Staff - Who's who

Course Director - Mike Palecek, mike.palecek@sewistraining.com, h: 262-886-5547.  Although Mike's been involved in Scouting since 1964, he took Wood Badge in 2005 to "recharge his Scouting batteries."  Mike applied skills learned in the course to take on new Scouting responsibilities, and has since served as a district commissioner, district chairperson and council training chairperson.  Mike has been a Den leader, Pack committee chairperson, and Scoutmaster.  He's a big believer in empowering others to lead.

Asst. Course Director (ASM Facilities) - Ruth Walls.  Ruth took the Wood Badge course in 2003.  She will tell everyone who asks and many who don't about the value of Wood Badge in every walk of life, including hers as an elementary teacher.  Ruth is the proud mother of two Eagle Scouts.  She has served as Cubmaster, on Pack and Troop committees, as District training chair and District Chairperson.  Ruth currently serves as a Unit Commissioner.

Asst. Scoutmaster - Program - Cari Hush.  She brings tremendous enthusiasm and positive energy to everything she does in Scouting.  Cari is council activities chair, and has been a Den leader, Pack committee chairperson, and Troop committee member.

Senior Patrol Leader - Tim Hush.  As Wood Badge Senior Patrol Leader, Tim will set the pace for the course and show everyone the way through many team building activities.  By goal setting and planning, Tim is a high achiever.  He has excellent people skills and engages others to be the best they can be.  Tim is in charge of councilwide Boy Scout leader training, and has been a Crew Advisor, Scoutmaster, Cubmaster and Den leader.

Troop Guides are assigned to each patrol, to help develop team building skills, and coach and mentor each Wood Badge participant.  Troop Guides also do small group instructional sessions.  Troop Guides are selected for their outstanding people skills and teaching abilities.

Asst. Scoutmaster - Troop Guides - Brian Boehm.  Through humor, fun, and good insight into others, Brian has a great ability for team building and bringing out the best in others.  Brian is a Scoutmaster and was the 100th Anniversary Jamboree Assistant Scoutmaster.

Troop Guide - Dan Wrensch.  A physician assistant in charge of services at a hospital emergency room, Dan also serves as the course medical officer.  Dan has contagious enthusiasm and a constant cheerful demeanor.  He has served as a district chairperson, Crew Advisor, Assistant Scoutmaster, and Den leader.

Troop Guide - Jan Bezzo.  Jan's positive "can-do" attitude, coupled with excellent people skills, makes her a great Troop Guide.  She is a Den Leader.

Troop Guide - Scott Edwards.  An excellent communicator and instructor, Scott has been a Philmont camp ranger.  He is currently a Scoutmaster.

Troop Guide - John Kiernan.  A big-picture thinker, John is an expert at engaging others to see a vision of Scouting and then working with them as a team to achieve it.  He has organized a new Pack, that has grown extensively in size and sustainability.  He is currently a Cubmaster.

Troop Guide - Frank O'Dwyer.  With his Gaelic dialect and a big sense of humor, Frank is lot's of fun.   He was a Wood Badge course director across the seas and is the district training chairman in Milwaukee Council's Polaris district.

Troop Guide - Sue Schultz.  With a big smile and endless enthusiasm, Sue is sure to recharge anyone she meets.  She is Potawatomi Area Council's Wood Badge Coordinator, and served on the 2009 course staff at SEWI Council.

Troop Guide - Doug Reed, Sr.  Every Wood Badge course needs a wise sage, and that's Doug.  He will be the Course Director for the 2012 Milwaukee County Council's Wood Badge course.

Quartermaster - Stacy Sobbe.  A very hard working Scouter, who also serves as quartermaster on the National Youth Leadership Training course.  Stacy is a Scoutmaster.

Asst. Quartermaster - Bob Lane.  Another hard working Scouter, who puts 100% into everything he does.  Bob is an Assistant Scoutmaster.

Asst. Quartermaster - Phil Kaye.  Another hired hand for the Wood Badge round-up, Phil's an always reliable, behind the scenes guy.  Phil is a Scoutmaster and Assistant Venture Crew Advisor.

Scribe - Rick Smith.  Keeping communication flowing throughout the course, Rick edits the Gilwell Gazette and is in charge of all printed course materials, the songbook, and email blasts.  Rick is a Unit Commissioner.

Asst. Scribe - Seamas O'Meagher.  As course photographer, Seamas has extensive shutterbug experience.  His role is to take pictures of the course for our Gilwell Gazette newspaper.  Seamas has many Scouting experiences, currently serving as a district Boy Scout Roundtable Commissioner.

Technology Specialist - Bob McDowell.  Bob's our electronics handyman behind the scenes.  A former course staffer, Bob is a District commissioner and Scoutmaster, and has been a Cubmaster and den leader.

Head Chef - Jean Hrbcek.  Jean's goal is to run the kitchen staff, with delicious, quality meals, while taking into account dietary needs and the budget.  She ran the kitchen in the last Wood Badge course and has done so for NYLT, too.  Jean is an Assistant Scoutmaster.

Chef - Bruce Gonzo.  Bruce has slopped chow in a gormet style many times in his life.  Bruce is an Assistant Scoutmaster.