Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist has dedicated his career to solving problems. An engineer by training, he uses thoughtful innovation, progressive reform, and efficient modernization of policies and programs to make the work better for hardworking families. From spearheading campaigns for equality and justice to harnessing technology to solve real problems, his focus has consistently remained on serving the public and getting things done.

He brings a lifetime of experience to the task, receiving his first computer at age five and setting up a computer lab in a Detroit community recreation center using computers that he built himself at age 16. Lt. Governor Gilchrist studied computer engineering and computer science at the University of Michigan, graduating with honors, and later had a successful career as a software engineer at Microsoft, helping to build SharePoint into the fastest growing product in the company’s history.

Lt. Governor Gilchrist spent the next several years of his career as a social entrepreneur and community organizer who helped people in communities across America realize their full economic and political potential. Upon returning home to Detroit, Lt. Governor Gilchrist worked in local government to make sure build systems that made the government more responsive, transparent, and accountable to city residents. This experience prepared him for a key priority: to bring Michigan’s state government fully into the 21^st century on every level.

As part of the Whitmer Administration, Lt. Governor Gilchrist has sought to address injustice and inequity across our state at every level. From co-chairing the Michigan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration to helming the Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities, these task forces have taken actions that saved lives and protect our most vulnerable populations. Lt. Governor Gilchrist’s approach to addressing these disparities is deeply rooted in fact-based practices, science, and connecting with individuals across Michigan.

Liesl Eichler Clark is the Director of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. Director Clark was appointed by Governor Whitmer effective January 1, 2019. Her previous position was co-founder and partner of 5 Lakes Energy, a policy consulting firm that serves businesses, policymakers, and other stakeholders seeking to advance the transition to a clean energy economy.

Director Clark has also served as president of the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council and as deputy director for energy programs at the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor, & Economic Growth. Liesl was a critical catalyst for Michigan’s clean energy efforts beginning in 2008, and the application of her work after leaving state government resulted in the formation of Michigan’s first trade association dedicated solely to the emerging clean energy industry in this state – the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council (EIBC). Since founding the EIBC, Liesl has been instrumental in building relationships between the clean energy business community and state and federal policymakers while collaborating with energy experts and regulators to spearhead innovative energy policy.

Liesl completed a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Michigan State University while working full-time, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Economy from MSU’s James Madison College. She has completed the Great Lakes Leadership Academy.

Cathy Bernardino Bailey is the Executive Director of the Greater Cincinnati Water Works/GCWW. In over 200 years, Cathy is the first woman and first African American to lead Cincinnati’s major, independent, municipal water utility. Cathy leads a team that ensures safe drinking water and flooding mitigation for a regional population of more than 1.1 million citizens; supervises a team of 600 full-time employees; and oversees a $150 million operating budget and a $450 million capital budget over the next five years. Cathy is a strong champion and key visionary behind GCWW’s award-winning Lead Service Line Replacement Program. 

Bruno Pigott is Deputy Assistant Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Water. The Office of Water works to ensure that drinking water is safe, wastewater is safely returned to the environment, and surface waters are properly managed and protected. Prior to joining EPA, Bruno held multiple roles at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, serving most recently as the Commissioner, Agency Chief of Staff, and Assistant Commissioner in the Office of Water Quality. He started his state service as chief of the State Revolving Loan Fund Program in Indiana. Bruno holds a bachelor’s degree in political theory and economics from James Madison College at Michigan State University and a master's degree in public and environmental affairs from Indian University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs.

Appointed by Gov. Tony Evers in 2019, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary Preston Cole directs statewide programs for environmental protection, natural resource management, outdoor recreation and law enforcement with an emphasis on diversity and service excellence.

Secretary Cole supports traditional conservation activities and environmental protection as well as connecting nontraditional audiences with opportunities to get outdoors. As a member of Gov. Tony Evers Climate Change Taskforce, Secretary Cole helped develop multi-faceted recommendations that combat climate change's adverse effects in Wisconsin.

In 2019, Secretary Cole was inducted into the Milwaukee Business Journal Hall of Fame and recently named one of “Wisconsin’s 51 most Influential Black Leaders” by the news outlet Madison365.

Prior to his appointment to the DNR, Secretary Cole was a member of the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board (NRB) from 2007-2019. The NRB sets policy for the DNR and exercises authority and responsibility in accordance with state laws. Cole was first appointed by Gov. Jim Doyle and then re-appointed by Gov. Scott Walker. Secretary Cole was also selected NRB chair from 2013-2016 during which time he spearheaded livestreaming the board meetings.

