Welcome

Meet Our Board

Dick Benesh

I have lived in Brodhead for 28 years. I have five children and 8 grandchildren. My career background is quite diverse and includes the following: Air Force Intelligence – stationed in Germany as a Russian specialist; First high school Russian teacher in Iowa; Professor of German at Coe College and the University of Iowa; CEO of a small company – operations management; Founder and President of my own consulting firm, specializing in systems design and economic development for Indian Tribes and small communities; Business Manager for the Ho-Chunk tribe of Wisconsin; High School German teacher.

Now supposedly retired, but Project Administrator for Pearl Island project, President of the Board of Green County YMCA, and now President of the DLMRA. The DLMRA honored me by asking me to serve as president. It is a compliment to think that I may still have relevance to serve the community in which I live. It is my hope that our organization can work in concert with the Lower Sugar River Watershed Association and the Pearl Island team to improve all aspects of our watershed, including the lake, the river, and the race, for the benefit of all of the citizens of our area as well as visitors who seek out our waterways for recreation.

Keith Krause

I am currently the Vice President of the Decatur Lake and Mill Race Association (DLMRA). I was born and raised near Brodhead,along the Sugar River just north of Decatur Lake.

I enjoy boating, fishing and hunting the Sugar River and its backwaters. I also enjoy boating and fishing on Decatur Lake and at the Dam. These resources are too nice to lose!

Sue McGinniss

Sue McGinniss and her husband John purchased their cottage/home on Decatur Lake in 2014. Both became members of DLMRA and Sue joined the board of directors in 2017. John and Sue are enjoying the Brodhead community and surrounding area including kayaking on Decatur Lake, the Mill Race and Sugar River along with the beautiful trails and Pearl Island. They look forward to spending many years here. John and Sue have three children and one grandchild.

Jan Pandzik

Secretary

Jaine Winters

I am the Treasurer for Decatur Lake and Mill Race Association (DLMRA). I live on the Mill Race in the city of Brodhead. My dream is to have people regain the quiet enjoyment and sense of appreciation for Decatur Lake and the Mill Race. I joined the Decatur Lake Preservation Association (DLPA) in 1994 to support the rebuilding of Decatur Dam, and served as Secretary since 2000. I was Secretary of the newly-formed DLMRA in 2011 – 2013. My current role as Treasurer suits my professional background as a Certified Public Accountant and Chief Financial Officer of a manufacturing company. You can join me kayaking in the summer, or skating in the winter on Decatur Lake.

Sue Downs

Board Member

George Downs

I was born in Chicago, IL, where I lived most of my life. I was the youngest to manage a National Food Grocery Store at age 20. I managed grocery stores for 20 years with over 200 employees. I then got offered a job in sales with Kraft Food Service, which then became Alliant, and then sold to US Foodservice. I was with them for 20 years and then retired in 2004.

My wife Susan and I then wanted to get away from the big city life in Arlington Heights, IL, and found the perfect property in the Brodhead area. We built our dream log home on the water where our 3 children, 8 grandchildren and soon to be first great-grandchild can come and enjoy our beautiful area. We have lived here now over 10 years and our passion has grown to save this unique and historic waterway. Areas we could once maneuver a boat in easily are no longer possible to navigate, hence the formation of the DLMRA. My position as Public Relations Director is to keep our membership informed of up and coming events and encouraging our membership to attend General Membership and our Board meetings. Watch for our informative newspaper and website articles.

Allen Penticoff

Allen Penticoff is a retired aircraft insurance adjuster who has a home on Decatur Lake. Allen has been a long-time environmental activist working with several non-profit conservation groups. He has been active on the DLMRA board since he began living/staying in the Brodhead area in 2016.

Frank Gombar

I am Francis Sutherland Gombar Jr., and was born and raised in Brodhead. Ever since I was old enough to remember, I have spent much of my spare time roaming up and down the Sugar River, Decatur Lake and the woods nearby.

My parents were avid fishermen, enjoyed swimming and were outdoor enthusiasts and they instilled a genuine love of these adventures in me. Throughout the years I have developed a profound sense of appreciation for these natural gifts that surround us here in Brodhead. My wife, Carol, and I have raised our four children in much the same way in hopes they would also join us to preserve and protect these areas for the next generation.

To that end, I have been deeply involved throughout the years in our Community in such things as; starting Brodhead’s Park & Rec program in the Mid ‘50’s, the purchase and early organization of the Brodhead Airport, organizing the Historical Society and the Brodhead Area Foundation, serving in the Brodhead Industrial Corp and in the Green County Coalition, to name a few. Together, with many fine people, we have accomplished a multitude of projects and I feel we have a duty and the motivation to continue this labor of love. You are welcome to join in this discussion, and bring your fishing pole, as I will likely be somewhere on the River with Norm, Doc Carson, Steve, Ron, Elvin, etc. and we’d love to have you aboard.

Rick Josephson

Board Member