Sauk County Institute of Leadership Looks Behind the Curtain
Reedsburg, WI. The Sauk County Institute of Leadership (SCIL) class spent a full day exploring leadership, workforce, and community topics during their visit to Reedsburg, Wisconsin on January 8th. The day began at Seats, Inc., a locally owned and operated company known for its strong workplace culture. Ryan Roers, CPA and Chief Financial Officer of Nordic Group, welcomed the group, shared insights into the organization, and described the challenges posed by COVID and the recent impact of tariffs. Participants toured the manufacturing facility and learned how recent redesign efforts have improved efficiency throughout the plant. Seats, Inc. also offers an on-site medical clinic for employees, providing access to urgent care, lab services, vaccinations, X-rays, chiropractic care, and mental health support—making healthcare more convenient for staff and reducing the need for time off to travel to a healthcare facility.
The group then traveled to Madison College, where Mark O’Connell, President and CEO of the Wisconsin Counties Association, kicked off the session. O’Connell outlined the state's challenges affecting county and local governments. The four primary challenges are broadband, the demographic workforce, housing, and early childhood education. The group was left with a few inspiring quotes: “It costs you nothing to be nice” and “The truth is always less expensive; never forget how you got here.”
The afternoon began with a housing panel consisting of Lisa Wilson, Sauk County Administrator; Tim Becker and Pat Weber, both of Friede and Associates, who discussed the challenges of affordable housing. Wilson described the challenges of the “Four Ls”, Location, Labor, Land and Legislation (Policy), and that this is not a unique issue in Sauk County, alone. The panel members highlighted that one of the challenges is trying to develop attainable housing options, as more families earn too much for assistance, but struggle to afford market-rate homes. Leadership may actually be the “fifth L”, in addressing these issues, and this panel certainly delivered throughout the discussion.
The focus then shifted to Addiction and Substance Abuse Prevention in Sauk County. A 2023 SCIL graduate, Megan Haag, courageously shared her personal recovery journey, offering a powerful and inspiring perspective. The class then broke into groups to spend focused time with Dr. Cheryl Goeckermann, a Health Addiction M.D. with SSM Health; Hannah Erdman, a Public Health Educator with Sauk County; Amanda Hanson, Human Services Manager; and Ben Miller, SUDS Case Manager, both with the Sauk County Justice, Diversion and Support Department. The class learned about the opioid crisis in Sauk County and how their efforts help individuals with addiction every day. SCIL participant Patti Jahnke commented, “I was pleasantly surprised at the gamut of resources available in Sauk County.”
The SCIL class wrapped up the day feeling informed and energized by the experience.
Written by Sheila Carver and John Young
