Speakers

As director of the CCES, Dr. Mark Schmitz plays an integral role in the programming of the center and will work closely with the new aquaponics system. In fact, it was Schmitz who advocated for the system’s installation.

Schmitz is well-equipped for the aquaponics addition. His master’s work focused on aquaculture, and his dissertation examined the ecology of walleye. Schmitz started experimenting with aquaponics in the late 1990s, when modern-day systems were still in the infancy stages of gaining popularity. Prior to his start at Concordia in 2017, Schmitz managed a private fish hatchery in Sheboygan County and then worked for seven years as an associate professor of biology at the University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan. During his time at UW-Sheboygan, Schmitz was instrumental in setting up a “green roof”—a vegetative system on the rooftop of one of the academic buildings—and he also started a now-defunct aquaponics system on the college campus there.

“We were doing various experiments with the aquaponics system in Sheboygan and were able to identify, for example, which varieties of basil perform better and under what conditions,” Schmitz says. “That’s what makes me excited about this aquaponics system we’ll have at Concordia. It offers the chance to do meaningful research that will help the industry and help growers.”

Jim Hahn started with KIDS MATTER in 2008 as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program volunteer. His professional background includes more than 25 years in nonprofit fundraising and administration. He served as a national award-winning officer of the Greater Milwaukee Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and as a member of the Subject Matter Expert Corps charged with writing the international exam questions for the Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) credential.

While pursuing his English degree at West Virginia University, Jim joined Alpha Phi Omega National Service Organization in 1983. Having served at all levels of the organization including on their national board of directors and as the National Marketing Director, today he chairs their efforts to expand into Canada. His experience in nonprofit service has afforded him tenures in addressing homelessness, healthcare advocacy, small business development, literacy, local historic preservation, as well as victims of child abuse and neglect. 

My name is Matt Johnson and I am the Field Operations Director for the Land and Liberty Coalition. In conjunction with the Wisconsin Conservaiteve Energy Forum we are building awareness and support for Clean Energy Projects across the state of Wisconsin.

Family Sharing provides food, at no charge, to people in need in Ozaukee County. All donations of food are distributed directly to those who need it.

Results-oriented leader with a strong track record of success in high performing public school districts. Experienced in leading organizational change, utilizing quantitative and qualitative data to determine effectiveness, and creating systems to facilitate organizational improvement while creating positive, personal relationships with stakeholders that make it obvious how much the district cares about students. Talent for proactively identifying and resolving problems – engaging stakeholders in shared decision-making, empowering teams to improve outcomes, implementing strategic plan action items, and delivering results.

Ryan graduated from UW-Stevens Point with a degree in Wildlife Ecology and Management. Later, he earned a graduate degree with honors in Environmental Policy and Management, with a fish and wildlife management emphasis.

Fresh out of college, Ryan gained employment with the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society as a Chronic Wasting Disease Biologist. Ryan trained tribal members and took CWD samples throughout the eastern US. As a native to southeastern Wisconsin, Ryan returned home after spending several years in the state of Washington. There, he worked for the Washington State DNR as a Fish and Wildlife Biologist. He oversaw timber harvest activities on public lands and was able to gain skills with scientific research design, endangered species processes, habitat conservation and land management plans, habitat inventory and analysis, geographic information systems, forest health, and landscape level management regimes.

Ryan joined the OWLT team in early 2016. He manages 32 preserves, over 2000 acres, up to 8 staff, and one Mequon Park Woodlot! Ryan’s skills that get put to work each day include ecosystem assessment and restoration, mechanics, carpentry, felling timber, and facility and grounds maintenance.