Before becoming DNR Secretary, Secretary Cole was the Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services Commissioner where he led the department dedicated to protecting the value of investments in neighborhoods and commercial properties, supporting community goals of building safe and healthy neighborhoods, and increasing investment and economic vitality throughout the City.

As a career-long public servant, Secretary Cole previously worked as Operations Chief for the Milwaukee Department of Public Works, Forester for the City of Milwaukee, Parks Superintendent for the City of St. Louis and Resource Forester for the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Secretary Cole is the first African‐American forester to graduate from the University of Missouri after its reorganization in the 1970s. Secretary Cole credits participating in his local Future Farmers of America chapter during high school for sparking a life-long interest in forestry.

John J. Kim was appointed Director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency on January 22, 2019. Director Kim has served in many senior roles during his distinguished 25 years at the Agency under five Governors of both parties. He most recently served as Chief Legal Counsel. He has also previously served as Director, Interim Director, Ethics Officer, Deputy General Counsel, Assistant Counsel/Special Assistant Attorney General, and Project Manager for an IEPA-China pollution prevention project. In 2008 and 2009, he left the Illinois EPA for just over a year to serve as Acting General Counsel of the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
Before joining Illinois EPA, Director Kim was an Assistant Attorney General of Illinois and was the General Counsel to the Midwest Environmental Enforcement Association. He received his Juris Doctor from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and his Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

In Jan. 2019, Governor Mike DeWine appointed Laurie A. Stevenson as director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. She most recently served as Deputy Director for Business Relations where she served as a primary contact for regulated entities to help coordinate permitting activities within the Agency, particularly for complex projects requiring multiple permits. She also served as chief of Ohio EPA’s Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance (DEFA). DEFA provides financial and technical assistance to businesses and communities to help achieve compliance with the environmental regulations.
A public servant of 30 years, she previously served as the industrial liaison in the Director’s Office and managed Ohio EPA's Small Business Assistance Office. She held previous positions in Ohio EPA's Division of Hazardous Waste Management, starting in the Southeast District Office as a hazardous waste field inspector.
Laurie earned a B.S. in Environmental Health from Bowling Green State University and an M.S. in Public Health from The Ohio State University.

Kris Donaldson serves as the public advocate in the Office of Clean Water Public Advocate (OCWPA) within the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). Her office ensures that the public can report drinking water concerns through the statewide concerns reporting system. All concerns are investigated by the appropriate entity as part of EGLE’s commitment to accessibility and responsiveness.

OCWPA primarily serves as a resource and facilitator of communication among other offices, state agencies, community partners, and the public in issues related to drinking water. Its mission also includes exploring gaps and recommending potential improvements to policies, procedures, and regulations to support the continued improvement of Michigan’s drinking water response and regulation.

Kris joined state government as a drinking water engineer, regulating Wayne County community water supplies in accordance with the Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act. She went on to supervise drinking water staff regulating more than 200 community water supplies in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, and St. Clair counties. She previously worked in the private sector as an environmental engineer for an environmental consulting firm.

She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in environmental engineering from Michigan Technological University and is a licensed professional engineer in Michigan.

Curt Baranowski leads EPA's Creating Resilient Water Utilities initiative, which provides resources for drinking water and wastewater utilities to address to climate change by promoting a clear understanding of climate science and adaptation options. Before working on climate-related water issues, Curt managed Agency programs that provided technical assistance and training to small community wastewater utilities.   

Curt has been with the U.S. EPA’s Office of Water since 1998. Prior to joining EPA, Curt worked in the water and air programs of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

James J. Baker, PE, Public Services Director and City Engineer, holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and Minor in Mathematics from Western Michigan University.  He has over 19 years of direct municipal experience in water resources, engineering, project management and plant operations in both private and public sector work.  He is a Registered Professional Engineer Licensed in the State of Michigan, a Department of Environment Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) ABCD Licensed Wastewater Operator, an EGLE Licensed S-1 Distribution, D-1 Limited Treatment and F-4 Complete Treatment Operator.  He is an active member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), American Water Works Association (AWWA) and the Michigan Water Environment Association (MWEA).  In 2018 Mr. Baker was appointed to the Michigan Public Health Advisory Council, serving a four year term expiring November 2022.  Additionally, he is a US Marine Corps veteran having served as a Sergeant in the 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion of the 2nd Marine Division providing combat essential engineering services to include forward water source identification, water purification, mobile electric power generation and logistical deployment planning.

