Department of Natural Resources Secretary Cathy Stepp has appointed directors for the agency’s South Central, Southeast and Northeast regions.

Jean Romback-Bartels, an 18-year veteran of DNR, was appointed Northeast Region director. She started her career with DNR in l993 as a wildlife technician and park ranger. She promoted through of number of jobs including property manager, Land and Forestry Basin leader, and since November, 2010, she has served as acting regional director. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in Wildlife Biology and Natural Resources Management. DNR’s Northeast Region includes Brown, Calumet, Door, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Oconto, Outagamie, Shawano, Waupaca, Waushara, and Winnebago counties. Former regional director Ron Kazmierczak retired from the department late last year.

Mark Aquino, a manager at DNR since 2001, was named South Central Region director. Aquino started his career with the state at the Legislative Audit Bureau, in 1988 as a management analyst. In 1997 he promoted to chief of the Department of Transportation’s Strategic Issues Section, and he came to DNR in 2001 as Land Services Team Leader in 2001. He promoted to South Central Region Land leader in 2005 and to Deputy Administrator for Land in 2009. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. DNR’s South Central includes Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Green, Grant, Iowa, Jefferson, Lafayette, Richland, Rock, and Sauk counties. Former regional director Lloyd Eagan took another position in DNR this summer.

Eric Nitschke, Director of Public Works for Sussex and a newcomer to DNR, was appointed Southeast Region director. A professional engineer, Nitschke brings private sector work experience at Wisconsin Electric Power Company as a student and as a staff engineer at HNTB Corp. in Milwaukee. From 2002 to 2007, he served as division engineer for stormwater for the City of New Berlin, and since October 2007 has been the Director of Public Works and Village Engineer for Sussex. He holds a Civil Engineering degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with an emphasis in Water Resources. DNR’s Southeast Region includes Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Walworth, Washington, and Waukesha counties. Former regional director Gloria McCutcheon retired from the department in September.

Regional directors represent DNR with local government and organizations and play a key role in consistently applying laws and DNR policies. Romback-Bartels and Aquino assume their duties immediately. Nitschke will start his new job on Oct. 31. Romback-Bartels will be located in DNR’s Green Bay office; Nitschke in DNR’s Milwaukee office; and Aquino in DNR’s Fitchburg office.