Kevin Thusius
Cross Plains,WI
Summary
Dedicated leader in the land conservation and recreation fields, committed to bringing a team approach to effective problem solving. Able to work effectively with a wide variety of diverse individuals while pursuing a career that has a positive impact on communities, environment, and people’s well-being.
Results-driven leader adept at guiding high-performing teams and implementing strategic initiatives to drive business success. Known for fostering collaborative environment and achieving measurable milestones. Exhibits strong leadership and adaptability to changing business needs.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Director of Land Conservation
Ice Age Trail Alliance
01.2009 - Current
- Protected more than 100 properties and more than 5,400 acres and an estimated 42 miles of trail since 2009
- Successfully secured 12 donated properties from private landowners worth $2,800,000 since 2015
- Raised funding to secure land from public ($935,000) and private ($308,000) sources since 2015
- Coordinated public and private partners to secure lands for the Ice Age Trail across the state
- Recently sought and successfully secured more than $100,000 from private donors to start a revolving land protection fund
- Managed 127 fee and easement lands covering 3,840 acres
- Actively monitored each property for more than 10 years
- Developed a volunteer property monitoring program and trained them
- Actively restored hundreds of acres of woodland, prairie, savanna and other natural areas
- Raised funds, coordinated volunteers and contractors for dozens of restoration and property development projects to ensure public enjoyment of aesthetic and ecological conditions
- Provided direction, training and supervision to interns, part-time staff and full-time staff
- Managed the Lands Program budget including tracking grants, expenditures, and contractor services
- Completed baseline documents for all Ice Age Trail Alliance easements
- Developed management plans for all Ice Age Trail Alliance preserves focusing on trail user experience while also employing adaptive management strategies to improve and sustain desired ecosystems
- Advocated at all levels of government for the advancement of Ice Age Trail and conservation related issues
- Met with federal delegation during annual Hike-the-Hill event in Washington D.C
- Lobbied state delegation on several issues including the reauthorization of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program
- Regularly met with local elected officials regarding trial corridor planning, property acquisition, management and development projects
- Worked with other user groups such as Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Pew Charitable Trusts to leverage important messages to elected officials
- Directed staff and board to develop policies and procedures to meet Land Trust Alliance’s Standards and Practices and completed all application materials for, and successfully received, accreditation from the Land Trust Alliance Accreditation Commission
Education
Master’s of Science - Biological Sciences
University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
01.2000
Bachelor’s of Science - Bio. Aspects of Cons.
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
01.1997
Skills
- Collaborative leadership
- Team management
- Policy development
- Team building and motivation
- Organizational development
- Policy implementation
- Practice operations management
- Administrative oversight
Accomplishments
- Supervised team of [Number] staff members.
- Used Microsoft Excel to develop inventory tracking spreadsheets.
- Achieved [Result] by completing [Task] with accuracy and efficiency.
- Collaborated with team of [Number] in the development of [Project name].
References
- Mike Wollmer, Executive Director, Ice Age Trail Alliance, Mike@iceagetrail.org, (608) 798-4453 ext. 222, PO Box 128, 2110 Main Street, Cross Plains, WI, 53528
- Mike Carlson, Executive Director, Gathering Waters, Carlson@gatheringwaters.org, (608) 251 – 9131 ext. 13, 211 South Patterson Street #270, Madison, WI, 53703
- Mike Axon, Parks and Recreation Director, Village of Cross Plains, Maxon@cross-plains.wi.us, (608) 798 – 3241 ext. 107, 2417 Brewery Road, PO Box 97, Cross Plains, WI, 53528
Leadership Experience
- Board of Directors, Gathering Waters, Madison, WI, 01/01/16, present
- Land Trust Council, Chair, Gathering Waters, Madison, WI, 01/01/14, 12/31/19
- Trustee, Village of Cross Plains, 01/01/18, present
- Plan Commission, Village of Cross Plains, 04/01/18, present
- Sustainably Committee, Village of Cross Plains, 01/01/19, present
- Volunteer, Park Elementary School, Cross Plains, WI, 01/01/14, present
Timeline
Senior Director of Land Conservation
Ice Age Trail Alliance
01.2009 - Current
Bachelor’s of Science - Bio. Aspects of Cons.
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Master’s of Science - Biological Sciences
University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
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