NALMS 2022 Election Candidates
The 2022 election for officers and directors is underway. Voting in the annual election is an important way for NALMS members to provide input in the management of the Society. Our officers and directors are all volunteers who serve without pay.
All members may vote for President-Elect, Treasurer, and At-Large Director.
- The President-Elect serves for one year in that position after which they serve as President for one year and Past-President for one year.
- The Treasurer serves for three years and may succeed themselves for one additional term.
- The At-Large Director serves for three years and may serve up to two consecutive terms.
Members may also vote for a director to represent their NALMS Region. Regional Directors are elected for a three-year term and may serve up to two consecutive terms.
Student members may also vote for a Student Director. The Student director is elected for a one-year term and may serve up to three consecutive terms.
Kellie Merrell has had the privilege of monitoring the status and trends of Vermont’s inland lakes for the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation since 2001. Before that she was an Aquatic Biologist with EPA working on the Mid-Atlantic Integrated Assessment and a Senior Information Management Analyst for the environmental services division of Technology, Planning and Management Corporation. She has served as president and vice president of the board of trustees for the nonprofit Passumpsic Valley Land Trust. She’s currently NALMS Region 1 Director and co-chair of the 314 Clean Lakes Program Working Group. Kellie has a B.A. from Hood College and an M.S. from University of Maryland where she studied Vallisneria americana.
“As both the US and Canada celebrate half a century or more of federal Clean Water Act legislation, evidence keeps mounting that the condition of lakes in North America are still heading in the wrong direction. No matter how aspirational its goals, government alone cannot address the challenges our lakes face on this continent. It takes the collaboration of volunteers, scientists, and professionals to successfully protect and restore lakes. NALMS is the forum to foster the exchange of ideas and evidence of what works and equally important, what doesn’t. As President-Elect, I would like to help amplify NALMS’s voice to advocate on behalf of the continent’s lakes and garner more financial support from government for successful lake management. NALMS is currently made up of many of those who know how best to manage lakes, however, there are many voices and perspectives missing from our ranks. I would like to help NALMS recruit and welcome these voices through expanded membership, promote the Community of Practice phase of NALMS’s participation in the NSF funded ACCESS+ initiative, and continue support of the NALMS JEDI program. At NALMS conferences we collectively bear witness to both lake management successes and failures and as such we cannot help feeling both hope and despair. When standing up for the lakes you love, the lakes you manage – sometimes by yourself – I want our present and future membership to know you are not alone, that a whole society stands with you and can be there for you with professional advice and moral support. From my work as co-chair of the NALMS 314 Working Group, named after the section of the US Clean Water Act that hasn’t been funded in over two decades, I am more than certain our membership is ready to take the action necessary to successfully advocate on behalf of our lakes to get them the political and financial support needed to both save and restore what Thoreau called ‘the landscape’s most beautiful and expressive feature.’ “
Todd Tietjen is currently the NALMS treasurer, a position he has held for the 2 terms. Todd has also served as the Region 9 representative to NALMS and as an Associate Editor and Reviewer for Lake and Reservoir Management. Todd currently works on Lake Mead and Colorado River issues as the Regional Water Quality Manager for the Southern Nevada Water Authority, which provides water to the Las Vegas metropolitan area. Todd has a BA from Alfred University, an Aquatic Biology MS from Southwest Texas State University, and a Ph.D. in Aquatic Ecology from the University of Alabama. Todd has worked on water quality issues in reservoirs over the past 30 years.
“I have been proud to have served with the NALMS Board of Directors for the past several years and would like to continue this service with a term as president. Working with the Board, membership and volunteers of NALMS we have returned NALMS to a firm financial condition with reserve funding available to help NALMS weather future periods of hardship if they arise. We worked through the COVID pandemic hosting 2 online conferences to keep our membership connected and involved while expanding the reach of NALMS to attendees that had previously been unable to participate. The Board has also worked, and continues to work, to expand and empower the JEDI committee’s efforts to improve representation and participation in all aspects of the society. Committees have also worked to encourage the return of funding to the EPA Clean Lakes Program, to continue to produce high quality conferences and publications, to expand sponsorships and giving to support the goals of the society.
“As NALMS moves forward I plan to continue the efforts that have brought us success in recent years while continuing our transition from the COVID period to more normal operations. Out of necessity the importance of the Executive Committee, NALMS professional Staff, and the Board of Directors in carrying out the work of NALMS increased during the pandemic. I will continue to work to return more of the operations of the society to the committees and membership that have helped us in the past. We have a large number of interested and energized members that are willing to contribute when asked. There are opportunities to expand our lake management and water quality outreach activities through the Secchi Dip-In, Lakes Appreciation Month, conferences and publications. It is important that these outreach efforts amplify our role in environmental work to governmental, academic, utilities, cottagers, and others interested in lakes and lake management. Our long-term viability depends on expanding opportunities for up-and-coming members by stressing the value we add to society as a whole.
“Finally, if elected president I plan to solicit direct input from the membership on a range of topics to help the Board of Directors take the organization into the future. While the Board strives to represent the membership on issues related to conferences, publications and outreach activities, we can do a better job of seeking direct guidance.”
