DONNA CARLSON, Director (North West Region)
Affiliations: Grindstone Lake Association, Grindstone Lake Foundation, Sawyer County Lakes Forum (SCLF)
Counties: Sawyer
CONTACT DONNA: info@wisconsinlakes.org
Wisconsin Lakes – Our Board and Staff
Meet our Board & Staff!
CATHIE ERICKSON, Director (Northwest Region)
Affiliations: Shoreowners of Stone Lake Association (SOSLA), Washburn County Lakes & Rivers Association (WCLRA)
County: Washburn County
CONTACT CATHIE: cerickson@wisconsinlakes.org
RICK GEORGESON, Director (West Central Region)
Affiliations: Petenwell & Castle Rock Stewards (PACRS)
County: Adams, Juneau, and Wood Counties
CONTACT RICK: info@wisconsinlakes.org
DAN JOHNSON, Director (East Central Region)
Affiliations: President, Waupaca Chain O’Lakes Association; Secretary, Waupaca Chain O’Lakes District; Lakekit Program Manager & Volunteer
County: Waupaca
CONTACT DAN: info@wisconsinlakes.org
CAROLINE JOYCE, Director (Southeast Region)
Affiliations: Lake Country Clean Waters
County: Waukesha County
CONTACT CAROLINE: info@wisconsinlakes.org
DEREK KAVANAUGH, Vice President (Northeast Region)
Affiliations: Green Lake County Land Conservation Department
County: Green Lake County
CONTACT DEREK: info@wisconsinlakes.org
RICK MOSES, JR., Director (Northeast Region)
Affiliations: Legend Lake Protection & Rehabilitation District
County: Menominee County
CONTACT RICK: info@wisconsinlakes.org
JOHN RICHTER, Director (North Central Region)
Affiliations: Last Wilderness Alliance, Plum Lake Association
County: Vilas County
CONTACT JPHN: info@wisconsinlakes.org
CHRIS SAMPSON, Secretary (North Central Region)
Affiliations: Cloverleaf Lakes Association
County: Shawano County
CONTACT CHRIS: info@wisconsinlakes.org
BOB SCHELL, Treasurer (North Central Region)
Affiliations: Town of St Germain Town Lakes Committee; Found Lake Property Owners Association
County: Vilas
CONTACT BOB: info@wisconsinlakes.org
SUSAN TRIER, President (South Central Region)
Affiliations: Rock Lake Improvement Association
County: Jefferson
CONTACT SUSAN: info@wisconsinlakes.org
BEN WOJAHN, Executive Director
Ben comes to Wisconsin Lakes with a deep history largely rooted in County Land & Water Conservation Departments. He has served primarily as the County Conservationist for Vernon County, and also has experience in Taylor, Ashland, and Bayfield Counties.
Ben also has been active on the board and integral in the successful redevelopment of Wisconsin Land + Water since 2010. WI Land & Water is a statewide nonprofit organization that serves County Conservation Departments similar to how Wisconsin Lakes serves Wisconsin lake organizations. Ben also served on the Legislative Committee for Wisconsin Land and Water, and has experience testifying in support of conservation initiatives.
Rising out of his experience early in his career as an Americorps VISTA Alumni serving the Bad River Reservation on Lake Superior, he became an avid wild rice harvester, a “hobby” (he may describe it as an obsession) he continues to take part in each fall.
Wojahn also has developed knowledge and experience with Nutrient Management Planning, Managed Grazing, Habitat Restoration, GIS mapping, and Watershed Modeling.
Ben resides on his farm between Viroqua and La Crosse Wisconsin where he raises vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers. He has three children, with his oldest daughter attending UW-Eau Claire and his younger two in high school.
CONTACT BEN: bwojahn@wisconsinlakes.org
MICHAEL ENGLESON, Outgoing Executive Director
Prior to accepting the Executive Director role in 2013, Mike came to Wisconsin Lakes as Membership & Communications Director in 2009. A graduate of Lawrence University in Appleton and UW-Madison Law School, Mike gained a great deal of experience with non-profit organizations while in school. He served as intern with 1,000 Friends of Wisconsin, during which time he helped rural towns write ordinances implementing their land use plans. After a short stint as a general practice attorney, he spent six years working for the River Alliance of Wisconsin before coming to Wisconsin Lakes. He has served on the boards of several non-profit organizations, including Prairie Music & Arts, the Tenant Resource Center of Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Community Fund, and is a graduate of Lawrence University in Appleton.
A paddler, hiker, and occasional trombonist, Mike is a lifelong resident of Wisconsin (except for four great years in Kentucky). Some of his fondest memories are of camping and canoeing the lakes of the northwoods, a pastime he now enjoys sharing with his family.
CONTACT MIKE: