Leadership Wisconsin (formerly called WRLP-Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program) Outstanding Alumni Awards
2006 Outstanding Alumni Award
Rep. Jean Hundertmark Receives 2006 Outstanding Alumni Award 
Winston Churchill once said that “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give." Wisconsin is a special place to live, in part, due to the dedication and energy of our alumni who give of themselves. This award was established in 1998 to recognize an individual whose professional and volunteer efforts have improved the lives of their fellow citizens. As the award criteria describes - “The recipient serves as a role model for all to emulate. Their life serves as an inspiration to others and they are best known for doing ‘the right thing.’”
During the Group XI Graduation celebration, July 15th, Leadership Wisconsin (formerly called WRLP-Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program) Alumni Association Board President Darren Schroeder (VIII) and Vice President, Michelle Zahn, (X) presented the 2006 Outstanding Alumni Award to Rep. Jean Hundertmark, Group VII.
Jean was recognized for taking the leadership training she received through Leadership Wisconsin (formerly called WRLP-Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program) to successfully run for the Wisconsin State Assembly representing portions of Waupaca, Shawano, and Outagamie County. She has been re-elected to this seat three times by overwhelming margins. Assembly leadership has shown faith in her abilities by giving her many responsibilities including chairing a number of challenging committees. This November Jean is running for Lieutenant Governor. Jean has the ability to work on legislation that affects not only her district, but the entire state. During her third session, Jean’s colleagues recognized her leadership and elected her the Assistant Majority Leader.
Jean also worked with UW-Extension to create a leadership development program called Leadership Waupaca County. Each class also attends a two day program on state government that Jean organizes.
Jean Hundertmark makes an outstanding recipient of the WRLPAA award because she has used the knowledge she learned from the program to enhance the lives of not only her neighbors but the state as a whole. She has successfully demonstrated the ability to use the skills she learned as a Leadership Wisconsin (formerly called WRLP-Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program) participant and continue her evolution into a leader ever since. She manages to juggle the duties of running a small business, the needs of her constituents, and working on legislation that will improve Wisconsin’s economy, health care system, and educational system. She is one of the many success stories to come from Leadership Wisconsin (formerly called WRLP-Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program) .
2004 Outstanding Alumni Award
Mark Cook Receives 2004 Outstanding Alumni Award
The Leadership Wisconsin Program Alumni Association (WRLPAA)
recognizes one individual every two years for their outstanding leadership
contributions. The 2004 Outstanding Alumni Award was awarded to Mark
Cook, Group III, on July 17, 2004, during Group X’s graduation
ceremony.
Mark has dedicated his professional life and much of his personal
energies to resolving stray voltage concerns in the State of Wisconsin.
Mark is the manager of the Rural Electric Power Services Program,
which is jointly administered by the Public Service Commission of
Wisconsin (PSCW) and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade
and Consumer Protection (DATCP). Mark’s leadership, professionalism,
and generous spirit have been tried and tested through his 18+ year
involvement in this highly controversial issue. He has managed to
navigate the technical complexities and highly emotionally charged
environment with integrity, skill and untiring dedication.
The Rural Electric Power Services Program is unique in the nation
as a cooperative effort between multiple agencies including PSCW,
DATCP, the University of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Technical College
system and has served as model for other states to follow. Mark’s
knowledge and experience in public service has been invaluable in
forging links between these agencies and in making these collaborations
work effectively. And that’s no small accomplishment, as anyone
who has ever been involved in inter-agency programs can attest.
Mark has played a pivotal role in reversing the heightening of distrust
between farmers and electrical energy providers. Through his work,
he has personally overseen the development of a program of farmstead
rewiring and the upgrading of both services and service capacity
to rural residents. No one else has been at both the farm and the
policy levels, nor could anyone else have maintained such composure.
He has spent many long days and late nights building countless new bridges
and mending old ones to bring together several state agencies, electric utilities,
rural electric power cooperatives, farmers, electricians, equipment dealers
and other agriculture professionals to make a positive difference in the lives
of Wisconsin’s rural residents.
Mark is the kind of individual in which any investment of time or
support will be repaid time and again. Mark is analytical and objective.
He is strategic, tactful and diplomatic. His bigger sense of purpose
and of institutions, combined with compassion for the people he serves,
is heroic. Mark has generously contributed countless hours of lectures
to educational programs though the University of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin
Technical College system and other professional associations. He
has also found time to author no less than 40 technical papers and
reports. These papers have provided a wealth of knowledge to people
all around the world dealing with electrical safety on farms and
stray voltage issues.
