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Gathering Waters

Home/Gathering Waters

Silver Beaver Nomination for the 2021 Class

It is that time of year to start reflecting on all the efforts of volunteers across the council and districts as we prepare to select the 2021 Silver [...]

Michael Alberts2021-12-02T13:10:00-06:00December 1st, 2021|Communications, Gathering Waters, Hiawathaland, Kettle Country, Lakeshore, Ledge to Lakes, Northern Lites, Twin Lakes, Voyageur|

Recharter Notice

Scouting’s annual recharter process has now kicked off. Rechartering is the annual process for units to update their rosters and pay their membership fees to the National Council. New this year [...]

Michael Alberts2021-11-17T11:09:29-06:00November 17th, 2021|Communications, Gathering Waters, Hiawathaland, Kettle Country, Lakeshore, Ledge to Lakes, Northern Lites, Twin Lakes, Voyageur|

Halloween “Zomb-Weed” Hunting Service Project

Josh Anderson2020-10-22T08:42:07-05:00October 22nd, 2020|Gathering Waters|

2020 October Gathering Waters Newsletter

Michael Alberts2020-10-19T13:37:24-05:00October 1st, 2020|Gathering Waters|

Gathering Waters District: Program Planning Resources

See below for some helpful links to supplement and enhance your unit program. These are certainly not the only resources available, but we wanted to share some additional information [...]

Laura Martin2020-05-14T12:48:42-05:00May 14th, 2020|Gathering Waters|

2020 April Gathering Waters District Newsletter

Josh Anderson2020-10-22T08:51:17-05:00April 1st, 2020|Gathering Waters|

2020 March Gathering Waters District Newsletter

Josh Anderson2020-10-22T08:53:04-05:00March 1st, 2020|Gathering Waters|

OUR LOCATIONS

Center for Scouting
2555 Northern Road
Appleton, WI 54912
920-734-5705
920-734-1991 fax
Monday-Friday 8:00 am-4:00 pm

Bay-Lakes Scout Shop
2555 Northern Road
Appleton, WI 54912
920-831-9504
Monday: Closed
Tuesday-Friday 10:00 am-6:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am-2:00 pm

Closed weekdays 1:30 pm-2:00 pm for lunch

Curb-side pick-up available by appointment.

YOUR CAMPS

Bear Paw Scout Camp
14000 Bear Paw Camp Lane
Mountain, WI 54149
715-276-6167

Camp Hiawatha
E6350 Doe Lake Road
Munising, MI 49862
906-387-2714

Camp Rokilio
14404 Rokilio Road
Kiel, WI 53042
920-894-2594

Gardner Dam Adventure Base
N2940 Gardner Dam Road
White Lake, WI 54491
715-882-2941

Jax Camp
4186 Peterson Road
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
920-734-5705

Commander Ian Lilyquist, a 1997 Eagle Scout, is a native of Grafton, Wisconsin, and graduate of Grafton High School. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science degree in ocean engineering. Following graduate studies at the University of California Berkeley, he completed U.S. Navy flight school and was designated a Naval Flight Officer in August 2003.

Lilyquist reported to Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron TWO (VQ-2) in Rota, Spain in June 2004 where he conducted multiple deployments in the EP-3 in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Subsequently, he was assigned to Special Operations Command Pacific and the 2nd Joint Special Operations Air Component where he served as the Airborne ISR Operations Chief from 2006 to 2009 and deployed with Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines in support of Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines. From 2009 to 2011, Lilyquist served aboard USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) as the V-2 Division Officer and Catapult and Arresting Gear Officer and deployed to the Middle East in Operation Enduring Freedom. Following this tour, he was assigned to Special Projects Patrol Squadron TWO (VPU-2) in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii from 2011 to 2015 where he served as the Maintenance Officer and deployed to the Middle East and Western Pacific. Following in-residence studies at the Naval War College, Lilyquist was assigned to Joint Special Operations Command in the J5 directorate where he served as a strategic planner and deputy of JSOC’s Plans Division from 2016 to 2019. In 2019, Lilyquist reported to Scientific Development Squadron ONE (VXS-1) and served as the squadron’s 14th Commanding Officer from November 2020 to January 2022. He reported to USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER in March 2022 where he is currently assigned as the ship’s Navigator.

In addition to his bachelor’s degree from the Naval Academy, Lilyquist has master’s degrees in ocean engineering from the University of California and in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College. Commander Lilyquist’s personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (3 awards), the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal (3 awards), the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal (2 awards), the Joint Service Achievement Medal (2 awards), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

Ava Van Straten had been awarded the rank of Eagle Scout through Scouts BSA, Boy Scouts of America as the first female Eagle Scout in the Voyageur District of the Bay-Lakes Council, and member of the national inaugural class of female Eagle Scouts named in February 2021. In addition, Van Straten is also the recipient of the prestigious Gold Award from Girl Scouts of the USA. Having both awards as a female now places Van Straten in an even more elite group nationally.

