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Justin was a member of Troop 77 in Greenville Wisconsin and participated in many leadership/growth opportunities early in Scouting including attending and staffing the Junior Leadership Training program and being a member in the Order of the Arrow. The skills and values that he learned during Scouting helped to shape his life and career path and have a constant influence in how he makes decisions.
Justin started his career working for Michels Corporation but realized that his talents and interests were better aligned to public service. Justin moved to an operations supervisor for Appleton International Airport landside division where he worked with tenants and the public to ensure a rewarding experience. Justin is currently the construction project manager for Outagamie County Highway Department. He is in charge of major roadway improvement projects for the department and its customers.
In 2023 Justin simultaneously enrolled at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay majoring in Public Administration and ran for Town office where he lives in Freedom. He is now the elected Chairperson for the Town and is working to build a staff and culture that provides professionalism and equity for all of the Town’s stakeholders. The oath and motto guide his actions and have helped him work with other municipalities and departments to build collaboration and cooperation in pursuit of better government.
A native of Seymour, Wisconsin, Capt. David Burke graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. After completing his Masters in 1997, he attended and received his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Columbia University in the City of New York in 2003. He completed his final year of doctoral training at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego.
Upon completion of his training, Capt. Burke stayed at the NMCSD as a staff member for one year before being assigned to the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) as the ship’s first psychologist in 2004. He transited the horn of South America on the ship’s maiden voyage and served through the Reagan’s first extended gulf deployment in 2006. After leaving the USS Reagan, Capt. Burke reported to the U.S. Naval Hospital, Naples, Italy where he served as the SARP Director and the Department Head for Mental Health from 2006-2009. During his tour, Capt. Burke deployed to fill a combat replacement at Al Taqqadum Iraq with the 2nd Medical Battalion as an Individual Augment.
In July of 2009, Capt. Burke reported to the Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command and was assigned as the psychologist for the Special Operations Schoolhouse. At this command, he was instrumental in setting up the mental health evaluation within the Assessment and Selection process for Special Operators and in defining the mental health role during the 6-month training pipeline. In August of 2011, Capt. Burke reported to the James F. Lovell Federal Health Care Center where he served as the Division Officer for outpatient mental health at the first joint DoD/VA facility. During his tour at Lovell, Capt. Burke deployed with the 1st Medical Battalion out of Camp Pendleton and served as the Officer in Charge of the Mental Health Clinic at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan (Jan12-Aug12).
Capt. Burke was selected for DUIN’s and from September 2013 to September 2014 attended a Harvard Fellowship in Pediatric Psychology at Boston Children’s Hospital to fill a much needed role in Japan. Capt. Burke served a utilization tour at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Yokosuka, Japan where he served as the Department Head for the Educational and Developmental Intervention Service (EDIS) and then as the Director for Public Health from 2014-2017. Capt. Burke reported to the U.S. Naval Hospital, Okinawa and served as the Director for Mental Health and Competent Medical Authority for Mental Health for all forces on Okinawa from 2017-2020. He served as the Officer in Charge of Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Unit (NMRTU) for MCRD San Diego Clinics and MCAS Miramar from 2020-2022, where he oversaw the implementation of MHS Genesis at the first DoD accession site and historic introduction of female recruits at MCRD San Diego.
Capt. Burke is a diplomat of the American Board of Professional Psychology. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards) and the Navy Achievement Medal.
A.J. has a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Master’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering, and Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering all from the University of Colorado – Boulder where he was a PhD. candidate in Aerospace Engineering before being lured away by the startup company Lunar Outpost in Arvida, Colorado. There, he designed and built a lunar rover which will launch for the South Pole of the moon in November, 2023 under a NASA contract on a Space X rocket prospecting for subsurface water ice. In 2024, a fleet of Lunar Outpost rovers will launch for the South Pole of the moon, mapping a large region of the ice field. Lunar Outpost now employs 88 engineers, many of whom A.J. has hired as their Chief Technical Officer.
A.J. is one of Neil Walker’s 2005 Eagle Scouts in Troop 1139 Allouez and a graduate of Green Bay Southwest High School.
Mike joined Troop 94 in the Valley Council in 1972 as a young 11 year old and become an Eagle Scout in 1976. Troop 94 regularly camped at Boulder Lake, which used to be part of Gardner Dam Scout Camp. Troop 94 staffed its own wilderness summer camp, doing all their own cooking, waterfront activities, and outdoor activities. These experiences taught leadership and initiative, two key skills that benefited his career, and created a life-long appreciation for wilderness camping and the scouting program.
Mike’s profession career as a CPA included a role as VP-Finance, Treasurer and CFO of Oshkosh B’Gosh, Inc., and an additional 16 years as VP-Finance for Carter’s Inc., still based locally in Oshkosh. Now retired, Mike is a full time grandfather to four youngsters.
Throughout his career, Mike always found time to volunteer with Scouting, serving as Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster and outdoor activity coordinator for a local troop. He recognizes the need to share his experiences to teach and mentor Scouts, just as his Scoutmaster Ralph Tellock had done for him some 50 years ago.
Josh’s first experience sharing with others his passion for art, occurred while teaching art-related merit badges as a counselor-in-training within Bay-Lakes Council camps.
This early influence led Josh to a career as an art teacher for the Wisconsin Department of Public Education, which has now evolved into him pursuing art professionally. Currently, Josh serves the National Scouting Museum as its Lead Designer and Artist in Residence. In this special role, Josh coordinates the museum’s gallery renovations and produces fine artworks, such as oil portraiture, for the Boy Scouts of America.
Daniel Diederich, son of Raymond and Debra Diederich, is a former Scoutmaster and a 2000 Eagle Scout from Troop 1030 and previously Pack 4030. To this day, he spends time giving back to his troop. Upon turning 18, he immediately became an adult volunteer to his troop, after all, it is an easy way to continue to hang out with friends made while Scouting. As years passed, he developed connections with even more Scouts, even if the role style changed from friend to older brother to mentor. When the troop had difficulty with its charter, he took it upon himself to move the charter to his business. From there, he has doubled down on the troop, providing a trailer and campsite to it. As committee chairman and treasurer, he is integral in managing the troop.
