Four Lakes Task Force staff & Officers
David Kepler - President, FLTF Kepler's company, TCP Investments, focuses on regional economic development through local business investment and real estate development. These investments include Midland Brewing Company of which he is the president. Cottage Creamery, and the Lazy Turtle Ranch and Pathways Common apartments. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering. Today, he now serves on the Board of Trustees of the University of California, Berkeley Foundation. He's also a member of the board of directors of three public companies: TD Bank Group (TD), headquartered in Toronto, Teradata Corporation (TDC), an analytical data solutions company and Autoliv (ALV), a manufacturer, and supplier of automotive safety systems. Dave is a former executive vice president of The Dow Chemical Company for Business Services and was its chief information officer and chief sustainability officer. His 39-year Dow career spanned roles in information technology, supply chain, operations, marketing and business management. |
David Rothman - Vice President, FLTF Rothman's role in the Task Force includes oversight of erosion remediation, debris removal and dam stabilization in the lakes affected by the May 19, 2020 flood event. Rothman joined The Dow Chemical Company in 1976 and retired as a senior scientist in 2009. In the last five years of Rothman's Dow career he led a major part of a multi-disciplinary research and development (R&D) project to revolutionize how Dow did Materials Science R&D. Dave was a member of the Midland City Planning Commission (nine years as the Commission Chair). He is a board member of Water District #1 of Midland County (a drinking water utility serving Sanford and five Midland County townships) and Wixom Lake Association. Dave received a B.S. in Chemistry from Principia College and a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from Michigan State University. |
Kayla Stryker - Treasurer, FLTF Stryker has been with Four Lakes Task Force for five years and currently serves as the Administrator and Controller as well as board Treasurer and Secretary. She received a bachelor’s degree in finance from Michigan State University with a minor in Law. In her free time, Stryker serves as Policy Debate Assistant Coach at HH Dow High - a role which is a combination of policy research and mentorship of high school students. She is a recent graduate of the “Leadership Midland” program as well as a brand ambassador for local nonprofit Self Love Beauty. Prior to FLTF, she completed a variety of internships gaining skills in marketing and administrative management. Stryker also completed an internship with Dow Chemical in their Finance Development Program. Kayla currently resides in Midland with her husband, Brett Winkler, and their two dogs. |
Brad Fedorchak - Project & Operations Manager, FLTF Co-Chair, EH&S Committee, FLTF Fedorchak retired from Dow Chemical with 35 years of service in 2019. During his career at Dow he had various roles in Operations, Environmental Health and Safety, and Mergers and Acquisitions. He served as a Board Member of Little Forks Conservancy and The Great Lakes Discovery Center. In 2010, he relocated to Seadrift Texas as Site Leader. He was United Way 2011 Campaign Director for Calhoun County. In 2012 he accepted the Global Manufacturing Leader for Polyurethanes. In 2015 Fedorchak returned to Midland in Mergers & Acquisitions and worked on multiple acquisitions and divestitures before retiring in 2019. Brad has a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from Youngstown State University and is a graduate of Thunderbird International Consortium and Kellogg Managers Development Program at Northwestern University. He and his wife of 36 years have three grown children and three grandchildren and reside on Sanford Lake. 
Scott Dahl - Edenville and Sanford Project Manager, FLTF Dahl is a Midland native, retiring from Dow in 2021 after 31 years of experience in engineering and construction services. He started as a welding engineer supporting site project execution and after eight years transitioned into a construction management role supporting medium and large capital projects at Dow locations in North America and Saudi Arabia. Before joining Dow, he was a welding engineer at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co. providing engineering support to the construction of Nimitz class aircraft carriers and Los Angeles class submarines for the United States Navy. He earned a BS in Welding Engineering from Ferris State University and enjoys camping with his family, hiking, trout fishing, and various shooting sports. He and his wife of 38 years have two grown children and live in Midland. |
Joe Colaianne - Partner, Clark Hill PLC Senior Counsel and EH&S Committee Member, FLTF Colaianne has over 20 years of experience in municipal and public sector law. Before joining Clark Hill, Colaianne served as corporation counsel for the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority and as counsel and insurance administrator for the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner (WRC). Colaianne received his Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law in 1990 and is a 1987 graduate of James Madison College at Michigan State University. Colaianne has significant experience with assisting public clients to understand the available options and processes for financing improvements such as water, sewer and drainage projects. Colaianne is a past Hartland Township Trustee and has served on Hartland’s Planning Commission. He is co-founder of the non-profit Hartland Enrichment and Recreation Organization (HERO). 