As part of her Eagle project, Van Straten wrote a children’s book, Parker’s Path, published by Ephraim Publishing and printed by Worzalla Publishing, the same printer for books like Oprah, Marvel, National Geographic, and the Diary of a Wimpy Kids series. In addition to Van Straten’s book, she has created a curriculum for elementary school-aged children, grades 1-4. The book and curriculum are intended to promote empathy awareness at a time when empathy development is reduced with less in-person interactions and increased use of screens and technology.

Through extensive fundraising including a grant by The Pollination Project, more than $11,000 in funds and services were raised. As a result, 4,000 copies of Parker’s Path and curriculum were distributed for free to Wisconsin schools, libraries, scouting troops, and not-for-profit organizations supporting youth, in collaboration with St. Norbert College’s Cassandra Voss Center initiatives. Books were also distributed in MN, CA, NY, and CO to reach a total of 110 school districts representing 400 schools and their 1st- 4th grade students as well as additional troops, Boys & Girls Clubs, and county libraries. To support online learning during COVID-19, Van Straten also created a video version of her book, along with the curriculum, for area school districts that were teaching either fully or partially online.

This was Van Straten’s second book. Her first published book, Mary’s Heart, is on kindness, and over 1,000 copies of this book and curriculum were previously distributed as part of her Girl Scout Gold Award and over $6,000 in funds and services were also raised, for a total of over $17,000 in funds and services raised by Van Straten, to-date.

According to Van Straten, “while learning science along with math, language arts, and the other components of the Common Core have been important in my life, one of my other important educations has been outside of the classroom through Scouting. The character, leadership, courage, and emergency preparedness skills I have learned through Scouts BSA offer me what I call my ‘Common More,’ — character, social, and emotional learning (SEL) skills that will be in my toolkit for life. I am also pleased to have had an Eagle Project where I can help spread another important life skill, empathy, to even more youth.”

Van Straten is currently a Junior psychology major at Yale University where she conducts research at the Yale School of Medicine at its Center for Emotional Intelligence, Child Study Center, related to the Social and Emotional Learning Observation Checklist for elementary schools (SELOC-ES). Here she helps refine discrete SEL pedagogies, codes classroom observation footage from around the nation in participating classrooms, and catalogs discrete SEL pedagogy examples for the SELOC-ES training. It is Van Straten’s intention to pursue her doctorate in child psychology. She is also contemplating attending law school to better refine her advocacy skills, gain knowledge and a better appreciation of education law and public policy, and best position herself to join the national conversation on U.S. education to bring it to a level where social and emotional intelligence training and learning is commonplace.

Darrel Wittmann has been involved in Scouting for over 55 years. He was a Scout in Troop 27 in Kaukauna, WI, and is an Eagle Scout. He worked on camp staff at Twin Lakes, Rokolio, Sinewa, Maywood Wilderness, Gardner Dam, and Junior / Adult Leader Training. Darrel served as Cubmaster for Pack 41 in Combined Locks, Scoutmaster and Committee Chair for Kimberly Troop 44, and as a Venturing Crew advisor. He is proud to have helped 29 Scouts earn the rank of Eagle Scout. Through the decades he participated in many Gathering Waters District camporees and council events (e.g. Mom & Son, Dad & Lad, Arctic Adventure, Okpik, Polar Cubs, Autumn Blast, Whitewater Program, Order of the Arrow work weekends, and Powderhorn). He was awarded the Silver Beaver in 2013. Darrel is currently a merit badge counselor for woodworking, wilderness survival, engineering, cycling, camping, and model building. In recent years he has spent over 1,000 hours at Gardner Dam making repairs and maintaining the camp.

Darrel has been a part of the Combined Locks community for 36 years. He worked 28 years at Appleton Coated Paper Mill (now McKinley Paper) in Combined Locks as a Project Manager, designing and directing the installation of paper-making machinery. He has been a member of Habitat for Humanity construction team building several homes in the area, the Kings Tools church group providing home repair, yard work, cleaning, and moving services for members in need, and sang in the church choir. He and his wife are recreational cyclists and are often seen riding their tandem on the streets and trails throughout the Fox River Valley. Their cycling passion has taken them on many multi-day cycling tours including the Danube River, Rhine River, France’s Loire River, US Pacific Coast, Black Hills, and the Erie Canal. Darrel also spends time woodworking, welding and helping his son fix antique tractors.

