Anna Culcasi, PE, CFM

Ms. Culcasi has 20 years of professional experience in civil and water resources engineering. Her areas of expertise include hydrologic and hydraulic modeling practices, as well as stormwater infrastructure design. She has experience developing design plans, specifications, and cost estimates for water resources projects, as well as performing hydrologic, hydraulic, and floodplain mapping studies. She is proficient in a variety of advanced engineering modeling software programs, including XPSWMM, HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, and GIS. She received her Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Michigan State University.

Ashley Leisgang, PE

Specializing in infrastructure development, project management, and sustainable design, Ashley has successfully led numerous projects from conception to completion.

Her expertise spans a wide range of areas, including storm water planning, modeling, and design. She has over a decade of experience in working with municipalities in identifying their existing drainage problems and providing a solution through hydraulic modeling. Her experience also includes urban nonpoint source pollution modeling for storm water management plans and storm water drainage hydrologic and hydraulic modeling.

Ashley holds a BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering from UW-Wisconsin Madison and is a licensed Professional Engineer (PE).

Christy M. Poniewaz

Christy M. Poniewaz is a Senior Environmental Scientist with Ruekert & Mielke, Inc. She specializes in storm water management program development for MS4 compliance, TMDL pollutant reduction modeling, field inspections, permit renewals, and environmental studies. She works closely with permittees and agency staff to support storm water permit development and improve regional surface water quality.

Claire Randall, EIT

Ms. Randall has four years of professional experience which includes stormwater management, stream and hydrologic restoration, permitting, site design, and construction plan development. She is skilled in hydrologic and hydraulic modeling and analysis for both urban and rural areas using the modeling software programs XPSWMM, HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, and FEQ. She has experience using GIS for various analytical purposes including floodplain mapping and overland flow path analyses, as well as to draft exhibits presenting data and project design. Additionally, she has developed her ability to design and draft plan sets in AutoCAD Civil 3D and Microstation. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with a major in Environmental Engineering from Marquette University in 2021.

Dennis Busch

Dennis Busch is the Research Leader at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Pioneer Farm, and owner of Water Resources Monitoring Group, LLC.  Dennis’ research is focused on monitoring surface-water runoff and tile drainage from agricultural landscapes to determine the impact of farming practices on the water quality. In addition, Dennis is developing and testing alternative, low-cost methods for monitoring edge-of-field surface-water runoff and tile drainage using Internet of Things technology.

A native of Cuba City, Wis., Dennis received both his B.S. in Agriculture Business and M.S. in Ag Industries from UW-Platteville and received his Ph.D. in Water Resources Science from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Previously he worked at the University of Minnesota Extension service as an Area Extension Educator.

Eric Thompson

Eric Thompson is a Sr. Team Leader with MSA Professional Services, a full-service engineering consulting firm with offices in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, and Iowa. Eric leads MSA’s water resources engineering and planning team of 11 people. Eric is a registered professional engineer and has worked as a consulting engineer for his entire 31-yr career.  He has completed water resources planning and engineering projects of just about every scale across most of the United States.

Heather Dietzel, PE

Heather Dietzel, P.E., is an environmental engineer leading sustainability initiatives for Milwaukee Public Schools, focusing on stormwater management, energy efficiency, and landfill diversion to create healthier learning environments for 66,000 students across 142 schools. She manages projects that replace aging asphalt playgrounds with nature-based solutions, integrating green infrastructure and outdoor learning opportunities. Heather leverages partnerships and grant funding to drive impactful change in school environments. With experience in hazardous materials management, indoor air quality, and lead-free drinking water, she is committed to fostering sustainable, resilient educational spaces.

Jamie Ferschinger

Jamie Ferschinger works at Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District as a Sr. Project Planner in the Integrated Watershed Management Division where she leads the Reforestation & Wetland Restoration Program and other projects connecting social and ecological aspects to improve human and ecological health of Milwaukee’s residents, rivers, and Lake Michigan.  Jamie earned her Master of Science degree in Conservation Biology from State University of New York – Environmental Science and Forestry and has a background in environmental health and energy efficiency with experience working in government, healthcare, and non-profit management.

