Peggy Gunderson was appointed to the board in late 2019 by Governor Evers and serves as the committee chair. She is the president and CEO of Strategic Brand Marketing, which she has owned and operated for 11 years. When asked why she is passionate about helping Wisconsin small businesses, Peggy says "I am passionate about helping small businesses for many reasons; primarily because I understand the dream as well as the challenges of being a small business owner. When we look at the downtowns in cities across Wisconsin, we see small businesses hard at work supporting their community." Peggy currently resides in McFarland, just outside of Madison.
Peggy and her company, Strategic Brand Marketing, have earned 'Best Companies to Work For', 'Best Place to Work', 'Executive Choice Award' (In Business Magazine) in both 2016 and 2017, 'Best of Madison' (Madison Magazine) and during the pandemic, the 'Looking for the Helper' award (Dane Buy Local). Peggy graduated from Jefferson High School in Jefferson, Wisconsin. She attended Madison College and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where she studied political science. Gunderson currently resides in McFarland, Wisconsin with her husband, Ted, and together they have four adult children and six grandchildren.
Contact: peggy@sbmbrands.com; (608) 298-7311
Senator Mary Felzkowski, formerly Mary Czaja, was first elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2012, where she served four two-year terms, including two sessions on the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee, and one session as the Assistant Majority Leader.
In 2020, the people of Wisconsin's 12th Senate District elected her to be their voice in the State Senate, where her four-year term encompassed two two-year sessions. During both of those sessions, Mary again served as a member on the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee.
A lifelong resident of Lincoln County, Mary is the owner of C.I.S. Insurance Group in Tomahawk and comes from a family of independent business owners. She is a graduate of Tomahawk High School and the University of Wisconsin – River Falls. Mary has two children, three stepchildren and four grandchildren.
Mary has been a member of the following organizations: Tomahawk Main Street, Inc. (former president); Tomahawk Regional Chamber of Commerce; Tomahawk Child Care (former president); Professional Insurance Agents of Wisconsin (former board member, secretary, treasurer, vice president, president, national director).
Contact: Sen.Felzkowski@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-2509
Representative Nancy VanderMeer was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2014. Nancy and her family owned and operated VanderMeer Motor Company for over 38 years in Tomah. Nancy sold the family's long owned building in October 2017.
Nancy is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. She has been active in community service including Gloria Dei Lutheran Church council, Tomah Memorial Hospital Board of Directors, Tomah Chamber Board of Directors, and Handi-Shop Board of Directors - helping handicapped grow in dignity and self-sufficiency.
Advocating for job training, Nancy collaborated to help young people transitioning to work prepare for the 21st century in Tomah School District's School to Work Program.
Together with her husband of 25 years, David Hall, they reside on Dave's family fifth generation dairy operation milking over 200 head daily.
Norah Leach was appointed to the board in March of 2023 as a business representative. Norah is the owner of Caroline's Bridal Boutique – a private wedding attire boutique for brides and grooms in Stevens Point. Norah volunteers for Meals on Wheels.
Contact: info@carolinesbrides.com; 715-544-4468.
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Alycann Taylor was appointed to the board in February 2020 as a business representative.
Alycann Whalen Taylor is a Wisconsin native who, after living and adventuring with her husband in different parts of the country, decided to return to their Wisconsin roots. In October 2005, they moved to Viroqua to raise their family and start their business Bluedog Cycles. Soon to follow they established Vernon Trails – a 501 C 3 dedicated to outdoor recreation and created Camp Bluedog – A Youth Mountain Bike camp.
In addition to Bluedog Cycles, Alycann is the Human Resources Manager for the Viroqua Food Cooperative. She serves as a Vernon County Board Supervisor. She is actively involved in her children’s school, serving as the treasurer and school board member. Alycann holds a bachelor’s degree of Psychology from the University of Minnesota.
When time allows her favorite place to be is outdoors with her family.
Contact: alycanntaylor@gmail.com; (608) 632-3527
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 Elizabeth Krause was appointed to the board in January 2020 as a business representative. Elizabeth is the owner of OrganiCuts, an organic hair salon in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. She has a daughter and volunteers for various organizations in the Lake Geneva area, including the Walk to End Alzheimer's of Lake Geneva and the Geneva Lake Women's Assocation.
Contact: organicuts17@gmail.com; (262) 249-1020
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