Leadership Chippewa Falls

THANK YOU TO THESE DEDICATED PARTICIPANTS AND THEIR EMPLOYERS FOR SUPPORTING THE 2022-2023 LEADERSHIP CHIPPEWA FALLS

Ashley Adams

Karen Behling

Richard Coates

Alyssa Cooley

Nicole Frederick

Vickie Gaerlan

Brendan Haney

Amanda Hill-Hable

Jenna Jandrt-Hoff

Marty Johnson

McKenzie Johnson

Kristin KarnesFrederickson

Joe Koller

Jake Krebsbach

John Lahti

Michele O’Connor

Chris Ouellette

Sheridan Pabst

Timothy Proue

Randi Schrader

Stephanie Stoik

Nick White

Ashley Adams - Ashley is the Manager of Pricing and Planning at Xcel Energy. She has more than 10 years of financial analysis and regulatory experience. Ashley received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from UW-Eau Claire with a major in Accounting and minor in Management as well as an Advanced Business Communication Certificate. While working at Wipfli she became a licensed CPA and has continued keeping her credential current. Ashley is also an active community member as a board member and volunteer with Junior Achievement and board member on UW-Eau Claire Business Communications Advisory Board. Ashley and her husband Dan live in rural Chippewa Falls with their three children.

Karen Behling - Karen serves as Pastor at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church. Before moving to Wisconsin in 2019, she served in Austin, MN and elsewhere. She holds degrees from St. Olaf College and Wartburg Theological Seminary. Karen serves on the Family Support Center Board plus enjoys involvement with Mentor Chippewa and community theater. She lives in Chippewa Falls with her spouse who works in River Falls. Their family includes three adult children and one grandchild.

Richard Coates- Richard works for Wipfli LLP in the Technology Consulting practice as the Managed Services Operations Manager. He has a background in IT Disaster Recovery and Systems Administration. He attended the University of Western Sydney in NSW, Australia, studying Information Technology as part of the B. Computer Science Degree. He is a member of the Australian Computer Society and has numerous professional certifications in the IT field. Richard has participated in the Leadership Eau Claire , Leadership Chippewa Falls, and the Chippewa Valley Rally. Richard has resided in Eau Claire since he arrived in the United States in 2019.

Alyssa Cooley - Alyssa is the Human Resources Manager for Great Northern Corporation in Chippewa Falls. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire with a major in Human Resources Management and has worked in the field for 22 years. She holds two professional Human Resources certifications, SHRM-CP and PHR, and is a member of Chippewa Valley SHRM and National SHRM. She is the current Committee Chair of Cub Scouts Pack 18, and is long-time supporter of United Way, participating in Day of Caring and co-chairing the Great Northern workplace campaign. Alyssa grew up in Chippewa Falls, and has lived in Bloomer since 2005, with her husband and two boys.

Nicole Frederick - Nicole is a Branch Manager for Royal Credit Union at the Chippewa Falls South branch. Nicole began working for Royal in 2015 as a Teller and progressed to Branch Manager in November of 2018. Nicole was a General Manager of Culvers in Eau Claire. Nicole graduated from Chippewa Valley Technical College in 2017 with a degree in Business Management. Nicole has been involved in many Royal committees including Young Professionals, Toastmasters, Exploring Leadership Mentoring, Tristate Mentorship, and Frontline Efficiencies. She volunteers with Junior Achievement, Oktoberfest Volunteer Committee Co-Chair, and serves on the board for Lowes Creek Baseball. Nicole currently resides in Eau Claire with her husband and their two children.

Vickie Gaerlan - Vickie has been working at ChemCeed for five years. She received her bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Rasmussen College. Through ChemCeed, she has volunteered and donated to many organizations. She volunteers a few times a year at Agnes’s Table. She also helps ChemCeed with their annual Relay for Life cancer research foundation. She is originally from Rockford, Illinois. She moved to Chippewa Falls in 2016 with her 3 children so she could create a better life for them.

Brendan Haney - Brendan is a commercial lender for Citizens State Bank. He earned his bachelor of science degree with an emphasis on Economics from UW-Madison. He is a board member of the Stanley Chamber, a member of the Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire Chambers, Young Professionals, and member of the United Way Emerging Leaders. Brendan Haney lives in Chippewa Falls with his wife and soon to be daughter since 2021.

