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
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 – Madison
Rachel Baker
Planner – Project ManagerAs a planner-project manager, Rachel works with MCWD’s project planning team and partners to plan and develop capital projects that improve the watershed’s resources. By working with partners across private and public sectors, Rachel identifies emerging project opportunities that provide mutual benefits for the watershed’s resources, communities, and economy.
Degree(s):
B.A., Chemistry and Psychology – St. Olaf CollegeM.E.M., Water Resources Management – Duke University
Policy 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
Rebecca Neal
Policy Planning CoordinatorRebecca works with the Policy Planning Program to coordinate with state, regional, and local entities to promote and develop policy that improves the integration of land use and water planning. She also supports the program’s Land and Water Partnership program, as well as MCWD’s climate action and DEI initiatives, to work toward MCWD’s mission of creating thriving communities by improving water quality, water quantity, and ecological integrity throughout the watershed.
Degree(s):
B.A., Anthropology, Religious Studies – University of Wisconsin-MadisonM.C.R.P., Community and Regional Planning – University of New Mexico
M.P.H., Public Health – University of New Mexico
Permitting
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.
Andrew Stephenson
Permitting Program ManagerAndrew leads MCWD’s Permitting team, overseeing the administration and issuance of permits that comply with MCWD’s rules. Andrew also works with the team to build public and private partnerships across the watershed that help improve water quality, reduce flooding, and promote thriving communities.
Degree(s):
B.S., in Anthropology and French, Grinnell CollegeM.S., in Wildlife Ecology, Sustainable Agriculture, Iowa 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 TechnicianAs a permitting technician, Veronica works with the permitting team to review permits, perform site inspections, provide customer service, and implement the Wetland Conservation Act. Veronica also identifies 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 Crosse
Abigail Couture
Permitting AssistantAbigail works with MCWD’s Permitting team to review and process permits, perform site inspections, and implement the Wetland Conservation Act, while providing quality customer service. Abigail also assists in identifying public and private partnership opportunities that support thriving communities by improving water quality, water quantity, and ecological integrity.
Degree(s):
B.S., in Environmental Science, Cedarville UniversityOperations
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.
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 University
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.
Outreach
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 Hoppe
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
Outreach 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 Cities
James O’Brien
Outreach CoordinatorJames supports MCWD’s Outreach Program by fostering meaningful relationships with key stakeholders through data-driven storytelling and effective collaboration, advancing MCWD’s mission, goals, and key initiatives. He manages the District’s strategic social media efforts and also serves as the District’s staff liaison for the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC).
Degree(s):
B.S., Natural Resources, Policy & Management Concentration, Oregon State UniversityMaster of Environmental Law & Policy (MELP), Water Law & Policy Concentration, Vermont Law School
Graduate Certificate, Communications for Conservation, Colorado State University
Research 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 Point
Eva Bacmeister
Water Resource ScientistEva supports MCWD’s Research and Monitoring Program by collecting and analyzing water resource data to characterize the aquatic health of the watershed. Eva assists in identifying water resource issues and implementation strategies, to help guide initiatives across the organization.
Degree(s):
B.S., in Biological Sciences, Colorado State UniversityM.S., in Water Science and Policy, University of Delaware
Project 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.
MCWD is organized into programs of expertise to manage and execute our mission.
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