As the Environmental Resources Manager, Jeff works with local municipalities, individuals, and businesses to preserve and protect our shared water resources. Jeff is a strong advocate for watershed management planning and implementation. Prior to joining Macomb County Public Works in 2017, Jeff served over 20 years in engineering consulting throughout southeast Michigan. He is well versed in floodplain management, water resources planning and design, and implementation of stream and overbank improvements that increase community resilience, improve water quality, and reduce flood risk.

A graduate of the University of Notre Dame and former United States Naval officer, Jeff believes that the quality of our water resources directly reflects quality of life.

Jeff also serves as treasurer of the Clinton River Watershed Council, and teaches hydraulics and hydrology of the University of Detroit Mercy. Many of the engineers Jeff has mentored over time now work in federal, state and local government, as well as with some great consulting engineering firms.

Patricia Butler, MA, is an HR professional with over 25 years of business and leadership experience. As an Organizational Development (OD) Manager for Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA), Ms. Butler leads a dedicated team responsible for workforce development and performance management. In the last five years, in support of the organization’s succession strategy, her team has successfully launched four registered apprenticeship programs and an internship program.

As an accomplished strategist, Ms. Butler works across organizations, communities, and industries to form ideas, secure buy-in, develop processes, and creatively solve problems. She has developed relationships with community workforce organizations, arranged support services for apprentices, and secured external funding to offset the cost of apprenticeship training. Ms. Butler has participated in National Apprenticeship Week events as a panelist and has been interviewed by various media with respect to GLWA’s apprenticeship program. She has been instrumental in developing her organization’s strategic asset management plan’s competency framework and the Water Environment Federation’s Workforce Maturity Model.

Ms. Butler holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan and a Master of Arts in Leadership and Management from Concordia St. Paul University.

Andy Campbell is a Director with Baker Tilly.  Mr. Campbell has provided assistance to municipalities and school districts in obtaining financing for projects through issuing tax-exempt and taxable debt.  He has also provided assistance in developing cash flow estimates and user rate charges for numerous clients.

Mr. Campbell graduated from Central Michigan University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Degree in Finance and Accounting.  In November 2013, he passed the CPA exam and became a licensed CPA.  In addition, he passed the Series 50 exam to become a MSRB registered Municipal Advisor and Series 54 exam to become a MSRB registered Municipal Advisor Principal.

Dan is a Senior Project Manager and Water Resource Engineer for Tetra Tech with over 32 years of experience in a wide variety of integrated stormwater management and water resource projects. He is a Professional Engineer and has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Civil Engineering from Michigan State University. His clients include federal, state, county and local government entities as well as non-profit organizations located throughout the U.S.

Leo Dion has worked with RCAP since 2015.  He has a S-3 Water Operator’s License in Michigan.  He holds a master’s from Western Illinois University in Geography with a focus in GIS and Community Development.  Prior to this he served as Executive Director of two rural regional economic development organizations.  He is a Development Finance Certified Professional from the Council for Development Finance Agencies and an Associate Water Asset Manager from the Buried Asset Management Institute.  He served as a United States Peace Corps Volunteer in Turkmenistan and was a Peace Corps Fellow at the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs.

As an advocate for improving stormwater management practices, Holly Donoghue, P.E. has prioritized green infrastructure implementation in the City of Royal Oak, Michigan.  In her role as city engineer, she programs and oversees many types of infrastructure improvements, and seeks to incorporate best management stormwater practices where possible.

Amy Epkey is a Senior Deputy Director for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.  She is responsible for overseeing the department’s budget as well as administrative functions, including human resources, information technology, and training and outreach.  Prior to starting with the department in 2013, Amy worked for the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.  With 22 years of state government experience, Amy has extensive expertise in government finances and operations, stakeholder relations, and developing and leading successful teams.  She looks forward to helping lead efforts to provide the new federal and state water infrastructure funding to rural and urban communities across the state. 

Patrick currently serves as the Deputy Director of Drinking Water and Wastewater Treatment with the City of Saginaw. The City of Saginaw provides drinking water to over 170,000 people in the Saginaw region. Prior to working for Saginaw, Patrick was the Director of Wastewater and Stormwater Services for the City of Midland. During Patrick’s time in Midland he helped to coordinate responses to several large flooding events, including the 500 year flood that was recently caused by a series of dam failures. Patrick has also previously worked for the Genesee County Drain Commissioners Office in a variety of positions including Operations Supervisor, Laboratory Manager and Assistant Plant Superintendent. Patrick has been in the industry for over 23 years.

Patrick also serves as the WET (Water Environment Technology) program coordinator and adjunct faculty member at Delta College.  Over the past 11 years he has taught courses such as: Introduction to Wastewater Treatment, Advanced Wastewater Treatment, Water Microbiology and Analytical Procedures and Techniques.   

