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Ron Lutz II: Professional Resume & Portfolio

  • Writer: LutzR2
    LutzR2
  • Jul 3, 2024
  • 5 min read

Updated: Feb 22

Diverse & creative skills with depth of experiences
Ron, Lutz, II, artist, photographer, writer,
A self portrait taken near my hometown in the summer of 2017. As a youth I began to visit this dock at night whenever I felt the need to contemplate life.

Sauk Prairie Conservation Alliance 09/2024 to Present

Executive Director

In August of 2024 I had the absolute honor of taking the helm of the Sauk Prairie Conservation Alliance as their new Executive Director. This tiny nonprofit focuses on the restoration and healing of the landscape located on the grounds of the former Badger Army Ammunition Plant. On this large property are a few, small remnants of the ancient Sauk Prairie that once grew on this glacial outwash plain.

My efforts to date have been establishing consistent social media, and our membership communications. Promotion of our mission, as well as those of related conservation organizations, is also my focus. It is my goal to continue to produce educational, promotional, and fundraising material. I also highlight the activities of the various landowners of the former plant, as well as coordinating special volunteer stewardship projects. Three of the main shareholders involved are the Ho-Chunk Nation, the USDA, and the WI DNR.


One of my first big projects was to research and develop a slideshow presentation that I may use in various lectures about our organization. I enjoyed collecting the information, distilling it, building the image library, and then designing/writing the piece. It was very much in line with my previous experience producing educational content for the Carnegie Museum of Natural History (outlined below).


Clicking the image below will open Google Slides.

See an early version of the presentation I put together by clicking on the map.
See an early version of the presentation I put together by clicking on the map.

As this is a part-time job, the Board of Directors is giving me time to fully delve into, and learn more about the organization’s roots. They have given me time to truly understand the complex nature, and history of what has taken place on this roughly 7300 acres. I cannot begin to explain how incredibly grateful I am for this unique opportunity to focus and combine many of my skills, and knowledgebase onto such an interesting, and rewarding experience.

Our Instagram - Which I now write & produce imagery for.
Our Instagram - Which I now write & produce imagery for.

While I enjoy using my skills as a photographer and writer, I am also very excited to begin organizing special citizen science projects. Our organization already hosts their traditional twice/month volunteer stewardship workdays, as well as securing grants for bird studies. My first project is a Monarch Larva Monitoring project that will be located on the lands of the Ho-Chunk Nation known as Mąą Wákąčąk (Maa = Earth, Wakacak = Spiritual/Sacred). 


The Citizen Science Project I Recently Launched
The Citizen Science Project I Recently Launched

This job combines many aspects of the work that I love to perform. I look forward to continuing to grow into my role leading this vibrant gem of a conservation organization. In order to continue to pursuing this part-time position, I am attempting to find flexible part-time positions that dovetail nicely with each other.




Mount Horeb Area School District 10/2024 to Present

Substitute Teacher, General & SPED Paraprofessional - Grades K-12

DPI Short-term Sub License earned 12/2024 valid for 3 years

This has proved to be an incredibly rewarding experience working with children of all ages, abilities, and temperament. I perform a variety of roles, rarely the same one two days in a row. I have proven to be flexible, patient, and adaptable.


Professional Photographer 2003 to Present

Owner

Professional photography services for a wide range of products, projects, and services.

Photography, and graphic design services for the Wisconsin Golden Gloves.

 ⦁ Leasing of imagery for use in educational, marketing and promotional use.

Premium wedding photography services of superior quality. 

Photography intended for promotion of tourism at both local and state levels.

Above photo opens a portfolio page for Travel.
Above photo opens a portfolio page for Travel.

Offering photography services for art studios to document and promote their artwork.

Specialized portrait services catering to a diverse clientele.

Photography services for the Tibetan monastery at Deer Park Buddhist Center.

⦁ Photography & observation of a bald eagle nests for a Citizen Science program.

bald, eagle, nest, citizen, science
Above photo opens my 2024 project page.

⦁ Nature & wildlife photographer for a variety of environmental groups such as The Prairie Enthusiasts, Sauk Prairie Conservation Alliance, Dane County Parks, etc..

Driftless, Area, nature, prairie, sunset,
Above photo opens my Nature photo collections.

⦁ Comprehensive Pennsic War event photographer 2003 to 2011.

SCA, Pennsic, War, Darter,
Above photo opens the photo collections.

