Richard Gosse, President Appleton, WI
Dick is a retired dentist and a current Outagamie County Board Supervisor. He has a passion for the environment and a desire to help make a difference. He “walks the talk” as an avid bike rider, conservationist, and politically aware voter. The Land Trust’s potential for growth is his key focus for the future. He has no doubt that the staff, board members, and other people who come to value nature and wilderness will work with genuine dedication to the growth of the Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust.
As a grandfather, Dick’s dream is to leave a legacy of preserved land and resources for future generations. A quote that inspires him is from Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. It’s the only thing that ever has.” “And that’s what the Land Trust is,” says Dick.
Jim Resick, Vice President Pulaski, WI
The rampant land abuse Jim Resick saw growing up as the son of a coal miner and later state mine inspector, led to his degree in Environmental Resource Management at Penn State, and later a degree in Agricultural Economics from UW-Madison. Jim brings to the Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust Board twenty-six years of experience as a community development educator focusing on farmland use and preservation. He has worked with government entities, nonprofits, farmers, and land owners to solve suburban and rural sprawl. Jim is well networked in Outagamie and Brown Counties, and works with “NEW North” to promote economic development. “We should be wearing the Land Trust on our sleeves. We can do more,” Jim says.
Spending some of his vacation time volunteering in Haiti and Nicaragua working for sustainable agriculture, this husband and father of two girls also gardens, fishes, hunts, and canoes. “Some people go to beautiful places; others make places beautiful,” says Jim. He aims to make places beautiful and preserve them.
Bill Geenen, Treasurer Menasha, WI
Bill may be retired from Air Wisconsin, but his time is filled with volunteer activities such as SCORE, the Paper Industry International Hall of Fame, Inc. and being Trustee Treasurer for St. Thomas More Parish. While he and his wife, Joan, enjoy travel and golf, Bill still feels obligations to contribute his financial management expertise and provide clear communication of the Land Trust’s financial position. As a board member, Bill believes that the Land Trust’s purpose is to first provide a vehicle for the preservation of land and natural resources into perpetuity and the second is educating the public on the need for conservation.
Allen Davis, Secretary Grand Chute, WI
Besides being busy as the City of Oshkosh Community Development Director, this University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate volunteers with Big Brothers, Honor Glory Flights, Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts, and the Soccer Club. Mr. Davis enjoys traveling, hiking, golfing, and kayaking. He is a member of the American and Wisconsin Planning Association, the Experimental Aircraft Association, the National Park Association, and the Sierra Club. His interest in land preservation is reflected in a quote by Will Rogers, “The trouble with land is that they’re not making anymore.”
Kim Biedermann Neenah, WI
In 2000, as a senior in high school, Kim job shadowed at the Land Trust. Her experience there instilled in her a strong sense of conservation ethic, and she has had a passion for the work done at the Land Trust ever since.
Kim has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Environmental Policy and Planning and in Environmental Science from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. She also earned her Masters of Studies in Environmental Law from Vermont Law School in 2006. Kim is now the Community Development Director for the City of Omro. Aside from being on NEWLT’s Board, Kim is also on the Brandon Thielke Foundation Board and the Oshkosh Sustainability Board.
Kim’s special interests and hobbies include running, hiking, biking, skiing, making jewelry, and enjoying nature. She is most excited about reaching out to the northeast Wisconsin community to get more members to participate in NEWLT and in making people aware of the important role a land trust plays in preserving and protecting land.
Timothy Douglas Green Bay, WI
Tim lives and works in the Green Bay area, and has all of his life. He believes the quality of life that we enjoy in northeast Wisconsin depends on open spaces, green forests, clean water ways and abundant wildlife. Mr. Douglas became involved with Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust because their mission aligns perfectly with this belief. He joined the NEWLT Board with a desire to help the team organize and accomplish its goals. Tim envisions a time where the Land Trust is commonly seen in the community as an organization that successfully fulfills its mission and is credited with preserving marquee lands in our area. In particular, he would like to help make the Green Bay area more aware of the Land Trust and its goals.
Tim’s professional background is in engineering and business management. His hobbies and interests lie mostly as an outdoorsman. He enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking and site seeing in beautiful natural areas. Tim also volunteers his time to other organizations including Junior Achievement, where he serves on their Board of Directors for Brown County as well as a classroom volunteer. He has also participated in volunteer activities at Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve.
Kelly L. Helein Appleton, WI
“Our family is strongly committed to the Fox Valley Community. We intend to make the area our home for many years and believe that by giving of our time and talent we enrich the Fox Cities Community,” said Mrs. Helein. Kelly holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley and the University of Wisconsin-Madison as well as extended educational experience from Novo Trumfo Anglo Brazil and Marquette University.
