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Phillip E. Rosenberg
Chapter President
Phillip E. Rosenberg was elected Chapter President of the Wisconsin Paralyzed Veterans of America [WPVA] in 1998. A founding member of WPVA, he has also served as Vice-President and Secretary. Mr. Rosenberg is currently employed full time at the Department of Veterans Affairs Clement J. Zablocki Medical Center as a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist. His previous assignments include Education & Employment Coordinator and Social Services Assistant. Prior to this, he was a Student Teacher at Nicolet High School and a Teacher Assistant/Tutor at the Multicultural Community High School, both of which are located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
He gives presentations to fellow Social Workers, and lectures Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy Students about SCI and the rehabilitation process on a regular basis. Peer Counseling and mentoring fellow SCI individuals and speaking to young people about understanding and living with a disability are a high priority for Mr. Rosenberg. In his spare time, he is a participant in a number of athletic endeavors, including Quad Rugby, Wheelchair Softball, and Table Tennis.
Rosenberg enlisted in the United States Army in 1968 and served with the 82nd Airborne Division and the 9th Infantry Division in Vietnam. Other overseas duty stations include Panama and South Korea. He was honorably discharged in 1972 having attained the rank of Specialist E-5. His numerous decorations include the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal-Korea, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, and a Presidential Unit Citation.
Rosenberg graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Wisconsin/Milwaukee in 1982 with a degree in Broad Field Social Studies and Secondary Education. A Pulaski High School Graduate in 1968, Mr. Rosenberg presently resides in Glendale, Wisconsin. |
Jack W. Stone
Chapter Vice President
Jack chairs the Hospital Liaison and Membership Committees and serves on the Finance and Building Committees. A PVA Member since 1973, Jack received the WPVA President’s Award in 1998 and was the Chapter Volunteer of the Year in 2003.
An automobile accident in 1973 caused a C8-T1 spinal cord injury. After his initial rehabilitation at the Department of Veterans Affairs [DVA] Zablocki Medical Center, Jack was employed by 1st Wisconsin Bank for 2 years, worked for the DVA Regional Office as a Claims Examiner for 8 years, and was a National Service Officer [NSO] for Paralyzed Veterans of America [PVA] and AMVETS for 8 years.
A graduate of Berlin High School in Berlin, Wisconsin, Jack Stone was a 2 time State Wrestling Champion. As a student at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado, Jack was a member of the highly competitive Wrestling Team. Unfortunately, a severe leg injury forced him to withdraw from school. He continued his studies at the University of Wyoming and finally obtained his degree from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.
Jack is a devoted Green Bay Packers fan who enjoys professional and collegiate sports in general, and loves anything outdoors, especially fishing. Having recently been "hooked on computers and the internet" he intends to investigate and participate in on-line football fantasy leagues. Jack also enjoys Classic Cars and has a love affair with Ford Mustangs from the 1960’s and early ‘70’s. His son Mike is the Service Manager for Geis Overhead Doors of Milwaukee, Jack currently resides in Poynette, Wisconsin. |
James Rutledge
Chapter Secretary
Jim has been a Life Member for over 20 years, a member of the Board of Directors for the last 7 years. In addition to these duties Jim serves on the Chapter Advocacy & Legislation Committee, and he received the Chapter President’s Award in 2003.
A lifelong hunter and angler, Jim loves everything associated with the great outdoors. Both Jim and his wife participate on the PVA Trap Shooting Circuit, and represent our organization at the annual Ducks Unlimited Expo in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Jim has been a member of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources [DNR] Disability Advisory Council since 1991, and served as Chairperson for 5 consecutive years. Jim has also served on two legislative committees; the Recodification of Chapter 29 Fish and Games Laws Committee and the DNR Warden’s Responsibility Committee.
Due to a woodcutting incident on December 31, 1981, Jim incurred a spinal cord injury and became an incomplete Quadriplegic at the C-6-7 level.
Jim graduated from Ridgeley High School in Ridgeley, West Virginia in 1963. Jim served in the United States Air Force as an Administrative Specialist from 1963-1967 retiring with the rank of Airman First Class. He worked for the Kelly-Springfield Tire Company for 15 years as a Tractor Tire Builder, and for the last 16 years he has been the Town Clerk for Clarno Township in Wisconsin.
