The Kinni Corridor Collaborative

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Steve Goff, Managing Partner Bye, Goff and Rhode (BGR) trial lawyers located in River Falls, WI. As an experienced personal injury trial lawyer, Steven Goff stresses the word “personal” the most. With his practice focuses entirely on plaintiff personal injury. He develops relationships with his clients. Steve takes immense pride in standing up for “the little guy” against big companies. Steven Goff graduated from Iowa State University with honors. He was a member of the scholastic fraternities of Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi. He received his law degree from the University of Minnesota in 1979. Steve has been a member of the bar in both Wisconsin and Minnesota since 1979. He is also admitted to practice in the federal courts of both states and in the Supreme Court of the United States. Steve is the former city attorney for River Falls, WI. 

As an avid fisherman, Steve enjoys an annual trip to Canada with his fishing buddies. He also enjoys spending time with family and friends at his cabin in northern Wisconsin. BGR Bio-Page

John “Duke” Welter is an avid outdoorsman and game cook. His prior day job was Outreach Coordinator for Trout Unlimited’s Driftless Area Restoration Effort where he help raise $30M in funding for the regional rivers and stream restoration. You can see why he is a great asset to our Board of Directors and Leads or Project Funding team. 

 Duke is most excited to help our organization find the funding for the projects outlined in the Kinnickinnic River Corridor Plan. 

If he could tell you one thing, it would be “Keep in your mind the benefits to be had from a healthy, free-flowing river – environmental, recreational, economic, and aesthetic – and together we will accomplish this vision.”

  Judie is a fifth generation member of one of River Falls founding families, The Fosters, so it isn’t hard to see why she loves this area so much!  

In fact, the Kinni is her favorite part of the area.  “The peace and serenity of being near the Kinni – it has a healing effect for me.” 

Judie describes herself as a serial philanthropist and loves serving on non-profit boards. She believes whole-heartedly in the purpose of the KinniCC and the power of community voices in shaping the future of the Kinni River. 

Amanda has been married to her husband, Aaron, for nearly 11 years and is the mom to a feisty 4 year old girl. When she isn't busy with her family or working as a Human Resources Specialist, Amanda enjoys watching sports, throwing in a dart league and spending time outdoors. She has been with us since we were established as an organization, serving on our Public Relations committee

What aspect of the Board of Directors is Amanda most excited for? "I am excited to help keep the community informed and educated as we progress. It is going to take all of us to make this plan a success and being transparent with our community is a big part of working together." 

Eric has a background in Natural Resource Management with a Masters in Geography from Carthage from Western Michigan University.  Eric has experience as a Program Director with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation working with Central Region Working Lands for the last 8 years. 

Eric originally  moved to River Falls to join the Kinnickinnic River Land Trust as Conservation Program Manager.  He enjoys all types of outdoor recreation, especially if it involves the River.  Eric is currently a financial planning advisor with Thrivent Financial. 

He joined the KinniCC Board to support the river restoration through his deep knowledge of the community. 

 David has worked in IT Management for a handful of companies but is now retired. He is married to Judie Foster Babcock who is a fifth generation descendant of Judge Joel Foster. 

It was David's father-in-law, Bruce Foster, who helped to instill in David an abiding love for River Falls and the Kinni.  David says "I love this video of Bruce taking about the history of the Dams on the Kinni in 2004.  I volunteer to see the vision of a free-flowing Kinni become a reality - hopefully in my lifetime, as a tribute to all those who worked toward that goal - like Bruce."

He has served on the board for a number of local non-profits such as Saint Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity and River Falls Food Pantry in addition to helping Kinni River Land Trust by serving as a temporary office manager. David was already a member of the KinniCC Public Relations Committee and has assumed the role of Treasurer for us. 

Local business owner, Scott Eickschen, is also an avid outdoorsman, husband and fisherman. When he isn’t busy ensuring all of his guests at the Country Inn enjoy their stay in River Falls, you will likely find him enjoying the great outdoors. He loves to fish making him extremely passionate about all of the local streams, lakes and rivers. 

His love of fishing and the outdoors are just some of the reasons Scott is so excited and humbled to be part of our Board. 

  “I am most excited for the day we break ground on the first major project of the corridor plan. It will be very fun and exciting to help iron out details, compile and review bids, finalize scheduling and logistics in collaboration with the City and other stakeholders."

Martin Kretzmann is the VP of Operations for MN-based Non Profit, National Handicap Housing Institute, dedicated to providing the highest quality, affordable housing options for individuals with mobility disabilities and seniors. A dedicated father of 3 teenagers with his wife, Tabitha, of almost 20 years, Martin spends his time and energy on striving to improve the lives of his family, friends and community. 

Finding the true meaning of the word, neighbors, here in River Falls, Martin desires to protect and preserve the wonderful qualities of Western WI living. 

Ex-officio Director (non-voting)  and volunteer  leader for the Neighbors For Intention Growth initiatives in River Falls township.

 Account Manager and Instrument Specialist working in the hospital & health care industry. Skilled in Medical Devices, Biotechnology, Capital Equipment, Life Sciences, and Genomics. Strong operations professional with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) focused in Biology from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.