Outside of Scouting, Daniel is also busy. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin- Madison in 2004, he became the manager of Diederich Farm, De Pere, WI. Within 4 years he became an owner and set off growing the business from 100 to 550 milking cows. Diederich Farm is one of the most technologically advanced dairies in the U.S. and a pioneer of robotic milking. The farm is considered a trailblazer in the industry and pushes the limits of what tech on farms can do. It isn’t just about business and tech though, the farm is also a leader in environmentalism. They practice conservation no-till and cover crop farming, run a separate 500-acre intensive rotation pasture farm to raise young stock, and are integral in farmer-to-farmer learning sessions. Diederich Farm has been recognized with multiple environmental stewardship awards from organizations ranging from New Water to Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance to Farm Bureau.
With his parent’s insistence, he also decided to put his business training to further use in the industry and ran for his first cooperative board of directorship in 2008. Not only was he elected but he was also voted chairman of the board. From there, he oversaw the merger of this co-op with two other co-ops to form Eastern WI DHIC and was then elected to the board of the nation’s largest milk testing cooperative — AgSource. There, again, no time was wasted being elected chairman within three years. This role also placed him on the board for a larger holding cooperative, Cooperative Resources International (CRI) in 2014. In 2016, he earned a graduate level certificate in cooperative governance. At CRI he served as secretary until a combination was made to form URUS Holdings in 2018, a deal he was instrumental in putting together. This revolutionary combination of cooperative and privately held holding companies created the world’s largest cattle breeding center, herd management software and colostrum producer among other holdings. Naturally, Daniel now sits on URUS’s board of directors and helps oversee their global operations. URUS continues to grow having since purchased the world’s largest cattle embryo transfer company among others. Daniel is respected for his financial acumen, technology prowess and way of looking at the industry.
Daniel married Sarah in 2011 and they welcomed their daughter, Adelaide, in 2021.
Never satisfied with the status quo, Daniel is an agent for change and growth. Whether it be personal or business he challenges those around him to be the best.
Glen Tellock is Past President and CEO of Lakeside Foods which is headquartered in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Founded in 1887, Lakeside Foods is a privately held, industry leading international food processor. Lakeside has headquarters in Manitowoc, WI, as well as thirteen Plants and Distribution Centers in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Ohio and employs an average of 1,700 people. Lakeside produces a diverse line of nutritional food products including canned and frozen vegetables, frozen appetizers, canned meats, organic products, frozen dessert whipped toppings, and pet food products manufactured for major private label and branded companies.
Glen is the first non family member to lead Lakeside Foods. He joined Lakeside Foods in 2016 after a successful 24 year career at the Manitowoc Company. During those 24 years, he served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, President & General Manager of the Manitowoc Crane Group, Senior Vice President & Officer of The Manitowoc Company, Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Controller, and Director of Accounting.
Glen received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and is a Certified Public Accountant. He previously served on the Board of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (former chair). Glen has also served on various Boards for community causes such as the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business Dean’s Advisory Board, the National Kidney Foundation of Colorado and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Manitowoc County. He has served on the Board of Directors of Astec Industries, Badger Meter, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, and National Association of Manufacturers. Glen is a 2022 – National Outstanding Eagle Scout Association (NOESA) recipient.
Howard is an Eagle Scout from 1958-ish from Weyauwega Troop 21 (now 621). He was a Twin Lakes Camp Staff member, OA Vigil Member, and attended 1957 National Jamboree as a youth. Howard hiked the trails of Philmont in 1962.
Howard is also a long serving chairman of the Weyauwega Scout Cabin and a member and supporter of the Bay-Lakes Council Museum Board. He is a Supporter of Ducks Unlimited, is a James E. West fellow, served on the 2005 National Jamboree staff and presents historical displays promoting Scouting in the Weyauwega City Hall, along with being a Weyauwega Historical Society member and a past Mayor of Weyauwega.
Howard received a District Award of Merit and is a member of the 2002 Silver Beaver Class.
Mydasia Zipperer is a founding member and Eagle Scout of Troop 6925 in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. Her Eagle Project consisted of leading the construction and raising of bat houses along with an educational sign at Camp Sinawa, a Historic Boy Scout Camp in Manitowoc County. The idea of her project came as a result of our linked troops (925 & 6925) attending a camping trip to Eagle Cave in Blue River, WI. Ultimately, she wanted to help the bats of Wisconsin and promote awareness of White Nose Syndrome.
Mydasia is very involved with the Order of the Arrow. She became a Beshkno Vice Chief followed by the Chapter Chief. Shortly after that election, she became the Kon Wapos Lodge Secretary followed by Lodge Chief. In September of 2022, she was elected by her peers to be the Section Chief of Section G10 which encompasses parts of Wisconsin, Upper Michigan and Eastern Minnesota. This past March, Mydasia was able to attend the Order of the Arrow National Leadership Seminar in St. Paul, Minnesota. Most recently she served on the 2023 National Jamboree Service Team at the Summit Bechtel Reserve.
Outside of the Order of the Arrow, Mydasia has spent 2 summers as a counselor at Bear Paw Scout Camp where she worked in Handicraft followed by Nature. She especially loved working with the youngest Scouts BSA and teared up a bit this year when she recalled to me a conversation with a young new Scout who couldn’t wait to come back and see her this summer. As a Scout, she also has helped staff Mom/Scout and the first Scout Fire weekend.
During the time with Troop 6925, she held the positions of Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, OA Unit Representative, Troop Guide, Chaplain Aide and Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. She also has been a role model that many of our younger scouts look up to. Mydasia plans to be a Unit College Scouter Reserve within our linked Troops. She also has served as a Den Chief with Cub Scout Pack 3940 where her love for the Cub Scout Program grew with a very large Tiger Den! She currently is the Assistant Cubmaster for Pack 3940 in Two Rivers, Wisconsin and looks forward to working with the Cub Scouts.
Other awards, recognitions or special moments that Mydasia has been a part of include being awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Bay-Lakes Council for lifesaving efforts to save a dog from drowning in the West Twin River in Two Rivers. She also was asked to speak on behalf of the Lakeshore District at the District Breakfast at the Inaugural Bay-Lakes Convention in 2022. Mydasia has earned the National Camping Award along with the corresponding gold device recognizing 50+ nights of camping during her tenure as a scout. Finally, Mydasia was able to report to the State of Wisconsin on the state of scouting in the Bay-Lakes Council. She personally met Governor Tony Evers and even presented him with a bottle of Bear Paw Maple Syrup.
