Board of Directors
Sharon Moen, Chair
Sharon Moen is a local artist and business owner, a outreach specialist for Wisconsin Sea Grant and a member of the Climate Reality Leadership Corps. Sharon earned a master’s degree in ecology, evolution and behavior from the University of Minnesota and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Penn State. Her endeavors have given her a solid grasp of science concerning Lake Superior and the St. Louis River Estuary. When she is not helping FOLSR, Sharon might be found in her pottery studio, paddling a canoe or looking toward the branches of a tree, transfixed by birds. Sharon actively contributes to FOLSR’s communication, marketing, grant writing, and diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
Mike Koutnik, Acting Chair Elect
Mike Koutnik has been involved with the Lake Superior Reserve since its concept stage, creating GIS maps for the Reserve nomination and initial management plan. He continues to assist the Reserve with GIS and IT. Mike enjoys a variety of activities that get him outdoors. He lives with his wife in Eagan, MN, and enjoys spending time in the Lake Superior region. Mike's objectives for FOLSR are (1) to grow FOLSR capacity and capabilities to support the mission of the Reserve, and (2) to help the community around the St. Louis River estuary and western Lake Superior, learn about and enjoy those outstanding and unique resources.
Jim Gharrity, Treasurer
Jim Gharrity is the Financial Specialist for the Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve and serves as the communication link between the grant support and accounting offices of the University of Wisconsin Division of Extension, Wisconsin Sea Grant (Superior) and UW-Superior. In addition to providing fiscal support for the Reserve and Sea Grant, Jim works closely with the development of operational budget and multi-year budget submissions to NOAA. Jim enjoys the outdoors and spends most weekends at his cottage which is an hour south of Superior. Jim has two grown children and two grandchildren.
Rita Farchmin, Secretary
Rita is pursuing a career in Elementary Education with an Endorsement to teach Middle School Earth and Life Science. Rita, a busy mom, is also the education intern at the Lake Superior Reserve. She is helping with research to develop and implement the Reserve’s educational programs. While educating future generations is Rita’s passion, she is driven by a love of the outdoors. “Every season there is something fascinating going on! …. The amazing thing about life is that it is everywhere!”
Jim Anklam, Past Chair
Jim Anklam is a retired environmental scientist with over 35 years of experience working for natural resource agencies, consulting firms, and industry in northern Wisconsin and northeast Minnesota. Jim is currently a “trail adopter” responsible for maintaining a segment of the North Country trail system in Douglas County and is active supporting youth groups. Jim and his wife Jane have lived on the St. Louis River estuary since 2003. Jim enjoys paddling, fishing, hiking, and skiing in the estuary. Jim's goal is to help FOLSR expand membership and reach a more diverse audience so that the value and importance of the Estuary can be understood by more people in the Twin Ports Region.
Tom Hollenhorst
Tom Hollenhorst is a Landscape Ecologist who uses GIS and remote sensing technologies to study ecosystems and communities throughout the Great Lakes. Tom has been working in the St. Louis River estuary on various research efforts since 2008. He loves to get out on, or near the water, for any reason, especially fishing, canoeing and hiking. He also loves learning about Twin Ports history and interesting characters from our past.
Will Mowchan
Will has been coming to Lake Superior’s North Shore since he was a boy on family vacations. When he and his wife moved to Superior in 2011 he began discovering the St. Louis River Estuary. Now, retired after 38 years as a Lutheran minister, Will looks forward to working with the board in its work to restore and protect the Estuary, enhance access to it, and engage more people in experiencing and learning about its beauty, history and importance.
Judy Gibbs
Judy is a lifelong environmental educator and helped bring Duluth's Hartley Nature Center to life. She can often be found outdoors in all seasons and weather hiking, running, bicycling, canoeing or any other way possible. Judy illustrated Larry Weber's phenology book, Backyard Almanac, and is working on a third book about the Superior Hiking Trail and the history of Duluth along it. The St. Louis River has been a big part of Judy's adult life and she couldn't live away from it and is happy to be involved with FOLSR.
Lisa DeGuire
Lisa DeGuire is an experienced water resource professional and passionate advocate for clean water, healthy ecosystems, and strong communities. She has spent the past 13+ years working in the field of water resources, from the urban streams of Baltimore to the designated wilderness of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. She moved to the Twin Ports for a graduate degree in Water Resources Science from the University of Minnesota – Duluth and has fallen in love with the area. She currently works as the Water Resources Coordinator for the City of Superior and serves as the co-chair of the Regional Stormwater Protection Team, working to prevent stormwater pollution through coordinated educational programs and technical assistance. During her free time, she enjoys swimming, paddling, hiking, and camping along the shores of Lake Superior and other regional waterways.
Greg Elonen
Greg Elonen is recently retired from 30+ years in environmental studies. Greg and his wife Colleen live in Superior, and he can often be found paddling or skiing the Estuary. Greg feels that being involved with FOLSR is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the Estuary, and to share that with others in the community.
Past Board Members
Abby Armstrong
Brian Frederickson, founding member
Jan Keogh, founding member
Keahna Margeson
Lucinda Johnson, founding member
Nancy Larson, founding member
Pat Collins, founding member
Tom Nicodemus, founding member
Ted Smith
Courtney Kowalczk
Kate McCall