Ron Lutz II: Professional Resume & Portfolio
- LutzR2
- Jul 3, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Feb 22
Diverse & creative skills with depth of experiences
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.
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.
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).
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.
⦁ 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.
⦁ Nature & wildlife photographer for a variety of environmental groups such as The Prairie Enthusiasts, Sauk Prairie Conservation Alliance, Dane County Parks, etc..
⦁ Comprehensive Pennsic War event photographer 2003 to 2011.
Finger Publishing 2023 to 02/2025
Newspaper Photographer & Writer
⦁ Photography & article/caption writing services for “The Mount Horeb Mail.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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