Ted Warren - Secord and Smallwood Project Manager, FLTF Warren brings over 40 years of experience in heavy civil construction including working on 30 dam projects around the world. After obtaining an AAS in Civil Engineering from Old Dominion University, Warren started his career in Fairfax, Virginia, as a VDOT civil construction inspector. He then channeled his experience and passion into design and construction of a variety of dams and hydroelectric installations worldwide. His extensive experience in roller compacted concrete (RCC) dam and hydropower projects has gained him a reputation as an expert advisor in the field of concrete technology. He is recognized worldwide as an RCC specialist and is frequently a keynote speaker sharing his experiences about the construction of extremely difficult and complex hydroelectric dam construction projects. He has given expert testimony and written expert reports on the construction, operation and performance of dams. His articles/papers on the subject have been published in IWP & Dam and he is a contributing author in the book New Developments in Concrete Construction. Warren was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and enjoys living and working in the state with his wife, Ann. |
Katie Walters - Administrative Assistant, FLTF Walters was born and raised in Beaverton, where she spent many summers with friends and family on the lakes. She worked at the Gladwin County District Library & Beaverton Branch for 8 years which allowed her to connect with the communities. Walters attended Northwood University for her Bachelor’s Degree with a focus in Accounting. She previously completed an internship with a local Tax Accounting Firm. In her free time, she likes to volunteer and be active in the community. Walters also enjoys spending time at in the nature, visiting with friends and family, and reading. She has worked with Four Lakes Task Force for nearly two years. |
FLTF Board of Directors
|
Adam Beebe Board Member, Governance Committee Member, FLTF Beebe moved to Sanford Lake during the summer of 2010. He spent his professional career running digital and mail communications programs for some of the largest and most complex political, state-level caucus, ballot initiative and public engagement programs across the country. Clients he has helped include U.S. senators and congressmen, some of the largest national and state-level independent expenditure groups and Fortune 50 companies and affiliated non-profits identifying and mobilizing grassroots supporters. Beebe's family is active in the community. Beebe is a past-president of the Sanford Lake Association, a founding member of the Sanford Lake Preservation Association and serves on numerous boards for area youth sports. Beebe grew up in north central Minnesota and graduated from Carleton College. He lives in Midland with his wife, and their two young sons. |
Dr. Don Zakett Board Member, Finance Committee Member, FLTF Zakett obtained his Ph.D. from Purdue University in 1981 in Analytical Chemistry with a specialization in instrumental measurements. He also has substantial undergraduate training and job experience in Freshwater Ecology. He retired from Dow following a 27-year career in research and development. He has been a full-time lakefront resident on both Sanford (1981-1994) and Wixom (2003-present) lakes. An active member of the Wixom Lake Association (WLA) since 2012, he presently serves on the WLA board of directors. |
Mark Mudge - Supervisor, Hay Township Director, Chair of Finance Committee, Governance Committee Member, FLTF Mudge is currently the treasurer and director of Wixom Lake and Smallwood Lake Associations. He was elected on 11/2020 as Hay Township supervisor and served as deputy treasurer and trustee. Other titles include tax collection administrator for the Treasurer Office in Macomb County, Financial Institution commenced as controller and achieved office as president, Public Accounting Firm KPMG, BS Accounting. Licenses that Mudge held are Registered Representative, Real Estate Salesperson, Certified Public Accountant. |
|
Charles Sikora Board Member, Finance Committee Member, FLTF Sikora is a full-time resident of Secord Lake. He retired from Ford Motor Company after 34 years as an Industrial Electrician, Trades Supervisor/Project Manager where he worked on many major projects such as the Ford World Headquarters Renovation, startup of several plants in the Dearborn area, along with several other high-profile projects. Sikora has taught motorcycle education classes since 1985 and is still active in teaching, riding and traveling by motorcycle. He is the vice president for Secord Lake Association since its founding in January 2019. |
Phil Dast Board Member, Finance Committee Member, FLTF Dast is a full-time resident of Secord Lake. He has spent his professional career as a pharmacist both through ownership and later manager of pharmacies in the thumb are of Michigan. Dast has always believed in being involved. This includes being the past president of Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, a parochial school board. Dast was also past secretary of a harbor commission, past board of director of a pharmacy buying group, and past board of director for Michigan Pharmacists Association’s for profit division PSI. He is currently the president of the Secord Lake Association and FLTF board member. |