Shannon Brattebo, PE, has been an environmental engineer and limnologist for Tetra Tech, Inc. in Washington State since 1999. Shannon’s work has focused on lake and reservoir water quality, restoration, and management both in the Pacific Northwest and across the nation. Shannon has B.S. in Civil/Environmental Engineering from Seattle University and an M.S.C.E in Civil/Environmental Engineering from the University of Washington. Shannon has been a member of NALMS since 2001 and is a current board member and past secretary of the Washington Lakes Protection Association (WALPA). Shannon is also a past Region 10 NALMS Director (2015 – 2018).
“I am looking forward to the opportunity to renew my service to NALMS and the NALMS Board of Directors in the capacity of NALMS Treasurer. I have been an active member of NALMS since 2001 and currently serve on the NALMS Conference Committee. During my time on the Board, I worked alongside the NALMS Treasurer and others during multiple financial breakout sessions to discuss and strategize the necessary steps to improve NALMS financial health. I feel my direct involvement with both NALMS financial strategy and conference planning gives me the background and experience that will serve me well in the role of Treasurer.”
Jeremy Deeds has been an aquatic ecologist with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection since 2014. Prior to that, he worked with the Lakes and Ponds Section of the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation. He has worked on many aspects of water quality and ecological condition, including lake condition assessments, biological community classification, data modeling, and littoral habitat evaluations. He holds an M.S. in Aquatic Ecology from Kent State University and a Ph.D. in Ecology and Environmental Science from the University of Maine.
“I would like to be the NALMS Region 1 Director to continue the NALMS tradition of using sound scientific information to support lake protection. I am especially interested in promoting NALMS’ ongoing efforts to enhance lake protection capabilities by re-establishing the Clean Lakes Program funding under Section 314 of the Clean Water Act. I am also interested in the development of biological criteria for lake assessments, as well as integrating a holistic watershed-based approach to evaluations of lake condition.”
Beth Norman is the Director of Science and Research at Lacawac Sanctuary, a 550-acre field station in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania and home to one of the southernmost pristine glacial lakes in the United States. Beth is an aquatic ecosystem ecologist whose research spans a variety of freshwater habitats including streams, lakes, and water-filled tree holes. She received her doctorate from Virginia Tech in 2012. Beth directs the Pocono Lake Observatory Network (PLEON), Lacawac’s lake monitoring and education program which includes formal water quality monitoring services and a Citizen Science project on Lake Wallenpaupack, Pennsylvania’s 3rd largest lake.
“As Region 3 Director, my goals would be to continue to strengthen our network of academics and lake professionals. I would also like to continue to develop our community outreach efforts. Particularly, I am interested in exploring ways the many citizen science and volunteer monitoring programs within the region can learn from and build off of each other.”
Deena Hannoun is a Past President of the California Lake Management Society (CALMS). She has worked at the Southern Nevada Water Authority since 2016, where her primary focus is managing the three-dimensional hydrodynamic and water quality model for Lake Mead. Deena also performs statistical analysis and constructs statistical models for water quality data in the Lower Colorado River Basin. Deena earned her PhD in Applied Mathematics from North Carolina State University, focusing on numerical simulation of brine intrusion in the subsurface.
“I am interested in joining the NALMS board to continue to build an engaged and diverse membership base in Region 9, and to continue to develop the next generation of lake managers through mentorship and outreach.”
Brian Ginn has been the At-Large Director since 2020 and serves on the Nomination, Publication, and Professional Certification committees, as well as an Associate Editor for Lake and Reservoir Management. Brian is the limnologist with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, leading their lake monitoring program, and is one of three Canadian NALMS Certified Lake Managers. Focusing on nearshore zone management, Brian’s work addresses the questions and concerns of local residents; supports the implementation of the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan; and investigates macrophytes, benthos, water quality; and the impacts of nutrients, climate change, and invasive species. Brian has a BSc and MSc from the University of New Brunswick and a PhD from Queen’s University.
“I have received a lot of assistance through NALMS over the years, including collaborations with members, and the certified professional program. I have appreciated the opportunity to give back to NALMS as At-Large Director on the Board. In addition to continuing to serve NALMS members for a second term, I intend to continue to help expand the scope of NALMS in Canada; promote Lake Appreciation Month and the Secchi Dip-in; to highlight lake issues in Canada; and represent the interests of all members on the NALMS Board of Directors.”
Lauren Knose is the current Student Director and seeking re-election. As the Chair for Student Programs, she has reinstated the Student Video Contest, developed a Story Map highlighting NALMS students, and raised funding for Student Programs. Her objectives for 2022- 2023 are to continue raising funding for Student Programs and to increase student engagement and recruitment, especially in underrepresented groups. She currently works as an ORISE Fellow at the U.S. EPA in Cincinnati, Ohio, while finishing her PhD from Miami University.
“As the Student Director, I will continue to fulfill my pledge of advocating for students and raising funding support, in addition to improving student engagement and recruitment to NALMS. I will continue highlighting student achievements using the Story Map (launched April 2022) and focus recruitment and support using the Student Survey (launched April 2022). Student Programs is partnering with the JEDI program to improve diversity, to reduce barriers to participation, and to ensure NALMS is a welcoming and safe environment. I still believe that students are essential in identifying, communicating, and addressing the challenges facing lakes and will continue raising student voices, engagement, and support.”