Mydasia does not hesitate to jump in to lead at a moment’s notice, however, service is also very important to her. Mydasia has put in over 740+ service hours during her duration at Two Rivers High School, most from Scouts BSA, with the rest from National Honor Society and Future Business Leaders of America. She has served as president of the Two Rivers High School National Honor Society and has participated with Future Business Leaders of America at the State and National levels. She most recently graduated from Two Rivers High School, and as an Eagle Scout, she was invited to speak to her peers at graduation. (A fun side note about graduation is that Mydasia graduated with the most graduation cords of all her peers.) During her Junior and Senior year in high school, she also earned her Associates of Arts and Science degree from UW Green Bay as a part of their Rising Phoenix Program. Throughout High School, Mydasia also found time to dance 4+ nights a week, specializing in Tap. Mydasia is currently enrolled at UW Stevens Point, working towards a major in Editing and Publishing, with a plan to be a children’s author inspired by her love for camping and the outdoors.
Tony has dedicated over 30 years in the Bay-Lakes Scouting program, starting as a Tiger Cub, earning his Arrow of Light, and Eagle Rank. He has continued in Scouting through his young adult age assisting local units and becoming Cubmaster for a pack in Beaver Dam that needed leadership to ensure their continued success, even though he only had one child – a daughter at a time when girls were not allowed in Scouts BSA.
When the announcement was made that girls were allowed to participate in Scouts BSA back in 2018, he organized and formed the first Scouts BSA girls unit in the Dodge County area in Kettle Country and became the Scoutmaster and remains in this position in the current date. Meanwhile, he continues his Scouting journey staffing a number of Council and District events including: ScoutFire, Wood Badge, Scouting University, Winterfest, Klondike, Pinewood Derby, and many more. He earned his Silver Beaver and is the current Vice Chair of the Kettle Moraine Silver Beaver Association. Scouting is a way of life for Tony and he is deserving to be one of the Bay Lakes “50 Scouts You Should Know”.
CAPT Ben Oakes is currently serving as Commanding Officer, USS NEW YORK (LPD 21) in Norfolk, Virginia. He has served in the United States Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer for over 24 years. A native of Cedarburg, he earned his Eagle Scout, Order of the Arrow Brotherhood, and enjoyed numerous trips to Camp Gardner Dam as a member of Troop 830. A 1995 graduate of Cedarburg High School, Ben attended the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland where he earned a BS in Economics and a Spanish Minor. While at Navy he was a four-year letter winner, two-time Collegiate All-American Rugby player and team Captain. Upon graduating in 1999, he was commissioned as an Ensign. He earned a Masters in Leadership and Human Resources Management from the Naval Post Graduate School in 2005.
During his career, Ben served as a Division Officer at sea aboard the frigate USS Ford (FFG 54) in Everett, Washington as Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer, Electrical Officer and Navigator and the special operations patrol craft USS Monsoon (PC 4) in Coronado, California as Executive Officer, Operations Officer, and Training Officer. His at sea Department Head tours were onboard the destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86) in Everett, Washington as Weapons Officer and Combat Systems Officer. Ashore he has served as a Company Officer and Deputy Director of Professional Development at the Naval Academy; Flag Aide and Deputy Executive Assistant to Commander Fleet Cyber Command/Commander Tenth Fleet in Fort Meade, Maryland; as a Joint Future Operations / Crisis Action Planner at U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany; and a Deputy Director and Branch Head at Commander Navy Personnel Command in Millington, Tennessee. Prior to being selected to serve as Commanding Officer of the NEW YORK, Ben completed a successful tour as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of the destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG 91) in San Diego, California.
Ben credits Troop 830 for fostering a sense of service and honing his leadership skills which helped pave a path ultimately leading him to an appointment to the US Naval Academy and a successful naval career. Furthermore, he is grateful to his Scout Masters, Mr. Gerry Vetter, Mr. John Heyer and his father Bill Oakes (also an Eagle Scout) for the opportunities they provided that helped cultivate a love for Scouting and built his foundational confidence as a leader and outdoorsman.
Ben and his wife Kristi are proud parents of three boys, Maxwell, Elias, and Callan. All three boys are devout Packers fans and are enjoying the early stages of their Cub Scout journeys. Ben and his family currently live in Virginia Beach, Virginia and enjoy a deep love for the outdoors.
As Microsoft’s vice chair and president, Brad Smith is responsible for spearheading the company’s work and representing it publicly on a wide variety of critical issues involving the intersection of technology and society, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, privacy, environmental sustainability, human rights, digital safety, immigration, philanthropy, and products and business for non-profit customers. He leads a team of roughly 2,000 business, legal and corporate affairs professionals located in 54 countries and operating in more than 120 nations.
The New York Times has called Smith “a de facto ambassador for the technology industry at large” and The Australian Financial Review has described him as “one of the technology industry’s most respected figures.” He has testified numerous times before the U.S. Congress and other governments on key policy issues.
In addition to his work at Microsoft, Smith is active in several civic organizations and in the broader technology industry. He has served on the Netflix board of directors since 2015 and chairs the board of directors of both Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) and the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship program.
Smith grew up in Appleton. He attended Princeton University, where he met his wife, Kathy. He earned his J.D. from Columbia University Law School and studied international law and economics at the Graduate Institute in Geneva, Switzerland. He can be followed on Twitter and LinkedIn. His podcast, Tools and Weapons with Brad Smith, is available on all podcast platforms.
Kenny Bergschultz is closing on 50 years of Scouting highlighted earning his Eagle Scout Award in 1982 as a Boy Scout in Bay-Lakes Council’s (BLC) BSA Troop 818, as past Lodge Chief of then Order of the Arrow (OA) AWASE Lodge #61, an OA Vigil Member, recipient of the Bronze Big Horn award, and past camp staff member Camp Rokilio for several years. He is the recipient of the District Award of Merit for Lakeshore District and was presented with the Silver Beaver Award in 2015. Kenny has been heavily involved in local Scouting units serving in multiple capacities with his family including Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, and Crew Advisor. At the council level, he has served multiple roles including BLC Executive Board Member, Training Chairman, Wood Badge Course Director, Five Star University Commissioner trainer, Council STEM Committee, Silver Beaver Selection Chairman, and multiple support committees preparing BLC jamboree contingent youth and adult leaders. Nationally Kenny has served on multiple National Order of Arrow Conference (NOAC) staffs writing and photographing for the event newspapers. He also has been part of the National Jamboree staff for Boys Life Magazine. Kenny is an adamant supporter of Friends of Scouting, is a James E. West fellow, and a lifetime member of National Eagle Scout Association (NESA).
