I am a wife, mom and work full time. My husband Kevin and I have been married just shy of 12 years. We have 3 beautiful daughters, Taylor (18), Olivia (16) and Ava (10). We are an active family, and enjoy camping, riding our motorcycle, traveling to visit family, heading north to hang with friends and cheering on Ava who is our sports kid! I never thought I would be a soccer and softball mom, but here I am! In my free time I enjoy reading (non-fiction mystery,) making comfort food- think soups and casseroles, and just “tinkering” and around the house or in the yard. I have worked for GE Healthcare for 20 years, all in different roles. Today, I lead a sales team in the North Central US..
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
Beyond my 3 beautiful girls and husband, I have one brother and a large extended family. We are close with all our parents and spend a lot of time with extended family. Between my parents, they have 11 siblings, all who are all married with kids- growing up, we didn’t have friends, we had cousins! We still spend weekends and holidays together as much as we can- I always say, the family that plays together stays together!
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
As a sales leader at GE Healthcare, I joke I get the cover the most glorious states of the US- ND, SD, NE, IA, MN, WI, IL and the UP of MI. I have a team of 5 that I lead, coach and guide on service strategy, calling on the largest hospital systems in this area. I love watching my team learn and develop; there is nothing more satisfying than watching them grown as individuals and professionals. The other part of my job that is love is the challenge. There is a lot to balance, being responsible for a P&L, leading people and making sure are customers are at the core of what we do. Every day is different!
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
I love Fork in The Road, the food is fantastic- The mac and cheese gets me all the time! We also like to visit LuLaBells Dockside- their brandy old fashions are amazing, as is their fish fry. We are frequent flyers of Badger Burger: it’s a great place to stop for a burger after softball or soccer practice.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I grew up here; we moved to Big Bend when I was in elementary school, and I went through the Mukwonago School System. While in school I worked at McAdams Pick N Save and the True Value Hardware store. After graduation, I moved away for about 15 years (not far, only to outskirts of Milwaukee.) After Kevin and I got married, we decided we wanted to be closer to our family and give our kids the same type of life we had. We built a house in Big Bend 7 years ago and haven’t looked back once.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
I think the most interesting person I have met, would be my father-in-law, Gary Rockteacher, who passed a few years ago. He also grew up in the area (North Prairie) and it was always interesting to hear his perspective on the community, the changes, and his life in general. He was a dairy farmer for several decades, which brings a new appreciate to hard work, working hard and finding laughter while doing it. He had some of the funniest stories and sayings! He also had a knack for teaching, though the lessons may not have been appropriate! My kids knew when Grandpa Gary was around, the swear jar was going to get a big bump in its value that day.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Italy and the Mediterranean. I have never been, but its on my bucket list. The geography looks amazing and just thinking about the freshness of the food makes my mouth water.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
I am not a big movie and TV fan. I like to have it on for the background noise, but I am not one to sit down and watch a show every night. However, on those occasions that I do, my “go tos” are anything Will Farrell for comedy, or anything on Investigative ID.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Advice that I give to people (my kids especially!) 1) Feedback is a gift, take it. 2) The one thing that no one can take from you is your education- don’t ever stop learning. 3) Be a good human, don’t be a jerk (jerk typically replaced with a different adjective that probably not appropriate here!)
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I would love to get my own motorcycle and license when the kids are off my payroll!
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
My go to band for music is really mood dependent; likely it would be Chris Stapleton, Kenny Chesney, Journey, or some sort of 80s hairband mix.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
I don’t know that I have a nostalgic business from the community- If I had to pick one, I guess it would be Hardees (where Walgreens is now)
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
If I could have lunch with anyone, I would select Kevin Hart. He is funny as hell, but also been through some things. I bet he could make an hour feel like 5 minutes with stories, jokes, and perspectives. I would have to take him Lula Bells- teach him about Wisconsin with cheese curds, fish fry’s, and brandy old fashions.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love Mukwonago because of the people in it. It still feels like a small community, seeing familiar faces wherever you go, but has all the necessities you need. I also think our community really rallies around one another and our schools.
Q: What have you done to make Mukwonago a better place?
I don’t know that I have done anything to make Mukwonago a better place; but I have tried to give back over the years. Volunteering in the school system, joining school board committees, and supporting the local events, and where possible donating gifts.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I see myself right here in 5-10 years. Ava will be finishing up school, Taylor and Olivia will have finished. Kevin and I will be hanging by our pool in the summertime, back yard for fall fires and hopefully traveling a lot more in the winter.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I wish I knew how to sing. I’m not good at it, and someday, I would like to learn- or at least learn how to keep a key.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Red Rock Canyon, NE
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
October, Thanksgiving, Don’t have a best single day
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Anything pistachio
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My Kids, Every Day.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Lilacs, Campfires, 2 Cycle Exhaust (reminds me of being a kid!)
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family, Comfort, Warmth
