FOP2 BOARD MEMBERS
UNPAID VOLUNTEERS
Greg Genz – President
Steve Buege – Vice President
Fred Kreider - Treasurer
Emily Evans – Secretary
Linda Michie – Executive Director, Fundraising and Grant Coordinator
Alyssa Stadtler – Executive Administrative Assistant
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
STAFF
Angel Binner – Board Member
Amanda Drigans – Board Member
Charlie Evans – Board Member
Caitlin Monette – Board Member
Ex Officio Board Members: Kevin ChapdeLaine and Rae Neisen
Greg Genz
President
Greg has a 40-year history of involvement with all aspects of Pool 2, focusing primarily on commercial river interests. He is currently acting as Communications Manager on behalf of the Contractor for a $70 million rehabilitation project of Lock and Dam #3. He is also the owner of Kaposia Marine Service, a marine consulting firm serving river-related businesses and local communities. He has been a fixture in the local shipping, transportation and river-related construction industries. Greg is a past member of the Riverfront Planning Committee for the city of South St. Paul, MN, and is currently involved the Vice President and Executive Committee member of the Upper Mississippi Waterway Association. He is also a member of the Citizens Advisory Committe for the Lower Minnesota River Watershed District and the Lower Mississippi Watershed Management Organization.
Steve Buege
Vice President
Steve, his wife Paula and their two children have been recreational boaters for many years. They split their time between downtown Minneapolis, where Steve is General Manager for Code42 Software, and their weekend home in Cottage Grove on the Mississippi. They've had cabin cruisers on the St. Croix River, Mississippi River and even in Marina del Rey on the Pacific where they also lived for six years. Steve has been a member of the St. Croix Yacht Club, the California Yacht Club, and has led volunteer river clean-up projects on the Mississippi with his work colleagues.
Steve's professional background is business leadership having been a three-time CEO, a COO and CTO of various software and technology firms, including over 20 years with Thomson Reuters / West Publishing in Minnesota and California. He has an MBA from the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management and has served as director on several for-profit and non-profit boards over the years.
Fred Kreider
Treasurer
Fred Kreider brings a valuable combination of financial expertise, analytical thinking, and natural curiosity to his role as Treasurer of Friends of Pool 2. As a recent addition to the Board of Directors, Fred contributes his professional background in finance, taxation, and accounting to support responsible financial management, organizational compliance, and long-term sustainability.
​
Fred's curiosity about the world around him and his appreciation for our natural resources drew him to the mission of Friends of Pool 2. He recognizes the importance of community-driven efforts to protect and improve the Mississippi River and is enthusiastic about contributing his professional talents to that work.
​
Through his attention to detail, financial stewardship, and commitment to transparency, Fred helps ensure that Friends of Pool 2 remains well-positioned to advance its mission and make a lasting impact on the communities it serves.
Emily Evans
Secretary
Describe the team member here. Write a brief description of their role and responsibilities, or a short bio with a background summary.
.jpeg)
Angel Binner
Born and raised in Minnesota, Angel Binner graduated from Roseville High School, then attended Maine Maritime Academy where she graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor's degree in Marine Transportation and 100/200 ton inland and near coastal boat licenses. She began working for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 2005 on the Dredge Thompson/Goetz as a deckhand. In 2013, Angel was offered a position at Lock and Dam #1 in Minneapolis/St. Paul. She worked there for 2 years, then transferred to Lock and Dam #2, where she is currently employed as Lock Operator.
Please note that Ms. Binner serves on the Board of Directors as a private citizen, not an official representative of the Corps of Engineers. Her personal focus is on river safety, and more specifically lock safety.
.jpeg)
Amanda Drigans
Amanda graduated from the University of Wisconsin in River Falls, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Field Biology with a Minor in Conservation. She has worked as a Wildlife Rehabilitation Intern in Wisconsin, as well as a Field Biology Technician for the MN DNR. Her college coursework in areas such as hydrology, soil and water conservation, forestry restoration and management will be a useful resource for Friends of Pool 2.