Kenny graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1992. Kenny’s interest in engineering started in Scouting but became fortified at age of 17 with co-oping at Donohue and Associates during his senior year of high school. He spent his entire career to date in the design, permitting, construction, and closure of solid and hazardous waste landfills and environmental systems within the continental United States, Hawaii, Canada, and the Middle East. He is a registered professional engineer in 12 states including Wisconsin and Michigan. Currently Kenny is a Project Director with Weaver Consultants Group providing capital project management, design, and permitting on several multi-million-dollar projects annually for leading private national waste management firms. He is a member of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA).
Kenny is proudly married to his overly supportive wife and fellow Scouter Nickie for over 33 years, is the proud father of his Eagle Scout and journeyman carpenter son Eric and BLC Venturer Leadership Award recipient and future large animal veterinarian Jackie.
Eric Wollerman is president of Honeywell Federal Manufacturing & Technologies (FM&T). FM&T manages and operates the U.S. Department of Energy’s Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC). With nearly 7,000 employees in Kansas City and Albuquerque, the KCNSC provides national security through their diverse engineering, manufacturing, and secure supply chain management activities.
As Honeywell FM&T president, Wollerman is responsible for applying best-in-class commercial standards in managing operations and delivering outstanding mission results with a $1.8B annual operations budget.
Since joining FM&T in April 2020, Wollerman has been leading KCNSC’s strategies, including: delivering operational excellence in nuclear weapons and national security missions with a focus on quality, early design engagement and delivery requirements; embracing digital transformation tools and technologies to enhance our mission; strategic planning for KCNSC’s infrastructure; supply base and workforce needs for today and the future; and, unlocking the value of our people and processes while enhancing the organization’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Acceptance (IDEA) strategies.
In addition to leading the Honeywell FM&T business, Eric supports community reinvestment with key focus areas in Society, Education and the Environment. Wollerman has a strong partnership with Grandview School’s STEM and advanced manufacturing programs. He is a board member for the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, the Kansas City Area Development Council, and is on the Leadership Council with the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Wollerman’s Honeywell career began in 2005 within its Integrated Supply Chain. His driving improvements in supplier quality, implementation of lean manufacturing, success in managing operations & ability to forge strong customer relationships soon led to senior leadership roles within Honeywell Aerospace. He also ran operations for several manufacturing plants within the Aerospace portfolio and led global customer service operations for Aerospace’s Customer & Product Support organization.
His academic degrees include a Bachelor’s of Science in Industrial Engineering and a Master’s of Science in Industrial & Systems Engineering from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Eric also holds a Certificate of Aircraft Maintenance & Technology from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and is a certified Lean Expert.
Commander Ian Lilyquist, a 1997 Eagle Scout, is a native of Grafton, Wisconsin, and graduate of Grafton High School. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science degree in ocean engineering. Following graduate studies at the University of California Berkeley, he completed U.S. Navy flight school and was designated a Naval Flight Officer in August 2003.
Lilyquist reported to Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron TWO (VQ-2) in Rota, Spain in June 2004 where he conducted multiple deployments in the EP-3 in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Subsequently, he was assigned to Special Operations Command Pacific and the 2nd Joint Special Operations Air Component where he served as the Airborne ISR Operations Chief from 2006 to 2009 and deployed with Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines in support of Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines. From 2009 to 2011, Lilyquist served aboard USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) as the V-2 Division Officer and Catapult and Arresting Gear Officer and deployed to the Middle East in Operation Enduring Freedom. Following this tour, he was assigned to Special Projects Patrol Squadron TWO (VPU-2) in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii from 2011 to 2015 where he served as the Maintenance Officer and deployed to the Middle East and Western Pacific. Following in-residence studies at the Naval War College, Lilyquist was assigned to Joint Special Operations Command in the J5 directorate where he served as a strategic planner and deputy of JSOC’s Plans Division from 2016 to 2019. In 2019, Lilyquist reported to Scientific Development Squadron ONE (VXS-1) and served as the squadron’s 14th Commanding Officer from November 2020 to January 2022. He reported to USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER in March 2022 where he is currently assigned as the ship’s Navigator.
In addition to his bachelor’s degree from the Naval Academy, Lilyquist has master’s degrees in ocean engineering from the University of California and in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College. Commander Lilyquist’s personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (3 awards), the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal (3 awards), the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal (2 awards), the Joint Service Achievement Medal (2 awards), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
Ava Van Straten had been awarded the rank of Eagle Scout through Scouts BSA, Boy Scouts of America as the first female Eagle Scout in the Voyageur District of the Bay-Lakes Council, and member of the national inaugural class of female Eagle Scouts named in February 2021. In addition, Van Straten is also the recipient of the prestigious Gold Award from Girl Scouts of the USA. Having both awards as a female now places Van Straten in an even more elite group nationally.
As part of her Eagle project, Van Straten wrote a children’s book, Parker’s Path, published by Ephraim Publishing and printed by Worzalla Publishing, the same printer for books like Oprah, Marvel, National Geographic, and the Diary of a Wimpy Kids series. In addition to Van Straten’s book, she has created a curriculum for elementary school-aged children, grades 1-4. The book and curriculum are intended to promote empathy awareness at a time when empathy development is reduced with less in-person interactions and increased use of screens and technology.
Through extensive fundraising including a grant by The Pollination Project, more than $11,000 in funds and services were raised. As a result, 4,000 copies of Parker’s Path and curriculum were distributed for free to Wisconsin schools, libraries, scouting troops, and not-for-profit organizations supporting youth, in collaboration with St. Norbert College’s Cassandra Voss Center initiatives. Books were also distributed in MN, CA, NY, and CO to reach a total of 110 school districts representing 400 schools and their 1st- 4th grade students as well as additional troops, Boys & Girls Clubs, and county libraries. To support online learning during COVID-19, Van Straten also created a video version of her book, along with the curriculum, for area school districts that were teaching either fully or partially online.
This was Van Straten’s second book. Her first published book, Mary’s Heart, is on kindness, and over 1,000 copies of this book and curriculum were previously distributed as part of her Girl Scout Gold Award and over $6,000 in funds and services were also raised, for a total of over $17,000 in funds and services raised by Van Straten, to-date.