Others say, “Darrel is an example of the Scout Oath and Law through and through. He does a good turn daily. You can trust that he’s going to do what he says he’s going to do, is loyal to his family, friends, Scouts, and helpful to anyone who asks. “No” isn’t a word often used in his vocabulary. You will find him smiling at whatever he’s doing. He’s friendly, kind and cheerful. Darrel is courteous, putting others before himself. He makes sure other people are taken care of. He is thrifty, finding a way to make anything work with whatever is handed to him. It takes bravery to lead and to teach youth, something he’s done for over 30 years. Darrel is clean: he’s constantly active, keeping his mind and body fit. He is reverent: Darrel’s church is the outdoors. He treats nature with respect and awe. He leaves no trace anywhere and cleans up after others. He has always been a Scout and will continue forever.”

Randy is the retired President and CEO of LawtonStandard (C. A. Lawton Co), a multi generational manufacturing company specializing in heavy industry machinery, castings, and machined components, headquartered in DePere, WI.

He is an Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow member, and is often seen at Scouting events with his grandsons, as he supports troop and pack leadership. Randy has a respect and fondness for the outdoors and preserving it for future generations. Scouting experiences were foundational to this love of nature and his respect and caring for his community. He has an extensive resume of community service including these recent history not for profit boards in various focused areas:

Environmental: Gathering Waters Conservancy, Northeastern Wisconsin Land Trust, SEEDS for De Pere dedicated to making the city sustainable
Entrepreneurship: NEW North’s Fast Forward mentor, NEW Venture Foundry, NEW Launch Alliance
General: Community Partnership for Children, Envision Greater Green Bay, Libertas Resource Development, De Pere Greenwood Cemetery, American Foundry Research board

Mike is currently President & CEO and a Director of Nicolet Bankshares, Inc., and Nicolet National Bank, which he co-founded in 2000 with Bob Atwell. Starting from zero, Nicolet is now an $8.5 billion in assets, and is publicly traded on NYSE under the symbol NIC. Nicolet has continued to grow organically every year since inception and has also grown through M&A activities. All told, Mike has led the successful integration of ten acquisitions in eight years. With close to 950 employees and 57 banking locations Nicolet is the second largest bank headquartered in Wisconsin and has offices in Michigan and Minnesota.

Mike is a 1986 graduate of St. Norbert College in De Pere WI. He also serves on a number of community and non-profit boards, including being the founding President of the Nicolet National Foundation. He is on the Board of Directors of the Green Bay Packers as well as the Board of Trustees at St. Norbert College. He also was former chairman of UFS, Inc., a data services company in Grafton, WI, and still serves as a board member. Mike is well known in the Northeast WI communities as a sounding board for entrepreneurs and business executives, as well as young professionals.

Raegen Schwarz is currently a Senior in high school at the Appleton Technical Academy at Appleton West High School. She is studying welding and plans to pursue a career in welding, metal fabrication and possibly underwater welding. Raegen earned her Eagle Scout rank in 2021 as a member of Troop 6177 out of Greenville, WI. She is a member of the Inaugural Class of Female Scouts in America and holds the rank of Eagle very dear to her as she strives to live the Scout Oath and Law in every aspect of her life.

Raegen is also proud to say she has earned her “Grand Slam” award by having attended all four of the High Adventure bases that Scouts BSA offers. She has attended the National Jamboree as well as the World Jamboree with her fellow troop mates and looks forward to all that scouting has for her. When she is not scouting, Raegen is a captain of her high school softball team and is entertaining offers from colleges to play post high school softball. Raegen also enjoys scuba diving the different reefs and waters of the Caribbean, spending time with friends and working at her neighborhood Ace Hardware store.

Raegen believes in using her leadership skills that she learned in scouting to give back whenever and wherever the opportunity arises. She pays forward the kindness and dedication that so many people have shown her in her life, education, athletics and scouting. She always keeps and open mind and positive attitude and will make amazing things happen for herself and others.

Born and raised in northern Wisconsin, Justin is a highly driven professional with a passion for leadership, development, and service to others. Justin graduated with honors in Information Technology from the United States Military Academy (USMA) in 2015 and will achieve his Master’s in Business Administration from Arizona State University in December of 2023.

Having laid a strong educational foundation at West Point, Justin embarked on a career in the United States Army, initially serving as a Field Artillery Officer in the historic 25th Infantry Division on the island of Oahu, HI, before transitioning into the role of an Intelligence Officer serving in multiple units including at the Headquarters US Army Pacific and the Army’s Intelligence Center of Excellence in Arizona. During his military service, he exemplified his alma mater’s core values of duty, honor, and country while contributing significantly to the nation’s defense.

