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I earned my Aviation merit badge under the guidance of George Miller, a remarkable counselor and F-4 Phantom pilot who flew combat missions in Vietnam, once ejecting safely during a mission. After the war, George piloted helicopters in Louisiana ferrying people and supplies to oil rigs in the Gulf of America. In the 1980s, he spearheaded the ThedaStar Life Flight program in Neenah, selecting the Bell Jet Long Ranger helicopter.
He built a dedicated flight crew and nurse team, helping turn ThedaStar Life Flight Team into one of the best. Having completed over 15,000 patient transports since its inception in 1986. Working on the Aviation merit badge with George was a highlight of my Scouting journey. His stories, expertise, and encouragement fueled my passion for aviation, inspiring me to earn my pilot’s license. George’s mentorship pushed me to dig deeper and tap into my potential—he is my Merit Badge Mentor.
Joel, who was also my high school social studies teacher, helped open the world to me. As my Citizenship in the World merit badge counselor, he helped me to learn about opportunities to work on a global scale.
I went on to serve as a U.S. diplomat across the world and now pay back by serving as a counselor for the same made in the Three Harbors Council!
My most memorable merit badge experience was earning swimming merit badge at Camp Hiawatha during a Cub Scout week in the summer of 2020. I was attending the week with my younger sisters, but wasn’t involved in any of the camp program. I decided to take the time I had and provide service to the camp for my star rank. I was hauling brush by the family camp area, when the waterfront director that year noticed me working with my dad. He found it so odd that I was working so hard every time he went past. He had noticed the effort I was putting in towards the camp and my personal rank advancement. He asked me “Do you have swimming merit badge?” and generously offered me the opportunity to earn an eagle required merit badge. He told me that because I had been working so hard, if I wanted to earn swimming merit badge he would be willing to work with me down at the waterfront later that day. While working on the badge I struggled with the surface dives for a very long time, but he remained patient and supportive until I completed the last dive. I always look back on swimming merit badge fondly, and remember the kindness of my counselor that allowed me to complete one of my eagle required merit badges.
It has impacted me, I earned Coin Collecting as a scout in Queens NY, visited a museum on a day hike. In College got a job at that museum and finally at graduation became a full time employee. Yes, NYC has a coin Museum. As a Scout leader I staffed the 1981-2005 particpation of the national Coin Collecting organization – the American Numismatic Association at the National Jamboree, due to illness I organized but could not attend the 2010 event, Coin Collecting had not made the transition to the Summit.
Since the early 2000s, I’ve been lead editor on the Merit Badge booklet, and requirement updats, soon to morph into the digital age.
So the merit badge program started me on my life’s path. I eventually would work for a coin auction house, edit collector books and now in “retirement” be the summer curator of a paper money museum in western Iowa. – And it started with exposure to the hobby thru the merit badge program.
I remember how nervous I was going to go in front of the Eagle Scout review committee. I knew of the men and at the time they were not the friendlies you as a kid rode past on your Schwinn and waived! They scared the snot out of me…. Mean, tough, old grumpy type people….so I was scared to death. My dad knew this and said you got this, I bet you $100 you will do great and become the troops first Eagle.
I came home after the interview and found the $100 on my bed. Back then, 1967 the $100 was like $10,000 today.
I said Hey Dad I don’t know if I passed. He said I just believe in you, and the rest is history.
Gracelyn’s favorite merit badge to teach to Scouts was life saving. It was pretty easy for her to teach because she already knew the skills. She loved teaching the youth how to use those skills and watch them get stronger every day. There were some hiccups sometimes but other than that is was super fun. Some weeks were smaller than others, only having 2-3 youth in a class. But other weeks were huge, like 12-14 youth. She loved getting to meet all these Scouts and changing their lives forever especially since lifesaving is an Eagle required merit badge.
In 1970, Bruce was a 16 year old Life Scout with only a few merit badges and a project standing between him and his becoming an Eagle. Well, maybe band, girls, and having more than his share of fun were a bit in the way too, but he eventually put them aside and got to work on completing his journey on the Eagle Trail.
It eventually boiled down to him needing just ONE more merit badge- Nature. He had started Nature at Bear Paw at least 3 times but never finished it, and there weren’t a lot of non-camp Nature merit badge counsellors around then. So there he was- stuck. Enter his Scoutmaster Mike Herman’s friend and co- Bear Paw staffer John Langer. As he recalls, John was head nature guy at Bear Paw in 1970, and Mike paved the way for him to contact John for help. John very graciously invited him into his home ( I think he was living in DePere with his folks) and in a few sessions he had my Nature merit badge! He checked his merit badge sash and sure enough that was the last merit badge of the 21 needed at that time- bottom row.
