Another reason the WEDNESDAY, May 14, gathering is really important

SWTU needs to elect new Officers and Board Members.

The slate:

President: Topf Wells
Vice President: Dyan Lesnik
Secretary: Josh Reilly
Treasurer: Michael Westbury
Board Member: Don Golembiewski (incumbent)
Board Member: Gabe Park
Board Member: Henry Haugley
Board Member: Mark Maffit
Board Member: Open (1-year term)
State Council Rep: Michael Williamson (incumbent)

We’ll also happily accept nominations for any office from the floor.

Here’s a bit more on the non-incumbent candidates:

Topf Wells: I’ve been a member of SWTU for over 40 years and the Vice President for the last 4. I’m grateful for SWTU’s wide range of activities and the friendliness I’ve always encountered at SWTU events. I especially enjoy our conservation activities. Among my goals is to keep SWTU as friendly and welcoming as possible.

Dyan Lesnik: I’ve been a member of SWTU since 2018, first becoming involved through the SWTU Veterans on the Fly program with my husband. After we both retired from the military, we had the chance to move back to my home state of Wisconsin, now both working for the VA. While my husband is the fly fisherman and fly tier, my interest lies more with supporting SWTUs conservation and education mission. My love of the outdoors and education in plant ecology, as well as being a Master Gardener drives my interest in wanting to do more within TU. Every workday I’ve participated in has been educational and a lot of hard work, but I’ve enjoyed every wet and muddy day!

Josh Reilly: I’m Josh Reilly, I’ve been a member of SWTU for a little more than 3 years and have been on the Board as a director for the past year. I grew up on a small game farm with my grandparents outside of Edgerton. My grandpa was an avid fisherman and I was often with him as his sidekick. He instilled a conservation point of view as he raised me. I look forward to being your Board Secretary and hope to keep Henry’s great work going into the future.

Michael Westbury: Raised in Oregon, WI, I have lived in the area my whole life. I hold a Bachelor and Master of Business Administration from Edgewood College and have worked at TDS in IT for 25 years. Passionate about conservation, I look forward to contributing to the Board of Directors and the Trout Unlimited Southern Wisconsin Chapter.

Gabe Park: I was born and Raised in Neenah, WI and got my Bachelors in Environmental Ethics at UW-Stevens Point. After graduation, I moved out west to manage a Fly Shop in Fort Collins, CO and learn everything I possibly could about Trout and the cold water they call home. Now, I’m thrilled to be back in Wisconsin where I am continuing that path as the manager of Musky Fool Fly Fishing Co, Madison’s only full service fly shop. As a long time member of TU I look forward to contributing to the SWTU Board in a more meaningful way. It’s time to give back to these resources that fuel my passion and allow me to be employed doing what I love. Can’t wait to meet you all!

Henry Haugley: I got into SWTU in the mid-70s. Was VP, then president for 2 years. Was fly tying instructor for about 25 years. Worked stream days for about 20 years. I have always been a contributor to all fundraising with art work and flies. Looking forward to working with the TU board.

Mark Maffit: I was a board member in the 1990s and served a stint as Vice President. I also served as the newsletter editor from about 1999 until 2007. I served as the Ice Breaker chair for a couple of years in there somewhere. I then took a break for a few years but returned to the board in 2015 and served as secretary in 2016. After a second break, I served a term as chapter president in 2022 and 2023. I am seeking another term on the board because I would like to see the return of a number of social activities to the chapter’s annual agenda. I would specifically like to reintroduce organized fishing outings and our summer picnics.

Thanks to Steve Musser (President), Marty Chiaro (Treasurer), Henry Nehls-Lowe (Secretary), Riley Bellin (Board Member) and Jim Beecher (Board Member) for their service. All were dedicated to SWTU and took their responsibilities most seriously. Steve, Marty, and Henry improved many of our administrative functions – not fun but vital to a healthy SWTU – and addressed some key issues for our future. SWTU is better off because of the service of all these folks. Thank you to each.