National Working Waterfront Network

Interviewee Collection Sort ascending Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
Andy Dorr Collecting Stories at the National Working Waterfronts and Waterways Symposium 2018

Andrew Dorr is a dedicated public servant hailing from Vinalhaven, Maine, a coastal town located in the mid-coast region of Maine and Penobscot Bay. As the town manager, Dorr's responsibilities are multifaceted and extensive, varying from town to town based on the resources and staffing available. His roles include serving as the treasurer, tax collector, road commissioner, planner, and financial manager for the community. Vinalhaven is a vibrant, year-round island community with a population of approximately twelve to thirteen hundred people.

Natalie Springuel, Ela Keegan Grand Rapids, MI College of the Atlantic, Maine Sea Grant, The Island Institute, National Working Waterfront Network
Michael Wills Collecting Stories at the National Working Waterfronts and Waterways Symposium 2018

From initially moving to Traverse City, Michigan, to open a dive shop, Mike Wills has worked in a variety of waterfront-related jobs, from working on boats, operating two marinas, opening a community sailing program, and developing three waterfront real estate in downtown Traverse City. Wills serves as the chair of the Discovery Center Great Lakes, a prominent organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the working waterfront in Traverse City, Michigan.

Ela Keegan, Corina Gribble Grand Rapids, MI College of the Atlantic, Maine Sea Grant, The Island Institute, National Working Waterfront Network
Bill Needelman Collecting Stories at the National Working Waterfronts and Waterways Symposium 2018

Bill Needelman is a professional deeply rooted in the waterfront community of Portland, Maine. He serves as the Waterfront Coordinator for the city of Portland, working within the Department of Economic Development. His role involves policy and development related to the preservation of the working waterfront and the industries that rely on it. His constituents include property owners, their tenants, and the city itself, which owns significant port-related properties and the city's fish pier.

Corina Gribble , Kaitlyn Clark Grand Rapids, MI College of the Atlantic, Maine Sea Grant, The Island Institute, National Working Waterfront Network
Nicole Faghin Collecting Stories at the National Working Waterfronts and Waterways Symposium 2018

Nicole Faghin is a coastal management specialist affiliated with Washington Sea Grant, an organization dedicated to fostering sustainable use of marine resources. Her professional endeavors are primarily centered around the Puget Sound region, where she engages with waterfront communities. Faghin's work encompasses a broad spectrum of issues, including the preservation of working waterfronts, the mediation of land use conflicts, the addressing of environmental concerns, and the advancement of workforce education.

Corina Gribble , Ela Keegan Grand Rapids, MI College of the Atlantic, Maine Sea Grant, The Island Institute, National Working Waterfront Network
Brandon Schroeder Collecting Stories at the National Working Waterfronts and Waterways Symposium 2018

Brandon Schroeder is an Extension Educator with the Michigan Sea Grant college program, a collaborative effort between the University of Michigan and Michigan State University. He is employed through Michigan State University Extension, which forms the other half of Michigan Sea Grant. Schroeder lives and works in Lincoln, Michigan, Alcona County, serving the northern coastal communities of northern Lake Huron. His work primarily involves fisheries, working with commercial fishermen, charter boat fishermen, and the recreational community.

Natalie Springuel, Ela Keegan Grand Rapids, MI College of the Atlantic, Maine Sea Grant, The Island Institute, National Working Waterfront Network
Peter Huston Collecting Stories at the National Working Waterfronts and Waterways Symposium 2018

Peter Huston is a filmmaker and active member of the Chamber of Commerce on South Bass Island, Ohio. His professional and personal endeavors have positioned him as a knowledgeable figure in the community, particularly in matters concerning the local waterfront. Huston's engagement with the island's development and his creative background give him a unique perspective on the historical and contemporary issues facing his community. His work in the film industry has likely honed his storytelling abilities, enabling him to articulate the narrative of the island's evolution effectively.

Alexa Wutt Grand Rapids, MI Michigan Sea Grant, College of the Atlantic, Maine Sea Grant, The Island Institute, National Working Waterfront Network
Chris Kellems Collecting Stories at the National Working Waterfronts and Waterways Symposium 2018

Chris Kellems is a retired sustainable building advisor from Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. She is the owner of a company named Sustainable Building Concepts. Kellems has a deep understanding of the history and current issues of her hometown, particularly those related to the waterfront. She is well-versed in the historical significance of Sturgeon Bay as a harbor town with a working waterfront, which was once a hub for shipbuilding, yacht building, and agricultural product port.

Ela Keegan, Kaitlyn Clark Grand Rapids, MI College of the Atlantic, Maine Sea Grant, The Island Institute, National Working Waterfront Network
Roland Lewis Collecting Stories at the National Working Waterfronts and Waterways Symposium 2018

Roland Lewis, the president and CEO of the Waterfront Alliance, is a prominent figure in urban planning and environmental advocacy, particularly in the context of New York City's waterfronts. Lewis has dedicated his career to the revitalization and sustainable development of the city's coastal areas. His expertise encompasses a range of issues from urban design to policy reform, with a focus on creating resilient and accessible waterfronts for both economic and recreational purposes.

Alexa Wutt , Kaitlyn Clark Grand Rapids, MI Michigan Sea Grant, College of the Atlantic, Maine Sea Grant, The Island Institute, National Working Waterfront Network
Dave Alexander Collecting Stories at the National Working Waterfronts and Waterways Symposium 2018

Dave Alexander is the Executive Director of Downtown Muskegon Now, in Muskegon, Michigan. His work is deeply rooted in the community, which is located on the shores of Lake Michigan and is the largest deep water port on their side of the lake in the state of Michigan. Alexander's community is also the largest urban community along that waterfront and the second largest county along that waterfront. His work is influenced by the unique geographical features of Muskegon, including Muskegon Lake, which he describes as defining the community.

Alexa Wutt , Kaitlyn Clark Grand Rapids, MI College of the Atlantic, Maine Sea Grant, The Island Institute, National Working Waterfront Network, Michigan Sea Grant
Russ Brohl Collecting Stories at the National Working Waterfronts and Waterways Symposium 2018

Russell Brohl, a retired ship captain and member of the port authority, is a long-term resident of South Bass Island, Ohio, with deep roots in the local community. His life has been intricately woven into the fabric of the island, where he has witnessed and participated in its evolution over the years. Brohl's background is a tapestry of experiences that range from the day-to-day management of island affairs to the stewardship of its natural and cultural heritage.

Natalie Springuel, Ela Keegan Grand Rapids, MI College of the Atlantic, Maine Sea Grant, The Island Institute, National Working Waterfront Network