Bio coming soon

Education: BS Forestry and Horticulture, UW–Madison
Current Title: Vice President
Company/Professional Affiliation: Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese
Hometown: Waterloo, WI

Debbie is the Vice President of Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese, Waterloo, WI. She manages sales, public relations, marketing, and administrative functions for the family cheese business. For 20 years they have manufactured artisan, farmstead cheeses using only the fresh, high-quality milk from their own dairy farm.  They are known for our quality cheeses and green energy story as they have a biodigester on the farm that produces electricity using the cow’s waste and waste from the cheese factory. They host many groups of buyers, students and media at their farm and cheese factory.

Before starting their family cheese business with her husband, Debbie worked in marketing at the WI Milk Marketing Board for three years. She oversaw producer communication programs and cheese company communications, events and trade shows. From 1981-1998 she worked at the WI Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection in the Marketing Division managing the International Agri-Business Center. She conducted numerous trade shows, traveled with the Governor on overseas trade missions and oversaw the Alice in Dairyland program, marketing orders and county & district fairs. Debbie worked with numerous Midwest Department’s of Agriculture on marketing and policy. She served as the 1981-82 Alice in Dairyland.   

Debbie has served on the following boards: WALSAA (WI Ag & Life Sciences Alumni Association), WSCI (WI Specialty Cheese Institute), Thrive Board, WI 4-H Foundation Board, Professional Dairy Producers of WI Board, UW Madison CARET member, World Dairy Expo Board and Executive committee member.

She resides in Waterloo, WI with her husband George. They have three children who all work in the family business.

Education: BS Ag Engineering, UW–Madison
Current Title: Vice President
Company/Professional Affiliation: Coloma Farms
Hometown: Coloma, WI

Andy is a fourth generation potato grower in Coloma, Wisconsin. With his father, Steve, they operate Coloma Farms, a 2,700 acre potato and grain farm. Both are very active within the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) and serve on several committees related to marketing, research, environmental issues, and government relations at the state and national levels. Coloma Farms and the WPVGA work pro-actively with researchers and leadership within the UW system to address issues in the vegetable industry. 

Andy received a BS from UW–Madison in Agricultural Engineering and currently serves on the citizen board for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and is a director at the Farming For The Future Foundation.

Taylor Fritsch is an associate attorney with Michael Best & Friedrich LLP. He grew up on his family’s dairy farm in southwest Wisconsin and was a UW-Madison CALS student from 2010-2014 graduating with degrees in both agriculture and applied economics and life sciences. He then attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln focusing on agricultural and environmental law. He was very active in several student organizations while on campus.

Education: BS Managerial Accounting, UW–Stevens Point
Current Title: President
Company/Professional Affiliation: Gottschalk Cranberry, Inc
Hometown: Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Fawn is a fifth generation cranberry grower with multigenerational family, business, and industry ties to UW CALS, especially to the cranberry researchers. As President of Gottschalk Cranberry, Inc she leads and oversees the business aspect of the marsh.

Fawn currently serves on the Public Relations and Public Policy committees of the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association and as an advisor to the board of The Cranberry Institute. She serves on the board for the Boys & Girls Club of the Wisconsin Rapids Area and as Chairperson for the Town of Cranmoor. She is also the Treasurer for the Cranmoor Cooperative Co., a neighborhood water supply co-op. 

Fawn lives with her sons, River and Gavyn, on the family cranberry marsh outside of Wisconsin Rapids, WI, where River has recently started his career as a sixth generation cranberry grower.

Bio coming soon

Education: BS Ag Econ, UW–Madison; MBA, Lake Forest Graduate School of Management
Current Title: Director of Financial Planning & Analysis
Company/Professional Affiliation: BDO USA, LLP
Hometown: Chicago, IL

Jeannette is an experienced finance professional and strategic thinker with the ability to translate financial information into actionable insight. In her current role, she is responsible for providing meaningful, timely, and actionable analysis to the Executive Team, Board of Directors, and internal customers, of financial and operational information.

