Occupation/Education/Background
Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering/ PhD Michigan Tech Electrical Engineering, MS Villanova Electrical Engineering, BS Michigan Tech Electrical Engineering/ Licensed Professional Engineer (MI)
Number of years as resident
6
Facebook/Twitter
https://www.facebook.com/bos4keweenaw
My priorities focus on what needs doing to protect the Heartlands for the next 50-100 years:
1. Acquisition & Access: Secure grants to purchase the land from The Nature Conservancy while permanently protecting all traditional uses and access (including ORVs).
2.Financial Independence: Ensure the Authority pays a 'property-tax equivalent' to fund county roads and emergency services without raising local taxes.
3. Boundary Vigilance: Protect the perimeter from industrial development and other uses that may interfere with public access and threaten the sense of place.
I will accomplish this by applying my principles of good governance and leveraging my experience as a project manager and engineer.
As a professional engineer, educator, and researcher with a decade of industry experience, my daily work involves managing large budgets, aligning stakeholders, solving complex problems, and facilitating productive meetings. Crucially, my background includes writing the competitive grants needed to complete the Heartlands purchase from The Nature Conservancy and ensure long-term financial viability.
The job of the board is to develop and execute 5, 10, and 30-year plans. This is a project management problem and one I am uniquely qualified to execute with your support. Success here will also require competent, non-personal leadership; in a word, “good governance.” That is my pledge to the voters of Keweenaw County.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Occupation/Education/Background
Retired since 2018 after 32+ years of government service. Bachelor of Science from Lake Superior State University. Currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Calumet Keweenaw Sportsmen's Club and Isle Royale Keweenaw Parks Association.
Number of years as resident
9
My priorities will be listening to our community and ensuring that the authority is positioned in the best way possible to manage the lands consistent with the community’s long-term goals. Since 2022, I have represented the Calumet Keweenaw Sportsmen’s Club on the Keweenaw Heartland Community Advisory Committee. As the club’s advocate, I pushed for continued and/or improved public access to the lands. I also worked with the committee to create a Blueprint for the Keweenaw Heartlands. It would be my position that the guiding principles of the Blueprint and continued community input should dictate how the Authority manages the lands under its control. Decisions should be based upon what is in the best interest of the tax payers.
During my years of government service, I took multiple projects from concept to reality and laid the groundwork for the continued success of these initiatives. Combining this experience with having worked with the Keweenaw Heartlands Community Advisory Committee since 2022, I believe that I am uniquely qualified to set up the Authority Board for long term success. The work product and decisions of the initial board that is elected by the community will have a direct impact on the success (failure) of this board and the Keweenaw Heartlands. As an active member of many of the sub-committees that created template documents for the authority, I have a knowledge base that will allow me to be productive from day one on the board.
Number of years as resident
44
Candidate withdrew from race.
Candidate withdrew from race.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Number of years as resident
3
My priorities are protecting the long-term health of the Heartlands, maintaining responsible public access, and building strong partnerships across the Keweenaw. I believe healthy forests, sustainable recreation, and strong communities are interconnected. Accomplishing these goals requires science-based decision making, thoughtful planning, and collaboration with the DNR, local governments, conservation organizations, and trail clubs. As a board member, I would focus on listening to stakeholders, using data to guide decisions, and ensuring the Heartlands are managed as part of a larger, connected landscape that benefits both residents and visitors for generations to come.
I hold a degree in Forestry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and conducted ecological research in Yellowstone National Park and northern Wisconsin, where I studied forest and wildlife interactions. Professionally, I worked as a product manager at Trek Bicycle Corporation, coordinating complex projects and bringing together people with different priorities to achieve shared goals. Locally, I volunteer with the Copper Harbor Trails Club, KORC, and the Eagle Harbor ski trail system. My background combines science, outdoor recreation, stewardship, and collaborative leadership, all of which are directly relevant to helping guide the future of the Keweenaw Heartlands.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
