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:   Carol Higgins  /  St. Joseph Conservation District

Carol was raised on a multi-commodity farm in St. Joseph County. Her first connection to conservation districts was as an elementary student when she helped plant hundreds of trees with her family. Carol has been a director on the St. Joseph County Board since 2008 and served as board chair for approximately ten years. She has served as an officer for region 8 for about six years and became vice president of MACD in 2023.

Carol is a certified science/social studies teacher (retired) with a BS from Nazareth College and a MA in Science Education from Western Michigan University. She considers herself a riparian-agrarian-naturalist-grandma with ties to the Friends of Portage Lake, Friends of the St. Joseph River, Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy and other environmental groups. She is a member of Michigan Farmers Union and also serves as a trustee for Glen Oaks Community College. //  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

STATE COUNCIL MEMBERS

Region 1 Chair:
Vice Chair:
Secretary / Treasurer:

Kurt Lehmann / Dickinson Conservation District
Randy Gentz,  Marquette CD
Bernie Huetter, Marquette CD

Region 2 Chair: 
Vice Chair:

Jane Bishop  /  Chippewa Luce Mackinac Conservation District
Vacant

Region 3 Chair:
Vice Chair:

Dawn Moses  /  Kalkaska Conservation District
Vacant

Region 4 Chair:
Vice Chair:

Ned Hughes, Newaygo Conservation District
Susanna Schwager, Missaukeee CD

Region 5 Chair:
Vice Chair:

Vacant
Vacant

Region 6 Chair:
Vice Chair:

Kevin Craig  /  Gratiot Conservation District
Aron Buechler, Bay CD

Region 7 Chair:
Vice Chair:
Secretary/Treasurer:

E. Paul Schroeder / Muskegon CD  
Rivka Hodgkinson, Ottawa CD
Gary Boersen, Clinton CD

Region 8 Chair:
Vice Chair:

Brandy Wise-Tenter  /  Berrien Conservation District
Vacant

Region 9 Chair:
Vice Chair:

Steve Schaub  /  Lapeer Conservation District 
Vacant

Region 10 Chair:
Vice Chair:

Steve Law  /  Jackson Conservation District
Clark Humrich, Livingston Conservation District

Executive Director: Dan Moilanen
Dan has been with the Association since 2019, when he was first elected to the Genesee Conservation District Board of Directors. As a Legislative Staffer at the time, Dan joined MACD's Legislative Workgroup to help the Association deliver on our collective legislative goals. In 2021, Dan took on the role of Executive Director and hit the ground running. Dan brings to the table a wealth of legislative experience, an extensive professional network, a diverse skillset, technological knowledge, and first-hand experience as a CD Director. Prior to his work in the legislature, Dan was the owner and operator of Flint's first food truck business, Vehicle City Tacos, where he successfully engaged in place-making and social entrepreneurial efforts. In addition to his work in conservation, Dan has a passion for music. He serves on the Flint Institute of Music Board of Trustees and plays in his own band in his spare time. 
 //  Email: [email protected]
      Cell Phone: 517-331-1335

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

 //  Email: [email protected]
      Cell Phone: 517-896-1399

Bookkeeper: Waynette Ginter
Waynette has been with the Association since 2014 providing part-time bookkeeping and accounting services. Prior to joining MACD's team, she served as Operations Manager at Ingham Conservation District. Waynette handles invoicing for conferences and other billing or payment issues.
//  Email: [email protected]
     Phone: 517-927-5746