Finger Publishing 2023 to 02/2025

Newspaper Photographer & Writer

⦁ Photography & article/caption writing services for “The Mount Horeb Mail.”

Photo Journalism, prescribed, fire,
Above photo opens an article that I wrote.

Wormfarm Institute, Reedsburg, WI  2024

Photographer & Artist

Logistical support, photography, & video editing services for a rural arts nonprofit.


Heartland Ecological Group, Inc. Mount Horeb, WI 2023 

Environmental Technician I

⦁ Conducted Prescribed burns in various natural settings & wetland mitigation sites

⦁ Eliminated invasive plants in various natural areas, wetlands, and grasslands

⦁ Acquired these licenses:

Aquatic & Mosquito (Cat. 5.0)

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection

Issued Apr 2023 · Expires Apr 2028

Right of Way & Natural Areas (Cat. 6.0)

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection

Issued Apr 2023 · Expires Apr 2028 

Wildland Fire Training

Madison Area Technical College

Issued Feb 2023


Dane County Parks Dept 2014 to Present

Volunteer Restoration/Preservation Work

⦁ Volunteer helping to clear invasive trees & plants, and conduct prescribed burns.

prescribed burn of a Dane County Park
Above photo opens a blog post about this.

United States Post Office, Mount Horeb WI 2021 to 2023

City Carrier Assistant - Full-time Jul 2021 - Mar 2022 

⦁ City Carrier in Mount Horeb walking miles/day delivering on foot.

Rural Carrier Assistant - Full-time March 2022 - January 2023

⦁ Rural Carrier for the Blue Mounds area delivering via vehicle.


Cave of the Mounds, Blue Mounds, WI 2018 - 2019 

Removed invasive plants and maintained the natural beauty of the 30-acre property.

⦁ Conducted tours of the cave.


University of Wisconsin, Arts & Humanities 2015 -2019

Figure Art Model

Dynamic posing for college level painting and figure drawing courses.


Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh, PA      1989 to 2007

Creative/Multimedia Coordinator    (1998 to 2007)

⦁ Coordinated with Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute/Mobot to develop two autonomous robotic tour guides.

⦁ Coordinated designers, programmers, writers, and multimedia specialists for exhibit components and future proposals.

⦁ Produced, directed and edited films & audio shows for projects and exhibitions.

⦁ Established fully operational in-house multimedia/graphics production capabilities.

⦁ Established relationships with various outside corporations.

⦁ Recruited and managed a large pool of regional freelance talent.

⦁ Developed interactive games and exhibits.

⦁ Recruited and supervised interns from various art schools.

Mobot, Sage, Robotic, Robot, Tour, Guide,
Above Photo opens Portfolio Page - 1998 - 2007
Preparator I (1989 to 1998)

⦁ Volunteer diorama fabricator 1989 to 1992, then went full-time in 1992.

⦁ Fabricated and installed permanent and temporary exhibits.

⦁ Constructed dioramas include the African Wildlife Hall, Alcoa Hall of American Indians, and North American Mammal Hall.

⦁ Coordinated production crews.

Prepared and installed temporary art shows & traveling exhibit components.

⦁ Refurbished Galleries.

⦁ Fabricated mounts for artifacts to be displayed in a variety of exhibits.

Ron, Lutz, II, Carnegie, Museum, Dinosaur,
Above Photo opens Portfolio Page - 1989 - 1998

Park Place Studios, Pittsburgh, PA 1990 to 1993

Construction Coordinator

Managed design, fabrication, and installation of scenic sets, exhibits, and trade shows for film, TV, and displays.

⦁ Managed office, paint & wood shops, shipping and support staff.


Angelo Ciotti, Chicora, PA Summer 1990

Artist Apprentice

Assisted in the fabrication & installation of fine art for public display.


The Object Works, Pittsburgh, PA  1987 to 1989

Apprentice

Helped create specialty props, awards, and dioramas for film, commercial photographers, and marketing agencies.

⦁ Maintained the shop and office.

The, Object, Works, Pittsburgh, PA,
Props used to be hand crafted before computers were utilized.

EDUCATION

THE ART INSTITUTE OF PITTSBURGH - Attended Three Times

Bachelor's in Science Degree in Specialized Technology 2004

Major: Industrial Design and Technology 

Computer Animation & Multimedia 1998

Associates Degree Industrial Design and Technology 1989




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