In 2021, Justin retired from the Army with a distinguished service record, including commanding Charlie Company, 304th Military Intelligence Battalion. Post-military, Justin transitioned to the executive level, excelling in roles encompassing HR, operations, business development, management, and overall growth. His commitment to excellence and leadership continues to shine as he currently serves as the Director of Operations for a growing and distinguished Architecture/Engineering (A/E) firm specializing in designing veteran’s hospitals. Justin’s ability to lead and drive results has been pivotal in delivering essential achievements, Justin remains deeply connected to the Long Gray Line and the broader veteran community serving on multiple advisory and charitable venture boards. He actively serves as a board member of his United States Military Academy class’s fundraising committee, focusing on donations to support the institution and its graduates. Furthermore, he dedicates his time and expertise as the scholarship committee chair at his local American Legion Post, exemplifying his commitment to advancing educational opportunities for aspiring young individuals.

Justin’s commitment to public service extends to his role as a review board member for the Service Academy nomination boards, representing both Senator Ron Johnson and Congressman Mike Gallagher. Through this role, he plays a vital part in selecting the next generation of future leaders for our nation’s military Service Academies.

Justin currently resides in East Appleton with his wife and 2-year-old son. His family looks forward to welcoming the addition of their second child sometime after the new year and enjoys spending time in the beautiful outdoors surrounding their community.

Justin’s story is one of dedication, leadership, and unwavering support for veterans and his community. His continued commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others serves as an inspiration to all who have the privilege of working alongside him.

I joined Scouting in 1965 at St William’s Catholic School in Pack 76, Menominee Michigan, attaining the Arrow of Light and bridging into Troop 76 in 1969. As a Scout I attended Bear Paw Scout Camp each summer and went on a 50 mile canoe trip down the Menominee River. I was in the last Ordeal held by Chequa Lodge before it merged with others to form Awase Lodge. My Eagle was earned in 1975 out of Troop 151 in Menominee. The Eagle Rank was instrumental in gaining my 4 year Army ROTC scholarship at Michigan Technological University, Houghton Michigan.

After active duty with the 5th Infantry Division at Fort Polk Louisiana, I gained employment as a District Executive with the Chippewa Valley Council assigned to the Blue Hills District in rural northwestern Wisconsin. That began my 30 year career as a rural serving executive. After the Blue Hills, I served in the Osage Nation District of Quivira Council in Kansas, Pawnee District of Overland Trails Council in Nebraska, the Northwest Mississippi District in Mississippi, then Lakeshore District and Northern Lites District in Bay-Lakes Council. In 2012 I took over the Hiawathaland District as the first Director after the merger of Hiawathaland Council into the Bay-Lakes Council. I served there until my retirement in 2018. A notable event during my tenure was the 50th Anniversary of Camp Hiawatha, which drew 475 campers to the camporee celebration.

I was also staff leader for Jamboree contingents in 1997, 2001, 2005, 2010, 2013, and 2017. Contingent sizes grew from 40 members to 240 across three councils.

Since retiring in 2018 I have served as the Hiawathaland District Popcorn Distribution Chair and raised funds for projects at Camp Hiawatha. These projects have been a new ice machine, a new gun safe, a defibrillator, a walk-in freezer, and a new Ecology Building.

Alex is an innovator and creative leader focusing on strengthening communities. He earned his Eagle Scout rank in Troop 57 in Appleton, WI, and was active in both Troop 57 and Venture Crew 9057 leadership and high adventure programs.

Alex’s first career was in the performing arts in New York City, During the summer of 2010, he volunteered at a rooftop garden in Brooklyn, New York growing food for a neighborhood pantry. At the end of the summer, Alex was given a bag of fresh food to take home as a token of appreciation for his service. He had never grown his own food before. And as simple as it sounds, that bag of fresh produce changed him forever.

That summer of gardening made Alex realize how much involvement and engagement in growing your own food creates a real connection to what you eat. That realization inspired him to break down barriers to fresh food and give everyone the power to grow their own food in a sustainable and transformative way. He returned to northeast Wisconsin with passion and energy to bring that inspiration to life, creating and leading the Goodwill Grows Program of Goodwill of North Central Wisconsin, then serving as Director of Programs and Innovation for Feeding America Eastern WI. He co-founded Fork Farms in 2016, and currently served as its CEO.

Fork Farms has transformed from an independent contractor building rooftop gardens, to developing four generations of the Flex Farm, and now into a company with partnerships across the globe. Fork Farms has been involved in thousands of Flex Farm installations across the United States and globally.

Alex was selected as a 2018 Future 15 award winner by the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce, the Insight Magazine TH!NC Innovation Award also in 2018, was the 2019 Wisconsin Innovation Awards Winner – Product Design from the Wisconsin Innovation Awards. He holds 4 patents for vertical hydroponic farming and is a featured writer and speaker. He continues to serve his community as a board member for the Appleton Boy Choir Inc and serves as a kitchen volunteer for the Homeless Connection.

