Before she became the Executive Director of TPC in late 2024, Becky was the Lake Michigan Unit Manager for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Office of Great Waters where she managed dozens of environmental restoration projects in partnership with agencies, nonprofits, and private entities at the federal, state, and local level. Beck and her husband Pete, together with her parents, steward a nearly 100-acre farm where they are actively restoring wetlands, meadows, and prairie while also working with Tall Pines to preserve the property.
Prior to joining the DNR in 2019, Becky was a Partner and Senior Engineer for Brendle Group, a Colorado sustainability consulting firm where she led the water and climate practice areas. Prior to that she was Co-Founder and Technical Director for Running Water International, a social enterprise that brings open source water and sanitation technologies to developing countries.
Becky began her career as a Water Resources Engineer for MWH Global (now Stantec). She earned her MBA in Global Social and Sustainable Enterprise from Colorado State University and her undergraduate degree in Environmental Engineering from University of Wisconsin-Platteville.
Becky Fedak
Executive Director
Beth joined Tall Pines in October 2013. A graduate of Carroll College with majors in English-Writing and Communication-Public Relations, she worked for the Waukesha Business Improvement District as Special Events Coordinator for several years. Beth then transitioned into a 13-year marketing career in the private sector. Beth’s background reflects more than 25 years of experience in copywriting for both consumer and business audiences, as well as 20 years of volunteer service in community leadership positions that have included chairing both the city of Waukesha Landmarks Commission and the Waukesha Public Art Committee. She is the current treasurer of the Waukesha Preservation Alliance.
Beth has a lifelong interest in, and has been an advocate for, historic preservation. She believes it is an ideal complement to the protection of our valuable land and water resources.
Beth Hoefer-Jezo
associate director
Beth Hoefer-Jezo joined Tall Pines in October 2013. A graduate of Carroll College with majors in English-Writing and Communication-Public Relations, she worked for the Waukesha Business Improvement District as Special Events Coordinator for several years. Beth then transitioned into a 13-year marketing career in the private sector. Beth’s background reflects more than 25 years of experience in copywriting for both consumer and business audiences, as well as 20 years of volunteer service in community leadership positions that have included chairing both the city of Waukesha Landmarks Commission and the Waukesha Public Art Committee. She is the current treasurer of the Waukesha Preservation Alliance.
Beth has a lifelong interest in, and has been an advocate for, historic preservation. She believes it is an ideal complement to the protection of our valuable land and water resources.
Beth Hoefer-Jezo
Director of outreach &
Development
What is your favorite place to visit in Wisconsin?
It’s a tie between Spring Green and New Glarus/Monroe.
What is your favorite hobby NOT related to land conservation?
College basketball (watching, not playing!)
What do you love most about Wisconsin?
The change of seasons, its wealth of beautiful, diverse terrain and its friendly, generous people.
Paul joined Tall Pines Conservancy in October 2022 as Land Protection Manager, where he leads efforts to expand the organization’s portfolio of protected lands and helps connect local communities with meaningful conservation resources.
Prior to joining Tall Pines, Paul worked in the private sector as an environmental consultant and wetlands specialist, completing permitting and ecological restoration projects throughout the Great Lakes region. He also brings experience working with nonprofit conservation organizations and remains an active member and volunteer with several groups.
Paul is a graduate of Ripon College with a degree in Environmental Science and maintains certification as a Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS).
A year-round outdoorsman, Paul enjoys mountain biking, kayaking, backpacking, and exploring Wisconsin’s diverse landscapes. He also maintains a collection of antique vehicles and spends his free time with his partner, Katie, their two cats, Selma and Pepita, and their dog, Pota, at their home in East Troy.
Paul Meuer
land protection manager
What is your favorite place to visit in Wisconsin?
It’s a tie between Spring Green and New Glarus/Monroe.
What is your favorite hobby NOT related to land conservation?
College basketball (watching, not playing!)
What do you love most about Wisconsin?
The change of seasons, its wealth of beautiful, diverse terrain and its friendly, generous people.
Jessica first joined Tall Pines Conservancy in the summer of 2024 as a WisCorps member, dividing her time between Tall Pines and our neighboring land trust, the Waukesha County Land Conservancy. She now serves as our full-time Stewardship Coordinator, where she leads restoration initiatives, coordinates educational and outreach programming, and oversees volunteer stewardship efforts.
A Waukesha County native, Jessica has enjoyed the outdoors from a young age. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh in 2022 with a degree in Environmental Studies, solidifying her desire to pursue a career in conservation. Following graduation, she served in the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) program of AmeriCorps, where she discovered her passion for community-based service and supporting nonprofit organizations across the country.
Jessica Mysliwski
stewardship coordinator
What is your favorite place to visit in Wisconsin?
It’s a tie between Spring Green and New Glarus/Monroe.
What is your favorite hobby NOT related to land conservation?
College basketball (watching, not playing!)
What do you love most about Wisconsin?
The change of seasons, its wealth of beautiful, diverse terrain and its friendly, generous people.
Tom has spent his entire career working in Water Pollution Control. For the past 43 years he has been involved in research and development, and industrial and municipal plant operations and management. He holds a Certificate in Water and Wastewater Utility Management from Michigan State University and has been a Licensed Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator in the State of Wisconsin since 1982.
He retired from the City of Oconomowoc in 2018 and now works part time for Tall Pines Conservancy, managing the Oconomowoc Watershed Protection Program (OWPP). He is also still involved in plant operations when needed in a relief operator capacity.
Tom is also a Conservator, restoring ID Plates for the vintage farm tractor community across the US and Canada. In his spare time, Tom continues to canoe and fish the rivers and lakes of the state, plays percussion in a praise band and drives his own vintage tractors in parades.
Tom Steinbach
Oconomowoc Watershed Operations Advisor
Erik guides the City’s Adaptive Management Program, which focuses on phosphorus reduction within the Oconomowoc River watershed. A Waukesha County native, Erik has been an avid user and steward of the waters throughout Lake Country for much of his life.
He attended the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, earning a degree in Soils and Land Use Management. In recent years, he has obtained both his Wisconsin and Illinois Certified Crop Advisor certifications. Prior to his current role, Erik worked as an agricultural consultant, developing Nutrient Management Plans and conducting soil sampling throughout southern Wisconsin and northwest Illinois.
Erik’s technical background and passion for improving water quality in our local waterways greatly support OWPP’s efforts to meet water quality goals through strategic farmland, stream, and lake projects across the Oconomowoc River basin.
Erik Joost
Oconomowoc Watershed Protection Program manager
