AMY TROTTER
Amy Trotter is the executive director for MUCC, the nation’s largest, most effective state-based conservation organization. Having served in this role since December 2018, Amy has been serving as Deputy Director since 2015 and on MUCC staff since 2007. She is responsible for carrying out the strategic objectives of the organization in all its phases: policy/program; outreach/education; communications; administrative and fundraising. Trotter provides staff leadership and development opportunities for up to 12 full-time staff and oversees the business operations, works with the MUCC Executive and Conservation Policy Boards and leads the annual budget development (~$1.4 million operating budget).
Amy is best known for her role in advocacy on behalf of MUCC's grassroots members and conservationists in Michigan. Since 2007, she has worked to advance the organization’s policy agenda within the Michigan Legislature and Michigan Natural Resources Commission. She is a registered lobbyist agent in the State of Michigan and assists in tracking and engaging in discussions on more than 70 legislative bills each session. Her other responsibilities have included grant management and oversight for more than $600k in active grants and agreements each year, including applying for new opportunities, tracking and reporting on grant-funded activities.
Prior to joining MUCC in 2007, Amy was a consultant for natural resources at Public Sector Consultants, a non-partisan, public policy research firm in Lansing.
Trotter earned a Bachelor of Science from Michigan State University at Lyman Briggs School-Environmental Science and Management and an additional Bachelor of Science in resource development-environmental studies and applications. She also completed the Natural Resources Leadership Project and the Michigan Society of Association Executives’ Academy of Association Management.
Trotter is from Cheboygan, Michigan and resides in Haslett with her husband Marc and two daughters. She enjoys spending time with her family in the outdoors, including camping, panfish fishing, waterfowl hunting and is dabbling in native plants and perennial gardening. She is also a longtime member and volunteer for Ducks Unlimited.
atrotter@mucc.org 517-346-6484
KIRK RILEY
Deputy Director
At MUCC, Kirk helps guide the future of the organization, including strategic planning, budget management and partnership development. He assists the Executive Director in donor development and engagement, and works with program and education staff in grant research and applications. He helps ensure that MUCC achieves its conservation mission and goals through sound financial management and reporting.
Prior to joining MUCC in 2019, Kirk served as executive director of the Lansing-based Information Technology Empowerment Center, focused on providing STEM educational opportunities to at-risk youth from 2007 to 2018. From 1994 to 2006, he managed an environmental engineering outreach program at Michigan State that provided assistance to communities with serious pollution problems.
Kirk holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Lyman Briggs College and a Master's in Environmental Policy and Economics, both from Michigan State University.
Kirk lives in Haslett with his wife Katie, and he is the father of two sons. Their family includes an Australian Shepherd rescue named Ruby, and they enjoy camping, hiking and kayaking. Kirk and his family proudly cheer on Michigan and Michigan State in their house divided.
Kirk serves on the following committees and councils:
- Teach, Talent, Thrive (T3), Capital Area Michigan Works, Lansing, MI.
- Coalition for College and Career Readiness, Lansing Community College.
- Computer Information Technologies (CIT) Advisory Committee, Lansing Community College.
kriley@mucc.org 517-346-6475
SHAUN MCKEON
Shaun joined the MUCC team in February of 2013, coming on board as the Camp Director and Environmental Educator. In the Fall of 2013, Shaun took over responsibilities as the editor of TRACKS Magazine. In 2016, Shaun took over duties for all education and field programs. He currently supervises the On the Ground, On the Water and AmeriCorps programs working on habitat improvement as well as the Michigan Out-of-Doors Youth Camp, TRACKS Magazine and Outreach programs.
Shaun graduated from Lake Superior State University in 2011 with multiple degrees. They include a bachelors degree in Parks and Recreation, a bachelors degree in History, and an associates degree in Natural Resources Technology. In 2016, he also completed a masters degree in Conservation Education from Michigan State University.
Before joining MUCC, Shaun completed a 1-year term of service to America, serving as an Americorps member in Central Pennsylvania. He also has a background in community recreation, serving in various roles from Metro-Detroit to the Upper Peninsula.
When not working on habitat or education projects, Shaun enjoys chasing Waterfowl throughout the streams, marshes and Great Lakes of Michigan. As well as fishing and rustic camping. He can also be found cheering on the Lions, Tigers, and Maple Leafs!
smckeon@mucc.org 517-346-6466
MAX BASS
Youth Camp Director/ Educator
Max joined the MUCC team in November of 2018 as our Camp Director and Environmental Educator. He comes to us from New York and graduated from the University at Buffalo in 2016 with a Degree in Environmental Studies, focused on Resources Management.
