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Small Business Environmental Council

The Small Business Environmental Council makes sure the DNR serves the small business community in smart and effective ways. The council:

  • Advises the DNR on the effectiveness of the Small Business Environmental Assistance Program;
  • Explains challenges faced by small businesses to DNR programs;
  • Provides a small business perspective on new regulations;
  • Reviews tools and documents; and
  • Advocates for small businesses.

The governor and the Legislature appoint seven representatives of small business and the public to the council and the eighth is appointed by the DNR. Together, they serve as the voice of Wisconsin's small businesses at the DNR. Check out Introducing Wisconsin's Small Business Environmental Council to learn more about current members.

The council works hard to represent the interests of small business. You can help them by sharing your ideas and experiences. If the council is to be your voice, they need to hear from YOU!

If you have questions, would like to learn more, or would like to connect with the Small Business Environmental Council to share your story and see how they might help you, contact: 855-889-3021, DNRSmallBusiness@wisconsin.gov, or any of the council members listed below.

Public participation

The council welcomes members of the public to all of its meetings and encourages small business owners to suggest topics. Periodically, the council takes their meetings on the road, holding open forums for small businesses. Businesses can host meetings, offering the council a first-hand experience of the business and the challenges it faces when working with environmental rules. If you are interested in hosting a meeting or partnering with the council on a forum, contact 855-889-3021, DNRSmallBusiness@wisconsin.gov, or any of the council members listed below. Subscribe to the Small Business Advisor electronic newsletter to receive information on upcoming meetings.

Opportunity for public comment will be available following the council's Public Participation Protocol.

Current council members

Council members
Amy Litscher - Council Chair
President - Principal environmental scientist
Saga Environmental & Engineering
Lake Mills WI
920-945-0601
Greg Pils
Director, Bureau of Environmental Analysis and Sustainability
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Madison WI
608-267-9564
Jody A. Jansen
Vice President - Business Banking
BankFirst
Waupaca WI
920-647-6400
Vince Ruffolo
President
Superior Industrial Coatings
Racine WI
262-634-5521
Sen. Rob Stafsholt
State Senator
Senate District 10
Wisconsin State Senate
608-266-7745

Syed Abbas
Director - Education and Training
Slipsteam
Madison WI

Agendas and minutes

For all meetings, the council adheres to the following guidelines with regards to quorum, decision making/voting, as well as chair/vice chair election, etc.

Date Meeting Agenda Meeting Minutes
March 19, 2024 Agenda  
November 9, 2023 Agenda Minutes
May 19, 2023 Agenda Minutes
May 26, 2022 Agenda Minutes
October 15, 2021 Agenda Minutes
June 7, 2021 Agenda Minutes
February 11, 2021 Agenda Minutes
November 12, 2020 Agenda Minutes
August 18, 2020 Agenda Minutes
May 27, 2020 Agenda Minutes
January 9, 2020 Agenda Minutes
November 14, 2019 Agenda Minutes
July 16, 2019 Agenda Minutes
May 21, 2019 Agenda Minutes
April 17, 2019 Agenda Minutes
Feb. 13, 2019 Agenda Minutes
Dec. 4, 2018 Agenda Minutes
Oct. 17, 2018 Agenda Minutes
Sept. 11, 2018 Agenda  
June 27, 2018 Agenda Minutes

Past council members

The Small Business Environmental Assistance Program, existing Small Business Environmental Council members and small businesses throughout Wisconsin would like to thank former council members for their service. Volunteers like these enhance the services of the SBEAP and provide a voice for small businesses.

Past council members
Steve Aldridge, Sta-Care, Inc. [2007-2013] Jay Meili, Molded Dimensions Inc. [1995-2007]
Mark Aquino, Wisconsin DNR [2015-2018] Mark Miller, state senator, [2019-2020]
Pam Christenson, Wisconsin Department of Commerce [2005-2008] Bob Nicholson, US Filter/Zimpro Environmental Inc. [1996-2005]
Joseph Dannecker, Godfrey and Kahn [1994-1997] James Reynolds, Cast Tools Inc. [1992-2006]
Pat Haskin, Tomahawk Monument Co. [2000-2006] Stuart Rosenberg, Madison Area Builders Association [1997-2000]
André Jacque, state senator, [2014-2021] Hampton Rothwell, Wisconsin Department of Commerce [1999-2002]
Gerald Jones, Banking industry [2005-2011] Al Shea, Wisconsin DNR [2012-2014]
Linda Katz, Molded Dimensions, Inc. [2006-2007] Michael Simpson, Reinhart, Boerner, Van Deuren, S.C. [1997-2012]
Richard Klinke, Klinke Cleaners [2011-2014] Lee Sucharda, Design North Inc. [1995-1998]
Carl Komassa [1994-2010] Mary Ann Sumi, Wisconsin DNR [1993-1996]
Shane Lauterbach, Lauterbach Group Inc. [2012-2015] J.D. Tripoli, Simandl Law Group [2013-2016]
Dennis Leong, Wisconsin Department of Commerce [1996-1999] Pete Van Horn, Van Horn Construction [1998-2004]]
Dan Martino Jr., Martino's Master Dry Cleaners [2006-2011] Jeanne Whitish, Purple Cow Organics LLC [2004-2013]
Bernie Mattson, Wisconsin Department of Commerce [2002-2005] Lynda Wiese, Wisconsin DNR [1996-2002]
Mark McDermid, Wisconsin DNR [2002-2011]  

 

Additional resources