| Dick Ristine
Honorary Chairman
email: rristine@webtv.com
Dick Ristine lives in Leland with his wife, Lou, and ended a nine-year tenure on the Conservancy's board in November, 2003. He most recently served as Chairman of the Board. In November, 2004, he was named Honorary Chairman. Dick replaced Gordon Robertson, who passed away in September. “For the last nine years, Dick has shown just an absolute commitment to our organization,” says Craig Miller, Conservancy President. “The depth and breadth of his leadership and his tireless efforts in fundraising have been invaluable.” Background: AB, Wabash College; LLB, Columbia University; Practiced law; State Senator & Lt. Governor of Indiana; President Elston Bank & Trust Co.; V.P. L.S. Ayres & Co.; Exec V.P. Lilly Endowment, Inc.; Director of External Affairs, Wabash College; Chairman for 18 years, Federal Home Loan Bank for Indiana and Michigan. Craig Miller
Chairman
email: cantm@earthlink.net
Craig and his wife, Nancy, live near Leland (Birchwood Shores) year round. Craig is very active in fund development, in addition to the other duties he performs as President. Background: BA, University of Michigan; JD, Wayne State University; Retired member; Law Firm of Miller, Johnson, Snell and Cummiskey, Grand Rapids/Kalamazoo; Director, Keystone Community Bank; Former Chair of American Bar Association Committee on Employment Law; Director of Kellogg Foundation Committee on Charitable Organization Regional Cooperation (Sherman Lake YMCA/National YMCA); Former President/Director of several other Charitable Organizations. Tom Dunfee
President
email: dunfee@centurytel.net
In addition to serving on our Board, Tom leads many hikes at our Natural Areas as a volunteer docent. He also works with our Volunteer Stewardship Network, which does everything from building and maintaining trails to working with our Stewardship Director to restore native species. Tom is a retired M.D. who lives on Little Traverse Lake. Background: AB Indiana University, MD Indiana University, Professor of Medicine Indiana University 1972-1999; Chief of Nephrology and Hypertension, Henry Ford Hospital 1999-2000; Visiting Professor, Moi University Faculty of Health Sciences, Eldoret Kenya, East Africa 1998, 1999, 2002; Volunteer Physician, Community Health Clinic, Traverse City, MI 2001-present. Jeffry Corbin
Vice President
email: jeffrycorbin@me.com
Jeff lives in Suttons Bay with his wife, Sue. He joined our board in 2003. Although not a Northern Michigan native, Jeff’s family vacationed in the area regularly during his childhood. So, it was with knowledge of the area that Jeff returned to Traverse City in 1976 after 13 years in Houston, Texas. He and Sue moved to Leelanau County in 1998. Jeff has served on the board of the City Opera House Heritage Committee since he helped found it in 1978; the group is dedicated to the restoration of the historic community auditorium in Downtown Traverse City. He has also served on the boards of the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce, TC Air (dedicated to improving commercial jet air service to the region), as well as serving on the Suttons Bay Township Planning Commission. Jeff serves on our Outreach Committee, using his skills to help us hone our message, designing and maintaining our web site and providing much of the photography used on it. Educated as an architect (Rice University), he founded his firm, Corbin Design, in 1976. Although Jeff has retired, his firm continues, providing services to clients nationwide, designing wayfinding and signage systems to help people navigate through complex built environments. John Erb
Vice President
email: erbyarby@att.net
John Erb and his wife, Gina, live on Gills Pier. John attended the University of Detroit and also holds a JD from IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law. He retired from private practice in Chicago where he specialized in civil litigation. He serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Leelanau Memorial Health Center and is also a member of the Board of Trustees of Munson Medical Center. John is also currently Chairman pro-tem for the Leelanau Corporate Members of Munson Healthcare. He is also a former member of the Board of Trustees of Chicago-Kent College of Law and St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago. "John’s involvement at all levels in the community is extensive," says Price. "He and Gina have been valuable volunteers for the Conservancy, and often attend our educational and social events. John will help provide guidance and leadership in the challenging issues facing Leelanau County and the Conservancy." Warren Watkins