Prior to her career at BDO USA, LLP she was a financial analyst for Baxter Credit Union. She currently resides in Chicago where she is the Treasurer/Board Member of 221-unit condominium association, with an annual operating budget of over $2M.

Education: BA in theater management, UW-Madison; MBA, New York University
Current Title: Retired
Company/Professional Affiliation: marketing, communications, business development and strategy
Hometown: Oshkosh, WI

My farm upbringing in rural central Wisconsin drew my interest to the Ag Dept. My sister and I currently manage our family farm, mostly land rental to neighbor farmers who cash crop. We have special interests in best soil practices, conservation programs, pollinator plots and woodland management.

My BA in theatre management launched me into marketing and promotional roles at Houston Grand Opera. Transitioning to New York City, I went “legit,” got my MBA and moved through a series of retail and product management in an interesting variety of industries from lingerie to sewing notions to ceiling fans.

We capitalized on an opportunity for my husband, an orthopedic surgeon, to relocate back near our roots in Wisconsin and elderly family. I hung out my shingle as a marketing consultant, working mostly with medical practices, an interesting challenge in the throes of consolidation of practices and networks. In retirement, I found rewarding volunteer work for my marketing skills with several nonprofits, most rewardingly with women’s pregnancy services. I’m blessed to live in a beautiful spot on Lake Kegonsa south of Madison and have the joy of a compatible husband and children pursuing interesting careers.

Bio coming soon

Education: BS Natural Science UW-Madison; MBA University of Chicago
Current Title: Chief Innovation Officer & Founder
Company/Professional Affiliation: Flashpoint Strategy
Hometown: Pewaukee, WI

As part of a Wisconsin dairy farming family that dates back to the 1860’s, Kate has been close to the food and agricultural industries since birth.  Professionally has spent over twenty-five years helping shape the landscape of food and beverage innovation.  She has a proven track record for successful brand and product launches that have transformed how consumers eat, drink and are connected to the farms and artisans that create those products. 

After working for Kraft Heinz and Starbucks Coffee Company in roles that included Operations, Product Development, Brand Management, Marketing, Communications and Strategy Development, she founded Flashpoint Strategy to assist entrepreneur’s in growing their start-up businesses while also jump-starting the innovation and business growth of Fortune 500 companies.  She held the position of Chief Marketing Officer at Yakima Chief Hops, rebranding and relaunching the company in global markets elevating it to the #2 Hop company in the world.

In her free time, Kate enjoys exploring and giving back to the world – both locally and globally.  She is an active member of Rotary International and serves on numerous non-for-profit and advisory boards including PeaceTrees Vietnam, Les Dames d’ Escoffier and Bainbridge Island Museum of Art.  She continues her ties to the University by supporting the efforts of the University of Wisconsin Women’s Rowing program where she was part of the Big Ten Championship crew and served as captain her senior year.

Kate now splits her time living on Bainbridge Island and in Yakima, Washington, with her certified therapy dog, Luna.

Education: BS Agronomy and MS Poultry Science, UW–Madison, PhD Avian Ethology, University of Kentucky
Current Title: Entrepreneur
Company/Professional Affiliation: Brunnquell Inc.
Hometown: Port Washington, WI

John graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Madison with a bachelor’s degree in Agronomy and master’s degree in Poultry Science. His research led to his being awarded patents for both fat and cholesterol reduction in shell eggs. Since founding Egg Innovations in 1999 and leading the company to a national presence, John earned his Ph.D. in Avian Ethology at the University of Kentucky. He has served on numerous industry boards and committees and has been recognized many times for his volunteer work; including induction into the Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame and being named an Outstanding Alumni of the University of Wisconsin. John and his wife, Cathy, were selected as the United States’ Outstanding Young Farmers by both the American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Jaycees organization. John served as past President of the Wisconsin Agricultural Alumni Association, The Wisconsin 4-H Foundation and Organic Egg Farmers of America. John and Cathy have three children and five grandchildren.