John has helped so many Scouts over the years he may not even remember this little episode, but he sure did. John got him over one of the final humps on his trip down the Eagle trail, and he is forever grateful for that. He can confidently say that his life would have been very different had he not become an Eagle Scout. Thank you, John!
But wait, there’s more. He got to know John better when he was on staff in 1973, and more recently as he has become a prime mover, no THE prime mover, in the Bear Paw Cabin Project and in supporting Bear Paw in many other ways which if we go into will embarrass him so we won’t. John, who by the way is a gifted potter, created 100 custom made mugs (make that 101 because Bruce broke one) to sell for $100 each so a cabin could be built in honor of Bear Paw Alumni. That same Mike Hermans and John asked him to keep track of sales, which he was happy to do, and he thanks those of you here tonight who bought a mug. Anyway, Bruce bought a couple of extras and tonight you’re going to have the opportunity to buy the LAST MUG of the alumni cabin edition at auction. Proceeds to go to the Cabin Project. Please join us in honoring John with your generous bids.
Thanks again, John!
Eric Knapstein was Matt’s merit badge for Astronomy Merit badge in 1991 when he was a Scout at Camp Freeland Leslie, in Oxford Wisconsin. He was a young nature area director with a love of all things natural science. He led our group on 2 star hikes since we couldn’t get enough. We finished Astronomy very quickly due to prereading and his passion to share constellations and how to find them. Having finished sooner than planned due to his excellent teaching, we had extra time. He had in the area a Go gameboard and pieces. Go is a very popular Asian board game that goes back 2500 years. He taught us rudimentary some rules and we had a fun time playing. The next summer he was on camp staff. Eric and him worked together when he was Commissioner. It was magical to go from mentor/mentee to peers. He was able to help him learn the ins and outs of being a staffer. We learned about hard work, making campfires for the Scouts, doing dishes in the kitchen, digging holes, keeping camp clean, painting, and a million other things that went into the upkeep of camp. This was in addition to mentoring Scouts and counseling merit badges himself. Working hard together towards a common goal, that summer led to a 35-year friendship that had lasts to this day. This is the neat thing about Merit Badge counselors. They can range from the experienced Scoutmasters with 50 years of Scouting experience to the 18-year-old science geek wanting to share their excitement learning about the natural world.
Els is a new merit badge counselor, having only taught the Communication MB once, so she don’t have any life altering stories at this time, but she would like to turn this upside down: how teaching a Merit Badge is beneficial to the adult teaching it! She had a blast working through the many areas of communication covered by the MB. She had a great time learning more about the different topics and about each other. The youth shared their passions and creativity throughout, and it brought them closer as a group. It also gave her an opportunity to get to know them better. She was extra proud at the Court of Honor when they received their Communication MB because she knew first-hand how hard they worked for it and that they truly earned it. Job satisfaction for this MB counselor!
Raquel began teaching merit badges when her oldest son crossed over from a Webelo Scout into Boy Scouts. She worked with both of her son’s patrols and continued for many years after to help Scouts reach the rank of Eagle. They had a hard time finding adults that would commit to working on the required merit badges because they usually required months of keeping track of finances or health logs. She found that if her Troop had this issue, so did other Troops. Once she registered to teach council wide, she worked with many Troops, then with the merit badge clinics, and later when she worked at Gardner Dam Scout Camp. She worked as an Eagle Advisor for over 20 years guiding many Scouts. She later accepted a position on the District Advancement Committee doing Eagle Boards of Review. She enjoyed doing that for about 20 years. Again, for years she taught Personal Fitness and Personal Finance and later she began teaching the First Aid Merit Badge. Because of the First Aid Merit badge and the inability to find an instructor to certify camp staff, she later went on to become certified as an American Red Cross Instructor. She has been teaching for American Red Cross now for almost 20 years. She teaches First Aid/CPR/AED and added American Red Cross Babysitting a few years ago. Not only does she still volunteer with Scouts, she also volunteers with schools, business, community, and outdoor groups to keep people trained. The mentoring is what it is all about! It’s what she enjoys and it keeps her going year after year.
