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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
Jody A. Jansen
Sr Vice President - Business Banking
Portage County Bank
Waupaca WI
920-647-6400
Greg Pils
Director, Bureau of Environmental Analysis and Sustainability
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Madison WI
608-267-9564
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

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.

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

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
Syed Abbas, Slipstream (2023-2024Mark McDermid, Wisconsin DNR [2002-2011]
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]]
Amy Litscher, Saga Environmental (2011-2024)Jeanne Whitish, Purple Cow Organics LLC [2004-2013]
Dan Martino Jr., Martino's Master Dry Cleaners [2006-2011]Lynda Wiese, Wisconsin DNR [1996-2002]
Bernie Mattson, Wisconsin Department of Commerce [2002-2005] 

 

Additional resources