Our Vision
The Friends of Lakeshore State Park partner with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and our community to support Lakeshore State Park as Milwaukee’s premier urban lakefront destination for environmental and freshwater education, conservation, recreation and outdoor enjoyment
Our Mission
The Friends of Lakeshore State Park is a non-profit organization chartered as a 501c(3) dedicated to supporting Lakeshore State Park and its partners. The Friends raise funds for and participate in educational programming, events, infrastructure, and marketing and build memberships and strategic alliances to succeed in these efforts
Meet The DNR Staff
Melissa Cook
Interim Park Manager/Hank Aaron State Trail Manager
Melissa.Cook@wisconsin.gov
414-263-8559
Fun Fact: I have traveled to all 50 states except North Dakota
Carolyn Thanig
Visitor Services Associate and Park/Rec Specialist
Carolyn.Thanig@wisconsin.gov
414-274-4283
Fun Fact: I like to build earth ships and travel in my free time
Angela Vickio
Naturalist Guide and Park/Rec Specialist
Angela.Vickio@wisconsin.gov
414-274-4281
Fun Fact: I have rotifers tattooed on my shoulder
Anne Duffy
Naturalist Guide
Anne.Duffy@wisconsin.gov
414-274-4282
Fun Fact: I am also a raptor handler
Chris Sawall
Recreation Specialist
Fun Fact: I have a like/hate relationship with chocolate. Candy: like. Cake, milk, ice cream: hate.
Wilson Belknapp
Recreation Specialist
Fun Fact: I enjoy running half and full marathons, and am currently training to qualify for the Boston Marathon.
Jesse Hill
Recreation Specialist-Lead Worker
Fun Fact: I have been known as ‘The Lime’ by sailors and roller derby girls.
Katie Halmo
Recreation Specialist
Fun Fact: I have been a vegetarian for 10 years.
Board Members
President
Robert Gosse, AIA
Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.
Vice-President & Secretary
Manuel Raynal
City of Milwaukee
Treasurer
Marc DeVries
Jefferson County
Assistant Secretary/Treasurer
Nancy O’Keefe
Ex-Officio
Thomas Kroeger
Lakeshore State Park Manager
Past-President
Todd Montgomery, PhD
TVM Consulting LLC
In Memoriam
Chuck Ward
Founder, Friends of Lakeshore State Park
Directors At-Large
Angela Damiani
NEWaukee
Pam Schaefer
Michael R. Palmisano
Diversified Capital Management
Ed Freer
SEH Inc.
Justin Doll
Discovery World
Lidia Sobierajski
St. Joan Antida
Gloria McCutcheon
David Holmes
Stantec
Barb Klein
Susan Frautschi
Mary Jo Layden
Rita Flores Wiskowski
Cardinal Stritch University
