Governance

Rich Taylor, WCHM President

Growing up along the shores of Lake Michigan, I had my first canoe experience as a Boy Scout by being tossed out of a canoe and told to swim to shore in order to earn my swimming merit badge. Given that somewhat frightening introduction, many years passed before I had a more positive experience associated with canoeing. While in high school, back in 1968, a guest speaker gave a presentation on canoeing in the unspoiled wilderness of the far north. It was the first time I ever heard the call of a loon - which was all it took to gain my interest – and go on the school-sponsored class trip to Voyager Island at Quetico Park in Ontario, Canada.

Combining my passion for canoeing with the love for the great outdoors, I chose to focus my life’s work on protecting and preserving what waters I could in my area of the world. Obtaining a BS degree in Environmental Health from Indiana State University, I made the choice to work in the oil and chemical industry where I could make a positive difference filling many roles from a Supervisor in a waste water treatment plant to developing and implementing policies and procedures to attain ISO 14001 certification - an international standard of marked and continuous reductions in environmental impact and thus reducing the industry’s carbon footprint - and finally, as a Manager of Health, Safety, Security and Environmental.

During my tenure, a fellow employee and I put together a Wellness Committee, which focused on improving the health of employees – a first of its kind in the 1970’s. This program was so successful at improving the health of workers that it went on to achieve worldwide recognition and is still in place to this day, continuing to make a positive impact on the workplace.

While residing in Northwest Indiana, I also became involved with the March of Dimes for approximately 20 years. Initially as a walker, then as a member of the local chapter, I received many awards as well as eventually serving as chair person of the chapter for 5 years. While my career and charity work did keep me both busy and anchored in Northwest Indiana, there was nary a year that I didn’t also find time to make my way back to the Northwoods to enjoy the fulfilling experience that canoeing brings me.

After attaining 34 years of dedicated service in the Health, Safety, Security and Environmental field, as well as 20 years of involvement with volunteer organizations, I retired to Shell Lake, Wisconsin to be closer to the waters and wilderness that I have loved and to also make a positive difference in the surrounding community.

Besides my involvement with the WCHM, I have also been active in coaching the boy’s basketball team at Shell Lake High School since 2010. I also love photography, fishing, hiking and am an avid rock hound. I became involved with Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum – initially as a Keymaster in 2012 and subsequently as a Board of Director member in 2013.

My greatest hope is that the knowledge, experience and leadership skills that I bring to the table may serve to help protect and preserve not only the history of canoes and this museum, but also help ensure both of their futures!

Jim Czajkowski, Director At-Large

Jim Czajkowski resides with his wife, Joyce, in the Town of Wauzeka, Crawford County, Wisconsin where they have lived for the last 40 years. He is retired from the position of Crawford County Circuit Judge since August of 2016. Prior to that, Jim practiced law in Prairie Du Chien for 35 years and served for 4 years in the US Air Force as a Judge Advocate. During his years on the bench and as a practicing attorney he served on the Wisconsin Bar District VII ethics committee and on the Judicial Juvenile Jury Instructions Committee. Jim has also served with multiple organizations, including the Crawford County Bar Association, the PDC Rotary Club, and the Mississippi Valley Conservancy, a land trust centered in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Jim has agreed to serve the WCHM as chair of the new endowment fund stewardship committee.

Mike Johnson, Director At-Large

Born and raised in the Oshkosh area (Winnebago and Washara Counties). Attended Wild Rose High School (Class of 66 – Go Rosies). Associate Degree in Conservation Technology from Oshkosh Technical Institute, 1968. Forestry technician with WDNR at Flambeau River State Forest, 1968. US Army Corps of Engineers, Vinh Long, South Viet Nam, 1969-70. Back with WDNR on the Menominee Reservation from 1968 to 1976. Wildlife technician at Menomonie, Grantsburg and Balsam Lake from 1983 to retirement in 2003. Married to LeAnn for 31 years. I have a daughter, Michelle and three grandchildren. I love to hunt, especially for upland birds because I get to spend a lot of time with my 2 setters that way. I also putter around with wooden canoes a bit.

Lynn Herman, Director At-Large

I am retired from the Delaware DNR and currently my wife and I reside in Spooner. We own the building at 133 Walnut Street and operate the Wandering Dog Emporium. We reside at our cabin on Bass Lake off of Dock Lake Road. I have been active in the outdoors throughout my life. I am an Eagle Scout and have built 2 basic canoes some years ago. Have canoed a lot especially in Maine during my undergraduate studies at the University of Maine in Wildlife Management. I have a Masters Degree from the University of Montana and spent a great deal of time outdoors there as well. I have lived in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where I worked on a Pine Marten research project. Sailed on Lake Superior as well.

Ed Peters, Director At-Large

My interest in canoes and wooden boats comes from many influences. I grew up paddling the family’s wood and canvas canoe and rowing the “Rhinelander”. Summers during high school were spent at a canoe tripping camp, getting an appreciation for wilderness canoeing and of aluminum canoes. Since 1992, I have helped organize and lead annual trips to the Boundary Waters, Ontario, and northern Wisconsin, getting to know the various designs of fiberglass, wood, Kevlar, and Royalex canoes. In recent years, I have been restoring a canoe and boat from the Rhinelander Boat Company, as well as gathering information about the history of the factory. I enjoy the art of paddling and spending time outdoors with my wife, Mary, our three daughters, and four grandchildren. As a Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum board member, I have the opportunity to share my interest in the preservation of the craft and help to pass along the traditions and history of the canoe.

Liz Vollmer-Buhl, Director At-Large

My interest in canoeing and canoes is interwoven throughout my life. I enjoyed canoeing at Girl Scout camp, and then years later led wilderness canoe trips for the Boy Scouts’ Northern Tier National High Adventure Program in Minnesota, Ontario, and Manitoba. My husband and I even had a birchbark canoe serve as the altar in our wedding. We continued our paddling adventures with wilderness whitewater canoe trips in northern Manitoba. I’ve incorporated teaching canoeing into my professional nonprofit career, including adding it to watershed day camp programs in Oregon.

Most recently, I spent eleven years working for the Siuslaw Watershed Council in the Oregon Coast Range, with the last eight years as executive director. I have served on the board of directors for the Network of Oregon Watershed Councils and the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association (based in Ely, Minnesota). I’ve assisted with the building of two canoes and own more than I should admit to. These days, I’m passing on the canoeing tradition to our toddler and am a small business owner. It is important to me to keep the traditions of paddling and canoe building alive, especially as younger generations have more screen than lake time.

Our Board of Directors