Thank you to all of our speakers at the 2025 WACO Convention! We appreciate you sharing your knowledge with our attendees!
Anders Helquist – Attorney, Weld Riley, S.C.
Anders is a Shareholder in the firm’s Environmental/Administrative, Government Relations, Municipal Law, and Frac Sand, Mining and Minerals sections. Anders provides practical, results-driven counsel to businesses and other industrial entities operating in Wisconsin, guiding them through environmental permitting and licensing, land use and zoning, government relations, and compliance matters. He utilizes his experience in regulatory matters, municipal law, and government affairs to represent a diverse group of clients, including campgrounds, agricultural uses, frac sand companies, and other businesses and industries in all aspects of federal, state, and local permitting, due diligence, land use/zoning, site investigations, and environmental enforcement/compliance. He works with clients in front of the WDNR, EPA, DOT, OSHA, MSHA, DATCP, local zoning boards, and other government agencies.
Andrew Nussbaum – Tourism Development Specialist, Travel Wisconsin
Andrew joined the Department of Tourism in 2012, after having spent his entire professional career in hospitality, marketing, and tourism. His focus with companies and organizations has always been to grow their customer service effectiveness, a passion that began with his first restaurant job in 1984. Andrew refers to this as “Northern Hospitality”. He loves traveling the state meeting with folks and helping them get the word out about all the great things there are to see and do in Wisconsin. Having worked with various regional and statewide collaboration efforts, Andrew enjoys bringing organizations together to share ideas and resources. Tourism is a large part of economic development in Wisconsin, and the visitor’s experience here is paramount.
Ben Stefan – Grand Valley Campground
I am Ben Stefan and my family has owned and operated Grand Valley Campground since 2005. I grew up working in the campground from a young age. As a second generation owner I now work full time at the campground with my parents, brother, wife and sister-in-law. I have also worked as a Systems Engineer in the IT department at Moraine Park Technical College for 10 years while working at the campground every weekend.
Bill Milne – Weld Riley
Bill’s practice areas include probate and trust administration, estate planning, elder law,
and campground, farm, and business succession planning. Since becoming a lawyer in 2001, Bill has focused his practice on counseling
individuals, families and business owners. Bill has assisted clients with everything from
simple wills and powers of attorney to addressing more complicated estate planning
situations and sophisticated probate and trust administrations. Bill also provides advice
in the areas of elder law and addressing the legal issues that impact individuals with
special needs.
Bud Styer – Camping For The Fun Of It & Bud Styer Associates
In addition to over 40 years experience in the industry, Bud Styer is an owner and operations consultant for 14 campgrounds in Wisconsin and a National Consultant in the industry. He is the former President of the Wisconsin Association of Campground Owners (WACO) and member of Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC). Bud, a member of both State and National professional associations, not only attends National and State conventions, but has spoken numerous times for the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC), Wisconsin Association of Campground Owners (WACO), University of Illinois, Lewis University, IL, St. Mary’s College, MN, and numerous State wide training courses. Bud is a committee member for the State of Wisconsin DNR, Governor’s Small Business Committee, NFIB’s Small Business Committee and Wisconsin’s Business Voice Small Business Committee. At the local level, he actively participates in the Chamber of Commerce in five different communities in towns/cities near the Madison area.
Chris Metcalf – CSAW Associates
Chris Metcalf is a native of Viroqua, WI who graduated from Viterbo University and Western Technical College in La Crosse. She has over thirty-five years of experience working in the accounting field. Prior to starting CSAW Associates, LLC – Coulee Bookkeeping and Tax she was employed in various positions such as Bank Controller, Office and Accounting Manager, and Staff Accountant. CSAW Associates works with a variety of businesses including restaurants, campgrounds, marinas, construction companies, rental properties, hair and nail salons, online businesses, exercise facilities and more. She has been married to Bill Metcalf since 1981. They have four children and nine grandchildren.
