Janesville Blackhawk Golden Kiwanis

Jim Farrell introduced the day’s speaker, Kristin Vander Kooi.  Kristin is the Rock County Finance Director.  She was previously employed ten years by Sun Prairie city, and became Finance Director there around year 2019. Kristin had a hand-out for members, and provided detail into Rock County’s finances. 

Jim Farrell introduced the day’s speaker, Bob Block.  Bob is a member of the Oregon, WI Historical Society, and took an interest in American prisoner of war camps after finding an old wooden crate from January, 1946 with materials pertaining to Camp Swift, Texas.

Jim Farrell introduced the day’s speaker, Duane Jorgenson, Highway Commissioner of the Department of Public Works for Rock County.  Duane oversees many transportation projects in our area, including several villages’ roads, on up to work on the interstate.  His area of expertise includes 96 staff, around 35,000 federally regulated signage,…

Gregg Dickinson introduced the day’s speaker, Ryan Murphy.  Ryan, a 26-year veteran of the Janesville Fire Department, has a Bachelor’s in Fire Science.  Ryan counts working for Kiwanian Steve Skelly at the Skelly ambulance service when Ryan was 18-19 years old as formative.  Ryan took the Janesville leadership in June.

Gregg Dickinson introduced the day’s speaker, Justin Makowan.  Born in Chicago, Justin grew up in the small town of Mauston.  He retains those small town values in his current role of Business Development Manager at BrightStar Home Care Medical Staffing.

Gregg Dickinson introduced the day’s speaker, Curtis Fell. Curt is the Rock County Sheriff Captain. In his role, he oversees 221.35 active positions, a 29.412M budget, 231 employees, an inmate population of 409 (on the 27th).

Gregg Dickinson introduced the day’s speaker, Claire Gray with Forward Janesville.  Forward Janesville are a large organization that support multiple facets of city development, including city-wide events.

Gregg Dickinson introduced the day’s speaker, Lisa Hurda, Director of United Way (Blackhawk Region, UWBR).  The organization covers all of Rock County, and Northern parts of Winnebago County (Illinois) after the two merged in 2012. Lisa is an educator by trade, now with 20+ years in non-profit service.  Her passions…

Luci Cramer introduced the day’s speaker, Shar Hermanson of Forward Janesville.

Happy New Year! Here are some Kiwanians ringing bells with Salvation Army, and decorating the Kiwanis Kandu benefit Christmas tree (themed, flowers).