Dr. Karen Moore - Chairperson, Gladwin County Board of Commissioners Board Member, FLTF Moore is the managing partner of a consulting firm providing management oversight for adult criminal indigent services in the State of Michigan. She has been an attorney for almost 25 years with experience in estate planning, probate, criminal law, and was both a former prosecutor and defense attorney. Moore is a current faculty member at five colleges and universities across the country and is especially proud of her work through Jackson College teaching inmates at the St. Louis Correctional Facility. Moore is a graduate of Beaverton High School and still makes her home in Beaverton with her husband. She is the current chairperson of the Gladwin County Board of Commissioners and current president of the Gladwin Rotary Club. She is a board member of Gladwin Leadership and is a member of the Gladwin Kiwanis Club. |
Mark Bone - Chairperson, Midland County Board Member, FLTF Mark Bone, long-time insurance agent and respected community member, has been a small business owner in Midland since 1997. He currently serves as the owner of Bone & Bailey Insurance Agency. Mark has been a county commissioner since 2008, holding the position of board chair 10 out of 13 years. He is a graduate of the Leadership Midland program, past president of the Midland Exchange Club, a member of noon Rotary and the Sons of the American Legion. As an active community member, Mark is on the board of several area organizations including Midland Business Alliance, Midland County Economic Development Corporation, Great Lakes Bay Convention & Visitor’s Bureau and Kid’s First. Mark enjoys hunting, biking and weight lifting and lives in Midland with his wife and daughter. |
CONSULTANTS AND VOLUNTEERS
|
Helen Myers Program Coordinator, FLTF Myers, who lives in Sanford, Michigan, is active in many aspects of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as the vice-chairperson of the Michigan Board of Trustees and organizer of the annual Walk MS Midland event. In 2020 she retired from Dow following a 39-year career. Her work at Dow included leading global IT projects in Information Security, Data Privacy and IT Infrastructure. Myers received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Luther College, Decorah, Iowa with a double major in Mathematics and Computer Science. She holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt and is a Certified I/S Security Manager (CISM). |
Monty Heins - Global Director for Leveraged Operations Services, Dow Dam Operations and EH&S Advisor, FLTF In addition to his primary role, Heins is also a member of Dow’s Operations Leadership Team. In this role, Heins is responsible for driving global operational excellence through productivity, technology, expertise and key services that enhance site and business performance. Heins has a chemical engineering degree from Clemson University and has served as both a campus recruiter and chemical engineering department professional advisory board member for his alma mater. He completed executive education programs through the Indiana Partnership at Indiana University and the H.H. Dow Academy. |
Stacey Trapani - Owner, Trapani Communications Communications, FLTF Trapani is the owner of Trapani Communications, Inc., which provides strategic communications, project implementation, public relations and social media support for Fortune 500 corporations, local and regional businesses, universities, municipalities, and non-profit organizations. Trapani founded Trapani Communications in Midland in 1993. She is active in the community, supporting multiple non-profit and civic organizations and sits on multiple committees. She has an undergraduate degree in journalism from Central Michigan University and a master's degree in communications from Michigan State University. In 2013, she graduated from the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance Leadership Institute and is also a graduate of Leadership Saginaw. She lives in Midland with her husband of 34 years and has two adult daughters. |
|
Tamara McGovern - Vice President of Finance, Members First Credit Union Finance Committee Member, FLTF McGovern has been in the banking and finance industry for over 25 years and currently serves. Originally from Northern Michigan, McGovern loves the outdoors and lake life. She moved to Sanford Lake in 2011 to recapture her love of nature and watersports and hopes she can help bring back the lakes to the community she calls home. |
Terry Kram Erosion Stabilization Coordinator, FLTF Kram started working with FLTF after retiring from a 35-year career in Analytical Chemistry with Dow Chemical and DuPont. He is a detail-oriented person with a passion for problem-solving, creativity and people. The main aspects of his career focused on using analytical technology to develop methods and processes for businesses to produce quality products and mentoring other analytical chemists. Terry has a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry with a minor in mathematics. He currently lives in Sanford with his wife, and has two adult kids who both reside in Michigan as well. |
John Broschak, P.E. - President of Generation Operations and Compression, Consumers Energy EH&S Advisor, FLTF Broschak is responsible for the operation of the Consumer Energy's fossil-fueled, hydroelectric and renewable generating units and gas compression facilities. He began his utility career at Consumers Energy in 1992 at Palisades Nuclear Plant after serving as an officer in the U.S. Navy for six years. Broschak earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Chicago and a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Pennsylvania State University. He is a licensed professional engineer in the states of Michigan and Kansas. Broschak previously held a senior reactor operator license and project management professional certification. |
Spicer Group is the lead engineering firm on the project. Four Lakes Task Force retained Spicer Group in 2019 for professional engineering services and to assist with administration of the process for establishing the legal lake level.