Thomas joined Scouting as a Cub Scout in 1967, at Pack 66 in Lincoln Acres, California, earned his Bobcat, Wolf, Bear and Lion and went into Webelos, completed his Arrow of Life and crossed over into Boy Scout Troop 43 of Lincoln Acres, California. In 1977 he became Eagle Scout with the required (24 Merit Badges) that year. He became an Order of the Arrow, Arrowmen, 2023 became Brotherhood. He worked at regional Scout Camps in California, Haul-Cu-Cuish, Mataquay, He has since served as a Cubmaster, Committee Chair, Chaplain, Scoutmaster, and District Religious Emblems Coordinator. He has received the District Award of Merit, and continues to volunteer his time at Bay-Lakes Council Camps, repairing and restoring facilities. He is a retired 40 year Church Planting Pastor, building new Church Communities. During his pastor tenor, he taught 5th and 6th grade Math, Science and Social Science classes, He currently serves as Scoutmaster of Troop 852 in Thiensville-Mequon. He teaches Camping, Communication, Electricity, Environmental Science, Family Life, First Aid, Woodwork and Digital Technology Merit Badges.
Josh never lost sight of how much Scouting has done for him despite losing sight. Years ago, he was in a car accident and lost sight in his right eye, but that’s never stopped him from continuing to go on adventures and follow the amazing program of Scouting. He earned his Eagle in 2012 and his goal is to continue to encourage others. He was successful in encouraging both his brother and friend and received an Eagle mentor pin from them both and he wants to continue to encourage others. His son is now 4 years old and soon he’s going to introduce him into Scouting.
Emma’s most memorable merit badge experience was earning swimming merit badge at Camp Hiawatha during a Cub Scout week in the summer of 2020. She was attending the week with her younger sisters, but wasn’t involved in any of the camp programs. She decided to take the time she had and provide service to the camp for her star rank. She was hauling brush by the family camp area, when the waterfront director that year noticed her working with her dad. He found it so odd that she was working so hard every time he went past. He had noticed the effort she was putting in towards the camp and her personal rank advancement. He asked her “Do you have swimming merit badge?” and generously offered her the opportunity to earn an Eagle required merit badge. He told her that because she had been working so hard, if she wanted to earn swimming merit badge he would be willing to work with her down at the waterfront later that day. While working on the badge she struggled with the surface dives for a very long time, but he remained patient and supportive until she completed the last dive. She’ll always look back on swimming merit badge fondly, and remember the kindness of her counselor that allowed her to complete one of her Eagle required merit badges.
Five Eagle Scouts in 3 generations-so far.
Our Scouting journey began with my father in the 1930s and 40s in Long Island, New York. Although he never made Eagle Scout, my father got everything he could from Scouting and passed his love of Scouting and the outdoors to his sons Tom and Tim (me).
My brother and I both enjoyed our summers in the woods of southern Missouri in the 1970s and 80s as we journeyed down the trail to Eagle Scout. Along the way, Tom and I both we indicated into the Tribe of Mic-O-say, the Heart of America Council’s leadership development program for Scouts.
Now we find ourselves in our third generation. Both of my brother’s sons followed in their father’s footsteps and made Eagle Scout, despite moving frequently as an Air Force family. My own son, Josiah Feldhausen, made Eagle in 2022. Throughout our entire multi-generational journey in Scouting, the one thing that has united us has been the desire to give back to a movement that has given us much more than we can ever hope to repay.
Scouting has had a profound impact throughout the DeLuka family for over 3 generations. Starting in the 1960’s, David DeLuka began his family’s legacy as a Cub Scout and moved into Boy Scouts, eventually achieved the rank of Life Scout.
As active parents of 3 boys, both David and his wife Barbara became involved in the small community’s Cub Scout Pack once their oldest, Chadwick, reached joining age and continued into Boy Scouting years, with each brother Mike and John achieving Eagle Scout, being selected for Vigil Honor, and staffing multiple years at Gardner Dam Scout Camp.
Continuing this incredible Scouting legacy, when Chadwick’s two boys reached joining age for Cub Scouts, his family joined the local Pack and restarted the Scouting journey. Each of his sons achieved Eagle Scout, were selected for Vigil Honor, and have been staffing for multiple years at Gardner Dam Scout Camp.
Upon reaching the required age, Jon’s daughters, Kirsten and Evelyn, began serving on camp staff at Gardner Dam, and did so for several years.
The DeLuka family involvement continues at the unit and council level, with David most recently serving as Camp Director at Gardner Dam. David’s other son Mike, continues to be involved along with his wife Melissa in Alpha Phi Omega – a national service fraternity connected to Scouting America.
Through shared experiences, dear friends, and a common cause, Scouting is a tie that binds the DeLuka family together. Recently Chadwick said, “We care deeply for Scouting America and its future as the program continues to develop future leaders. Each of us has seen firsthand the positive impact Scouting has on the individual, their family, and their community.”
