Our BoardThe Board of Directors shall consist of a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of ten (10) Directors. The number of Directors may be further increased or decreased by amendment of the Bylaws. The Board of Directors is currently made up of community volunteers who reside in and around the city of Mitchell. Board of DirectorsBoard President
Mark Puetz Friends of the Firesteel: 2018 - Present -Sectretery: 2018 - 2024 Lake Mitchell Advisory Committee: 2010 - 2018 Mark has been advocating for water quality and lake area improvements since his time co-chairing the Focus 2020 Lake committee back in 2009. With much success in accomplishing many of the 2020 goals of creating trails and improvements to public access areas around the lake, he is now focusing his effort in creating healthy water for a balanced ecosystem that people can enjoy while swimming, boating, fishing, and recreating. Mark loves the outdoors especially spending time with friends and family on the lake all four seasons of the year. Whether it is water skiing, sailing, mountain biking, fishing, cross country skiing, hiking, or just enjoying a sunset, Mark truly is passionate about the Lake and the need to preserve it for generations to come. Vice President
Mike Vehle
Friends of the Firesteel: 2018 - Present Lake Mitchell Advisory Committee: 2015 - 2018 Mike Vehle, a former CorTrust Bank VP and a 12-year former State Legislator, has lived on Lake Mitchell since 1977. When he was 9, he learned to love living by water after his parents moved next to the river in Chamberlain. Later, after moving back from DC and living about a year in Mitchell, he had the opportunity to move onto Lake Mitchell and has been there ever since (even on BOTH sides at different times). He remembers those younger days if the Lake was like glass, they'd go for a quick waterski before going to work. Lake Mitchell has provided so much relaxation, fun, entertainment, ad friendships; that he wants to help return to its earlier, cleaner state for the area to also continue to enjoy. | Not a |
Board Secretary
Kevin Erdmann Friends of the Firesteel: 2018 - Present Lake Mitchell Advisory Committee: 2017 - 2018 I got involved with Lake Mitchell as a member of the Technical Advisory committee during the Fyra study. Upon completion of that, I requested to join the city-organized Lake Committee. When the Lake Committee was dissolved, I transitioned to a founding board member of Friends of the Firesteel. I am not native to Mitchell but am to South Dakota. I have lived in Mitchell since 2004. I do not reside on Lake Mitchell which helps me bring a unique perspective about the lake and how much of an asset it is to all community members. I have always had a passion for outdoor activities and want to improve lake use for all people in and around Mitchell. I am proud to be a part of an organization focused on improving Lake Mitchell for all to enjoy. I am a Sr. Project Engineer at Hendrickson Trailer Commercial Vehicle Systems. Board Member
Justin Luther Friends of the Firesteel: 2018 - Present Lake Mitchell Advisory Committee: 2016 - 2018 Justin Luther is an avid swimmer and boater. Originally from California, Justin and his wife moved to Mitchell in 2008. They enjoy water activities and the sandy beaches around the lake with their two young sons. Justin is passionate about having safe water for everyone to use and wants Lake Mitchell to be a prized asset and attraction to our residents and out-of-town visitors. Justin is President of County Fair Food Stores, a family-owned independent grocery store. Board Member
Paula Mazzer Friends of the Firesteel: 2020 - Present Paula has been a resident of Mitchell since 2011, when she moved here to take a position at Dakota Wesleyan University. As an environmental analytical chemist, she has been long involved in studying water chemistry—from working at Wetland Systems Consulting to joining the National Science Foundation-funded Environmental Molecular Science Institute at Ohio State. Since coming to DWU, Paula and her students have repeatedly investigated the water chemistry and algae blooms occurring in Lake Mitchell, unfortunately watching water quality slide downward with each passing academic year. In 2016, Paula joined the technical advisory team for the Fyra Engineering survey of the Lake and joined the board of the Friends of the Firesteel in May 2020. | Board Treasurer
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Brian Temple
Joe Kippes
