WMC - Key Persons
After spending nearly a decade of taking training courses with Wisconsin Safety Council, Aaron Huebner was selected as the organization's Executive Director in 2019. In his role, he oversees the Safety Council's efforts to make Wisconsin the safest place to live, work and play. Prior to becoming Executive Director, Huebner spent nearly 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry working in production and research & development.
In addition to his role at the Safety Council, he is a lieutenant, corporation president and training officer with the Sun Prairie Fire Department, where he has served his community for the last 13 years. Huebner currently lives in Sun Prairie with his family - a town he has resided in almost his entire life.
Job Titles:
- Human Resources Manager
- Associate Director of Finance
Amanda Pavelec is a Human Resources Manager for Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC).
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant to the President & Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Associate Director
- Associate Director With WSC
Barb Deans currently serves as the Associate Director with WSC. Barb started with WSC in 1989 as an Administrative Assistant and has held many titles during her tenure.
Barb works closely with the WSC Advisory Board and Committees. She has been involved with the meeting profession for 35 years, starting with an association management company overseeing numerous events. In 2006, she was recognized as Meeting Planner of the Year by the National Speakers Association-Wisconsin Chapter.
Barb has volunteered for Relay for Life, United Way Day of Caring and served as the Donations Leader for the Madison Chapter of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Barb is a Wisconsin native and a graduate of Madison College.
Brittany Rockwell is the Director of Events at Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC).
Previously, Brittany served on the government relations team since joining WMC in 2015. She assumed the Director of Events role in 2020 and will oversee the numerous events WMC hosts for its members each year.
Brittany has a B.A. in Political Science and M.A. in Communications from Dallas Baptist University in Dallas, Texas.
Brittany grew up on Madison's east side and now lives with her husband in Sun Prairie.
Job Titles:
- Government Relations Professional & WMC Litigation Center Paralegal
Prior to joining WMC, Chelsey worked as a litigation paralegal for a law firm and has held multiple positions within the circuit court. Additionally, she served as an alderperson on her city council and held the Vice President role for her local Kiwanis Club. In her spare time, she enjoys cycling, spending her summers at the lake, traveling, and will always order cheese curds for the table.
A Washington state native, Chelsey spent most of her life living in rural Wisconsin. She resides in Waunakee with her son and their dachshund, Gracie.
Job Titles:
- Director of Environmental & Energy Policy
- Senior Director of Environmental & Energy Policy
Craig Summerfield joined WMC in 2021 as Director of Environmental & Energy Policy. Prior to joining WMC, Craig spent nearly 15 years working in the Wisconsin State Legislature, including time as a policy advisor in the Assembly Speaker's office and chief of staff in the State Senate.
In addition to his time in the State Capitol, he previously worked on multiple political campaigns in Wisconsin and for Congressman Mark Green in Washington, D.C.
Summerfield holds a bachelor's degree in political science and history, and earned his MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Dale Heiking came aboard WMC Insurance in 2019 and currently serves as Account Executive/Renewals. Dale has worked in sales and management roles in the insurance industry for over 25 years, most recently with Humana, Inc. He has been responsible for product and market launches in both group and individual health and ancillary lines throughout a number of states during his career. Dale has served on a number of non-profits including Verona Area Core Knowledge Charter School, Humana Helping Hands, Bombay Bicycle Club of Madison and was a founding board member of Healing Horsemanship in Stoughton.
Job Titles:
- in 2017 As the Manager of Video Production
- Senior Manager of Video Production
David Bartscher joined WMC in 2017 as the Manager of Video Production, and was promoted to Senior Manager of Video Production in 2019. He is an award-winning photojournalist and video professional with years of experience in video production.
Prior to joining WMC, David was a photojournalist for WKOW 27 News, ABC affiliate in Madison, Wisconsin, where he gained invaluable experience to grow as a video professional.
