Current Board of Directors
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Claire Rasmussen, President
Claire retired in 2009 after 32 years working in toxicology and product stewardship positions within the chemical industry. She and her husband Tom live near Charlevoix enjoying playing in area music groups and managing their horse farm. Claire has served on school boards and in community organizations and previously was on the Watershed Council Board 2013-2020. “My participation to further the mission of the watershed council is my part in preserving our most critical life source.”
Rick Doornbos, Vice President
Rick retired in 2012 after 33 years of service at Dow Corning and Hemlock Semiconductor. He and his wife Sandy of 38 years have three children and five grandchildren. They currently split their time between their Torch Lake home and Midland, Michigan where their children and grandchildren live. Rick is a member of the Three Lakes Association (TLA) Board and Water Quality Team since February 2016. He is an active member of his church and enjoys music, woodworking, water sports, biking, traveling, and spending time with family. Rick joined the Watershed Council board to represent TLA and to help preserve the quality of Northern Michigan lakes and streams for his grandchildren and future generations.
Rick Brandi, Treasurer
Ever since he moved to northern Michigan, Rick has been a crucial member of the Watershed Council. From the time when he started his membership in 1985, Rick has put in countless volunteer hours at various Watershed Council events, participated in monitoring and cleanup efforts, and is often seen sporting the Watershed Council logo. For Rick, it is the protection of water quality that is so very important. “I promised myself I would ‘touch the water’ every day I lived in Northern Michigan just to remind me of why I live here. That’s why I’m excited and feel honored to serve on this board.” Rick brings to the board experience in educating local government to use best management practices in storm water management, the use of rain gardens, shoreline green belts and restorations, respecting wetlands, and meeting Michigan Clean Harbor certification. He also has 26 years of experience in municipal finance and board experience with 19 years on the Charlevoix Library Board, spending time as President and Treasurer of that board.
Bill Foster, Secretary
Bill retired in 2014 after 25 years with Eli Lilly in Indianapolis, IN. He and his wife Marty, who have been married for 40 years, have a daughter and son in law living in Chicago. Bill’s lifelong love affair with the natural world began 60 years ago in northern Michigan where he vacationed with his family. That seed planted by those early experiences in Michigan prompted a degree in biology and seasonal positions with the US Forest Service during the 80’s. Now full time residents of Michigan and living on Douglas Lake, Bill is a director on the board of the Douglas Lake Improvement Association. in northern Michigan, ecological health and quality of life are are explicitly linked via our water resources. Protection and advocacy for this natural asset is essential for continued enjoyment by future generations. Bill feels privileged to serve as a board member of Tip of the Mitt and have the opportunity to help preserve what we have.
Herm Boatin
As a former science education teacher-leader, Herm Boatin particularly appreciates the many ways in which the Watershed Council educates and reaches out to the region’s citizens. His early experience with the Watershed Council as a stream monitor volunteer impressed him with the professional approach of the program and the support given by volunteers from regional watersheds. Herm is Vice President of the Mullett Lake Area Preservation Society Board of Directors and Vice President of the Straits Area Audubon Society.
Tom Darnton
Tom is a practicing attorney, based in Charlevoix and focused on condominium and property law, with a particular interest in waterfront property issues. Tom enjoys living on Lake Charlevoix and volunteers for the Watershed Council's lake monitoring program. Tom is a past board member of the Inland Seas Education Association, and a present board member of Lake Charlevoix Association and Charlevoix Historical Society. Additionally, Tom is the chair of the Hayes Township Zoning Board of Appeals and serves as secretary of the township's Parks and Recreation Committee. He co-chairs the LCA work team that oversees the Boyne City Demonstration Garden Project. Tom joined the Watershed Council board looking for ways to productively work towards the preservation and improvement of the conditions in the Watershed for all forms of life. He has a strong belief in collaboration and thoughtful planning.
Jerry Huey
Jerry studied in a multidisciplinary math and science program (Lyman Briggs College) with an emphasis on biology at Michigan State University. He went on to a 37 year career with the American Red Cross, retiring in 2014 and moving to Douglas Lake. During his tenure at the Red Cross he worked at every level of the organization, from service provider to executive leader. "I have been in, on, and near the water all my life. In addition to teaching swimming and lifeguarding, I have lead outdoor education teachers into the wilderness, river canoeing, and sea kayaking. I am an avid sailor, have been to the North Channel more than 20 times, raced in 11 Mackinac races, and race regularly on Lake Charlevoix and Little Traverse Bay. I also fish on my own Douglas Lake, other local lakes, rivers, and streams. Clean water is necessary for my future."