Bio coming soon

Education: BS Food Science, UW–Madison, MBA Lakeland University
Current Title: Vice President
Company/Professional Affiliation: CROPP Cooperative/Organic Valley
Hometown: Plymouth, WI

Daryl Spors is Vice President of Product Development at CROPP Cooperative/Organic Valley, where he leads the team responsible for creating new products and ensures the highest quality standards across the product portfolio. Since joining Organic Valley in 2019, he has drawn on decades of experience in food R&D with companies such as Unilever, Kerry, Richelieu Foods, and Kelley Supply. Daryl is a Certified Food Scientist, SQF Practitioner, and holds ten ice cream patents. 

A third-generation Wisconsin dairy professional, Daryl is deeply committed to supporting the state’s dairy industry. He serves on the board of the Wisconsin Dairy Products Association and judges dairy products for the World Dairy Expo Dairy Product Contest and the Wisconsin State Fair.

Daryl and his wife, Briana, reside in Janesville, WI with their two dogs, Winnie and Violet, and have three adult daughters, Gillian, Meredith, and Eliza. He continues his support of UW–Madison through his connection to the Department of Food Science and avidly supports the athletics program.  

Bio coming soon

Bio coming soon

Education: BS Biochemistry, UW–Madison, MS Biotechnology UW-Madison
Current Title: Growth and Marketing Manager
Company/Professional Affiliation: Fleet Feet Madison and Sun Prairie
Hometown: Brookfield, WI

Jenny holds a BS in Biochemistry and MS in Biotechnology from the University of Wisconsin Madison. After earning her Biochemistry degree, Jenny spent the first 12 years of her career at the bench in various Research and Development roles with multiple institutions and companies. Jenny held positions conducting basic research at the University of Wisconsin Madison, R&D Product Development with Thermo Fisher Scientific, and as an Assay Developer for early drug discovery programs with Gilead. After experiencing a layoff and shifting interests into the business side of the life sciences and biotech industry, Jenny returned to UW to earn her MS degree.

Since earning her MS in Biotechnology degree, Jenny has transitioned her career from the bench into multiple Marketing positions with Promega, New England Biolabs, and Fleet Feet. Jenny has managed product portfolios, commercialized products and services into specific market segments, and developed strategic plans for long term business growth.

Jenny is proud to be a two time Badger alumnus and enjoys mentoring, teaching, and working with current and future CALS Badgers to find their way and achieve their goals. Jenny lives in Madison, WI, with her rescue dog, Ziggy, and is an avid runner, hiker, biker, and walker.

Education: BS Agricultural Economics and Economics, UW-Madison, MBA Carlson School University of Minnesota
Current Title: Senior Business Advisor
Company/Professional Affiliation: Sunbelt Group LP in Houston, TX
Hometown: Winter Park, CO (grew up in Berlin, WI)

After graduating from the UW Dan worked one year in currency trading and economic analysis in the NYC office of a leading Japanese bank.  Following this, he joined Cargill in NYC in their international steel trading business, and later was based in Minneapolis and Moscow, Russia. 

Dan joined ArcelorMittal, the world’s leading steel company, in Chicago in 2002, and later worked for the company in Rotterdam and at their Luxembourg headquarters.  He had responsibility for sourcing steel products worldwide, and for managing sales offices across western Europe and the United States.  He was later assigned to Saudi Arabia to join the management team overseeing the construction of a new steel mill.   

In 2012 Dan became Chief Operating Office at Sunbelt Group in Houston, TX, a steel processing and distribution company wholly owned by Russel Metals of Canada.  Sunbelt specializes in steel sheet, plate and pipe; and sells to end users and distributors throughout the US. 

Dan enjoys snow skiing, biking and traveling with lifelong Badger friends.

Bio coming soon