People

Management

Vermillion Highlands: A Research, Recreation and Wildlife Management Area is managed by the Department of Natural Resources and University of Minnesota, in conjunction with Dakota County and Empire Township.

An eight-member Vermillion Highlands Steering Committee is responsible for broad direction setting and ensuring inter-organizational cooperation. It manages activities on the property through its Operations Group.

Steering Committee Members

Tim Bremicker, Regional Manager, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Terry Holmes, Board Chair, Empire Township

Dean Johnson, Planning Consultant, Empire Township

Charles C. Muscoplat, President, UMore Development LLC, and Senior Academic Adviser, Office for UMore Park Academic Initiatives, University of Minnesota

Deborah Swackhamer, Professor of Environmental Chemistry, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Co-Director, Water Resources Center, University of Minnesota

Lynn Thompson, Division Director, Dakota County

Bob Welsh, Assistant Regional Wildlife Manager, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

The Vermillion Highlands Operations Group is responsible for day-to-day management of the property.

Operations Group Members

Bob Fashingbauer, Wildlife Area Manager, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Jeff Hince, Empire Township

Forrest Izuno, Head, Rosemount Research and Outreach Center, College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences, University of Minnesota

Steven Sullivan, Director of Parks and Open Space, Dakota County

Operations Group Staff: Steven Lott, Project Manager, UMore Development LLC