Bob Durfey
Board Office: President
Resides in: City of Bayfield
Why I joined the BRC? I grew up in Winona, Minnesota on the Mississippi River. There were two valleys we would go to for trout fishing and camping. One of the valleys had a couple of caves high on the bluff we would sit in and look over the valley. I went back there recently to see if I could still find it so I could introduce my grandsons to it. I was greeted by a sign saying something like "Private property. Keep out." I went to the other valley and found a similar sign. It was sad to see these areas taken away that were once our playground. I became aware of BRC during the campaign to preserve Corny Beach. My partner and I were in the early stages of developing Jackson Meadow, then. I met the Executive Director and visited about BRC's mission and found that my professional and personal interests were aligned with theirs. It was a no-brainer to apply for board membership recently when a position became available and I have more time to devote to the BRC mission.
Professional Background: I am a registered (retired) civil engineer in Minnesota. I've been involved in all phases of the commercial and residential construction and development industry for more than forty years. I am a partner in Jackson Meadow Company, which developed a 64 lot sustainable housing community in Minnesota. Jackson Meadow won a 1999 Minnesota AIA Honor Award, a national AIA award for Regional and Urban Design in 2005 and was the 2002 winner for Land Use presented by The MN Environmental Institute. I've worked as a carpenter, engineer, construction superintendent, estimator, construction company owner, real estate developer and currently provide construction management, owner advocacy services and cost segregation studies around the country. I am a consultant at EnviroMed Design Group. www.enviromedgroup.com
Favorite Conservation Quote: "Do all you are able to protect it when you can or chance losing it forever" ~ Bob Durfey
Hobbies: Anything water related, fishing, skiing, snowshoeing, mushrooming
Animal I most identify with: Tiger
Resides in: City of Bayfield
Why I joined the BRC? I grew up in Winona, Minnesota on the Mississippi River. There were two valleys we would go to for trout fishing and camping. One of the valleys had a couple of caves high on the bluff we would sit in and look over the valley. I went back there recently to see if I could still find it so I could introduce my grandsons to it. I was greeted by a sign saying something like "Private property. Keep out." I went to the other valley and found a similar sign. It was sad to see these areas taken away that were once our playground. I became aware of BRC during the campaign to preserve Corny Beach. My partner and I were in the early stages of developing Jackson Meadow, then. I met the Executive Director and visited about BRC's mission and found that my professional and personal interests were aligned with theirs. It was a no-brainer to apply for board membership recently when a position became available and I have more time to devote to the BRC mission.
Professional Background: I am a registered (retired) civil engineer in Minnesota. I've been involved in all phases of the commercial and residential construction and development industry for more than forty years. I am a partner in Jackson Meadow Company, which developed a 64 lot sustainable housing community in Minnesota. Jackson Meadow won a 1999 Minnesota AIA Honor Award, a national AIA award for Regional and Urban Design in 2005 and was the 2002 winner for Land Use presented by The MN Environmental Institute. I've worked as a carpenter, engineer, construction superintendent, estimator, construction company owner, real estate developer and currently provide construction management, owner advocacy services and cost segregation studies around the country. I am a consultant at EnviroMed Design Group. www.enviromedgroup.com
Favorite Conservation Quote: "Do all you are able to protect it when you can or chance losing it forever" ~ Bob Durfey
Hobbies: Anything water related, fishing, skiing, snowshoeing, mushrooming
Animal I most identify with: Tiger
Kim Bro
Board Office: Vice-President
Resides in: Washburn
Why I joined the BRC? I am especially attracted to the community-based approach to working with property owners because I have found that, when mutual learning occurs between land owners and environmental experts, land stewardship improves.
Professional Background: I am trained in land and water resources management (M.S. and Ph.D.), and I have managed outreach education re: natural resources for thirty years through the UW Sea Grant Institute, state and federal environmental health and remediation programs and at Northland College as Vice President and Executive Director of the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute and as Director of Sustainability.
Hobbies: Hiking
Resides in: Washburn
Why I joined the BRC? I am especially attracted to the community-based approach to working with property owners because I have found that, when mutual learning occurs between land owners and environmental experts, land stewardship improves.
Professional Background: I am trained in land and water resources management (M.S. and Ph.D.), and I have managed outreach education re: natural resources for thirty years through the UW Sea Grant Institute, state and federal environmental health and remediation programs and at Northland College as Vice President and Executive Director of the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute and as Director of Sustainability.
