Alumni Board

Scott Anderson
Bachelor of Science Business Administration, Emphasis in Management, 
University of Wisconsin-Platteville ‘06
Master of Science in Project Management,
University of Wisconsin-Platteville ‘12
Madison, WI
scott.anderson.uwp@gmail.com

Personal Information: Scott currently resides in Madison, WI with his wife, Amanda.  Scott earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management at UWP in 2006. After leaving campus and moving to Dallas, TX, Scott returned to UWP in 2010 to earn his Master’s degree in Project Management through the distance education program.

Professional Experience: Scott is currently employed at UW-Madison as a Financial Specialist.  Previous to UW-Madison, Scott was a Sales Professional for Tiffany & Co., in Dallas, TX. Scott has worked with and led projects for several high profile clients such as the MLB World Series and the Texas Rangers Baseball Club.  Scott serves as the Vice-Chairman on the Board of Advisors and Treasurer of the Alumni Association for the UW-Platteville chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) Fraternity. 

Message to Current and Prospective Students:
“As an alumnus of both on-campus and off-campus programs at UW-Platteville, I can attest that you’ll receive the very same first rate education that you would in an on-campus environment. The distance program at UW-Platteville was a fantastic experience. The professors are very accessible, and I was able to complete the assignments on my own time while working full time. The flexibility of the program allowed me to complete assignments where ever I happened to be; at home, the library, on the road, or even at lunch. You’re able to work with students around the world and from a wide variety of backgrounds. You’ll receive immediate feedback from your Professors and if you have any questions they are only an email or phone call away! At UW-Platteville, I gained more than just an education; I gained confidence, improved my communication and time management skills, and I am still in contact with many of my classmates and Professors. It truly is “a great day to be a Pioneer!”

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Vicky Crawford

Master of Science Project Management
University of Wisconsin – Platteville

Bachelor of Arts – Computer Science
Mary Baldwin College

Personal Information: Vicky lives on a farm in Wirtz, VA with her husband.  She has two children, both grown and living their own lives. She enjoys gardening, sewing, reading, and enjoying her grandchild.

Most Important Learning in Life

Children are more fun when you can send them home to someone else and the big things in life are smaller as time passes.

Professional Experience: Vicky has been employed in the insurance industry for 27 years.  She is a driven, self-starter with the ability to help people through the implementation of project initiatives aimed toward the reduction of cost and elimination of inefficiencies in a high-paced business environment. 

She provides guidance to individuals on the implementation and development of projects and project documentation leading a group fulfilling a subject matter expert role.  She reviews processes and recommends efficiencies through automation and sourcing.

Message to Current and Prospective Students: Enjoy and live life.  Grasp at every opportunity to learn something new.  Open your mind to new experiences and embrace those from people who may not think as you do.  Remember your manners; they will always take you to places unexpected. 

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Steve Johnson
Master of Science in Project Management
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
steve.johnson@broan-nutone.com

Megan Hujet
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
hujetm@att.net

Personal Info:
Megan currently lives in De Pere, WI, which is her hometown, with her fiance Michael. They will be married on July 20, 2013 in Green Bay. They have one orange tabby cat named Kolby. She enjoys watching Milwaukee Brewers baseball and New Orleans Saints football!

Professional Experience:
Megan is currently a Project and Service coordinator at KI Furniture in Green Bay, Wisconsin for the Southern California region. She has been with the company for over one year.

Message to Current and Prospective Students:
Use the many resources and tools in order to be successful! Reach out to professors and advisors in order to answer any questions that you may have. If you think it is getting too difficult, push through it! The reward at the end is definitely worth it! A tip for being successful is using a planner in order to keep track of when all assignments are due. It definitely helps out, especially when you're taking more than one course.

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Ben Schnelle
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
bws3223@hotmail.com

Personal Information: Ben currently resides in Superior, Colorado.

Professional Experience: Ben is currently employed at WhiteWave Foods Co as a Supply Chain Manager. Previous experience includes various supply chain and marketing roles with CPG companies in Wisconsin and California.

Message to Current and Prospective Students:
"Education is just as important prior to entering the work force as it is after as it helps teach the concepts of: building relationships, setting and achieving goals, and organizing and prioritizing, which are key to a successful career."

