ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP

Carl Lindquist: Executive Director

Lindquist provides creative leadership and promotes effective, community-based solutions to address emerging Great Lakes issues. Under his tenure the SWP has grown to serve three Great Lakes (Superior, Michigan, Huron), over 25 communities, 15 counties and 5 Native American tribes. Lindquist’s 25 year career includes management positions at the state, federal and non-profit level. He brings practical field experience which includes supervising state conservation projects (Wisconsin, Vermont) and working with the National Park Service (Mt. Rainier, Isle Royale). Lindquist has served on numerous regional, state and international advisory bodies including two terms as the US Chair of the Lake Superior Binational Forum (US and Canada). He holds a B.S. in Environmental Management from the University of Wisconsin.

Geraldine Grant: Senior Planner

Grant is responsible for leading the organization’s watershed planning and habitat restoration programs. In addition to program coordination, Ms. Grant works closely with local, state and federal partners to further the organization’s mission.  Ms. Grant specializes in natural resources planning, aquatic ecosystem restoration, physical and biological field assessments, and special studies related to Great Lakes priority issues. Ms. Grant possesses a Master of Science in Biology (Aquatic Ecology/Fisheries) and over 19 years of experience in the field of natural resources including 13 years of federal service as a Fisheries Biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Natasha Koss: Program Manager

Koss is responsible for the management of the SWP climate change programs.  She also oversees the membership program, including public outreach, community programs and special events.  Koss works closely with SWP partner organizations including non-profits, tribes, agencies and local units of government.  Over the last fifteen years Ms. Koss has worked in the fields of ecological restoration and wildlife biology for the National Park Service, the US Forest Service, and several private consulting firms.  Ms. Koss holds a B.S. in Ecology and Biology and a M.S. in Wildlife Ecology with a focus on Ornithology, both from Northern Michigan University. 

Cameron Fuess: GIS Coordinator

Fuess maintains the SWP Geographic Information System (GIS) and spatial data library. His duties include; GIS analysis, and map-based data production.  He brings a strong background in the natural resources management field with over 5 years in the public sector with both state and federal level experience (Natural Resource Conservation Service and Michigan Department of Agriculture).  He is also an instructor at Northern Michigan University teaching mapping, GIS and natural resource courses. 

Vicki Baldini: Grant Administrator

Baldini is responsible for grant administration and office management including preparation of related financial records and reports. Other duties include coordinating special projects and liaison to 150 Earthkeeper churches. Baldini’s career spans over 35 years and includes business administration, office management and serving as department head for a regional pension program. She holds a B. S. in Business Education from Northern Michigan University.

Jenn Klipp: Community Climate Coordinator

Rick Ligman: Field Supervisor

Hunter King: Field Technician

Drea Weiner: Volunteer Coordinator

SWP Board of Directors

President:  Richard Anderson, President, V.I.O. Inc.
Vice President:  Ron Sundell, Env. Science Dept., Northern Michigan University
Secretary:  Maura Davenport, Marquette County Community Foundation
Member:  Jerome Maynard, Dykema Law of Chicago
Member:  Lisa Nyquist, Northern Initiatives