MIC Staff

Ron Chicka, AICP

Director

Ron has been with the MIC since 1995. The full range of the MIC’s transportation activities–from pedestrians and bike travel to train, truck and air travel to roadway planning–continues to be rewarding and stimulating.
Ron has a B.S. in Geography from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Masters Degree in Urban Planning from the University of Kansas. He is a Certified Planner and also serves on a number of national transportation related committees. As MIC Director he is responsible for overall administrative functions and project oversight.
Outside of work, he enjoys many outdoor activities including travel, golfing, biking, and cross-country skiing. A favorite pastime is competing in combined biking and running events (duathlons) throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota over the summer months.
Sheldon Johnson

MIC Deputy Director/NWRPC Executive Director

Sheldon is the Executive Director of the Northwest Regional Planning Commission, and serves as the MIC’s Deputy Director, representing the Wisconsin side of the MIC planning area.
He has a B.A. from the University of Minnesota-Duluth in Geography and in Urban Studies and an M.A. from Mankato State University in Urban and Regional Studies. He is member of the American Planning Association and is on the Board of Directors of the Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin.
His responsibilities with the MIC include development of the Superior Urbanized Area TIP and consultation on transportation issues with local, state, and federal officials on the Wisconsin side of the MIC area.
Ricky Sarran

Senior GIS Specialist

Ricky started working for the Duluth-Superior Metropolitan Interstate Council in November 2017 as GIS Specialist after a three month internship with ARDC’s Regional Planning division.
He graduated with a BS in Physical Geography from the University of Wisconsin – Superior and a minor in GIS. He studied in Scotland for a semester and traveled all over Europe and is excited to go back at some point. Besides traveling he enjoys working on cars, and building and working on computers.
Rondi Watson

Senior Planner/Communications Specialist

As Planning Communications Specialist, Rondi works to implement public involvement strategies for its plans and studies. develops communication pieces and manages the MIC’s presence on its website and social media outlets.
She studied English and Public Health at the University of Minnesota and worked for eight years in Human Resources at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Now an enthusiastic Duluthian, she was an e-bike early adopter in this city of steep hills and strong headwinds, revels in its vibrant music scene, and serves as President of the Duluth Transit Authority Board.
Tari Aanonsen

Administrative Assistant

Tari started with the MIC in May of 2023 and is the administrative assistant to the MIC Planning team. With a background in school finance and office coordination, she hopes to apply that experience to her role with the MIC.

When not at work, Tari enjoys spending time with her family, gardening and various projects arounds the house.
Eli Norlander

Transportation Planner

Eli began working as Transportation Planner with the MIC in July 2025. He serves as the coordinator for the Duluth Area Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC), and as the transit planning liaison to the Duluth Transit Authority (DTA).

He joined the MIC following graduation from the Master of Urban Planning program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He also received his bachelor's degree from that institution in GIS and Urban Studies. During college, he had three different planning and GIS internships with the City of Sheboygan, Milwaukee County Department of Transportation, and engineering consultant HNTB.

During his free time, he enjoys watching movies, cooking, swimming, reading books, biking, hiking, and playing volleyball. His favorite activity is typically watching the Brewers with his wife Kara.
Mike Wenholz

Principal Planner

Mike began with the MIC in 2016. He has approximately 25 years of experience working on a variety of water, solid waste, shoreland zoning, recreational trails, aquatic toxicology, brownfield redevelopment, and transportation planning projects for numerous sectors with a wide variety of people. In his role with the MIC Mike utilizes these past experiences, including leading the MIC’s Harbor Technical Advisory Committee (HTAC), coordinating all Duluth-Superior area Long Range Transportation Plan work, and working on a variety of local transportation planning projects.

Mike earned a BS in Water Resources – Aquatic Toxicology from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, a MS in Environmental Toxicology from Clemson University, and a MS in Urban and Regional Planning – Land Use Planning from the University of Wisconsin.

Outside of work Mike enjoys paddling canoes and kayaks, especially while exploring remote wilderness areas or class 1-2 whitewater rivers.

MIC Staff

Ron Chicka, AICP

Sheldon Johnson

Ricky Sarran

Rondi Watson

Tari Aanonsen

Eli Norlander

Mike Wenholz