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Kristin Carroll

Bachelor of Arts- Behavioral Science and Law
UW- Madison

Master of Science in Criminal Justice
University of Wisconsin-Platteville radtkecarroll@gmail.com

Personal Information: Kristin is married and lives in Dane County, with her husband and six year old daughter.  Kristin also has a 21-year-old stepdaughter in college.

Professional Experience: Kristin has been employed by the UW- Madison Police Department for 11.5 years.  She was on 3rd shift (9:00 pm – 7:00 am) for 2.5 years and for the last 9 years has been the Central Campus Community Officer.  She coordinates the department’s crime prevention program, Badger Watch, the department’s Citizens Academy program, is a nationally certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and represents the department at pedestrian, bike, and moped meetings on campus and around the state.  Kristin is currently the Vice-President of the WI Association of Community Oriented Police (WACOP). 

Message to Current and Prospective Students:
"Enjoy the learning experience, as your classmates and instructors have lots to share and contribute.  In addition, it can be a hard balance with work, family, school, having a life, etc.  The end is definitely worth it and you will succeed.”

A favorite quote that helped me get through my 3 years was, “Done is better than great.”  

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Wayne Ellinghausen
Master of Science in Criminal Justice
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Wellinghau2@yahoo.com

Kathryn O'Connor
Master of Science in Criminal Justice
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
kathryn.m.oconnor9@gmail.com

Peter Mihalick
Master of Science in Project Management
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
peterm2@enter.net

Johnny Ramos
Master of Science in Project Management
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
johnnyramos2011@att.net

Personal Info:
Johnny currently resides in West Allis, WI with his wife, Cheyanne and son, Jacen. Johnny is the Director of Finance & Accounting at MAXIMUS, Inc. and is responsible for the financial reporting and analysis for multiple projects across the United States. He obtained an undergraduate degree in accounting as well as an MBA with an emphasis in international business and project management. Johnny also recently completed a master’s degree in project management from the University of Wisconsin- Platteville.

Professional Experience:
Johnny is an energetic and dynamic professional with extensive accounting and finance experience and has a verifiable reputation for producing on-demand and accurate results.

Additionally, Johnny has served on the alumni board of directors at Lakeland College, and is currently an adjunct instructor at Lakeland College, teaching both onsite and online courses.

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Lisa Repp
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ankeny, IA

Master of Science in Project Management
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
lisamrepp@yahoo.com

Personal Information:
Lisa currently resides in Ankeny, IA (Des Moines, IA metro area) with her husband and three children. Besides spending time with family, she enjoys arts and crafts, being outdoors, watching movies, and watching the Packers play football.

Professional Experience:
Lisa is currently employed at Colorbiotics, a BASF owned company in Ames, IA as a Quality Management and Process Improvement Supervisor. Previous manufacturing experience includes work at a pulp and paper mill, wood products facility, meat packing facility, and internships at various chemical companies. Much of her experience involves process improvement /management responsibilities. As part of her MSPM at UW-Platteville she completed a master’s thesis and will be presenting results of this thesis at UW-Platteville’s project management conference in May 2013.

Message to Current and Prospective Students:
"Share your experiences and feedback because it will only make UW-Platteville an even better place to go to school and will also help build a stronger network in which to be connected”

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Kristine Westra
Bachelor of Science in Business
Upper Iowa University

Master of Science in Project Management
University of Wisconsin-Platteville kristine1014@yahoo.com

Personal Information:  Kristine currently resides in Madison Wisconsin with her husband.

Professional Experience:  Kristine is currently an ISD Ecommerce Project Leader for Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation in Madison, WI.   She has been with this company for 14 years starting as a Programmer Trainee and working her way up to being a Project Leader and part of the management team.  Kristine thoroughly enjoys building systems and the creative thought process that goes into both the development and project management.

Message to Current and Prospective Students:  “Never stop being curious about the world around you, never stop seeking to learn more about it and yourself.  Completing your education is an investment in yourself that opens doors and will provide you with opportunity.  UW-Platteville’s Distance Education provides access to a quality education that will continue to push you forward on your life’s path.”

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Cynthia McCallum

Bachelor of Science in Cartography
University of Wisconsin-Madison

Master of Science in Engineering
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
cmccallu@chorus.net

Personal Information:
Cindy currently resides in Madison, WI with her husband Craig. Cindy has an older son, Chris, who graduated in May, 2012 from UW-Madison in Mechanical Engineering. Chris is now in grad school at UC-Santa Barbara. Cindy’s younger son, Cameron, is studying Engineering Mechanics and Astronautics at UW-Madison.