Louie Gentine is the 3rd generation CEO of Sargento Foods – a $1.8 billion company headquartered in his native Plymouth, Wisconsin. Under his leadership which began in 2013, Sargento has grown to be the #1 natural cheese brand in America through a successful strategy of innovation, quality, and a people-first workplace culture of treating people like family. Louie’s broad base of experience and leadership has allowed him to earn the trust and respect of more than 2,400 employees, which he refers to as the Sargento Family.

With more than 20 years of experience, Louie has held various leadership roles at the company from marketing to sales and sourcing all while maintaining his grandfather’s business philosophy of sharing the success of the company with the key stakeholders who contribute to its success. Sargento stakeholders include its employees, customers, suppliers and the community.

Community Outreach is one of the corporate values of Sargento that began with Sargento founder, Leonard Gentine. Louie has carried on his grandfather’s tradition of philanthropy by supporting non-profit organizations that help provide basic human needs. Sargento gives generously to community organizations – both large and small – that focus on hunger relief, affordable housing and educational opportunities, like Scouting.

Having earned Eagle Scout distinction through the Bay-Lakes Council, Louie enthusiastically joins many members of the Sargento Family of employees in supporting scouting’s philanthropic efforts and is a champion of scouting in the community. Through the years, Sargento has hosted Bay-Lakes Council’s food drives, and many employees serve as troop leaders or scouting volunteers.

Dr. Michael James Conrardy was given his Eagle Scout Award in 2005 as a Boy Scout in Bay-Lakes Council, BSA’s Troop 1139. He served as president in Bay-Lakes Council Venture Crew 9139 and held other leadership roles. As a member of Venture Crew 9139, Michael participated in many presentations to Troop 1139 for the benefit of the younger boy scouts. Michael was fortunate to participate in BSA Florida Sea Base Keys Adventure, backpack BSA Philmont Scout High Adventure Backpacking Camp twice, and canoe with Venture Crew 9139 at BSA Northern Tier High Adventure Camp. Michael received his Eagle Award as a member of Boy Scout Troop 1139. Troop 1139 Scoutmaster was Mr. Neil Walker, and the Committee Chair was Mr. Bill Walton. Michael’s Venture Crew advisor was Dr. James Conrardy.

Michael graduated in 2011 with a degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Wisconsin School of Engineering in Madison, Wisconsin. Michael was president and outreach chair of the Biomedical Engineering Society and ranked at the top of his biomedical engineering class, receiving a Dean’s Scholarship Senior Award. Michael interned for one year with GE Healthcare in 2009 then was employed for two years after graduation with Baxter Healthcare in Illinois as a Senior Engineer working on home hemodialysis and intravenous pump technology. He subsequently attended medical school at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2017. After medical school, Dr. Michael Conrardy trained in Emergency Medicine at Northwestern University, where he won numerous awards including the Exemplary Professionalism Teaching Award in 2018, 2019, 2020, In-Training Exam Top 10 Score Nationwide Award in 2019, Resident of the Year Award at Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital, and peer nominated Best Resident Teacher Award in 2021. During the COVID epidemic, he was one of the few physicians at Northwestern designated to intubate COVID-19 patients, which is considered the highest risk procedure for COVID-19. Dr. Michael Conrardy volunteered for this role because he felt it was his civic duty.

After residency, Dr. Michael Conrardy joined the faculty as a professor in Emergency Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and taught residents in emergency medicine and medical students with hospital privileges at five MCW Froedtert Hospitals in Southeastern Wisconsin. Dr. Michael Conrardy is well published in refereed journal publications, published abstracts, and peer reviewed educational products, with journal publications on emergency mental health care, opioids, and the COVID-19 pandemic. He currently works as an emergency physician partner with ERMED, a physician group that staffs Advocate/Aurora sites in southeastern Wisconsin, including St. Luke’s Medical Center. He is married to Alyssa Vandeleest Conrardy and is the proud father of two daughters, Adeline Florence (2 years old) and Emilia Mae (newborn). Michael’s sister is Dr. Sarah Quesnell, a general dentist practicing in Milwaukee, and Michael’s parents are Dr. James J. Conrardy and Susan C. Conrardy.

Bruce Chudacoff was a member of Pack 12, Franklin School, Appleton and Troop 8, First Congregational Church, Appleton, where he earned his Eagle in 1959. He began volunteering for Bay-Lakes Council in 1979, when he closed the sale of a portion of Gardner Dam Camp to the DNR. He served on the Council Executive Committee from 1980 until his retirement in 2015 when he joined the Advisory Board. Bruce served as Council VP for Administration and Operations and was Council Attorney for most of those years. He formed the Bay Lakes Camping and Operating Trusts, worked on logistics for the first Council Food Drive, chaired a Council Encampment, led a contingent to a National Jamboree, served on several Scout Executive search committees and FOS drives and assisted in the merger with Hiawatha Council.

