Board of Directors

YLA is led by a group of up to 16 Board of Directors elected by our membership. Our directors are all lake property owners who share the common goal of improving our lake experience. They actively serve on a variety of lake-oriented committees and boards to represent our membership.

2023 Officers

President – Jim St. Vincent
President Elect –
Secretary – Eric Olson
Treasurer – Fritz Wenzel
Past President – Scott Seymour

2023 Board Members

Stuart Allbaugh - Lake Waubesa
John Bottorff - Lake Kegonsa
Keith Comstock - Lake Kegonsa
Tamara Knickmeier - Lake Waubesa
Allan Levin - Lake Mendota
Eric Olson - Lake Kegonsa
Dick Pearson - Lake Mendota
Britt Reynolds - Lake Monona
Kathy Schlimgen - Lake Mendota
Paul Searles - Lake Monona
Scott Seymour - Lake Monona
Dave Silverberg - Lake Waubesa
Jim St. Vincent - Lake Waubesa
Frederick “Fritz” Wenzel - Lake Monona

Get to Know Your Board Members…

Stuart Allbaugh

Stuart has lived on Lake Waubesa in McFarland since ’91 and has been a member of YLA since ‘92. Stuart enjoys gardening with his wife Bonnie, hiking, fishing, SCUBA, photography, sailing out of Point Loma with his daughter Gaylin and son-in-law Michael. H received his BS from UW-Platteville in 1968 and a MS from UW-Madison in Behavioral Disabilities, 1969. He served in the United States Marine Corps 1962–1966, as a teacher -1970-2001 and the State of Wisconsin DOA ’04-‘14. He is an active member of American Legion, Marines’ Memorial Association, WIAA Master’s Swim Official, Southwest Swim Officials Association, Wisconsin Master Gardeners’ Olbrich Gardens.

Tamara Knickmeier

Tamara grew up on the south shore of Lake Waubesa.  In 1990 she and her husband Dan purchased their home on the same shoreline. “We love living on the lake and enjoy all the wonderful activities lake living offers.  Along with the fun of being on the lake comes a responsibility for taking care of this beautiful resource.” With that in mind, in 2009 Tamara joined the board of the Lake Waubesa Conservation Association and became Treasurer in 2010 and continue in that role today. 

Tamara worked for American Family Insurance for 25 years and retired in 2018 as a Director in Information Services.  She has an Associate Degree in Computer Programming from Madison College and a BS in Business Management from Edgewood College.  In retirement Tamara has more time to pursue her interests which include: adventure travel, making a difference in our environment and mentoring with Big Brothers and Big Sisters.  She also enjoys: skiing (all types),  kayaking, swimming, hiking, biking, triathlons, golf, SCUBA diving and surfing. 

Allan Levin

Allan came to Madison in 1969 after 13 years in Chicago attending Northwestern University, medical school and residency training. He also served in the Navy for two years during the Viet Nam war. Allan was on the faculty of the University of Wisconsin and retired as a Professor of Neurological Surgery. He began sailing on Lake Mendota soon after arriving in Madison, first in an Oday Mariner. In 1978 he purchased a Hunter 27. In 2013 this boat was donated to Wisconsin Hoofers as he downsized to a Hunter 22, which he sails with his son Jeremy. He also sails and races on another son’s boat in Chicago. During the winter, when conditions allow, Allan enjoys sailing his Iceboat.

Eric Olson

Eric has a long history with Stoughton and Lake Kegonsa. When growing up in Stoughton, he and his family spent many hours in their motorboat on the lake. After living in Colorado for a number of years, Eric moved back to Stoughton to work with his father’s business, Olson Builders. In 2007, he became a realtor, and currently manages the Stoughton Office of Bunbury & Associates, Realtors.

Eric is very active in the Stoughton community. He is a Supervisor on the Town of Pleasant Springs Board and is also on the Friends of Lake Kegonsa Society’s (FOLKS) Board where he also runs FOLKS’ Facebook and Twitter sites.

After deciding they wanted to live on Lake Kegonsa, Eric and his family looked for 2 years for the perfect location. In 2000, they purchased lake property and built an important building, a boathouse. A couple of years later, their current home was finished and since then they have enjoyed living on the lake. Both Eric and his son are avid water skiers and swimmers and they are in or out on the lake as much as possible.

Eric’s dedication to improving the area lakes led him to join the Yahara Lakes Association Board. When asked what he would like focus on to improve the lakes, Eric said he is interested in improving the lake level management practices of the Yahara lakes and dealing with aquatic plants.

