Staff
Gerald Johnson, Supervisor
Jerry Johnson started as East Metro supervisor in June of 2007. Jerry grew up in Maplewood, Minnesota and now lives in Cottage Grove. Prior to being appointed area supervisor, Mr. Johnson worked as the federal aid coordinator for the Division of Fish and Wildlife.
Jerry started with the department as a college intern here in the metro fisheries office in 1978. After graduation from Mankato State University, Jerry worked as a Natural Resource Technician in the research unit in Brainerd, at Hutchinson, and in the metro office, and in the central office assisting the program staff. Jerry moved up to head the aquatic plant management program in the metro area before being selected as the metro region special projects coordinator.
Jeff Gorton, Assistant Area Supervisor
Jeff is a 35+ year veteran of the section of fisheries and is a graduate of the University of Minnesota. He started with the then Department of Conservation in 1969 as a summer intern while a student at the University of Minnesota. During Jeff's career, he has worked at Grand Marais, Aitkin, Ortonville, Brainerd and Montrose before moving to the East Metro Area Fisheries in 1976.
In addition to serving as assistant area manager, Jeff's primary duties include developing and conducting angler creel surveys in the area, coordination of inter-area activities, liaison to commercial fisherman and licensed fish farmers, coordinating special sampling on experimental and special regulation lakes, as well as filling in when needed on other area projects.
Donn Schrader, Hatchery Supervisor
Donn started with the DNR as a creel clerk. He has worked as a field technician in the metro area and as a hatchery technician in Lanesboro, MN before being appointed hatchery supervisor at the St. Paul Hatchery. Donn's duties include overseeing the hatching and distribution of walleye fry, the hatching and rearing of muskellunge and hybrid muskie, as well as the rearing of channel catfish. In addition to his hatchery duties, Donn is responsible for the preparation and operation of the state fair fish exhibit, one of the most popular exhibits at the annual event. Donn has a fisheries degree from the University of Minnesota.
Joel Stiras, Fisheries Specialist
Joel grew up in Brooklyn Park and obtained a degree from Bemidji State University. While in college, Joel worked as an intern at the fisheries office in Walker, Mn. After graduation, Joel gained fisheries management experience in Florida, Indiana and North Carolina before returning to Minnesota as a member of the Central Region Aquatic Plant Management staff. Joel is responsible for monitoring the fish populations of the area's major rivers and assisting in operation of the cool water hatchery.
Rod Ramsell, Fisheries Specialist
Rodney, an Iowa native, is a graduate of the University of Minnesota. Rod's primary responsibility is coordinating and maintaining the records of the fish rearing activities in the area. Rod started with the DNR in the hatchery system, and has also worked as a statewide lake mapping specialist and as a fisheries specialist in Spicer, MN and at the West Metro Area Fisheries office.
Shane McBride, Fisheries Specialist
Shane, a graduate of the University of Minnesota, started his career at the Lanesboro Area Fisheries Office. He has also worked at the West Metro Area Fisheries office before coming to work in the east side of the metro area in 2001. Shane is responsible for developing the lake survey schedule for area lakes and submitting the area reports to the statewide database.
Rick Walsh, Fisheries Specialist
Rick is part of the Fishing in the Neighborhood Program. Click here for more info about Rick.
Jim Levitt, Fisheries Specialist
Jim is part of the Fishing in the Neighborhood Program, and is currently on extended leave. Click here for more info about Jim.
T.J. Debates, Fisheries Specialist
T.J. transferred to the east metro office from the west metro office in May of 2007. T.J. replaces Jim Levitt on the Fishing in the Neighborhood Staff while Jim is on leave. Click here for more info about T.J..
David Gilbraith, Fisheries Technician
David is the newest member of the East Metro Area Fisheries management team. A native of Fargo, ND, Dave has a Masters degree from South Dakota State University. Prior to coming to East Metro Area Fisheries, David worked at the West Metro Area Fisheries office and at the French River Coldwater Hatchery near Duluth. Dave is responsible for monitoring winter oxygen levels and for obtaining and maintaining the area's equipment needs.
James Stone, Fisheries Technician
James, a native of Big Lake, Minnesota, started working as a seasonal technician at the East Metro Fisheries office in April of 2006. A graduate of North Dakota State University, James started his DNR career as an employee of the Minnesota Conservation Corps. James has worked as a creel clerk at Baudette interviewing anglers on the Rainy River, as a creel clerk in the Aitkin office assisting in the Mille Lacs walleye tagging study, as a creel clerk and laborer in the French river office, and as a laborer in Park Rapids.
James will be helping out in the hatchery in the spring, assisting in lake survey and population assessments in the summer, and with walleye harvest in the fall.
Princess Moss, Office Administration Specialist
Princess, a graduate of Minneapolis Southwest High School and Minneapolis Community Technical College, came to the East Metro office from thw DNR office in Eden Prairie. In addition to DNR, Princess has worked for the Pollution Control Agency and Rehabilitation Services in the Department of Economic Development.
Ms. Moss responsibilities include answering the phone and greeting visitors, monitoring the area budget, coding bills for payment, and the handling of incoming and outgoing mail.
