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Board and Staff
John T. Etter: Board Chair
John T. Etter: Board Chair
John T. Etter: Board Chair
Of Swiss descent, John T. Etter has 20+ years experience in the financial services industry. John has been a Vice President of a large Eastern financial services company, American General Manager for an international firm, and owner/entrepreneur involved in distribution. He is involved in several startup companies formed out of research
Of Swiss descent, John T. Etter has 20+ years experience in the financial services industry. John has been a Vice President of a large Eastern financial services company, American General Manager for an international firm, and owner/entrepreneur involved in distribution. He is involved in several startup companies formed out of research at the University of Wisconsin Madison. He has been Board Chair for most of his time as a Director of the Swiss Center.
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Frederic Behrens: Treasurer
John T. Etter: Board Chair
John T. Etter: Board Chair
Frederic Behrens was raised in a Swiss-American household. Growing up with a father from Switzerland and a mother from rural Pennsylvania has instilled a strong sense of Swiss culture and heritage. Frederic is an international investment advisor at Round Table Wealth Management in New York, NY. He advises American expats and cross-border
Frederic Behrens was raised in a Swiss-American household. Growing up with a father from Switzerland and a mother from rural Pennsylvania has instilled a strong sense of Swiss culture and heritage. Frederic is an international investment advisor at Round Table Wealth Management in New York, NY. He advises American expats and cross-border families with connections to Switzerland, Great Britain, and Hong Kong on tax and financial matters. He serves as Swiss Center of North America's Board treasurer.
Jane C.Maurer: Secretary
John T. Etter: Board Chair
Jane C.Maurer: Secretary
Jane C. Maurer has a double masters degree in Archival Sciences and Historical Preservation. She feels the mission of the Swiss Center falls within the realm of her studies and her lifelong love of family history. She wants to share her skills and experience and training as a member of the Board. Jane has worked more than 25 years in h
Jane C. Maurer has a double masters degree in Archival Sciences and Historical Preservation. She feels the mission of the Swiss Center falls within the realm of her studies and her lifelong love of family history. She wants to share her skills and experience and training as a member of the Board. Jane has worked more than 25 years in higher education, and is Learning Management System Administrator at Southern New Hampshire University. She serves as Board Secretary
Ed Brand: Director
Shawn Faessler: Director
Shawn Faessler: Director
Ed Brand is a Product Sales Specialist at Fluke Biomedical. He is also a dual Swiss and American citizen. Ed provides strong sales and marketing experience to his board position as well as his passion for his Swiss heritage which he supports in so many ways including singing with the Jodel Club New Glarus, New Glarus Maennerchor and playing the alphorn.
Shawn Faessler: Director
Shawn Faessler: Director
Shawn Faessler: Director
Shawn is a third-generation Swiss-American. He was immersed in Swiss culture from a very young age, has passed his Swiss citizenship to his children, and stays connected with his Swiss relatives. Shawn also volunteers for scouting and for the limb-loss community. Professionally, Shawn has over 20 years of experience as a mechanical engineer and project manager.
Terry Goetz: Director
Shawn Faessler: Director
Terry Goetz: Director
A Monroe, Wisconsin native who spent almost 50 years in Colorado before returning to Wisconsin, Terry Goetz became more interested in her Swiss heritage as time went by. As a member and past President of Turner Hall in Monroe, she was highly involved in promoting Swiss-ness through activities and special events. She hopes to use these ski
A Monroe, Wisconsin native who spent almost 50 years in Colorado before returning to Wisconsin, Terry Goetz became more interested in her Swiss heritage as time went by. As a member and past President of Turner Hall in Monroe, she was highly involved in promoting Swiss-ness through activities and special events. She hopes to use these skills to help promote awareness of the Swiss Center, it’s activities, and it’s part in the Big Picture of Swiss American history, culture and the future.
Greg Long: Director
Donald G. Tritt: Honorary Director
Dan Zimmerman, M.D. Director
Greg Long is a Wisconsin native and has an Anthropology degree from Beloit College. His passion is the study and preservation of folk cultures, especially the Swiss-American story. He is active in the New Glarus Jodlerklub, Männerchor, and Alphorns; founded the Glarner Jassverein (card-playing club); plays bass and Schwyzerörgeli for D'
Greg Long is a Wisconsin native and has an Anthropology degree from Beloit College. His passion is the study and preservation of folk cultures, especially the Swiss-American story. He is active in the New Glarus Jodlerklub, Männerchor, and Alphorns; founded the Glarner Jassverein (card-playing club); plays bass and Schwyzerörgeli for D'Schwiizer Gruppe; and is the leader of the first-ever American Silvesterchlausen group, the Zuckerli Schuppel.
Dan Zimmerman, M.D. Director
Donald G. Tritt: Honorary Director
Dan Zimmerman, M.D. Director
Daniel D. Zimmerman, M.D. is Senior Vice President and Chief Science Advisor for RGA Reinsurance Company. Dan received his medical degree from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. He is also Managing Director of The Longer Life Foundation.This non-for-profit organization funds the study of factors that either
Daniel D. Zimmerman, M.D. is Senior Vice President and Chief Science Advisor for RGA Reinsurance Company. Dan received his medical degree from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. He is also Managing Director of The Longer Life Foundation.This non-for-profit organization funds the study of factors that either predict the mortality and morbidity of select populations, or influence improvements in longevity, health and wellness. Dan lives in Chesterfield, MO but is a New Glarus native with Swiss roots. Dan believes in the preservation of Swiss heritage which was one reason he joined the Board of Directors.