|
Andy Keller – Recovery Coordination
Andy is a senior associate at Spicer Group and has over 20 years of experience in the storm water and construction industry. He has worked in the public and private sector across Michigan throughout his career assisting clients with storm water conveyance, storage and erosion control solutions. His background is in Geographic Information Systems, Environmental Sciences, client relations and business development. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Geography with and Emphasis in Environmental Studies from the University of Utah. |
Darrick Huff, P.E. – Operations, Monitoring and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition)
Darrick is a principal at Spicer Group and has 27 years of electrical engineering experience. He is responsible for instrumentation design and develops sequence of operations for process control at various municipal, industrial and institutional facilities. He received his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Michigan Technological University. |
|
Dave Vallier – Construction Management for Recovery
Dave is an associate at Spicer Group and specializes in design, drafting and overseeing construction of open drainage and closed storm sewer projects. He also specializes in construction project administration including working with inspectors, contractors and landowners to interpret plans, and develop solutions to construction problems. |
Eric Barden, P.S. (Professional Surveyor) – Surveying
Eric is a principal and director of surveying for Spicer Group however he maintains active project management and quality oversight for the firm’s major projects. He has extensive experience and expertise in boundary retracement, geodetic control surveys, structure and settlement monitoring surveys and other high precision surveying tasks. He is a national LiDAR expert and regularly presents at national conferences. Eric is a 2002 graduate of Ferris State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Surveying Engineering and is a licensed Professional Surveyor in Michigan and Georgia. |
Erica Martell – Feasibility Report Coordinator
Erica is a design engineer at Spicer Group. Her work is focused on Water Resource Engineering, specializing in surface water quality projects. Her primary focus has been related to storm and surface water quality, the completion of Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)/United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Joint Permit Applications, and NPDES Phase II compliance. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Environmental Engineering from Michigan Technological University. |
|
Jennifer Garza, P.E. – Funding and Financing
Jennifer is an associate at Spicer Group and has 18 years of experience providing design, bidding and construction administration services for a wide variety of infrastructure projects. She also has significant experience with USDA Rural Development and State Revolving Loan funding. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biosystems Engineering from Michigan State University. |
Kelsea Sutton – Permitting and Environmental
Kelsea’s primary focus areas are storm and surface water quality, the completion of Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)/United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Joint Permit Applications, floodplain management, and Part 315 and 307 Dam Inspections. She received her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Michigan Technological University. |
Mike Niederquell, P.E. – Road Design
Mike is a senior associate at Spicer Group and has 23 years of experience. He is involved in the preparation of construction plans, specifications and cost estimates for state, municipal and county roadways. His design experience includes reconstruction and resurfacing road projects, storm sewer design, traffic signal, permanent signing, pavement marking, utility conflict resolution, maintaining traffic, right-of-way acquisition and guardrail improvements. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Civil Engineering from Michigan State University. |
|
Nick Czerwinski, P.E. (Professional Engineer) – Design Engineering
Nick is a senior associate at Spicer Group and has 16 years of experience providing hydrology and hydraulic calculations, drainage design, erosion control design, permitting, construction administration and project management. Nick has also completed extensive drainage studies and many open-channel, storm sewer and stormwater detention basin designs. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering from Michigan Technological University. |
Patrick Craig – CADD Coordinator
Patrick is an AutoCAD Technician at Spicer Group and has 21 years of experience. He is responsible for topography mapping, geographic information systems, reading and writing legal descriptions, parcel mapping, plan and profile drawings, cross sections, detention ponds, water control structures, watershed district mapping and assessments, plats, utility research, and computer services. He received his Associate of Applied Science in Computer Aided Drafting from ITT Technical Institute. |
Robert Bowman – GIS
Robert is a Geospatial Technician with experience in various forms of data management, collection, creation, analysis and workflow automation. He has multiple years of experience working with geographic information systems (GIS) and other related database management systems. He brings expertise in integrating GIS with other software and computer tools and applications. Robert received his bachelor’s degree in GIS from Central Michigan University and has been involved in multiple asset management projects that involve utilizing various GIS applications. |
|
Ron Hansen, P.E., P.S. – Principal Engineer and Program Management
EH&S Committee Member, FLTF Ron is the vice president at Spicer Group and is working as the Owner’s Engineer for this project. His expertise includes hydrology and hydraulic calculations, drainage design, open-channel, storm sewer and stormwater detention basin designs. He received two bachelor’s degrees from Michigan Technological University - one in Surveying and one in Civil Engineering. He is a professionally licensed engineer and land surveyor in the state of Michigan. |
Warren Miller, P.E. – Project Engineer and Program Management
Warren is a project manager at Spicer Group. He is responsible for providing dam and lake level inspections, hydrology and hydraulic calculations, drainage design, erosion control design, wetland delineation experience, permitting, construction administration, and project management. He received his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering from Michigan Technological University. He is a professionally licensed engineer in the state of Michigan. |
The Four Lakes Task Force retained The Essex Partnership in 2019 in a strategic consulting role to assist with the acquisition of the Boyce Hydro Power projects.