Hobbies: Hiking
Mike Fiorio
Board Office: Treasurer
Resides in: Rural Bayfield County, 11 miles SW of Ashland.
Professional Background: I am a Certified Financial Planner and together with my two other partners: brother, John, and Eric Neumann, own and operate a financial planning business that celebrated its 25th birthday this year.
Favorite Conservation Quote: “Yet there are those with hand and brain tear down that which time will never give again!!” ~ Source unknown
Why I joined the BRC? I joined BRC because I value wild and scenic places.
Hobbies: Playing about in boats of all sizes and shapes, hiking, hunting, fishing and camping.
Animal I most identify with: The bear
Resides in: Rural Bayfield County, 11 miles SW of Ashland.
Professional Background: I am a Certified Financial Planner and together with my two other partners: brother, John, and Eric Neumann, own and operate a financial planning business that celebrated its 25th birthday this year.
Favorite Conservation Quote: “Yet there are those with hand and brain tear down that which time will never give again!!” ~ Source unknown
Why I joined the BRC? I joined BRC because I value wild and scenic places.
Hobbies: Playing about in boats of all sizes and shapes, hiking, hunting, fishing and camping.
Animal I most identify with: The bear
Shari Eggleson
Board Office: Secretary
Resides in: Washburn
Why I joined the BRC? Given a political climate increasingly hostile to environmental protection, acquiring land and conservation easements seem to be the surest way to preserve natural resources.
Professional Background: I worked at the Wisconsin Department of Justice for 30 years, prosecuting polluters all over the state, prior to my retirement in 2008.
Favorite Conservation Quote: Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. ~ Margaret Mead
Hobbies: Hiking, biking, skiing, kayaking, and canoeing
Resides in: Washburn
Why I joined the BRC? Given a political climate increasingly hostile to environmental protection, acquiring land and conservation easements seem to be the surest way to preserve natural resources.
Professional Background: I worked at the Wisconsin Department of Justice for 30 years, prosecuting polluters all over the state, prior to my retirement in 2008.
Favorite Conservation Quote: Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. ~ Margaret Mead
Hobbies: Hiking, biking, skiing, kayaking, and canoeing
Nancy Sandstrom
Resides in: Town of Bayfield
Why I joined the BRC? My sense of place is very strong - and for me that speaks to how the land, forests and water around us are used and tended to. BRC has a history of strong and appropriate land preservation, something that I believe in very strongly. Proud to be associated with such a respected and important organization.
Professional Background: Currently my husband Steve and I own and operation Pinehurst Inn, an 8-room bed and breakfast located just south of Bayfield. For the past 15 years, I have been the primary innkeeper, cook, accountant, gardener and housekeeper. Prior to our move to Bayfield, I worked for a variety of non-profit organizations in both health and environment, working as Executive Director and Marketing Director.
Favorite Conservation Quote: We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. ~ Native American Proverb
Hobbies: Gardening, Hiking, Kayaking, Weaving (actually, much of my weaving is inspired by nature. It's the best place to find colors!).
Animal I most identify with: Wolf
Why I joined the BRC? My sense of place is very strong - and for me that speaks to how the land, forests and water around us are used and tended to. BRC has a history of strong and appropriate land preservation, something that I believe in very strongly. Proud to be associated with such a respected and important organization.
Professional Background: Currently my husband Steve and I own and operation Pinehurst Inn, an 8-room bed and breakfast located just south of Bayfield. For the past 15 years, I have been the primary innkeeper, cook, accountant, gardener and housekeeper. Prior to our move to Bayfield, I worked for a variety of non-profit organizations in both health and environment, working as Executive Director and Marketing Director.
Favorite Conservation Quote: We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. ~ Native American Proverb
Hobbies: Gardening, Hiking, Kayaking, Weaving (actually, much of my weaving is inspired by nature. It's the best place to find colors!).
Animal I most identify with: Wolf
Bruce Moore
Resides in: City of Bayfield
Professional Background: I am an environmental engineer/ hydrologist for the Wisconsin DNR, I've been a lifelong advocate of preserving natural habitat, and maintaining a lighter ecological footprint through lifestyle choices. The expertise I bring to the board includes knowledge of stormwater, erosion and water quality control measures and the workings of State and Local agencies that regulate land use.