Professional Experience:
Cindy’s is currently employed at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) as a Photogrammetrist; Cindy started working for the DOT right after she received her Bachelor degree. She coordinates the in-house and consultant Photogrammetry projects state-wide for the DOT. She also evaluates the terrain and mapping data that is used for the planning and design projects for the State.

Message to Current and Prospective Students:
Study and do things that are outside of your comfort zone. You’ll be amazed at how rewarding it can be when you learn and do new things.

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Doug Ducklow
Master of Science in Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
River Falls, Wisconsin
dtjl@sbcglobal.net

Personal Information: Doug holds a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Doug attained his Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree program from UW-Platteville and graduated in Aug 2011. Doug is a certified Homicide Investigator and has graduated from the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation-Death Investigation School

Professional Experience: Doug currently is an Investigator with the Pierce County Sheriff Department and has been in law enforcement for 22 years. Doug was a Patrol Sergeant for 11 years and transferred into Investigations in 2008. Doug was a member of the Emergency Response Unit (SWAT) and retired in January 2011 with 16 years of service on that team. Doug is involved with all phases of police work, including all major felony cases that are assigned to him in Pierce County. Doug served in the Wisconsin Army National Guard from 1982-1994 and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Doug's awards include the Army Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster and the Army Commendation Medal.

Message to Current and Prospective Students:
“The many accomplishments, both professionally and personally, didn't measure up to the one missing aspect of a college education. I left UW-River Falls in 1986 to work full time and never went back because I was hired full time at the sheriff’s office in 1989. I always wanted to go back to college, but career and family never offered me the opportunity. I changed all of that in 2007 when I started working through the UW-Platteville online bachelor's program. I completed my bachelor's degree in August 2009 and I wanted to fulfill the next step in my education by finishing a master's degree in at UW-Platteville. The ability to attend distance education classes allowed me to fulfill my dream of having a great degree from a great university.

“It has been a great experience to learn from other students and the ability to attend class anytime has aided me greatly in achieving my goals.

“I continue to learn each semester and marvel at the experience and knowledge that students and instructors bring to the courses. I find each semester offers the unknown, but I cherish the ability to know I will be learning right along with my peers.”

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Tom Gunderson
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice,
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
River Falls, Wisconsin

Personal Information: Tom attended the University of Wisconsin-River Falls from 1982 through 1987, but because of his busy work schedule, he could not complete the bachelor’s program. He always wanted to finish his degree, but his rotating schedule would not allow him to attend a traditional set of courses. In January 2007, he began the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program at UW-Platteville. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree in August 2009 and that September started UW-Platteville’s Master of Science in Criminal Justice program. He hopes to graduate with his master’s degree in December 2011.

Tom lives in River Falls, WI, with his wife Liz and two daughters, Megan and Molly.

Professional Experience: Tom has worked for the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department since April of 1985. He briefly held the positions of emergency dispatcher and jailer, but for the last 25 years, he has been in the patrol division. For 19 years, he held the position of patrol sergeant, supervising both day and night shifts. In February 2011, he moved to the investigative division of the sheriff’s department.  He was the department’s canine handler for 14 years, training and working two dual-purpose drug detection dogs. He has also been involved with the multi-jurisdictional tactical team since 1997 and has been a law enforcement trainer, teaching firearms and vehicle contacts. Tom has done some adjunct teaching in the criminal justice program with Chippewa Valley Technical College.

Message to Current and Prospective Students:
“To anyone that is interested in completing a degree, or just wants to get started on earning a degree, I highly recommend UW-Platteville’s distance education program. If you don’t think you have time because of work and or family, I can tell you that if you want it, you can do it. I returned to school after 20 years and was helped along by a number of great instructors that had a burning desire to help me learn.”

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Beth Bland
Bachelor of Science in Economics,
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Master of Science in Library and Information Science, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Master of Science in Project Management, University of Wisconsin-Platteville
bethb@execpc.com

Personal/Professional Information: Beth has been a member of the AAB since its inception in 2006. Law librarian by training and volunteer in the extreme, Beth participates in community theatre with the West Allis Players, Sunset Playhouse, and Waukesha Civic Theatre. She is also involved with the Friends of the West Allis Library, is an evaluator for the American Library Association’s Library Support Staff Certification program, and has written for professional publications.

