2016-2017 BOARD of DIRECTORS
OFFICERS:
John Swartz, President: B.S., Business Management, Bradley University; 38 years experience in a variety of business management positions, most recently as Vice President of Operations, Conney Safety Products, Madison. Retired in 2007 and moved to the Mount Horeb area. Served as Moderator and Chairman for various church boards and committees, professional societies, and non-profit organizations. Lives in Mount Horeb area with his wife, Jan. Returning Board member.
Dr. Larry Kruckman, Vice President: An anthropologist who has taught at universities in Wisconsin, California and Pennsylvania and won many awards for his teaching and research. He has completed studies in the U.S., Micronesia and South America primarily focused on human birth, postpartum issues and public health, leading to book chapters and research articles which have appeared in journals, including Social Science and Medicine. Dr. Kruckman has also curated museum exhibits, produced videos, and created websites. In 2011 he retired from teaching and returned to Mt Horeb with his wife Carolyn White. Dr. Kruckman previously served on the Society's Steering and Fundraising Committees. NEW Board member.
Karla Ott, Secretary: B.A. in Political Science and Behavioral Science and Law, University of Wisconsin-Madison; graduate of University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School. Native Wisconsinite, born near Lancaster in Grant County on a dairy farm. Live in Mount Horeb, both inside and outside the Village, since 1989. Area of law practice are non-litigation general practice, estate planning, real estate, special needs works, not-for-profit formation and business. Husband teaches high school math in Mount Horeb, three accomplished children (Alina, Austen and Allesandra). Has served on numerous boards and committees, including Perry Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Mount Horeb Area Education Foundation, Inc., Gators Swim Team, Children's Community School, the Gonstead Clinic, the Mount Horeb Area Chamber of Commerce, Friends of the Mt Horeb Public Library, The Board of Trustees for the Mount Horeb Public Library, and the Mount Horeb Area Historical Society. Hobbies and interests include cooking, sewing, needlework, gardening and prairie restoration. NEW Board member.
William Thousand, Treasurer: BBA, Accounting, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Owner, William W. Thousand, CPA; 43 years experience as a CPA; member and officer of numerous boards and commissions. Returning board member.
John Swartz, President: B.S., Business Management, Bradley University; 38 years experience in a variety of business management positions, most recently as Vice President of Operations, Conney Safety Products, Madison. Retired in 2007 and moved to the Mount Horeb area. Served as Moderator and Chairman for various church boards and committees, professional societies, and non-profit organizations. Lives in Mount Horeb area with his wife, Jan. Returning Board member.
Dr. Larry Kruckman, Vice President: An anthropologist who has taught at universities in Wisconsin, California and Pennsylvania and won many awards for his teaching and research. He has completed studies in the U.S., Micronesia and South America primarily focused on human birth, postpartum issues and public health, leading to book chapters and research articles which have appeared in journals, including Social Science and Medicine. Dr. Kruckman has also curated museum exhibits, produced videos, and created websites. In 2011 he retired from teaching and returned to Mt Horeb with his wife Carolyn White. Dr. Kruckman previously served on the Society's Steering and Fundraising Committees. NEW Board member.
Karla Ott, Secretary: B.A. in Political Science and Behavioral Science and Law, University of Wisconsin-Madison; graduate of University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School. Native Wisconsinite, born near Lancaster in Grant County on a dairy farm. Live in Mount Horeb, both inside and outside the Village, since 1989. Area of law practice are non-litigation general practice, estate planning, real estate, special needs works, not-for-profit formation and business. Husband teaches high school math in Mount Horeb, three accomplished children (Alina, Austen and Allesandra). Has served on numerous boards and committees, including Perry Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Mount Horeb Area Education Foundation, Inc., Gators Swim Team, Children's Community School, the Gonstead Clinic, the Mount Horeb Area Chamber of Commerce, Friends of the Mt Horeb Public Library, The Board of Trustees for the Mount Horeb Public Library, and the Mount Horeb Area Historical Society. Hobbies and interests include cooking, sewing, needlework, gardening and prairie restoration. NEW Board member.
William Thousand, Treasurer: BBA, Accounting, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Owner, William W. Thousand, CPA; 43 years experience as a CPA; member and officer of numerous boards and commissions. Returning board member.
BOARD MEMBERS:
Andy Burkart: B.A., in History, Lakeland College; former President and CEO of Burkart-Heisdorf Insurance, now part of McClone Insurance Group; CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter) and CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter); US Coast Guard Veteran. Chairman of the Mid America Technical Insurance Conference. A part-time resident of the Blue Mounds area for over 20 years, now lives there full time with his wife, Linda. Returning Board member.
John Kuse: B.A.,University of Wisconsin-Madison; Over 27 years of financial service experience; current President and owner of Peak Wealth Management, LLC a registered investment advisor; former Deputy Managing Director of TD Waterhouse, Hong Kong and Divisional Vice President of TD Waterhouse Investor Services; served on multiple boards, including the Mt. Horeb Public Library, Mt. Horeb Community Foundation, Mount Horeb Area School District, Children's Community School and TD Waterhouse, Hong Kong. New Board Member.
Shirley Martin: Graduate of Mount Horeb High School. Native of the area with extensive knowledge of the community, its businesses and its people; member of the family who developed the Cave of the Mounds. Lives in Mount Horeb. Returning Board member.
Doug Nesheim: B.A., University of Wisconsin-Platteville; M.A., National College of Education; 36 years experience teaching middle school, focusing on geography and social studies; varsity head coach; board member and committee chair of various organizations and associations. Lives in Mount Horeb with his wife, Janet. Returning Board member.
John Pare: Previously served, returning Board member.
Peter Riphahn: B.A., Residential Design, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Wausau Technical Institute; 50 years experience in residential and commercial building planning; member and officer of professional and fraternal organizations; previous owner/operator of local lumber company. Lives in Mount Horeb with his wife, Carol. Returning Board member.
Emily Togstad: New Board member.
Lee Underwood: Retired EMS Coordinator, Meriter Hospital, Madison; volunteer member Mount Horeb Emergency Medical Service; former National Registry Chief Examiner (EMS) State of Wisconsin. Lives in Mount Horeb with her husband, Chuck. Returning Board member.
EMERITUS BOARD MEMBERS:
Tony Zalucha, Ph.D. : B.A., Anthropology, Illinois Wesleyan University; M.A., Archeology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Ph.D., Archeology, University of Wisconsin-Madison; 30 years experience in paleoethnobotany; member and officer of numerous professional organizations and governmental boards. Lives in Mount Horeb with his wife Peggy Flora Zalucha. Returning Board member.