Crystal Erickson – Coverra Insurance Services
Hello – my name is Crystal Erickson. I am a Commercial Agent for Coverra Insurance Services: Leisure & Hospitality. My family and I share a passion for outdoor adventures and travel. Working on Coverra’s Leisure & Hospitality team allows me to be passionate about what I do and help protect what I love! While our team has the opportunity to work in an incredibly fun industry, we take our job as your trusted risk advisor seriously. We understand that no two operations are the same and will work with you to develop a policy that suites your unique needs! Protecting what means the most to you and your family is what means the most to us: Covering you comes first at Coverra!
Danielle Todd – Severson & Associates
Born and raised in Wisconsin, Danielle began developing her entrepreneurial skills at a young age. She’s always done her best learning with the hands-on approach and has developed her skills in many different areas; including the music, sports, fitness, and campground industries. Owning a few small businesses herself, her skills and passion lie with graphic design, website/business management, and social media marketing. She currently serves on the Chamber of Commerce Board and Downtown Business Alliance Board in her hometown and was recently co-chair of the Promotion & Tourism Committee for the Chamber as well. Danielle has previously called both Tennessee and Texas home, but now resides back in her hometown with her husband Dave, of nearly six years, and their (almost) four year old daughter, Harper. Outside of work life, she enjoys traveling, reading, being outdoors, working out, and spending time with family and friends.
Eric Haun – Coverra Insurance Services
Hello! My name is Eric Haun and I am Vice President of our Leisure & Hospitality division. My family consists of my wife, Lauren, our 3 children and 2 dogs. When I am not chasing the kids around the house or to their sporting events, I enjoy spending free time hunting, fishing, boating, shooting billiards, spending time maintaining our property, enjoying the outdoors, and relaxing at the cabin on the lake in Chetek, WI. My love for spending time outdoors and having fun pairs well with my involvement in our Leisure & Hospitality division. I truly love my profession and the positive impact I have on others. Becoming part of my clients’ “team” as their trusted advisor for risk management & mitigation is a great feeling and one that I take very seriously. Being able to educate others on the exposures they may face, while crafting an insurance policy to fit their unique risks, needs and desires is what excites me in my profession every day!
Hannah Butturini – Evergreen Campsites
Hannah Butturini is the General Manager of Evergreen Campsites & Resort in Wild Rose, Wisconsin, where she oversees operations, guest engagement, and business development. With a strong background in marketing and social media strategy, she plays a key role in driving brand awareness and guest interaction.In addition to her role at Evergreen, Hannah is the owner of M&H Customs, a small business specializing in custom-engraved and UV-printed products. As a proud WACO Vendor, she manages all aspects of M&H Customs’ website, marketing, and social media, bringing hands-on expertise in digital branding and e-commerce.Hannah holds an Outdoor Executive Certification in Outdoor Hospitality and has taught at both the National Outdoor Hospitality Institute (OHI) and the Wisconsin Association of Campground Owners (WACO).At the WACO Convention, Hannah will share practical strategies on leveraging social media, digital marketing, and branding to increase engagement and grow revenue in today’s competitive market.
Heidi Doyle – Utility Supply Group
Heidi has a long history in the outdoor hospitality business, growing up on a resort that her grandparents built in Northern Wisconsin.
At the Utility Supply Group, Heidi works as an Education and Strategic Relationship Coordinator. Within this role, she works on
product education for all company employees, and also as USG’s spokesperson for company events, partnerships and industry associations. Heidi keeps current on the NEC and NFPA 1194 to keep customers properly educated. Throughout the year, you can find Heidi at many national and state industry conventions, often presenting important information to attendees and interacting with park owners. Heidi lives with her husband, west of Madison, Wisconsin.
Holly Hoffman – Sales Tax Advisory Network
Holly Hoffman is the owner of Sales Tax Advisory Network where she provides sales tax compliance support and training. Prior to starting her business, she was and is a former WI Dept. of Revenue auditor and head of the Dept. of Revenue’s Speaker’s Bureau. She has presented at WACO conventions for almost 10 years.
