On October 10, ThriveED hosted its 8th Annual Meeting and Presentation, gathering community leaders, business professionals and key stakeholders to celebrate another year of growth, collaboration and investment in the Greater Jefferson County area.
Setting the Stage for Continued Success
Kevin Kaufman, Chairman of the ThriveED Board, kicked off the meeting by welcoming attendees and reflecting on ThriveED’s ongoing mission. Kaufman highlighted the organization’s strategic plan, which envisions a future where Greater Jefferson County thrives through prosperous communities, a supportive workforce and robust partnerships. He noted that the focus this year has been on refocusing efforts to strengthen the region’s business environment and activate local collaborations.
Board Updates and Appointments
During the meeting, Kaufman called the official Annual Meeting to order, overseeing board business. This year, ThriveED welcomed new board members and reelected current ones. The newly elected and reelected members, representing a range of industries, include:
- Matt Krogman, JCW Development, WDS Construction designee
- Casey Malesevich, Sure-Fire Inc.
- Kyle Neitzel, Crave Bros. Farmstead Cheese
- Andy Nelson, Natural Resource Innovations, Horicon Bank designee
- Kevin Paynter, Fort Community Credit Union
The meeting also included the confirmation of appointed board representatives from critical local institutions:
- Fort HealthCare, Inc.
- Madison College
- Moraine Park Technical College
- UW Whitewater
- Watertown Regional Medical Center
- Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation
Leadership for 2025
The proposed slate of officers for the 2025 ThriveED Board was presented, with Kevin Kaufman (WD Hoard & Sons designee) continuing as Chair, Nate Salas (Maas Brothers Construction) as Vice Chair and Tom Dehnert (Badger Bank) as Secretary/Treasurer. A vote by board members confirmed the new leadership team, setting the stage for another successful year.
A Year in Review
As ThriveED looks ahead to 2025, we remain committed to driving economic growth and creating opportunities for businesses and residents alike. The progress made in 2024 has set the foundation for even greater achievements in the years to come.