Richard Pearson

Richard is the fourth generation of Pearsons on the same Lake Mendota lakeshore property, dating back to his great-grandfather’s 1853 dairy farm. Dick and his wife Noel replaced the home he grew up in with a Wright-inspired home designed for them to live out their years there. Dick and his family have always made extensive use of the lakes—sailing, water-skiing, fishing on both water and ice. Dick’s son Rick was a barefooter on the Mad-City Ski Team and a member of the University of Southern California water ski team.

Dick remembers his father’s sadness in the last years of his life in the late 50’s and early 60’s as he witnessed increasing weed and algae growth. Dick and his family are excited at the distinct possibility that the disappointing trend will actually be reversed. “My father would be thrilled to experience electric trolling motors, quiet outboards, and cleaner water,” says Dick. “The 2012 drought showed us that reduced runoff resulted in less algae in the same year. This proves to me that runoff control may actually produce better results that we think”, he says. After 25 years as Principal of Pearson Engineering, Dick is now a partially retired HVAC engineer, and enjoying more use of the lakes, as well as more time to devote to many community activities, including Yahara Lakes (BOD), Clean Lakes, Downtown Rotary (BOD), Wisconsin Foundation for School Music (BOD), and as a boating volunteer at the Iron Man competition. Dick has sailed over 5000 miles of ocean crossings with a good friend who has circumnavigated the globe, but he always enjoys returning to his home on the lake.

“I am pleased the Yahara Lakes Association is able to pool resources with Clean Lakes Associates for the greater good of the lakes and the community.”

Scott Seymour

Scott Seymour grew up in Madison area having graduated from Edgewood High School and UW Madison. After completing law school, he started work at American Family Insurance. He has been with the company for 33 years in different positions, currently as the Vice President of Government Affairs and Corporate Compliance. Five years ago, Scott and Vicki purchased a home on Lake Monona on Tonyawatha Trail. Boating, paddle boarding, cross-country skiing and fly-fishing, especially in the fall for Muskie, are some of their favorite lake activates. Scott also was surprised how the lake “became a dog park: in the winter. The migratory birds in the spring and fall are exciting to see, especially a pair of loons who stop by for a short stay.” Scott said, “Although important in the short term, weed cutting and dredging are treating they symptoms. Better control of run off is key to improving the quality of our lakes. We need to work with local governments and facilitate public and private partnerships to get things done.”

Dave Silverberg

Dave was born in Madison WI and grew up on the Madison chain of lakes. His Grandparents lived on Lake Mendota. He began sailing with his father Joe as a toddler. Dave waterskied in high school on friends’ powerboats (his dad calls them Stinkpots as only a true sailor will). Dave began windsurfing on Lakes Waubesa and Mendota in the 80s. In 1992 he purchased a Ski Nautique as his first power boat. In 2005, Dave and his family bought a house on Lake Waubesa, which they still own. Dave just sold his MC scow and currently owns a ski boat, fishing boat, Jet Ski, kayak, SUP and several windsurfers, most of which he uses regularly. It is safe to say that Dave loves the Yahara chain of lakes.

Dave graduated from Madison West High School and the University of Wisconsin, Madison School of Business with BBA in Finance and Management. He purchased QualiTemps from his dad in 1985. He has worked at QualiTemps and The QTI Group in various sales and management positions from 1980 to the present. Dave remains a partner in the QTI group. His board experience includes the Wisconsin Association of Staffing Services, TempNet, and the Jewish Federation of Madison. He is married to Betsy Huebel and has two children; Hailey (31) who lives in Manhattan and Sam (22) who attends the UW Madison.

Jim St. Vincent

Jim was named Senior Vice President of Human Resources in July of 2018, previously having been appointed Chief Human Resource Officer in 2017.

In July of 2013, the Board approved Jim as the Vice President of Human Resources, including accountability for talent acquisition, talent management, compensation, benefits, employee relations, organization effectiveness, and HR business enterprise coordination across operating companies.

Jim began his career with American Family as an internal auditor in 1984, and has held ten different positions in five different divisions.

Jim earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, with a major in Accounting and minor in Computer Science.

Active in both professional and community organizations, Jim currently serves on the Advisory Board for the Dane County Salvation Army.

Marketing & Membership

Chaired by Jim St. Vincent; Examples of activities: Plan & Coordinate Events, Recommend Website Improvements, Plan and send out monthly newsletters, Coordinate Membership Drive.

Water Quality, Lake Levels & Flow

Chaired by Eric Olson; Examples of activities: Liaison with County Land & Water Management, Liaison with County Lakes & Watershed Commission, Monitor and advocate for lake levels & water quality.

