Meet The Team
Below are the Department Heads and Volunteer Board of Directors for Sheboygan Senior Community. If you wish to contact anyone directly, please call our main line at (920) 458-2137. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you out in anyway possible.
PAUL TREFFERT
CEO
Paul Treffert has been part of the SSC team since February 2016.
Why he loves working at SSC:
SSC represents everything that I have always thought was possible in long-term care but had never found anywhere else: a beautiful setting, a ‘state of the art’ facility, all private rooms, and most importantly, the very best senior care and services provided by an outstanding team of dedicated caregivers. What else could you ask for?
Names of family members and pets:
Rachel, Emily, Dagan, Ali, and Buddy the dog.
One favorite thing about Sheboygan County:
My favorite thing about Sheboygan County is that it is big and dynamic enough to have great quality of life (restaurants, entertainment, parks, etc) but still feels like a small town where everyone knows and looks out for each other.
STEPHANIE GOETZ
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Stephanie Goetz has been part of the SSC team since August 2017.
Why she loves working at SSC:
I work on a beautiful campus with a caring group of people. I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to be part of providing a safe, happy, and enriching quality of life for both our residents and compassionate caregivers.
Names of family members and pets:
Husband Trevor and Wirehaired Pointing Griffons Gustav, Gracie, and Jet.
One favorite thing about Sheboygan County:
The sense of relatability and familiarity you feel anywhere you go in the County.
Community Involvement:
Kiwanis Club of Greater Sheboygan – President 2024/2025
City of Sheboygan Senior Services Commission – Chair 2023/2026
CASA of East Central Wisconsin – Board President 2024/2027
Camp Evergreen – Board Member 2022/present
Leadership Sheboygan County 2023/2024
HEATHER SUNAGEL
DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES
Heather Sunagel has been part of the SSC team since April 2009.
Why she loves working at SSC:
I love working at SSC because of the great team I get to work with every day and I love interacting with the residents. The environment and culture at SSC is like no other.
Names of family members and pets:
Billy, Tyler, Hazel, Asher, and Bernie the dog.
One favorite thing about Sheboygan County:
I love the Sheboygan County Fair!
TARA HOLZEM
BUSINESS OFFICE MANAGER
Tara Holzem has been part of the SSC team since May 2001.
Why she loves working at SSC:
I love working at SSC because of my co-workers and the residents. We truly are a big extended family.
Names of family members and pets:
Taylor, five cats named Ami, Ash, Loki, Mickey, Mallory, and a red-footed tortoise named Ruby
One favorite thing about Sheboygan County:
Lake Michigan.
SHANE LEY
DIRECTOR OF NURSING
I’ve been with SSC since July of 2024. I’ve been an ER nurse for the last six years, and I’ve lived in the Sheboygan area for the last 26 years.
Why he loves working at SSC:
I love working at SSC because of the culture– the staff and residents feel like family. It’s a place where I feel like I can make a difference.
Names of family members and pets:
Becky, Kayleigh and Makenna
Pets: Dogs – Walter and Georgia. Cats – Juniper, Ivy and Huck, and six chickens.
One favorite thing about Sheboygan County:
My favorite thing about Sheboygan County is the amenities it offers, as well as its proximity to Green Bay and Milwaukee.
SHAWN RICHARDS
Assisted Living Administrator
Shawn Richards has been part of the SSC team since June 2018
Why he loves working at SSC:
The culture and atmosphere. You can tell that upper management is more focused on the care of the resident’s and treating their staff well than the bottom dollar.
Names of family members and pets:
Tracy, Kylee, Ian, Liam and Koda.
One favorite thing about Sheboygan County:
The relatively short drive to the North Woods.
KIM CAMPBELL
HEALTH INFORMATION/UNIT COORDINATOR
Kim Campbell has been part of the SSC team since April 2018.
Why she loves working at SSC:
I love working at SSC because of the high level of change and complication in my job. I am never bored and I am always learning!
Names of family members and pets:
Brian, Dan, and David. Otis – a newfoundland and Beau – a border collie.
One favorite thing about Sheboygan County:
One of my favorite things about Sheboygan is the great restaurants! I love food!
TOM LAWRY
HEALTH UNIT COORDINATOR
Tom Lawry is the Health Unit Coordinator at SSC.
Why he loves working at SSC:
The main reason that I love working at SSC is because of the residents. I believe that each resident deserves the best care possible and I enjoy doing my part in accomplishing that objective. I also enjoy the staff that I get to work with, whether it is on the floor or in the office.
Names of family members and pets:
Jeanette, Alyssa, Hailey, Cambren, and Reggie the dog.
