Officers
Secretary
Originally from Pulaski, WI, Jeanne graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point with a BS degree in Elementary Education. Jeanne retired from the Beaver Dam Unified School District in 2014 after teaching first grade for thirty six years. During her career she was on various district committees, ran the Hoops Mentoring Program which connected elementary students with high school athletes, and spent 14 years helping coordinate the Beaver Dam Youth Sports Camp.
As a member of the Beaver Dam Education Association she served as building representative, elementary liaison to the superintendent, was a member of the representative assembly, and served on the negotiation team for several years. Jeanne is currently an active member of the Dodge County Area Retired Education Association and WREA.
She and her husband Chuck live in Beaver Dam, WI. They are the proud parents of two daughters, a son-in-law, and a granddaughter. In their free time Jeanne and Chuck enjoy traveling, watching sports, attending concerts, and spending time with family.
President
Diane is originally from Gilman, Wisconsin, a small farming community in Taylor County. After graduation she attended UW-Eau Claire where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree as a teacher of German and Sociology.
She received her Master Degree from Marian University and Doctorate from Cardinal Stritch University. She spent her whole career with the Sheboygan Area School District – 20 years as a teacher and almost 20 years as an administrator. She retired in 2011 as the Assistant Superintendent of Student and Instructional Services.
Retirement was great and she enjoyed volunteering at her church, the local Historical Museum and various other non-profit agencies. However, she found another calling. In April, 2016, she accepted the position as Executive Director for the Wisconsin Retired Educators’ Association.
Diane has a son who is married and living in Oshkosh. She has two adorable grandchildren, ages 3 and 10 months. In her “spare” time she likes to read, travel, and do needlework.
Vice-President
Bob is a retired Civil and Environmental Engineer from the Department of Natural Resources. He retired at the end of 2008 after 33 years working in the field of wastewater treatment with an emphasis on organic solids reuse and in water supply with an emphasis on water treatment. Bob primarily worked in the Central office of the DNR but also worked for 5 years at the South Central Regional office.
After starting with the DNR he became active in the engineering bargaining unit and the State Engineering Association. While an officer in SEA, he recommended that SEA hire a consultant to keep watch on retirement and insurance issues being considered at the capitol. Since he retired, Bob has served in that position for SEA. As such, Bob attends meetings of the WiCOA, the Group Insurance Board, Employee Trust Fund Board and SWIB on behalf of SEA and reports on activities of interest to SEA for current members and annuitants.
Bob was born in West Bend, WI, and attended the UW-Madison College of Engineering, as did his father and brother. He also completed a degree from the College of Agriculture in Natural Resources. Basically, he never left Madison once he arrived.
Treasurer
Kathy is originally from Stockton, Illinois. Her family moved to Wisconsin the day after she graduated from high school. She stayed in Illinois for a few years working at an insurance company and a PK-12 school district, but ended up migrating north to Wisconsin also. She worked at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College for 32 years prior to coming to work for AFT-Wisconsin as the Executive Assistant. She served as a local union leader for 22 years during her time at Southwest Tech where she was the Admissions/Registration Specialist and then the PeopleSoft Student Administration System Specialist.
During those years, she also served as an Employee Trust Fund Board member for 8 years and an AFT-Wisconsin Executive Board member for 12 years. She is a lifetime member of the AFT-Wisconsin Retiree Council.
When not working, Kathy enjoys going to the Overture Center for the Arts and the Fireside Dinner Theatre. She also enjoys music, reading, their annual trip to Florida in the winter, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.