|
|
 |
|
|
Policy Team BioExecutive Director, Gail Gruenwald celebrated her 20th anniversary at the Watershed Council on May 14, 2004. Gail has served on a variety of state and local policy making boards and commissions along with several boards of directors of related non-profit organizations. Her organizational management advice is sought after from non-profits across the region. Gail received her Bachelor of Science from Central Michigan University and a Law Degree from University of Oregon. She is a member of Michigan and Washington State Bar Associations. Dr. Grenetta Thomassey joined Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council in June 2005. Her research is focused on state and local government policy; specifically interest groups and fresh water concerns. As Policy Director for the Watershed Council, Dr. Thomassey takes the lead on matters related to Annex 2001 and statewide water use policy. She also works on Great Lakes Restoration, as well as local issues in our four-county service area. Prior to this, she taught Political Science and Environmental Policy at the University of Minnesota Duluth. She also taught at Northern Arizona University, where she earned her doctorate in 2003. Jennifer McKay joined the Watershed Council in May of 2005. As Policy Specialist, Jennifer is responsible for working on Great Lakes restoration along with other federal, Great Lakes Basin-wide, and state policy initiatives to improve the level of protection to water resources. As part of her role, Jennifer educates shoreline property owners on the functions and values of coastal wetlands and is the coordinator of the Michigan Wetland Action Coalition which allows for effective electronic communications to educate and activate citizens. Jennifer also monitors local issues including the cement kiln dust contamination at the Bay Harbor properties and East Park. Before joining the Watershed Council, she worked for the Public Interest Research Group in Michigan and the State of Michigan government in constituent relations. Jennifer holds bachelor degrees from Michigan State University in Environmental Studies and Political Science. Ellen Kohler is an attorney in Traverse City who specializes in environmental, natural resources and land use law. Ellen works with Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council on several projects with respect to policy and advocacy, most recently she produced "A Citizen's Guide to Water Quality Permitting: Understanding the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and Its Role in Michigan," which helps explain how the Clean Water Act helps protect our water resources in Michigan. Before moving to Michigan, she worked as a trial attorney for the United States Department of Justice in the Environment & Natural Resources Division, where she represented federal agencies in civil environmental litigation. Her clients have included governmental bodies, environmental organizations, and private landowners.426 Bay Street Petoskey, Michigan 49770 Phone: (231) 347-1181 |
|