Mark Rude, LG
Garden City,KS
Summary
Dynamic Water Resources Management Consultant with extensive experience at Southwest Kansas Groundwater Management District. Expert in groundwater sustainability and water rights management, I excel in strategic planning and client consultation. Proven track record in securing grants and delivering impactful presentations, driving sustainable practices across diverse stakeholders.
Overview
46
46
years of professional experience
Work History
Water Resorces Management Consultant
Self Employed Services
Garden City, KS
09.2024 - Current
- Provide expertise on Kansas water rights and groundwater supply.
- Promote irrigation sustainability with Dragon-Line, LLC (Mobile Drip Irrigation), Ulysses, Kansas.
- Water Infrastructure Grant Writing for Finney County Drainage District, No. 2
- Research industry trends in order to provide intelligence that could be used by clients.
- Advise clients on best practices related to business processes, technology implementations, and operations management.
- Conduct presentations online and at conferences to promote products and provide key information.
Executive Director
Southwest Kansas Groundwater Management District (GMD) No. 3
Garden City, KS
02.2005 - 08.2024
- Responsible for the overall strategic, operational, and financial management of the largest Kansas GMD.
- Served a 15-member Board of Directors, elected by the landowners and water users of the district.
- Collaborated with staff, and other federal, state, and local partners, to ensure that sustainable groundwater management practices safeguard water resources.
- Operated, updated, and presented in public meetings, the official management program.
- Worked with federal and state partners, and the Kansas legislature, on water policy and tax reform needed to implement the management program.
Assistant Operations Secretary
Colorado and Kansas Arkansas River Compact Administration
Garden City, KS
01.1997 - 12.2006
- Responsible for monitoring the daily operations of the Arkansas River system for consistency with the provisions of compact law and agreements.
- Supplement the Operations Secretary (OS) report (Colorado water official) with an annual Assistant Operations Secretary (AOS) report (Kansas water official) to highlight potentially controversial reservoir and river operations, including effects on groundwater.
Water Commissioner
Division of Water Resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture
Garden City, KS
03.1994 - 02.2005
- Appointed to represent the state water Chief Engineer in a 17-county region of west-central and southwest Kansas.
- Administered water supplies according to federal and state laws, and policies.
- Guided and mentored field office staff.
- Responded to public inquiries and provided access to water-right records.
- Processed certain water right changes, and signed water administration orders.
- Conducting and reviewing field inspections, investigations, and complaints.
- Collaborated with state staff in other offices to offer ideas, and assure administrative consistency.
- provided expert testimony.
Environmental Scientist II/III (Assistant Water Commissioner)
Division of Water Resources, Kansas Board/Department of Agriculture
Garden City, KS
10.1987 - 03.1993
- Assisted the Water Commissioner in the administration of available water supplies according to relevant laws, regulations and agency policies.
- Member of the Kansas litigation team - KS vs. CO Supreme Court Original Action #105 regarding interstate compact violations.
- Responded to public inquiries and records requests.
- Drafted and reviewed water right applications, water right changes, and other instruments of state water administration.
- Conducting and reviewing field inspections and compliance investigations.
- Investigated water-related complaints.
- Determined water rights compliance.
Environmental Scientist I
Water Appropriation Program, Division of Water Resources, Kansas State Board of Agriculture
Topeka, KS
08.1987 - 10.1987
- Performed duties to administer the Kansas Water Appropriation Act, Rules, and Regulations.
- Review the proposed appropriation of water for beneficial use.
- Conducted water project audits to issue water-right certificates of appropriation.
- Reviewed water use reporting for quality control.
- Monitored compliance with applicable permits, licenses, rules, regulations, and statutes pertaining to water use, and the environment.
- Prepared engineering-related calculations, and drafted maps and visual aids.
- Participated in interdisciplinary teams to develop integrated solutions for complex problems affecting natural resources.
Geological Services
Independent Petroleum Consultant
Wichita, KS
01.1985 - 07.1987
- Oil drilling prospect development.
- Oil field geology and production records.
- Map paleo-depositional environments.
- Interpret downhole logs and geo-reports.
- Review and describe the drilling samples.
- Well-site supervision.
- Publication contribution – Kansas Oil and Gas Fields, Volume 5, Kansas Geological Society, 1985.
Geological Assistant
Eagle Explorations, Inc.
Wichita, USA
01.1981 - 01.1985
- File oil and gas well scout cards.
- Monitor oilfield production.
- Construct geologic cross-sections.
- Map geological data.
Research Assistant
Wichita State University Geology Department
Wichita, KS
09.1979 - 01.1981
- Macro and micro photography of invertebrate fossils to document features and geological evidence for research and publication.
- Reviewed work product outcomes with the research team to improve visual information.
- Participated in team meetings to discuss progress on ongoing projects or brainstorm ideas for future endeavors.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Geology
Wichita State University
Wichita, KS05-1986
Skills
- Water rights management
- Groundwater sustainability
- Board governance
- Interstate water policy
- Project management
- Regulatory compliance
- Client consultation
- Public speaking
- Team collaboration
- Strategic planning
Affiliations
- Board of National Water Resources Association, chairing Groundwater Caucus.
- Board of Groundwater Management Districts Assoc., Kansas Advisor.
- Elected three terms to Garden City school board, including board President.
- Elected 2007 to present - Finney County Drainage District #2 Board of Directors.
- Board of Kansas Aqueduct Coalition (Secretary/Treasurer).
- Enjoy outdoor activities with family.
Timeline
Water Resorces Management Consultant
Self Employed Services
09.2024 - Current
Executive Director
Southwest Kansas Groundwater Management District (GMD) No. 3
02.2005 - 08.2024
Assistant Operations Secretary
Colorado and Kansas Arkansas River Compact Administration
01.1997 - 12.2006
Water Commissioner
Division of Water Resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture
03.1994 - 02.2005
Environmental Scientist II/III (Assistant Water Commissioner)
Division of Water Resources, Kansas Board/Department of Agriculture
10.1987 - 03.1993
Environmental Scientist I
Water Appropriation Program, Division of Water Resources, Kansas State Board of Agriculture
08.1987 - 10.1987
Geological Services
Independent Petroleum Consultant
01.1985 - 07.1987
Geological Assistant
Eagle Explorations, Inc.
01.1981 - 01.1985
Research Assistant
Wichita State University Geology Department
09.1979 - 01.1981
Bachelor of Science - Geology
Wichita State University
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