|
Robert A. Gates - Operations and Regulatory Compliance
Bob is a senior engineer at The Essex Partnership. He has worked in the hydroelectric industry for the past 40 years. His primary background is in leading operations, maintenance, engineering, capital projects, regulatory compliance, real estate, and environmental/health/safety policies, programs, and processes. Bob works with Four Lakes Task Force to identify opportunities to improve operations of the four lakes facilities that are along the Tittabawassee River as well as provide his expertise in regulatory compliance, dam safety practices, environmental, health and safety (EHS) program needs, land management, and emergency action planning, among other things. |
Bruce DiGennaro - Principal Engineer and Strategic Regulatory Planning
Bruce is a principal environmental planner at The Essex Partnership with over 30 years of industry experience working with private businesses, utilities and government agencies on regulatory compliance and resource planning projects involving water and energy issues. Bruce has directed and managed large-scale water resource and energy projects throughout the country including hydroelectric licensing and compliance plans, water supply planning and policy studies, multi-party negotiations and collaborative stakeholder processes, recreation and shoreline management planning, and ecosystem restoration planning. He received a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Planning and Management from the University of California Davis. |
|
Pradush Chakraborty - Operations
Pradush is an EHS specialist at The Essex Partnership. He has over 20 years of environmental, health and safety experience in the marine ship building and hydroelectric business. He is fully familiar with the requirements needed for FLTF Operations personnel protection, contractor safety, and environmental exposures at the Four Lakes facilities. Pradush develops EHS policies and procedures for the FLTF Operations personnel, provides needed resources for reference and training purposes, evaluates overall EHS program needs and strategic direction, and assists the FLTF operations manager. |
Susan M. Giansante - Regulatory Compliance
Sue is an engineer at The Essex Partnership. She has worked in the electric energy industry for the past 37 years. She has experience in engineering, regulatory compliance, permitting, environmental certifications, federal plant licensing, and project management. Sue’s role with The Essex Partnership and Four Lakes Task Force is to identify regulatory, environmental and dam safety requirements and to assist FLTF in the identification and/or development of a regulatory compliance software program. Her technical expertise is varied and related to operations of dams and dikes. |
Four Lakes Task Force retained GEI Consultants of Michigan, P.C. in 2020 to to develop “planning-level” opinions of probable construction costs.
|
Rick Anderson, P.E. – Geotechnical Evaluation and Design
EH&S Advisor, FLTF Rick is a project principal/senior technical review for GEI Consultants. He has over 35 years of consulting engineering and project management experience for hydropower facilities, dams, water supply, flood control and transportation projects worldwide. He is also a FERC-approved Independent Consultant, Facilitator for Potential Failure Modes Analyses, and is the geotechnical expert on four independent Boards of Consultants for PMF upgrades at FERC-regulated hydropower projects. His work with FLTF will be focused on the evaluation and design of the geotechnical aspects of the project, including geotechnical exploration, seepage and stability evaluations, construction dewatering, and permanent passive drainage systems. He received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. |
Bill Walton, P.E., S.E. (Structural Engineer) – Engineer of Record
Bill is a senior vice president with GEI Consultants. He serves as the engineer of record for FLTF and is responsible for the overall design of the project. Bill has over 42 years of experience in the analysis, design, and construction of dam projects worldwide. He is a FERC- approved Independent Consultant and Facilitator for Potential Failure Modes Analyses. Troy Naperala, P.E. - Project Manager
Troy is a Vice President in GEI’s Traverse City, MI office. He serves as the Engineering Program Manage for FLTF and is responsible for the overall management of GEI’s design and engineering during construction services for the project. He has over 20 years of engineering consulting and project management experience related to the analysis, design and construction of dams. His focus is on implementing the quality assurance program that will verify that the dams are rehabilitated in accordance with the engineering and design plans prepared by GEI. Troy has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering from Michigan Technological University and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Virginia. |