The DeLuka family involvement will continue as firm supporters of Scouting.
Jennifer’s scouting path started when she was three years old and her older brother Matthew joined Cub Scouts. Their parents became den leaders. Jennifer sat in the back and learned about nature, first aid, and a multitude of other topics. Jennifer later joined Girl Scouts where she went to Camp Ishnala, backpacked in the Olympic National Park, and earned the Silver Award. When she was 17, Jennifer’s older brother invited her to work at Bear Paw Scout Camp. Jennifer spent seven summers instructing scoutcraft, becoming a BSA lifeguard, helping in the health lodge, and directing the shooting sports and climbing departments. Jennifer joined her brother’s troop as an adult leader and became a member of The Order of the Arrow and received Vigil in 2010.
Jennifer graduated from Pulaski High School. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point three years later with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with minors in accounting and music. During her years working a corporate job, Jennifer missed the outdoors and serving her community. Jennifer returned to school and became a paramedic. She volunteered as an Emergency Medical Responder in her hometown while working her first ambulance job in Mountain, WI, the township where she spent seven summers at camp. Jennifer’s career in EMS led her to further her education and earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Jennifer currently works full time in the Intensive Care Unit of a Level II Trauma Center and Comprehensive Stroke Center while still serving her community part time on the ambulance.
In her spare time, Jennifer likes to read, hike, backpack, hunt, ride bicycles, and eat all of the delicious foods on her adventures. Most recently was a trip to Vail, Colorado with her boyfriend Shea riding mountain bikes down ski slopes and exploring the continental divide.
Born and raised in Green Bay, Bernie Schlafke began his many adventures in scouting while a sixth grader at Howe School. Although his first weekend camping trip with St. John’s Troop 1044 (in someone’s potato field near Suring) was a rained-out disaster with a cold, wet sleeping bag, Bernie actually enjoyed his first week at Bear Paw Scout Camp (BPSC) the following summer. During the next four summers at Bear Paw as well as at home, he completed all the required and elective merit badges for Eagle Scout just before turning eighteen.
Out of his love for Bear Paw and the North Woods, Bernie joined the staff for eight summers at BPSC, where he began his life-long career as an educator, teaching scouts about nature, ecology, and introducing them to low-impact camping skills. In 1985 he spent ten months traveling through Germany and Europe, and the two summer months as a dishwasher in a Bavarian country inn. Despite the joy of traveling and living abroad, he still missed camp and his staff buddies, and his longing for camp led to the composition that summer of his first song, “Bear Paw, My Home Away from Home,” which is still sung there today.
Learning the basics of teaching at Bear Paw (KISMIF—“Keep it simple, make it fun”) and the UW-Madison, Bernie chose a career to serve as a public and private music and language educator, both in Wisconsin and Bavaria, that continues to this day. He is currently semi-retired and resides in the Madison area.
Michael (Mike) Mailand, eldest son of Marian and Raymond Mailand, joined Cub Scouts when he was 8 years old in 1967 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. His 3 brothers followed suit into scouting making it a family affair. In 1970, he became a Boy Scout in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin as a member of troop 26. Mike attended his first of many National Jamboree’s in 1973 and was also inducted into the Order of the Arrow – Chequah Lodge. From 1973 to 1975, he served as the Order of the Arrow Chapter Chief and was a member of the Awase Lodge Merger Committee. In 1975, Mike became an Order of the Arrow Brotherhood member and received the Ad Altare Dei religious award. He served as the Contingent Senior Patrol Leader for the Scottish Jamborette the following year and had the opportunity to celebrate his 16th birthday in Europe.
1977 was a big year for Mike; he became an Eagle Scout after completing an emergency preparedness project and developing resources in Door County, Wisconsin, received Vigil Honors of the Order of the Arrow Vigil and served on the National Jamboree staff. In the coming years, he was the Lodge Chief for the Order of the Arrow (1978-1979) and received the Bronze Pelican religious award (1982).
In 1987, Mike married Cub Scout Leader Melanie Gump having met her through scouting. They welcomed their first daughter, Deb, and Mike received his Silver Beaver in 1988. Mike served as staff for the National Jamborees in 1981, 1985, and 1989. He made it home from the Jamboree just in time to be present for the birth of his second daughter, Becca, after the 1989 Jamboree.
Throughout the 1990s, he continued his Scouting activities, including yearly Okpik events, a winter camping training program that he began in 1980 with David Hirn, but prioritized his young family. As he had been all along, Mike continued in office supply sales after learning the ropes from his dad via the family business. He coached his daughters in soccer and assisted his wife with Girl Scouts taking the troop on backpacking adventures.
