GLPTI Board Members

Deputy Director of Operations, Indiana State Parks

Brandt has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science and Government from Ball State University and has 32 years of experience in Operations, Budget/Finance, Project Management, HR, Capital, and Infrastructure. He feels very fortunate to have worked for Indiana State Parks continuously since his summers as a college lifeguard.

Superintendent of Parks, Independence Township Parks and Recreation, Michigan

Larry has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from Saginaw Valley State University as well as AFO and CPSI certifications. He has been in the field of parks and recreation for over 20 years. Under his leadership, Independence Township Parks and Recreation department has been CAPRA accreditation since 2016. He is also a member of the MParks Park Resource Committee and received the Park Resource Leadership Award in 2018.

Eastern District Interpretive Services Supervisor, Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority, Michigan

Erin has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Applied Ecology and Environmental Science from Michigan Technological University and a Master of Science Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She has been in the field of parks and recreation for twenty-one years and her areas of expertise include Interpretation, Environmental Education, Nature Play, and Nature Education. Erin loves connecting people of all ages to nature in whatever capacity best meets their needs.

North Region Manager, Indiana State Parks

Mickey holds multiple degrees, including a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Purdue, Certified Public Manager from Ball State, a Masters Degree in Public Affairs from IUPUI and a JD from Indiana University’s McKinney Law School. He has been in the parks and recreation field for ten years and his area of expertise is Park Operations. Mickey believes that outdoor recreation is at the core of a healthy society.

Superintendent of Parks and Planning, Wilmette Park District, Illinois

Kristi has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Illinois State University and has been in the parks and recreation profession for fifteen years. Her areas of interest and expertise include Trees, Alternative Fuels, and Organic Products. In 2019, she became the first woman to receive the Midwest Institute of Park Executives (MIPE) Park Professional of the Year.

Layne Elliott works to advance parks, trails, open space, and recreation to improve the quality of life, health, economic opportunities, and conservation values for every community. He joined the Eppley Center for Parks and Public Lands in 2016 after receiving a Masters Degree in Park and Public Lands Management from Indiana University, having graduated from IU with a Bachelor’s in Sports Marketing and Management in 1991. has professional experience with park master and strategic planning, trails research, and educational design on a wide variety of topics including park and tourism planning, a training program for USA Softball, park safety recreational sports programming, and interpretation.

Kelli Market is the Assistant Director for Fiscal and Administrative Operations. She began working with the Eppley Center for Parks and Public Lands in 1998 and has experience in annual budgeting and the financial aspect of partner collaboration. Kelli’s responsibilities at Eppley include handling of all budget matters including oversight of all project and internal accounts, including communication and coordination between the Institute Director, campus administrators and Institute partners. She also serves as part of Eppley’s proposal submissions and agreements team and coordinates all functions of the Institute’s administrative team.

Stephen A. Wolter, executive director of the Eppley Center for Parks and Public Lands at Indiana University, has extensive experience as a leader, manager, teacher, and executive in the park, recreation, public lands fields. He has worked at the highest levels of parks agencies nationally, as well as with state and local agencies.  Originating numerous agency strategy best practices, competency frameworks, and agency capability models for the park, recreation, and public lands field, including international certification programs, Wolter offers Eppley Center clients a passionate advocate for parks, public lands, facilities, services, and programs that serve all people. His 40 years of experience in facilities management, regional planning, sports, and tourism make him uniquely qualified to assist organizations in developing and meeting their strategic aspirations.