Governance
The PCLA was founded by Steve Heimerman in 2013. Jim Lamers served as PCLA Board Chair from 2016-2023 and Past-Chair until 2024. Mary Longlais served as Treasurer from 2013-2024. Steve and Jim set up the association and put in place the aeration systems and water quality monitoring programs. We are forever grateful to Steve and Jim and Mary and the many volunteers who have supported PCLA activities.
PCLA is a non-profit 501(c)3 membership organization with charitable status in the State of Wisconsin. The organization is managed by an Board, which is elected at the annual Members meeting. Board members serve 2-year terms.
The Board has a monthly meeting, during which it plans fundraising activities and oversees various activities including aerator maintenance, water quality testing, Clean Boats Clean Water Program, and AIS monitoring. The Board prepares an annual budget, which is reviewed at the Annual Members Meeting, and operates following that budget.
Elections
The Board is elected by the Association membership at the PCLA Annual Members meeting. The Board includes the Officers President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer; four at-large Directors; and the past-President. At least one member of the Board is from each of the three lakes in the Association. At the discretion of the Board of Directors, additional at-large Directors can be added to the Board of Directors if interest exists, not to exceed a maximum of eight at-large positions.
PCLA Officers
President: Drew Zelle (Smoke Lake) 2023-2027
Treasurer: Pari Schilz (Pickerel Lake Flowage) 2024-2026
Secretary: Laure Haak (Pickerel Lake) 2023-2027
At Large Directors
Mae Enz (Smoke Lake) 2025-2027
Brigitte Janos (Smoke Lake) 2023-2027
Laura Komperda (Pickerel Lake) 2025-2027
Mike Schilz (Pickerel Lake Flowage) 2022-2026
Dennis van Handel (Pickerel Lake) 2022-2026
Mike van Handel (Pickerel Lake) 2022-2026
Board Committees
The Executive Committee (chair, Drew Zelle) includes all Board Officers. The Committee is responsible for the Lake Management Plan, oversight of all grant-making activities, and identifying the PCLA Oconto County Lakes and Waters Association (OCLAWA) representative.
The Audit Committee (chair, TBD) is comprised of up to three unrelated and impartial Association Members who will review the financial transactions of the Association within 3 months of the close of the fiscal year and assure that all receipts, expenses, and accounts are appropriate. They will also audit any major fundraising activity upon the conclusion of such activity
The Aeration Project Committee (co-chairs Jim Lamers and Mike van Handel) maintains aerator installations as a practical solution to the historic winter kill problem on our lakes. They engage with DNR representatives, engineering firms, other aerator system lake groups, etc., to determine what systems and what locations will give us the best chance for sustaining appropriate levels of dissolved oxygen for over-winter survival, as well as fish stocking plans. The Aeration and Fishery Committee is responsible for aerators, including annual letter to Members, maintenance, installation, poles and reflectors, monitoring, and take-out. The Committee makes a report on aerators and recommendations for fish stocking at the Annual Membership Meeting.
The Water Quality Committee (chair, Laure Haak) is responsible for Citizens Lake Monitoring Network (CLMN) water quality testing, Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) monitoring, and the Clean Boats Clean Waters (CBCW) program, including recruiting and training inspectors, submitting the annual CBCW grant, requesting approval from the Members for annual expenditures for the CBCW inspector program, entering all CLMN, AIS, and CBCW data into SWIMS, and submitting end of year reports to the DNR to qualify for reimbursement. The Committee makes a report on water quality, AIS, and inspection plans at the Annual Membership Meeting. The Committee shall offer proposals to the Board regarding water quality management, algae control, and ecological management of Pickerel Lake, Smoke Lake, and Little Pickerel Lake.
The Fundraising Committee (chair, Michelle Zelle) recommends fundraising and social activities to the Board and, after receiving Board approval, plans and organizes such activities, coordinates fundraising targets with the Executive Committee, and is responsible for reporting fundraising results at the Annual Membership Meeting.