The Branch County Conservation District is governed by a locally elected, five-member Board of Directors. The Directors make decisions regarding the District’s programs and activities and hire qualified staff.
Meet the Board:
Chair-Art Doner (2021-Present)
Art Doner is a former Fortune 500 Executive with a wide range of expertise in strategic planning, business development, customer service and operations. During his extensive career, he served in progressive leadership roles leading to Senior Vice President positions at two separate national financial services organizations. He provided services to Fortune 100 companies, nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and high net worth individuals. Art also held positions as an Independent Management Consultant and Chief Financial Officer at a privately held organization. Born in Detroit, Michigan, Art earned a Bachelor’s degree in Corporate Finance from Wayne State University and graduated Suma Cum Laude with a Master’s degree in Management from Walsh College. He has served on different boards including roles as Chairman of the Adrian Area Chamber of Commerce and current Chairman of the Branch County Conservation District. Art currently lives with his wife in Bronson, Michigan. Their son lives in Indiana and their daughter resides in Utah. Art enjoys golfing, boating, fishing, and spending time with his family.
Treasurer-William Wolf (2022 – Present)
Bill, younger generation, was born on the farm which has been in his family since 1836, where he currently resides today with his wife Jeanna and their daughter JessieLee. The Wolfs have been involved with the MAEAP program since its inception. Together, the family has been involved with cattle, horses, rabbits, chickens, and many more if JessieLee had her way! Bill has worked in Coldwater manufacturing his entire career. As a family, they are heavily involved in the property leasing industry. When not enjoying the farm life, the family can be found on the North Chain of Lakes here in Coldwater.
Director-Marty Gruner (2024-present)
Director-Chantal Paxton (2023-present)
Chantal Paxton found her love for agriculture and rural life right here in Branch County. She grew up raising farm animals, gardening, and helping with the crops on her grandparents’ Centennial Farm. Chantal pursued her degree in Agricultural and Natural Resource Communications from Michigan State University. While at Michigan State University she was a charter member for the Sigma Alpha agricultural Sorority, where she along with a committee spent numerous hours writing bylaws and creating the structure of the organization that is still in place. She later sat on the National Board of Directors for Sigma Alpha and spent a short term as an Advisor for the MSU chapter. Chantal participated in Block and Bridle, ANRE Marketing Team, and was a Student Ambassador for the College of Agriculture. She worked for both the State and National FFA organization while in college. Post college she worked for garden centers, retail stores, food handling, ag and tourism print newspapers and magazines. She has managed sales territories, public relations, and marketing strategies. Along the way, Chantal broke away from the corporate world and launched into the Independent Sales realm. She currently owns PaxRun Seeds LLC, where she consults with farmers on corn, soybean, wheat, alfalfa, grass mixes, and other cover crops. Recently she added crop micronutrients and tank mixes. She has simultaneously owned and operated a Laundromat, Commercial Real Estate Rental Property, and designed/sold her own jewelry and other accessories. Chantal is married to James Paxton who is a retired Navy veteran who started his second career teaching Aviation at a Career Tech school. They have 4 children. Along the way she has volunteered at church and was a Sunday School Teacher, Girl Scouts, Cub and Boy Scouts, along with many other activities in which her children participated. She currently sits on the following Boards: Branch Intermediate School District, MAEP, and the Algansee Township Board.
Associate Director-Charity Krueger (2019-present)
Charity Krueger served as the Executive Director for the National Audubon Society’s Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm, near Dayton Ohio for 33 years. Under Charity’s leadership, many national, international, and regional education/conservation initiatives were implemented. Currently Charity is retired and a part-time farmer in Reading Township, Michigan. Charity has been a board member for Kimball YMCA Camp since 2021. She has served since 2019 as an Associate Board Member for the Branch County Conservation District since as a conservationist and expert in non-profit management she has expertise that may benefit BCCD. She is also a member of the Association Nature Center Administrators. Charity graduated from the University of Michigan with a Master of Science - Natural Resources.