Staff

Executive Director
906.482.7205 ext. 111

Jerry, a native Yooper, has been employed at WUPPDR since 2011 and became Executive Director in late 2015. In addition to managing the organization and external relations, his responsibilities include:

• U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) Partnership Planning program

• Planning and administration of other EDA project grants

• Coordination of Community Development Block Grants administration

Jerry holds a Master of Arts in Urban Planning and a Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from Northern Michigan University.

Senior Regional Planner
906.482.7205 ext 116 - rpressley@wuppdr.org

Rachael started working for WUPPDR as an assistant regional planner in May 2018. In addition to general grant writing and project support, her planning responsibilities include rural food systems planning, hazard mitigation and climate resilience planning, and community recreation planning.

She also collaborates and supports the Western U.P. Food Systems Collaborative, the U.P. Food Exchange, From the Ground Farmers Market Collective, the Portage Lake Seed Library, Main Street Calumet, and the Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative.

Rachael is originally from Alaska and currently lives in Houghton. She enjoys spending time outdoors, foraging, seed saving, and gardening. She received her Bachelor’s of Science in Geology from Michigan Tech University in 2014.

Regional Planner
906.482.7205 Ext. 118

Originally from Ohio, Lisa returned to her family’s roots in the Western U.P. in 1977. She and her husband Doug raised 4 children in Hancock and will transition to their home in Bete Gris, Keweenaw County in the summer of 2022. Lisa holds a A.A. in Business Administration from Gogebic Community College and a B.A. in Business Administration and Organizational Management from Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin. She is a licensed Real Estate Agent, former Mayor and Councilor for the City of Hancock, and continues to be an entrepreneur, maintaining a Real Estate Holding Company and an Equestrian boarding facility. When she’s not working, Lisa enjoys riding her horse, taking walks with her dog, kayaking, being outdoors, but mostly spending time with her family and friends.

Assistant Regional Planner
906.482.7205 Ext. 119

Michael moved to the Western UP in 2017 from the Bayfield, WI area, where he was the local cheesemaker and a founding member of Bayfield Regional Food Producers Cooperative. Upon moving to the UP to join his husband on their Red Ridge area homestead, he took a programming position with Portage Lake District Library. This position led him to creating partnerships with area non profits and service oriented organizations, including WUPPDR, in efforts to bring more resources to the community. An interest in becoming more impactful in this type of work inspired him to embark on a new career in regional planning.

GIS/Planning Technician
906.482.7205 Ext. 114 - elanese@wuppdr.org

Evan started working for WUPPDR in February 2022. Their work includes:

• Rural Hazard Resilience Tools - data and outreach coordination

• C-CHARM - Community outreach and installation of weather stations

• Materials Management - Community Compost Development

• Coastal Hazards of the Western UP - website development and workshop development and facilitation

• Recreation and other plans - GIS and planning support

He also works with and provides support to the Western UP Food Systems Collaborative, the Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative, The Portage Lake Seed Library, Growing From the Heart, the People of the Heart Water Walkers and is a member of the Keweenaw Land Trust Board of Directors.

Evan is originally from Cleveland, Ohio, and enjoys gardening, woodworking (timber framing and spoon carving), hiking, skiing, and trying out new recipes. He received his Bachelor of Science in Geology from Case Western Reserve University in 2015. In 2020, He completed his master's degree from Michigan Tech in Mitigation of Geologic Natural Hazards as part of the since-retired Peace Corps Master's Program. Through this program, he served in Peace Corps Ghana as an agriculture volunteer for three years alongside his master's research project. Now he lives in Churning Rapids Community, a small intentional community that focuses on sustainable living.

GIS and Transportation Specialist
906.482.7205 Ext. 115

Steve has been with WUPPDR since 2005 and became a GIS & Transportation Specialist in 2018.  His main responsibilities include:

• MDOT Asset Management (PASER) program

• MDOT Rural Task Force (RTF) and Small Urban programs

• MDOT Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) collection

• Providing support for various mapping and geographic information systems (GIS) projects

Steve holds a Bachelor of Science in Physical Geography from Northern Michigan University. He currently resides in Hancock.

Office Manager
906.482.7205 ext. 117

MaryEllen grew up in Liminga, lived and raised her family in Dodgeville for 25 years, and now lives back in her family home in Liminga.  She has three children and 10 grandchildren.  She graduated from Houghton High School in 1985 and later attended Suomi College (now Finlandia University), graduating in 1993 with an Associate of Applied Sciences in Criminal Justice. She enjoys gardening and spending time with family and friends.

In addition to office management and roles in human resources and finances, MaryEllen administers community development block grant projects and any housing development and rehabilitation programs that arise.