Board

Deb Fitzgerald has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from DePaul University in Chicago and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing from Vermont College. Her work experience includes being a freelance writer for both local and large-city newspapers, and a reporter with the Door County Advocate, where she engaged in environmental reporting. She is currently the editor of the Door County Peninsula Pulse newspaper.

Deb was elected to the board in August of 2022 and is serving the second year of her first three-year term.

Chuck Germain has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. His work experience includes a number of senior-level finance positions at Rockwell Automation in Milwaukee. He is currently the chair of the finance committee at Stella Maris, and volunteers on the Wednesday Crew at The Ridges and at a number of Door County events.

Chuck was appointed to the board in January 2022, and officially elected to the board in August of 2022. He is serving his second year of his first three-year term and currently serves as the board Treasurer.

Michelle Hefty attended UW-Stevens Point and UW-Madison where she received a BS degree in Resource Management, specializing in Outdoor Area Management. She served as a Park Manager for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for over 30 years, including at Newport State Park and Rock Island State Park. She was instrumental in getting Newport State Park designated as the first internationally recognized dark sky park in Wisconsin and only the second in the Midwest.

Michelle is serving the third year of her first three-year term.

Jone Kiefer has a Master of Arts degree in Education from National Louis University in Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Development from UW-Green Bay. Jone recently retired with more than 25 years of experience as an educator in the Madison Metropolitan School District. She is drawn to The Ridges because it values environmental sustainability and seeks to enhance the well-being and knowledge of people who interact with nature.

Appointed to the board in October of 2022, Jone is currently filling a vacancy for a term that ends in 2024.

Jeff Lutsey has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Northwestern University. He worked on reactor design at the Naval Nuclear Laboratory for 12 years before moving to Door County to work with his family at Waseda Farms. Other pursuits of his include solar power and sustainable living. He also serves on the boards for the Baileys Harbor Community Association, Boys & Girls Club, and Destination Door County.

Jeff is the Board President and is serving the first year of his second three-year term.

Mark Martin earned a Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Management from the University of Wisconsin Madison. He worked for 40 years at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources as a wildlife research technician and conservation biologist with the Bureau of Endangered Resources. Gathering Waters recently awarded Mark and his wife, Susan, the Harold “Bud” Jordahl Lifetime Achievement Award honoring their achievements in extraordinary land conservation projects and accomplishments.

Mark served on the board from 2012 to 2018. He is currently serving the first year of his first three-year term and is chairperson of the Land Protection committee

Ed Miller has bachelor and master of science degrees in engineering from The University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. Ed enjoyed a 33-year career with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. When Ed retired in 2007, he was the supervisor of the DNR Southeast District Air Monitoring Section. Ed is involved in many Ridges volunteer activities, particularly with the Wednesday Crew. Ed and Sandy oversee the restoration of the Baileys Harbor Range Lights. Ed also re-enacts the role of a of a lighthouse keeper at the Range Lights. Ed previously served two three-year terms on The Ridges board from 2011 to 2017, the last five as board secretary. Ed is looking forward to the privilege of serving once again as a Ridges board member and helping to guide the Ridges in a strategic direction while being faithful to its roots.

Ed was elected to the board in August 2023 and is serving the first year of his first three-year term.

Sher Rockway has a Biology and General Science degree from Illinois State University and a Ph.D. in Science Education from the University of Iowa. In addition to a teaching career, Sher was the K-12 Science Coordinator for the Indian Prairie school district in Naperville/Aurora, IL, providing leadership to K-12 teachers in designing, implementing, and assessing science curriculum to align with state and national science standards. Sher volunteers with Orchid Research and the Wednesday Crew.

Sher is the Board Secretary and is serving the second year of her first three-year term.

Grace Rossman is a native of Door Co., and studied Journalism at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. She opened several restaurants, a bakery and a catering business in Iowa before coming back home. She was a Certified Financial Planner for 29 years, representing Thrivent Financial in Sturgeon Bay, and currently serves on a number of local organization boards.

Grace is the board Vice President and is serving her third year of her first three-year term.

Ashley Prange was born and raised in Green Bay, spent summers in Egg Harbor, and has worked in Washington, D.C. as a Capitol Hill staffer and as an analyst in the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. She is the founder and CEO of Au Naturale Cosmetics, which emphasizes responsible and sustainable supply chains, philanthropic profit sharing, the empowerment of organic farmers, advocacy for state and federal policies that champion the environment and consumer safety in personal care, and investment in zero-footprint packaging. Her company has earned features and awards from Allure, InStyle, Good Housekeeping, Domino, Vogue, and Real Simple magazines. She is also on the boards of the Natural and Organic Beauty Alliance and St. Norbert College. Prange’s passion for the environment is apparent in every decision she makes, from her business to the natural preservation of her piece of Door County landscape.

Ashley was elected to the board in August 2023 and is serving the first year of her first three-year term.

Bill Wolff received degrees from Northwestern University and Miami University of Ohio. He was a physical education teacher and swimming coach in the northern suburbs of Chicago for 40 years. Bill is a front desk volunteer, hike leader and member of the Wednesday crew.

Bill served on the board from 2013 to 2019. Bill was elected to the board in August 2022 and is serving the second year of his first three-year term.

Dave Zuhlke studied Geology and Cartography at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He was a cartographer, analyst, and project leader at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency in St. Louis, Missouri. Dave is a member of the Wednesday crew.