Staff

Tara Jensen

Administrator

tara(at)wildricewatershed.org

Tara Jensen joined the Wild Rice Watershed District in November 2013 as the bookkeeper and accepted the position of Administrator at the end of 2021. As administrator, her favorite role is interacting with the landowners while carrying out the actions of the Board of Managers.  

A native of Borup, Minnesota, Tara graduated from Ada-Borup High School and held various secretarial jobs before furthering her education. She obtained an associate’s degree in accounting from Rasmussen College. In addition to her love of numbers, returning to school reinstated Tara's passion for writing. She enjoys being able to utilize her writing abilities in her role with the WRWD.

When she is not working for the WRWD, Tara enjoys assisting with her family's farming operation.  She also volunteers for various community organizations.

Tara, and her husband Brad, have four children. They reside in rural Clay County, less than five miles from the family farm where Tara grew up. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends and embracing the adventures of raising children.

Stacy Purrington

Bookkeeper/Secretary

stacy(at)wildricewatershed.org

Stacy Purrington started at the Wild Rice Watershed District in September 2019 as the Administrative Assistant and accepted the position of Bookkeeper at the end of 2021. She is responsible for bookkeeping, preparing financial documents for the Board of Directors, assembling Board information, and taking notes at board meetings.

Born and raised in Montana, she started working for Transystems after graduating High School. As an Administrative Assistant, she worked in various departments including Accounting, Safety & Maintenance.   

In July 2017, Stacy and her son Ty moved to Ada. She married her husband Ben in February 2018 and they became a family of 6. 

Her first job in Ada was at Kelly’s Chrysler where she worked at the front desk and in Finance. She enjoyed learning a new field of work and meeting new people. 

Stacy enjoys spending time with family,  taking pictures, storm watching, and taking trips to Montana. She likes the peace and quiet of living in the country and also enjoys catching more fish than Ben.

Amy Nelson

Administrative Assistant

amy(at)wildricewatershed.org

Amy Nelson started at the Wild Rice Watershed District in January 2022 as the Administrative Assistant. She is responsible for organizing permits, complaints, violations, maintenance needs and scheduling meetings.

Amy was previously employed at Kelly’s Chrysler for 8 years where she was also an Administrative Assistant.

Amy's husband, Gary, farms North of Ada and they have 3 grown children and 1 grandchild.

She enjoys spending time with family and friends, going to their cozy lake cabin on South Twin Lake, vacationing, oldies music, and casino trips! Most of all, she loves spending time with her beautiful granddaughter Vada.