Jim currently resides in rural Monroe, Wisconsin with his wife Phyllis. They have 2 children; Kristine and Jeremy and 2 granddaughters Lauyrn and Morgan. Jim is a life member of the NRA and several outdoor sporting organizations. He lives and dies with the Green Bay Packers and the NASCAR Circuit. Jim’s hobbies are spending time with his granddaughter’s, shooting, hunting, ammo reloading, fishing and reading, and traveling anywhere in the USA. |
August Krieser
Board Member
Board of Directors [BOD] member Augie Krieser joined the Paralyzed Veterans of America [PVA] in 1980 and was elected to the BOD in 1990. Augie is the Government Relations Officer [GRO] and he is the Chair of the Advocacy/Legislation Committee. He received the Chapter President’s Award in 1992.
Employed by the City of Manitowoc, Wisconsin as a Firefighter for many years, Augie was also certified as an Emergency Medical Technician [EMT] and as an EMT Instructor. Due to a motorcycle accident in 1980 that resulted in quadriplegia, Augie received a medical retirement. He is a member of the Retired Professional Firefighter’s Association [RPFA] Veterans of Foreign Wars [VFW], Disabled American Veterans [DAV], American Veterans of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam [AMVETS], and the Vietnam Veterans of America [VVA].
From 1964-67, Augie was a member of the United States Army and trained in the field of aviation. While stationed in Vietnam Augie was a Crew Chief on an OV1-Mohawk and later a CV-2 Caribou. While in Vietnam, his duties included gathering military intelligence for the Marines on the DMZ and Ho Chi Minh Trail in I Corps by night aerial surveillance. He was assigned to the 20th ASTA Detachment at a small landing field at Hue-Phu Bai. He finished his stint in the military at Fort Benning, Georgia as a Maintenance Chief.
Augie Krieser graduated from Lincoln High School in Manitowoc with the Class of ’64. As a student at the University of Wisconsin-Manitowoc Campus and at Silver Lake College, Augie earned a BA Degree in Psychology and Family Studies, an MA Degree in Political Science, and a BSW Degree in Social work. He is currently working on his MSW Degree in Social Work.
Augie enjoys wheelchair racing, fishing, and target practice. He is a tireless advocate for accessibility, and he derives great pleasure in educating his hometown on ADA requirements. Augie resides in Manitowoc, Wisconsin and is employed full time by a disability rights and advocacy organization known as Holiday House. |
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Mike Thomas
Board Member
Michael Thomas was appointed to the Wisconsin PVA Board of Directors in January of 2008 to fill the position vacated by Arron Powless when Arron moved to Florida. A United States Army Veteran, Michael has been a PVA member for approximately 10 years.
Mr. Thomas has been an active and highly visible volunteer at the Zablocki VA Medical Center and especially on the Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Unit. He is perhaps best known for his ability to sell raffle tickets for the gift baskets that were so successful in raising money for the 27th National Veterans Wheelchair Games held here in Milwaukee.
Michael enlisted in the Army in 1975 and was honorably discharged in 1977. He went through Jump School and Ranger training in Fort Benning, Georgia and received training as a Communications Specialist with the 2nd of the 75th Airborne Artillery Unit stationed near Frankfurt, Germany.
Born in Chicago and raised in Detroit, he attended George W. Finney High School where he participated in basketball and track & field. Currently active in wheelchair basketball and wheelchair softball, he has found a new sport in Sled Hockey. He is an avid fan of all four of the Detroit professional sports teams.
Michael is the loving father of 3 daughters and 1 granddaughter, all living in Detroit. He is involved with Peer Support groups to help his fellow veterans and in 2007 was the recipient of the Wisconsin PVA President’s Award.
Mike was injured on January 2, 1999 and is T-11/L-2 paraplegic.
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Lawrence Ramirez
Board Member
Larry Ramirez is the Sports & Recreation Director for the Chapter. He is also a member of the Chapter Advocacy & Legislation and Fund Raising Committees. A life member for over 15 years, Larry received the Chapter President’s Award in 2001. In 2003, Larry was appointed to the PVA Sports & Recreation Advisory Committee. Due to a 1984 Construction site accident, he became a T-10 paraplegic.
Mr. Ramirez joined the United States Army in October 1966 but was discharged 5 months later because he was under age. Undeterred, he entered the Marines on October 8, 1968 and served as a Rifleman in a Mortar Squad. His overseas assignments included a tour of duty in Okinawa. He is a High School Graduate and has completed courses in the areas of Human Services and Commercial Arts at Milwaukee Area Technical College, and earned a Diploma in Creative Jewelry Design.
