
Board of Directors
Meet the people behind Lions Pride, whose compassion and willingness to serve keeps our mission alive.
Renee Peterson
President
Renee Peterson has worked at Horicon Bank for over 24 years, serving in many capacities within the company, most recently as People and Culture Manager, Vice President. In this position she is responsible for managing the talent acquisition and development and all areas of training at the Bank. Having worked in multiple areas of the bank allows for a more diverse skillset of the banking industry. Along with volunteering as President of the Lions Pride Endowment, Renee is also a member of the Horicon Lions Club, National SHRM and the Treasurer of the Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired.
David Carl
Vice-President
David Carl earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. After a brief professional football career, he worked in the health club/fitness industry. He then transitioned into helping high school student-athletes with their athletic and college recruiting. After serving on the Board of Trustees of his high school alma mater – St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy in Delafield, WI – David returned to the school as its Alumni Director. He is currently the Assistant to the President and is helping with fundraising and development. David is the son of past Pride Chairman, Dewey Carl as well as the grandson of Past International President Clarence Sturm. He has volunteered on a Wisconsin Lions Eye Glass Mission to Mexico; Oconomowoc Lions Gus Macker Basketball Tournaments; the Lions Pride Sporting Clays Fundraisers; assisted with numerous positions at the Manawa Lions Rodeo; as well as various projects at Lions Camp.
Art Marson
Secretary
Art Marson is recently retired from Western Technical College after 38 years. He spent the past 25 years as a member of the College’s Senior Leadership Team. His primary responsibilities were managing Auxiliary Services, Research, Planning and Development. He holds an MBA Degree in Finance from UW-La Crosse. Art has served on several boards including the Lions International Board of Directors in 2008-10. He is a past chair of the La Crosse International Relations Committee and is actively involved in their seven sister city programs. Art grew up in a family grocery business and currently is a partner in a gas and convenience store business. He also does consulting with HR Business Solutions in La Crosse.
Susan Selner
Treasurer
Susan Selner is retired from Wisconsin Public Service Corporation where she worked in accounting, budgeting, and project management. She has an Associate Degree in Accounting from NWTC. Susan has been a member of the Denmark Lions Club for more than 30 years, serving as Club President, Club Secretary and is currently the Club Treasurer. She is a past District Governor (2015-16), a progressive Melvin Jones Fellow, Birch-Sturm Fellow and Ray Hempel Fellow. Besides working with the Lions, she is treasurer of her church foundation and is the Village President in her hometown of Denmark.
Bob Bertch
PDG/Board Member
PDG Bob Bertch joins the LPEF Board as the MD27 C1 & C2 Representative. He served our country in the US Air Force with a tour of Texas, Upper Michigan, and Thailand/Vietnam. His 45-year career in sales and marketing in the grocery-food industry began in A & P Food stores and then on to several food brokerage firms in Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin. He was an active member in his church, the Masons, Scottish-Rite and Shrine while living in Ohio. Since 2000, Bob and his wife, Laura, now live in Wisconsin and their 2 kids and 3 grandsons also live in the area. Now retired since 2006, Bob “Mepps” Bertch is living his dream as a local fishing guide and also found time to be involved in his community by joining the Boulder Junction Chamber since 2008, the Musky Classic board, Lakeland Kiwanis Club as past president and a bowler (having achieved a 300 in 2012). Bob joined the Boulder Junction Lions Club in 2010, serving as a board member since 2014 and President for 2019-2021. Bob has served as a Zone Chair for Zone 3, and served as District Governor for Multiple District 27C2 for the 20-21 term. Bob has been awarded the International Presidential Award and is a Melvin Jones fellow who currently is the Secretary of the Boulder Junction Lions Club.
John F. Suby
Board Member
John Suby is a shareholder and president of John F. Suby & Associates, S.C. accounting firm. John was Co-Founder and former Chairman of the Board Emeritus at Suby, Von Haden & Associates, S.C., a Madison accounting firm he started more than 35 years ago. During his tenure, the business grew into a group of nine companies, 450 employees, with annual billings of $47 million and seven offices in three states. John is a member of both the Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. John has also served as the Vice Chair of the Lutheran Social Services Foundation.
Wayne Heiman
Lions Pride Ambassador
Wayne grew up on a dairy farm in Waupaca County. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Augustana University of Sioux Falls, SD in 1976. He became a Lion in 1986 and served as a District Governor, a Council Chair, one term as a WLF Director, Multiple District Membership Chair, & the Multiple District LCIF Coordinator for 10 years. He served as International Director (2005-07). He is a Human Resources Manager by career and serves on his employer’s 401(k) Investment Committee. Wayne is a past member of the Manawa City Council.
Thomas Pratt
PDG Board Member
Thomas is a software engineer at United Health Group, His professional experience is grounded in developing efficient, high impact solutions that support better health outcomes across the industry. Thomas is also a dedicated and active lions member and has a wide range of leadership and volunteer roles. He has a unique blend of technical skill and heartfelt dedication to service and continues to be a valued leader and behind the scenes force for his club, District 27-E1 and neighboring districts.
Tal Janowitz
PDG Board Member
Nate Zank
WLF Rep
Lions member for 15 years of the Juneau Lions. I have been WLF Director for three years just starting my second 3 year term. Away from lions I am a Wisconsin Licensed Master Electrician I work for Wegener Electric in Juneau, WI. In my free time I enjoy Golf, Bike riding, Gardening and home improvement.
Patt Goerke
MD27 Council of Governors Rep