One favorite thing about Sheboygan County:
I like Sheboygan County because each season has something different to offer. Summer is camping and outdoor music time. Fall is colors in the Kettles and hunting. Winter is sledding and ice skating. Spring is youth sports throughout the surrounding communities.
JOAN HARDER
DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
Joan Harder has been part of the SSC team since January 1984.
Why she loves working at SSC:
Family! I love the residents. It’s a blessing to know that families entrust us with their loved ones each and every day and I’m a part of that. We do an amazing job here! I love my coworkers. I could not ask for a more wonderful group of people to work with. I am very proud to be a part of SSC.
Names of family members and pets:
Husband, Kerry and Son, Jordan and Daughter-in-Law, Kikki.
One favorite thing about Sheboygan County:
I live in the town of Sheboygan.
MELISSA THIEL
DIRECTOR OF LIFE ENRICHMENT
Melissa Thiel has been part of the SSC team since September 2009.
Why she loves working at SSC:
I love working at SSC because I feel appreciated for my contributions and that I have the freedom to be creative in the things I do. I love the residents and the staff and it really feels like we are all on the same team. It is such a pleasure to be a part of the residents’ lives and work with wonderful co-workers every day.
Names of family members and pets:
Kevin and two cats named Miles and China.
One favorite thing about Sheboygan County:
I think we live in a pretty amazing place. On one side, we have Lake Michigan with the lakefront and riverfront. I love the one of a kind coffee shops, stores, and restaurants! On the other side, we have the beautiful Kettle Moraine with all of its trails. The glacial landscape is very beautiful.
ASHLEY ALLARD
DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
Why she loves working at SSC:
I love working at SSC because I have a very supportive team and we are more like a big family than co-workers. I also enjoy when I am able to step away from my desk and spend some time with our residents.
Names of family members and pets:
Husband Justin, daughters Samantha and Emily. I have two dogs Max and Merlin, along with a cat named Bella.
One favorite thing about Sheboygan County: Sheboygan is a very safe and friendly community.
Ryan Dixon
Life Transition Coordinator
How long with SSC,?
I have been working at SSC for a year and a half. Overall, I have 9 years of experience working in
long term care.
Why do you love working at SSC?
I love working at SSC because I get to build relationships with our amazing residents. I thrive on getting to know them and learning about their lives.
Family and pets?
I live in Sheboygan with my beautiful wife Chantel and our 5 kids, Kyra, Kinley, Carter, Kaden and Crew.
What is your favorite thing about Sheboygan County?
My favorite thing about Sheboygan County is all of the great places to be able to get out in nature. I also
love finding new places to eat cheese curds.
Val Dittrich
Dining Services Manager
Why she loves working at SSC:
I love working here for the friendships with residents and employees
Names of family members and pets:
I’m married to Dan, in April it will be 44 years, we have 3 daughters Jessica /Taylor, 2 grandchildren, Jackson 15yrs, Maya 11yrs, Jaimi/Scott, 2 granddaughters, Willow 15yrs, Parker 10yrs, and granddog, Pixel, Jasmin/Jordan, and granddog, Nala. Dan and I also have 2 cats Mr. MaGee, and Princess Meu Meu
One favorite thing about Sheboygan County:
One thing I love about Sheboygan County, is I’ve lived here my entire life, as well as my whole family, and being so close to Lake Michigan, it’s so beautiful, and sometimes we don’t realize how lucky we are to have that right in our backyard. There are so many cool places to see, and things to do.
Bridget Boy
Director of Therapy
Why she loves working at SSC:
Names of family members and pets:
One favorite thing about Sheboygan County:
Tina Kramer
Nursing Scheduler
Why she loves working at SSC:
Names of family members and pets:
One favorite thing about Sheboygan County:
Jackie Erdman
Director of Development
How long have you been with SSC and in the industry?
I’ve been with SSC since April 2024 and have spent over 10 years working in the Sheboygan County nonprofit industry.
Why do you love working at SSC?
I love the people—both the staff and the residents. The camaraderie, collaboration, and passion for this line of work is evident in every staff member. And seeing the smiles, joy, and comfort on our residents’ faces makes it all worthwhile.
Tell us about your family and pets.
I live with my husband, Dustin, our daughter Winnie, son Atlas, and our two pets— dog Buster and cat Cola.
What’s your favorite thing about Sheboygan County?
I love the vibrant art scene, the community’s focus on collective impact initiatives, and of course, the beautiful setting right on the water.
Katy Knowles
Assisted Living Social Worker
How long with SSC?
I have been with SSC for a total of 5 years (Originally from 2017-2021, and back again in 2023).
Why do you love working at SSC?