David is a Wisconsin native and an avid sports fan. He earned his B.S. in Life Sciences Communication and Digital Studies Certificate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Dawn brings over 20 years of accounting experience to the WMC team. Prior to joining the staff in 2018, Dawn worked in the food and beverage industry, gaining valuable skills in cash management, banking and day to day business operations. Born and raised in Wisconsin, she holds an Associate Degree from Madison College.
When she's not biking across the state of Iowa in the annual RAGBRAI event, Dawn enjoys traveling across the U.S. to track down the best food and drink throughout various cities. Dawn resides in Lake Wisconsin with her husband and two dogs.
Job Titles:
- President Fearing 's Audio Video Security
Job Titles:
- Director of Tax, Transportation & Legal Affairs
- in 2021 As Director of Tax, Transportation & Legal Affairs
Evan Umpir joined WMC in 2021 as Director of Tax, Transportation & Legal Affairs. He previously worked in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Wisconsin Legislature, and Congress.
While at DHS, Evan worked with Congress on transportation security issues and policy for all modes of transportation. He coordinated policy and technical feedback on legislation, drafted testimony and prepared witnesses for Congressional hearings, and authored the response to a DHS Inspector General audit report.
Evan previously worked in the Wisconsin Legislature where he successfully navigated 17 bills in two sessions to the Governor's desk that became law and served as a committee clerk. He worked closely with the State Bar of Wisconsin, Uniform Law Commission, and other stakeholders on legislation affecting the legal system.
His prior experience in Congress includes assisting with oversight activities and conducting legal and policy research for the Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee, the Senate's chief oversight committee, and House Homeland Security Committee.
Evan is a proud Wisconsin native and part owner of the Green Bay Packers. He earned his law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School and has a bachelor's degree in political science from Marquette University.
Job Titles:
- President & CEO Bank of Sun Prairie
Job Titles:
- in 2021 As the Marketing & Events Coordinator
- Marketing & Events Coordinator
John Laux joined WMC in 2021 as the Marketing & Events Coordinator. He is a recent graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), with a bachelor's degree in Marketing. During his time at UWM, John interned in marketing roles with the Wisconsin State Fair and Good Karma Brands (ESPN Radio). He was Vice President of the UWM American Marketing Association and was selected into the Lubar School of Business Scholars program and the Baird Mentoring Program.
John grew up outside of Madison and is a fan of Wisconsin collegiate and professional sports. He enjoys the Wisconsin deer hunting season, fishes on the Madison lakes and at his family's cottage in Vilas County, and is a below-bogey golfer.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Finance
- Vice President, Finance & Human Resources
Kay Kertz is the Vice President of Finance & Human Resources. She joined WMC in 1991 and has held numerous accounting and human resources roles during her tenure.
She has overseen the organization's daily financial operations since 2005 and was promoted to Vice President in 2020. In her current role, she manages all aspects of the finance and human resources departments, and sets the strategic vision for WMC's financial future.
Kertz earned her bachelor's degree in accounting. She is a Madison native, lives in Sun Prairie with her husband and has two adult children.
Job Titles:
- Communications Manager
- Member of Christ Fellowship Church
Before joining WMC as Communications Manager, Kristen managed policy at a nonprofit and worked on a statewide political campaign. She also previously served in Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch's office as her Director of Operations. In these roles, she traveled the state, witnessed the inner workings of government, and developed a passion for all things Wisconsin.
Kristen is a member of Christ Fellowship Church in Sun Prairie, a self-proclaimed "military brat," and an alumna of Maranatha Baptist University in Watertown. She lives in Madison and loves traveling both inside and outside Wisconsin's borders.
Kristi's background is in Human Resource Management and Office Administration. She is currently the Office Coordinator for WMC.
She is a member of various local organizations volunteering with veterans (VFW and American Legion), Camp Waubeek (Easter Seals), Exalted Ruler of the Madison Elks Lodge, and the Lions.
In her spare time she enjoys music, sports, travel, reading and history.
Kristi lives in Deerfield with her husband. She has two adult children, two grandchildren, and a new puppy named Snickers.
