LouAnn Schulfer
What is a hobby of yours that most people don't know about?
I love to drive things. In the winter, my therapist is a Polaris 850 XC – a snowmobile. When the snow has melted, I burn off stress off-road riding in my UTV, a Polaris Razor PRO XP Turbo. When I have to drive ON the roads, my favorite vehicle is my bright red 2019 Camaro 1LE, equipped with a six-speed manual transmission and MBRPs.
If you didn't work in this profession, what would you be?
A professional musician or a professional driver of some sort: auto racing, monster trucks, or snowmobiles. My first business dream was to own a motorcycle and snowmobile dealership. I was fortunate enough to get a taste of the music industry, which I've been very enthusiastic about since I was a girl.
In the Summer of 2021, I was selected to be on set for the Brad Paisley video for the new song release of “Freedom Was a Highway”. The link is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgvNtz_XXE4. I appear at about 4:17 and 4:28 and again at 4:53 in the front row. My husband Gene is also at the very end in the plaid shirt. It was a super fun experience and rather insightful to be on set with superstars!
Why do you like living in Central Wisconsin?
We have very deep roots here. Both my husband and I were born and raised in the Plover area, and the history of our families goes back several generations in Central Wisconsin. First and foremost, I love the people here.
What is a favorite place that you've been? Where would you like to travel?
Beaches of oceans. I do not get to them often enough, but when I do, it's pure bliss. I would very much like to travel to Italy someday.
Gene Schulfer
What is a hobby of yours that most people don't know about?
I love riding the trails of Central and Northern WI with LouAnn. We have enjoyed snowmobiling together since before we were married. We were “sled-less” for several years because we had no time to ride after our boys were born, and while we were spending so much time building up our business. Several years ago we got snowmobiles again and recently we purchased Polaris side-by-side UTVs and have discovered a new world of warm weather trail riding. Mud can be as much fun as snow!
If you didn't work in this profession, what would you be?
If I wasn't a financial advisor I would be doing something related to high-performance motorized vehicles.
Why do you like living in Central Wisconsin?
I enjoy so many things about this area. You can run into people you know almost everywhere. It's easy to get around. We can live in the country and be less than a 20-minute drive to our office in the city. We are only 2-3 hours from several major cities.
What is a favorite place that you've been? Where would you like to travel?
My favorite trip was to Santa Barbara, CA. The beauty of the beaches, ocean, and mountains was amazing. I would like to visit more of the national park areas in the Western US, such as Yosemite, Yellowstone, and the Grand Canyon.
Jim Robinson
What is a hobby of yours that most people don't know about?
I enjoy biking, kayaking, cross-country skiing and just working out. I was in both indoor and sand volleyball rec leagues for more than 35 years, up until the time I moved to Stevens Point, and do miss it. Since we move into our new home in early June of 2022 I have been building a workshop in 1/3 of our garage and really getting into projects as a way of work/life balance.
If you didn't work in this profession, what would you be?
Home design or Landscape Architect. Architectural Design was my major at U/Illinois – Chicago way back in the mid-1970s. Design and visual aesthetics are a shared interest with my wife Wendy.
Or: Run a non-profit foundation with some of the money from my Powerball winnings when I hit the jackpot.
Why do you like living in Central Wisconsin?
We are fortunate to live where pollution levels & traffic congestion are almost non-existent, the cost of living is reasonable and we are a short drive to a variety of geographic vistas and cultural opportunities. This community is unique in that, for a small Wisconsin city, there is a progressive, giving and inclusive vibe.
What is a favorite place that you've been? Where would you like to travel?
Life is too brief for me to have a favorite, and the experiences are so diverse. Wendy and I decided long ago that this is a great location to have a home base, even with the tough winters. We can always travel to discover different cultures, food, and activities, but are in a good place to call home.
Kelly Blue
What is a hobby of yours that most people don't know about?
I love to cook. Growing up in a family of ten, it was a necessity. As an adult, I have come to discover that I love to create recipes, recreate a great dish I had out, or just play around in the kitchen with new spices and flavors. It's therapy for me to be alone in the kitchen with music on, getting creative. When I personalize and cook a favorite meal for a loved one, it brings me great joy. I also love the nostalgia and tradition that comes with passing down and teaching a new generation a family recipe.
If you didn't work in this profession, what would you be?
I think a Travel Agent, I love to travel and visit new places, but for me, the best part is all the research beforehand into the place, things to do, restaurants, local favorites, outings, and adventures... really diving into what each destination has to offer from all aspects and personalizing to each individual's interest.
Why do you like living in Central Wisconsin?
Being born and raised in the Rudolph area, I have lived my whole life in Central Wisconsin. My entire family still lives here, and I am proud to be raising my children here. It is a small-town feel, but with so much to do and offer. Stevens Point has been able to be future-focused and growing, yet maintain the quaintness of the small town. The people here are amazing and go out of their way to help each other. I am blessed to be able to raise my children and work in this community.
What is a favorite place that you've been? Where would you like to travel?
My favorite place is probably either the Bahamas or a remote resort in the country of Panama. If it has a beach, the ocean, and high temperatures, I am in heaven. Combining the tropical landscape, beach, and ocean with local culture makes for the perfect adventure for me. For my dream vacation and bucket list, I would love to go to Bora Bora and or Fiji, but Jamaica is next on my list to cross off.
Micah Meza
What is a hobby of yours that most people don't know about?
My whole life I have been an avid baseball fan, especially the Milwaukee Brewers. I found a passion for visiting other MLB stadiums throughout the United States and Canada. This summer I will be visiting 3 in California. I have been to 7 stadiums so far and plan to cross the rest off my list before I start my family.
If you didn't work in this profession, what would you be?
I would be a History professor or a teacher of some sort. I have had a passion for history since I was young, because of the amazing history teachers I had growing up.
Why do you like living in Central Wisconsin?
Growing up in Waupaca just about a half-hour east of Stevens Point, Central Wisconsin has been an important part of my life. Being close to all of my family and friends has always been important to me as well as being surrounded by an amazingly supportive community.
What is a favorite place that you've been? Where would you like to travel?
Being part Nicaraguan and having family there, Nicaragua is hands down my favorite place I have been and to travel to. I love the natural beauty of the country and spending time with family I am not able to visit often. I recently got the opportunity to bring my girlfriend to Nicaragua and we plan to make many more trips together in the future.
Ray Brown
What is a hobby of yours that most people don't know about?
I appreciate antiques and enjoy antiquing. I love learning the story behind items and places and what they meant to people. In many cases these stories are elusive, and I find that uncovering their history is very rewarding. This goes for everything from ancient myths to classic cars, and I enjoy discovering all of them.
If you didn't work in this profession, what would you be?
I think I could be very happy as a real estate developer. It connects some of my favorite interests, real estate and architecture with some of my personal skills, research, planning, and problem-solving.
Why do you like living in Central Wisconsin?
I’ve lived in several places across the United States, and while I will always consider Virginia to be my home, I appreciate the community, atmosphere, and history here in Central Wisconsin. The weather is also new to me and enjoyable in its own right.
What is a favorite place that you've been? Where would you like to travel?
I enjoy any place with a good view of the ocean, but my favorite place is Virginia Beach, where we spent the summer with my family. I’d like to visit Scotland, Italy and any number of Caribbean islands.
