Birch Creek Board of Trustees
Birch Creek is governed by a 19-member board selected to serve three-year terms. Trustees are Door County residents identified for their accomplishments in the arts, humanities, business, education or public service. The board includes members from urban and rural areas across Door County and from diverse economic and cultural backgrounds. Board members set policy for Birch Creek and work with the executive director to approve budgets annually.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Steve Gomoll, President
Scott Brunswick, Vice President
Lyn Huber, Secretary
Stephen Kase, Treasurer
Patti Vickman, Development Chair
Miriam Erickson, Past President
TRUSTEES
John Belmont, President – The Associates
Jane Berg
Jim Blair
Carla Byrnes
Jim Flint
Joan Guasta
Steven Johnson
Lynn Kaczmarek
Steven Kane
Bob Lindahl
David Long
Raymond Moulis
Carl Shakal
Birch Creek Administrative Staff
Mona Christensen
Executive Director, the Steve and Jackie Kane Chair
Mona Christensen became Birch Creek’s Executive Director in 2015 after a 27-year career at UW-Green Bay as the Director of Camps and Conferences. In addition, she served as Ministries Director at a large church in Green Bay for five years. Her lifelong administrative work engaged administration, faculty, staff and volunteers to serve youth to senior citizen clientele in both credit and non-credit programming environments. She is experienced in meeting the educational needs of musicians and students, as well as technologies needed to operate a music education program. Mona holds a music degree and an advanced degree in Administrative Science-Management. As a flautist, she taught flute privately for 20 years and has performed in a number of community and church bands, flute choirs, and orchestras over the years.
Kate Rericha
Senior Grants and Development Manager
Kate is an arts educator with teaching experience in a variety of environments. She brings decades of grant writing expertise and community involvement to Birch Creek, working closely with Executive Director Mona Christensen to introduce and reinforce sustainable giving programs, along with Infrastructure and Technology Plans that undergird Birch Creek’s mission. Kate first joined the Birch Creek staff in 2005 as Marketing Director, becoming Grant Writer and Development Manager in 2011. In October 2023, Kate was appointed by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers to serve on the Wisconsin Humanities Council. She lives in Sturgeon Bay.
Paul Greenlaw
Facilities Manager
Paul joined Birch Creek in late 2022 as facilities manager. With degrees in engineering and medicine, he brings a desire to ensure Birch Creek’s facilities work appropriately to allow the music and learning to continue. Paul played percussion in high school and as an undergraduate student.
Bob Shogren
Development & Operations Manager
Bob returned home to Door County and joined Birch Creek in the spring of 2024 as Development & Operations Manager. After a 40-year career in Arizona as a public school teacher and administrator, governor's office staff, and as a nonprofit director, he looks forward to learning his new role and helping to make Birch Creek an exceptional experience for everyone. Bob plays tenor saxophone, ukulele, and Navajo flute, and he’s been a mobile DJ for many years.
Michelle Naese
Office and Registration Manager
Michelle started with Birch Creek in 2015 as Administrative and Office Support Assistant and she is currently the Academy’s Registrar and Office Manager. She holds an Administrative Professional Associate Degree from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College–Green Bay. Michelle has 10 years of experience as a law office clerk. A musician herself, she played the trumpet throughout middle school and high school.
Laura Smith
Marketing & Communications Manager
Laura Smith joins the Birch Creek Staff with six years of marketing experience in the jewelry insurance industry. Her past work also includes a career as a TV news reporter and anchor serving Northeast Wisconsin. She is experienced in building relationships, communicating with people, video production and photography. She holds degrees in Broadcast Journalism and Communication Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Office Support
Ellen Fredrich
Bookkeeping and Operations Assistant, Volunteer Liaison
Ellen joined Birch Creek in 2023 as the Bookkeeping and Operations Assistant. She also serves as Volunteer Liaison. Ellen holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a minor in English from UW-Eau Claire and an Accounting Assistant diploma from Northwoods Technical College. Her background includes project management, administrative, marketing, and customer service roles. Ellen played clarinet in high school.
Robin Walker
Administrative Assistant
Robin started with Birch Creek in 2023 as a part-time administrative assistant. With experience as legal and executive secretaries, and a career in a large music publishing company, she brings refined organizational skills and excellent customer service to her role. Robin is a graduate of Milwaukee Area Technical College.
Maintenance Support
Bill Schutté
Lead Maintenance Technician
Bill joins the Birch Creek Staff with extensive maintenance and groundskeeping experience, having spent many years in a similar position at several Door County resorts. He also has several years of experience as a carpenter and property manager. Bill is a graduate of Virginia Wesleyan College.