Secretary
email: watkinswh@hotmail.com
Warren Watkins grew up spending summers and off-season weekends in Leland. After graduating from U of M in business administration he entered the information-consulting field. He was a partner at Accenture where he worked for 26 years before retiring in 2003. He and his wife, Ann, live in the Detroit area and spend as much time as possible at their home north of Leland. They have two adult children, Megan and Andrew. "Many of Warren’s family members live in Leelanau County, and all maintain strong ties to the area," says Executive Director Brian Price. "He brings a long-term perspective to the conservation issues we deal with on a daily basis, as well as wealth of business experience to our board." David Cassard
Treasurer
email: dcassard@umich.edu
David Cassard grew to love Leelanau County through his wife, Cara, who had grown up summering on Glen Lake. Today, the couple continues to come to Glen Lake from Grand Rapids whenever time permits. Dave has served on our Finance Committee and has been instrumental in fund development. Other info: BBA, University of MI; MBA, Michigan State University; started career as a CPA for Touche Ross and Co. Left in 1979 to join family real estate investment and management company, the Waters Corporation, and has served as President since 1985. Has served on a number of boards and committees including the Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority, The Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, First Michigan Bank Corp., Mercantile Bank Corp., and Butterworth Hospital. Board Members: John Bull
email: rjohnbull@gmail.com
John Bull lives in Traverse City and has been very active with our Volunteer Stewardship Network, building trails and keeping our Natural Areas safe for visitors. Other info: BS Albion College; MD University of Michigan; Fellow American College of Surgeons (FACS), Assistant Medical Director King Faisal Medical Center-Rihyad, Saudi Arabia, President Channel Island Urological Group 30 yrs. (retired); Suttons Bay/Leelanau Rotary Club, Board member Inland Seas Education Assoc., Board member Community Blood Centers. Dr. Kyle Carr
email: kcarr@mhc.net
Dr. Kyle Carr has joined our board after many years of active service on our Stewardship Committee and Volunteer Stewardship Network. He tells us that getting out into the woods to plant trees or restore native species is where he loves to be. It speaks to his roots as an undergraduate major in biology at Indiana’s Wabash College. Kyle later earned his medical degree at Indiana University Medical School and received post-graduate training at University of Michigan Hospitals. Kyle took a position as a pathologist at Munson Medical Center in 1996. He and his wife, Betsy, live near Suttons Bay. Susan Green
email:greens@indiana.edu Susan fell in love with Leelanau twenty five years ago in the three minutes it took her to walk to the end of the dock of the rented cottage. She told her husband, Jeff, "This is where I want to be for the rest of my life." These were startling words since Susan was Executive Director of Development and Alumni Programming for the College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University, and she and Jeff had spend most of their adult life in Bloomington, Indiana (with extended leaves In Washington, D.C., and The Wharton School in Philadelphia). But three years later they bought their cottage, eight north of the original rental. From that point on, they continued to enjoy their careers and professional lives in Bloomington but considered Leelanau home. Susan volunteered in the Leland Library where it was "too quiet," and after three weeks Dan Jamieson sent her to the Historical Society where she found her niche selling merchandise in the gift shop and offering advice when asked for their fundraising program. She worked for the Conservancy stuffing envelopes and as a community member of the Fund Development Committee, and made phone calls, organized handouts, and stuffed envelopes for the Farmland Conservation Initiative. Jeff retired from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana so the Greens now spend more than six months in Leelanau, golfing, hiking, birding, bicycling, canoeing, collecting beach and blue stones, breathing the clear blue air, and drinking the cold, pure water (and wine). Molly Harrison
email: info@theconservancy.com
