Events

TODD RESTEL is the 2024-2025 Rotary District 6250 Governor whose home Rotary Club is the Rotary Club of La Crosse since 2009.  He is CFO for First Supply LLC.  His approach to leadership, problem-solving and life in general can be summarized using three straightforward principles:

1. Keep things simple
2. Explain "Why?"
3. Show everyone respect

NICOLE SOLHEIM and MATT WACHTER's presentation will be focused on solutions to Madison's affordable housing problem and not on defining the problem. Members and guests will hear more about how people are dealing with this difficult issue.  Nicole serves as Vice President of Development for Cinnaire, a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that has been investing in affordable housing for 30 years.  Matt has been the Director of the City of Madison’s Department of Planning, Community, and Economic Development since 2020. 

Former Lieutenant Governor MANDELA BARNES served as the 45th lieutenant governor of Wisconsin from 2019 to 2023 after previously serving in the Wisconsin State Assembly as a state representative from 2013 to 2017.  A graduate of Alabama A&M University, Lt. Governor Barnes got his start as a field organizer working in the interfaith space.

Former Congressman SCOTT KLUG is a Milwaukee native who represented Madison in the US House.  He is co-chair of the federal public affairs practice at the national law firm of Foley & Lardner.

This will be a moderated discussion format with Barnes and Klug answering questions about the election process in Wisconsin.

GREG ZELEK, Principal Organist of the Madison Symphony Orchestra and Curator of the MSO’s Overture Concert Organ, will explain how the Klais organ in Overture Hall was built, how it operates, why the organ is the "King" of instruments, and will play the instrument during his presentation. He will describe how unique and special it is for Madison to have the Overture Concert Organ and a professional organ performance series. This organ was built in Bonn, Germany, and is considered one of the best organs in the world. It is moved on railroad tracks located on the Overture Hall stage and is known as the heaviest movable object in any theater in the world. The instrument, a gift from Pleasant Rowland, creator of the American Girl doll, celebrates its 20th Anniversary in Overture Hall in 2024.

MARIBETH WITZEL-BEHL has served as Madison’s City Clerk since 2006. She was appointed by Mayor Dave Cieslewicz; reappointed twice by Mayor Paul Soglin; and then reappointed by Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway.  She will talk about the checks and balances in place to prevent fraud, keep our elections secure and ensure every vote is counted.

LIZ CALLIN is a senior transportation planner at the City of Madison and specializes in transit, passenger rail, public engagement, and policy work.  She will talk about the City of Madison's Passenger Rail Station Identification Study which evaluates options and identifies a recommendation for a passenger rail station location that would be served by a planned extension of Amtrak's Hiawatha route. The existing Hiawatha route connects Chicago and Milwaukee and the extension to Madison is part of an overall expansion of Wisconsin’s passenger rail network which also includes new connections in northeast and northwest Wisconsin and is supported by the Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Liz will discuss how a passenger rail connection could benefit our community, and outline next steps.

DOUG MOE is a former editor of Madison Magazine and wrote a daily newspaper column in Madison for two decades and has published more than a dozen books.

When MIKE LECKRONE retired as director of bands at the University of Wisconsin in 2019, he had served in that role for an astonishing fifty years. A brilliant showman, he became known for aerial stunts and sequined outfits. He created the Fifth Quarter celebration that follows all home football games, removed barriers for women to march in the band, and established regular appearances at Camp Randall by special-needs high school musicians. 

On October 9, our club will host a discussion of their new book, Moments of Happiness which details the stories behind the highlights and the unglamorous work that made Leckrone's accomplishments possible. It both cements his legend and offers unprecedented insights into a career that will never be equaled.

Senator MELISSA AGARD was first elected to the State Assembly in November 2012, and is currently serving in her fifth term in the Wisconsin State Legislature. She was elected to the State Senate in November 2020. She represents the 16th Senate District, which encompasses much of the north, east and south side of Dane County. In 2023 she was elected unanimously by her colleagues to serve as Senate Democratic Leader. 