Bekah Stauffacher: President/CEO
Donald G. Tritt: Honorary Director
Donald G. Tritt: Honorary Director
Bekah Stauffacher joined the Swiss Center in 2024. Bekah has an Anthropology degree from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, and spent her 20s as a professional archaeologist and collections supervisor. From 2008-2024, she worked in marketing, tourism, and event planning at the New Glarus Chamber of Commerce and Destination Madison. She lives in New Glarus with her husband and three children.
Donald G. Tritt: Honorary Director
Donald G. Tritt: Honorary Director
Donald G. Tritt: Honorary Director
Born in Columbus, Ohio of Swiss ancestry, Donald G. Tritt is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Denison University in Granville, Ohio. In Columbus he is a member of the Swiss Beneficial Society, a trustee of the Grütli Verein and a life trustee of the Swiss Home Association. He has served the Swiss American Historical Society as a First
Born in Columbus, Ohio of Swiss ancestry, Donald G. Tritt is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Denison University in Granville, Ohio. In Columbus he is a member of the Swiss Beneficial Society, a trustee of the Grütli Verein and a life trustee of the Swiss Home Association. He has served the Swiss American Historical Society as a First Vice President and currently serves as a member of the Advisory Board. Don has been a dedicated supporter of the Swiss Center since its founding.
Duane Freitag: Honorary Director
Duane Freitag: Honorary Director
Duane Freitag: Honorary Director
Duane Freitag has been involved in the Swiss Center for many years including the formative years in the early 2000’s. He became a member of the Board of Directors in 2005. The Greendale, Wisconsin man is a native of New Glarus, Wisconsin. Duane has been active in historical and cultural activities in New Glarus in addition to writing man
Duane Freitag has been involved in the Swiss Center for many years including the formative years in the early 2000’s. He became a member of the Board of Directors in 2005. The Greendale, Wisconsin man is a native of New Glarus, Wisconsin. Duane has been active in historical and cultural activities in New Glarus in addition to writing many articles and books about the Swiss Colony and its impact over the decades
Tom Kuhne: Honorary Director
Duane Freitag: Honorary Director
Duane Freitag: Honorary Director
Tom Kuhne spent 6 1/2 years on the Board of Directors serving a majority of those years as Board Chair. His strong business and technology experience helped guide the Swiss Center through two website upgrades as well as expand into social media. Tom has strong Swiss roots and is a dual citizen of Switzerland and the U.S. Tom is a Digital Media Manager
René Wälti: Honorary Director
Duane Freitag: Honorary Director
René Wälti: Honorary Director
From Boeningen, Canton Bern, René Wälti remains our connection to Canada specifically the Toronto area. René spent six years on the Swiss Center Board. He also is past President of the Toronto Swiss Club, a member of Swiss Theater Group Toronto as well as one of three members of the Trillium Alphorn
Linda Schiesser: Genealogy. History. Scherenschnitte.
Linda Schiesser: Genealogy. History. Scherenschnitte.
Linda Schiesser: Genealogy. History. Scherenschnitte.
Many of you turn to the Swiss Center for genealogy advice. The Swiss Center often turns to Linda Schiesser for her expertise in research and knowledge of families and genealogy. She is also a wealth of knowledge about New Glarus and area history. Linda conducts the popular Scherenschnitte (Swiss paper cutting) classes at the Swiss Center.
Jarryd Lowder: Volunteer Digital Media Producer
Linda Schiesser: Genealogy. History. Scherenschnitte.
Linda Schiesser: Genealogy. History. Scherenschnitte.
An Iowa City, Iowa native, Jarryd Lowder resides in Glarus, Switzerland with his family. Jarryd has many ideas to promote Swiss culture, heritage and roots through today's changing world of multimedia. Catch his beautiful photographs and stories on the Swiss Center's Facebook Page. Jarryd is a photographer for the Glarner Woche newspaper
An Iowa City, Iowa native, Jarryd Lowder resides in Glarus, Switzerland with his family. Jarryd has many ideas to promote Swiss culture, heritage and roots through today's changing world of multimedia. Catch his beautiful photographs and stories on the Swiss Center's Facebook Page. Jarryd is a photographer for the Glarner Woche newspaper and works at Schule an der Linth as a workshop teacher for digital multimedia.
Ruth Anderegg: Volunteer Coordinator
Linda Schiesser: Genealogy. History. Scherenschnitte.
Ruth Anderegg: Volunteer Coordinator
While she is always available for volunteer duties at the Swiss Center, Ruth Anderegg is the driving force behind our successful Polka for the Swiss annual fundraiser. Want to donate or volunteer? Let us know at info@theswisscenter.org
Damion Babler: Fahnenschwingen Instructor
Damion Babler, a member of the New Glarus Jodlerklub and a Fahnenschwinger is teaching area young people the art of Swiss flag throwing. Through a generous grant from the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, the Swiss Center purchased 10 authentic throwing flags from Switzerland and Damion now teaches and promotes the sport of Fahnenschwingen.