STATE COUNCIL & STAFF

The Michigan Association of Conservation Districts (MACD) works to strengthen Michigan’s Conservation Districts through leadership, information, and representation at the State level.  

MACD is a 501(c)3 charitable organization, created in 1941 by Michigan Conservation Districts to be the statewide voice for Conservation Districts and to support their important work as local providers of natural resource management services.

We do this through legislative advocacy, public outreach, education, grant support and business programs to provide Michigan Conservation Districts with the skills and tools to better serve their communities. 


State Council

The MACD State Council, the governing board of the Association, has overall responsibility for the organization. Made up of member-elected officers and regional representatives, the State Council provides fiscal oversight and planning to assure that the Association provides members with quality programs and services to its members.

 

President:   Gerald "Jerry" Miller, Ph.D.  /  Kent Conservation District

Gerald “Jerry” Miller is Director of the Kent County Conservation District and currently serves as KCCD’s Board Chair. Jerry joined MACD in 2014 and served as Region 7 Vice-Chair. In 2015, he was elected Vice-President of MACD, re-elected in 2017, and was elected President of MACD in 2019 for a 2-year term.

Jerry is a native of Virginia and grew up on a crop and livestock farm in the Shenandoah Valley, graduating with a degree in agronomy from Virginia Tech, and an M.S. and Ph.D. in soil science from Iowa State University (ISU). During his academic career, he conducted applied research and served as a professor and Extension specialist for soil, water and watershed management and soil survey and land use at ISU. Jerry also spent his professional career working in soil and water management, and has more than 35 years of experience working with soil and water conservation districts. He still is very active, as well, as an emeritus professor of agronomy at ISU.  //  Email:  [email protected]

Vice President:   Elaine Brown  /  Clinton Conservation District

Since April 2016, Elaine Brown has been a Director and Treasurer on the Clinton County Conservation District Board. She has served on the MACD State Council since August 2016, including as Secretary/Treasurer from 2017-2019. Elaine currently serves on the MACD Legislative Workgroup, Finance, and Executive Committees, using her 30+ years of work experience to help move the MACD State legislative funding effort forward.  //  Email:  [email protected]

Secretary/Treasurer:   Nancy Szikszay  /  Genesee Conservation District

Nancy Szikszay started her Conservation District life about 20 years ago, when she was appointed to the Genesee Conservation District Board of Directors. A year later she was elected to represent Region 9 on MACD's State Council. She has served as Chair, Vice-Chair, and Treasurer in Genesee. It is Nancy's sincere hope to have had as much positive influence on our conservation districts as these experiences have had on her.  //  Email:  [email protected]

 

Past President:   Art Pelon  /  Ionia Conservation District

Region 1 Chair:   Randy Gentz  /  Marquette Conservation District

Vice Chair  -   Kurt Lehmann, Dickinson CD

Secretary / Treasurer - Bernie Huetter, Marquette CD

Region 2 Chair:   Jane Bishop  /  Chippewa Luce Mackinac Conservation District

Vice Chair  -  Tom White, Schoolcraft CD

Region 3 Chair:   Carol Hart  /  Kalkaska Conservation District

Vice Chair  - Dawn Moses, Kalkaska CD

Region 4 Chair:   Ned Hughes, Newaygo Conservation District

Vice Chair  -  Susanna Schwager  /  Missaukee CD

Region 5 Chair:   Rick Payea  /  Iosco Conservation District

Vice Chair - Cliff Miller

Region 6 Chair:   Kevin Craig  /  Gratiot Conservation District

Vice Chair  -  Tony Czymbor, Arenac CD

Region 7 Chair:   E. Paul Schroeder / Muskegon CD  

Vice Chair  -  Betsy Koehnlein,  Ionia CD

Secretary/Treasurer - Gary Boersen, Clinton CD

Region 8 Chair:   Brandy Wise-Tenter  /  Berrien Conservation District

Vice Chair  -  Raecale Stull, Allegan CD

Secretary/Treasurer - Carol Higgins, St. Joseph CD

Region 9 Chair:   Roberta Boyle  /  Oakland Conservation District

Vice Chair  -  Gregory Jarmolowisz, Blue Water CD

Region 10 Chair:  Steve Law  /  Jackson Conservation District

 Vice Chair  - Clark Humrich  /  Livingston CD

 

MACD Staff

Executive Director:   Dan Moilanen

Email:   [email protected]
Cell Phone: 517-331-1335

Member Services Assistant:   Taylor Pack

Email:  [email protected] 
Cell Phone: 517-331-4391

Capacity Programs Manager:   Steve Law

Email:   [email protected]   
Phone: 517-812-1634

CSP-MAEAP Liaison:  Jay Blair

Email:   [email protected]   
Phone: 810-869-1311

Bookkeeping:   Waynette Ginter

Email:   [email protected]    
Phone: 517-927-5746