Secretariat Staff
The Great Lakes Fishery Commission executes its program through a secretariat located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Under the Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries (and related implementing legislation), the Strategic Vision of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, and A Joint Strategic Plan for Management of Great Lakes Fisheries, the commission coordinates research, fosters cooperation among the management agencies, and supports various committees and initiatives. Phone: 734-662-3209 (individual extensions listed below).
- Robert (Bob) Lambe, Executive Secretary (ext. 119)
All media inquiries: Dr. Marc Gaden, Communications Director & Legislative Liaison, 734-669-3012
Fishery Management and Coordination
Collaboration among two nations, eight states, the Province of Ontario, and several U.S. tribes is required for effective Great Lakes fishery management. The convention directs the commission to "establish working arrangements" among the agencies, which it does by facilitating A Joint Strategic Plan for Management of Great Lakes Fisheries. This essential function ensures agencies share information, identify common goals, and work together to achieve their restoration and management objectives. The plan is viewed as one of the world's best examples of a cooperative, voluntary, consensus-based arrangement among independent governments.
Fishery Management Program Staff:
- Dr. John Dettmers, Director of Fisheries Management (ext. 109)
- Erin Bertram, Fishery Management Program Associate
- Roger Knight, Fishery Management Specialist
- Kevin Ramsey, Law Enforcement Specialist
- Jeff Tyson, Fishery Management Program Manager (ext. 128)
- Lisa Walter, Strategic Aquatic Habitat Connectivity Coordinator (ext. 102)
Science and Research
Science underpins Great Lakes fishery management and the successful sea lamprey control program. Without science, fishery restoration and protection would be impossible. The convention directs the commission to lead a binational fishery and sea lamprey research program; to conduct, fund, and publish research; to convert the research to management practice; and to make recommendations to government.
Science Program Staff:
- Dr. Andrew Muir, Science Director (ext. 116)
- Sasha Bozimowski , Fishery Research Program Associate (ext. 120)
- Julie Hinderer, Senior Science Program Associate (ext. 106)
- Carrie Kozel, Sea Lamprey Research Program Associate (ext. 118)
- Randy Eshenroder, Science Advisor (ext. 123)
- Zac Blevins, Research Impact Project Lead (ext. 135)
- Dr. Daniel Zielinski, Computational Scientist/Engineer (Stationed at U.S. Geological Survey; 989-734-4768 ext.114)
Sea Lamprey Control
Under the Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries, the commission is responsible for developing and implementing sea lamprey control, which began in 1957, to drive down populations of the noxious, invasive pest that kills more than one hundred millions pounds of valuable fish if left uncontrolled. Sea lamprey control has been a phenomenal success. In most areas of the Great Lakes, populations have been reduced by 90%. Without sea lamprey control, the $7 billion fishery as we know it would not exist.
Sea Lamprey Control Program Staff:
- Dale Burkett, Sea Lamprey Program Director (ext. 111)
- Chris Freiburger, Sea Lamprey Control Program Manager (ext. 115)
- Dr. Michael Siefkes, Deputy Sea Lamprey Program Director (ext. 113)
Communications, Policy, and Legislative Affairs
The commission operates within a community of government agencies, stakeholders, industry, non-governmental organizations, and elected officials. The commission works to rehabilitate the lakes' fish, but other, complementary restoration work in the region is underway and, thus, the commission must partner strategically with others. The communications, policy, and legislative affairs program integrates the commission's internal program areas, keeps the public and the media informed, coordinates commission activities with sister organizations, liaises with elected officials and agency staff, and ensures key stakeholders are part of the commission's process.
Communications Program Staff:
- Dr. Marc Gaden, Communications Director & Legislative Liaison (ext. 112)
- Lauren Holbrook, Communications Contractor *
- Dr. Ted Lawrence, Communications & Policy Specialist (ext. 108)
- Dr. Andrea Miehls, Communications Contractor *
- Jill Wingfield, Communications & Policy Program Manager (ext. 105)
* On contract at Hammond Bay Biological Station
Secretariat Operations Support
Fulfilling the commission’s obligations requires robust administrative support. The Secretariat Operations and Support Directorate provides support to all the Directorates, manages the financial resources, arranges meetings, and coordinates the commission’s knowledge management program.
Secretariat Operations Staff:
- Steve Domeracki, Director of Corporate Services (ext. 117)
- Nick Ebinger, Office Manager (ext. 110)
- Leah Gerweck, Program Assistant (ext. 103)
- Sean Martineau, Financial Accounting Manager (ext. 107)
- Jeff McAulay, Knowledge Management Program Manager (ext. 126)
- Heather Porter, Accounts Payable Clerk (ext. 104)
- Haley Tober, Program Assistant (ext. 114)