Craig W. Butler was appointed as the Executive Director/Secretary of the MWCD on May 1, 2020. In 2014, Governor John Kasich appointed Butler as Director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a position he held until 2019. He recently served as the executive director of the Power Siting Board for the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. Prior to serving as Director of the EPA, he served as the Assistant Policy Director for Energy, Agriculture and the Environment in Governor Kasich’s administration. Prior to his service in the Kasich Administration, Butler served in various positions in the Ohio EPA and is regarded as an innovator and national leader in balancing environmental protection, conservation, public health, and economic development issues. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Environmental Studies from Mansfield University in Pennsylvania and a Master of Science in Environmental Studies from Ohio University.

David G. Lautenschleger began working with MWCD in 2009 and has served as Deputy Chief of Surveying/GIS since 2017.  Lautenschleger is a professionally licensed surveyor in the State of Ohio and certified GIS professional. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in both Surveying & Mapping and in Geography & Cartography from The University of Akron and a master’s degree in Geographic Information Systems from Penn State University. His career has also included time serving as a professor at the University of Akron and as a GIS Manager at Accurate Technologies/R.E. Warner, Inc.

James L. Crandall was appointed Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer of the MWCD by the MWCD Board of Directors in July of 2021. Crandall had previously served as Senior Staff Accountant for MWCD since 2012. A graduate of Kent State University, Crandall majored in business management and accounting. He manages and directs the finances of the MWCD, including planning and preparation of the annual budget, conducting audit functions and related items. Prior to joining MWCD, Crandall worked with a regional accounting firm.

Peter M. Novotny was named Chief of Recreation for the MWCD in February 2024. Novotny is an experienced natural resources leader with a strong background in recruiting and building effective teams and managing wildlife and public engagement efforts. He currently serves as the Assistant Chief of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife and is a recognized national advocate for the use of public lands as the chair of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Hunting and Shooting Sports Participation Committee.

Bradley P. Janssen was named Chief of Natural Resources and Land Management for the MWCD in December 2020, previously serving as Chief of Conservation since 2018. Janssen began with the MWCD in 2015 as the Oil and Gas Operations Coordinator. He has extensive experience in the oil and gas field that spans over 16 years. Most recently, he worked for Ascent Resources and American Energy Partners as a Senior Landman/Land Coordinator of Field Land Operations. Janssen worked for Chesapeake Energy as a Land Manager, Prospect Coordinator, and Senior Land Man. Janssen has also worked for EnerVest Operating, Snyder Brothers, and Advanced Land and Water. Janssen holds a bachelor’s degree in Geology from Denison University and a Certificate of GIS from Pennsylvania State University.

Mary C. Burley was named Director of Human Resources in January 2015. Burley is responsible for overseeing hiring, employee benefits, policies, and safety for the MWCD staff. She began her career with the MWCD in 1997 as Human Resources Coordinator. Burley is a graduate of Florida Southern College with a B.S. degree in personnel administration and marketing. Her career also includes time spent working in human resources management and training at a national bank branch in Dover, Ohio, and the Roscoe Village Foundation in Coshocton, Ohio.

Jonathan C. Mizer was named Chief Counsel in November 2020, after having served as associate counsel since May 2018. Previously, he was a partner with the firm Kyler, Pringle, Lundholm, and Durmann L.P.A in New Philadelphia. His areas of expertise include political subdivision law, real estate, contracts, and litigation.  Mizer holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Prelaw from Cedarville University and earned his Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Akron School of Law. He was a member of the 2009 class of Leadership Tuscarawas and enjoys volunteering for free legal clinics sponsored by Southeastern Ohio Legal Services (SEOLS) and the Tuscarawas County Bar Association.   

Adria L. Bergeron was named Director of Marketing and Communications in November 2020. She began her time with the MWCD in 2014 as the Recreation Marketing Coordinator. Her experience also includes Director of Marketing for New Towne Mall in New Philadelphia, and Director of Marketing for the San Diego Air and Space Museum in San Diego, CA. In her current role, Bergeron is responsible for directing and managing a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy that includes promoting and maintaining the MWCD branding, advertising, and public relations initiatives that utilize various media and strategies such as corporate and other sponsorships to encourage use of MWCD recreational facilities. Bergeron is a graduate of the University of Akron, with a business degree in marketing management.

Matt A. Thomas was named Chief of Conservation in September of 2021 after serving as the Water Quality Coordinator for the MWCD since January 2019. Thomas holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Zoology with an aquatic focus from The Ohio State University. In this position, Thomas manages and directs the conservation, sustainability, and water quality programs within the MWCD. He brings with him over 20 years of experience working on a diverse array of environmental issues within the Great Lakes and throughout Ohio. His career includes serving as the Laboratory Manager for the biological field station, F. T. Stone Laboratory, in Lake Erie and most recently as the Farm Production Manager for the Route 9 Cooperative in Carroll County.