Contact the Sierra Club

Liz Wessel, Chair,
lizard59sc@yahoo.com

Since 2005, Liz Wessel has been the owner of Green Concierge Travel. The venture merged two of her passions – both of which are fundamental to the Sierra Club – travel and outdoor recreation with environmental activism. As a Pollution Prevention Specialist for Citizens for a Better Environment, Liz worked on consumer driven programs to clean up the lithographic printing, dry cleaning and auto industries. Liz also served as a lobbyist for state environmental policies working to protect and expand a consumer’s right to know about goods and services.  She also served as the Executive Director of Clean Wisconsin. Liz's community involvement dates back to the 1990's when she judged nominations for the Wisconsin Governor’s Award for Excellence in Hazardous Waste Reduction. Liz has also served on the board of Community Shares of Wisconsin, the City of Madison’s Commission on the Environment, the board of Green America (previously Co-op America) and the board of the State Environmental Leadership Program.Liz and her husband Bill became life members of the Sierra Club in 1984. They enjoy berry picking, fly-fishing, picnicking and hiking together.

Marilyn Pedretti, Vice Chair, mjpedretti@yahoo.com

Marilyn Pedretti is currently the chair of the Coulee Region Sierra Club and has actively worked on environmental and sustainable issues around the country.  One of eight children raised on a dairy farm in Holmen, she spent the first ten years after high school exploring the world of politics both in Madison and Washington, D.C.  In the years following, she experienced the Catholic Worker movement in Kansas City and later volunteered for two years in El Paso, TX building strawbale homes.  In 1999, Marilyn received a Ministry degree from Viterbo University.  Elected to the La Crosse County Board in 2008, she currently chairs the La Crosse Sustainable Commission (a joint venture between the County and City of La Crosse) and serves on the La Crosse County Planning, Resources and Development committee. In addition, Marilyn serves as the Town Clerk for the Town of Holland, lives in her own off-grid strawbale home and has begun forming a CSA on the family farm.

James Kerler, Secretary, jfkerler@verizon.net

Jim has a love of the outdoors that springs from Boy Scout outings and family trips to a Vilas County Wisconsin lake.  A weekend on the North Fork of the Flambeau with his father, and a subsequent Explorer Scout adventure in Ontario’s Quetico Provincial Park, molded him into a committed paddler.  He and his wife also hike, backpack and watch birds.  Jim has hunted and fished most of his life, and values those activities just as he treasures the annual harvest from his vegetable garden.  After studying electrical engineering and business, and a career in computers and data communications, he now enjoys working with those who seek to sustain a healthy and diverse natural environment.  He is active on the board of the Rock River Coalition and monitors local waterways in Southern Wisconsin.  Jim also participates in a local “Community Sponsored Energy” group, seeking small-scale, sustainable energy solutions.

Will Stahl,

Council of Club Leaders,
Conservation Committee Chair, wrsy55@sbcglobal.net

Nancy Carlson, Southeast Gateway Group Delegate, nancyslunar@hotmail.com

Don Ferber, Four Lakes Group Delegate, d_ferber@sbcglobal.net

I have long been an avid outdoors person with an appreciation for nature. To me, the best art and sculptures are those nature has formed. As a fan and advocate of Aldo Leopold and his Land Ethic, I believe we need to live in an ethical manner as a member of the land community and in concert with nature and other people. Currently, much of what we are doing is either unwise or unsustainable, it doesn't bring us happiness, and we need to take a different direction.

Climate change and energy policy are key areas in determining our future direction and that of the planet, and that I work actively on to set a different course. I also enjoy outreach and communications to engage people and educate them on where we're headed and what the alternatives are. Since there is no planet B, I figure we have to figure out how to explore, enjoy and protect this one.

Carol Hardin, St. Croix Valley Interstate Group Delegate, cchardin8@gmail.com

Liza Peckham, At Large Member elpeckham@gmail.com

Liza resides in Madison, and loves enjoying Wisconsin's beautiful outdoors with family, friends, and her beloved dog.  While studying at UW-Madison, Liza interned at the Chapter Office for the Sierra Club, and quickly learned how much work is necessary to preserve and maintain our great states most valuable assets.  After earning her degree in Biological Aspects of Conservation and Psychology with a certificate in Integrated Environmental studies, she continued to volunteer for the Club.  Now as a member of the Executive Committee, she looks forward to making further contributions, and communicating with fellow members and volunteers!

LD Rockwell, At Large Member

ld.jarockwell@elknet.net

LD joined the Sierra Club in 2000 after working with the League of Conservation Voters. He is an active member of the chapter's Southeast Gateway Group serving on their executive and conservation committees. LD advocates for clean water and land conservation that includes more green space. After serving twenty-years in the military he worked as a purchasing agent for numerous companies. He currently serves as Vice President of Veterans for Peace of Milwaukee.

Jane Schley, At Large Member

jwslol@yahoo.com

Jane is a founding member of the Chapter's Chippewa Valley Group. She has maintained an active role in the group, organizing an annual Bird Seed sale fundraiser and the Earth Green Awards, which recognize local business & community members for environmental and leadership/projects. She has also organized letter writing campaigns on current environmental legislation. As a small business owner for 32 years, Jane sees collaboration between environmental groups, small business, farmers, hunters and fishers as one of the keys to keeping our environment safe and healthy for future generations. She is passionate about Mother Earth and looks forward to using that passion as well as her knowledge of current conservation issues to help guide the chapter during her term.

Jim Steffens, At Large Member jjsteff@mhtc.net

Jim has previously served as Chair of the John Muir and Delaware Chapters.  He has been the John Muir Chapter Delegate to the Council of Club Leaders, which consists of delegates from each of the 65 Chapters and the Sierra Student Coalition.  He is currently the Chair of the Council of Club Leaders Executive Committee and a member of the National Sierra Club Honors and Awards Committee.  Jim resides in Ridgeway in Iowa County

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Caryn Treiber
Chippewa Valley Group delegate
ctreiber@discover-net.net

Eric Uram, At Large Member
Eric.Uram@Headwater.US

Eric has been an avid angler since childhood, giving him an understanding of the need to protect water resources. This passion led to his involvement in the Sierra Club-John Muir Chapter as a member of the Executive Committee and the Water Sentinel's Team. He also leads Sierra Club outings to Quetico Provencial Park where participants have the chance to enjoy and explore this remote, beautiful area of the Boundary Waters. Eric is also the Executive Director of SafeMinds, a non-profit organization that advocates to end Mercury related neurological disorders.