Ann has lived in Wisconsin Rapids for 38 years. For 25 years she worked part time sales at Bridal Affair & Sophisticated Lady in between raising four children. She has been involved in innumerable organizations and committees in various capacities and has held various offices on community boards. She is still involved in Wisconsin Rapids Community Theatre, Central Wisconsin Cultural Center and Yard & Garden Club which includes the Bud’s & Sprouts Program. Ann and her husband Paul enjoy golfing and traveling. She also enjoys spending time with her 5 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

Bob Ebben is a Financial Advisor for Edward Jones. He believes being an ambassador means expanding the ability to be part of the community, the ability to promote the Heart of Wisconsin and an opportunity for networking opportunities. Bob enjoys being involved in Summer Hummer, Business After Hours, annual meeting, membership drive, Rekindle the Spirit, and Cranberry Blossom Festival.

Bob McllVain has been retired from JCPenney for 11 years and donates his time to volunteering and giving back to the community.Bob worked 40 years at JCPenney, as a store manager, at eight different store locations.  He volunteers as an Ambassador for the Heart of Wisconsin, is active in his church, and volunteers at the Lincoln High School.  In 2007, Bob was awarded the James Cash JCPenney Award, which recognizes volunteers who donate 500 or more hours of volunteer work.  He also enjoys volunteering, photography and traveling.

Carol Davis is the vice president- communications at the Community Foundation of Greater South Wood County. Carol believes being an ambassador means welcoming new businesses and helping to tell the good story of the Heart of Wisconsin area.

Cindy has worked at Hotel Mead for almost 9 years starting out as the “Meadings” Express Manager. Currently, she is the Hotel’s Convention and Catering Manager responsible for detailing large conferences plus booking and servicing the large social event such as weddings, rehearsal dinners, corporate dinners, reunions, etc. A native of Stevens Point and a Pacelli High School graduate, Cindy has worked in the hospitality industry for 20 years spending part of that time in Chicago at the Westin Hotel O’Hare. She indicates that living in a large city is a great learning experience but nothing beats the “hometown” atmosphere of Central WI.

Jeff Sigler has enjoyed being an Ambassador since 1995. Jeff started his career in the public eye at the Johnson Hills / Klines Department Store in the late seventies. He worked his way up to store manager before the entire Klines Chain closed its doors. Shortly after this, in 1994 he was offered a position at WFHR / WGLX Radio. In between new ownership and many changes, Jeff became the general Manager at WFHR. In March 2008, WFHR is adding WRCW FM Station. Jeff and his wife Marilyn have been married for 33 years and they have two wonderful children a daughter Erin and son Derek. Jeff’s hobbies include bow hunting, fishing, along with spending as much time as possible with family.

Jill Steckbauer is the marketing specialist at WYTE & WLJY Radio. Jill believes being an ambassador means giving back to the community. Jill enjoys being involved in Lunch by the River, Working Women’s Luncheon, Rekindle the Spirit and Business After Hours.

Joan Bikowski is a wireless business consultant at Cellcom. She believes being an ambassador is a wonderful opportunity to get involved in the community and to get to know businesses better. She returned to WI Rapids 17 years ago working in advertising and marketing after a career in franchise consulting and management. Joan is the Central WI Home Builders Assoc. board secretary, and involved with the home shows and parade of homes. She is also a charter member of BNI Rapid Referrals, a Dale Carnegie coach, and is involved in the Arts Council and Star Point Quilt Guild. Hobbies include quilting, traveling, gardening and renovating her home. She enjoys being involved in meetings, member visits, Summer Hummer, the Cranberry Blossom Festival, and Rekindle the Spirit.

Joan Carroll is a client services coordinator at Clifton Gunderson Financial Services. Joan believes being an ambassador offers the opportunity to meet individuals and businesses in the area while providing a benefit to the community. Joan enjoys being involved in working women’s luncheon, summer hummer, member visits, ribbon cuttings, business after hours, lunch by the river and grand affair. She also serves on various Heart of Wisconsin committees such as: Mini Business World, Cranberry Blossom Fest and Partners In Education.

Kasey C. Sipiorski has worked with US Cellular for almost six years. He started in a retail store in Sheboygan as a retail wireless consultant. Two years ago he moved from Sheboygan to take the Wireless Business Consultant position in Wisconsin Rapids. He serves a 5 county area and lives in Wautoma, which is a central location to his territory. He enjoys being an ambassador for this community as it offers him the opportunity to help out and meet a lot of good people. He also volunteers in other communities where he conducts business. He has two wonderful daughters Shantel, 8 and Trinity, 2 and he enjoys fishing, bicycle rides, and going to the library with his daughters.

