Our Team
A Driven Team of Resource Professionals
At the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD), we know that great work takes great people. We are a diverse team of researchers, planners, water quality experts, outreach professionals, and more. We collaborate with communities, public partners, and private developers to improve land and water for future generations.
Administrator
James Wisker
District AdministratorDegree(s):
B.S., Ecology, Evolution & Behavior, University of MinnesotaM.S., Water Resource Science, University of Minnesota
Project Planning
Working with public and private partners to lead and support capital projects across the watershed that promote Balanced Urban Ecology and create benefits for our natural resources and our communities.
Michael Hayman
Director of Project PlanningMichael oversees and guides MCWD’s capital improvement program, the implementation of capital projects, and land conservation initiatives in coordination with planner – project managers. He also works closely with the District Administrator to cultivate and maintain MCWD’s strategic direction and alignment by identifying and prioritizing watershed opportunities, developing public-private partnerships, and developing funding strategies.
Degree(s):
A.S., Business Management, St. Cloud State UniversityB.S., Environmental Science, St. Cloud State University
Gabe Sherman
Planner – Project ManagerGabe works with MCWD’s partners to develop and design capital projects that manage and improve water within the watershed, with a focus in the Minnehaha Creek subwatershed. He works with staff and partners to identify emerging issues and opportunities, develop innovative solutions, and construct projects that improve water quality, manage water quantity, restore ecological integrity, and enhance thriving communities.
Degree(s):
B.A., Political Science, Tufts UniversityMaster of City and Regional Planning, Rutgers University
Sophia Green
Planner – Project ManagerAs a member of the project-planning team, Sophia works with the District’s partners to plan and develop capital projects that improve the watershed’s resources. By working with partners across private and public sectors, Sophia identifies emerging project opportunities that provide mutual benefits for the watershed’s resources, communities, and economy.
Degree(s):
B.S. Ecology and Political Science, University of Minnesota- Duluth; M.S. Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Kailey Cermak
Planner – Project ManagerKailey works with MCWD’s partners to develop and design capital projects that manage and improve the watershed. She works with public and private partners to identify emerging opportunities to improve water quality, manage water quantity, and integrate water and land-use planning to support thriving communities.
Degree(s):
B.S., Conservation Biology, University of Wisconsin – MadisonPolicy Planning
Collaborating with cities, landowners, and developers to improve coordination, identify opportunities to create mutual benefits, and implement policies that integrate land and water planning efforts.
Becky Christopher
Director of Policy PlanningBecky cultivates and maintains MCWD’s direction and alignment through the development of the District’s Strategic Plan and Watershed Management Plan. She leads the development and implementation of the District’s Balanced Urban Ecology policy, developing local, regional, and state policy strategies to integrate land use and water planning. She also leads the Land and Water Partnership program by identifying, evaluating, and prioritizing the District’s response to public-private partnership opportunities.
Degree(s):
B.A., Biology, teaching licensure in Earth Science and Life Science, University of Minnesota – MorrisGraduate level courses in Water Resources Science, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Kate Moran
Policy Planning CoordinatorKate supports MCWD’s Policy Planning Program by coordinating with state, regional, and local entities to promote and develop policy to improve the integration of land use and water planning. She also supports the implementation of the District’s Balanced Urban Ecology policy and Response Program to collaborate with public-private partners to achieve the District’s goals of improving water quality, managing water quantity, restoring ecological integrity, and creating thriving communities.
Degree(s):
B.S., Geography – University of Oregon-EugeneM.S., Water Resources Policy and Management – Oregon State University-Corvallis
Alex Steele
GIS CoordinatorAlex coordinates all facets of MCWD’s geographic information systems (GIS), including managing the district’s GIS database, analyzing data, and determining technology needs. He also works across the organization to create interactive and static maps to communicate data and inform MCWD’s projects and priorities.
