Team Members

Mike McCarthy joined the Conservation District in the summer of 2013 as the District’s MAEAP Technician. Mike served in that role until 2017 and now serves as the Executive Director. Mike holds a bachelor’s degree from Lake Superior State University in Conservation Leadership and a master’s degree from Slippery Rock University in Parks and Resource Management. Mike has held previous positions with Michigan State University Extension, Montcalm Conservation District, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and Lake Superior State University. In his free time Mike and his wife Karen enjoy traveling, visiting with friends and family, and spending time outdoors (biking, camping, hiking, kayaking, and skiing).

Marquita Mullen joined the Conservation District in 2017 as one of our Invasive Species Technicians. In 2018 Marquita joined our team again as our Soil Erosion & Sedimentation Control Inspector and assists with our Hunting Access Program, Tree Sale, Invasive Species Program, Deer Habitat Improvement Program, and other projects that the District conducts. Marquita is from Sault Ste Marie and graduated from Northern Michigan University. In her free time Marquita enjoys yoga, the outdoors and spending time with her family.

Evan joined CLMCD in January 2025 as the Invasive Species Program Coordinator. Evan is a native of southwest Wisconsin and graduated from Hope College with a degree in Political Science and is pursuing his Master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin in Biology. Before coming to CLMCD Evan spent many years working with the Wisconsin and Montana Conservation Corps. In his free time Evan enjoys foraging, birding, and cooking.

Madeline Drent joined the Conservation District in the summer of 2024 as the Watersheds Coordinator. Madeline is from Middleville, Michigan and graduated from Northern Michigan University with a bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, a minor in Sustainability, and Geographic Information Systems certificate. Before joining the district, Madeline worked on a dairy farm, a turkey farm, and guided kayak tours along the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Now, she secures and coordinates projects that improve and protect the water quality throughout the Eastern Upper Peninsula. In her free time, Madeline likes cooking, refinishing furniture, and getting active outdoors.

Logan Ferguson joined the Conservation District in the winter of 2025 to serve as the District Forester. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management from Grand Valley State University, as well as a Master’s degree in Forestry from West Virginia University. Logan has worked as a technician on forestry and botany research projects in Missouri, Texas, and West Virginia. He now works with the Conservation District to help family forest owners manage their properties, as well as doing outreach and education with the general public. Logan also enjoys fishing, foraging, hiking, and running, and he can usually be found in the woods or on the water.  

Spencer Thompson Joined the Conservation District in Winter of 2024 as a Conservation Technician.  Spencer graduated from Central Michigan University with a bachelors in Environmental Studies and an Environmental Justice Certificate. He currently works to assist farmers and landowners to utilize assistance programs geared towards sustainable resource management and land use within Chippewa, Mackinac, and Luce counties. When outside the office, Spencer can often be found fishing or enjoying other outdoor activities.

Lakin Casey joined the Conservation District in the spring of 2026 as the Education and Outreach Coordinator. Lakin graduated from Drexel University with a bachelor's degree in Environmental Communications and Climate Justice. She now works with the District to support their environmental education programming and community outreach projects. In her free time, Lakin enjoys sewing, reading, and spending time outside.

Kendalyn is from Midland, Michigan. She graduated from Central Michigan University with a bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, minor in Biology, and she recently graduated from the State University of New York at Brockport with a master's degree in Environmental Science and Ecology. During her studies, she worked on the EPA-GLRI Great Lakes Coastal Wetland Monitoring Program conducting vegetation surveys throughout the Great Lakes basin. In her free time, Kendalyn enjoys going for nature walks, reading, and spending time with family.

Pat Carr is the District Conservationist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, where he assists landowners with natural resources management planning. Carr assesses natural resource concerns and landowner land use objectives and develops environmentally-protective strategies and funding sources to help landowners realize land use goals. He has provided assistance to diverse landowners including forest landowners, livestock farmers, municipalities, and State Agencies. Carr loves everything outdoors, including hunting and fishing.