Legislative & Legal

Chaired by Scott Seymour; Examples of activities: Monitor Legislation and regulation affecting shoreline property owners, Develop and recommend policy positions to the YLA Board of Directors, Advocate to public officials regarding YLA policy positions.

 BY LAWS YAHARA LAKES ASSOCIATION, LTD.
Dane County, Wisconsin

ARTICLE I: DECLARATION

SECTION 1. PURPOSE This Association is organized for the purpose of improving and preserving the lakes and rivers in the Yahara chain of lakes in south central Wisconsin, representing the interests of shoreline property owners and advocating for the vitality of the Yahara chain of lakes so that all citizens may enjoy them; and to this end to engage in any lawful business or purpose for which non-stock corporations may be organized under Chapter 181 of the Wisconsin statutes.

SECTION 2. NAME This organization is incorporated under the laws of the State of Wisconsin and is named the Yahara Lakes Association, Ltd.

SECTION 3. LOCATION This Association's principal office shall be in the County of Dane, State of Wisconsin.

SECTION 4. LIMITATION OF METHODS This Association shall be non-profit, non-partisan and non-sectarian.

SECTION 5. NO CAPITAL STOCK This Association shall be without capital stock and no dividends or pecuniary profits shall accrue to the members.

ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1. ELIGIBILITY All persons, corporations, partnerships, or associations with private riparian (see Webster's) rights on the various lakes and rivers of the Yahara Watershed within Dane County shall be eligible to apply for membership. Corporate memberships need not meet riparian rights requirement.

SECTION 2. DURATION Membership shall be on a calendar year basis. Any member may resign by giving notice to the Secretary or administrative staff via mail or by generally accepted electronic means. The amount of dues required by members may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. Each membership shall have one vote.

ARTICLE III: MEETINGS

SECTION 1. ANNUAL MEETING An annual meeting of the membership shall be held at a time and place determined by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 2. SPECIAL MEETINGS Special meetings of the membership may be called at any time by the President, a majority of the Board of Directors or upon the written applications of ten (10) or more members in good standing. Applications for such meetings are to be sent to the President.

SECTION 3. QUORUM Five percent (5%) of the voting membership in person or represented by proxy shall constitute a quorum at the annual meeting.

SECTION 4. PROXY A member in good standing may vote by proxy at any meeting. Proxies must be filed with the Secretary of the Association before they may be voted.

SECTION 5. NOTICE Notice of the annual meeting shall be given by regular mail or by generally acceptable electronic means and said notice shall be sent at least ten (10) days prior to such meeting to each member. Notice of any special meetings shall be given in the same manner. The notice of each meeting shall also include the purpose of the meeting.

ARTICLE IV: BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SECTION 1. NUMBER The government of this Association, the direction of its work and control of its assets shall be vested in a Board of Directors, the number and length of term, generally and individually, determined by the Board and reviewed from time to time, consisting of members drawn so far as possible from geographical and political areas to assure that the various lake and river areas in the Yahara Watershed in Dane County will be fairly represented and so that a broad range of interest is represented by the Board. All Directors shall be regular riparian members of the Association, in good standing. In addition, the President shall, at the expiration of their term of office, continue as an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors for a period of one (1) year.

SECTION 2. MEETINGS The Board shall hold meetings at such times as the Board may determine; or as may be called by the President, or if unavailable the Vice President, or upon the request of five (5) members of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 4. VACANCIES In the event of a resignation, death or removal for any cause of any elected Officer or Director of the Association, the President, with confirmation of the Board of Directors, shall appoint a successor to serve the unexpired term.

SECTION 5. QUORUM Six (6) members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum of the Board at any regular meeting.

SECTION 6. NOTICE OF MEETINGS The President or administrative staff shall send a notice at least five (5) days in advance to each member of the Board of Directors before all regular meetings and special meetings.

SECTION 7. REMOVAL Any Director or Officer may be removed at any time at a special meeting of the board of directors of the corporation, called for such purpose, with a quorum present, by the affirmative vote of the majority of those present.

SECTION 8. SELECTION OF DIRECTORS Prior to September 1, each year, the President shall designate three (3) individuals from the board of directors to serve as the Nominating Committee.

Prior to October 1, each year, the Nominating Committee shall present to the President a slate of six (6) candidates to replace the directors whose three-year terms are expiring. The Committee shall have confirmed the fact by personal contact that the candidates are willing to accept directorship responsibility.

Prior to November 1, each year, the President, with the assistance of the Board of Directors, shall have reviewed the report of the Nominating Committee and have notified the membership by regular mail or by generally acceptable electronic means of the name and address of those individuals nominated for director. Included in the notification shall be a ballot listing the nominees and providing space for four (4) write-in candidates. Included also shall be notification that ballots shall be returned to the official mailing address of the Association or recorded by generally accepted electronic means no later than December 1 at which time ballots will be counted by the nominating committee or administrative staff.