Hobbies: Native landscaping, wetland restoration, Nordic skiing, kayaking
Animal I most identify with: Nuthatch
Professional Background: I am an environmental engineer/ hydrologist for the Wisconsin DNR, I've been a lifelong advocate of preserving natural habitat, and maintaining a lighter ecological footprint through lifestyle choices. The expertise I bring to the board includes knowledge of stormwater, erosion and water quality control measures and the workings of State and Local agencies that regulate land use.
Hobbies: Native landscaping, wetland restoration, Nordic skiing, kayaking
Animal I most identify with: Nuthatch
Demaris Brinton
Resides in: Town of Bayfield
Why I joined the BRC? We all have a lot of demands on our time and have to choose carefully how we spend it. I joined BRC because I believe that BRC’s mission is critical to preserving the quality of land, water and life in the Northland. In addition, by seeking to protect and preserve the Lake Superior Basin and the headwaters of the Mississippi River, I believe that BRC serves not just the Northland and Wisconsin, but the entire territory that is dependent on the quality of these important watersheds. A great mission is nothing without the ability to execute on it. I also joined BRC because in my opinion it has all of the requisite elements to be successful in its mission: focused and attainable goals, an excellent staff, an effective and fully participatory Board, and a dedicated and enthusiastic membership base. Finally, I support that BRC seeks to fulfill its mission of preserving land and waterways in ways that work in concert, rather than in conflict, with local private and public interests.
Professional Background: I graduated from University of Wisconsin- Madison Law School in 1987. For twenty years I practiced law in Northern California as a corporate attorney specializing in emerging growth technology and consumer products companies. During that time, I served as Chair of the Healdsburg Arts Council and Sirens Studio for Youth and the Arts, a founder of the Healdsburg Jazz Festival, founder and Chair of the Healdsburg Area Affiliate, Vice Chair of the Community Foundation Sonoma County and Board member of the Sonoma County Climate Protection Campaign. Other prior professional experience includes working in Washington D.C. for both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, and for Conservation International, a DC-based nonprofit focused on protecting biodiversity. Prior to moving full-time to Bayfield, my husband Theron O'Connor and I spent significant time in the Chequamegon Bay Area, Theron’s mother having been born here, and we chose to make Bayfield our permanent residence in October 2008. Since moving to Bayfield, my husband and I opened and operate Apostle Islands Booksellers, an independent bookstore in Bayfield, and engage in small family farm activities on our homestead in the hills outside of Bayfield. I have served on the Board of the Alliance for Sustainability and currently I am a member of the Town of Bayfield Plan Commission. We have two daughters, six grandsons, an Alaskan Klee Kai, a black lab mix and six chickens.
Favorite Conservation Quote: “In wildness is the preservation of the world.” ~ Henry David Thoreau
Hobbies: Walking in the woods and meadows and by water; swimming, wading or just splashing in fresh, clean water; snowshoeing; camping or just sleeping outdoors
Animal I most identify with: Dragon
Why I joined the BRC? We all have a lot of demands on our time and have to choose carefully how we spend it. I joined BRC because I believe that BRC’s mission is critical to preserving the quality of land, water and life in the Northland. In addition, by seeking to protect and preserve the Lake Superior Basin and the headwaters of the Mississippi River, I believe that BRC serves not just the Northland and Wisconsin, but the entire territory that is dependent on the quality of these important watersheds. A great mission is nothing without the ability to execute on it. I also joined BRC because in my opinion it has all of the requisite elements to be successful in its mission: focused and attainable goals, an excellent staff, an effective and fully participatory Board, and a dedicated and enthusiastic membership base. Finally, I support that BRC seeks to fulfill its mission of preserving land and waterways in ways that work in concert, rather than in conflict, with local private and public interests.
Professional Background: I graduated from University of Wisconsin- Madison Law School in 1987. For twenty years I practiced law in Northern California as a corporate attorney specializing in emerging growth technology and consumer products companies. During that time, I served as Chair of the Healdsburg Arts Council and Sirens Studio for Youth and the Arts, a founder of the Healdsburg Jazz Festival, founder and Chair of the Healdsburg Area Affiliate, Vice Chair of the Community Foundation Sonoma County and Board member of the Sonoma County Climate Protection Campaign. Other prior professional experience includes working in Washington D.C. for both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, and for Conservation International, a DC-based nonprofit focused on protecting biodiversity. Prior to moving full-time to Bayfield, my husband Theron O'Connor and I spent significant time in the Chequamegon Bay Area, Theron’s mother having been born here, and we chose to make Bayfield our permanent residence in October 2008. Since moving to Bayfield, my husband and I opened and operate Apostle Islands Booksellers, an independent bookstore in Bayfield, and engage in small family farm activities on our homestead in the hills outside of Bayfield. I have served on the Board of the Alliance for Sustainability and currently I am a member of the Town of Bayfield Plan Commission. We have two daughters, six grandsons, an Alaskan Klee Kai, a black lab mix and six chickens.