According to Van Straten, “while learning science along with math, language arts, and the other components of the Common Core have been important in my life, one of my other important educations has been outside of the classroom through Scouting. The character, leadership, courage, and emergency preparedness skills I have learned through Scouts BSA offer me what I call my ‘Common More,’ — character, social, and emotional learning (SEL) skills that will be in my toolkit for life. I am also pleased to have had an Eagle Project where I can help spread another important life skill, empathy, to even more youth.”
Van Straten is currently a Junior psychology major at Yale University where she conducts research at the Yale School of Medicine at its Center for Emotional Intelligence, Child Study Center, related to the Social and Emotional Learning Observation Checklist for elementary schools (SELOC-ES). Here she helps refine discrete SEL pedagogies, codes classroom observation footage from around the nation in participating classrooms, and catalogs discrete SEL pedagogy examples for the SELOC-ES training. It is Van Straten’s intention to pursue her doctorate in child psychology. She is also contemplating attending law school to better refine her advocacy skills, gain knowledge and a better appreciation of education law and public policy, and best position herself to join the national conversation on U.S. education to bring it to a level where social and emotional intelligence training and learning is commonplace.
Darrel Wittmann has been involved in Scouting for over 55 years. He was a Scout in Troop 27 in Kaukauna, WI, and is an Eagle Scout. He worked on camp staff at Twin Lakes, Rokolio, Sinewa, Maywood Wilderness, Gardner Dam, and Junior / Adult Leader Training. Darrel served as Cubmaster for Pack 41 in Combined Locks, Scoutmaster and Committee Chair for Kimberly Troop 44, and as a Venturing Crew advisor. He is proud to have helped 29 Scouts earn the rank of Eagle Scout. Through the decades he participated in many Gathering Waters District camporees and council events (e.g. Mom & Son, Dad & Lad, Arctic Adventure, Okpik, Polar Cubs, Autumn Blast, Whitewater Program, Order of the Arrow work weekends, and Powderhorn). He was awarded the Silver Beaver in 2013. Darrel is currently a merit badge counselor for woodworking, wilderness survival, engineering, cycling, camping, and model building. In recent years he has spent over 1,000 hours at Gardner Dam making repairs and maintaining the camp.
Darrel has been a part of the Combined Locks community for 36 years. He worked 28 years at Appleton Coated Paper Mill (now McKinley Paper) in Combined Locks as a Project Manager, designing and directing the installation of paper-making machinery. He has been a member of Habitat for Humanity construction team building several homes in the area, the Kings Tools church group providing home repair, yard work, cleaning, and moving services for members in need, and sang in the church choir. He and his wife are recreational cyclists and are often seen riding their tandem on the streets and trails throughout the Fox River Valley. Their cycling passion has taken them on many multi-day cycling tours including the Danube River, Rhine River, France’s Loire River, US Pacific Coast, Black Hills, and the Erie Canal. Darrel also spends time woodworking, welding and helping his son fix antique tractors.
Others say, “Darrel is an example of the Scout Oath and Law through and through. He does a good turn daily. You can trust that he’s going to do what he says he’s going to do, is loyal to his family, friends, Scouts, and helpful to anyone who asks. “No” isn’t a word often used in his vocabulary. You will find him smiling at whatever he’s doing. He’s friendly, kind and cheerful. Darrel is courteous, putting others before himself. He makes sure other people are taken care of. He is thrifty, finding a way to make anything work with whatever is handed to him. It takes bravery to lead and to teach youth, something he’s done for over 30 years. Darrel is clean: he’s constantly active, keeping his mind and body fit. He is reverent: Darrel’s church is the outdoors. He treats nature with respect and awe. He leaves no trace anywhere and cleans up after others. He has always been a Scout and will continue forever.”
Randy is the retired President and CEO of LawtonStandard (C. A. Lawton Co), a multi generational manufacturing company specializing in heavy industry machinery, castings, and machined components, headquartered in DePere, WI.
He is an Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow member, and is often seen at Scouting events with his grandsons, as he supports troop and pack leadership. Randy has a respect and fondness for the outdoors and preserving it for future generations. Scouting experiences were foundational to this love of nature and his respect and caring for his community. He has an extensive resume of community service including these recent history not for profit boards in various focused areas:
Environmental: Gathering Waters Conservancy, Northeastern Wisconsin Land Trust, SEEDS for De Pere dedicated to making the city sustainable
Entrepreneurship: NEW North’s Fast Forward mentor, NEW Venture Foundry, NEW Launch Alliance
General: Community Partnership for Children, Envision Greater Green Bay, Libertas Resource Development, De Pere Greenwood Cemetery, American Foundry Research board
Mike is currently President & CEO and a Director of Nicolet Bankshares, Inc., and Nicolet National Bank, which he co-founded in 2000 with Bob Atwell. Starting from zero, Nicolet is now an $8.5 billion in assets, and is publicly traded on NYSE under the symbol NIC. Nicolet has continued to grow organically every year since inception and has also grown through M&A activities. All told, Mike has led the successful integration of ten acquisitions in eight years. With close to 950 employees and 57 banking locations Nicolet is the second largest bank headquartered in Wisconsin and has offices in Michigan and Minnesota.
Mike is a 1986 graduate of St. Norbert College in De Pere WI. He also serves on a number of community and non-profit boards, including being the founding President of the Nicolet National Foundation. He is on the Board of Directors of the Green Bay Packers as well as the Board of Trustees at St. Norbert College. He also was former chairman of UFS, Inc., a data services company in Grafton, WI, and still serves as a board member. Mike is well known in the Northeast WI communities as a sounding board for entrepreneurs and business executives, as well as young professionals.
Raegen Schwarz is currently a Senior in high school at the Appleton Technical Academy at Appleton West High School. She is studying welding and plans to pursue a career in welding, metal fabrication and possibly underwater welding. Raegen earned her Eagle Scout rank in 2021 as a member of Troop 6177 out of Greenville, WI. She is a member of the Inaugural Class of Female Scouts in America and holds the rank of Eagle very dear to her as she strives to live the Scout Oath and Law in every aspect of her life.
Raegen is also proud to say she has earned her “Grand Slam” award by having attended all four of the High Adventure bases that Scouts BSA offers. She has attended the National Jamboree as well as the World Jamboree with her fellow troop mates and looks forward to all that scouting has for her. When she is not scouting, Raegen is a captain of her high school softball team and is entertaining offers from colleges to play post high school softball. Raegen also enjoys scuba diving the different reefs and waters of the Caribbean, spending time with friends and working at her neighborhood Ace Hardware store.
