Duane Freitag
Retired Journalist, Milwaukee Journal - Sentinel
Greendale, WI
Duane worked for the Milwaukee Journal where he was Page One editor of the paper when it was merged with the Milwaukee Sentinel.
Duane was active in the development of the Swiss Center, participating in Governor Thompson's Trade Mission to Switzerland in November 2000. Duane also represented the Swiss Center in Glarus during their 650th celebration as a Canton.
Tom Hefty
Retired, CEO Cobalt Corporation
Elm Grove, WI
Tom is the retired CEO, of Cobalt Corporation (NYSE); retired President, the Kern Family Foundation; co-chair of Governor Doyle's Economic Growth Council; board member; Artisan Mutual Funds; Member, National Academy of Sciences study committee on health care reform.
He created the largest health care foundation in Wisconsin history and holds a B.A. and J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Madison and M.A. from Johns Hopkins University with honorary doctorates from Ripon College and the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Tom Kuhne
CEO/Owner, WSI
Madison, WI
Tom is the CEO and owner of WSI, an internet marketing consulting company located in Madison, WI. Tom's business background includes over 15 years in the retail industry including positions at Lands End, Famous Footwear and Champs Sports.
Tom spent a year in Zurich, Switzerland working for Migros GMZ where he gained valuable business experience and took advantage of spending time with immediate family that lives in Switzerland. Tom is a dual national with United States and Swiss citizenships.
Todd Larson
New York, NY
Todd Larson is Senior Counselor at the New York Coordination Office of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). He has been with the United Nations system for more than 15 years, previously serving in the field with both the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations.
He served as Peace Corps Volunteer in Togo from 1983-1985. Todd received his Master's Degree and his Juris Doctoris from the University of "Washington, Seattle and was named ‘Distinguished Alum' in 2007. He also serves as adjunct professor at Hunter College in New York City.
Brenda( Blanchard) Luckritz
Vice President Public Affairs, Novartis Corporation
Washington, DC
Brenda joined the Board in 2001 and was re-elected Chair in February. When the Swiss Center was created, she was a member of Governor Tommy G. Thompson's Cabinet, serving as Secretary of the Department of Commerce.
Luckritz became a Swiss Center advocate during her time at Commerce, working with the Administration and Legislature to secure a legislative grant worth $1 million. With matching dollars, the future of the Swiss Center in New Glarus, WI was ensured. Brenda remained active while at Commerce, working with the Swiss Center's professional fundraiser to secure pledges from Swiss corporations.
Giambattista Mondada
Consul General of Switzerland
Chicago, IL
As Consul General of Switzerland, Mondada is responsible for 12 states in the Midwest including Wisconsin. Born in Küssnacht am Rigi (Canton Schwyz), Mr. Mondada grew up in Minusio, Canton Ticino. He is the first-ever Consul General of Switzerland in Chicago who hails from the Italian-speaking area of Switzerland. Mr. Mondada joined the Swiss Foreign Service in 1969. During his career, he has served in different capacities in numerous countries, such as Kuwait, Mexico, Angola, Sudan, and Bangladesh.
Ann Sheffels, M.D.
Physician, North Clinic, P.A.
Maple Grove, MN
Dr. Ann Sheffels is a family physician in private practice in the Minneapolis area. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Human Biology at Stanford University in California in 1984 and subsequently completed her M.D. degree in 1989 at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine in Minneapolis.
She completed her residency at the University of Minnesota in 1992 and is board certified in Family Medicine. She has been active in the administration of both her own clinic and North Memorial Medical Center in Minneapolis, where she has been a staff physician since 1992. Dr. Sheffels is a New Glarus native with strong Swiss roots.
Frimmel Smith
Author, Photographer and Professional Training
Alexandria, VA
Frimmel Smith's varied experiences have taken her from the highest footpaths of Switzerland to teaching through pictures about the need for clean water in developing nations. Smith also created "Wheel People" which is the story of the varied individuals who live in our nation's "trailer parks".
For the Red Bench story, Smith spent eight years walking the ubiquitous footpaths across Switzerland. During her travels, she discovered the well-used seating – many placed before majestic scenery, others promoting community gatherings in cities and villages.
Donald Tritt
Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Denison University
Granville, OH
Born in Columbus, Ohio of Swiss ancestry, Donald G. Tritt is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Denison University in Granville, Ohio. He has a B.S. degree from The Ohio State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. In Columbus he is a member of the Swiss Beneficial Society, a trustee of the Grütli Verein and a life trustee of the Swiss Home Association. He has served the Swiss American Historical Society as a First Vice President and currently serves as a member of the Advisory Board. In 1999 he published Swiss Festivals of North America and in 2006 published a biography of the Swiss natural scientist Leo Lesquereux (1806-1889) for which he was awarded the Gonzenbach prize.
As President of Tritt Family Research he co-edited Volumes I and II of Tritt Family History: 1562-1750. Don was the catalyst for the idea of creating a national Swiss cultural center and instrumental in establishing its initial planning committees and Board in 1999. He has served as a dedicated member of the Board since its founding.
Russell W. Whitacre
Business and Marketing Professional
New Glarus, WI
Russ combines 20 years of comprehensive experience in marketing and public relations including running the iconic Oscar Mayer Wienermobile program. From managing the integrated marketing campaigns for the United States, Mexico, Canada and Europe, Russ was also responsible for building a new fleet of eight Wienermobiles from design to completion. He recently moved to New Glarus and is the Board’s newest member. Russ holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