Bruce has been a member of the National Jewish Committee on Scouting for over 30 years, was president of the Committee for seven years, founded the National Jewish Scout Association and is a member of the National Religious Relationships Committee of the BSA and the Advisory Board for Northeast Illinois Council. He created and maintains the BSA Calendar of Religious Observances. Bruce is a James E West Fellow and a Silver Beaver. He became a Distinguished Eagle Scout in 2001.

Bruce graduated from Appleton Senior High School in 1962, obtained a degree from Michigan in 1966 and a JD from Harvard Law School in 1969. He served in the US Army in 1970-71 and was a captain while serving at MACV HQ in Vietnam in 1971. He practiced law in Northeastern Wisconsin from 1969 to his retirement in 2015. Bruce has three married children, Joshua, an Eagle Scout, Associate Principal at Appleton North High School, Tanya, a retail worker and volunteer in Northbrook, IL and Tammy, the City Magistrate in Ann Arbor. He and his wife Nancy have six grandchildren and live in Glenview, IL. Bruce is Judge Advocate for the Jewish War Veterans of Illinois and his American Legion Post and is also a member of the VFW.

Dr. William Bowerman is a Professor at the University of Maryland. He has been studying bald eagles since 1984 and has started environmental monitoring programs using sea eagles in North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. He is a Fellow of AAAS and The Explorers Club.

He was the U.S. Co-Chair of the Great Lakes Science Advisory Board and was a member for 18 years. He is a member of the National Academies Standing Committee on the Use of Animals in Research, Chairs the Ornithological Council, and volunteers with the Boy Scouts of America and the Northern Michigan University Foundation.

His awards include the Distinguished Conservationist and NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award, Boy Scouts of America; Distinguished Alumni Award, Northern Michigan University; Alumni Achievement Award, Western Michigan University, Fellow American Association for the Advancement of Science, and National Fellow of The Explorers Club. He was honored to carry Flag #228 of The Explorers Club in the field in 2023.

Emilio is currently attending the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee pursuing a degree in social work with the end goal of being a family law/mediation lawyer.

Emilio is a leader and mentor within the inner city of Milwaukee as he work as an adolescents crisis mentor during times of crisis. When a family crisis arises, Emilio is notified and he goes to the homes to intervene and assist in de-escalation. Emilio shows courage and leadership during these interventions.

Emilio also tutors children with reading and other homework skills within downtown Milwaukee. Emilio’s tutoring shows dedication of time and services to others, as well as, leadership and positive role modeling to the children of Milwaukee.

Emilio is a partner to Claire and a father to his dog, Beets.

Dan Platkowski is President and founder of Pine Ridge Engineering, Inc. Dan started this company in November of 1999. Pine Ridge Engineering, Inc. is a Professional Engineering and Management consulting company primarily focused on manufacturing, management, process design, equipment design, installation, start up and continuous improvement. The Company entertains projects such as simple rebuilds to major expansions and Greenfield total plants and operations.

Dan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. In addition, he participated in an Executive Program at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA. He served in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division and is a lifetime member of the American Legion. In the community he is past President and a member of the Executive Board for the Boy Scouts of America, Bay-Lakes Council and a lifetime member of the National Eage Scout Association. Dan is also a lifetime member of the Platteville Alumni Association. He also serves as Chairman of the St. Mary’s Hospital and St. Vincent’s Hospital Boards. Daniel is also a past member of the Wisconsin Paper Council and Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Board. Dan and his wife Andrea have two children and four grandchildren and reside in the Green Bay area.

Ed joined Scouting around 1954-55 as part of the Kettle Morraine District before becoming a part of the Bay Lakes Council in 1973.. After completing Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, Ed immediately began his career working with the Scouting Program in New Holstein, WI. Ed became a young scoutmaster at the age of 19 from 1969 to approximately 1994. Ed completed the following training. Boy Scout leader basic training, Boy Scout leader fast start, commissioner fast start, the outdoor program, the troop meeting, troop organization, unit commissioner basic training, weather hazards training and youth protection training.

Ed earned the following awards: Eagle Scout Award 1961, Silver Beaver award, he earned the 10, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 50 year service award in 2007. Ed is still active with New Holstein with 66 years in scouting. Ed has served as Scoutmaster, Asst scoutmaster, New Holstein General Scout Committee Chairman, from 1997-2020, he is still currently the charter organization representative and executive officer of New Holstein Scouts, a former camp counselor and merit bade counselor and he also attended Philmont scoutmaster training.

Leadership in profession: Ed was a union president, member and past president of New Holstein Kiwanis.

Ed is still currently the liaison contact between the Kiwanis (who is our chartering organization) and New Holstein scouting program. He consistently aided in helping at the annual Fireman’s picnic.

