MICHIGAN WATERWAYS STEWARDS
- Board of Directors & Advisory Council -
- BOARD OF DIRECTORS -
Mike Stout, President and Founder
Where talent and passion meet.
Stout is a Lansing area resident, MSU graduate, author, adventurer, photographer, environmentalist, and president of I3 Marketing, LLC.
Stout is Fortune 100 marketing executive, expert in business development and leading transformational change. Over his career he has managed several national brands, taken regional companies nationally, transformed private label companies into national branded powerhouses, turned longtime declining business into star financial performers, and led company and industry-wide innovation. He has served on economic advisory boards, company executive and steering committees, and regularly consults non-profits. He is currently serving on Lansing's Mayor's Advisory Commission on Sustainability.
Stout is Fortune 100 marketing executive, expert in business development and leading transformational change. Over his career he has managed several national brands, taken regional companies nationally, transformed private label companies into national branded powerhouses, turned longtime declining business into star financial performers, and led company and industry-wide innovation. He has served on economic advisory boards, company executive and steering committees, and regularly consults non-profits. He is currently serving on Lansing's Mayor's Advisory Commission on Sustainability.
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For recreation, Stout is a long-distance solo paddler owning several unofficial world records. He has solo paddled across Lake Michigan seven times, Lake Superior once, and has competed in extreme paddling races across the U.S.
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Michigan Waterways Stewards combines Stout's passion for our waters and his professional experience in developing high-performance organizations. It's his way of giving back to community and to a sport that has given him so much.
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Jared Harmon, Chief Conservationist
Jared is the Executive Director of the Mid-Michigan Land Conservancy. He is an extraordinary talent and highly respected in his field and our community. He a graduate of Northern Michigan University and holds a Masters of Public Administration, and a B.S in environmental sciences with a specialization in natural resources.
Before joining Mid-Michigan Land Conservancy Jared held several roles in Conservation Districts to promote habitat protection in southwest Michigan. He also worked on trail maintenance at Isle Royale National Park and for the US Fish and Wildlife Service protecting Kirtland’s Warblers. In his free time he enjoys operating his fourth-generation family farm raising cattle and pack goats. Jared spent much of his youth outside on the farm along the Kalamzoo River which instilled an appreciation for our states treasured waterways. As the steward of the land he is passionate about implementing practices that improve habitat for wildlife and pollinators. Harmon also enjoys hunting, hiking, kayaking, and camping. |
Della Pfeil, Chief Strategist
Della is an extraordinary talent with a deep passion for the outdoors and wildlife. Her desire to share the beauty of nature through photography is matched only by her commitment to making a positive impact in the human sciences, a field she chose to pursue after nearly embarking on a career in environmental sciences.
Della is a graduate of Michigan State University, Lansing Community College, and Oakland University, where she earned both an associate and a bachelor's degree in Nursing. She currently serves as a registered nurse in the Medical Intensive Care Unit at Sparrow Hospital. While at Michigan State, she founded an organization called Greener Together, focused on environmental programs and policy. Following her graduation, she spent time on a dude ranch in Cody, Wyoming, adjacent to Grand Teton National Park, where she gained valuable insights into sustainable farming practices. |
Andy Zarkovich, Community Engagement Chair
Andy Zarkovich is a business leader and community ambassador who provides value through providing innovative solutions and fostering relationships throughout the community.
Andy's professional title is Marketing Director for Providence Consulting where he helps organizations make technology easier and secure. Andy and his wife Christine also own Massage Bliss and Beauty, a day-spa in Okemos that focuses on healing others through the power of touch and helping them feel beautiful throughout their journey.
Andy's professional title is Marketing Director for Providence Consulting where he helps organizations make technology easier and secure. Andy and his wife Christine also own Massage Bliss and Beauty, a day-spa in Okemos that focuses on healing others through the power of touch and helping them feel beautiful throughout their journey.
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To give back, Andy serves as an Ambassador for the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce and is the Treasurer of the Friends of the Looking Glass. In his free time, Andy enjoys spending time in Michigan's outdoors with his wife Christine and son Marek. As a lifelong Michigan resident, he believes one of the best resources are our waterways. From providing nutrients to farmland or space for recreational activities, our rivers are the veins that keep our state flowing.