Raegen believes in using her leadership skills that she learned in scouting to give back whenever and wherever the opportunity arises. She pays forward the kindness and dedication that so many people have shown her in her life, education, athletics and scouting. She always keeps and open mind and positive attitude and will make amazing things happen for herself and others.
Born and raised in northern Wisconsin, Justin is a highly driven professional with a passion for leadership, development, and service to others. Justin graduated with honors in Information Technology from the United States Military Academy (USMA) in 2015 and will achieve his Master’s in Business Administration from Arizona State University in December of 2023.
Having laid a strong educational foundation at West Point, Justin embarked on a career in the United States Army, initially serving as a Field Artillery Officer in the historic 25th Infantry Division on the island of Oahu, HI, before transitioning into the role of an Intelligence Officer serving in multiple units including at the Headquarters US Army Pacific and the Army’s Intelligence Center of Excellence in Arizona. During his military service, he exemplified his alma mater’s core values of duty, honor, and country while contributing significantly to the nation’s defense.
In 2021, Justin retired from the Army with a distinguished service record, including commanding Charlie Company, 304th Military Intelligence Battalion. Post-military, Justin transitioned to the executive level, excelling in roles encompassing HR, operations, business development, management, and overall growth. His commitment to excellence and leadership continues to shine as he currently serves as the Director of Operations for a growing and distinguished Architecture/Engineering (A/E) firm specializing in designing veteran’s hospitals. Justin’s ability to lead and drive results has been pivotal in delivering essential achievements, Justin remains deeply connected to the Long Gray Line and the broader veteran community serving on multiple advisory and charitable venture boards. He actively serves as a board member of his United States Military Academy class’s fundraising committee, focusing on donations to support the institution and its graduates. Furthermore, he dedicates his time and expertise as the scholarship committee chair at his local American Legion Post, exemplifying his commitment to advancing educational opportunities for aspiring young individuals.
Justin’s commitment to public service extends to his role as a review board member for the Service Academy nomination boards, representing both Senator Ron Johnson and Congressman Mike Gallagher. Through this role, he plays a vital part in selecting the next generation of future leaders for our nation’s military Service Academies.
Justin currently resides in East Appleton with his wife and 2-year-old son. His family looks forward to welcoming the addition of their second child sometime after the new year and enjoys spending time in the beautiful outdoors surrounding their community.
Justin’s story is one of dedication, leadership, and unwavering support for veterans and his community. His continued commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others serves as an inspiration to all who have the privilege of working alongside him.
I joined Scouting in 1965 at St William’s Catholic School in Pack 76, Menominee Michigan, attaining the Arrow of Light and bridging into Troop 76 in 1969. As a Scout I attended Bear Paw Scout Camp each summer and went on a 50 mile canoe trip down the Menominee River. I was in the last Ordeal held by Chequa Lodge before it merged with others to form Awase Lodge. My Eagle was earned in 1975 out of Troop 151 in Menominee. The Eagle Rank was instrumental in gaining my 4 year Army ROTC scholarship at Michigan Technological University, Houghton Michigan.
After active duty with the 5th Infantry Division at Fort Polk Louisiana, I gained employment as a District Executive with the Chippewa Valley Council assigned to the Blue Hills District in rural northwestern Wisconsin. That began my 30 year career as a rural serving executive. After the Blue Hills, I served in the Osage Nation District of Quivira Council in Kansas, Pawnee District of Overland Trails Council in Nebraska, the Northwest Mississippi District in Mississippi, then Lakeshore District and Northern Lites District in Bay-Lakes Council. In 2012 I took over the Hiawathaland District as the first Director after the merger of Hiawathaland Council into the Bay-Lakes Council. I served there until my retirement in 2018. A notable event during my tenure was the 50th Anniversary of Camp Hiawatha, which drew 475 campers to the camporee celebration.
I was also staff leader for Jamboree contingents in 1997, 2001, 2005, 2010, 2013, and 2017. Contingent sizes grew from 40 members to 240 across three councils.
Since retiring in 2018 I have served as the Hiawathaland District Popcorn Distribution Chair and raised funds for projects at Camp Hiawatha. These projects have been a new ice machine, a new gun safe, a defibrillator, a walk-in freezer, and a new Ecology Building.
Alex is an innovator and creative leader focusing on strengthening communities. He earned his Eagle Scout rank in Troop 57 in Appleton, WI, and was active in both Troop 57 and Venture Crew 9057 leadership and high adventure programs.
Alex’s first career was in the performing arts in New York City, During the summer of 2010, he volunteered at a rooftop garden in Brooklyn, New York growing food for a neighborhood pantry. At the end of the summer, Alex was given a bag of fresh food to take home as a token of appreciation for his service. He had never grown his own food before. And as simple as it sounds, that bag of fresh produce changed him forever.
That summer of gardening made Alex realize how much involvement and engagement in growing your own food creates a real connection to what you eat. That realization inspired him to break down barriers to fresh food and give everyone the power to grow their own food in a sustainable and transformative way. He returned to northeast Wisconsin with passion and energy to bring that inspiration to life, creating and leading the Goodwill Grows Program of Goodwill of North Central Wisconsin, then serving as Director of Programs and Innovation for Feeding America Eastern WI. He co-founded Fork Farms in 2016, and currently served as its CEO.
Fork Farms has transformed from an independent contractor building rooftop gardens, to developing four generations of the Flex Farm, and now into a company with partnerships across the globe. Fork Farms has been involved in thousands of Flex Farm installations across the United States and globally.
Alex was selected as a 2018 Future 15 award winner by the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce, the Insight Magazine TH!NC Innovation Award also in 2018, was the 2019 Wisconsin Innovation Awards Winner – Product Design from the Wisconsin Innovation Awards. He holds 4 patents for vertical hydroponic farming and is a featured writer and speaker. He continues to serve his community as a board member for the Appleton Boy Choir Inc and serves as a kitchen volunteer for the Homeless Connection.
Louie Gentine is the 3rd generation CEO of Sargento Foods – a $1.8 billion company headquartered in his native Plymouth, Wisconsin. Under his leadership which began in 2013, Sargento has grown to be the #1 natural cheese brand in America through a successful strategy of innovation, quality, and a people-first workplace culture of treating people like family. Louie’s broad base of experience and leadership has allowed him to earn the trust and respect of more than 2,400 employees, which he refers to as the Sargento Family.