Patrick served a term from 2016-2020 on the Midland Public Schools Board of Education, where also served as Treasurer for two years. He currently serving another term on the Midland Public Schools Board of Education. Patrick has a Bachelors degree in Biology with a Minor in Chemistry from Fitchburg State University, Fitchburg Ma.
 

Troy Gallagher is the instructor for the Water Resource and Environmental Management programs.  He has been with Bay College for over 10 years.  Gallagher worked for water and wastewater systems for municipalities and industry. He owned H2O in Motion for eight years which he sold to Mead and Hunt and then consulted for them.  He went back to his passion of teaching students and operators. 

He holds a Master of Science degree from Boise State University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Management & Planning from the University of Wisconsin- GB.  Gallagher also went through Bay’s Water Tech program in 1989.

Gallagher’s first task at Bay was to restructure the existing programs curriculum to provide greater flexibility for students who wish to enter the field anywhere in the U.S.  The program will be offered completely on-line with short visits to the campus or local water and wastewater plants for lab sessions.” Students have a choice of pursuing a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree in Water Resource Management, Environmental Management, or a one-year certificate and go on to an exciting career in the water sciences. Graduates also have the option to continue at a four-year school and pursue a degree in a number of related environmental programs.

He holds various municipal and industrial water and wastewater licenses in the states of Michigan, Wisconsin, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. He is a Past Board Member for the American Water Works Association – Michigan Section, member of the Michigan Water Environmental Association and other various water/wastewater association throughout the U.S. 

John Gorney is the Public Works Director for the City of Grand Rapids. He has served in the Public Works field for 29 years, starting out as a Maintenance Worker and progressing through the positions of Equipment Operator, Crew Leader, Supervisor, Superintendent, Manager, and Director. John previously served 14 years at the City of Kentwood, 7 of those as Public Works Director. He was the American Public Works Association (APWA) Michigan Chapter President in 2013/2014 and has served for 13 years on the APWA Midwest Michigan Branch Board as a Trustee, Treasurer, Vice President, President, and Past President. John is currently the chair of the APWA Midwest Michigan Branch Snowplow Roadeo planning committee, a position he has held for 12 years. He also chairs Michigan’s Public Works Academy planning committee. John and his wife Kelly of 33 years are from the Grand Rapids area, where they raised five children and now have two daughters in law, a son in law, and two beautiful granddaughters.

Jim Luke, Outreach Coordinator and Interagency Program Manager

Jim, a 2000 graduate of Michigan State University, started his career with the Corps of Engineers in January of 2003 with the Environmental Analysis Branch as a Biologist.  In 2005 he moved down to the District’s Regulatory Office where he worked for approximately 10 years.  During his time in Regulatory, Jim started the Regulatory Public Outreach Program which is still going to strong today.  Jim also served as the Team Leader for Regulatory’s Michiana Field Office.  In 2015, Jim took a position as the District’s Strategic Planner in the Executive Office.  In that position he was responsible for planning high level district events, managing the Executive Office staff, managing the District Commander’s engagements and communicating with stakeholders and Congressional interests. In 2017 Jim took his current position in the Planning Office as the District’s Outreach Coordinator and Interagency Program Manager.  In this position, Jim meets regularly with local communities, counties, states, other federal agencies, and congressional offices to discuss Corps of Engineers’ Programs and capabilities.  

Jim graduated from Michigan State University in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in Fisheries and Wildlife.  Prior to working for the Corps of Engineers he worked with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Division and with Environmental Engineers, Inc. as a land surveyor.  Jim is married to Lindsay and has a son Nolan (14) and a daughter Haley (6).  In his free time, Jim likes to spend time with his family, play basketball, hunt, fish and has Michigan State season tickets for football (Go Green!). 

Paul McDonald serves as Finance Division director for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), overseeing all financial aspects of the department, from budget development to year-end closing.

As the division’s chief financial officer and procurement executive, Paul provides administrative direction and coordination for services related to accounting, budget, procurement, federal aid, travel, and security. The Finance Division also oversees the Michigan Underground Storage Tank Authority (MUSTA) and the Water Infrastructure Financing Section (WIFS).

MUSTA ensures tank owners and operators can meet federal financial requirements required to operate in Michigan and provides a funding mechanism to address environmental issues. WIFS provides financing and funding mechanisms to help communities meet drinking water, storm, and sewer infrastructure needs.

