Executive FWSP Board
Chrissy Oelke - President
Born and raised in Beaver Dam, Chrissy has fond memories of parking alongside Highway 49 on the north side of Horicon Marsh to watch the great Canada Goose migration. But really that was the extent of her outdoor adventures, who knew years later a career in banking would be the kickstart to connecting her to nature. Horicon Bank is vested in its communities and is closely branded with Horicon Marsh. Through the Bank she was introduced to the Friends of Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center. Chrissy developed a passion for volunteerism and a deep appreciation for the natural wonder right in her backyard. Being in such close proximity to home and work, she’s known to take strolls at the Marsh to soak in its grand splendor and maybe a picture or two (or twelve). She continues to volunteer her time and talents with the Friends of Horicon Marsh serving as Treasurer and set to rejoin their Board in 2023, where she previously served as President for 6 years. Chrissy was honored to be invited to the FWSP board in 2021, and currently serves as President and member of the Membership and Services Committee. Chrissy continues to reside in Beaver Dam with her husband and teenage son continually advocating for all to get out and experience nature around our beautiful State. (Contact Information)
Jan Primus - Treasurer
Jan Primus is currently the President of the Friends of Mirror Lake State Park. She has been camping at Mirror Lake State Park since the early 1980s and has been part of the Friends group for the past 5 years. Jan is a tax consultant at Suby VanHaden & Associates in Madison and has worked there for the past 15 years. Before that, she was the Director of Operations for the Graduate School of Banking at UW-Madison for 18 years. Jan is very active at Bethel Area Lutheran Church in Madison and is currently the Secretary for the Bethel Community Foundation. (Contact Information)
Jerome (Jerry) Leiterman - Secretary
Jerry Leiterman joined the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks (FWSP) Board of Directors in November 2017. He grew up in a small rural community outside of Green Bay, Wisconsin. As a teenager, he was introduced to natural resources and outdoor recreation through scouting and visiting state parks which influenced him to pursue a career in park and recreation administration and resource management. Recently retired, Jerry worked for more than 36 years for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources at numerous state parks and forests in frontline and management positions ending his career as the Northeast District Parks, Forests, and Trails Supervisor. As a board member of FWSP, Jerry will advocate for the Wisconsin State Park System to continue to provide meaningful outdoor recreation experiences for individuals, families and groups at affordable prices. He values providing opportunities for a wide range of recreational pursuits on public lands using a balanced approach to minimize user conflicts and the protection of natural resources for future generations. Jerry serves on the executive, board development, and policy committees.
Jerry and his wife, Sharon, live in Mercer, Wisconsin, and have two grown sons. In retirement, he enjoys biking, cross-country skiing, fishing, hiking, hunting, traveling, and the ongoing training of their two golden retrievers. He is the treasurer for the Mercer Cross-Country Ski Club and a volunteer for Historicorp, a non-profit organization that partners with state and federal agencies to preserve historical structures on public lands. Jerry can be contacted at: jeromeleiterman@gmail.com
Randall Paske - Vice President
Randall Paske has been visiting and camping in Wisconsin State Parks since the age of 11. Paske has tented, camped in a pop-up camper, and a 27-foot travel trailer. He has also backpacked in the lower part of the Ice Age Trail and traveled extensively in the United States, Canada, and Alaska. Randall was a sixth-grade teacher in Wisconsin from 1968, until he retired in 2002.
Randall Paske has been visiting and camping in Wisconsin State Parks since the age of 11. Paske has tented, camped in a pop-up camper, and a 27-foot travel trailer. He has also backpacked in the lower part of the Ice Age Trail and traveled extensively in the United States, Canada, and Alaska. Randall was a sixth-grade teacher in Wisconsin from 1968, until he retired in 2002.
He was born and raised in the south-central area of the state and then went on to live and work in the urban southeastern part of Wisconsin. He and his wife are enjoying the bluffs of the Mississippi River in Prairie du Chien where they now live.
Randall and his wife have served as Camp hosts at Wyalusing State Park from 2002 -2009. They have also been camp hosts at other Wisconsin State Parks and state parks in Michigan.
They have been members of the Friends of Wyalusing State Park since 1959, and Randall is the vice president, treasurer of the group. He also has managed the concession stand at Wyalusing State Park and enjoys visiting with other campers and park visitors.
He is the author of the Friends of Wyalusing Blog which contains over 110 entries and over 500 photographs of the park. This site has videos of events that he created, trail videos, and virtual tours of the park. He also is involved in promoting Facebook and Twitter. Randall attended the FWSP workshops. His photographs have won the Annual Awards. He is a past recipient of Volunteer of the year. Randy has also presented at The Friends of Wisconsin State Parks Annual meetings.
Randall and his wife have served as Camp hosts at Wyalusing State Park from 2002 -2009. They have also been camp hosts at other Wisconsin State Parks and state parks in Michigan.
They have been members of the Friends of Wyalusing State Park since 1959, and Randall is the vice president, treasurer of the group. He also has managed the concession stand at Wyalusing State Park and enjoys visiting with other campers and park visitors.
He is the author of the Friends of Wyalusing Blog which contains over 110 entries and over 500 photographs of the park. This site has videos of events that he created, trail videos, and virtual tours of the park. He also is involved in promoting Facebook and Twitter. Randall attended the FWSP workshops. His photographs have won the Annual Awards. He is a past recipient of Volunteer of the year. Randy has also presented at The Friends of Wisconsin State Parks Annual meetings.
He is the current chair of the FWSP Outreach Committee. (Contact Information)
Jan Primus - Treasurer
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Jerome (Jerry) Leiterman - Secretary
Jerry Leiterman joined the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks (FWSP) Board of Directors in November 2017. He grew up in a small rural community outside of Green Bay, Wisconsin. As a teenager, he was introduced to natural resources and outdoor recreation through scouting and visiting state parks which influenced him to pursue a career in park and recreation administration and resource management. Recently retired, Jerry worked for more than 36 years for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources at numerous state parks and forests in frontline and management positions ending his career as the Northeast District Parks, Forests, and Trails Supervisor. As a board member of FWSP, Jerry will advocate for the Wisconsin State Park System to continue to provide meaningful outdoor recreation experiences for individuals, families and groups at affordable prices. He values providing opportunities for a wide range of recreational pursuits on public lands using a balanced approach to minimize user conflicts and the protection of natural resources for future generations. Jerry serves on the executive, board development, and policy committees.
Jerry and his wife, Sharon, live in Mercer, Wisconsin, and have two grown sons. In retirement, he enjoys biking, cross-country skiing, fishing, hiking, hunting, traveling, and the ongoing training of their two golden retrievers. He is the treasurer for the Mercer Cross-Country Ski Club and a volunteer for Historicorp, a non-profit organization that partners with state and federal agencies to preserve historical structures on public lands. Jerry can be contacted at: jeromeleiterman@gmail.com