Justin Hegarty, PE, LEED AP

Justin Hegarty, P.E., LEED A.P., is an environmental engineer and executive director of the Milwaukee area nonprofit Reflo. With an aptitude for systems thinking, strategic planning, inclusive stakeholder engagement, Justin brings 10 years of prior environmental consulting experience to bear in catalyzing the co-creation of community-supported green infrastructure projects that have leveraged over $41 million, planted over 4,300 trees, established 280,000 square feet of native habitat, removed 20 acres of urban asphalt, and improved the daily lives of over 28,000 people--while managing over 3 million gallons of stormwater every time it rains. Justin has guided Reflo from its 2013 inception to a diverse team who cultivate meaningful partnerships throughout the Milwaukee area.

Karin Hollister

Karin Hollister is a Principal Engineer for the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission with over 18 years of experience in the field of water resources engineering. She provides support for regional stormwater and floodplain management programs and has made significant contributions to the Regional Chloride Impact Study. Prior to joining the Commission in 2015, she worked as a water resources engineer at Sargent & Lundy in Chicago. Karin graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, earning both her BS and MS degrees in Civil and Environmental Engineering, with an emphasis on water resources. She was a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship recipient and is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Wisconsin.

Kevin Rey, PE

Kevin Rey, P.E., is a civil engineer and project manager with SmithGroup out of their Milwaukee office with expertise in utility design, stormwater management and permitting through many local and state regulating agencies. His experience includes stormwater quantity and quality modeling, urban design and mobility projects providing preliminary designs through final construction documents and construction administration. Kevin works with and leads multi-disciplinary teams to help develop unique solutions to ever-evolving challenges.

Kiara Caldwell

Kiara Caldwell is a Lake Person, plant person, and water law geek.  I work in statewide Waterways and Wetland zoning and Coastal Resilience projects at Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.  I’ve been in Aquatic Plant Management; environmental chemistry and microbiology of nearshore Nutrient Dynamics, and Wetlands and conservancy management projects with UWM’s WATER Institute; an EPA Superfund Site of Burnham Canal wetlands with Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District; and conducted National Wetlands Condition Assessments all over the North Woods.  I grew up in New York and Milwaukee and believe in the power of Brook Lopez’s blocks for your Milwaukee Bucks. 

University of Wisconsin Madison College of Agriculture BS, NS w honors in Biochemistry and Horticulture of fruit and vegetables and a MSc at UW-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences.

Lexi Montes

Lexi Montes currently implements the municipal stormwater program (i.e., MS4 Permit) by leading the region's MS4 compliance efforts in Southeast Wisconsin.

Prior to her position at the Wisconsin DNR, Lexi was a graduate student at UW-Milwaukee's School of Freshwater Sciences where she conducted her thesis work studying chloride pollution in several urban and rural waterways in Wisconsin.

Mark O'Leary

Mark O’Leary is CIS' National Director of Ecological Restoration. He has nearly 30 years of experience working as a consulting ecologist leading ecological and green infrastructure planning, design, implementation and management projects across the country. In the Great Lakes, Mark provides leadership and oversight of CIS’ FCPP program in Milwaukee, and the implementation of CIS’ Climate Resiliency Program in Cook County, Illinois.

Maureen McBroom

Maureen McBroom is the Stormwater Project Manager in the City of Watertown’s Engineering Division.  Prior to this, Maureen worked for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and then for Ruekert & Mielke; she kicked off her career in water resources at Jefferson County Land & Water Conservation Department. Maureen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from Carroll College (University) in Waukesha.

Melissa Schussman

Melissa Schussman is a research specialist in the McLellan Laboratory at UW-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences. She holds a B.S. in biological sciences with a minor in chemistry, and a M.S. in environmental engineering from UW-Milwaukee. Her current work focuses on assessing and implementing the best approaches to quantifying and analyzing pollutants in urban water, specifically stormwater, and freshwater systems to help protect the Great Lakes and human health.

Monica Vincent

Monica Vincent is a Project Engineer at Mead & Hunt with experience in stormwater, green infrastructure, water treatment, H&H modeling, and collection systems. Monica has a B.S. from Missouri University of Technology in Civil Engineering, a M.S. from Milwaukee School of Engineering in Water Resources Engineering, and is a credentialed Envision Sustainability Professional.

