Published: March 30, 2018
Big Brothers Big Sisters director heads to Schauer Center
By NICHOLAS DETTMANN
ndettmann@conleynet.com 262-306-5043
Mary Gamerdinger is leaving as executive director of Big
Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County to become executive director of the
Schauer Arts and Activities Center in Hartford.
The change is effective June 1. She said she’ll take over at
Schauer Center on June 18.
“I’m very excited,” Gamerdinger said Thursday. “It’s with
mixed emotions.”
Gamerdinger has been with BBBS since 2002 — all as the
organization’s executive director. In the two years before joining BBBS,
Gamerdinger was with the Downtown West Bend Association, overseeing special
events such as the Farmer’s Market.
“For the past 15 years, Mary has played a critical role in
the development and success of the organization,” said David Kohlmann, chairman
of the Board for BBBS, in a statement. “While we will miss her and her
inspiring leadership, we wish her every success in her new endeavor. We want to
express our sincere thanks to her for her years of dedicated service which
involved so many significant accomplishments that have impacted the lives of
children and teens in our community.”
As executive director, Gamerdinger will be responsible for
the overall operations and management of the Schauer Center. She’ll replace Joe
Konrad, who plans to retire, but will stay on as special advisor to the
executive director, a newly created part-time position.
Konrad previously served as the Executive Director of Battle
Creek Area Habitat for Humanity in Battle Creek, Michigan, and just before
joining the Schauer Center he was the director of administration at St.
Boniface Catholic Church in Germantown.
Konrad was named the Schauer Center’s executive director in
July 2015. He replaced Brenda Lee Johnston who was the Schauer Center’s
executive director from October 2012-July 2015.
In a statement, Schauer Board of Trustees President Gretchen
Vickney thanked Konrad for his service and contributions, “but also for his
willingness and desire to continue to serve the community in his new role.”
Gamerdinger said she wasn’t actively looking to move on from
BBBS, but the itch to take on the next challenge was growing.
“I love and am passionate about the Big Brothers Big Sisters
mission, but I have been here for 15 years and I felt an itch to move onto my
next challenge,” she said. “Talking to the people at the Schauer Center, it
seemed like a perfect fit. I support arts education; it seemed like the right
opportunity.”
Gamerdinger has a heart for nonprofit organizations. But,
she has a softer and more personal spot for the arts and arts education.
“Growing up, I was the band, theater and forensics geek and
not sports,” she said with a laugh. “It’s something I’ve really enjoyed. I
think it’s valuable to a child’s life.”
Expanding arts education programs at the Schauer Center,
which include art, music and theater, will be a goal for Gamerdinger once at
her new job.
“I think we want a wider audience and scope to help realize
what a gem it is right there,” Gamerdinger said of the Schauer Center. “To
understand art education and it’s not just performance theater, especially as
we hear those things being cut in schools.”
Expanding programs and awareness is one reason she landed
the job.
In 15 years at BBBS, she was proudest of the organization’s
success stories, which grew year after year under her leadership.
“Watching kids grow in self-confidence, be successful in
school, it’s immensely rewarding,” Gamerdinger said. “I’m very proud of
increasing the numbers of people we’ve brought in to match with children.”
The last several years have upped the need for mentors as
more and more children are coming to BBBS from single-parent homes.
“I call it the ‘M and M,’ money and mentors,” Gamerdinger
said. “It’s a constant challenge to have enough of both of those. We’ve
expanded our financial support base and we’re very stable that way. We’ve
promoted the program and educated the public about the program and how
rewarding it is. We’ve been able to bring in more mentors.”
Gamerdinger likes the position BBBS is in, which also helped
her make the decision that a new challenge was needed.
Similar growth has happened at the Schauer Center and she is
excited to continue that momentum.
“Joe has done great things with the Schauer Center,”
Gamerdinger said. “He’s leaving a very strong and stable program for me. He’s
definitely someone I’m going to learn from.”
BBBS’ annual golf outing is June 8 and Gamerdinger said she
plans to assist with the event.
No comments:
Post a Comment