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Staff and Board

Staff

Dedication. Expertise. Passion.

Our staff brings together a blend of expertise, dedication, and genuine passion for the work we do. Each team member is committed to advancing our mission through their specialized skills and compassionate approach, working together to make a positive impact. With years of experience and a shared commitment to excellence, we’re here to serve, inspire, and educate.

Board Members

Dennis White

President

​Retired from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources after 42 years of property management experience. Experience included wildlife and hunter management, recreation management and property administration. He previously served on the LRWP board for about 20 years and recently rejoined the board. Dennis serves as Chair of the Executive Committee.

Mark Jordan

Secretary

Brian Troutt

Treasurer

Professor of Biology at Purdue University Fort Wayne. Mark has expertise in wildlife conservation and serves on the Land Committee. 

V.P. Business Banking for Centier Bank, Fort Wayne. Brian serves as Chair of the Finance Committee. 

Becky Cummings

Retired after careers in Human Resources and production support. She is an Indiana Master Naturalist, serves on the Land Conservation Committee, volunteers with invasive removal, trail stewardship, and nest watch monitoring.

Bill Etzler

Director of Business Development at Abonmarche.  He serves on the Finance Committee.

John Goss

Asian Carp Project Coordinator with Indiana Wildlife Federation, retired from Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

Todd Laubhan

​A Branch Manager with 3Rivers FCU. Volunteer for over 10 years and served on the Finance, Development, and Land Committees. He loves hiking the marsh with his kids and taking wildlife photos.  

​​Thom Maher

Retired Vice President of Human Resources at BRC Rubber & Plastics, Fort Wayne. Thom has served on the Land Committee for the last 20 years. He enjoys hiking the Berm Trail at Eagle Marsh in hopes to catch site of Eagles. 

​​Paul McAfee

Founder and original president of LRWP. He was the executive director during the acquisition of the Eagle Marsh property. He also likes to do a little birdwatching. 

Susie Meyer

​Retired English teacher who loves bird-watching, gardening, and being outside. Susie serves on the Development Committees. 

​​Julia Rhoades

Retired Nurse, Lutheran Hospital.  Julia is a long-time volunteer at the Chief Richardville House with the Myaamia People.  Julia serves as the Chair of Development Committee.  ​

Karen Surguine

Betsy Yankowiak 

Manages 1200 acres at Anthony Wayne Scout Reservation. She is a past staff member who watched Eagle Marsh transition from corn stubble to beautiful wetland restoration made possible by dedicated community of volunteers. She loves witnessing a person discover fulfillment through restoring habitats and sharing that with others. ​

Realtor with Coldwell Banker Roth Wehrly Graber, Fort Wayne, and an Indiana Master Naturalist. Karen serves on the Development Committee. 

Rob Seilheimer

Development Coordinator with the Monarch Joint Venture. Before joining MJV, he served as the Development Manager for the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation (Nonprofit of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources). Robert enjoys spending time outdoors with his family and bird dog. He is passionate about habitat conservation and outdoor education. 

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