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:
Trevor and two Wirehaired Pointing Griffons named Gustav and Gracie.
One favorite thing about Sheboygan County:
The sense of relatability and familiarity I feel almost anywhere I go in the County.
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 Addi 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, three cats named Ami, Ash, and Candy, and Ruby the red-footed tortoise.
One favorite thing about Sheboygan County:
Lake Michigan.
JILL HAND
DIRECTOR OF NURSING
Jill Hand has been part of the SSC team since June 2017.
Why she loves working at SSC:
I love working at SSC due to the over whelming feeling of being part of a bigger family. The staff, the residents, the resident’s families all are immersed in the greater good of the people who are a part of SSC. The love, kindness, joy, happiness and humor exude in our halls daily. This is more than just a job…
Names of family members and pets:
Kevin, Zac, Tanner, Emily, Chrissy, and Kendall.
4 cows ( Adeline, Beatrice, Clementine, Daisy), 1 mini donkey (Marley), 3 dogs (Mattie, Charlie, Willa), 4 cats ( Sassc, Fi-fi, Max, Buttercup), 220 or so chickens, 1 rooster (Buddy), and an undetermined number of barn cats
One favorite thing about Sheboygan County:
My favorite thing about Sheboygan County is the diversity that this county has. It’s a small county with big city amenities…also I love the county fair.
SHAWN RICHARDS
LONG-TERM CARE UNIT COORDINATOR
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, they are my family. 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, they are also my family. 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:
Kerry and Jordan.
One favorite thing about Sheboygan County:
I live in the town of Sheboygan. It’s peaceful and I feel safe here.
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
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
Ashley Allard has been part of the SSC team since August 2018.
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:
Justin, Samantha, and Emily. Buddy and Rockie the dogs, and two cats named Bella and MooMoo.
One favorite thing about Sheboygan County:
Sheboygan is a very safe and friendly community.
DANA ELMZEN
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT
Dana Elmzen has been part of the SSC team since March 2016.
Why she loves working at SSC:
The people are what make SSC the best. Everyone from my coworkers to the residents are family, and I love them all for their uniqueness.
Names of family members and pets:
Michael and three rescue dogs named Milly, Marley, and Macey.
One favorite thing about Sheboygan County:
My favorite thing about Sheboygan County is the immense opportunities to get involved and give back to our community.
Board of Directors
ERIC STUART
CHAIR
Chairperson
Committees: Executive, Governance and Finance
Eric Stuart is a Commercial Lines Underwriting Manager for Acuity and has been on the SSC Board of Directors since 2017.
He believes SSC works hard to provide excellence and be the facility of choice for Sheboygan County, but 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."
PERRY FRITZ
VICE CHAIR
Vice Chair
Committees: Finance, Governance and Executive
Perry Fritz is the IT Manager - Enterprise at Rockline Industries and has been on the SSC Board of Directors since 2015.
He is part of a local organization called Finance and Trustees – St Luke Church.
What he looks most forward to doing while serving on the SSC board is to gain a better understanding of Sheboygan’s senior population and trying to help SSC become a great place.
PASTOR CINDY THOMPSON
SECRETARY
Secretary
Committees: Finance, Outreach and Executive
Cindy Thompson is the Pastor of St. Luke United Methodist Church and has been on the SSC Board of Directors since 2015.
She is part of local organizations such as: St. Luke UMC, Sheboygan area ministerial association, and Wisconsin UMC Connectional Table Executive Committee
What she looks most forward to doing while serving on the SSC board is to help navigate decisions that will chart the course for the future of the organization.
LARRY M. SAMET
TREASURER
Treasurer
Committees: Executive, Campus Development and Finance
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.
DAVID VAN DE WATER
Committees: Finance and Campus Development
David Van De Water is an Attorney at Law at Gruhle, Fessler & Van De Water and has been on the SSC Board of Directors since 2017.
He is part of a number of local organizations such as: Supreme Court of Wisconsin OLR District Investigative Committee, St. Nicholas Hospital, Rainbow Kids Foundation, Y.M.C.A. Horizon Club, Wisconsin Law Foundation, St. Nicholas Hospital Ethics Committee, Sheboygan County Humane Society, Bay-Lakes Council, Boy Scouts of America, Salvation Army Legal Aid Clinic, and more.
MEG TRAGER
Committees: Outreach and Campus Development
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.
TOM BRICKLEY
Committees: Outreach and Campus Development
Tom Brickley works at Commerce State Bank 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.
BRIAN CHILDS
DAMON WENIG
Committees: Outreach and Campus Development
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.
CONNIE THIMMIG
Committees: Campus Development & Governance
Connie works at Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice and has been on the SSC Board of Directors since 2021.
Local organization involvement: Alzheimer’s Association, St. Mark Lutheran Church, Dementia Care Network of Sheboygan County
What I look forward to most while serving on the Board is the ability to contribute to the health and well-being of seniors within our community and to be a resource for hospice and dementia education, which helps support the caregivers and residents of Sheboygan Senior Community and, in turn, advances its mission.
EMILY RENDALL ARAUJO
Committees: Outreach
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
Committees: Governance
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.