Molly (Mrs. Charles Learner Harrison, III), lives on Northport Point year round and has spent time there since she was a child. Molly serves on our Outreach Committee and has helped us to launch events such as our Sustainer gatherings and annual Picnic and Silent Auction. She has brought us many new members and donors through her efforts on behalf of the Conservancy. Other info: Wellesley College; Founding member of Southern Ohio Senior Services Inc., Board member and officer of Maple Knoll Village; Board member and officer of Junior League of Cincinnati Garden Club, Cincinnati Town and Country Garden Club; Garden Club of America Flower Show Judge Emeritus; Vestry, St. Thomas Church, Terrace Park Ohio; E.M.T. Crew Chief and Fireman first class, retired; Mother of five, grandmother of 15, NOT retired. Greg LaCross
email: glacross@nmc.edu Greg is a long-time resident of Leelanau County and is currently the Chairman of the Science Department at Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City. Greg holds graduate degrees in biochemistry from Boston College, and ecology from Pennsylvania State University, and Western Illinois University. He teaches ecology, botany, the major's biology course, genetics, biochemistry, and vertebrate natural history. When not teaching, Greg owns and operates an ecological consulting firm that performs ecological analysis and botanical inventories. He has spent the last 15 years trekking around Leelanau and Grand Traverse counties performing botanical inventories for various governmental agencies and private organizations. He volunteers a great deal of time helping the Conservancy with botanical surveys and other ecological work in addition to serving on the stewardship committee. "I love the beauty of Leelanau County and have been exploring it since I was a kid. There is an endless number of unique natural features in Leelanau County and I hope that my knowledge and experience can be used to protect our beautiful county. I feel I have a responsibility to the many generations who will follow us and hope to help leave them a legacy of the most beautiful natural areas in the county to enjoy". If you ever have a question about the natural world or something you find in one of our preserves, don't hesitate to contact me. Barbara Nelson-Jameson
email: barbara_nelson-jameson@nps.gov
Barbara Nelson-Jameson is a graduate of U of M and works for the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program. This unique branch within the NPS provides guidance and assistance to a great many community groups who are engaged in open space preservation, greenways and parks planning, and trail ways. Barbara travels throughout the Midwest working with conservation and community groups, some of them very similar to the Leelanau Conservancy. "Given her experience and professional connections, we are fortunate indeed to have Barbara serving on our Board of Directors," says Price. She and Lee live in Suttons Bay with their daughter. Jim Nugent
email: nugent@msu.edu Retired as District Horticultural Agent, MSU Extension and Coordinator, NW Michigan Horticultural Research Station, Jim has served as a leader in statewide cherry programming. Has co-authored many publications and articles, the most recent being, Early 21st Century Cherry Varieties for the Great Lakes & Eastern North America. He serves as Board Chairman, Graceland Fruit Company; is co-owner of Sunblossom Orchards, Suttons Bay; and serves on the Board of Directors of the Leelanau Community Choir. His wife, Toddy Rieger is a fruit grower and they have three grown children. Kathy Ricord
email:kathyricord@hotmail.com Kathy, her husband Lou, and their daughter, have been vacationing in Leelanau County for 14 years. One week trips in the summer quickly evolved to multiple trips during all four seasons, and more extended stays. In 1999, they purchased property outside of Empire and built their home. In 2006, Kathy retired as Chief Marketing Officer for Nationwide Insurance and Financial Services, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Lou retired as a professor at The Ohio State University. They moved permanently to Empire, and Bonnie attends Glen Lake High School. They continue to enjoy many outdoor activities, and the scenic beauty and character of the area. Kathy is a graduate of Denison University in Granville, Ohio, and has an MBA from the Ohio State University. She is a past board member of the YMCA of Central Ohio, and is past president of the Columbus Chapter of the American Marketing Association. Jack Seaman
email: jseaman@gray-law.net.