James Kaplanek – Chief of Food Safety and Recreational Licensing Section with the State of Wisconsin–Department of Health and Family Services
Currently the Chief of Food Safety and Recreational Licensing Section with the State of Wisconsin–Department of Health and Family Services. In the process of a merger with the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection – Will be the Chief of Technical Services for Retail Food and Recreational Businesses – Has been with the State for 15 years. •Before State employment spent 6 years with the Public Health Madison/Dane county – BS Environmental Public Health—University Wisconsin-Eau-Claire – Wisconsin Delegate to the National Conference for Food Protection – Registered Sanitarian
Jeff Crider – Camping Info Source
Jeff Crider is a longtime freelance writer and media relations consultant for campground and RV industry associations across the country. He has written for Woodall’s Campground Management for more than 20 years and secured positive camping story placements in media outlets across the country, from AAA to National Public Radio and The New York Times. He worked as a daily newspaper reporter for nearly 12 years before becoming a public relations consultant.
Jeff McCaskill – AccessParks
Jeff is a sales manager for AccessParks. He has over a decade of experience in all aspects of telecommunications solutions, from fiber to wireless. He is currently responsible for AccessParks Broadband solutions in the Midwest.
Jim Brandt – Jim’s Golf Cars
Jim is the owner/founder of Jim’s Golf Cars along with his wife and 2 sons (Brenda, Lance and Jordan). In Jim’s free time he enjoys pheasant hunting along with deer hunting. Jim also enjoys spending time with his sons running Brandt brothers beef show cattle.
Jim Button – Evergreen Campsites & Resort
Jim Button has fulfilled his childhood dream of operating and owning Evergreen Campsites & Resort. Jim has been in the industry for 40+ years and has owned Evergreen Campsites & Resort for 22 years. Jim is very passionate about the industry and is an advocate for his state association (WACO) where he currently serves on the BOD. He attends and teaches at conferences, and participates in fall tours and workshops. Jim is also an advocate for his national association (OHI – formerly known as ARVC) where he has participated in advocacy day on the hill, attends and teaches at national conferences, graduate from the OHEP program, OHE certifications, 2017-2018 Arvc Large/Mega Park of the Year, and 2017-2018 Arvc Campground Partner Award. He is also active on the National Group 20 #4 for the past 10 years. This group is devised of campgrounds throughout the USA striving to be the best they can be. Jim does not do this alone he is married to Dawn Button and has four children: Emily, Joey, Ricky, and Rebecca who have started to join the family business. Jim also is an active volunteer firefighter for Saxeville.
Joe Ledger – Lakeside Fire Campground
Joe Ledger and his wife Kristen own and operate Lakeside Fire Campground in Nekoosa, WI, which they purchased in 2020. In three years, they’ve made significant improvements, including a 1.5-acre recreational pond and 35 new full hook-up sites. They’ve also upgraded over 180 existing sites and addressing deferred maintenance throughout the campground promptly. This proactive approach has allowed them to focus on further enhancing the campground experience for their guests. When Joe isn’t tending to the campground, he serves as an Army Chaplain, a role he’s dedicated himself to for 22 years. His commitment to both hospitality and military service underscores his passion for serving others and creating memorable experiences.
John Jaszewski – Campgrounds4Sale.com
Twenty years in corporate management focused on Information Technology and Manufacturing automation. Then left Corporate American to become a real estate investor. For the past 20 years he has owned and operated a real estate company, selling more than $400 million dollars in real estate, including $38 Million in 2021 alone. He has been involved in 48 campground closings in just the past three years. His focus now is helping people become wealthy and independent. He has created almost 100 millionaires in his lifetime – His goal is to make you his next millionaire!