Favorite Conservation Quote: “In wildness is the preservation of the world.” ~ Henry David Thoreau
Hobbies: Walking in the woods and meadows and by water; swimming, wading or just splashing in fresh, clean water; snowshoeing; camping or just sleeping outdoors
Animal I most identify with: Dragon
Grandon Harris
Resides in: City of Bayfield
Professional Background: With a native community, as clergy turned facilitator, on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota I developed (from nothing but an idea and hope) a grassroots manufacturing business to create a meaningful livelihood. In WI, I manufactured architectural plywood--worked with architects and designers, procured special veneers from around the world, and worked with plant employees to see that the job would be set up and manufactured to meet the visual and quality specifications of the customer.
Favorite Conservation Quote: "A lake is the landscape's most beautiful and expressive feature. It is earth's eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature." ~ Henry David Thoreau
Why I joined the BRC? Care for the Earth and Mother Nature became a prominent part of my life when I lived with Native American people during the 60's and 70's; BRC is the finest organization in the area wherein I can be active and realize significant progress.
Hobbies: Photography, hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, gardening
Professional Background: With a native community, as clergy turned facilitator, on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota I developed (from nothing but an idea and hope) a grassroots manufacturing business to create a meaningful livelihood. In WI, I manufactured architectural plywood--worked with architects and designers, procured special veneers from around the world, and worked with plant employees to see that the job would be set up and manufactured to meet the visual and quality specifications of the customer.
Favorite Conservation Quote: "A lake is the landscape's most beautiful and expressive feature. It is earth's eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature." ~ Henry David Thoreau
Why I joined the BRC? Care for the Earth and Mother Nature became a prominent part of my life when I lived with Native American people during the 60's and 70's; BRC is the finest organization in the area wherein I can be active and realize significant progress.
Hobbies: Photography, hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, gardening
Roger Dreher
Resides in: Edina, MN (officially) but in Town of Drummond most of the time
Why I joined the BRC? To help protect precious places in perpetuity. Other protections such as through zoning aren’t permanent. We have so many fragile and important ecosystems and they need to be kept intact.
Professional Background: I have Master’s degrees in engineering and business and has management experience in engineering, manufacturing, marketing, and quality assurance. I also consulted in operations improvement area. I retired in 1998 so I could spend time on environmental and conservation work. Always interested in environmental and conservation issues, I've held several positions on non profit boards over the past 10 or so years, including the Wisconsin Association of Lakes (director 6 years, secretary 2 years), Bayfield County Lakes Forum (president for 4 years), Cable/Namakagon Historical Museum (currently president), and chair (5 years) and member of the planning committee for the Northwest Wisconsin Lakes Conference since 1999.
Favorite Conservation Quote: “All ethics so far evolved rest upon a single premise: that the individual is a member of a community of interdependent parts. The land ethic simply enlarges the boundaries of the community to include soils, waters, plants and animals, or collectively the land.” The Land Ethic (1949), ASCA 204
Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, scuba diving, snowshoeing, canoeing.
Animal I most identify with: Otter
Why I joined the BRC? To help protect precious places in perpetuity. Other protections such as through zoning aren’t permanent. We have so many fragile and important ecosystems and they need to be kept intact.
Professional Background: I have Master’s degrees in engineering and business and has management experience in engineering, manufacturing, marketing, and quality assurance. I also consulted in operations improvement area. I retired in 1998 so I could spend time on environmental and conservation work. Always interested in environmental and conservation issues, I've held several positions on non profit boards over the past 10 or so years, including the Wisconsin Association of Lakes (director 6 years, secretary 2 years), Bayfield County Lakes Forum (president for 4 years), Cable/Namakagon Historical Museum (currently president), and chair (5 years) and member of the planning committee for the Northwest Wisconsin Lakes Conference since 1999.
Favorite Conservation Quote: “All ethics so far evolved rest upon a single premise: that the individual is a member of a community of interdependent parts. The land ethic simply enlarges the boundaries of the community to include soils, waters, plants and animals, or collectively the land.” The Land Ethic (1949), ASCA 204
Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, scuba diving, snowshoeing, canoeing.
