Events

Great Lakes, Great Lessons: The Story Beneath the Surface

Todd Gordon is a graduate of UW Milwaukee, and retired in 2018 from We Energies after 43 years of service. He and his wife, Kathie, have recently “retired” as volunteer co-managers of the Port Washington 1860 Light Station. Todd is currently the vice president of the Wisconsin Marine Historical Society’s Board of Trustees. As a lifelong history enthusiast and former SCUBA diver, Todd has been sharing his interests by giving Great Lakes history presentations to various organizations. In the past he dove on various Great Lakes shipwrecks, mostly in the waters around Door County.

The Young Professionals (YP) Committee designs and hosts dynamic networking events that serve as a gateway into the Chamber and the local business community. Beyond traditional networking, the committee actively explores new ways to expand programming and provide long-term value for emerging leaders in our area.

• What We Do: Our programming is built for the community, by the community. We host a diverse range of monthly events, including:
  • Professional Development: Speed networking and industry introductions.
  • Community Impact: Local volunteer projects and service days.
  • Social Connection: Cooking classes, family game nights, and casual mixers.
• Commitment: The committee meets once per month for one hour. Whether you are looking to build your professional circle or give back to Mequon-Thiensville, the YP Committee is your starting point. Contact aniemann@spectruminvestor.com if you have questions about getting involved.

For Melinda Caughill, Medicare is more than just a job, it’s a family tradition.

As the daughter a nationally-recognized Medicare expert and pioneer, Diane J. Omdahl, RN, MS, she basically grew up with Medicare being discussed nightly at the dinner table.

Today, as a Co-founder of 65 Incorporated and the revolutionary i65 Medicare guidance software, Melinda uses her expertise to provide today’s seniors, their families, and their professional advisors with unbiased, expert Medicare guidance.

With her extensive background in marketing in addition to Medicare, Melinda is skilled at taking the most confusing and complex aspects of Medicare and translating it into easy-to-understand visual concepts. In fact, she’s the designer behind the revolutionary “3 Parts and 2 Paths” redefinition of how Medicare works. According to many people, this unique interpretation was “the first time Medicare ever made sense.”

Melinda is also a high-energy and entertaining Medicare speaker, having presented to professional organization, like the AAII, CSA, and FPA, as well as for prominent companies, like Edward Jones, LPL, AIG and more. When given a choice on topic, Melinda most enjoys educating financial advisors on how to use Medicare as a very powerful marketing tool to grow their business while also better assisting clients.

Over the last decade, Melinda has also consulted with some of the nation’s foremost corporations on Medicare, like PBS and Macmillan Publishing.

Matthew Joynt began teaching in public education in 1999. Prior to being appointed to the position of superintendent of schools in the Mequon-Thiensville School District in July 2017, he served as the assistant superintendent of educational services in the Mequon-Thiensville School District for four years. Dr. Joynt holds a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, a master's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 

He is a Wisconsin State Certified Teacher and has taught at the elementary level and served as an assistant principal and principal at high performing high schools in the Milwaukee area.

Matthew has extensive experience working to engage students, capitalizing on opportunities to embrace diversity, and facilitating change and continuous improvement efforts within organizations located in metropolitan areas. It is his goal to improve school performance, and Matthew has led school reform at elementary and secondary schools improving teaching and school culture to promote academic growth and help students embrace lifelong learning.

A proud UW-Madison alumna, Ann is a dedicated franchise owner with a passion for building healthier, more connected communities. She believes that every fitness journey starts with a single step and is committed to providing the coaching and environment needed to make that step count.

About the Workout: The Orangetheory Advantage

• The Science: Using heart-rate technology and the science of EPOC, Orangetheory stimulates the metabolism to create the 'Afterburn'—burning calories for up to 36 hours post-workout.
• The Results: A high-energy, 60-minute session that burns an estimated 500–1,000 calories.
• The Approach: A combination of interval cardio, strength, and core training led by expert coaches.
• The Inclusive Design: Designed for all ages and all fitness levels, allowing everyone to train at their own personal intensity."

Janell Vera is the heart and hands behind First Roots Farm, where she turns a deep-seated passion for sustainable agriculture into a vibrant community resource. With a belief that the best food starts with healthy soil and intentional stewardship, Janell founded First Roots Farm to bridge the gap between local families and the land that sustains them.

Janell approaches farming as both an art and a science. Her work goes beyond the harvest; she is dedicated to regenerative practices that protect the local ecosystem for future generations. Whether she is in the greenhouse starting seeds or at the market connecting with neighbors, Janell’s mission remains the same: providing nourishing, transparently grown food that honors its "first roots."

Angie Wisniewski, MBA serves as Vice President of Neurosciences and Behavioral Health Service Lines for Ascension Wisconsin. In this role, she provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for programs supporting neurological and behavioral health care across the state. Angie is focused on expanding access to high-quality, patient-centered services, strengthening clinical integration, and advancing innovative care models to meet the growing needs of the communities Ascension serves. She brings extensive experience in healthcare leadership, service line development, and cross-functional collaboration.

Clarence Hill and George Henry opened the doors to their new bank at 206 N. Franklin St. in Port Washington, Wisconsin on Sept. 11, 1899 — less than a year after the Great Wisconsin Chair Factory Fire destroyed the town’s business district.

From this modest start, PWSB has grown to $1B in funds and loan assets under active management. We rank in the top 15% of similarly sized Wisconsin commercial banks. Today, each of our eight full-service locations offers the services of a large bank with the personalized service you’ll only find at a fifth-generation, family-owned community bank.

Today Steve Schowalter and Mark Schowalter carry on the traditions stared by the founders more than 125 years ago. 

Steve Schowalter

Steve served as the long-time President and CEO of PWSB and currently holds the position of Chairman. Under his leadership, the bank expanded its footprint in Southeastern Wisconsin while maintaining its reputation for local, personal service. He is well-known in the community for his involvement in local civic organizations and his commitment to keeping the bank independent and family-owned.

Mark Schowalter

Mark is part of the executive team continuing the family legacy. His role often focuses on business development and maintaining the high-touch relationships that define the bank’s "life-long customer" philosophy. He works closely with the other members of the Schowalter family—including his brother Steve to ensure the bank adapts to modern financial needs while staying true to its 125-year-old roots.

Megan Greenley serves as Senior Volunteer & Events Liaison for Versiti Organ and Tissue, where she builds meaningful partnerships and coordinates impactful community engagement initiatives. In her role, Megan supports volunteer programs and special events that advance organ and tissue donation awareness. She is passionate about connecting people to a life-saving mission and creating opportunities for communities to get involved and make a difference.

Judge Williams serves as Circuit Court Judge for Branch 3 in Ozaukee County, a position she has held since 2009. Before her election to the bench, she had a long and distinguished career as Ozaukee County’s first female District Attorney, serving for more than two decades and beginning her legal career in the county prosecutor’s office soon after law school. Over her career, Judge Williams has been deeply committed to public service and community justice, bringing extensive courtroom experience and thoughtful leadership to her role on the bench.

Aaron Houpt is a Social Media Marketing Manager and self-proclaimed Digital Marketing Guru with a passion for building brands through strategic, data-driven content. He specializes in growing online communities, increasing engagement, and turning social platforms into powerful business tools. Aaron brings creativity, analytics expertise, and a forward-thinking approach to every campaign, helping organizations stay relevant and competitive in today’s fast-moving digital landscape.