Executive Committee
2018-19 Executive Committee Members
Terri Phillips
Executive Director
swsaexecdirector@gmail.com
Term: Ongoing
Mark Hansen
Co-Chair
hansenm@elmbrookschools.org
Superintendent
Elmbrook School District
Term: Ends June 30, 2020
Sharon Muehlfeld
Co-Chair
muehlfsh@wauwatosa.k12.wi.us
Board Member
Wauwatosa School District
Term: Ends June 30, 2019
Larry Dux
Co-Chair Elect
larry.dux@froedtert.com
School Board Member
Pewaukee
Term: Ends June 30, 2021
John Thomsen
Regional Representative
Region 1
john.thomsen@wfbschools.com
Superintendent
Whitefish Bay
Term: Ends June 30, 2021
Lisa Elliott
Regional Representative
Region 2
lelliott@greenfield.k12.wi.us
Superintendent
Greenfield
Term: Ends June 30, 2021
Faith Vanderhorst
Regional Representative
Region 3
FVanderhorst@sdmfschools.org
School Board Member
Menomonee Falls
Term: Ends June 30, 2019
Marty Lexmond
Regional Representative
Region 4
lexmondm@wawm.k12.wi.us
Superintendent
West Allis-West Milwaukee
Term: Ends June 30, 2019
Chris Thiel
Regional Representative
Region 5
thielcj@milwaukee.k12.wi.us
Legislative Policy Director
Milwaukee Public Schools
Term: Ongoing
Ramie Zelenkova
Legislative Liaison
rzelenkova@hwz-gov.com
Hubbard Wilson & Zelenkova
Term: Ongoing
Blaise Paul
Fiscal Agent
bpaul@sdsm.k12.wi.us
Business Manager
South Milwaukee
Term: Ongoing
The Executive Committee of the Board
The Executive Committee of the Board is comprised of:

Executive Director

Co-Chairs (x2)

Co-Chairperson Elect

Regional Representatives (x5)

Fiscal Agent

Chief Lobbyist
The Alliance runs with a small paid staff. The Executive Director is a part-time paid position to support the organization including communication, planning, and a general support role. Ramie Zelenkova, with Hubbard, Wilson & Zelenkova, is also part of the paid staff and serves as the legislative liaison.
The SWSA Executive Director serves as the chairperson of the Executive Committee. Regions have been established to provide a regional perspective and be based on geographical location. The regions are: northeast, northwest, southeast, southwest, and MPS. The regions are established and reviewed annually by the Executive Committee. Each region shall select their Regional Representative and may determine how their representative is selected.
The terms of each individual on the Executive Committee shall be for three years. The role of the Executive Committee includes hiring and evaluating the Executive Director, reviewing any proposed bylaw changes, guide and lead strategic planning for the organization, draft positions for the full board, assist in lobbying efforts, serve as link to membership, convey concerns regarding legislative or operational issues, establish the budget, and assist with research and reports for the SWSA.
The Executive Committee meets monthly to set direction and guidance for the organization and take any proposed bylaw changes, fiscal matters, and legislative proposals and/or positions to the full board for approval.