Degree(s):
B.S., Geography, GIS emphasis, University of Minnesota – Twin CitiesPermitting
Reviewing and overseeing construction activities, and providing technical assistance and customer service in coordination with communities to protect natural resources from degradation as a result of land use change.
Trey Jonas
Permitting TechnicianTrey performs technical work and customer service by administering and issuing permits. In addition, he implements and administers the Wetland Conservation Act, supports compliance enforcement to advance the strategic objectives of MCWD, and works closely with other members of the permitting staff to build new public and private partnerships that achieve natural resource benefits beyond regulation alone.
Degree(s):
B.S. Environmental Geoscience, Winona State University
Maggie Menden
Permitting TechnicianMaggie processes and reviews water resource permit applications, provides technical assistance and customer service, and conducts field inspections to ensure quality service and compliance with MCWD’s permitting rules. Maggie also implements the Wetland Conservation Act and helps identify public-private partnerships to improve water quality, restore ecological integrity, and promote thriving communities.
Degree(s):
B.S. Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of Minnesota
Veronica Sannes
Permitting AssistantAs a permitting assistant, Veronica works with the permitting team to review permits, perform site inspections, provide customer service, and implement the Wetland Conservation Act. Veronica also assists in identifying opportunities for public or private partnerships that improve water quality and quantity and support thriving communities throughout the watershed.
Degree(s):
B.S. in Aquatic Science, University of Wisconsin – La CrosseOperations
Supporting MCWD’s general business operations and ensuring that staff are well equipped to work on projects and policies that conserve and improve our natural resources.
Deb Johnson
Office ManagerDeb supports the general business operations of the MCWD by providing external and internal customer service, assisting with permit fee processing, managing detailed records, assisting with accounting, preparing reports and meeting packets, and supporting the general office maintenance.
Tessa Vacek
Administrative Services ManagerTessa manages and leads MCWD’s business operations, including Human Resources, Finances, and Facilities Management. She directs and oversees all management activities necessary to achieve strategic objectives, including the development of systems, plans, policies, procedures, budgets, and progress reports.”
Degree(s):
B.A. Psychology, St. Cloud State UniversityOutreach
Connecting people to the information they value and engaging residents, agencies, and private sector partners to ensure MCWD’s work is integrated with the goals of our communities.
Samantha Maul
Acting Outreach ManagerDegree(s):
B.A. Environmental Studies and Music, Management Concentration, St. Olaf CollegeCoursework toward M.S., Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy, University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs
Maia Irvin
Communications CoordinatorMaia supports MCWD’s Outreach Program by producing data-driven stories that connect stakeholders to meaningful information and increase understanding of MCWD’s mission, goals, and key initiatives. She also manages MCWD’s website and digital communications and supports the development, implementation, and evaluation of MCWD’s Outreach strategy.
Degree(s):
B.A. Journalism and Anthropology, University of Minnesota – Twin CitiesResearch and Monitoring
Collecting and analyzing data across the watershed to identify resource needs and inform planning and implementation.
Brian Beck
Research & Monitoring Program ManagerDegree(s):
B.S., Environmental Science, University of Minnesota – Twin CitiesM.S., Water Resources Science, University of Minnesota – Duluth
Jill Sweet
Research & Monitoring TechnicianDegree(s):
B.S., Water Resources and Biology, University of Wisconsin – Stevens PointProject Maintenance & Land Management
Maintaining MCWD’s projects and land to ensure continued function and value. Managing the operation of Gray’s Bay Dam to reduce the risk of flooding and balance the water budget throughout our 178-square miles.
Josh Wolf
Project Maintenance and Land Management Program ManagerJosh coordinates the ongoing maintenance of MCWD’s capital projects and infrastructure. He also manages the District’s land conservation strategies and works with other Project Maintenance and Land Management staff to oversee the operations of the Gray’s Bay Dam.
Degree(s):
B.S. International Studies, German, Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-MadisonM.S.-M.P.H. Water Resource Management and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison
MCWD is organized into programs of expertise to manage and execute our mission.
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