The Lake Association Leadership Committee strengthens the civic infrastructure of lake associations by uniting advocates and aligning their efforts with MLR’s mission. The committee works to build lake association capacity and create more direct communication and advocacy networks among lake associations and MLR.
Steve Corbin
Lake: Detroit Lakes (Becker County)
Affiliation: Fox Lake Association – Lake Steward Shoreline Evaluator
Connection to Lakes:
Dr. Stephen Corbin has been a career public health professional, working globally for over 40 years. His love for Minnesota lakes began in childhood. In 1966, he led his family to acquire a lake lot on Detroit Lakes, where they built a family cottage. This cottage has been enjoyed by five generations. Steve is an enthusiastic participant in the Lake Steward Program.
Erika Gilsdorf
Lake: Pelican Lake (Otter Tail County)
Affiliation: Pelican Lake Property Owners Association (PLPOA)
Email: egilsdorf@leighton.media
Connection to Lakes:
Erika’s family has been on Pelican Lake for five generations. She is dedicated to protecting the lake so future generations can continue to enjoy it, and the fish, loons, and wildlife can continue to thrive.
Richard ‘Dick’ Weber
Lake: Big Pine Lake (Aitkin County)
Affiliation: Big Pine Lake Property Owners Association (BPL POA)
Email: raweber200@gmail.com
Phone: 404-983-7864
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Connection to Lakes:
Dick believes that owning waterfront property is a unique privilege afforded to a finite few and comes with a high responsibility to preserve and protect it. “Enough said.”
Bob Karls
Lake: Cedar Lake (Aitkin and Crow Wing Counties)
Affiliation: Cedar Lake Conservancy (Board Member) Northern Waters Land Trust (Board Chair)
Email: bkarls58@gmail.com
Connection to Lakes:
Bob’s passion for “Cabin World” is best summarized in his 2021 Star Tribune article “Our first cabin would have fit inside one-third of one floor of our second cabin, which we’ve been in since 2004. Our first cabin was seasonal with a wood stove and a water well that hibernated for seven months of the year (in the Aitkin area.) The cabin is a gathering place for friends, family and extended family members. A place to meet, to renew, to grow old together while sharing the most precious of gifts: time.”
Susan Henken-Thielen
Lake: Washburn
Affiliation: Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates – President
Connection to Lakes:
Sue believes that Minnesota’s lakes are the state’s greatest resource, vital for their beauty, recreational value, and economic importance. She is dedicated to protecting them for today and for future generations to enjoy.
Bob Noll
Lake: Lake Ossawinnamakee
Affiliation: Lake Ossawinnamakee Property Owners Assn (LOPOA) – President
Bernie Steeves
Lake: Otter Tail River North
Affiliation: Otter Tail Lake Property Owners Association (OTLPOA)
Patrick Murphy
Lake: Long Lake, Aitkin County
Affiliation: Aitkin County Lakes and Rivers Association
Mark Backes
Lake: Big Fish Lake
Affiliation: Big Fish Lake Association
Michael Blehert
Lake: Big Marine Lake
Affiliation: Big Marine Lake Association
Jim Seidl
Lake: Square Lake
Affiliation: Square Lake Association