A former small business owner, DANA PELLEBON's 30 year career in affordable housing, marketing & sales, human services, non-profit management, legislative experience, and the arts, has given her the breadth and width of expertise in a variety of industries. She is the current executive Director of RCC Sexual Violence Resource Center.

TOM LOFTUS served as U.S. ambassador to the Kingdom of Norway from 1993 through 1997. A member of the Wisconsin Legislature from 1977 to 1991, he was the longest-serving Democratic Speaker of the Assembly, from 1983 to 1991.  He will share stories of the true and historic adventures he had as the U.S. ambassador to Norway during the mid 1990s when NATO was expanding; Germany was reuniting; Norway was hosting both the Oslo Accords and the Winter Olympics; and Loftus was wining, dining, and most importantly, negotiating his way through it all! From dancing with the queen to negotiating with the Russians, Loftus will share tales of the big stakes, historic moments, and the fun times detailed in his book "Mission to Oslo".  Copies of Tom's book will be available for sale at our October 23 Rotary meeting.

ZACH BRANDON became President of the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce in November 2012.  His presentation will be a peek at the economic trends driving the projections of an additional 300,000 residents in Greater Madison by 2050. Zach will highlight our economic and demographic growth, emphasizing the need for dense, transit-oriented development and resilient infrastructure. Rooted in collaboration for the collective good, members and guests will be challenged to dive deep into pressing housing and transportation issues, ensuring a vibrant and prosperous future for all.

STEVEN BARTLETT is Director of Public Relations for Badger Honor Flight, an organization whose sole mission is to fly veterans to Washington DC to see the memorials built in their honor.  The Honor Flight Network provides all amenities to the veterans, including all transportation, meals and lodging. Everything is free to the veterans because of how much they have sacrificed for this great country already.  His presentation will cover the history of the Honor Flight program, both nationally and locally. He will also provide updates on its success which will include a brief video of one of the veterans’ trips.  In addition, club member GARY PETERSON will share some highlights from his recent honor flight on November 2.

MICHAEL WAGNER  is the William T. Evjue Distinguished Chair for the Wisconsin Idea, the Director of the Center for Communication and Civic Renewal, and the Director of Graduate Studies in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at UW-Madison.   He is also  a faculty affiliate at the Elections Research Center at UW-Madison.  His Rotary presentation will describe how the slant, diversity and extremity of the different news sources people used to get information, the individuals they talk to most about politics, and the issue preferences they held, influenced their vote in the 2024 presidential election. 

RENEE MOE is President and CEO of United Way of Dane County.  She joined our club in 2006, and serve as Club President 2013-2024.  Volunteering not only broadens your skills and connections but also plays a crucial role in building stronger, more resilient communities. As many people experience increased isolation and disconnection, volunteerism offers a meaningful way to foster learning, find purpose and contribute to positive social change. Renee will talk about ways to find volunteer opportunities that align with your values and time, and help you inspire others to step up, creating a ripple effect of support and engagement across our community and beyond.

JOE GOTHARD is a native Madisonian who moved away to Minnesota and returned in May of this year to become superintendent of the Madison Metroplitan School District.  He is the recipient of several awards including the 2024 National Superintendent of the Year Award from the American Association of School Administrators and the 2024 Minnesota Superintendent of the Year Award from the Minnesota Association of School Administrators.  His presentation will highlight the focus of his work – people, purpose and pride. Joe will outline what’s next for the district following the successful passage of the referenda--from innovative programs and initiatives to modernized facilities and learning spaces that support student learning. He will highlight MMSD’s demographic shifts, this year's increased enrollment, and MMSD’s traditions of excellence. Joe will share his vision for Destination MMSD and the district’s pivotal role in educating students and preparing the future workforce. 

REBECCA REDMANN joined the Lullaby Project at the Overture Center for the Arts in 2021 and later became the Lead Teaching Artist for the program.  She will be speaking about the Lullaby Project and its impact on local families.  She will also share snippets of some of the songs that have been created in the five years that Overture has been part of the Lullaby Project, and she will share one song in a live acoustic ("unplugged") performance.