Kathy Peters has been Print Media Coordinator for Adams Shopper’s Weekly and the Adams County Times / Friendship Reporter Newspaper for approximately 4 years. Kathy is a national and state award winning graphic designer which lead her into her profession of selling advertising. Some of the things that Kathy enjoys about being an ambassador are the friendships that she has developed and working with area businesses. She is excited about all the teamwork energy that is blossoming in the Inner Wisconsin area. Kathy is involved in coordinating the Cranberry Blossom mascot for area events. She also volunteers children carnival games at many events. She enjoys being part of the: Rekindle the Spirit, Cranberry Blossom Fest and Nekoosa Pumpkin Fest Committees. In her free time she spends time with her grandchildren, gardens and adds to her Mickey and Minnie Mouse Collection.

Larry believes the Ambassadors are a great group to be involved with. Larry Schmick is a native of Wisconsin Rapids. Larry graduated from Lincoln High School and UW Madison. Larry has been employed at KeySavings Bank for 33 years. He started as an accountant at KeySavings and he is currently the president. He enjoys welcoming new businesses to the area. In his spare time he enjoys boating, hunting, fishing and golfing.

Lorraine Schmutzer is the Assistant Vice President /Branch Manager at Pioneer Bank. Lorraine has been in the financial industry for thirty years and currently this is her fifth year with Pioneer Bank. Lorraine truly believes that being a part of the community coincides with volunteering.

Lynn Hansen has been an employee of Solarus for 8 years as their Public Relations Coordinator. Prior to working at Solarus, Lynn was in the banking industry for 25 years. She feels there is no better way to get a company's name before the public and business community than through Chamber membership. Lynn believes, I am so fortunate to be an ambassador with so many incredible individuals, who care so much about the community we all live in. Lynn also volunteers for Junior Achievement, United Way of Inner WI and Central Wisconsin Home Builders Association. She and her husband Tom enjoy walks with their dogs, Max & Molly, golfing and camping.

Michelle Hamel became involved as an Ambassador to meet other business owners in the area, and to help our community grow so that our children and grandchildren will have the opportunity to call it home as well. Michelle Hamel has been with Nicolet Staffing for almost 4 years. She worked her way from part-time to full-time office administrator. Having lived in several other communities over the years, Michelle realizes that Wisconsin Rapids will always be home. She is also involved with the "Rising Above Cancer Support Group," and she enjoys crocheting, outdoor activities and spending time with family and friends.

Michelle Michael has been a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. for 7 years and in the financial services industry for over 10 years. One of the things Michelle enjoys most about being an ambassador is meeting and welcoming new members into the community. She enjoys being involved in business after hours, member visits, working women’s luncheon, Rekindle the Spirit, summer hummer, rotary and most recently being on the board of directors for the Boys and Girls club. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, boating, vacationing and playing sports.

Pam Anderson has been with WoodTrust for almost 29 years. Pam started as a part time teller and held several positions before becoming Assistant Vice President in Retail Banking. Being a native of Wisconsin Rapids, Pam loves this community and she is proud to represent it as an Ambassador. Pam enjoys volunteering whenever possible and she is on the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Club. Pam and her husband relax by golfing, camping and socializing with family and friends.

Richard Lucht has been an Ambassador since 1980. He believes that being an Ambassador means giving back to Wisconsin Rapids. Richard is retired from Yahr-Lange where he worked for thirty years. Richard enjoys being involved in Grand Affair, Cranberry Blossom Festival, Rekindle the Spirit, Business After Hours, Ambassador visits, ribbon cuttings and membership drives. Richard also spends time fishing, golfing and traveling.

Robyn Paulsen is the Indirect Partner Manager for Solarus. She has worked for Solarus for almost 10 years. Robyn loves getting the chance to visit all the local businesses during the ribbon cuttings and Business After Hours. The owners are usually excited to share information about their business and sometimes that even means samples of their products! When Robyn and her husband Dan aren’t watching their son play hockey at South Wood County Youth Hockey Association you might find them camping, golfing, or boating

Roxane has worked for non-profits for 10 years. Before working in Wisconsin Rapids, she worked at a number of other organizations in the Wausau area. Her extended family lives in the Nekoosa area, so she is familiar with South Wood County. Despite the fact that she is no longer employed in the area, she is happy to continue her work as an Ambassador. Roxane believes being an ambassador is an invaluable experience. Roxane, her husband and son live in Wausau. Most of her time is spent following her son 's sport activities.

Susan Jackan is the marketing director for Bull’s Eye Credit Union. She develops and manages creative marketing campaigns such as direct mail, advertisements, special events, internal and external newsletters and staff training. Susan joined the credit union in January 1993. She is involved as a member of the Credit Union National Association Marketing Council and the Credit Union Executive Society.