By the time his daughters were in middle school, Mike ramped up his scouting activities once again. In 2000, 2004, 2005, and 2007, he served on Wood Badge staff. He became the Wood Badge course director in 2008, and Mike also spent two years as the course director for National Youth Leadership Training. In 2010, he was a National Jamboree Scoutmaster. In 2013 and 2017, he returned to the National Jamboree; this time as the Counsel Contingent Leader and began serving as the Lodge Advisor for Order of the Arrow. Mike also served as the 2019 World Jamboree USA Contingent Leader.
More recently, Mike was awarded the Pillars Volunteer of the Year and Fox Valley Janet Berry Volunteer of the year in 2021 for his dedication to the homeless population throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and his commitment to scouting. In 2023, Mike served as the National Jamboree Bay Lakes and Samoset Council Contingent Leader.
Currently, his scouting titles include Order of the Arrow Lodge Advisor, the Jamboree Committee Chair, member of the Bay Lakes Council Program Committee, member of the Bay Lakes Council Winter Programs, and Arctic Adventure Chair (17 years).
Disclaimer: This history of Mike’s time in Scouting is likely incomplete; Mike Mailand has done more for Scouting over the past 56 years than one could possibly remember.
I am a second-generation Scout and a sixth-generation leader for McDonald Companies. I was raised in Scouting, and I have taken lessons with me wherever I have gone. My goal for the future is to give back to both organizations that have helped to shape who I am today.
I returned to the Green Bay area in 2012 with my wife Katie to start a family which has grown from two to five including three boys who are now in Scouting. Professionally, I am collaborating with a team of over 250 co-workers servicing the needs of customers and communities in seven states. In keeping with Scouting Cultural, we are only as good as the communities we help create and this will be our goal as we grow.
The Scouting Motto, Oath and Mind set have helped me serve in leadership roles in a number of organizations including roles at the Department of Defense, Rockwell, be a founding member of several non-profits and serve on a few non-profit boards in our community.
I was gifted with time from many great leaders and mentors over the years, several of whom are also honored in the 50 Scouts we honor through this award. They have instilled in me the value of a lifelong education. I am passionate about developing resources for experiential education in our community, especially for the youth.
I again appreciate the honor and look forward to paying forward the time to Scouts in our community.
David graduated from Kingsford High School in 1966 and enrolled in Northern Michigan University (NMU) under the “Right to Try” program. Unfortunately, he was not a motivated scholar, subsequently finding himself on the Dean’s List of former students after just one semester. David spent the next year digging holes and climbing power poles for M. J. Electric. The job was hard but rewarding and set the stage for a lifelong interest in the transmission and distribution of electricity. He reapplied to NMU in 1968 and was granted “conditional” readmission. With the fear of academic failure fresh in his mind David excelled in the classroom and eventually transferred to Michigan Technological University (MTU) for the study of electrical engineering, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1972.
David began his professional career immediately after graduation working for Wisconsin Public Service as a Division Engineer. He rejoined M. J. Electric in 1973 as a Project Engineer in the Substation Division. In 1975, he formed the Underground Power & Communications Division. In 1978 David was promoted to Vice President of the Utility Division where he was responsible for M. J. Electric’s Transmission, Distribution, Substation, and Underground operations. In 1980 David was named Vice President of Manufacturing; in 1985 he was elected Executive Vice President; and in 1990 President/CEO. In 1992 he purchased a majority of the company’s stock.
Under David’s leadership, M. J. Electric grew to one of the nation’s largest electrical construction companies – ranked 8th on Engineering News Record’s list of 600 top specialty contractors; one of North America’s largest manufacturers of snow and ice control equipment through its BOSS Snowplow product line; and the largest control and relay panel manufacturer in the nation – Systems Control. David sold M. J. Electric to Exelon Infrastructure Services in 2000 (eventually becoming part of Quanta Services); The BOSS Snowplow to the Toro Company in 2014, and Systems Control to Comvest Partners in 2018. David takes pride in knowing these businesses continue to thrive and employ a combined total of nearly 3,000 people.
In addition to serving on numerous electrical industry boards and committees David was a founding member of the Electri’21 Council, a construction industry “think tank,” where he was chairman of the Committee on the Future of the Electrical Construction Industry; and a founding member of the Electrical Construction Roundtable. He also served as a guest lecturer on Strategic Market Planning at the University of Wisconsin’s Management Institute, and lectured on How to Run a Successful Construction Business at University of Wisconsin’s School of Construction Administration.
