The Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation, Inc. Leadership Board
From left to right: Sam Miller, Treasurer; Joan Behr, President; Marcy Heim, Executive Director; Aliesha Crowe, Ed.D., Secretary; Jim Caldwell, Vice President
Leadership:
Experienced and Dedicated
The Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation, Inc. is governed by a highly regarded Board of Directors who are dedicated to sound fiscal responsibility as they carry on a legacy of fostering rural Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors dedicates one meeting annually to analyzing the educational climate in rural Wisconsin and then allocating awards to maximizing the benefits and impact of the rural enterprise. Recipient selections are made, in some cases, by the particular college or university admissions offices according to academics, leadership, service, and financial need, as outlined by the Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation, Inc.
In some instances, key individuals from throughout the state serve on grant review committees to assist the Board of Directors in determining the people, projects, and programs most deserving of support.
Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors
President of the Board
Joan Behr
Retired, Foremost Farms, USA
For over 32 years, Joan served in various capacities with Foremost Farms USA® completing her work there as Sr. Director of Corporate Communications & Brand Management. There she was responsible for internal, external and marketing communications, brand management and crisis communications. “Our relationships are built one-by-one,” Joan often said about how Foremost Farms built its reputation with dairy producers, employees, customers and business influencers. Joan attended Iowa State University and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. She also serves on the Professional Dairy Producers Foundation board of directors.
Vice-President
James K. Caldwell
Vice President, First Citizens State Bank, Whitewater, Wisconsin
Jim grew up on a Wisconsin farm and witnessed firsthand the need for educational opportunities and leadership development for rural Wisconsin young people. Jim believes these opportunities ensure the enhanced success and prosperity of Wisconsin’s rural and agricultural communities. He is proud that so many of the WROF, Inc. recipients say their scholarship was a defining moment for them. The WROF, Inc. scholarships empower students from rural Wisconsin to pursue their academic goals and return to become strong leaders in rural Wisconsin communities. Jim served as WROF, Inc. Board President for over 30 years and continues his service to the WROF, Inc. as Board Vice President, investing in the endowment of the WROF, Inc. as a way to “give back” and preserve our wonderful rural Wisconsin way of life.
Secretary
Aliesha Crowe, Ed. D.
Vice President of Academic Affairs, Northwoods Technical College
Dr. Aliesha Crowe is Vice President of Academic Affairs at Northwoods Technical College in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. Before this, she served as the Vice President of College Advancement at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, the Executive Director of Institutional Advancement for 5 years, and Dean of Industry, Energy, and Agriculture for 4 ½ years at Chippewa Valley Technical College. Aliesha was also a UW Agriculture Agent in Rusk County for 7 ½ years and a 7-12 agriculture teacher for 2 years. Aliesha remains active in her family’s agribusiness in rural Barron County. In partnership with her brother, she owns Crow Bar Land & Cattle Company, LLC. They provide custom cropping services and raise registered Simmental cattle and registered Quarter Horses. She and her siblings will be the fourth generation to own and operate Crow Bar Ranch in Barron, WI. Aliesha earned a Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development from the University of Minnesota, a Master of Science in Agriculture Education from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, and a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from UW River Falls. Aliesha is a 2019-20 Rising Presidents Fellow in the Aspen Presidential Fellowship for Community College Excellence.
Treasurer
Sam Miller
Retired, Managing Director, Group Head, Agricultural Banking, BMO Harris Bank
Sam Miller retired from BMO Harris Bank as the Managing Director of Agriculture Banking. With over 37 years of agricultural banking experience – most of them at BMO Harris Bank, Sam managed and led production agriculture and agribusiness-related banking activities.
Passionate about the agricultural industry, Sam has served on many boards including the Wisconsin Dairy 2020 Council, Wisconsin Bankers Advanced Agricultural Banking School, American Bankers Association-Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, Wisconsin Agricultural and Life Sciences Alumni Association, Dairy Business Innovation Center, and the FaB Wisconsin Food and Beverage Leadership Council. Sam also serves on the faculty of the National School for Beginning and Experienced Ag Bankers.
In September 2013, Sam was awarded the Bruning Award by the American Bankers Association for Rural and Agriculture Banking for his leadership and outstanding dedication to providing credit and financial guidance to farmers, ranchers, and businesses in rural America. In October 2012, Sam was recognized by the Wisconsin Agricultural and Life Sciences Alumni Association (WALSAA) as one of 40 honorees who have a common commitment to agriculture, life sciences, and paving the way for future generations. Sam writes a monthly Agrivision column for the Wisconsin Agriculturist magazine, speaks at many agricultural conferences, and has been quoted by the Wall Street Journal as well as other news outlets about ag industry updates. Sam holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
Members of the WROF, Inc. Board
Jerry Gaska, DVM
Veterinarian and Founder, Gaska Dairy Health Services, S.C.
