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. Northeast Wisconsin 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 continue the growth of the NEWLT.

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.

Charles Larscheid is a board member with NEWLT. He is married and has a teenage son; he earned a B.S. degree from UW-Eau Claire majoring in biology and minoring in chemistry. He worked as an environmental chemist prior to spending over 21 years as the Director of the Brown County Port and Solid Waste Department (BCPSWD). At BCPSWD, he consolidated recycling, hazardous waste and solid waste programs. He also managed the port of Green Bay before retiring this past year. While at BCPSWD, he instituted a number of environmental projects including converting a closed landfill into a native prairie. He serves on a WI-DNR citizen's advisory committee for the lower Fox River and Bay of Green Bay, and volunteers as a surveyor for an international marsh monitoring program. He is an avid bird watcher, hunter, and fisherman. He plays saxophone in the Alloues Villiage Band and an area jazz band. Charles is going to be a wonderful asset as a board member because of his dedication to NEWLT and bringing its mission to the Green Bay area.

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 obligated to contribute his financial management expertise and provide clear communication of NEWLT’s financial position. As a board member, Bill believes that NEWLT’s purpose is to first provide a vehicle for the preservation of land and natural resources into perpetuity and secondly to educate the public on the need for conservation.

In 2000, as a senior in high school, Kim job shadowed at The Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust. This experience instilled a strong sense of conservation ethic, and she has had a passion for the work done at NEWLT ever since.

Kim has a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Policy and Planning and Environmental Science from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. She also earned her Masters degree 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 City of 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.

Todd Needham is a retired Periodontist and long-time supporter of community and environmental organizations. He feels privileged to have had the opportunities to live, travel through, hike, fish and be present in natural spaces all across the contintent. Todd is inspired by the writings of Aldo Leopold and Sigurd Olson to feel passion and responsibility for preservation of these spaces. "To be offered the opportunity to join a group focused on preserving these treasures is both humbling and energizing," said Todd.

“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 outdoors and has served her community through such organizations as the Girls Engineering Math and Science Committee (UW Fox Valley Continuing Education), Fox Cities PAC, the 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 who is employed by Thilmany Papers and is a great asset to Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust. 

Timothy McCoy is another new board member at NEWLT. He graduated in 1983 from UW-Madison and then got his law degree from Hamline University of Law in 1992. He is now attorney with Godfrey & Kahn law offices in Green Bay, WI. Tim is an avid bicyclist and a triathlete. He loves to be outdoors and see places that are in their natural state. He has traveled to Paradise lodge, which is about 10,000 ft elevation on Mount Rainier. He was disappointed to see steps were being built which changed the look and feel of the mountain. There is a physics statement that says “entropy requires no maintenance“ which is how Tim feels about conservation - nature doesn’t need to be maintained since it maintains itself. He volunteers for a number of organizations including the board for the Fox Cities Children’s Museum, YMCA greater Green Bay, and Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin. We are excited to have Tim join our board of directors.

Patrick Casey is a northeast Wisconsin native and a strong believer in the importance of environmental conservation. In 2010, he graduated from UW-Stevens Point and is now a public relations specialist at the Boldt Company. "I'm excited to combine my skill set and passion for preserving our natural spaces in my role on NEWLT's board of directors," said Patrick. "The land trust's mission is vitally important to our community and I'm eager to take part in fulfilling it."

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 was actively 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 NEWLT will have all the resources it needs to protect the most important, natural gems in northeast Wisconsin. 

As a partner at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, Denny believes that his knowledge as a real estate attorney is a benefit to NEWLT. Mr. Simon was motivated to join NEWLT 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.

“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 NEWLT's board quotes Thoreau, “Heaven is under our feet, as well as, over our heads.”

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 but instead, she has spent the last eight years teaching. Teresa loves teaching, and 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.”

Sue Kinde
Ron Vander Velden
Betty Winter