Board of Directors
Gabe Bauer
Board President
Field Trip Committee Chair
Summer Trip Committee Chair
Gabe is a lifelong resident of the Reedsburg area. He and his family live on their family farm, the same one that he grew up on and graze cattle and raise chickens. Gabe also is a substitute teacher in several surrounding districts.
Gabe grew up vacationing in northern Wisconsin and has had a love of being outside in a boat on a lake since he was a very young child. He also enjoys exploring national parks with his family. Gabe knows the how important it is for kids to develop a love and appreciation for nature. He and his family helped lead a SOAC trip last year and are having another go at it this upcoming summer.
Gabe and his wife, Wendi, have four children who have all participated in SOAC trips and have a great time in the outdoors.
Brenda Siemandel
Board Vice President
Fundraising Committee Chair
Brenda is a 1988 graduate of Webb High School, Reedsburg. Brenda and her husband Wes currently reside in Cazenovia, WI. She enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, kayaking, and camping along with biking, swimming, and running. Also enjoys sewing, doing crafts and spending time in their garden.
For thirteen years, Brenda was part of the Reedsburg VetFest Committee that put on a running/walking event each year in April raising money for area veteran organizations, Badger Honor Flights, and a local high school scholarship. She is currently a member of the committee that puts on the S'mores Trail Run at Mirror Lake State Park in October and a part of a group that makes quilts that are given to area veterans as part of the Weston School veterans program.
Brenda became active as part of SOAC by reaching out to Gary Williams and asking about going on a trip with the kids to Mirror Lake to see what the organization and trips were all about. She has been actively involved with the organization as a trip leader and board member since then.
Brenda believes that if you’re looking for a way for your child to be active, be part of the great outdoors, get to learn and try new things and meet new people, then SOAC is a wonderful way for that to happen.
Mike Rocha
Board Treasurer
Finance Committee Chair
Mike Rocha has been teaching since 1991 and has worked in schools in five states. He has been a teacher at Sacred Heart School here in Reedsburg for the past 18 of those years. Prior to becoming a teacher, he spent several summers as a camp counselor in the St. Louis area and was involved in their school camp program. He and his wife, Ann, have three children who are strong, good looking and above average.
Diane Bindl
Board Secretary
I am a lifelong resident of the Reedsburg area and grew up on a dairy farm. I recall playing incessantly outdoors, working with or playing with my farm animals, showing cattle at the Sauk County fair and exploring our woods. I have enjoyed my volunteer experience with SOAC assisting with field trips to local state parks and woodlands.
I am now retired from my career in health care as a nurse midwife and am able to spend more of my time outdoors which has always been my favorite place to be.
I have appreciated seeing what SOAC does for our young people – helping them to learn about and enjoy nature. One of my favorite sayings is the “forest rewards those whom walk through it”. I look forward to learning more about and helping this great organization to sustain and grow as a board member.
Anthony Iannece
Board Member
Equipment Committee Chair
My name is Anthony Iannece and I am one of the newest board members to SOAC. I am currently the science and social studies teacher for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade at Sacred Heart School. Originally from New York, I have been living in Wisconsin for over 10 years. My wife, Alicia, and I have 4 beautiful children and 2 wonderful dogs. Since living in Wisconsin I have acquired a great appreciation for the outdoors. Whether it's hiking, fishing, or camping, my family and I like to spend a lot of time with nature.
My goal and hope for participating with SOAC is to give these kids great experiences and help them develop a lifelong appreciation for everything outdoors.