Job Titles:
- President & CEO Hometown Trolley
Kurt R. Bauer became the fifth head of Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) in 2011. Founded in 1911, WMC is the combined Wisconsin State Chamber of Commerce, Wisconsin Manufacturers' Association and the Wisconsin Safety Council. WMC represents 3,800 employers of all sizes and from every sector of the economy, and is referred to as "the state's most powerful business and manufacturing group" by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Under Bauer's watch, WMC became the first organization to win both State Chamber of the Year (2020), and the Council of State Manufacturers Associations Leadership Award (2023).
Prior to joining WMC, Bauer spent 18 years working for financial industry trade groups, including serving as CEO for both the Wisconsin and Arizona Bankers Associations.
Bauer has served on multiple state, regional and national committees, councils and boards. He is a past chair of the Council of State Manufacturers Associations and the current Treasurer of the National Association of State Chambers.
Bauer is a Wisconsin native and a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director of Public Relations
Leah Supensky joined WMC in 2006 and currently serves as Associate Director of Public Relations. Leah has served in various roles during her tenure at WMC. In her current role, Leah provides graphic and communications support to the WMC team to advance the public policy objectives of the organization. Leah is a native of Alabama and a graduate of the University of Alabama.
Job Titles:
- Senior Director of Wisconsin Business World
Michelle Grajkowski is the Senior Director of Wisconsin Business World, where she focuses on providing hands-on and engaging educational resources and programs for middle and high school students across the state. The program is housed in WMC Foundation, the educational affiliate of Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC), the 2020 State Chamber of the Year. In addition to educating students on business, entrepreneurship and the free market, Michelle is dedicated to solving the workforce paradox. As a result, she is passionate on collaborating with industry, educational and community leaders in order to brainstorm and to execute new ways to help students prepare for their futures, as well as to help them identify economic opportunities in their own backyards.
A natural cheerleader and champion of business, education and philanthropy, Michelle strives to share the message that Business is a Force for Good every day.
An educator and entrepreneur at heart, in addition to her work with the WMC Foundation, Michelle is still at the helm of the 3 Seas Literary Agency, a business she successfully started more than twenty years ago. In her work in the publishing world, she is blessed to be surrounded by extremely talented authors and industry professionals and has successfully helped launch many bestselling careers.
A graduate of the UW Madison (GO BADGERS!), Michelle lives in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin with her husband, two college-aged children and a puppy who refuses to grow up.
Job Titles:
- President, COO & CEO Waupaca Foundry
Job Titles:
- Deputy Director of the WMC Litigation Center
- Deputy Director, WMC Litigation Center
Nathan Kane serves as Deputy Director of the WMC Litigation Center. He holds a law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School and a political-science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
Before joining WMC, Nathan clerked for Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Grassl Bradley. As an undergraduate student, he interned for two members of the U.S. House of Representatives and was a government-affairs intern for the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce.
Nathan's other experience includes working a summer job as a machine operator at Kimberly-Clark's Neenah Cold Springs facility.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director of Membership
Nick Burger joined WMC in 2017 as an Intern. He was promoted to Manager of Business World, IT, & Database in 2019. He develops and implements state-wide and local programs on economic literacy, entrepreneurship, and free-market enterprise for high school students across Wisconsin. In this split role, he also is responsible for the secure and effective operation of all computer systems, network servers, database, and related applications used across the organization.
Nick is a Wisconsin native, avid sports fan, and outdoorsman. He graduated in 2019 from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with a bachelor's degree in Economics and Information Technology.
Job Titles:
- in 2016 As Director of Communications & Marketing
- Vice President Communications & Marketing 608.258.3400
- Vice President, Communications & Marketing
Nick Novak joined WMC in 2016 as Director of Communications & Marketing and was promoted to Vice President in 2019. He is an award-winning communications and marketing executive with over a decade of experience in government and public policy. Prior to joining WMC, he served as Director of Marketing & Communications for Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin and Director of Communications for The John K. MacIver Institute for Public Policy.