Amanda Hill-Hable - Amanda is a Curriculum and Instruction Specialist for the Chippewa Falls School District and an adjunct for UW-Oshkosh. An Appleton, Wisconsin native, it was UW-Eau Claire that lured Amanda to the Chippewa Valley where she earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Amanda holds a Professional Educator and School Administrator license with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Amanda’s current volunteerism includes: CF Oktoberfest, CF Booster Club Extravaganza, Chippewa Area History Center, UWEC Alumni Board of Directors Vice President, and CVTC Foundation of Teacher Education Advisory Committee. Amanda lives in Chippewa Falls with her husband, Chad, and son, Graham.

Jenna Jandrt-Hoff - Jenna is a Marketing Specialist at Mid-West Family in Eau Claire where she works closely with local businesses to formulate a marketing strategy that achieves their goals. In addition to her job at Mid-West Family, she is a part of the Board of Directors for Legacy Community Center and Agnes’ Table. Jenna earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from UW-Eau Claire and Masters of Science in Educational Psychology from Georgia State University. Jenna resides in Eau Claire with her husband and cat, Ygritte. In her free time, she enjoys reading, drinking too much coffee, and riding bike.

Marty Johnson - Marty is an Account Manager for Trane Commercial Building Services serving northwest WI. After closing his HVAC business in 2007, he earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from UW-Platteville in 2013. He is a Certified Energy Manager and licensed HVAC provider. He is a member of the AEE and ASHRAE professional organizations and is an active member in Chippewa Valley Facility Engineers, Wisconsin Healthcare Engineers Association Chapter V, and Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials. Marty is a council member at his church, volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and Sleep in Heavenly Peace, and was Plan Commission member in two communities. Marty lives south of Eau Claire with his wife Teresa and 2 children since 2017.

McKenzie Johnson - McKenzie is the Lead Member Services Representative at WESTconsin Credit Union in Chippewa Falls. She has worked at WESTconsin Credit Union for over 4 years, starting as a part-time teller in the Barron office. In 2018, she graduated from Chippewa Valley Technical College with an Associate’s degree and found her passion for finance and helping people shortly after that. McKenzie is involved in the community through her church, volunteer work, and Leadership Chippewa Falls. McKenzie is looking to move to the Chippewa Falls area in the near future with her 1-year-old puppy, Dutton.

Kristin Karnes-Frederickson - Kristin is the Program Director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin since 2022. Kristin has also worked in to serve young children and families in Chippewa County. She graduated from UW-River Falls with a BS of Sociology and Minors in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and International Studies in 2003. In 2019 Kristin received an Infant, Early Childhood, and Family Mental Health Capstone Certificate from UW-Madison. Kristin is a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters and Mentor Chippewa. She sits on the boards of the Family Support Center, is an Infant Family Specialist, a member action teams through CHIP, and Healthy Communities, Health Dunn Right, and volunteers with a variety of other youth serving agencies. Kristin has lived in Chippewa Falls with her husband since 2010.

Joe Koller - Joe joined Market & Johnson in 2018 and as part of their Industrial Division team overseeing projects in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. In July of 2022, he moved into his current role of Business Development to further initiate and develop new business relationships and maintain relationships with past and current clients. Joe is very active in the community and has served on the Eau Claire Youth Hockey Board for 16 years - 6 years as President. In addition, he serves on the Chippewa Valley Facility Engineering Board.

Jake Krebsbach - Jake works at Northwestern Bank as a business banker focusing primarily on building relationships with commercial clients. Before becoming a lender, Jake was a credit analyst at Northwestern Bank. Jake attended UW-Eau Claire where he majored in Accounting and Finance. He is a member of the Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire Chambers, Young Professionals of the Chippewa Valley (YP), and participated in Leadership Chippewa Falls. His community involvement, Boy Scouts Leadership Dinner Committee and volunteering for Westgate Sportsman’s Club, the Northern Wisconsin State Fair, Oktoberfest and other events in the Chippewa Valley. Jake lives in Lake Hallie and has been living in the Chippewa Valley since 2014.

