Wisconsin Lakes President Resigns for Health Reasons; Will Be Missed
Executive Director Michael Engleson (left) and President Dan Butkus (right) each took home WI Lake Stewardship Awards at the 2025 WI Lakes & Rivers Convention
Photo Credit: Beckie Gaskill
Dan Butkus has resigned from the presidency and the board of directors due to unexpected health issues
By Wisconsin Lakes staff
Dan Butkus, president of Wisconsin Lakes since 2023, resigned this week from the presidency and the board of directors due to a serious medical condition which made it difficult for him to serve effectively.
Butkus will be greatly missed by Wisconsin Lakes and the Wisconsin Lakes & Rivers Partnership. In addition to Wisconsin Lakes, Dan served on the board of commissioners of the Squash Lake District, advised numerous lake districts across the state on all matters of district governance issues, was a Wisconsin Lake Leaders Institute graduate, and served as a policy watchdog in Oneida County and around the state, tirelessly working to defend sound, science-based water policy and good civic process.
“Losing Dan as leader leaves a massive hole in Wisconsin Lakes that will be hard to fill,” said Executive Director Michael Engleson. “That said, all of us at Wisconsin Lakes wish Dan a swift and successful recovery and hold him and his family in all of our thoughts.”
Pres. Dan Butkus speaks before the Natural Resources Board
Dan was recently given two awards that exemplify his commitment to Wisconsin’s lakes. At last months Wisconsin Lakes & Rivers Convention, he received the Wisconsin Lake Stewardship Award for Excellence in Building Partnerships, and will be receiving the Conservationist of the Year Award from the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation in April.
According to one of the nominators of Dan’s Stewardship Award, he consistently “put the good of Wisconsin’s waters ahead of self.” We could not agree more.
Vice President Derek Kavanaugh will handle the duties of the Presidency until the Board of Directors elects a new President, likely to happen in mid-May