David is a former member of the Executive Advisory Board of the Pine Mountain Music Festival; the Federal Reserve’s Committee on Small Business and Agriculture; the First National Bank of Iron Mountain Board of Directors; the Michigan Tech Fund Board of Directors; the MTU Generations of Discovery Campaign Committee; the U.P. Construction Labor-Management Council; Friends of Handicapped People, an organization dedicated to the financial support of Special Olympics in the Central Upper Peninsula; and the Interlochen Arts Academy Presidents Council. In 2001, David was appointed to the Michigan Technological University Board of Control, serving two terms as Board Chair. In 2009 he was awarded an Honorary PhD by the MTU School of Business and Economics.
He holds appointments to Michigan Technological University’s Electrical Engineering Academy; the MTU School of Business and Economics Academy; the Order of the Engineer; and currently serves on the Michigan Technological University College of Business Advisory Council and the Flagship Campaign Executive Committee.
David has received several awards and honors including: the Hiawathaland Council Winthrop Rockefeller Fund Raising Award; the University of Wisconsin Lifetime Achievement Award in Construction; a Commendation Medal from the Cambodian Education Ministry for contributions to educational infrastructure in the Kingdom of Cambodia; the Michigan Special Olympics Family of the Year Award; and selection as the Upper Peninsula Business Person of the Year in 2015.
David’s interests include hiking, biking, rollerblading, skiing, driving a race car, and most recently the startup of a new business venture: Thu Brulé Skin Care with his wife Thu.
Jeremy grew up in Suamico, WI, and became a Scout in Troop 1033 where his father, Jack, was his Scoutmaster and mentor throughout his early years in Boy Scouts. He earned the Eagle Scout rank in 1997 and held various positions of increased responsibility over the years such as Scout Master, Ceremony Team Member and Leader, Ordeal Master, and Conference Chief, to name a few. When Jeremy graduated from Bay Port High School in 1997, he continued with Boy Scouts taking leadership positions within the troop and earned the Vigil Honor in the Order of the Arrow in 1998.
In parallel and in complement of his work with Boy Scouts, Jeremy also is an avid sportsman, waterfowl hunter, and hunter safety instructor. He has been a Wisconsin Safety Instructor since graduating from his own hunter safety class at 12 years old and has been assisting in classes in the Green Bay area, as well as Bear Paw Scout Camp, for over 30 years. He was one of the team members who started the Learn to Hunt Waterfowl program in the state over 20 years ago, in partnership with the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association (WWA) and the Department of Natural Resources, and still acts as a mentor for youth and inexperienced hunters in the art and hobby of waterfowl hunting. Jeremy also has served on the board of the WWA for 16 years; a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of Wisconsin’s waterfowl and wetland resources through habitat restoration, education, and being a voice in legislation and regulation.
Jeremy led fundraising and took part in the construction of the Jack Van Sistine Educational Building for the Shooting Sports program at Bear Paw Scout Camp in Mountain, WI; an endeavor that was started by his late father, Jack, who sadly passed away in 2017. Jeremy can be found donating many days and weekends throughout the year at Bear Paw Scout Camp, helping with various building and camp projects with Ranger Andy. Jeremy continues to serve as a committee member for Crew 9061 and is a Ceremonies Advisor for the Muk Chapter of the Order of the Arrow, attending conferences and ceremonies throughout the year.
For Jeremy, being a Boy Scout is not something he does occasionally, it is who he is at his very core and can be seen through his countless hours of volunteer time and his daily service to others. Those who are blessed to know Jeremy (and you should now that he is of the 50 Scouts you should know) will agree he is willing to help anyone, at any time. He has been and continues to be a great mentor, leader, and most of all a friend to many throughout his years in scouting.
Jeremy resides in the Green Bay area with his wife and their three children.
A former U.S. congressman and Michigan state representative, Bart Stupak is uniquely positioned to provide clients with well-informed, extensive counsel based on a thorough knowledge of the energy, healthcare, telecommunications, and international trade industries, and their related legislation. Bart currently focuses his practice on healthcare system financial restructuring and has played key roles in the reformation of two systems valued at more than $50 million and $100 million, respectively.
As congressman to Michigan’s First Congressional District for 18 years, Bart developed a deep understanding of issues that directly affected his constituents.
Bart served on the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee. He was involved with several related subcommittees, including the Health, Energy and the Environment, Communications, Technology and the Internet, Consumer Protection, and Commerce and Trade Subcommittees. He chaired the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, and oversaw investigations into physical and cybersecurity breaches at U.S. nuclear labs, food and drug safety matters, and insurance company policy rescissions. He played a critical role in the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010. He also served on the Armed Services, Government Reform, and Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committees.
