Meet Our Staff
The Dakota County Soil & Water Conservation District staff are dedicated professionals, passionate about upholding the mission of the organization.
Alex Scurto
Resource Conservationist
Phone: 651-480-7779
BS in Geography, minors in Sustainability and Earth Sciences, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Alex is responsible for coordinating ecological restoration projects and is the primary contact for the SWCD’s Native Prairie Restoration cost-share program. Alex assists Dakota County’s Land Conservation Program in the planning and restoration of natural area easements. He is also the SWCD’s contact for the Minnesota Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (MN CREP) and helps organize the annual SWCD tree sale program. Alex joined Dakota SWCD in 2024 after working on natural areas restoration in the private sector. He is from Naperville, Illinois.
Ashley Gallagher
District Manager
Phone: 651-480-7781
BS in Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of Minnesota. As the District Manager, Ashley is responsible for developing and administrating the District’s budget, hiring staff, employee development, and building partnerships to further programs and activities. She is responsible for ensuring policies and directives of the Board of Supervisors are carried out. Ashley joined the Dakota SWCD in 2015 after working at various local and state governments as well as non-profit organizations and has served as the District Manager since 2024. She is from Rosemount, Minnesota.
Chris Houston
Administrative Specialist
Phone: 651-480-7729
Chris provides administrative support to program staff, the Finance & Accounting Specialist, and the District Manager. She is responsible for assisting with day-to-day operations of the SWCD and its programs. She also provides maintenance support for the website. Chris joined the Dakota SWCD in 2024. Previously she worked in property management in Minneapolis. Chris studied Forestry and Archaeology at Michigan Technological University and has lived in several different states and countries. She grew up on the east coast and moved to Minnesota in 2020.
Curt Coudron
Project Management Supervisor
Phone: 651-480-7774
BA in Biology and Environmental Studies, St. Johns University. Curt is responsible for overseeing field staff involved with the planning and installation of conservation projects ranging from urban stormwater retrofits, native plantings, streambank stabilizations to agricultural practices. He is a Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control. Curt is also responsible for implementing the Dakota SWCD financial incentive and cost share programs including the development of measurable outcomes for projects being planned for installation. Curt has past experience in construction management, ecological restoration, management of native vegetation, biological research, and construction site erosion and sediment control. Curt joined Dakota County SWCD in 2007 and grew up near Marshall, Minnesota.
David Holmen
Senior Wetland & GIS Coordinator
Phone: 651-480-7791
MS in Natural Resource GIS, St. Mary’s University, BA in Environmental Biology, St. Mary’s University. Dave coordinates the Geographic Information System (GIS) and Information Technology (IT) activities of the Dakota SWCD. He earned his GIS Professional Certification in 2014. Dave develops and maintains the District’s GIS databases, web applications, and electronic data for staff. Dave provides GIS maps for programs, provides updates to land cover data, serves as County IT Liason. Dave also administers the Minnesota Wetland Conservation Act and is a Certified Wetland Delineator in the State of Minnesota. Dave joined the SWCD in 1999 and grew up in West. St. Paul, Minnesota.
Dru Larson
Conservation Technician
Phone: 651-480-7782
BS in Environmental Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dru is responsible for promoting soil health, including project planning, contracting, and education and outreach activities. He also assists with other SWCD programs including water monitoring, cropland irrigation services, programs for homeowners, and is a local point of contact for the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program. Dru participates in the county drone team and conducts flights for the SWCD. He joined Dakota SWCD in 2024 after working in southern Minnesota for another SWCD as well as an internship with the Conservation Corps MN & IA. Dru grew up in Eagan, Minnesota.
Joe Barten
Program Management Supervisor
Phone: 651-480-7784
BS in Environmental Design and Urban Planning, University of Minnesota. Joe provides planning, design and implementation of urban stormwater management practices for homeowners, townhome associations, churches and school districts. He also serves as the Administrator of the Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization to support and facilitate implementation of their Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan. Joe has experience with project management, construction oversight, erosion and sediment control compliance. He leads the Landscaping for Clean Water program that includes educational workshops and project installations. Joe joined the Dakota SWCD in 2014 and is a native of New Prague, Minnesota where he grew up on a farm. He still spends much of his free time working on the family farm.
Lindsey Albright
Monitoring & Outreach Coordinator
Phone: 651-480-7783
Pam LaValle
Finance & Grants Coordinator
Phone: 651-480-7786
B.S. in Business Administration and Organizational Communication from Metro State University. Pam is responsible for maintaining financial records, accounting, grant reporting and maintaining budget schedules. She provides billing and develops financial reports for the Board of Supervisors and staff. Pam is responsible for maintaining records in accordance with State grant administration standards and provides administrative support to staff and Board of Supervisors. Pam joined the Dakota SWCD in 2022 and grew up in Eagan, MN.
Todd Matzke
Resource Conservationist
Phone: 651-480-7780
BS in Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, University of Minnesota. Todd is responsible for surveys, designs and installing structural practices on agricultural lands. He provides technical assistance to landowners and helps them through the various cost share opportunities. He also provides technical assistance with streambank stabilization projects. Todd serves as the Dakota County Agricultural Inspector which provides local support to the Minnesota Noxious Weed Law. Todd is the point of contact for landowners looking to participate in the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Best Management Loan Program. Todd joined the SWCD in 1997 and grew up in Caledonia, Minnesota. Todd retired from the Navy Reserve In 2009 after returning from a one year deployment to Southwest Asia.
Victoria Ranua
Watershed Coordinator
Phone: 651-480-7717
BS and MS in Plant Biology, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. Victoria serves as the Administrator for the North Cannon River Watershed Management Organization and the Eagan-Inver Grove Heights Watershed Management Organization. She also provides assistance with Landscaping for Clean Water and Lawns Reimagined programs and will work with others in the office on buffers and wetlands. She joined Dakota SWCD in 2024 after a long career in natural resources with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. Victoria grew up in the Rice Creek watershed (Minnesota). She currently lives in the Lower Minnesota River watershed on a shallow lake property with a beekeeping apiary, an orchard, berry patch, vegetable garden, and an active oak savannah restoration.