I love working at SSC because everyone who works here wants to be here and truly has all the residents’ best interests in mind. We think of these residents as part of our family.
Family and pets?
Husband John and two daughters named Melina & Kalli.
What is your favorite thing about Sheboygan County?
My favorite thing about Sheboygan County is the sense of close community and involvement from such a large number of families and businesses. I think it is a fantastic place to raise a family.
Board of Directors
ERIC STUART
CHAIR
Chairperson
Eric Stuart is a Commercial Insurance Professional and has been on the SSC Board of Directors since 2017.
He believes has seen first hand how SSC works hard to provide excellence and be the facility of choice for Sheboygan County, but while also staying true to a faith-based mission of working to ensure all can be cared for and their needs addressed.
What he looks most forward to doing while serving on the SSC board is to ensure excellence in service and care to the residents of SSC. Stating, “It’s far too easy in society for us to overlook the elderly as too costly, too difficult, or too bothersome to care for, but it’s in their most golden and final years of life that I think a society and a people should rise up to support and nurture them through to their final calling.”
LARRY M. SAMET
Vice Chair
Treasurer
Larry Samet is retired and the former Treasurer of Sheboygan Area School District, Board of Education and has been on the SSC Board of Directors since 2018.
He is part of a number of local organizations such as: Sheboygan Police and Fire Commission, Sheboygan County Health and Human Services, Hearthstone of Wisconsin, Camp Evergreen Board and Kiwanis Club of Greater Sheboygan.
What he looks most forward to doing while serving on the SSC board is continuing its mission of service, expanding services within existing framework and looking to develop additional living opportunities.
TOM BRICKLEY
Treasurer
Tom Brickley works at Summit Credit Union and has been on the SSC Board of Directors since 2020.
He is part of a number of local organizations such as: United Way, Milestones Adult Family Home, Christ Child Academy Finance Committee, Southside Catholic Parishes, and Immaculate Conception Parish.
What he looks most forward to doing while serving on the SSC board is learning about what we do for the residents and their families.
DAMON WENIG
Secretary
Damon Wenig is the General Manager of Wenig Funeral Homes and has been on the SSC Board of Directors since 2020.
He is part of a number of local organizations such as: Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra, Sheboygan Evangelical Free Church- Youth ministry and development, and Professional Association Boards.
What he looks most forward to doing while serving on the SSC board is caring for the seniors in our community.
SANTINO LASTER
Santino Laster is a Public Safety Specialist for the City of Sheboygan and Vice President of the Sheboygan Area School Board. He joined the SSC Board of Directors in 2023 and is also part of the Housing Coalition with Habitat for Humanity and serves on the City Church Board.
Safety and security is Santino’s passion. As a member of the SSC Board of Directors he is most looking forward to being an advocate for the residents and staff, ensuring best practices are in place with equity to all within the SSC Community, enforcing the mission, and striving to make SSC #1 provider for the senior community across the country.
MEG TRAGER
Meg Trager is a realtor at Village Realty Development and has been on the SSC Board of Directors since 2020.
She is part of a number of local organizations such as: the National Realtors Association, Accredited Buyer’s Agency Council (ABR), Wisconsin Realtors Association, and the Sheboygan County Board of Realtors.
BRIAN CHILDS
EMILY RENDALL ARAUJO
Emily is the Director of Senior Services for the City of Sheboygan and has been on the Board of Directors of SSC since 2022.
She is actively involved with Active8 Sheboygan.
When we asked her what she looks forward to most about being on the Board of Directors, Emily responded, “Sheboygan Senior Community is a shining star example of how Sheboygan’s older adults should be cared for. I’m excited to learn more about serving this population and how the City of Sheboygan can better prepare seniors before they reach this point in their lives.”
Matthew Hall
Matthew works at Prevea Health and has been on the SSC Board of Directors since 2023.
I very much look forward to getting involved in the community. With numerous families in and out of assisted living, I have a soft spot for the mission and values of SSC and look forward to serving on the Board and helping the organization continue to provide high quality, “person centered” care to the residents of Sheboygan County.
Connie Meyer
I retired in 2012 after over 40 years of library service to patrons in the Eastern Shores Library System. I am an active member of St. Luke United Methodist Church and currently serve on the Accountable Leadership Board. I am also the President of St. Luke United Women in Faith and on the Wisconsin North East District Board of UW Faith.
My husband and I raised our two sons in Sheboygan. In my free time, I enjoy reading, knitting, and gardening, and I’m always up for a travel adventure.
I am most looking forward to ensuring that SSC continues to provide the highest quality, comprehensive, and compassionate care within the community and is positioned to meet the future needs of seniors in Sheboygan County.