Friends-board

Friends of Schmeeckle board members, 2025. Back row from left to right: Mike Orella, Rick Wyman, Rick Rothman, Bernie Hlavac, Will Scheder, Dan Marx, Ron Zimmerman, Jerry Lineberger. Front row from left to right: Mike Gross, Sue McKenzie, Rae Henneman, Barbara Dixson, Gary Speckmann, Chris Thompson, Karl Wolf.

Board of Directors

The Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve organization is overseen by a volunteer board of directors. Directors serve 3-year terms with the option of renewing. Current board members are:

Officers

  • President: Gary Speckmann, retired, Portage County Parks director
  • Vice-President: Karl Wolf, retired St. Michael’s Hospital radiography
  • Treasurer: Susan Henry, retired CAP Services Inc.
  • Secretary: Sue McKenzie, Portage County Parks administrative associate
  • Past President: Ron Zimmerman, retired, UWSP Schmeeckle Reserve director

General Membership

  • Bo DeDeker, UWSP faculty
  • Barbara Dixson, retired, UWSP faculty
  • Becca Franzen, UWSP faculty
  • Michael Gross, retired UWSP faculty
  • Bernard Hlavac, retired, Sentry Insurance executive
  • Jerry Lineberger, retired, UWSP University Centers administrator
  • Dan Marx, retired, UPS
  • Mike Orella, retired, UWSP Facility Services
  • Ross Rettler, Rettler Corporation project manager
  • Rick Rothman, retired, UWSP financial specialist
  • Chris Thompson, Ascension St. Michael’s Hospital pharmacist
  • Rick Wyman, retired, Kickapoo Valley Cheese CFO/controller

UWSP Student Representatives

  • Rae Henneman
  • Connor McKenzie

Schmeeckle Reserve Staff Members (non-voting)

  • Jim Buchholz, director
  • Sunshine Buchholz, gift shop manager
  • Cody Kehlnhofer, trails and facilities coordinator
  • Alex Mentele, graduate assistant
  • Melissa Ruether, outreach coordinator

Board Meetings

Board meetings are held the second Tuesday of every other month, starting in January, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor Center. The meetings are open to anyone interested.

Committees

The Friends group also has several standing committees chaired by board members. Any Friends members are welcome and encouraged to join!

  • Executive Committee: Gary Speckmann, chair
  • Advancement Committee: Jerry Lineberger, chair
  • Lands, Trails, and Facilities Committee: Ron Zimmerman, chair
  • Finance Committee: Susan Henry, chair
  • Community Outreach Committee: Melissa Ruether, chair
    • Arts Contest subcommittee, Barbara Dixson, chair
    • Annual Member Meeting subcommittee, Melissa Ruether, chair
    • Candlelight Hike Festival subcommittee, Melissa Ruether, chair

Learn More!

If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a board member or joining a committee, we would love to hear from you!

Contact us