DISTRICT BOARD of DIRECTORS MEMBERS
CHAIR- Clay Mcilrath
SECRETARY-Vacant
TREASURER- Benjamin Brown
DIRECTOR-Tonya Roe
DIRECTOR-Vacant
TREASURER- Benjamin Brown
DIRECTOR-Tonya Roe
DIRECTOR-Vacant
Staff Members
Christiane Rathke, District Administrator/ Soil Erosion Agent
Christiane joined the District as Soil Erosion Agent in August 2020 and became Administrator in August 2022. Before that, she worked nearly 20 years in Early Childhood Education and holds an associate’s degree in the field, as well as a bachelor’s in Organizational Management from Spring Arbor University. A lifelong resident of the area, Christiane enjoys homesteading, foraging, fishing, hunting, gardening, hiking, reading, and crafting.
Toni Maize, Spongy Moth (Gypsy Moth) Coordinator
Mike Dittenber, District Forester
Mike joined our team in May of 2025 and is from Midland, Michigan. He covers Clare and Gladwin Counties as the Forest Assistance Program Forester. Mike has a M.S. in Forestry from Michigan State University and has a passion for assisting landowners in meeting their family forest goals. Mike is a Candidate Certified Forester with the Society of American Foresters, is a Certified Inspector for the American Tree Farm System, a Forest Wetlands and Habitat System Inspector for the MAEAP program and is a Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator in the Forestry Category. In his free time Mike enjoys hiking, biking, fishing and visiting our State Parks.
Mike joined our team in May of 2025 and is from Midland, Michigan. He covers Clare and Gladwin Counties as the Forest Assistance Program Forester. Mike has a M.S. in Forestry from Michigan State University and has a passion for assisting landowners in meeting their family forest goals. Mike is a Candidate Certified Forester with the Society of American Foresters, is a Certified Inspector for the American Tree Farm System, a Forest Wetlands and Habitat System Inspector for the MAEAP program and is a Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator in the Forestry Category. In his free time Mike enjoys hiking, biking, fishing and visiting our State Parks.
Brandi Mitchell, MAEAP Technician
Brandi joined the MAEAP team in January of 2022. She covers Clare, Osceola and Eastern Lake Counties as the MAEAP Technician. She is a beef producer in her home county of Osceola, comes from a vegetable production background and spent over 15 years as a veterinary technician. Brandi has a great love and passion for agriculture and land management, and we are glad to have her.
Brandi joined the MAEAP team in January of 2022. She covers Clare, Osceola and Eastern Lake Counties as the MAEAP Technician. She is a beef producer in her home county of Osceola, comes from a vegetable production background and spent over 15 years as a veterinary technician. Brandi has a great love and passion for agriculture and land management, and we are glad to have her.