
Pamela Martin-DiazBranch Manager, Allen County Public Library-Shawnee Branch, Fort Wayne
Mick McCollumPresident, Automation Engineering, Fort Wayne
Maria ParraProject Manager, BCforward, Indianapolis
Rick PhillipsPresident, Phillips Financial
Ian RollandChief Executive Officer (Retired), Lincoln National Corporation, Fort Wayne
John ShoaffCity Councilman At-Large and Architect, Fort Wayne
Robert TernetOwner, Ternet Farms, New Haven
Dani TippmannMember, Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and Miami Nation of Indiana, Columbia City
Science Advisory Board:
LRWP’s Science Advisory Board is a panel of distinguished regional scientists willing to help with advice in their areas of expertise.
John BaconeDirector of Division of Nature Preserves, Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Wendy BarrottDirector of Energy and Environmental Services, City of Fort Wayne
Angie BrownWatershed Specialist, Indiana Department of Environmental Management
Ken BrunswickEast Central Regional Ecologist, Division of Nature Preserves, Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Eric P. EllingsonCPG, PWS, President, Earth Source Inc./Heartland Restoration Services
Tony FlemingProfessional Hydrologist
Dr. Solomon IsiorhoProfessor and Chair, Department of Geosciences, Indiana University-Purdue University, Fort Wayne
Ellen JacquartDirector of Stewardship, Indiana Chapter, The Nature Conservancy
Dr. Bruce KingsburyProfessor and Chair, Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University, Fort Wayne
Sherman LiechtyDistrict Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Dr. Paul E. RothrockProfessor of Biology and Environmental Science, Taylor University
Nate SimonsExecutive Director, Blue Heron Ministries, Inc.
Tim SkiverWetlands Specialist, Earth Source, Fort Wayne, and Fort Wayne firefighter.
Kevin TungesvickRestoration Ecologist, Spence Restoration Nursery