Previously Max has spent seven summers working at an Environmental Education Camp in the Catskill Mountains, the last three as the Camp Director. Max has also spent two school years in New York working with Kindergarteners all the way to Adults as an environmental educator, focusing on various ecology, team building, ropes courses, and Maple Sugaring.
When not working Max enjoys spending his time outside, whether it be hiking, fishing, camping or playing Disc Golf.
mbass@mucc.org 517-346-6462
SUE PRIDE
Sue is one of the most dedicated workers on the staff; she has been with MUCC for over 31 years. Her two main job responsibilities are member relations and coordinator for TRACKS Magazine. As head of member relations, Sue maintains the MUCC database, including address changes, phone numbers, email addresses for all members, donors and other contacts. She also does the data entry for calendars, raffles, donations, renewals for individual club members and individual magazine subscriptions for club members. If that is not enough she also reports to the financial manager and sends out purchase order statements for those who have bought merchandise, TRACKS orders, membership, etc. As TRACKS Coordinator; Sue coordinates annual TRACKS renewal letters, contacts clubs about TRACKS sponsorships, enters TRACKS membership for individuals and schools and sends out TRACKS gift cards.
While at MUCC Sue has made phone calls from club members and customers more pleasant, personable and helpful. She has also increased interest in TRACKS Magazine. Sue is a mother of two children, Melissa and Chad, and a grandmother of 4 grandchildren who are the sunshine of her life. Outside of MUCC Sue loves gardening, warm summers and enjoying the pool with family.
spride@mucc.org 517-346-6480
NICK GREEN
Public Information Officer and Editor of Michigan Out-of-Doors
Nick joined MUCC in June 2017. He previously worked as a staff reporter at Cadillac News, where he covered Cadillac Area Public Schools, the area's natural resources and court cases. He is a graduate of Central Michigan University and holds a bachelor's degree in journalism, with a focus in news-editorial, and a minor in media, design, production and technology.
ngreen@mucc.org 517-346-6486
IAN FITZGERALD
Policy and Special Events Assistant
JOE DEWAN
Huron Pines AmeriCorps
Joe started with MUCC in January of 2020 as the Huron Pines AmeriCorps member. He is a local to the Mid Michigan area growing up in East Lansing. He graduated from Michigan State University in May of 2019 with a degree in Environmental Studies and Sustainability. Outside of the classroom, he was active with student organizations that promoted getting young people outside on camping, paddling and backpacking trips. Upon graduation from MSU, he was a member of the 2019 cohort of Demmer Scholars in which he spent a summer interning at the Trout Unlimited national office in Arlington Virginia. Outside of work, Joe enjoys paddling, fishing, backpacking, and trail running.
americorps@mucc.org
MAKHAYLA LABUTTE
Habitat Volunteer Coordinator
Makhayla joined the MUCC team in May of 2019 as our Habitat Volunteer Coordinator. She comes to us from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Makhayla graduated from Lake Superior State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Conservation Biology, with a concentration in Human Dimensions. In her undergraduate thesis research, she analyzed the influence of ground cover type and structure on Kirtland’s Warbler habitat selection in the Hiawatha National Forest. In the future, Makhayla aspires to continue her education and pursue a graduate degree in natural resources.
Previously, Makhayla held positions with the MDNR Wildlife Division, MDNR Parks and Recreation Division and the U.S. Forest Service. She has experienced many different dimensions of the conservation field and is now looking forward to engaging MUCC members and volunteers throughout Michigan in their outdoor heritage.
Outside of MUCC, Makhayla enjoys hiking, kayaking, outdoor photography, reading and rooting for the Detroit Tigers.
mlabutte@mucc.org 517-346-6456
EMMA NEHAN
On The Water Coordinator
Emma joined the MUCC team in July 2019 as our On the Water Coordinator. Born and raised in Troy, Michigan Emma grew up camping in Michigan and Canada with her family. Emma graduated from Lake Superior State University with a bachelor’s in Conservation Biology and an associate’s in Natural Resources Technology in 2015. After that Emma gained experience at American Conservation Experience, North Dakota State Parks, The Nature Conservancy, and at Arizona Conservation Corps.
In her spare time, Emma likes to backpack, hike, camp, listen to podcasts and practice yoga.
enehan@mucc.org 517-346-6463
L. SCHULTZ
Digital Media Coordinator
lschultz@mucc.org 517-346-6483