Chuck Kneese
Chuck's passion for Northern Michigan and its waters began over 60 years ago when his father brought his family from Indiana to see the (then new) marvel of engineering known as the Mackinac Bridge. He never forgot the area. As an Eagle Scout his interest and love for the thoughtful stewardship of Nature and Natural Resources continued to grow to this day. Chuck and his wife Cristy have been full-time residents living on Crooked Lake since 2009. He is a pharmacist and a retired executive with 50 years of experience in community pharmacy and the Pharmacy Benefit Management Industry, and he served on the American Cancer Society Board for the Elkhart Indiana Chapter. Chuck feels honored and excited for the opportunity to serve the Watershed Council in this critical role as a member of its Board of Directors.
Jim Muth
Jim worked with the Watershed Council staff on a restoration project on Birch Lake in 2019 which was very successful. "As a counselor working at a very high-end wilderness summer camp in Montana, my eyes were opened to the environmental issue of that time, mainly clear cut lumbering permitted on national forest lands. In 1972, I organized my high schools' first Earth Day cleanup event. During my college internship at Shanty Creek, I found Birch Lake and fell in love with Northern Michigan and the lake. My Michigan State University senior hospitality capstone project developed the concept, and economic and ecological benefit, of converting unused and heat producing roof space into what I referred to at the time as 'Living Roof Scapes' for the Westin Hotel in Detroit." Jim taught for 33 years at Grand Rapids Community College before moving to Birch Lake in 2015.
Ken Polakowski
"Serving on the Board provides the opportunity for me to continue my life-long professional and personal commitment to assist in the management, planning, design, preservation, and protection of the public landscape. As a citizen who doesn't reside on the water's edge or in the forest landscape, I have always been concerned about public access to the outstanding natural resources of Michigan and beyond. Consequently, my background and perspective regarding natural resource management can assist the Watershed Council in achieving its mission goals and objectives."
Dennis Roudi
Dennis has lived on or very near Michigan water his entire life and strongly believes in protecting it for future generations. He has vacationed and has now lived full-time on Walloon Lake since the early 1980s. He and his wife have been active members and volunteers of the Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy (WLAC) since the late 1990s and have seen directly how organizations like WLAC and the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council favorably impact the watershed. He is excited to take a more active role in helping the Watershed Council continue its important work.
Mike Supernault
Mike serves on the Burt Lake Preservation Association environment and land use committee and has for years. He has worked with the Watershed Council staff on many projects. "Most of my working life was spent spending my morning teaching Earth Science and my afternoons were spent at the Lapeer Community Schools Skinner Lake Environmental Ed. Center. A program I started in 1972 and directed and taught there until 2002. I still love working with young people."
Donna Stine
Donna lives near Walloon Lake, has a cottage on the Sturgeon River, and keeps a boat on the Crooked River. Many summer days are spent enjoying these bodies of water along with Burt, Crooked, and Pickerel Lakes. In addition to her appreciation for the northern Michigan waters, Donna worked for 42 years in the conservation arena. From being the Policy Director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Deputy Director of the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, and the environment and agriculture Policy Director for Governor J. Granholm, Donna has earned her recognition from the Alliance for the Great Lakes for her conservation efforts. She is interested in the impact of climate change on northern Michigan and is supportive of the Watershed Council’s work to fully understand this issue among others that threaten northern Michigan’s waters.
Mary Beth Kazanski
Mary Beth is a retired obstetrician/gynecologist who practiced in Princeton, NJ. She was introduced to Northern Michigan and its lakes by her husband, Tom, over 35 years ago and it has been her little bit of heaven on earth ever since. When they retired they both knew this was where they had to be. Mary Beth served as president of the Elk-Skegemog Lakes Association from 2019-2021. While on the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council Board she hopes to continue to learn about the magnificent waters of Northern Michigan and work to protect them.
Donna Perla
Donna has been spending her summer vacations swimming in Mullett Lake with her husband for the past 32 years. Now that she's retired following a 35 year career at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and 2 years at U.S. Department of Agriculture, she's shifting her focus from a national policy lens to the precious natural resources of Northern Michigan. She couldn't think of a better way to do that than to contribute to the science-driven Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council. Having extensive experience in environmental protection she looks forward to being a contributing Board member. She is also a Mullett Lake Area Preservation Society Board Director. Donna's interests are in helping summarize technical issues for broader audiences and, as a certified executive leadership coach, helping leaders harness collective efforts to conserve natural resources, adapt to climate change challenges, and develop sustainable communities.
