Staff

Thomas C. Bailey, Executive Director
Tom has been Executive Director of the Little Traverse Conservancy since November, 1984. He received his Bachelor's degree in Park and Recreation Resources from Michigan State University, where he also pursued graduate studies in land use, resource economics and environmental law. Before joining the Conservancy, Tom spent six years with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. He is a member of the National Land Trust Council and has served on the Michigan Water Resources Commission, the Michigan Great Lakes Protection Fund Technical Advisory Board, and boards of several other non-profit and community organizations. In the 1970s, he worked as a citizen representative and lobbyist for several local, state and national conservation groups. He is a former National Park Ranger, and has fond memories of his days as a fishing guide in Michigan's Upper Peninsula where he grew up. Tom resides near Petoskey, with his wife, Jane, and their son, John.

Tom Lagerstrom and
Mary Anne Griffin,
Associate Director and Administrative Coordinator
Tom grew up in suburban Detroit and summered in the Gaylord area of Northern Michigan. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Management. Following graduation he was a partner for six years at Morgan Engineering, a sheet metal fabrication company. He returned to Michigan State and received his Masters degree in Environmental Education. Tom began working at the Conservancy in 1984 as the half-time membership coordinator. In 1987 he became the Associate Director where his responsibilities include managing business operations, membership and fundraising. During that time the Conservancy's membership have grown from 500 members in 1984 to more than 4,000 at present and the Conservancy has successfully raised funds to protect preserves such as Seven Springs, Little Sand Bay, Oden Island and North Point.

Mary Anne is married to Tom, and is the Conservancy's Administrative Coordinator. Mary Anne is a native of Petoskey and has worked at the Conservancy since 1991. She handles bookkeeping, Conservancy mailings, oversees volunteers, and manages general office activities. Together Tom and Mary Anne have four daughters, Andrea and Kelsey Lagerstrom and Charlotte and Kelsey Griffin.


Melissa Hansen, Education Specialist
Melissa earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources of Michigan State University. She completed an internship jointly with Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council and Little Traverse Conservancy in 1994, and was hired by the Conservancy as a full time stewardship staff person. "I am a native of Charlevoix, MI and northern Michigan is very near and dear to my heart. It is extremely satisfying to be part of the Conservancy team working to protect some of the same wildlife habitat and beautiful landscapes I grew up exploring and enjoying. It is assuring to know future residents and visitors (both wildlife and human) may continue to do the same."


Ty Ratliff,
Land Protection Specialist
Ty is a native of northern Michigan and has grown up enjoying the outdoors of Antrim county. With a Fisheries & Wildlife degree from Michigan State University, Ty has past work experience that includes river restoration, MDNR fishing clinics and surveys, watershed management planning, and a ruffed grouse research project in the Pigeon River State Forest. Prior to joining the Conservancy, Ty worked as a land protection specialist for the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy where he headed up the land protection efforts in the Chain of Lakes, Acme Creek and Manistee River watersheds. In his spare time he enjoys hiking, canoeing hunting and fishing. Ty is married to Sarah and they have three children Audrey, Emmitt, and Grayden.

Kieran Fleming,
Director of Land Protection
Kieran joined the Little Traverse Conservancy in February, 2000. A native of Wisconsin, he holds both bachelors and masters degrees from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. Kieran spent ten years doing wildlife research on a variety of species including bear, deer, prairie chickens, waterfowl, songbirds and birds of prey. He and his wife, Anne, worked for the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy of Traverse City for three years where Kieran was both Stewardship Coordinator and Land Protection Specialist. Anne is a Petoskey native and grew up on a farm in northern Emmet County where they are now raising their two daughters, Claire and Ellie, on their own farm. Anne works part time for the Conservancy as the Communications and Publications Coordinator.

Alison Berry,
Education Specialist
Alison works to develop and implement programs for school children and field trips for the community on Conservancy property. Alison graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Policy and English. She first interned for the Conservancy in the summer of 1996 to assist with education efforts. After graduating from Central, she interned in Wyoming where she worked in communication and outreach for the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance. In the winter of 2000, she joined the Conservancy again as contract staff for winter education programs. Alison was added as a full time staff member in August of 2000. "Growing up in the Detroit area, it was disheartening to watch the increase in the population and automobiles quickly transform the character of my town. It is refreshing to be part of an organization that makes open spaces and future generations a priority." Alison is married to Jamie and has a two-year old son, Ethan, and step-daughter, Carmen.


Jan Wilkins,
Administrative Assistant
Before joining the Conservancy in the spring of 2001, Jan worked with the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council for six years as the Membership and Administrative Assistant.  Jan moved to the Petoskey/Harbor Springs area 16 years ago.  She and her husband, Brad, have three grown daughters and a son in college. Prior to moving to the area she received a word processing degree from Lansing Community College. She has worked in various office assistance positions for more than 20 years.


Cindy Mom,
Stewardship Specialist
Cindy works as a steward of the Conservancy's nature preserves and conservation easements. She joined the Conservancy staff in January 2004, and is delighted to be home after living out of state for 12 years. She holds a degree in film and video from Columbia College in Chicago, and has a variety of work experiences in her background, including landscaper, carpenter's helper, organic farm intern, bookstore employee, freelance artist, and park interpreter. Prior to coming to the Conservancy, she spent six years as the Assistant Director of Land Stewardship at the Essex County Greenbelt Association, a land trust in northeastern Massachusetts. At Greenbelt, she learned GIS mapping, natural history, property management, and how to use and maintain chainsaws and other tools. She is very happy to be able to bring these skills, as well as her great love of Northern Michigan, to the Little Traverse Conservancy.


Charles Dawley , Stewardship/GIS Specialist