John Lahti - John works for Miron Construction as a Project Manager. John has a bachelor’s in Construction Management from UW-Stout. He is also a LEED Green Associate and Advanced Healthcare Construction certificate holder. John is a member of the United Way Emerging Leaders and Wisconsin Healthcare Engineering Association. John has been involved with various volunteering activities around the Chippewa Valley including Feed My Starving Children, National Night Out, and United Way Day of Caring. John Lahti lives in Chippewa Falls, with his wife and son since 2017.

Michele O’Connor - Michele is the Director of Operations at Fries Financial Group. She has worked with Tim Fries for 23 years, and previously worked at a brokerage firm in downtown Minneapolis. Michele attended Hamline University and has her Series 7, 63 and 24 licenses. Michele was a past Optimist, and Kiwanian. She has served on several committees including the Notre Dame Athletic Association, the McDonell High School Athletic Association, and the St. Charles Future Fund Trust. She is currently on the board of the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation, the St. Charles Pastoral Council, and the McDonell Finance Committee. Michele lives in Chippewa Falls and has two grown children.

Chris Ouellette -Chrishas been a Senior Media Relations Representative for Xcel Energy since 2016. She previously worked for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and in the news media in the Chippewa Valley. Chris is a graduate of UW-Eau Claire where she received her BA in Broadcast Journalism in 1991. Chris has been actively involved in Rotary International in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls and is a board member for Chippewa Falls Rotary Foundation. She colunteers with Junior Achievement, the American Red Cross, United Way, and Feed My People Food Pantry. Chris moved to Chippewa Falls in 2021 after becoming and empty-nester, and currently lives with her two goldendoodles!

Sheridan Pabst - Sheridan has been employed with the Chippewa Falls Police Department for nearly 13 years, serving as a Patrol Sergeant. Sheridan is an Alumni of UW-Eau Claire. Sheridan has been involved with several professional organizations including LETOA and NTOA. He has attained numerous positions within the Police Department, including Instructor positions, Team Leader with the SWAT Team and time as a Narcotics Investigator. Sheridan lives in Chippewa Falls with is wife and two children.

Timothy Proue- Timothy (TJ) is an attorney at Wiley Law in downtown Chippewa Falls whose primary focus is business and employment law. TJ is licensed to practice law in Wisconsin state and federal district courts. TJ has been involved in various community groups including the McDonell Area Catholic Schools, the Optimist Club of Chippewa Falls, and the Chippewa Valley Council – Boy Scouts of America, among others. TJ grew up in Chippewa Falls where he lives with his wife, Julia, and their children.

Randi Schrader - Randi works as the Director of Information Technology with the YMCA of the Chippewa Valley. With a collection of classes and a diverse work history, she is certified in IT support, Y-USA leadership, and cosmetology management and is a member of the Chippewa Falls Chamber and Y-USA Young Professionals Network. Beyond her professional role with the YMCA, she can be found volunteering at their community and partner events. Randi is a Chippewa Falls native where she resides near friends and family.

Stephanie Stoik - Stephanie is the Human Resources Business Partner at Mason Companies Inc, in Chippewa Falls WI. She attended Chippewa Valley Technical College for Human Resources certifications. Stephanie is involved with Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue, United Way and other various nonprofits through connections at work. Stephanie Stoik lives in Eau Claire WI with her family and rescue animals.

Nick White - Nick is a Commercial Loan Officer for Prevail Bank, owns a small business, and is the Interim Athletic Director for Regis High School. He has experience working with individuals with disabilities as a Vocational Coordinator and as a Marketing and Development Director. Nick attended UW-Stout in the Hospitality and Tourism program with minors in Coaching and Service Management. Nick serves on the Downtown Eau Claire Inc. Board, Visit Eau Claire Exec Board, and Leadership Eau Claire committee. He volunteers for Junior Achievement, Big Brothers Big Sisters program. He was on the board for the Children’s Museum and was the Capital Campaign Chair for Miracle League of the Chippewa Valley. Nick currently lives in Eau Claire with his 11-year-old daughter, Evelyn.