Previously, he worked for the Republican National Committee, and on multiple state and federal political campaigns. In 2011, Nick served on Gov. Scott Walker's external relations team while the governor advocated for and eventually signed Act 10, which gained national attention for reforming the state's public-sector collective bargaining laws.
Nick is a former columnist for The Washington Times and has written for many other local, regional and national publications. He provides regular commentary for print, radio and television media outlets, including numerous appearances on FOX News, FOX Business and others. In addition to his own on-air appearances, Nick has provided comprehensive media training to CEOs, policy experts and others for interviews with CNN, FOX News, FOX Business, CNBC and countless local outlets. He has been honored with a Spark Freedom Trendsetter Award for his overall excellence in free market communications and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Mid-America Chamber Executives.
He was born in the Chicago suburbs, and grew up in southeastern Wisconsin. Nick has a bachelor's degree in economics and political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and he lives in the Madison area with his family and their dog.
Job Titles:
- Associate Vice President of Government Relations & Senior Political Advisor
- in 2021 As Director
Rachel Ver Velde joined WMC in 2021 as Director of Workforce, Education and Employment Policy. Prior to joining WMC, she served as Chief of Staff for Congressman Glenn Grothman from Wisconsin's 6th District. She managed his official office operations in both Washington, D.C., and Wisconsin.
Rachel also served as the congressman's Senior Advisor on the campaign, where she oversaw all functions and achieved double digit margins of victory in four election cycles. She was the Campaign Manager for Congressman Grothman's first congressional run, winning a contentious three-way primary and subsequent general election.
From 2013 through 2014, Rachel served as Chief of Staff in Congressman Grothman's Wisconsin State Senate office and helped him usher 33 bills to Gov. Scott Walker's desk for enactment.
Her experience prior to 2013 includes policy roles with Congressman Grothman's Senate office and working for Congressman Paul D. Ryan in his Janesville office.
Rachel graduated with Honors from the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater with a B.A. in Political Science and Economics. She currently resides in Sun Prairie with her husband and two children.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director of Insurance Services With WMC Insurance and Has Been
Rich Laufenberg currently serves as Associate Director of Insurance Services with WMC Insurance and has been with the organization for two decades. He has worked in the insurance industry for 30 years, starting with an independent insurance agency selling individual products and then with a large health insurance company holding many different titles, including Marketing Coordinator. Rich serves WMC members directly as their go-to person for questions and customer service on their insurance products.
Job Titles:
- Senior Director of Insurance Services
Robert joined WMC in early 2018 as an Account Executive for WMC Insurance, and was quickly promoted to Director of Insurance Services. He currently serves as Senior Director of Insurance Services. Robert has two decades of experience in the insurance industry, most recently with Ameritas and Humana. In his current role, he has overseen the launch of multiple new product lines that provide WMC members with access to affordable and comprehensive insurance coverage.
Job Titles:
- Vice President Operations Support Brakebush Brothers, Inc
Job Titles:
- Executive Vice President, Government Relations
- Vice President of the Wisconsin Civil Justice Council
Scott Manley joined WMC in 2005 after serving more than ten years as a policy advisor in the Wisconsin State Senate, where he focused his policy work in the areas of environment, natural resources, taxation and the judiciary. While serving as Chief of Staff to Senator Cathy Stepp, Manley assisted in WMC's effort to draft and negotiate the Job Creation Act (Act 118).
Scott serves as chief lobbyist for WMC, and oversees the government relations program by directing a team of lobbyists and policy experts. Together they work with legislators and state agency officials to advance WMC's agenda to make Wisconsin the most competitive state in the nation for jobs and business. He also manages WMC's issue advocacy program, as well as the Association's political action efforts. Manley previously represented WMC on environmental and energy policies.
Manley currently serves as Vice President of the Wisconsin Civil Justice Council, which promotes fairness and transparency in Wisconsin's legal system through policy advocacy. He also serves as Vice Chairman of the Great Lakes Legal Foundation, an organization that seeks to advance economic growth by holding government regulators accountable to the law. He was also appointed by Governor Scott Walker's Administration to represent business perspectives on the Wisconsin Unemployment Insurance Advisory Council.