Kristine Valk – Merchants Bank
Kristine E. Valk is the Vice President, Director of Training for Merchants Bank. She is a frequent speaker across various industries, sharing her insights on employee engagement, leadership, coaching, and temperament theory over the past 30 years. Ms. Valk holds an undergraduate degree in Secondary Social Science Education and a Master of Arts in Human Development, with an emphasis on Leadership Development. She is nationally certified in Real Colors and InsideOut Coaching. Additionally, she serves as an Advisory Board member for the Western Wisconsin Technical College Human Resources School of Business. Ms. Valk co-authored her first book, “Steppingstones,” for blended families, and is currently collaborating on their second book, “Culture-In,” set to be released in 2025. Kristine and her husband, Barry, reside in Onalaska, Wisconsin.
Lea Ann Gieck – Skillet Creek Campground
Lea Ann Gieck has a background in HR and business operations, formerly serving as Regional VP in Staffing, managing 70 employees across 20+ offices. Now co-owner of Skillet Creek Campground, she has led its expansion while overseeing marketing and operations. Passionate about community engagement, she serves on the WACO Board, the Town of Baraboo planning commission, Downtown Baraboo Inc’s Board, and her local school’s parent group.
Lisa Black – Champions Riverside Resort
Lisa was a previous Design Manager for Knitcraft in Winona, MN for 19 years. From there, she pursued a business venture with her brother. She currently is the Campground Manager for Champions Riverside Resort in Galesville, WI. She enjoys working with the seasonal campers, facilitating parties & events, and using her creative skills to design the camp store each season. Lisa has two children and three grandchildren that she loves spending time with in her free time.
Lori Severson – Severson & Associates and WACO Executive Director
Lori has owned Severson & Associates for 20+ years, a training, consulting and marketing company. Her energetic presentations are filled with forward thinking ideas you can immediately put to use in your business. Her interactive training style allows you to gather ideas from your peers as well. Her passion for success and management excellence will inspire, challenge and encourage you to take action toward continuous improvement in yourself and your organization. Lori has presented to companies like Walt Disney World, Camp Snoopy, Six Flags, IBM, Global Access, TRW, WinCraft, Behrens, Crenlo, GKN, Artsway, Wells Fargo, Merchants Bank, Farmers Bank, Ho-Chunk Nation, ARVC, Jellystone Parks, McDonalds, St. Mary’s University, TACO, CONY, KOA, PCOA, Iowa Campground Association, along with a wide variety of other companies that help her bring a strong knowledge of today’s business to you. She owns Champions Riverside Resort along with her husband Rick. She is the Executive Director for WACO, the Wisconsin Association of Campground Owners, and volunteers for the Gilbert Brown Foundation.
Mark Hazelbaker – Kasieta Legal Group, WACO Attorney
Mark Hazelbaker brings 40 years of experience as a lawyer in government service and private practice, a lobbyist and local government administrator. He has represented hundreds of communities, businesses and thousands of individuals and tried thousands of cases in court ranging from small claims to filing a brief with the US Supreme Court. Mark is the Legal Counsel for the Wisconsin Association of Campground owners, and represents dozens of campgrounds in Wisconsin. He also has worked with ARVC and state associations around the US on legislation and other issues. Mark led efforts by WACO in 2016 to win enactment of legislation giving private campgrounds immunity for inherent risks of camping. He has written and annually updated a model seasonal camping agreement for Wisconsin campgrounds. He speaks at campground meetings regularly. Mark’s broader practice includes municipal, zoning, land use, employment and small business law. Although he has also handled many criminal and family law cases, he is happy to have given those up.