With more than 20 years of experience, Louie has held various leadership roles at the company from marketing to sales and sourcing all while maintaining his grandfather’s business philosophy of sharing the success of the company with the key stakeholders who contribute to its success. Sargento stakeholders include its employees, customers, suppliers and the community.
Community Outreach is one of the corporate values of Sargento that began with Sargento founder, Leonard Gentine. Louie has carried on his grandfather’s tradition of philanthropy by supporting non-profit organizations that help provide basic human needs. Sargento gives generously to community organizations – both large and small – that focus on hunger relief, affordable housing and educational opportunities, like Scouting.
Having earned Eagle Scout distinction through the Bay-Lakes Council, Louie enthusiastically joins many members of the Sargento Family of employees in supporting scouting’s philanthropic efforts and is a champion of scouting in the community. Through the years, Sargento has hosted Bay-Lakes Council’s food drives, and many employees serve as troop leaders or scouting volunteers.
Dr. Michael James Conrardy was given his Eagle Scout Award in 2005 as a Boy Scout in Bay-Lakes Council, BSA’s Troop 1139. He served as president in Bay-Lakes Council Venture Crew 9139 and held other leadership roles. As a member of Venture Crew 9139, Michael participated in many presentations to Troop 1139 for the benefit of the younger boy scouts. Michael was fortunate to participate in BSA Florida Sea Base Keys Adventure, backpack BSA Philmont Scout High Adventure Backpacking Camp twice, and canoe with Venture Crew 9139 at BSA Northern Tier High Adventure Camp. Michael received his Eagle Award as a member of Boy Scout Troop 1139. Troop 1139 Scoutmaster was Mr. Neil Walker, and the Committee Chair was Mr. Bill Walton. Michael’s Venture Crew advisor was Dr. James Conrardy.
Michael graduated in 2011 with a degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Wisconsin School of Engineering in Madison, Wisconsin. Michael was president and outreach chair of the Biomedical Engineering Society and ranked at the top of his biomedical engineering class, receiving a Dean’s Scholarship Senior Award. Michael interned for one year with GE Healthcare in 2009 then was employed for two years after graduation with Baxter Healthcare in Illinois as a Senior Engineer working on home hemodialysis and intravenous pump technology. He subsequently attended medical school at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2017. After medical school, Dr. Michael Conrardy trained in Emergency Medicine at Northwestern University, where he won numerous awards including the Exemplary Professionalism Teaching Award in 2018, 2019, 2020, In-Training Exam Top 10 Score Nationwide Award in 2019, Resident of the Year Award at Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital, and peer nominated Best Resident Teacher Award in 2021. During the COVID epidemic, he was one of the few physicians at Northwestern designated to intubate COVID-19 patients, which is considered the highest risk procedure for COVID-19. Dr. Michael Conrardy volunteered for this role because he felt it was his civic duty.
After residency, Dr. Michael Conrardy joined the faculty as a professor in Emergency Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and taught residents in emergency medicine and medical students with hospital privileges at five MCW Froedtert Hospitals in Southeastern Wisconsin. Dr. Michael Conrardy is well published in refereed journal publications, published abstracts, and peer reviewed educational products, with journal publications on emergency mental health care, opioids, and the COVID-19 pandemic. He currently works as an emergency physician partner with ERMED, a physician group that staffs Advocate/Aurora sites in southeastern Wisconsin, including St. Luke’s Medical Center. He is married to Alyssa Vandeleest Conrardy and is the proud father of two daughters, Adeline Florence (2 years old) and Emilia Mae (newborn). Michael’s sister is Dr. Sarah Quesnell, a general dentist practicing in Milwaukee, and Michael’s parents are Dr. James J. Conrardy and Susan C. Conrardy.
Bruce Chudacoff was a member of Pack 12, Franklin School, Appleton and Troop 8, First Congregational Church, Appleton, where he earned his Eagle in 1959. He began volunteering for Bay-Lakes Council in 1979, when he closed the sale of a portion of Gardner Dam Camp to the DNR. He served on the Council Executive Committee from 1980 until his retirement in 2015 when he joined the Advisory Board. Bruce served as Council VP for Administration and Operations and was Council Attorney for most of those years. He formed the Bay Lakes Camping and Operating Trusts, worked on logistics for the first Council Food Drive, chaired a Council Encampment, led a contingent to a National Jamboree, served on several Scout Executive search committees and FOS drives and assisted in the merger with Hiawatha Council.
Bruce has been a member of the National Jewish Committee on Scouting for over 30 years, was president of the Committee for seven years, founded the National Jewish Scout Association and is a member of the National Religious Relationships Committee of the BSA and the Advisory Board for Northeast Illinois Council. He created and maintains the BSA Calendar of Religious Observances. Bruce is a James E West Fellow and a Silver Beaver. He became a Distinguished Eagle Scout in 2001.
Bruce graduated from Appleton Senior High School in 1962, obtained a degree from Michigan in 1966 and a JD from Harvard Law School in 1969. He served in the US Army in 1970-71 and was a captain while serving at MACV HQ in Vietnam in 1971. He practiced law in Northeastern Wisconsin from 1969 to his retirement in 2015. Bruce has three married children, Joshua, an Eagle Scout, Associate Principal at Appleton North High School, Tanya, a retail worker and volunteer in Northbrook, IL and Tammy, the City Magistrate in Ann Arbor. He and his wife Nancy have six grandchildren and live in Glenview, IL. Bruce is Judge Advocate for the Jewish War Veterans of Illinois and his American Legion Post and is also a member of the VFW.
Dr. William Bowerman is a Professor at the University of Maryland. He has been studying bald eagles since 1984 and has started environmental monitoring programs using sea eagles in North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. He is a Fellow of AAAS and The Explorers Club.
He was the U.S. Co-Chair of the Great Lakes Science Advisory Board and was a member for 18 years. He is a member of the National Academies Standing Committee on the Use of Animals in Research, Chairs the Ornithological Council, and volunteers with the Boy Scouts of America and the Northern Michigan University Foundation.
His awards include the Distinguished Conservationist and NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award, Boy Scouts of America; Distinguished Alumni Award, Northern Michigan University; Alumni Achievement Award, Western Michigan University, Fellow American Association for the Advancement of Science, and National Fellow of The Explorers Club. He was honored to carry Flag #228 of The Explorers Club in the field in 2023.
