Citizens Advisory Committee

Anne Maule Miller has been involved with BCWD as a board manager and CAC member.  Protecting water and the environment for future generations is a core value. Prior to retirement in 2016, she was a technical and quality manager in 3M’s Healthcare Business Group.  A Master’s Degree in Theology and Spiritual Direction Certification are used in her role as a Lay Minister for her church and diocese.  She is a hobby beekeeper and serves on the local bee club board.  Anne and her husband Lee share their lives with a large family.  She gardens with Hmong farmers, is an avid reader, kayaker and ‘plays’ Tai Chi.

George Vania has been involved with the BCWD CAC for over 10 years.  Prior to this he was a member Stillwater Water Board.  His focus is on habitat protection and documenting the wild bird inventory at the Brown’s Creek Conservation Area. George is a retired Professional Environmental Engineer involved for 45 years in the Water and Wastewater Treatment Industry.  He lives with his wife Josie at Boutwell's Landing.

Jyneen Thatcher worked at the Washington Conservation District until she retired 10 years ago. In addition to overseeing wetland regulation in the county, she helped landowners with assessing and restoring native plant communities on their land. Now she spends her time in volunteering for groups such as Carpenter Nature Center, Washington County Parks, county fair flower judging, and several bicycle and Nordic skiing groups in addition to the BCWD CAC. She continues natural resource studies through LCO University.

Yihong has been a member of the BCWD CAC for the past five years with a particular interest on protecting and cleaning up Minnesota lakes. With over 20 years of experience as a registered civil engineer at MNDOT, she led the evaluation efforts of the Stillwater Lift Bridge and St Croix River Crossing.

Yihong has called Stillwater her home for over a decade, where she lives with her husband and two daughters.

Steve Merchant is a new member of the BCWD’s CAC. He cares deeply about the natural world, and it all starts with the water! Steve is an avid angler, traveler, birder, and native plant aficionado. He wants to serve on the CAC so he can help our community make sound natural resource decisions at the local level. He hopes his 34 years of working for the MNDNR as a wildlife manager (and a couple as a plant ecologist) will make that a little easier.

We welcome Aimee as a member of the CAC effective April 12, 2023.  This bio will be updated soon.