Dr. Jerome Gaska graduated in 1985 from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls with a bachelor’s degree in Meat and Animal Science and from the University of Wisconsin – School of Veterinary Medicine in 1989 with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. In 1993, he established Gaska Dairy Health Services, S.C. in Columbus, WI. The veterinary practice is devoted solely to providing health and management services to progressive dairies. He managed a 2,000-cow dairy in Dodge County for 7 years and consults with large heifer and dairy operations. He is the Town Chairman and member of the Plan Commission for the Town of Elba, a member of the Wisconsin Livestock Facility Siting Review Board since 2006 and is currently the board’s Vice-Chairman, and a member of the Board of Directors of Farmers and Merchants Union Bank, Columbus, WI since 2012. He served on the Columbus School District Board of Education for 9 years where he was president for 2 years. Jerome is a member of Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin, American Association of Bovine Practitioners, National Mastitis Council, American Veterinary Medical Association, Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association and the Columbus FFA Alumni.
Sara Grunwaldt
Business Consultant, Northwestern Mutual
Born and raised on a dairy farm in rural Wisconsin, Sara Grunwaldt has called Wisconsin home her entire life. A graduate of UW–Eau Claire with a degree in Medical Technology, she spent a decade in the medical field before moving into the financial industry. She and her husband, Daniel, enjoy life in Wisconsin and are the proud parents of two grown children.
Tammy Pedretti, PA-C
Physician Assistant, Vernon Memorial Healthcare
Tammy Pedretti grew up in Appleton, WI, but always with an affinity toward a more rural lifestyle. After high school, Tammy attended community college for one semester and then joined the Army Reserves, which afforded her better education opportunities. From there, Tammy was able to pursue a variety of interests and, ultimately, a physician assistant degree through the University of Nebraska.
Tammy has been privileged to be part of rural Wisconsin, working as a Physician Assistant at a small rural clinic in Crawford County for the past 20+ years. She and her husband also operate a beef farm, where they raised their two sons and continue to embrace the uniqueness and beauty of rural Wisconsin.
Tammy learned about WROF through her son’s involvement as a recipient of the Premier Scholar Award in 2022. Tammy believes education is the foundation of personal growth, success, and community involvement. She looks forward to fostering the passion, generosity, and values of WROF as a board member.
Brett Renk
President, Renk Seeds
Brett is a 6th generation Badger who respects and appreciates our Wisconsin rural heritage. The foundation and core of Renk Seed Company’s business is its seed corn sales to Wisconsin farmers and agri-businesses. Brett says he can think of nothing more rewarding or fruitful than investing in the education and organic growth of the rural youth of Wisconsin. He says, “They are our future and this is what WROF, Inc. is all about: helping build our rural Wisconsin enterprise.” Through his own investments of time and dollars, the Renk family hopes to encourage others to see the impact supporting the Foundation will have in rural Wisconsin.
Sue Schultz
Project Director, Direct Ag Contact, Inc.
Sue Schultz serves as a project manager for Direct Ag Contact, Inc. the largest and most experienced provider of temporary agricultural professionals in the United States. She manages new product roll-outs and staffing additions for research, sales support, plot management, and more. Prior to this, she worked with Beck Ag to improve ag business results through data-driven, go-to-market strategies helping clients glean market insight from their customers that positively impact their business results.
Sue serves as Chair of the WROF, Inc. Premier Scholarship Award Program, recognizing exceptional students across Wisconsin.
Sue and her husband, Richard, dairy and crop farmed for twenty-one years. Her career path included teaching agriculture at Lakeshore and Moraine Park Technical colleges, USDA-Farm Service Agency contractor, self-employed farm consultant, and her own ag marketing business. As a servant leader, giving back to her community has been a lifelong priority. Past leadership includes cooperative director, President of the Wisconsin FFA Alumni Association and Association of Woman in Agriculture (AWA)Corporation. Locally Schultz has served as her Church President, along with a host of agriculture and community leadership roles.
Angela Zwald
Senior Territory Business Manager, Cattle Division, Zoetis
Angela grew up on a registered Holstein dairy farm in Manitowoc County in a family passionate about the great value that rural communities provide to society. UW-Madison was home for several years as she earned a BS double major of Dairy Science and Agricultural and Applied Economics. She went on to earn an MS in Dairy Science, and her final degree as a Badger was an MBA, which she applies in her professional, personal, and volunteer responsibilities.
Angela has worked for Zoetis for over 20 years as a Senior Territory Business Manager in the Cattle Division. A Certified DiSC Facilitator, Angela enjoys helping people learn more about their own and others’ behavioral styles to ultimately build better relationships for better outcomes. Locally, she has had the pleasure of serving in various leadership roles for St. Katharine Drexel Church and School. Angela, her husband, and children live on a farm with beef cattle and a flock of sheep. Angela strongly believes in the mission of supporting education for our youth who will be our leaders of tomorrow, building up the rural communities in Wisconsin!