Bart began his career in public service as a police officer in Escanaba, Michigan. He continued his career in law enforcement as a Michigan State police trooper, until he was medically retired because of an injury sustained in the line of duty. He also served in the Michigan House of Representatives. The lessons I learned while earning my Eagle Scout award have served me well through my personal, professional, and legislative careers. Whether it was arguing a legal matter before a skeptical judge or weathering a political storm, staying true to the Boy Scout Law sustained me. The Scout Law is still applicable today as it was in 1967 when I received my Eagle Scout Award.
A Boy Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent has withstood the test of time. By allowing these 12 Boy Scout characteristics to serve as your foundation throughout life you can overcome any obstacle, tragedy, and personal sacrifice.
Scouting challenges you to become a leader and an active participant in our democracy starting with Citizenship in the Home, Community, and Nation. Be Prepared to become a better citizen, spouse, father, and a leader in our great Nation through Scouting.
Pat is the Scout Executive/CEO of the Great Trail Council headquartered in Stow, Ohio. He began his Scouting career in Pack 3919 and earned his Eagle Scout as a member of Troop 931. He spent many of his summers working on camp staff and served as Camp Director at Rokilio and Bear Paw. He also was selected by his fellow Order of the Arrow members to receive the Vigil Honor and served as Lodge Chief.
He is a graduate of St. Norbert College. Upon graduation he went to work for Bay-Lakes Council serving various positions and districts within the council. He and his family then traveled west to serve the Cascade Pacific Council in Portland, Oregon and later the San Francisco Bay Area Council. He returned to Wisconsin and served as the Scout Executive of the Potawatomi Area Council. In 2017 he was selected to be the Scout Executive of the Great Trail Council.
Pat has been married to his wife Mara for 31 years and has two children Maija and Tyler and a son-in-law Ben. Maija worked on summer camp staff following in her dad’s footsteps. She was the first female Program Director in that camp’s history. Tyler and Ben are Eagle Scouts and Vigil Honor members.
Rick is a proud Eagle Scout and Scouting Alumnus of this area (what used to be the Nicolet Council). Rick took over his father’s business, Camera Corner, and turned it from a little camera retail store into a state-of-the-art technology company. Camera Corner is a rarity in the retail world, outlasting many of its former competitors by decades, and has evolved into a technology powerhouse due to Rick’s leadership and guidance.
Rick also makes significant contributions to the community through the Chernick Family Foundation, personally and through Camera Corner and has served on over 50 community boards, committees and fundraisers. Some board like Aspiro, Ymca, downtown Green Bay Inc., Associated Bank and the Green Bay Packers’ Board of Directors to name a few
Rick says gaining my Eagle status is his greatest achievement.
Brad’s passion for scouting started in Cub Scouts where his mom was his Den Leader and Dad was the committee chair of Pack 3836. It was an easy choice to join since his brother and role model, Chris, was already a Boy Scout at that time. When he was able, he became a Boy Scout in Troop 830. Boy Scouts was fun and was an amazing way to learn new skills and be active in the outdoors. Advancement and merit badges were a fun way to expand his knowledge and helped him grow as a person. Living the Scout Oath and Law became second nature. He was elected to and earned Brotherhood in the Order of the Arrow. At the age of 16, he earned his Eagle Scout Award, following in his brother’s footsteps. He stayed active in the troop helping and teaching others all while juggling school, a job, sports and a girlfriend while he moved up through the ranks and earned his Eagle. It was at this time that he realized that he enjoyed mentoring younger Scouts.
After attending UW Platteville, getting married and having kids of his own, he knew he wanted to be involved in Scouts to make a good experience for all.
Brad knew being a scout leader was what he wanted to do to give back to the scouting community, so Brad and his son, TJ, joined the Lions program. Brad and his co-den leader excelled at making den meetings fun for the boys. They organized science experiments, fishing, camping and cooking as they grew.
When it was time for TJ to cross into Scouts BSA, Brad knew he wanted to stay involved in the program. After joining as an Assistant Scoutmaster, he ran the troop’s largest fundraiser, with record success. He has now taken over as Scoutmaster for Troop 762, which has a linked girls Troop, 6762. He continues to encourage the Scouts BSA ideals with the Scouts and loves to get “dirty” with them, showing them that we are all here to make a fun and rewarding scouting experience.