Claire retired in 2009 after 32 years working in toxicology and product stewardship positions within the chemical industry. She and her husband Tom live near Charlevoix enjoying playing in area music groups and managing their horse farm. Claire has served on school boards and in community organizations and previously was on the Watershed Council Board 2013-2020. “My participation to further the mission of the watershed council is my part in preserving our most critical life source.”
Rick Doornbos, Vice President
Rick retired in 2012 after 33 years of service at Dow Corning and Hemlock Semiconductor. He and his wife Sandy of 38 years have three children and five grandchildren. They currently split their time between their Torch Lake home and Midland, Michigan where their children and grandchildren live. Rick is a member of the Three Lakes Association (TLA) Board and Water Quality Team since February 2016. He is an active member of his church and enjoys music, woodworking, water sports, biking, traveling, and spending time with family. Rick joined the Watershed Council board to represent TLA and to help preserve the quality of Northern Michigan lakes and streams for his grandchildren and future generations.
Rick Brandi, Treasurer
Ever since he moved to northern Michigan, Rick has been a crucial member of the Watershed Council. From the time when he started his membership in 1985, Rick has put in countless volunteer hours at various Watershed Council events, participated in monitoring and cleanup efforts, and is often seen sporting the Watershed Council logo. For Rick, it is the protection of water quality that is so very important. “I promised myself I would ‘touch the water’ every day I lived in Northern Michigan just to remind me of why I live here. That’s why I’m excited and feel honored to serve on this board.” Rick brings to the board experience in educating local government to use best management practices in storm water management, the use of rain gardens, shoreline green belts and restorations, respecting wetlands, and meeting Michigan Clean Harbor certification. He also has 26 years of experience in municipal finance and board experience with 19 years on the Charlevoix Library Board, spending time as President and Treasurer of that board.
Bill Foster, Secretary
Bill retired in 2014 after 25 years with Eli Lilly in Indianapolis, IN. He and his wife Marty, who have been married for 40 years, have a daughter and son in law living in Chicago. Bill’s lifelong love affair with the natural world began 60 years ago in northern Michigan where he vacationed with his family. That seed planted by those early experiences in Michigan prompted a degree in biology and seasonal positions with the US Forest Service during the 80’s. Now full time residents of Michigan and living on Douglas Lake, Bill is a director on the board of the Douglas Lake Improvement Association. in northern Michigan, ecological health and quality of life are are explicitly linked via our water resources. Protection and advocacy for this natural asset is essential for continued enjoyment by future generations. Bill feels privileged to serve as a board member of Tip of the Mitt and have the opportunity to help preserve what we have.
Herm Boatin
As a former science education teacher-leader, Herm Boatin particularly appreciates the many ways in which the Watershed Council educates and reaches out to the region’s citizens. His early experience with the Watershed Council as a stream monitor volunteer impressed him with the professional approach of the program and the support given by volunteers from regional watersheds. Herm is Vice President of the Mullett Lake Area Preservation Society Board of Directors and Vice President of the Straits Area Audubon Society.
Tom Darnton
Tom is a practicing attorney, based in Charlevoix and focused on condominium and property law, with a particular interest in waterfront property issues. Tom enjoys living on Lake Charlevoix and volunteers for the Watershed Council's lake monitoring program. Tom is a past board member of the Inland Seas Education Association, and a present board member of Lake Charlevoix Association and Charlevoix Historical Society. Additionally, Tom is the chair of the Hayes Township Zoning Board of Appeals and serves as secretary of the township's Parks and Recreation Committee. He co-chairs the LCA work team that oversees the Boyne City Demonstration Garden Project. Tom joined the Watershed Council board looking for ways to productively work towards the preservation and improvement of the conditions in the Watershed for all forms of life. He has a strong belief in collaboration and thoughtful planning.
Jerry Huey
Jerry studied in a multidisciplinary math and science program (Lyman Briggs College) with an emphasis on biology at Michigan State University. He went on to a 37 year career with the American Red Cross, retiring in 2014 and moving to Douglas Lake. During his tenure at the Red Cross he worked at every level of the organization, from service provider to executive leader. "I have been in, on, and near the water all my life. In addition to teaching swimming and lifeguarding, I have lead outdoor education teachers into the wilderness, river canoeing, and sea kayaking. I am an avid sailor, have been to the North Channel more than 20 times, raced in 11 Mackinac races, and race regularly on Lake Charlevoix and Little Traverse Bay. I also fish on my own Douglas Lake, other local lakes, rivers, and streams. Clean water is necessary for my future."
