Board of Directors
Our Conservation District Board of Directors comprises five members representing Alpena and Montmorency County. County residents elect board members to four-year terms. The board of directors makes all decisions regarding the district's programs and activities.
Ed Skarbek - Chair
I have lived on wooded acreage with river frontage in Montmorency County for the past 45 years. I have firsthand knowledge about the challenges we are facing. I have a keen interest in keeping our forests and waterways healthy and thriving. We are facing many challenges with invasive species of weeds, insect infestation in our trees, and changing water temperatures in our waterways that have an impact on the fish population. These issues need to be addressed on a continuous basis to avoid lasting and permanent damage. We need a strong board of directors to advocate for the residents of our counties. I have served as a director for slightly over a year, and during that time, I have participated in the spring tree sale, board meetings, and soil conservation efforts. I have established good working relationships with the chairman and other board members and have worked with representatives from the USDA, Huron Pines, AMCD forester, and independent foresters. This experience has made me effective in my role as a director.
Patrick Lizon - Vice Chair
I am forty-four years old and I live with my family on a small farm outside of Ossineke. I have a bachelor's degree in biology and a master of agriculture degree. I have twenty years of experience working to conserve natural resources (in agricultural, forest, mining, and urban settings) and helping to ensure that streams, rivers, and lakes have clean water and good habitat. I am currently employed as an agricultural scientist by a company that provides environmental consulting services. Outside of this work, I enjoy spending time with family, fishing, hunting, frisbee golf, growing food on our farm, and cooking. I enjoy being in an AMCD director position because I want to serve the people of Alpena and Montmorency counties by helping to conserve the natural resources that they rely upon for work and recreation.
Amy Lewis - Secretary/Treasurer
I am a life-long resident of Alpena County, residing with my husband of 33 years, Clark, and raising our two daughters here as well. I work with my parents on our family farm, raising crops and finishing out steers. Although I have only been on the AMCD for a short time, I believe this board has worked hard to improve the services and mission of the Conservation District. I enjoy being part of the board, leading with integrity and hard work for this community.
William Estlack - Director
William worked for the state police from 1978-2003, worked for the health department as an emergency preparedness coordinator from 2003-2013, and served on the county commission board for Alpena County.
I have been a resident and landowner in northeast Michigan since 1979. I’ve seen land use practices evolve over the years. We have witnessed how agricultural users along with forest landowners become more in tune with sound science-based land use practices. Whether it’s the farmer or forest landowner we need to ask ourselves what’s best for the land.
As a board member of the AMCD, we need to ask ourselves what we can do to provide the landowners and users with the tools to make sound land use decisions. Always keeping in mind that our actions affect not only current but also future generations of land users. Thank you for the opportunity to serve on the board.
Doug Brown - Director
Born and raised in Michigan, Doug has spent a lifetime exploring the state’s diverse natural landscapes—hiking, paddling, skiing, and riding through its forests, lakes, and trails. His deep appreciation for nature and wildlife has evolved into a strong interest in conservation, with a focus on understanding and addressing the impacts of human activity on the environment. As a board member, he brings a passion for protecting Michigan’s natural resources and promoting responsible stewardship for future generations.
William Houston - Associate Director
I have lived on wooded acreage with river frontage in Montmorency County for the past 45 years. I have firsthand knowledge about the challenges we are facing. I have a keen interest in keeping our forests and waterways healthy and thriving. We are facing many challenges with invasive species of weeds, insect infestation in our trees, and changing water temperatures in our waterways that have an impact on the fish population. These issues need to be addressed on a continuous basis to avoid lasting and permanent damage. We need a strong board of directors to advocate for the residents of our counties. I have served as a director for slightly over a year, and during that time, I have participated in the spring tree sale, board meetings, and soil conservation efforts. I have established good working relationships with the chairman and other board members and have worked with representatives from the USDA, Huron Pines, AMCD forester, and independent foresters. This experience has made me effective in my role as a director.
Patrick Lizon - Vice Chair
I am forty-four years old and I live with my family on a small farm outside of Ossineke. I have a bachelor's degree in biology and a master of agriculture degree. I have twenty years of experience working to conserve natural resources (in agricultural, forest, mining, and urban settings) and helping to ensure that streams, rivers, and lakes have clean water and good habitat. I am currently employed as an agricultural scientist by a company that provides environmental consulting services. Outside of this work, I enjoy spending time with family, fishing, hunting, frisbee golf, growing food on our farm, and cooking. I enjoy being in an AMCD director position because I want to serve the people of Alpena and Montmorency counties by helping to conserve the natural resources that they rely upon for work and recreation.
Amy Lewis - Secretary/Treasurer
I am a life-long resident of Alpena County, residing with my husband of 33 years, Clark, and raising our two daughters here as well. I work with my parents on our family farm, raising crops and finishing out steers. Although I have only been on the AMCD for a short time, I believe this board has worked hard to improve the services and mission of the Conservation District. I enjoy being part of the board, leading with integrity and hard work for this community.
William Estlack - Director
William worked for the state police from 1978-2003, worked for the health department as an emergency preparedness coordinator from 2003-2013, and served on the county commission board for Alpena County.
I have been a resident and landowner in northeast Michigan since 1979. I’ve seen land use practices evolve over the years. We have witnessed how agricultural users along with forest landowners become more in tune with sound science-based land use practices. Whether it’s the farmer or forest landowner we need to ask ourselves what’s best for the land.
As a board member of the AMCD, we need to ask ourselves what we can do to provide the landowners and users with the tools to make sound land use decisions. Always keeping in mind that our actions affect not only current but also future generations of land users. Thank you for the opportunity to serve on the board.
Doug Brown - Director
Born and raised in Michigan, Doug has spent a lifetime exploring the state’s diverse natural landscapes—hiking, paddling, skiing, and riding through its forests, lakes, and trails. His deep appreciation for nature and wildlife has evolved into a strong interest in conservation, with a focus on understanding and addressing the impacts of human activity on the environment. As a board member, he brings a passion for protecting Michigan’s natural resources and promoting responsible stewardship for future generations.
William Houston - Associate Director
phone number
(989) 356-3596, Ext. 101
HoursM-F: 8;00 a.m. - 4;30 p.m.
ADDRESSAlpena Office: 1900 M-32 West, Alpena, Michigan 49707
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