Board of Directors

The IRWP is intentionally structured to involve a wide diversity of entities, and thus a diversity of opinions and motivations. Our Board of Directors is compromised of 3 members in each of the following 6 categories: Agriculture, Business, Conservation, Construction, Government and Technical, Research and Education. Additionally, there are between 3 and 13 other members in an At-Large category, designed to give our Board flexibility in growth as well as to maintain its diversity and balance. By encompassing such a broad spectrum of society, we hope to develop solutions that are ultimately sustainable.

Board of Directors 2010-2011

Robyn Reed
Tracie Ashley           
Marilyn Edwards
Jennifer Michaels                                   
Terry Rakes
Steve Randall
Larry Adair
Jonathan Barnett
Jerry Hunton
Uvalde Lindsey
Mark Simmons
Roger McDaniel
Gene Pharr
Jay Hale
Jennifer Michaels
Evan Teague
Dan Douglas
Scott VanLaningham
Hunter Haynes
Sam Goade
Karen McSpadden
John Sampier
Tim Snell
Scott Carney
Dan Douglas
Jimmy Mardis
Josh Payne
Jackie Smith                          

The Illinois River Watershed Partnership is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to the health and vitality of Illinois River. What separates this partnership from the other environmentally minded organizations is our method – a uniquely holistic approach to addressing the needs of the Illinois River.

The concept for the IRWP began with 9 individuals from Northwest Arkansas who recognized that true progress for the Illinois River would necessitate a cooperative effort from the various stakeholders and entities in the watershed. To this end, these individuals formed a steering committee and hosted an Upper Illinois River Summit in September of 2005. They invited key stakeholders and decision-makers to the Summit with the goal of creating an effective watershed partnership and developing a management plan that would address the challenges of rapid development, expanding infrastructure needs and degrading ecological Illinois River watershed. Delegates to the Summit voted unanimously to establish the IRWP, which was officially formed on December 15, 2005.