Jack lives in Cedar with his wife, Susan, and practices law in Traverse City. Jack has been on our board practically since the organization's inception, and is a past President of the Conservancy. His legal expertise has helped to guide us through many transactions, chief among them the Crystal River deal. Jack also serves on our Land Protection and Nominating Committees. Other info: BA, Communications, Michigan State; JD, University of Detroit, partner in Gray, Seaman and McKay, P.C., Traverse City; Member Solon Township Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals; past president and director of the Inland Seas Education Association. Todd Stachnik
email:tcstachnik@msn.com Todd is a sixth generation Leelanau County resident who lives on his family farm just north of Maple City with his two children Claire and Mitchell. Todd is a local entrepreneur who owns and operates business interests in the wealth management as well as property development and self storage arenas. Todd graduated from Michigan State Univesity with a degree in Business Administration and returned home to live on the most beautiful peninsula in the world. Todd has served in the past on a multitude of organiztions: St. Rita/St. Joseph Church Finance Council, Glen Lake/Sleeping Bear Chamber of Commerce, Leelanau Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. He currently serves on the board of the Leelanau County Economic Development Corporation, Northwestern Michigan College Foundation Board, Glen Lake Schools Foundation Board, Citizens Council of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and the Finance Coucil for the Diocese of Gaylord. Todd’s longest range plan is to be laid to rest on the family farm he has called home since birth. Mary Taylor
email: imagearts1@aol.com
Mary lives on Lake Leelanau with her husband, Pete, after moving here permanently in 1991. She joined the board in 2001. She has a BS from Central Michigan University and retired as Director of Continuing Medical Education from a Medical Center in Lansing. She is a former Chair of the Board of Directors of the Grand Traverse Bay Watershed Initiative (GTB Watershed Center), Past President of the Lake Leelanau Lake Association and the Little Garden Club of Leland, and past member of the Northwest Michigan Wildlife Rehab organization. Mary has been very active with the Lake Association and has been instrumental in helping us to protect Lake Leelanau in terms of fundraising and public education. Winter is her favorite season when she enjoys a daily ski. She also is an avid gardener, biker, reader, and animal lover! Sally Viskochil
email: tamarack@charterinternet.com
Sally Viskochil is a longtime supporter who lives in Omena and is the owner of the Tamarack Craftsman Gallery there. She was born and raised in Traverse City. After graduating from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in Sciences and Fine Arts, Sally and her late husband David spent three years in the Peace Corps in Thailand before moving north and opening their gallery in 1972. Sally has served as a Parent Aid with the Department of Social Services, been active in the Northport school system and is the president of a civic women’s group, Club 21. She has one daughter, Sarah (pictured here), who teaches in Williamsburg, Virginia. Barb VonVoigtlander
email: barbvon@chartermi.net Barb and her husband, Phil, reside year round in the village of Northport overlooking Northport Bay. Barb attended Michigan State University graduating with a BA in Psychology and Anthropology. Her early work experience was also at the university, in the MSU library and as a lab technician in the Pharmacology department where husband, Phil was pursuing a PhD. In Neuropsychopharmacology. Barb and Phil settled in Plainwell, Michigan where they lived for over 25 years, with Barb busy with supporting husband and children in the home. During those years Barb became active as a volunteer, believing that when you live in a place you need to give something back in the way of service to that community. She was one of a group of mothers who formed the first Parent Club at Starr Elementary School. Barb was encouraged to run for the local school board and served for several years on the board, the last three as President. When she and Phil decided to retire in the Leelanau peninsula, where they had vacationed for over 30 years, Northport seemed like a perfect fit. Barb loves her “walkable” village with the library, bank, grocery store, church and restaurants all within two blocks of her home. Retirement didn’t mean not continuing to feel that she should give some service to the community however. She launched into sharing her love of gardening and skills learned through the MSU Master Gardener program by helping to plant the Northport sign, flowers on the bridge and marina flower beds. When a trustee position became available, Barb again saw an opportunity to help the community which has embraced her and Phil by offering to serve on the Northport Village Council which she has done for five years now and will continue to serve for another term as well as Secretary for the Northport/Leelanau Township Utilities Authority and the Northport Village Planning Commission. Harvey Warburton
email: harvey@warburtons.us Harvey Warburton joined our board in November, 2006. He and his wife, Marilyn, have visited the area since the early 70s and moved to Empire permanently in 1997. Harvey is a graduate of Hiram College, where he majored in Mathematics, and also holds an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania in Industrial Management. That led to a long-term career in the auto industry, working for both Ford and Chrysler before moving north. In addition to his work with the Leelanau Conservancy, Harvey also presently serves on the Economic Club of Traverse City Board of Directors and is a SCORE Member. He is a past board director of Traverse City YMCA and Goodwill Industries. Harvey is active on our Land Protection and Finance and Investment Committees. | | |