Ed was a past president of the New Holstein Auxiliary police dept for 10 years. He was also a member of the New Holstein centennial committee. Ed also coached little league baseball. He is currently a mentor for heart pump recipients at St. Luke’s hospital in Milwaukee.

Ed has been involved with youth his entire life. He is most deserving of this award.

Bill is a quiet presence in the Bay-Lakes Council. You will see him at every Voyageur District and Council event, offering his support. He has given many hours of service to the re-building of Bear Paw and to the development of the Maple Syrup program located there. Bill is well-known for his abilities in leatherworking and shares those talents with Scouts at summer camp. He has also forgotten more about tying knots than most of us will ever know!

Bill has attained the highest ranks possible in both Cub Scouting and Scouts BSA, having received his Arrow of Light and Eagle awards. Bill was also selected by his peers as a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow. He has staffed numerous National and World jamborees and has served on the staff at the Philmont Scout Ranch. He has gone on treks at the Florida Sea Base, Philmont and the Northern Tier High Adventure Base as well as spending time at the Summit Bechtel Reserve.

As an Eagle Scout, Bill has always strived to be an example of service to others. He is generous with his time, talent and treasure, making him someone you definitely need to know.

Brad Burmeister is an emergency physician who works at Bellin Hospital In Green Bay. He is Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He has served as a media liaison for Bellin Health and has completed over 300 interviews throughout the COVID-19 pandemic through various local, state, and national media outlets. This work has led to an impressive one-billion media views. Recognizing the value of advocacy, he has served on numerous committees at the Wisconsin Medical Society and his specialty society, the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP).

Dr. Burmeister completed residency training and served as Chief resident at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, medical school at the Michigan State University and is alumni of the University of Wisconsin in La Crosse. He also recently graduated from the University of Wisconsin MBA Consortium.

Burmeister is an Eagle Scout and worked at Gardner Dam Scout Camp for seven summers, most recently serving as health officer in 2011. He was a member of Troop 117 in Seymour. His passion for medicine was in part sparked by his participation as an Explorer in a local Medical Explorer Post. He has made it his life mission to help others and lives out this point of the Scout Oath. He is a role model that young Scouts can look up to.

Brian Blahnik is the lead consultant & owner of The Service Xchange by BLAHNIK, LLC. He was awarded his Eagle Scout in 1986. He attended UW – Eau Claire and graduated with a degree in Organizational Communications. While in college, Brian worked with other Scout volunteers to form the Wisconsin Army Cadets, a military exploring program, which, 32 years later operates as one of the countries most recognized Exploring Cadet programs, where Brian still serves as Senior Military Advisor. Brian has worked in the nonprofit and national service fields for more than 35 years. Brian served as Camp Director at Camp Rokilio in 1994 and 1995 while serving as a Council District and Exploring Executive for 4 years. Brian also served 6 years in the Wisconsin National Guard and 2 years on active duty. Brian served as the Director of AmeriCorps for Marshfield Clinic Health System from 2000-2021, during which time he managed more than $50 million in federal, state, and private grants along with over 1,000 staff. Brian & his Wife, Tracy, an instructor at NWTC continue to be active and contribute to community through numerous charities and events they host annually. Brian currently serves on the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (MiLB) Give Back Foundation Board of Directors and lives in Appleton with his wife and avid baseball playing son, Riker.

Bruce Deadman is a recognized labor and employment attorney concentrating in compensation and policy-related issues. He has served as general counsel and HR director for a local window and interior design firm, and then ran the HR consulting practice for a large Midwest accounting firm before practicing at Amundsen Davis, a Midwest law firm with a Green Bay office, where he currently of counsel.

Bruce is a nationally-recognized conservationist. He has spent countless hours and been intimately involved for decades on local, state and national levels with Ducks Unlimited, including service as the National Senior VP for Youth and Education, where he negotiated a National Memorandum of Understanding between Scouting and DU which is finally bearing fruit. He was also Conservationist of the Year for Wisconsin Ducks Unlimited in 2013. His activities are also closely linked to Scouting. He has been an Eagle Project mentor for many years, in many cases assisting Eagle Scouts with conservation-oriented service projects. He is also a 2017 recipient of the Silver Beaver from Bay-Lakes Council and has been on the Bay-Lakes Council Board for a number of years.

In addition to conservation and Scouting, Bruce is active in the St. Andrew’s Society of Milwaukee. He has also dedicated time to serving as a counselor for lawyers in need of substance abuse or mental health assistance through the Wisconsin Lawyer Assistance Program (WisLAP), and was WisLAP’s Volunteer of the Year in 2014. He is an active member and elder at First Presbyterian Church in Green Bay. Bruce is also an active member of Green Bay West Rotary and serves as Chair of its Foundation Committee.

Finally, Bruce is a dedicated amateur musician and performs in several local groups, notably the AVB Community Band, of which he also emcee.