Bruce Deadman is a recognized labor and employment attorney concentrating in compensation and policy-related issues. He has served as general counsel and HR director for a local window and interior design firm, and then ran the HR consulting practice for a large Midwest accounting firm before practicing at Amundsen Davis, a Midwest law firm with a Green Bay office, where he currently of counsel.
Bruce is a nationally-recognized conservationist. He has spent countless hours and been intimately involved for decades on local, state and national levels with Ducks Unlimited, including service as the National Senior VP for Youth and Education, where he negotiated a National Memorandum of Understanding between Scouting and DU which is finally bearing fruit. He was also Conservationist of the Year for Wisconsin Ducks Unlimited in 2013. His activities are also closely linked to Scouting. He has been an Eagle Project mentor for many years, in many cases assisting Eagle Scouts with conservation-oriented service projects. He is also a 2017 recipient of the Silver Beaver from Bay-Lakes Council and has been on the Bay-Lakes Council Board for a number of years.
In addition to conservation and Scouting, Bruce is active in the St. Andrew’s Society of Milwaukee. He has also dedicated time to serving as a counselor for lawyers in need of substance abuse or mental health assistance through the Wisconsin Lawyer Assistance Program (WisLAP), and was WisLAP’s Volunteer of the Year in 2014. He is an active member and elder at First Presbyterian Church in Green Bay. Bruce is also an active member of Green Bay West Rotary and serves as Chair of its Foundation Committee.
Finally, Bruce is a dedicated amateur musician and performs in several local groups, notably the AVB Community Band, of which he also emcee.
Webelo Member Pack 31
Scout, Troop 5, Union Congregational Church Green Bay
Eagle Scout (1971)
Brotherhood OA Member
Bear Paw Staff, 1973
Father of Eagle Scout Stephen Deadman
Troop Committee member, Troop 1267
Scout Volunteer recruiter, DU Great Outdoors Festival- 1999-2002 (recruited Scout units to volunteer at Great Outdoors Festival at EAA grounds, including arranging for several Scouts to do their Eagle projects at the Festival.
Alan works relentlessly to provide opportunity and growth in personal skills and leadership for our local youth and adults.
He consistently is patient, professional and quite skilled in working with youth and adults. His character is a living example of the Scout oath and law on the daily. We have spent many summers at Scout summer camp and I have seen nothing but patience and excellent guidance at all times despite typical Scout shenanigans, illness, and crisis.
He has a busy professional career and still prioritizes Scout activities and is always available for scouts who ask for guidance and his time regarding scout endeavors. We are lucky to have him in our local and Scouting community!
Roger is a well-known presence in the Voyageur District and in Bay-Lakes Council. He is an Eagle Scout and recipient of the Silver Beaver, along with numerous other accolades. Roger was a fixture for many years on the Voyageur Adult Leader Training team, Roundtable staff and many camporee staffs. Perhaps you’ve heard him tell “Why Fire Engines are Red” or listened to his version of a steam calliope. He also served for many years as a member of the council’s Okpik Cold Weather Camping team. He continues to serve on event staffs for district and council events.
Before his retirement, Roger was the Publisher of the Oconto County Times Herald. In that role, he was always quick to give visibility to the Scouting program in that area. What many people do not know is that he competed in rowing in the Ivy League at Penn and has continued to compete and referee at the master’s level in rowing throughout the country. Roger’s crews have won seven gold medals in World Masters regattas. He has successively been a Scoutmaster, District and Assistant Council Commissioner, and district vice-chairman – program. He has served on staff at Bear Paw, Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Scout Reservation, and the 2011 World Jamboree.
Tim doesn’t like to brag much but he has a long list of accomplishments in Scouting, Business and a life long history of community service in Wisconsin and beyond. In addition to being an Eagle Scout, Tim may be best known in Scouting as being the 25th person in the history of the BSA to earn every single merit badge – he earned 119 merit badges and even his Wisconsin license plate read ‘BSA-119’. There’s also a day named after Tim in Wisconsin called ‘Tim Vertz Day’, which is on November 1st each year because of this accomplishment.
Tim has a master’s degree from Harvard University and is the CEO and Founder of Vertz Marketing, a leading midwest advertising agency. Through his company, he spends a lot of time mentoring companies and business owners on the incredible importance of community service and giving back. In 2018 he founded the ‘Vertz Marketing Rotary Small Business Innovation Center’ at Concordia University Wisconsin. Through this partnership, Vertz Marketing links Concordia business students with businesses and non-profit organizations to get them real world experience so they are better prepared for their careers after college. Vertz Marketing has also been named ‘Business of the Year’ in Ozaukee County by Ozaukee Economic Development. Tim has been named in the past as ‘Citizen of the Year’ by the Mequon-Thiensville Chamber of Commerce.
Tim has served many non-profit organizations over the past 20 years including serving as: president of the Mequon-Thiensville Chamber of Commerce; president of the Thiensville-Mequon Rotary; board of directors for the Mequon-Thiensville Community Foundation; Chair of the Harvard Alumni Association – Midwest Chapter, among many others.
Tim is also a member of the ‘Brandy Old-Fashioned Hall of Fame’ as he won a Wisconsin state fair award and he donates Brandy Old-Fashioned parties to be auctioned off at local non-profits for their fundraisers. This alone has raised over $75,000 in the past years.
Dean is Secretary/Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer for Miron Construction Co, Inc. in Neenah, Wisconsin. Dean has held this position since joining the firm in 1998.
Miron is the largest general contractor in Wisconsin and ranks 68th in the nation. The family-owned company has been in business since 1918 and is one of the nation’s premier construction firms and industry leaders.
Dean is responsible for overseeing all accounting functions for Miron, including policies and procedures. His main focus is strategic planning and budgeting; he is also responsible for cash management, financial reporting, and tax planning for the company.
Dean is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Managerial Accounting with a minor in Finance. He is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant by the state of Wisconsin.
Out of his position at Miron, Dean serves on boards for the YMCA of the Fox Cities, Riverview Gardens, and the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay Chancellor’s Council of Trustees, is Vice President of the Northeastern Wisconsin Chapter of Construction Financial Management Association, and is Treasurer for the North Shore Golf Club.
Dean and his wife, Kim, live in Appleton, Wisconsin. They have three grown children and one grandchild.