Scott graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director of the WMC Litigation Center
- Executive Director, WMC Litigation Center
Scott Rosenow serves as Executive Director of the WMC Litigation Center. Scott previously clerked for Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Annette Ziegler, held a fellowship at the Pacific Legal Foundation in California, and served as an Assistant Attorney General at the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
At PLF, Scott worked on nationwide public-interest litigation with several attorneys who have argued successfully before the U.S. Supreme Court, and he wrote an article that was later published in a Texas law journal. His work at PLF mostly focused on property rights, equal protection under the law, and environmental law.
While at DOJ, Scott served as Deputy Director of the Criminal Appeals Unit. He argued nine cases in the Wisconsin Supreme Court and three cases in the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. He litigated over 200 cases in the Wisconsin Court of Appeals and dozens in federal district court. He also filed briefs in the United States Supreme Court in several cases at the certiorari stage.
Scott has a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he graduated with a 4.0 GPA, first in his class of 3,600 students. Scott received his law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School, where he graduated near the top of his class and served as both a writer and an editor on one of his school's law journals, which published his student note.
Scott's other experience includes serving as an elected official on a village board and working summer jobs as a material handler at a paper mill.
Job Titles:
- Wisconsin Business World Coordinator
Shelby Paradowski joins the WMC team as the Coordinator of Wisconsin Business World. As a two-time Business World Camp alumna herself, Shelby leads the summer camp and MINI programs. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in May of 2023 with a double major in Marketing and Supply Chain and Operations management.
Shelby is a competitive powerlifter and trains for competitions across the nation.
Job Titles:
- Manager
- Membership Manager
Stephanie is a Manager for WMC Foundation, leading Wisconsin Business World summer camps and one-day programs at local schools. In addition, she manages other programs and events within WMC Foundation. Stephanie started this position in 2021 after spending a number of years as a Customer Service Specialist at Wisconsin Safety Council - an affiliate of Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce.
She graduated in May 2017 with a Bachelors of Business Administration from St. Norbert College in De Pere and is currently working on her Masters Degree.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Senior Executive
- in 1996 As an Administrative Assistant
Susan joined WMC in 1996 as an administrative assistant for three lobbyists on the government relations team. She was excited for the challenge to learn more about WMC's impact in Wisconsin and eager to be a part of its dynamic team. Within just a few months, she expanded her role to help support the WMC Foundation by bringing her knowledge, skills and experience of working with Wisconsin business leaders.
As a member of the Foundation team, Susan is responsible for helping to deliver educational programs on business issues, the free enterprise system, economics, and workforce development initiatives - all of which are the heart of the Foundation's mission.
She also works closely with leaders of local chambers of commerce through WMC's Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Executives program. WCCE is focused on professional development, advocacy and workforce development for chamber professionals throughout the state.
Susan graduated from Madison College and is a member of the American Society of Administrative Professionals. She was born and raised on a century-old dairy farm in southwest Wisconsin, which is still operational today. She is married to her high school sweetheart, has three children, and lives in Lake Wisconsin area.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- COO and Vice President, Membership & Partnerships Executive Director
- Vice President of Membership & Partnerships
Wade Goodsell is Vice President of Membership & Partnerships and Executive Director of the WMC Foundation, an affiliate of Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce. WMC Foundation houses the Future Wisconsin Project and Wisconsin Business World. In his role, Wade leads WMC Foundation's strategy and fundraising initiatives.Prior to joining WMC Foundation, Wade worked at Baker Tilly in a national consulting and business development role, as well as for the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation where he served as Business Attraction Director. While at WEDC, he was recognized as one of North America's Top 50 Economic Developers by Consultants Connect in 2016. Wade started his career at WMC working in membership and government relations.
Wade serves on the board of the Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing Productivity and has previously been involved in the Industrial Asset Management Council, the National Association of Industrial and Office Professionals and the Wisconsin Economic Development Association. Wade is a Wisconsin native and a graduate of Bethel University.