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Andy understands the importance of protecting our watersheds and it's his focus to bring communities together as many hands make light work. He is excited to focus on collaboration and creating key relationships to ensure the safety and pristine condition of these invaluable resources.
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Evan Carr, Events Management Chair
Evan is a social entrepreneur, regenerative practitioner, and spoken word artist placed in Lansing, MI. He currently works on Carbon Positive KC, a Kansas City non-profit helping individuals eliminate their carbon footprint, and The Development Dojo, an interactive leadership development company.
Evan holds a Bachelors of Interdisciplinary Studies and a Master of Public Policy degree from UT Dallas.
Evan enjoys poetry, fitness, reading, and exploring Michigan's amazing beauty, including its beautiful waterways that source our life. When he's not writing, Evan focuses his attention at the intersection of bioregional regeneration, community resilience, cultural evolution, and entrepreneurship. He believes that Lansing and Michigan's future will only get better and that requires us all to take action today.
Evan holds a Bachelors of Interdisciplinary Studies and a Master of Public Policy degree from UT Dallas.
Evan enjoys poetry, fitness, reading, and exploring Michigan's amazing beauty, including its beautiful waterways that source our life. When he's not writing, Evan focuses his attention at the intersection of bioregional regeneration, community resilience, cultural evolution, and entrepreneurship. He believes that Lansing and Michigan's future will only get better and that requires us all to take action today.
Cynthia Wagner, Waterways Stewardship Chair
Cynthia is Director of Potter Park Zoo, and a proud graduate of Michigan State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Zoology. She has lived in the Lansing area for nearly 30 years, including the last six years near the Looking Glass River. Her experiences with the diverse wildlife thriving in these waterways have deepened her passion for maintaining healthy rivers. Cynthia greatly values the opportunity for everyone in the community to experience the wonders of nature along the rivers.
Through her partnership with Michigan Waterways Stewards, Cynthia has been inspired by the community's involvement in enhancing the Red Cedar River for all to enjoy. She is eager to share the valuable wildlife resources found in the heart of Lansing with zoo visitors and the broader community.
Through her partnership with Michigan Waterways Stewards, Cynthia has been inspired by the community's involvement in enhancing the Red Cedar River for all to enjoy. She is eager to share the valuable wildlife resources found in the heart of Lansing with zoo visitors and the broader community.
- ADVISORY COUNCIL -
Babb, Dillon: Lansing Community College student with an associate degree in Criminal Justice, Co-Founder and President of the LCC Outdoor Connections Club.
Belbot, Max: Founder & CEO of Great Lakes Watercraft.
Belli, Jordyn: Trail Ambassador Coordinator for Friends of the Lansing Regional Trails.
Bosheff, Pete: Strategic marketing, concept consulting, park design, media, action sports, and public engagement expert.
Campbell, Emma: Meridian Township Land Stewardship Coordinator, founder of Meridian Conservation Corps, author, and educator.
Cox, Anthony: Colorado Mountain College graduate with degrees in Outdoor Education and Outdoor Recreational Leadership.
Gooder, Camden: Western Michigan University student, Sigma Chi community service and philanthropy chair.
Hugo, Jayne: Community advocate, environmental steward - river patrol volunteer for Retired & Senior Volunteer Programs.
Hornung, Maximillian: MSU graduate having majored in Political Science Pre-Law with a double minor in Law, Justice, and Public Policy, and Business. Sergeant at Arms of the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity.
Kaschinske, Brett: City of Lansing, Parks and Recreation Director.
McVerry, Patrick: City of Kalamazoo Parks and Recreation Director.
Naerebout, Joe: Professional magnet fisherman and social media influencer.
Sterret Isely, Elaine: Saugatuck Dunes Coastal Alliance Executive Director, environmental advocate, not-for-profit leader, and litigation expert
Washington, Dr. Dwight: District 7 - Bath Township Commissioner. Industry leader and innovator driving environmental social reform, creator sustainable planning.