Upon completion of the counting, the nominating committee or administrative staff shall report to the Board via generally accepted electronic method. At the first scheduled meeting of the year, the new Directors shall be declared elected by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE V: OFFICERS

The Board of Directors shall, at the first scheduled meeting of the year , elect from the ranks of the Board the following general officers who shall serve for a one-year (1) term commencing January 1: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Selection may be handled either in an open meeting of the Board or following the report of the nominating committee. Duly elected directors shall be qualified to be elected to office.

ARTICLE VI: DUTIES OF OFFICERS

SECTION 1. PRESIDENT The President is the chief officer of the Association and shall make certain that policies and programs established by the Board are put into action and carried out in an effective manner and shall preside at all general membership meetings of the Association and Board of Directors meetings. The President shall recommend to the Board such policies and procedures as he or she may deem appropriate. The President shall with the Secretary sign all official documents.

SECTION 2. VICE PRESIDENT The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in the event of absence and perform such other duties as may be delegated by the President or the Board of Directors. The Vice President shall also serve as President-Elect and shall serve as President of the corporation the succeeding year.

SECTION 3. SECRETARY The Secretary, with the President, shall sign all official documents of the Association except as provided in Article VIII, Section 2. They, in conjunction with administrative staff, shall see that minutes and other important records and documents of the Association are kept in good order and so shall perform such other duties as may be delegated by the President or the Board of Directors.

SECTION 4. TREASURER The Treasurer shall supervise the books of the Association, make reports to the Board of Directors at frequent intervals and perform such other duties as may be delegated by the President or the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES

SECTION 1. APPOINTMENT The President shall appoint all committees of the Association after consultation with the Board of Directors.

SECTION 2. AUTHORITY OF COMMITTEES No standing or special committee of the Association shall represent the Association in an advocacy of or opposition to any project without the specific authorization of the Board of Directors or such authorization as may be clearly granted under general powers delegated by the Board of Directors to that committee.

SECTION 3. COMMITTEE MEETINGS Meetings of the committees may be called at any time by the Chair of such committees or by the President of the Association.

SECTION 4. VACANCIES The President shall appoint replacements for vacancies on any committee.

SECTION 5. SERVICE All members of committees, unless removed for cause by the President or the Board of Directors, shall serve for one (1) year or until the purpose for which appointments were made has been accomplished.

SECTION 6. DISCHARGE OF COMMITTEES The President or Board of Directors may at any time discharge any committee, standing or special, from further consideration of any matter previously submitted to it.

SECTION 7. MEMBERSHIP Members of committees appointed by the President of the Board of Directors do not necessarily have to be members of the Association; however, the Chairs of all committees shall be members in good standing.

ARTICLE VIII: FINANCE

SECTION 1. DUES Dues shall be set by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 2. DISBURSEMENTS No obligation or expenses shall be incurred and no monies shall be appropriated without prior approval of the Board of Directors. All disbursements shall be made by check or electronic transfer. Disbursements specifically identified in an approved and current budget may be executed by any one (1) officer of the Association or a specially designated administrative staff. All other disbursements shall require approval of two officers. Bank and Financial Statements shall be reviewed periodically, at least quarterly, by the Treasurer.

SECTION 3. CONTRACTS No contracts shall be made except upon the authority of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 4. FISCAL YEAR The fiscal year of the Association shall be from January 1 through December 31.

ARTICLE IX: PARLIAMENTARY RULES

The proceedings of the Association shall be governed by and conducted according to Robert's Rules of Order as revised, except as it may be in conflict with these articles.

ARTICLE X: AMENDMENTS

These Bylaws may be amended as provided by Ch. 181 of the Wisconsin statutes. Bylaws may be amended by a 2/3 majority of the Board of Directors via electronic vote or vote at a Board of Directors Meeting.

ARTICLE XI: DISSOLUTION

The Yahara Lakes Association, Ltd., shall use its funds only to accomplish the object and purpose specified in these Bylaws and no part of said funds shall incur or be distributed to the members of the Association unless to repay funds authorized and advanced on behalf of the organization. Upon dissolution of the Association, any funds remaining shall be distributed to one or more regularly organized and qualified charitable, educational, scientific or philanthropic organization to be selected by the Board of Directors.

RJP:abm 9/17/2012

CAG 7/17/2013

CAG 10/16/2013

CF 11/17/2013

CF 11/19/13

CAG 03/26/2014

CAG 04/22/2014