Our Team

Jennifer English is the Project Coordinator for the DRA, working with the City of Defiance to lead the Maumee River Watershed Council. She has structured the council with representatives to communicate project findings and engage the public. Jennifer’s role focuses on outreach and ensuring effective collaboration among stakeholders, helping to advance the goals of the DRA.

Katelyn Smith is a Freshwater Research Technician at Defiance College, working closely with the DRA. She develops field and laboratory research protocols and partners with the Defiance Water Treatment Plant to analyze diatom assemblages from the Maumee River and its tributaries. Katelyn also presents research findings to the broader scientific community, contributing valuable data on freshwater ecosystems.

Dana Peterson, a recent graduate of Defiance College, double majored in Communication Studies and English and now works as the Water Quality Communication Assistant for DRA. She is responsible for managing the dissemination of information and maintaining public engagement. Dana’s role includes publishing updates, creating factsheets, and coordinating communication efforts to keep stakeholders and community members informed.

Jacquelyn Buck is a contracted worker for Defiance Research Alliance and serves as the Program Administrator for the Maumee Watershed Alliance. In 2018, she earned her master’s degree in Environmental Science from Miami University. Jacquelyn has focused on building partnerships among organizations to enhance water quality efforts. She actively works in Allen County, Indiana, and its surrounding areas to educate the public about their impact on local waterways.

Bruce Cleland, a contractor with Tetra Tech (Tt), serves as the primary data analyst for the City of Defiance, working within the Defiance Research Alliance. He is responsible for comparing data with regional information from sources such as the U.S. Geological Survey, Heidelberg’s National Water Quality Research Center, and the Great Lakes Observing System. Bruce also mentors students in data analysis and interpretation and aids in communicating agricultural data to producers.

Joe Ewers, as Superintendent of the Defiance Water Treatment Plant, is a key stakeholder in the DRA due to the plant’s reliance on source water protection. He helps coordinate sample collection and analysis, working closely with Water Pollution Control and other teams to ensure the water treatment process runs efficiently. His role involves organizing fieldwork and workforce logistics to support the project’s overall goal of improving water quality in the Maumee River and protecting downstream resources.

Zack Weis, who began working at the City of Defiance Water Treatment Plant in July 2024, is involved with the DRA to enhance water quality in the Maumee River. His work focuses on optimizing water quality for downstream entities, ensuring that the Water Treatment Plant continues to play an essential role in collecting and analyzing water samples. Zack collaborates with researchers to provide logistical and technical support for field studies.

Mark Lehnert has been the Superintendent of the Defiance Water Pollution Control Facility since 2008, with a long-standing career in wastewater management since 1984. His extensive experience includes serving in the U.S. Air Force and co-founding Industrial Fluid Management. Mark’s involvement in DRA centers on supporting research through personnel and resources, and he works toward improving water quality in the Maumee River for both environmental and recreational benefits. His team ensures high-quality effluent discharge to protect aquatic life in the region.

Kevin Connor, Assistant Superintendent at Water Pollution Control, manages the lab and operations at the wastewater treatment plant, where he started as a Lab Chemist. His role in DRA includes overseeing tests for E. coli, total suspended solids, and ammonia on water samples collected from upstream locations. Collaborating with Defiance College, Kevin coordinates the sampling teams to protect the water quality of the Maumee River, Lake Erie, and the City of Defiance, ensuring that data collection and laboratory analysis are executed efficiently.

Karrie Smith, a senior majoring in Environmental Science at Defiance College, serves as an Undergraduate Water Quality Research Assistant for the DRA. She assists with field research, including sample collection and analysis, within the Maumee Watershed. Karrie contributes to the project’s efforts to improve water quality by providing valuable research support.

Hallie Webb served as an Undergraduate Water Quality Research Assistant for the DRA for over a year, graduating from Defiance College in 2024. Her research centered on the relationship between river water quality and algal responses. Hallie contributed to the development of a framework for assessing the impacts of water withdrawals on reservoirs and actively participated in various research programs during her studies.

Mabel McGuire, a recent graduate of Ayersville High School, is a Secondary Water Quality Research Assistant with the DRA. She is involved in data collection and analysis, helping to support water quality research initiatives throughout the summer. Mabel’s work focuses on assisting with ongoing research projects and contributing to the data analysis process.

Taylor Waldron, a recent graduate of Ayersville High School, works with the DRA as a Secondary Water Quality Research Assistant. She plays a key role in research projects, including the collection and analysis of water samples. Taylor’s contributions help advance the project’s water quality monitoring efforts and provide crucial data for environmental studies.

Levi Panico, a sophomore at Fairview High School, is a Secondary Water Quality Research Assistant with the DRA. He assists in fieldwork and sample collection, gaining experience that prepares him for future studies. Levi’s role in DRA includes supporting the research team with data collection and analysis to improve water quality assessments.

Mikayla Timbrook, a graduate of Fairview High School, is studying Wildlife and Conservation Biology at Ohio University. As a Secondary Water Quality Research Assistant, she contributed to field research and sample analysis for the DRA. Mikayla played a key role in assisting with data collection and research aimed at bettering the local ecosystem.

Mike McCann has been the Mayor of Defiance, Ohio, since 2016. A native of Defiance, McCann has deep roots in the community, which have significantly influenced his commitment to public service. Mike and his wife Laurie have five adult children and twelve grandchildren. Mayor McCann’s tenure is marked by his dedication to enhancing the quality of life in Defiance. He and his staff have focused on economic development, housing initiatives, community involvement, and strengthening the City’s partnerships to make Defiance a “Great Place to Live”.

Ryan Mack was appointed as the Administrator for the City of Defiance in 2022.  Before this, he also served as Defiance County Commisioner and worked as a United States Congressional District Representative in Northwest Ohio. Ryan served in the United States Army and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. He received the Purple Heart for injuries sustained during the Battle of Marjah.  After returning home, he earned his Bachelor’s Degree at Defiance College. Ryan resides in the City of Defiance with his two children who enjoy hiking through community trails, and playing in several of our beautiful parks.

Dr. Richanne C. Mankey has served as the nineteenth and first female President of Defiance College since 2016. Dr. Mankey holds degrees from Ohio Northern University, the University of Dayton, and a doctorate from the Teachers College at Columbia University. With prior roles at Daemen College and Ohio Northern University, she focuses on turning challenges into opportunities through collaboration. Along with this, she serves as a member of Defiance Research Alliance’s Executive Committee, which brings us here today.

Dr. Agnes Caldwell has over 25 years of experience in higher education, spanning both teaching and administration. As an experienced grant writer, she has secured over $6 million for facility improvements, scholarships, and faculty development. Dr. Caldwell’s expertise includes retention models and data-driven decision-making. She earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Toledo and her Ph.D. in sociology from Wayne State University, focusing on religious and social tensions in Northern Ireland.