Animal I most identify with: Otter
Sue DeNuccio
Resides in: Minneapolis, Minnesota and Washburn, Wisconsin
Why I joined the BRC? I believe in the mission and wanted to help with the heavy lifting.Professional Background: Board Chair of 4 billion dollar healthcare organization, member governed; Board Chair of Urban Coaliton, advocacy organization in Twin Cities, former vice president, Target Corporation
Favorite Conservation Quote: It’s not a unique quote of my own, but true conservation service is planting a tree that you won’t see the shade from but your children and theirs will.
Hobbies: Mountain hiking, alpine skiing, biking, and urban park conservation in Minneapolis.
Animal I most identify with: Wolf
Why I joined the BRC? I believe in the mission and wanted to help with the heavy lifting.Professional Background: Board Chair of 4 billion dollar healthcare organization, member governed; Board Chair of Urban Coaliton, advocacy organization in Twin Cities, former vice president, Target Corporation
Favorite Conservation Quote: It’s not a unique quote of my own, but true conservation service is planting a tree that you won’t see the shade from but your children and theirs will.
Hobbies: Mountain hiking, alpine skiing, biking, and urban park conservation in Minneapolis.
Animal I most identify with: Wolf
Glenn Stoddard
Glenn works for a private law firm in Eau Claire, WI, and a home office in Hayward, WI, where he does much of his legal work. Born in Washington, D.C., as a child Glenn moved to Duluth, MN where he completed high school. In 1980 he received a BS in natural resources management from UW-Stevens Point, a MS in Urban & Regional Planning from UW-Madison in 1984, and a JD from UW Law School in 1994. Before attending UW Law School from 1992-94, Glenn worked for over ten years in various positions with state and county government and nonprofit organizations.
Glenn has practiced law since early 1995, with an emphasis on civil rights and environmental law, in Madison where he was a shareholder in the law firm of Garvey & Stoddard, S.C and then in Eau Claire where he established his own solo practice as of 2005. In early 2011, Glenn relocated to the Hayward area where he currently resides with his wife, Molly Otis, on Upper Twin Lake. Glenn's wife, Molly Otis has lived in the Hayward area for many years and is a wellknown musician and business owner. She attended high school in Ashland, WI, and her mother, Laurie Otis, lives near Washburn, WI.
Glenn and Molly each have two children from previous marriages, Patrick Stoddard (18 yrs), Chloe Stoddard (14 yrs), Cassidy Scheer (31 yrs) and Carly Scheer (26 yrs). Glenn owns 440 acres of land near Minong, WI, with his three brothers, a property they call Wolf Springs Forest. The land has been in their family since their father acquired it in late 1930s and later built a home there in the 1940s, which Glenn and his brothers rebuilt in the early 1990s.
With its beautiful stand of large second-growth white and red pine, and numerous springs and ponds full of native brook trout and other species of fish, the property has been continuously conserved and managed by the family for esthetics, sustainable forestry, fish and wildlife habitat, and recreation. Glenn has a strong personal commitment to conservation and environmental protection.
Glenn has practiced law since early 1995, with an emphasis on civil rights and environmental law, in Madison where he was a shareholder in the law firm of Garvey & Stoddard, S.C and then in Eau Claire where he established his own solo practice as of 2005. In early 2011, Glenn relocated to the Hayward area where he currently resides with his wife, Molly Otis, on Upper Twin Lake. Glenn's wife, Molly Otis has lived in the Hayward area for many years and is a wellknown musician and business owner. She attended high school in Ashland, WI, and her mother, Laurie Otis, lives near Washburn, WI.
Glenn and Molly each have two children from previous marriages, Patrick Stoddard (18 yrs), Chloe Stoddard (14 yrs), Cassidy Scheer (31 yrs) and Carly Scheer (26 yrs). Glenn owns 440 acres of land near Minong, WI, with his three brothers, a property they call Wolf Springs Forest. The land has been in their family since their father acquired it in late 1930s and later built a home there in the 1940s, which Glenn and his brothers rebuilt in the early 1990s.
With its beautiful stand of large second-growth white and red pine, and numerous springs and ponds full of native brook trout and other species of fish, the property has been continuously conserved and managed by the family for esthetics, sustainable forestry, fish and wildlife habitat, and recreation. Glenn has a strong personal commitment to conservation and environmental protection.
Bayfield Regional Conservancy ~ 33 N. 1st Street, Bayfield, WI 54814 ~ 715.779.5263 ~ brc@brcland.org