Mark Koep – CampgroundViews
Mark Koep is the President and CEO of Campground Views, Inc. He has an MBA from Pepperdine and has devoted the last decade to making the Outdoor Hospitality Industry bigger and better. He is the host of the wildly popular Facebook Group for RV Park Owners, a regular speaker at industry events, sought after consultant, father of two, and fulltime RVer for 12 years. No one knows more about the Outdoor Hospitality Industry than Mark Koep who has personally visited over 5,000 campgrounds and RV parks. Client parks have measured tens of millions of dollars in increased revenue implementing the tools, strategies and processes laid out by Mark. Campground Views is the developer and operator of the proprietary Campground Virtual Tour technology. The only true virtual tour software designed specifically for the Outdoor Hospitality Industry. Campers can easily see the park, see the roads and see the sites. Park operators have measured over 244% increases in online bookings, drops of 40% for inbound calls and doubling of the length of their stays thanks to this tool. The technology has been implemented for almost one thousand RV parks and campgrounds across the US. The company’s focus is to help campers find the right campground, at the perfect time, using the best equipment. For park operators the company provides a highly valuable tool to improve marketing, guest acquisition, guest experience and operational efficiencies. See what the fuss is about by clicking here https://www.campgroundviews.com/easier-bookings/
Mark Othmer – Neuman Pools
Mark works with the smaller commercial accounts as a technical sales and support specialist. He started with NPI as a service technician and progressed thru the ranks as the Service Manager, warranty supervisor and technician, Service sales and support technician and now does rehabs of pools and equipment rooms. He is a Certified Pool Operator Instructor and will do private classes at your own facilities. With over twenty years in the pool business and over twenty years in electrical and maintenance of manufacturing facilities, coupled with his love of the aquatic industry, he can make your pool “pains” disappear. See Mark to help you with the strategic planning of your repair/ rehabilitation/resurfacing of your facility.
Mary Ellen Bruesch – WI Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Mary Ellen Bruesch is a Recreational Technical Specialist, responsible for the Public Pools and Water Attractions Program. She has been in this position for about a year, having transitioned from Campgrounds and Recreational and Educational Camps. She has a BS in Biology and a MS in Microbiology, and is a Registered Environmental Health Specialist and Certified Pool Operator. When she’s not working, she can be found hanging out with her cats or on a paddle board or skis, or hiking.
Sarah Krause – CCO at C&D Hospitality
Sarah Krause currently holds the position of CCO at C & D Hospitality. Onsite manager of Rivers Edge Campground as well as oversees operations at all of their other locations. A long history in business ownership, and customer service she brings a new lively view to all things hospitality.
Taylor Ward – Holiday Shores Campground & Resort
Hey everyone, my name is Taylor Ward from Holiday Shores Campground & Resort located in Wisconsin Dells, WI! I was born and raised in Green Bay and attended college at Lakeland University before moving to Wisconsin Dells. This will be my 13th summer here! I am married to my husband Justin Ward and we have two beautiful boys, Jaxson and Jordan. I recently stepped away from my teaching career to work full time at the family business and I’m absolutely loving it. My education career gave me great experience building my skills with organization, working with others, and I absolutely love to be crafty and create really great looking advertising! I’m so excited to work with all of you at this WACO Convention!
Ted Tuchalski – WI Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Ted Tuchalski, R.S. is an Environmental Health Technical Specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP). His primary focus at DATCP is lodging, which includes: hotels, motels, tourist rooming houses, and bed & breakfast establishments. Ted’s environmental health career began as a food inspector in Salt Lake City, Utah and has spanned multiple program areas at the city, county, and state levels here in Wisconsin.
Tia Anderson – Stoney Creek RV Resort
Tia Anderson is the General Manager at Stoney Creek RV Resort in Osseo, Wi. Tia was raised in the campground industry and has over 15 years of experience working in campgrounds. At Stoney Creek, she manages the day-to-day operations of the park including all reservation/pos systems, front desk, gift shop, activities program, employee relations, and more. She also handles all online marketing, social media, web design/maintenance and promotional material. Tia has been actively involved in WACO since a young age, leading seminars and classes over the years and recently organizing the WACO Young Professionals group.
Tina Severson – Severson & Associates
Tina Severson was born and raised in the tri-state area, where her Midwest mentality has always served her well in developing successful relationships. In the past 20 years, she has worked for non profit organizations and B2B companies in the construction, festival, education, and employment industries. The variety has given her insight to a common thread across all organizations – success in sales through stellar customer service and building solid relationships. Severson has worked with boards in the past and uses that experience to gain perspective as she sits as the VP on the Tornado Youth Hockey Association, as well as the President for the Onalaska Area Business Association.