His time commitment to his troop, while maintaining a very demanding job and a busy home life, is second to none. When he’s not Scouting, he also coaches TJ’s baseball team, his daughter’s mountain bike team and also occasionally helps his wife and daughter with their Girl Scout events and activities.
Jon speaks highly of his experiences in scouts as a kid and how the adults involved shaped the man he has grown to be. He has taken on the Scout slogan to do a good turn daily and shows others what living the Scout Oath and Law means through his actions.
After graduating from college, he set out to start a FIRST robotics program in Oshkosh to help students gain experience in real-world engineering and grow their knowledge of STEM careers. He co-founded Wave Robotics in 2008 in Oshkosh and spent a decade volunteering thousands of hours and mentoring hundreds of high school students through the program. Jon is a patient mentor who makes great connections with the students he works with. He has made a lasting impact on many team members. Even now, many of his former Wave students call him for advice and mentorship as adults. In 2018 he took a step back from Wave Robotics in order to become more involved in FIRST Lego League (a feeder program for Wave Robotics) because his own children needed a coach for their team. With the younger students, he continued to teach them valuable STEM skills and empower them to see themselves as leaders. With his support, the Lego League team won second place in the Global Innovation Awards for their innovation project in 2022.
Jon has been active in scouting in Oshkosh since his children were first able to join Scouts BSA. He served as Assistant Cubmaster in 2018 for Pack 3615 and then as Cubmaster from 2019-2022. Even through Covid, he worked hard to find creative ways to keep scouting accessible to his pack and to keep scouts engaged in the program. He planned geocaching outings, outdoor meetings, and truly showed that where there is a will, there is a way. He is the first to volunteer to help another family, even opening up his own basement to teach families how to make a Pinewood Derby car. He is currently the Charter Org Rep for Troop 641/6641. Jon is fully committed to giving scouts the best possible scouting experience. As a merit badge counselor, you can often find him teaching scouts how to care for their bikes or how to improve their camping skills. He is the first to volunteer to find funding so that any Scout who wants to attend summer camp can. Jon attends summer camp each summer and shows scouts that service is a way of life. He has built many platform tents and fixed broken things at Gardner Dam throughout the years. This summer at Camp Tesomas he spent time fixing dock boards so that they were safe for scouts and repairing the water slide. Jon is a kind of scout leader who always has time to help. One of his Scouts this year said he couldn’t bring a bike to camp because he had never learned how to ride on 2 wheels. Jon spent free time every day teaching him until he was a confident cyclist by the end of the week. Also at camp this year a Scout gave up on getting his swimming merit badge because he didn’t feel he could do the survival float. Jon went down to the lake with him during free time and coached him. Jon stood in the water cheering this scout on and gave him the confidence to complete the float and get his merit badge. Jon truly cares about his scouts and wants them to learn not only the valuable Scouting skills, but how these skills and Scout Oath and Law can turn them into caring adults who truly impact the lives of those around them.
Jon not only excels in his volunteer work, but also in his career. He is the Vice President of Business Transformation at FTI and leads his team as they work on new business opportunities.
Jon is the epitome of living a life guided by the Scout Oath and Law with a focus on helping others. He is selfless with his time and truly strives to mentor young people to be the best that they can be.
My name is Specialist Coleman LaBlanc from Green Bay WI and I graduated from Preble High School in 2022. Upon graduation, Coleman enlisted with the United States Army Reserves and completed his Basic Combat Training at Fort Sill in Lawton Oklahoma followed by his Advanced Individual Training as a Behavioral Health Specialist at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio Texas. Coleman is currently with the 785th Medical Detachment out of Ft. Snelling MN and is presently serving in the Middle East. He is part of the Combat Operational Stress Prevention Unit that provides behavioral health treatment, classes, supplies, and support to the units on the front line. In his civilian life, Coleman is employed as a Behavioral Health Technician at Willow Creek Behavioral Health. While overseas, Coleman has started to take some college classes and intends to enroll full time in college when he returns to study Biomedical Engineering.
Coleman earned his Eagle Scout rank as part of Troop 1041 in Green Bay WI in 2017. While in scouting, he was a Counseling in Training at Camp Rokilio in 2017 and 2018. He had participated in the first National Youth Leadership Training Pack and Paddle course and later went on to be a staff for the course. While he was active in scouting, Coleman enjoyed attending World Jamboree, National Jamboree, and the Boundary Waters. Coleman credits his time in scouting with providing him with the leadership skills and experiences necessary for him to be successful in his current mission with the Army and his future goals in college and his personal life.
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 a visual art teacher for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, 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.
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.”
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