Paul has served in a wide variety of finance roles for the State of Michigan since 1998, including his current role since 2015. Paul started his career in the Office of Financial Management, where he was responsible for creating the State of Michigan’s financial statements as well as the first financial transparency portal. Before joining EGLE, he served as the chief accountant for the Department of Health and Human Services, responsible for more than $15 billion in revenue and expenditures.

A graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in accounting, Paul also has an associate degree in computer security and controls from Lansing Community College.

Paul lives in DeWitt, is an avid MSU fan, and is active in the community’s civic organizations and as a youth sports coach.

Eric J. Oswald is director of the Drinking Water and Environmental Health Division (DWEHD) in the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). The division is responsible for program areas related to drinking water, environmental health, operator certification and training, campgrounds, swimming pools, and on-site wastewater.

With Eric as director, DWEHD implemented Michigan’s Lead and Copper Rule, the nation’s most stringent; established maximum contaminant levels for seven PFAS compounds; and invested $15 million to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the division’s information technology.

Eric retired as a colonel from the U.S. Air Force in 2017 with 28 years of experience in construction, repair, and maintenance of critical infrastructure. He had served as commander, 110th Mission Support Group, 110th Attack Wing, at W.K. Kellogg Air National Guard Base in Battle Creek. Previous assignments include engineering, environmental compliance, readiness flight commander, chief of maintenance, chief of engineering, squadron commander, and group commander. While in the Air Force, he completed his master’s degree in engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, with thesis research on risk assessment techniques for trichloroethylene. He spent four years overseas.

Eric also earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Michigan State University.

Mr. Sandra Pavlovic (P.E., M.S., M.B.A.) is a professional water resources engineer with 15 years of experience in the public and private civil and environmental engineering industry. She currently works at the National Weather Service (N.W.S.) Office of Water Prediction (O.W.P.), as an employee of the University of Maryland (U.M.D.) Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center (ESSIC). At the N.W.S., she serves as the acting technical lead for the NOAA Atlas 14 projects. She holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in civil engineering from the University of Maryland at College Park and an M.B.A. from the Pennsylvania State University.

 

Carrie Rivette is a Professional Engineer with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering from Michigan Technological University.  She has over 25 years of experience in the environmental and water resources fields.  She has been with the City of Grand Rapids for over 10 years and ensures compliance with their MS4 program and the City’s green infrastructure policies.  In addition, she participates in collaborative efforts to expand green infrastructure within the City and on private property.

Mr. Smalley joined DWSD in 2007 as Superintendent of Engineering.  After six months he was promoted to Assistant Director of the Asset Maintenance Group, responsible for all the water transmission and distribution systems, facilities, and the fleet.  In 2010 he was given charge of the wastewater treatment plant with the mission of getting it back into compliance.  After getting the plant cleaned up, functioning properly and achieving compliance with the NDPES permit, DWSD was able to exit a 34-year lawsuit with EPA over cyclical non-compliance with the Clean Water Act. 
As the Chief Operating Officer for DWSD, he provides strategic direction, assures compliance with regulatory agencies, plans, coordinates, and supervises the operations and activities of the water and sewer field services operational units within the department. 
Mr. Smalley has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from San Diego State University, is a registered civil engineer in Michigan and California, and a certified operator at the highest level for both water treatment and water distribution in the state of Michigan.  

Michael is a meteorologist working within the Office of Water Prediction's Hydrometeorological Design Studies Center. He's worked on NOAA Atlas 14 since 2012, and has been involved in publishing Volumes 8-11, as well as other NOAA Atlas 14 research. Michael received his B.S. in Meteorology from Lyndon State College and his M.S. in Oceanography from the University of Rhode Island.

Glen Terry is a D2, S2 Michigan water operator with a ASSE 5110 backflow testing certification.  Glen spent years as a project mgr. all over the United States, including the Pentagon. He also spent two years managing projects in Germany for the Surgeon General's Office and NATO.  He has been with RCAP one and a half years as an Operator and teaching Water and Sewer Classes.

Tom Traciak is a Director with Baker Tilly.

He has worked in accounting, budgeting and finance in both the public and private sectors for 41 years.  He has personally served over 400 local governments throughout Michigan, with the majority of his work focused on water and sewer utility finance and rate management.  In recent years, he has managed approximately 200 Asset Management Financial Plans. 

He serves on the Asset and Infrastructure Management joint committee of the AWWA-MI and MWEA.  He was also appointed to the Michigan Drinking Water Council when it was newly created in 2018.

Mr. Traciak has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Michigan and earned his Master of Public Policy and Administration from Michigan State University.