Eric Bunge earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, where he completed a research thesis on sinkhole dye tracing in southeastern Minnesota under the guidance of Dr. Calvin Alexander. Following graduation, he briefly worked at Quality Bicycle Products before returning to the geosciences as an environmental consultant.
Eric and his wife later relocated to Houston, Texas, where he joined ExxonMobil’s Exploration Company. While working in both Exploration and Upstream Research, Eric pursued and completed a Master of Science in Structural Geology at the University of Houston.
The Bunge family eventually returned to Minnesota, where Eric transitioned into hydrogeology, holding positions at Carlson McCain, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and ultimately the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). He currently serves as a Professional Geologist and Hydrologist in MPCA’s Petroleum Remediation Division.
Throughout his career in Minnesota, Eric has remained closely connected to the Minnesota Ground Water Association (MGWA). He joined MGWA’s Education Committee in 2022 and was elected Treasurer in 2023. He played a key role in guiding the organization through its operational and leadership transitions in 2024–2025 and was recently elected Interim Vice President.
In his current role, Eric is focused on appointing a highly qualified Executive Director to advance MGWA’s mission and ensure its long-term sustainability. He is also committed to strengthening the Board by recruiting driven individuals dedicated to expanding membership through quality programming and increased engagement with students and early-career professionals. Eric believes strongly that Minnesota’s hydrogeology community deserves a robust and vibrant MGWA—one that fosters education, professional development, and a strong sense of community.
MGWA is committed to developing a just, equitable, and inclusive groundwater community. Click on the button below to read MGWA’s full diversity statement.