Larry is an accomplished trapshooter and avid outdoorsman. He honors and serves his heritage by participating as a Native American Pow Wow Trail Drummer throughout the Midwest. Although his loving wife Joan Ramirez passed away January 9, 2004, his 6 grandsons, Joshua, Peyton, Dylan, Kasey, Keagan, and Nathaniel keep him very busy. Larry resides in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. |
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Russell Worth
Board Member
Wisconsin PVA Board of Directors member Russell Worth serves on the Chapter Building and Membership Committees. Due to a 1991 automobile accident, Russell sustained a spinal cord injury which resulted in paraplegia. He became a Life Member of PVA shortly after he arrived at the Zablocki Medical Center. In 1995 he received the "Patty Wiseman" Award as the WPVA Volunteer of the Year.
Russell Worth is a Navy Air Corps Veteran of WWII. He began his military career as an airplane mechanic and eventually rose through the ranks to become a Plane Captain and Turret Gunner on a PV-2 Vega Ventura. After his discharge, Russ spent his entire adult working life in the construction industry with an emphasis on masonry and concrete.
A Graduate of Whitefish Bay High School "Class of ’42." Russell attended college at the University of Wisconsin Madison and La Crosse campuses, and took various classes at the University of Marquette and the Milwaukee School of Engineering [MSOE].
A sports fan in general, he is a die hard Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers fan. In addition to his many volunteer hours at the Zablocki Medical Center, other hobbies include stamp and coin collecting. Russell has 3 sons, Jim, David, and John, and 5 very active grandchildren; Peter, Brian, Linden, Andrew, and Nicholas. Russ is a resident of Brown Deer, Wisconsin.
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Ken Matthews
Board Member
Ken joined the PVA in 2003 after receiving a C-7 Complete SCI in an automobile accident. Ken was appointed to the Board of Directors in August of 2005, shortly after attending his first National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Minneapolis. He assumed the duties of Chapter Treasurer in February of 2006. In addition to the Treasurer Position, Ken is on the Fundraising Committee and the Audit Committee.
Ken was born and raised in Port Washington Wisconsin returning to the area in 1976 after completing a four-year tour of duty with the Navy. He served on a combat stores ship as a Second-class Storekeeper helping to develop the computerized underway replenishment system. His tour included three cruises to Vietnam and a cruise to the Indian Ocean. In 1966 Ken graduated from Port Washington High School after which he attended Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan, graduating with a B.S. degree in Marketing. He enlisted in January of 1972.
Ken and wife, Nora, married in 1973 and have two children, a daughter, Heather, and a son, Kenneth. Both of their children are married and they have one grandchild. Son Kenneth is currently serving in the Navy as a Second-class Gunners mate. He is the third-generation to serve in the Navy in wartime as Ken's father, Harold, served as a First-class Aviation Metalsmith during World War II. Ken's brother, Dave, and nephew, Aaron, have also served in the Navy.
In addition to his involvement with WPVA, Ken plays for the Milwaukee Iron Wheelchair Rugby Team, is a member of the American Legion and VFW, is active with the local Masonic Lodge and is very involved with his church. He enjoys a good conversation and can often be seen visiting with other vets at the VA. Prior to his injury in 2003 he was an industrial salesman traveling the eastern half of the United States selling banding systems. He enjoyed being a soccer official at the high school level. Other interests include religious history, current events and politics.
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John A. Wilie
Board Member
John is a lifelong resident of Wisconsin, currently residing with his wife, Mary, in Brown Deer. He has been a member of WPVA since 2002 and has been a board member since 2005. John suffered a spinal cord stroke in September 2001 and was subsequently diagnosed as a T5 Incomplete.
John enlisted in the USAF in September 1962. Following Basic Training and Air Police School at Lackland AFB, he served in Pakistan, Crete, Vietnam, Texas, Thailand and the Philippines, returning to civilian life in 1970. He then worked briefly as a Private Investigator before joining the Wauwatosa Wisconsin Police Department, from which he retired in September 2000.
His educational background consists of attending Bethlehem Lutheran School, Concordia College High School, subsequently graduating from West Division High School, all of which are located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After joining the Wauwatosa PD, John returned to school and earned an Associate's Degree in Police Science from the Milwaukee Area Technical College.
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