Mark is also a farmer and is an elected member of the Cambridge
School Board of Education. Recently, Mark arranged for the recognition
by the community and by the full Board of Education for a student
and his teachers who had received a National FFA Award. Mark’s
nominator told us he is a quiet, astute observer. He is respectful
of the opinions, sensitivities and rights of others. While he has
ascended to positions of great power and authority, he has taken
the responsibilities of these assignments very seriously and just
as humbly. He is the kind of person that is easy to look up to and
about whom the label, friend, would also seen right. He is the kind
of person that the Leadership Wisconsin (formerly called WRLP-Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program) Alumni Association takes great pride in recognizing
as an Outstanding Alumni.
Darren Schroeder (left), WRLPAA President, presenting award to Mark
Cook
2002 Outstanding Alumni Award
Sandi Cihlar Receives 2002 Outstanding Alumni Award
The Leadership Wisconsin Program Alumni Association recognized
four alumni at Group IX's Graduation Ceremony in Mosinee on July
13, 2002. Nominated for 2002 Outstanding Leadership Wisconsin (formerly called WRLP-Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program) Alumnus were Bonnie
Peterson, Gary Kirking, and Linda Hodorff. Sandi Cihlar received
the 2002 Alumni Award.
Sandi Cihlar, Group IV
A surprised Sandi commented, "I was so overwhelmed at receiving the
award. This is very special honor for me because it came from an
exceptionaly special group!"
Sandi was recognized for her years of effective leadership and community
service. She has a passion to serve and assist people while maintaining
a high degree of integrity. Sandi has demonstrated this through her
tireless and diligent efforts in her recent campaign for state assembly,
serving as a director on the Milk Marketing Board, a past director
on the Leadership Wisconsin Program Board of Directors and
as secretary of the Wisconsin Rural Health Association Board of Directors.
This is only the tip of the iceberg.
Other involvement of Sandi's includes the Dairy Council of Wisconsin,
Marathon County Dairy Leader Group, Marathon County Farm Bureau,
Friends of Rib Mountain, Marathon County 4-H, National Children's
Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety, Wisconsin Women
in Agriculture, and the Mosinee Bike Safety and Bike Rodeo Committee.
Sandi addresses the needs in the community by providing a grassroots
effort and strong voice to advocate for those out in the field, who
work hard and deserve an opportunity to excel.
Recently Sandi served as the Chair for the Selection of Group X
Leadership Wisconsin (formerly called WRLP-Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program) participants. Sandi took the time and energy to travel the state
and help to interview each and every candidate for the program.
Sandi takes the time to reach out and make a difference for any
community she is involved in and she takes the initiative to be actively
involved in many. She is truly a catalyst for making her community
and Wisconsin a better place to live. Congratulations Sandi!
Gary Kirking, Group V
Gary is employed by the Western Wisconsin Technical College and is
currently the regional manager of the Black River Falls Campus.
Gary serves many local, regional and international organizations
including the Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors, the Jackson
County Industrial Development Corporation Board, the European Rural
University International Steering Community, the Jackson County
Rural Health Network as Board member and as a Corporate Treasurer.
Recently Gary completed a term as a member and President of the
Leadership Wisconsin Program Board of Directors. Gary was
the first Leadership Wisconsin (formerly called WRLP-Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program) alumni to be President.
Linda Hodorff, Group III
Linda's most notable leadership role is as a national director for
the Holstein Association, USA, the national breed group for Holstein
dairy cattle. She represents breeders across Wisconsin and has
taken a key role in food safety and animal identification. As a
woman in the dairy world, Linda earned the respect of leaders in
the industry. Linda served on the Wisconsin Dairy 2020 Council,
and has been involved internationally as a US Dairy Ambassador.
Linda and her husband Doug have been partners in Second Look Holsteins
since 1982. Along with their son, the Hodorff's milk more than 750
cows and operate a heifer-raising facility in Nebraska.
Other involvement that demonstrates the impact of Linda's leadership
is with her church - Sunday school teacher and president of United
Methodist Women. She spends countless hours and days working with
youth in her county - 4-H, dairy cattle judging team, and Junior
Holstein Association. She strives for excellence daily in her business
and in her family and inspires those around her to do the same.
Bonnie Peterson, Group VII
Bonnie is the owner of Word Emporium, a communications business.
Bonnie spends an enormous amount of time devoted to assisting with
the growth of her community. She is a leader in tourism activities
like the Juneau County Lake Fest and the Necedah Whooping Crane
Festivities. She has also developed marketing materials for her
county's economic development committee.
Other activities that demonstrate Bonnie's leadership include her
role as a board member of the Wisconsin Rural Partners organization.
Last fall she took a lead role in planning and implementing the Governor's
Rural Summit. Bonnie is also a member of the Board of Directors and
Executive Committee for the Leadership Wisconsin Program. As
Communications Chair for Leadership Wisconsin (formerly called WRLP-Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program) , she led efforts to create a new set
of marketing materials for the program. Bonnie can always be counted
on to produce extremely high quality materials for all forms of media.
 L-R: Gary Kirking,
Sandi Cihlar, Connie Loden (WRLPAA President and presenter of award), Bonnie
Peterson (missing).
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