She has lived alongside Pool 2 her entire life, and has always been deeply invested in the river and in keeping it a clean and functioning ecosystem. She finds that water quality, flow, and erosion are all very dynamic and interesting factors that highlight the uniqueness of the Mississippi River. Amanda believes that the river has directly influenced her life by showing her how important and interesting nature is. She is also a recreational user of the River in many different ways, including fishing, kayaking, water skiing, and photography.
Charlie Evans
Born and raised in St. Paul, MN near the shores of Pool 2, Charlie grew up exploring that shoreline from Meeker Island in the north to South Hidden Falls Park.
.jpeg)
Cait Monette
Growing up along the banks of Pool 2, Cait developed an appreciation for rivers (and all bodies of water) at an early age. She has been an active camper, recreational boater and fisherwoman for the last thirty years. More recently, she has been introduced to wakeboarding and hunting in the waters of Pool 2. Cait is passionate about supporting people's knowledge of waterways and fostering relationships with the outdoors. She looks forward to further engaging with the local community to keep Pool 2 healthy and accessible for generations to come.
Linda Michie
Executive Director
Linda Michie has been a dedicated and longstanding member of Friends of Pool 2, bringing together her professional experience, personal passion, and deep-rooted connection to the Mississippi River. Having lived along Pool 2 for much of her life, Linda understands the river's unique character, its importance to surrounding communities, and the responsibility we share in protecting it.
​
Her commitment to the river extends beyond her work with the organization. Through years of firsthand experience, she has passed down her knowledge, appreciation, and respect for the river to her children, helping preserve a meaningful connection across generations.
​
As Executive Director, Linda continues to champion Friends of Pool 2's mission, supporting initiatives that promote river safety, education, stewardship, and community engagement. Her dedication reflects a lifelong belief that protecting our waterways today ensures they can be enjoyed and appreciated for generations to come.
Alyssa Stadtler
Executive Administrative Assistant
Alyssa Stadtler brings a diverse professional background in public safety, healthcare leadership, educational development, and program management to her role with Friends of Pool 2. Originally joining the organization to provide administrative support, Alyssa has expanded her contributions to include organizational development, process improvement, fundraising, marketing, and community outreach.
​
With a focus on creating efficient workflows, streamlining operations, and strengthening organizational consistency, Alyssa helps build the structure and resources needed to support Friends of Pool 2's continued growth. Her experience coordinating complex programs and initiatives brings a valuable perspective to the organization's efforts to expand its reach and impact.
​
Having grown up along the Mississippi River, Alyssa's commitment to Friends of Pool 2 is also deeply personal. She understands the importance of passing along river knowledge, promoting water safety, and encouraging the next generation to become responsible stewards of our waterways. Through her work, Alyssa hopes to help create opportunities for families and communities to learn, connect, and safely enjoy the river for years to come.
Kevin Chapdelaine
Founding Member
Kevin Chapdelaine is the founding member of Friends of Pool 2 and a longtime advocate for the Mississippi River and the communities that surround it. As a resident of Pool 2 and an active member of the river community, Kevin has witnessed firsthand both the beauty of this natural resource and the challenges it faces.
​
Recognizing a need for greater advocacy, collaboration, and meaningful action, Kevin took the initiative to establish Friends of Pool 2. His vision was rooted in a simple but powerful belief: protecting and improving the river requires people who are willing to come together, speak up, and make a difference.
​
Kevin's passion for the river continues to inspire the organization's work. His leadership and commitment to community involvement have helped build a foundation for initiatives focused on safety, education, accessibility, and environmental stewardship. As a founding member, Kevin remains a strong advocate for preserving the river as a valuable resource for current and future generations.
Rae Neisen
Founding Member
A long time river denizen, Rae lived and boated on Pool 2 for over 30 years.