Chuck Kneese
Chuck's passion for Northern Michigan and its waters began over 60 years ago when his father brought his family from Indiana to see the (then new) marvel of engineering known as the Mackinac Bridge. He never forgot the area. As an Eagle Scout his interest and love for the thoughtful stewardship of Nature and Natural Resources continued to grow to this day. Chuck and his wife Cristy have been full-time residents living on Crooked Lake since 2009. He is a pharmacist and a retired executive with 50 years of experience in community pharmacy and the Pharmacy Benefit Management Industry, and he served on the American Cancer Society Board for the Elkhart Indiana Chapter. Chuck feels honored and excited for the opportunity to serve the Watershed Council in this critical role as a member of its Board of Directors.
Jim Muth
Jim worked with the Watershed Council staff on a restoration project on Birch Lake in 2019 which was very successful. "As a counselor working at a very high-end wilderness summer camp in Montana, my eyes were opened to the environmental issue of that time, mainly clear cut lumbering permitted on national forest lands. In 1972, I organized my high schools' first Earth Day cleanup event. During my college internship at Shanty Creek, I found Birch Lake and fell in love with Northern Michigan and the lake. My Michigan State University senior hospitality capstone project developed the concept, and economic and ecological benefit, of converting unused and heat producing roof space into what I referred to at the time as 'Living Roof Scapes' for the Westin Hotel in Detroit." Jim taught for 33 years at Grand Rapids Community College before moving to Birch Lake in 2015.
Ken Polakowski
"Serving on the Board provides the opportunity for me to continue my life-long professional and personal commitment to assist in the management, planning, design, preservation, and protection of the public landscape. As a citizen who doesn't reside on the water's edge or in the forest landscape, I have always been concerned about public access to the outstanding natural resources of Michigan and beyond. Consequently, my background and perspective regarding natural resource management can assist the Watershed Council in achieving its mission goals and objectives."
Dennis Roudi
Dennis has lived on or very near Michigan water his entire life and strongly believes in protecting it for future generations. He has vacationed and has now lived full-time on Walloon Lake since the early 1980s. He and his wife have been active members and volunteers of the Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy (WLAC) since the late 1990s and have seen directly how organizations like WLAC and the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council favorably impact the watershed. He is excited to take a more active role in helping the Watershed Council continue its important work.
Mike Supernault
Mike serves on the Burt Lake Preservation Association environment and land use committee and has for years. He has worked with the Watershed Council staff on many projects. "Most of my working life was spent spending my morning teaching Earth Science and my afternoons were spent at the Lapeer Community Schools Skinner Lake Environmental Ed. Center. A program I started in 1972 and directed and taught there until 2002. I still love working with young people."
Donna Stine
Donna lives near Walloon Lake, has a cottage on the Sturgeon River, and keeps a boat on the Crooked River. Many summer days are spent enjoying these bodies of water along with Burt, Crooked, and Pickerel Lakes. In addition to her appreciation for the northern Michigan waters, Donna worked for 42 years in the conservation arena. From being the Policy Director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Deputy Director of the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, and the environment and agriculture Policy Director for Governor J. Granholm, Donna has earned her recognition from the Alliance for the Great Lakes for her conservation efforts. She is interested in the impact of climate change on northern Michigan and is supportive of the Watershed Council’s work to fully understand this issue among others that threaten northern Michigan’s waters.
Mary Beth Kazanski
Mary Beth is a retired obstetrician/gynecologist who practiced in Princeton, NJ. She was introduced to Northern Michigan and its lakes by her husband, Tom, over 35 years ago and it has been her little bit of heaven on earth ever since. When they retired they both knew this was where they had to be. Mary Beth served as president of the Elk-Skegemog Lakes Association from 2019-2021. While on the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council Board she hopes to continue to learn about the magnificent waters of Northern Michigan and work to protect them.
Donna Perla
Donna has been spending her summer vacations swimming in Mullett Lake with her husband for the past 32 years. Now that she's retired following a 35 year career at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and 2 years at U.S. Department of Agriculture, she's shifting her focus from a national policy lens to the precious natural resources of Northern Michigan. She couldn't think of a better way to do that than to contribute to the science-driven Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council. Having extensive experience in environmental protection she looks forward to being a contributing Board member. She is also a Mullett Lake Area Preservation Society Board Director. Donna's interests are in helping summarize technical issues for broader audiences and, as a certified executive leadership coach, helping leaders harness collective efforts to conserve natural resources, adapt to climate change challenges, and develop sustainable communities.
