Board and Staff

 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 serves as the Swiss Center's 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 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 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 

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 served as Board Chair for many years at the Swiss Center.  

 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 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.

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

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.