Partner Bios
Mary Finet
After a brief period of employment with the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC), Mary Finet has worked for the Waukesha County Department of Parks and Land Use-Planning and Zoning Division (and its predecessor the Waukesha County Park and Planning Department) since 1975, first as a cartographer and now as a Senior Land Use Specialist. She has been involved with subdivision plat review and currently works primarily with zoning code enforcement and the Board of Adjustment. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Carroll College and has been a member of the Partnership since October, 2001.
Marlin Johnson retired from teaching biology at the UW-Waukesha in 1997, but still manages the campus' 98-acre Biological Field Station. Since retirement he has become an active volunteer for the Waukesha Land Conservancy (a land trust organization), the Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation and the Southeast Fox River Partnership. His interests lie in the protection of endangered species and natural areas.
Orv Kurth has worked for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, formerly the Soil Conservation Service for 36 years, at eight different locations, with the last twenty years in Waukesha. Kurth is a graduate of UW-Platteville and is a Vietnam Veteran. Kurth has been a member of the Southeast Fox River Partnership since the second meeting. He is interested in activities which lead to improved water quality.
Tim Lightfield joined the Partnership in November, 2001, and is a wildlife and conservation enthusiast and participant. As Farm Manager at Lakewood Farms since 1983, Lightfield has been involved with many soil and water conservation programs, CRP (conservation reserve program), WHIP (wildlife habitat incentives program) and has implemented projects with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Wisconsin Forest Stewardship Program, among others. By joining the Partnership, Lightfield's main interest is to provide the private citizen/landowner with up-to-date information on soil and water issues, as well as all applicable programs (technical, educational, financial).
Jim McNelly has worked for the Department of Natural Resources since 1976. He was initially hired as a limnologist (someone who studies lakes), then transferred into fisheries management as a biologist. More recently, in 1996 Jim took a position overseeing the wildlife, forestry, parks and endangered resources programs within the Southeast Fox basin. Jim is a resident of the basin and has spent the past 27 years living in the area. He has developed a deep appreciation for the natural resources of the area and wants to support the partnership's efforts to protect these special resources for future generations. Jim McNelly is currently Co-Chairman of the Partnership.
Lou Olson began her career working in the Land Conservation Department of Walworth County in 1978. She was instrumental in developing several conservation programs such as: Land and Water Resource Plan; Farmland Preservation Soil and Water Compliance Program; Sugar/Honey Priority Watershed Program (CREP); Wildlife Abatement Program; Non Metallic Reclamation Ordinance; County Tree Program; Lake Protection Grant and Land Management/Land Use environmental recommendations; and assists with the USDA Conservation Programs in conjunction with Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Ken Rowley is a life-long farmer, currently raising corn, soybeans, wheat and hay. Since 1996, as President of the Walworth County Farm Bureau, he has represented rural interests throughout the state. Being a member of the Southeast Fox River Partnership, he is most interested in the group's efforts towards innovative ways for cleaner waterways.
Since 1976, Randy Schumacher has worked for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in Southeast Wisconsin. He has been a Fisheries Biologist, Area Fisheries Supervisor, and now is a Water Program Sub-Team Leader. Schumacher has been a member of the Partnership since 1998. He is most interested in preservation of lands and waters that support unique fish, animal and plant communities.
Charles Shong has been the Superintendent of the Lake Pewaukee Sanitary District since 1988. He oversees the District's wetland purchase and restoration program, aquatic plant harvesting operation, watershed management projects and adult and youth environmental education programs. Mr. Shong has been a member of the Southeast Fox River Partnership since 1998.
Jim Siepmann is President of Siepmann Realty Corporation in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, and has been involved in land development in metropolitan Milwaukee for over twenty years. Siepmann Realty Corp. has been at the forefront of innovative subdivision design and development, specializing in creative open space communities which provide attractive places for living and working while preserving sensitive areas for future generations. He has served on numerous boards, including the Town of Summit Plan Commission, Metropolitan Builders Association, Mainstreet Industries, and is currently a Town of Summit Board Supervisor. Siepmann has been a member of the Southeast Fox River Partnership since 1998 and is currently Co-Chairman of the group.
Andrew Yencha
Since 1994, Andy Yencha has worked for the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension as a Natural Resources Educator in Southeast Wisconsin. Prior to that, he was a Conservation Technician with the Door County Soil and Water Conservation Department. Yencha has been a member of the Partnership since 1998. He is most interested in the group's education and outreach efforts.