Environmental Round Table 2003: Speaker Bios
Mike Dombeck
Pioneer Professor of Global Environmental Management
University of Wisconsin System Fellow of Global Conservation
One of the most renowned and respected contemporary conservationists, Mike Dombeck dedicated a quarter of a century to managing federal lands and natural resources in the long-term public interest. His leadership in the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and as former chief of the Forest Service impacted nearly 500 million acres. His legacy is one of steadfast stewardship for the land, and he is most noted for significant efforts toward watershed health and restoration, sustainable forest ecosystem management, sound forest roads and roadless area protection.
Dr. Dombeck received the 2001 Presidential Rank Award as a Distinguished Executive for his former role as chief of the USDA Forest Service. He has authored, co-authored and edited numerous popular and scholarly publications, most recently the book "From Conquest to Conservation: Our Public Lands Legacy," and has made frequent national and international scientific presentations.
Dr. Dombeck now serves as GEM Pioneer Professor and UW System Fellow of Global Conservation. He is helping to lead the planning and development of the Global Environmental Management Education Center at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. The $100 million GEM project aims to develop and share world-class educational programs in natural resources and environmental management for building a sustainable future locally and abroad.
Dr. Dombeck and his wife, Patricia, reside in Plover, Wisconsin. They have one daughter, Mary, who currently serves in the Peace Corps.
Dave Ullrich
Dave Ullrich is director of the Great Lakes Cities Initiative, a new effort of the region's mayors that is a project of the Northeast-Midwest Institute, headquartered in Chicago, and chaired by Chicago Mayor Richard Daley. The Great Lakes Cities Initiative seeks to have the region's mayors work jointly to advance the restoration and protection of the Great Lakes ecosystem.
Ullrich was deputy regional administrator for the Great Lakes region of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from 1992 until 2003. During his 30 years with EPA, he has been acting regional administrator, director of the Waste Management Division, acting regional counsel, and chief of Air Enforcement. He was the U.S. chair of the International Joint Commission's Water Quality Board from 1997 to 2003, as well as a founding member and past chair of the Midwest Natural Resources Group. Ullrich is a graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of Wisconsin Law School.
The Northeast-Midwest Institute is a Washington-based, private, non-profit, and non-partisan research organization dedicated to economic vitality, environmental quality, and regional equity for Northeast and Midwest states. Formed in the mid-1970's, it fulfills its mission by conducting research and analysis, developing and advancing innovative policy, providing evaluation of key federal programs, disseminating information, and highlighting sound economic and environmental technologies and practices.
The Institute is unique among policy centers because of its ties to Congress through the Northeast-Midwest Congressional and Senate Coalitions. Co-chaired by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jack Reed (D-RI), and Reps. Marty Meehan (D-MA) and Jack Quinn (R-NY), the bipartisan coalitions advance federal policies that enhance the region's economy and environment.