The Clean Water Council selected a new Chair and Vice-Chair in January, and they took up their role at the Council's February 28th meeting. John Barten and Jen Kader replace Frank Jewell and Todd Renville. The Council thanks Jewell and Renville for their years of leadership within the Council!

John Barten (Chair) represents nonprofit organizations focused on the improvement of Minnesota lakes and streams on the Council. Barten, of Delano, has worked as a natural resources manager in Minnesota for over 35 years. Barten’s focus has been on lake water quality. For the past 26 years, Barten worked for the Three Rivers Park District and retired as the Director of Natural Resources. His responsibilities included the management of 20 lakes, nine swimming beaches, 56 potable water wells, thousands of wetlands, and over 10 miles of streams. He currently serves on University of Minnesota’s Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center Advisory Board. Barten has worked as a limnologist for the city of Waseca and served as a Water Quality Specialist for the Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District in Farmington. Through his leadership and collaboration with municipalities and watershed management organizations, he assisted in the adoption of statewide phosphorus fertilizer legislation.

Jen Kader (Vice Chair) represents environmental organizations on the Council and is Director for Engagement and Systems Change at Freshwater in St. Paul. Her work involves strategic and collaborative planning efforts for the purpose of improving surface water quality, ensuring safe and reliable groundwater for future generations, increasing climate resilience of our natural and built water systems, and enhancing the governance of water at state and local levels.