Patricia Cicero

Patricia Cicero is the Director of the Jefferson County Land and Water Conservation Department.  Prior to this position, she served as the Water Resources Management Specialist for the same department.  Patricia holds a Master of Science degree in Water Resources Management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics from Kenyon College.

Peter Zanghi

Peter Zanghi is Community Engagement Director for the Great Lakes region at CIS.  He has a background in finance and commercial real estate and worked in asset management and property management roles prior to joining CIS.  Peter manages the operations of the FCPP program, which includes vendor management, budgetary planning and analysis, BMP maintenance oversight, and program administration.

Richard (Ricky) Neth

Ricky is a ASE certified automotive technician and has 14 years of dealership experience. Ricky was hired on to the city of Glendale in early 2020 and has taken charge of fleet management. Upon taking over the mechanic role he made extra effort to learn more about winter maintenance, specifically brine/liquid applications. Since then he has become a leader in the local area on topic and best winter maintenance practices.

Rick Eilertson

Rick earned his Bachelor of Science degree from UW-Madison in Civil & Environmental Engineering in 1993 and has worked in the municipal engineering field since 1990. He is a Director of the American Public Works Association – Wisconsin Chapter (APWA WI) and has chaired APWA WI’s Water Resources Committee and Solid Waste Committee. He serves as the Wisconsin Chapter’s liaison to APWA’s Center for Sustainability (C4S) and is currently chair of APWA WI’s Sustainability Committee. Rick has increasingly enjoyed being able to spend time and energy volunteering for various non-profit groups that align with his vision for a healthy community.

Steve Hoffman, CPAg, CPCC-I

Steve is the President and Senior Agronomist at InDepth Agronomy based in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. He coordinated the farm incentive program for the Grafton and Cedarburg Adaptive Management Plans.

Steve O'Connell

Steve has been a Sherman Park resident for 39 years. He serves as the resident leader in the Grasslyn Manor neighborhood. Over 15 years ago, Steve started to work with the neighbors in this area to address flooding and constant water issues. The floods of 2008 and 2010 were more than a wake-up call. Everyone got together and demanded assistance. Some help was offered but not enough. This last year, he and nine other neighbors teamed up with Greenprint Partners and started back at it in earnest. With a door-to-door campaign and two projects this last summer, one being Adopt-a-Drain, they have worked with their newest Alderman and are now on their way to working with the City DPW and MMSD to come up with a plan that finally addresses how the water in the area is managed.

Sydney VanKuren

Sydney manages Greenprint’s planning team in the development and implementation of equitable climate resilience programs, strategies and plans. She maintains partnerships with clients and communities by providing technical expertise and guidance on climate change adaptation and mitigation measures that suit their individual needs, concerns and priorities. Sydney is a passionate environmental and urban planner with extensive consulting experience in the Chicago region and beyond. She uses a thoughtful and empathetic planning approach to develop plans that provide communities with tools to achieve their visions. She is particularly interested in looking to the natural world for solutions to help communities realize their equity, decarbonization and resilience goals, all while supporting the underlying natural processes that sustain us all. In addition to being an AICP-certified planner, Sydney is a LEED Green Associate and certified charrette facilitator. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources from Cornell University and her Master of Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Tiffany M. Wagner

Tiffany M. Wagner is an Environmental Scientist with Ruekert and Mielke, Inc. (R/M). Tiffany's expertise includes MS4 permit compliance, TMDL implementation, stormwater management, water quality modeling, GIS mapping, and report writing. She has led large-scale modeling efforts and developed documents and programs tailored to meet agency requirements and client needs. Additionally, Tiffany supports biological fieldwork, contributing to wetland, waterway, and habitat evaluations.

William Gonwa, PE, PhD

William Gonwa has worked in the fields of wastewater collection, storm water management, and flood protection since 1984.  He has received degrees from Marquette University, the University of Kentucky, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, all in civil and environmental engineering.  After practicing consulting engineering for 25 years, Dr. Gonwa joined the Milwaukee School of Engineering full-time faculty in 2010 where he is now a professor and the program director for Civil Engineering.