Message to Current and Prospective Students: While you can attend class in your pajamas and on your own schedule, a distance education program takes a lot of discipline. Go with a program that fits your goals, is well known, has a physical location, and cares about the students either on campus or online. That school is UWP.

Beth lives in Milwaukee WI.

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Lucky Pataky
Master of Science in Engineering
University of Wisconsin-Platteville rozeanlucky@yahoo.com

Dan Chlebos

Associate Degree in Business Administration
Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Administration
Master of Science in Criminal Justice,
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Certified Public Administrator
wisdc1@yahoo.com

Personal Information: Dan is a retired Chrysler, LLC executive that served as the lead investigator for outbound vehicle logistics investigating external entities theft, fraud and conflict of interest issues. He has nearly 40 years combined law enforcement experience starting out as a patrolman, then a sergeant, lieutenant, Acting Chief of Police and currently trains officers both in soft and tactical skills. Dan worked undercover drugs, major investigations, internal investigations and was assigned to special investigations with the FBI and Secret Service (captured their most wanted).

He has trained security personnel for the NFL Super Bowl and trained police trainers for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Mr. Chlebos has also been approached to be a production consultant for a police reality television program. He is an active memeber of the International Law Enforcement Educator and Trainers Association (ILEETA) and has been one of the highest rated trainers at their conference in Chicago.

Dan lives in Michigan with his wife, Vickie, a paralegal of 30 years and a professional singer (recorded in Nashville). Dan's musical talent is limited to playing bass guitar, French Horn, trombone and bongos (but, not all at the same time). He is also a veteran baseball umpire for the NCAA. Dan and his wife have 5 children ranging in age from 24 to 39; eight grandchildren (ages 5 - 16).

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Melissa Gavin
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science,
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Master of Science in Project Management, University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Belmont, WI
mel.gavin@gavinhome.net

Personal Information: Melissa currently resides in Belmont, WI (about five minutes from Platteville), with her husband and two children.

Professional Experience: Melissa is currently employed at UW-Platteville as an Associate Advisor for the MS Project Management.  Previous experience includes coordinating several programs for a local nonprofit. She also volunteers her time as a Troop leader for two local Girl Scout Troops.

Message to Current and Prospective Students:
"Stay active!  Engage with fellow classmates, professors and advisors. The relationships you build today go a long way in the future.  Also, when you graduate, don't forget about UW-Platteville.  The University is everywhere thanks to Distance Education!"

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Brianna Ramirez
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
bramirez@amwelcome.com

Ryan Adamus
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Summa Cum Laude
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
damusr@uwplatt.ed

Professional Experience:
2009 Finance Intern with the American Cancer Society

Message to Current and Prospective Students:
UW-Platteville's Distance Learning Center strives to be the best at providing distance learning education and support. The professors, advisors, and staff are all top notch. They will challenge you in ways that are different than on-campus learning and these challenges will enhance your learning potential. Gratification in completing this program is great!

Jill Bisco
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
jmb06@my.fsu.edu

Jill Bisco graduated with a business administration degree from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and received her Master's in Risk Management and Insurance from the Florida State University.  She  began her Ph.D. studies at the Florida State University in 2010 and has an expected graduation date in the spring of 2014.  During her graduate studies, she has taught insurance classes at the Florida State University and at Troy University in Troy, AL.

Jill's current research focuses on insurance companies decision making as it pertains to earnings management, specifically with regards to claims practices and reserve establishment.  She is also researching post underwriting of life insurance policies as evidenced by denied and resisted life insurance claims.

In the industry, Jill began as an independent agent for Haas & Hass Insurance selling and providing insurance/risk management services to commercial business and individuals.  Crossing to the company side, she spent 19 years working in various roles for Rural Mutual Insurance Company in Madison, WI.  She was an agency manager, a senior product development specialist, a market coordination specialist and finally worked as the Director of Internal Controls/Audit.  She was also a registered representative and a registered principal for Farm Bureau Financial Services in Des Moines, IA.

Jill received her CIC designation in 2005 and her CRM designation in 2008.  She has served on the Board of Directors and is a past President of the Wisconsin Federation of Insurance Companies. Jill was also named the Spencer Scholar for 2012 by the Spencer Educational Foundation, Inc.

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