A Time of Transition for Wisconsin Lakes…
Executive Director Mike Engleson Plans To Leave the Organization in the Fall of 2025
By Dan Butkus, President
Dear Members and Friends,
Executive Director Mike Engleson
(Photo Credit: A Mike Engleson selfie!)
It is with some sadness but great appreciation for his exceptional work on our behalf that Wisconsin Lakes must announce the departure of our Executive Director, Mike Engleson later next year. Mike plans on starting his own venture in the Fall of 2025. He will remain our Executive Director through this period, in order to help our organization review our needs to best serve our members and the State of Wisconsin. Mike will also assist us in the search for a new Executive Director.
Mike has been with Wisconsin Lakes for fifteen years. The last eleven years he has been our Executive Director. Mike has been with us through our biggest challenges as well as our best triumphs. Through it all, Mike has been an absolute champion of our state’s lakes, of advocating for best practices that balance both conservation and active recreational enjoyment, and of holding us to the core principle that the waters of Wisconsin belong to the people of Wisconsin.
Since coming to Wisconsin Lakes Mike has been the person behind all our communications with our members. He gives voice to our Board’s policy decisions, helps inform members on current issues facing our lakes, and promotes our membership advocacy at the state and local level. Mike has been instrumental in helping our partners in the Lakes Partnership, Extension Lakes and the DNR, in organizing the annual Lakes Convention. He has been the face of our organization, and everyone involved with our lakes and environmental concerns across the state knows Mike Engleson. In this regard, he certainly is following in his father’s (David Engleson) footsteps to promote environmental issues and environmental education.
While it may be difficult to replace him, we are confident that with Mike’s help, we will be able to bring aboard a qualified individual, so that we may build upon the already solid foundation, and so that we may carry forward the work that Mike and our membership have accomplished.
As President of Wisconsin Lakes, and on behalf of our Board of Directors, I want to say it continues to be a pleasure to work with Mike as we move through this transitional period together. It is a testament to Mike’s character for him to stay onboard until the autumn of 2025.