Work experience

 2018-present
President of the World Heritage Site Commission Schokland Noordoostpolder the Netherlands
Schokland is a unique combination of cultural history and nature. Evidence of human habitation going back more than 10,000 years can be found there.

2018-present
Ambassador IJssel  Staatsbosbeheer the Netherlands
Staatsbosbeheer is commissioned by the Dutch government to strengthen the position of nature in the Netherlands. 

2016-2018
Interim Executive Director of the National Parks Bonaire Foundation (STINAPA Bonaire)
Integral responsibility for administration, management, information/public-relations  and education/outreach/ecotourism  Bonaire National Marine Park and Washington Slagbaai National Park. 

2013-2016
Program manager Staatsbosbeheer the Netherlands

2009-2013
Regional Executive Director Staatsbosbeheer Noord (Groningen, Friesland, Drenthe) the Netherlands

2006- 2009
Head of Care and Culture Province of Overijssel

2002-2006

Head of Department of Social Planning Province Flevoland

1999-2002
Education Director Hogeschool Larenstein in Velp, Land and water management.
HBO education in the field of: environment, water management and planning for rural areas

1993-1999
Head of department general environmental policy / environmental care and enforcement/supervision Province of Groningen
Development of provincial policy supervision and enforcement.

1985-1993
Director of nature and environmental education Friesland of the IVN

1983-1985
Education employee environmental science University of Groningen

Education

1993-1994
Post-graduate education management for non-profit organizations, Leeuwarden Business School

1989
Course marketing for countryside recreation, Lose Hill Hall Castleton (England)

1978-1985
Doctoral degree in historical and philosophical sociology, University of Groningen

1974-1978
Higher education program Social Academy, specialization Cultural Work, Social Academy Twente Hengelo.

2016-2018; 2019-present
Member and  advisor of the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance Board (DCNA).  

2014-2016
City Councilor  municipality of Zwolle
1st spokesman nature, environment and management

2013-2016
Member  Supervisory Board Batavialand in Lelystad, collaboration between a number of cultural   institutions, Bataviawerf, Nieuwland Heritage Center and the National Heritage Agency Lelystad

2009-2016
Member of the Board of Coalition Wadden Natuurlijk, member of the board of the Beheerraad Wadden, deputy member of the Regionaal College Waddengebied(RCW),

2003-2006
Member of the European Network of Social Authorities’ management committee (EU network group, including international exchanges in the field of youth care and social policy with provinces and cities in England, Italy, Finland and Sweden)

1999-2004
Chairman of the Joint Participation Council for Public Primary Education in Zwolle

1987-1993
Member Waddenadviesraad / Council for the Wadden, advisory board of the government of the Netherlands

1987-1993
Member of the Water Board Middelsekrite Sneek

1987-1993
Board Advisor Landscape Management Friesland

1986-1998
Member of the General Board of It Fryske Gea, provincial nature conservation organization.

Other International experience

 Initiator cultural school exchange project Suriname-Flevoland /working visits Suriname;
Training Romanian environmental officials;
Education officials Indonesia;
Nature exchange project Orjol / Soviet Union-Leeuwarden/ the Netherlands;
Scientific working visit Banc d ‘Árguin Mauritania;
Work visits Bonaire, Aruba, Curacao, Saba, St. Maarten and St. Eustatius;
Tour guide experience in the field of ecotourism: Tour Tour guide trips India (birds), Bonaire (coral and birds), Suriname (birds), Morocco (birds)  and Portugal(flora); Training and workshops tourlleaders and birdguides Papua/ Indonesia.

PUM-expert ecotourism

PUM Netherlands senior experts is a non-profit organisation, which has been advising businesses in developing countries and emerging markets for almost 40 years.

1986-1998

Provincial consul Fryslân  Nederlandse Mycologische Vereniging/Dutch Mycological Society