Working Together to Create
Environmental Education Experiences
Board of Trustees
The Role of the Board
The Board of Trustees oversees all activities at Wolf Ridge. The Board provides strategic direction and guidance to Wolf Ridge senior staff. Trustees take seriously their responsibilities for stewardship of Wolf Ridge and its beautiful setting. They are proud to be able to serve Wolf Ridge and enjoy helping build a citizenry that has the knowledge, skills, commitment and motivation to work together for a quality environment.
Executive Director
Peter Smerud is the Executive Director at Wolf Ridge. Pete can be reached via e-mail at director@wolf-ridge.org
Board Members
Tom Berg, Chair
Fred Morgan, Treasurer
Earl Gransee, Secretary
Rick Bateson
Russ Bierbaum
Blyth Brookman
Pat Coppo
John Daniels
Kurt Heikkila
Tom Osborn
Jack Pichotta (Founder)
Michael Plautz
Ron Sackett
Pat Schoff
Catherine Schreves
Nancy Shultz
Aaron Smith
Founder
Wolf Ridge co-founder and retired executive director Jack Pichotta (with his wife Genea) became interested in environmental education in the late 1960's when concerns were first widely raised about the future health of the planet. "I had two little girls then," he recalls, "and I was sincerely concerned about their futures. I still am, maybe even more." Wolf Ridge has thrived because it was a good idea, launched at a receptive moment and place and because of Pichotta's vision and tenacity in securing a place for environmental education in the mainstream of academia. Still, he is as likely to discount his own contributions to Wolf Ridge as he is to boast of the efforts of others. Read more about our history.
Emeritus Board Members
Thomas Atchison
Jim Brandenburg
William Burns
Richard Gray
Peter Heegaard
Ron Kirk
Donn Larson
Rene Settergren
Werner Tismer (dec.)
Robert Heller (dec.)
Myron Latimer (dec.)
Sigurd Olson (dec.)