Kelly Helein is a dedicated conservationist who loves the out of doors and has served her community through such organizations as the Girls Engineering Math and Science Committee (UW Fox Valley Continuing Education), Fox Cities PAC, Building for Kids, Girls Scouts/Boy Scouts and the ACES Xavier Educational System. She is an experienced professional with a diverse background in sales and marketing employed by Thilmany Papers and is a great asset to Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust.
Laura Meronk Appleton, WI
Mrs. Meronk, who graduated from St. Olaf College and the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities), is a practicing lawyer with the firm of Godfrey & Kahn. S.C. Laura is a United Way Emerging Leaders volunteer, plays golf and gardens. She wanted to get involved with an organization that allowed her to put her conservation values into action, and that’s why she’s on the Board of the Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust. Laura feels the main goals of the Land Trust are to protect and maintain valuable pieces of our natural environment, and to provide information and education to area residents about the special and unique Land Trust areas.
Mrs. Meronk appreciates the passionate and hardworking staff of NEWLT, the loyal supporters, and the long-time members with knowledge and experience to share. She is committed to growth, new initiatives, the ongoing analysis of goals and objectives, as well as serving as a committee member where and when needed. Laura says, “We must continue to save and preserve.”
Amelia M. Rugland Appleton, WI
During her legal career, Mrs. Rugland’s concentration was in commercial real estate and land use activity. Consistent with her overall spirit of volunteerism, Milly complemented her legal career with leadership positions in the Granby Connecticut Land Trust and the Granby Planning and Zoning Commission.
In 1997 she retired from practice and moved back to her hometown of Appleton. Since 1998, Milly has been an active volunteer and advocate of the Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust, serving as its president recurrently through the years. Mrs. Rugland has served as a director of Riverview Country Club, the Fox Valley Symphony, the Appleton Library Foundation, and the Arthur Kempin School of Music and Art. She is a member of the PEO Sisterhood and King’s Daughters. Milly’s husband, Walter is a retired actuary and insurance executive. They have two grown daughters and live in Appleton with a summer home in Elcho, Wisconsin.
Tim Schmidt Menasha, WI
Mr. Schmidt joined the Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust Board in 1994 because of his strong interest in preserving land. Tim was very excited when he heard that a group of people were looking for volunteers to help start up a land trust here in Northeast Wisconsin.
Tim possesses a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering that he received from Marquette University and a Master’s Degree in Solar Engineering from the Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. He enjoys kayaking, canoeing, biking, sailboarding, and native landscaping.
Tim feels that NEWLT’s greatest strength is the passion of its staff and volunteers to protect natural areas. He hopes that someday the Land Trust will have all the resources they need to protect the most important, natural gems in northeast Wisconsin.
Dennis Simon Neenah, WI
As a partner in the firm of Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, Denny believes that his knowledge as a real estate attorney can be a benefit to the Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust. Mr. Simon was motivated to join the Land Trust after hearing a presentation by staff member Jim Klinkert. Denny was impressed by the enthusiasm and dedication of not only the NEWLT staff, but also by the Board of Directors.
Denny Simon values the outdoors and spends time birding, hiking, sailing, golfing, auto touring, and landscaping. Volunteerism is a big part of the Simon Family’s life. Their service associations are many including professional, community, health, and church programs. “I very much enjoy being able to volunteer in an area in which I can contribute my specialized expertise,” says Denny.
Stephanie Vrabec Menasha, WI
“I have a passion for the protection of environmentally significant ecosystems,” says Stephanie. As a science teacher, moderator of Xavier High School Environmental Club, biker, hiker, tennis player, and watercolor painter, Stephanie lives and actively promotes the ideals of the Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust. She truly wants to protect land for future generations, and improve outreach to educate, as well as, connect local educators and scientists in land preservation efforts. Mrs. Vrabec hopes to collaborate with teachers and students at the high school and college level to facilitate land assessments and the promotion of land preservation. This conscientious member of the board of NEWLT quotes Thoreau, “Heaven is under our feet, as well as, over our heads.”
Teresa Hall-Weglarz Appleton, WI
Teresa is very excited about the opportunity to work on land stewardship. Her background is in environmental Toxicology. Teresa always thought she would be outside doing some sort of environmental survey analysis or research, instead she has spent the last eight years teaching. Teresa loves teaching, but she looks forward to the opportunity to be more active in local land stewardship issues.
Teresa graduated from Michigan State College of Natural Science and the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a PhD. in Molecular and Environmental Toxicology. A person of passion, Teresa is a member of the Sierra Club and works with the Fox River Academy, an environmental charter school.
Mrs. Weglarz spends much of her time hiking, biking, gardening, scrapbooking, and composting. As an Environmental Science educator, Teresa wants to help raise awareness of the benefits of land conservation. Teresa’s philosophy can be summed up by a quote from a Sengalese conservationist, “In the end, we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we were taught.”