Webelo Member Pack 31
Scout, Troop 5, Union Congregational Church Green Bay
Eagle Scout (1971)
Brotherhood OA Member
Bear Paw Staff, 1973
Father of Eagle Scout Stephen Deadman
Troop Committee member, Troop 1267
Scout Volunteer recruiter, DU Great Outdoors Festival- 1999-2002 (recruited Scout units to volunteer at Great Outdoors Festival at EAA grounds, including arranging for several Scouts to do their Eagle projects at the Festival.

Alan works relentlessly to provide opportunity and growth in personal skills and leadership for our local youth and adults.

He consistently is patient, professional and quite skilled in working with youth and adults. His character is a living example of the Scout oath and law on the daily. We have spent many summers at Scout summer camp and I have seen nothing but patience and excellent guidance at all times despite typical Scout shenanigans, illness, and crisis.

He has a busy professional career and still prioritizes Scout activities and is always available for scouts who ask for guidance and his time regarding scout endeavors. We are lucky to have him in our local and Scouting community!

Roger is a well-known presence in the Voyageur District and in Bay-Lakes Council. He is an Eagle Scout and recipient of the Silver Beaver, along with numerous other accolades. Roger was a fixture for many years on the Voyageur Adult Leader Training team, Roundtable staff and many camporee staffs. Perhaps you’ve heard him tell “Why Fire Engines are Red” or listened to his version of a steam calliope. He also served for many years as a member of the council’s Okpik Cold Weather Camping team. He continues to serve on event staffs for district and council events.

Before his retirement, Roger was the Publisher of the Oconto County Times Herald. In that role, he was always quick to give visibility to the Scouting program in that area. What many people do not know is that he competed in rowing in the Ivy League at Penn and has continued to compete and referee at the master’s level in rowing throughout the country. Roger’s crews have won seven gold medals in World Masters regattas. He has successively been a Scoutmaster, District and Assistant Council Commissioner, and district vice-chairman – program. He has served on staff at Bear Paw, Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Scout Reservation, and the 2011 World Jamboree.

Tim doesn’t like to brag much but he has a long list of accomplishments in Scouting, Business and a life long history of community service in Wisconsin and beyond. In addition to being an Eagle Scout, Tim may be best known in Scouting as being the 25th person in the history of the BSA to earn every single merit badge – he earned 119 merit badges and even his Wisconsin license plate read ‘BSA-119’. There’s also a day named after Tim in Wisconsin called ‘Tim Vertz Day’, which is on November 1st each year because of this accomplishment.

Tim has a master’s degree from Harvard University and is the CEO and Founder of Vertz Marketing, a leading midwest advertising agency. Through his company, he spends a lot of time mentoring companies and business owners on the incredible importance of community service and giving back. In 2018 he founded the ‘Vertz Marketing Rotary Small Business Innovation Center’ at Concordia University Wisconsin. Through this partnership, Vertz Marketing links Concordia business students with businesses and non-profit organizations to get them real world experience so they are better prepared for their careers after college. Vertz Marketing has also been named ‘Business of the Year’ in Ozaukee County by Ozaukee Economic Development. Tim has been named in the past as ‘Citizen of the Year’ by the Mequon-Thiensville Chamber of Commerce.

Tim has served many non-profit organizations over the past 20 years including serving as: president of the Mequon-Thiensville Chamber of Commerce; president of the Thiensville-Mequon Rotary; board of directors for the Mequon-Thiensville Community Foundation; Chair of the Harvard Alumni Association – Midwest Chapter, among many others.

Tim is also a member of the ‘Brandy Old-Fashioned Hall of Fame’ as he won a Wisconsin state fair award and he donates Brandy Old-Fashioned parties to be auctioned off at local non-profits for their fundraisers. This alone has raised over $75,000 in the past years.

Dean is Secretary/Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer for Miron Construction Co, Inc. in Neenah, Wisconsin. Dean has held this position since joining the firm in 1998.

Miron is the largest general contractor in Wisconsin and ranks 68th in the nation. The family-owned company has been in business since 1918 and is one of the nation’s premier construction firms and industry leaders.

Dean is responsible for overseeing all accounting functions for Miron, including policies and procedures. His main focus is strategic planning and budgeting; he is also responsible for cash management, financial reporting, and tax planning for the company.

Dean is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Managerial Accounting with a minor in Finance. He is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant by the state of Wisconsin.

Out of his position at Miron, Dean serves on boards for the YMCA of the Fox Cities, Riverview Gardens, and the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay Chancellor’s Council of Trustees, is Vice President of the Northeastern Wisconsin Chapter of Construction Financial Management Association, and is Treasurer for the North Shore Golf Club.

Dean and his wife, Kim, live in Appleton, Wisconsin. They have three grown children and one grandchild.