GOLDEN BRICK AWARDS
4th Annual — Ceremony —
June 4, 2025
Thank you for joining us as we celebrate achievements, aspirations, contributions and partnerships.
Explore, Connect, Indulge, Enjoy!
Let our students and faculty members show you their exciting work. Take in a few demonstrations and connect with fellow guests while enjoying the savory and the sweet. Your tastebuds will thank Blackhawk alumnus Joshua Pickering’10 for bringing a unique spin to this morning’s breakfast.
Celebrate and Honor
Each winner this morning exemplifies the importance of support to student success and a thriving community. We’re proud to honor these individuals and businesses for their commitment to creating opportunity through partnership with Blackhawk Technical College.
PRESIDENT’S WELCOME
Dr. Tracy Pierner
President, Blackhawk Technical College
OPENING REMARKS
Dave Holterman
President, Blackhawk Technical College Foundation Board
Cassie Hartje
Director of Advancement & Foundation, Blackhawk Technical College
Jeremy Shecterle
Senior Vice President-Janesville Division, JP Cullen
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP AWARD
Green County Human Services
Presented by Jeremy Shecterle
Senior Vice President-Janesville Division, JP Cullen
PHILANTHROPIC AWARD
Phil and Karen Knudsen
Presented by Jane Curran-Meuli
President, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital-Janesville

K-12 PARTNERSHIP AWARD
The Lincoln Academy
Presented by Anna Gedman
Chief Human Resources Officer, Blain’s Farm & Fleet
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI OF THE YEAR
Brandon Giles
Presented by Dave Marshick
Senior Vice President, Director of Commercial Banking, First National Bank and Trust
RISING STAR ALUMNI AWARD
Josh Lichtfuss
Presented by Cassie Hartje
FACULTY MEMBER OF THE YEAR
Melissa Dix
Presented by Dr. Tracy Pierner
STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEAR
Lena Verkuilen
Presented by Dr. Tracy Pierner


Special thanks to our Manufacturing, Apprenticeship, Technology, and Transportation (MATT) Division for designing and creating this year’s Golden Brick Awards.
Walk and Talk
Join us for tours of our newest spaces, including the Public Safety Building and Innovative Manufacturing Education Center (IMEC). Those planning to take a tour should meet at the check-in table.
BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE
GOLDEN BRICK AWARDS
Thank you to our sponsors!
Presenting Sponsor –

Philanthropic Award Sponsor
Award Sponsor

DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS
• Eric Thornton, Chair
• Barbara Barrington-Tillman, Vice Chair
• Rich Deprez, Secretary
• Kathy Sukus, Treasurer
• Rachel Andres
• Robert Hendrickson
• Suzann Holland
• Mark Holzman
• Dave Marshick
Award Sponsor




FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBERS
• Dave Holterman, President
• Jill Leitzen, Vice President
• Frank McKearn, Treasurer
• Sue Ripsch, Secretary
• Gretchen Burgess
• Sharon Cox
Thank you for joining us today!
• Laura Cullen
• Gregg Dickinson
• Jeff Garde
• Renae Henry
• Sue Ripsch
• Kara Sankey
• Angela Slagle
• Phil Whitehead
Save the date for the Autumn Harvest Dinner, October 14, 2025, benefiting the Culinary Arts Fund.