Lakewood race features six candidates

Voters will trim field to four for April election

By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer

The Village of Twin Lakes is holding a nonpartisan primary election Tuesday and for the first time in at least decade, voters can decide on a local race.

With six in the Lakewood School Board election, including two incumbents, the primary will narrow the field to four for the April 5 spring election.

The candidates for the Lakewood School Board by order on Tuesday’s ballot are Nicholas Heckel, Barry Woods, current Board President Amanda Hahn, Scott Whipple, current Board Clerk Kathy Ticha and Steve Turner.

Additionally, there is a statewide primary for State Supreme Court, with Rebecca Bradley, JoAnne Kloppenberg and Joe Donald.

All polling places in Kenosha County are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the Twin Lakes Village Hall holding both the Lakewood and State Supreme Court primaries.

Here are profiles of the candidates listed in alphabetical order:

Amanda Hahn (Inc.)

Address: 609 Herda Avenue, Twin Lakes.

Age: 38.

Resident of district: 11 years.

Occupation: Project Manager, Purchasing Systems and Compliance, AbbVie

Education: College of Lake County/University of Phoenix (Axia College)

Political experience: Current School Board President, elected in 2013.

Organizations: Wisconsin Association of School Boards

Family: Married 16 years/4 Children 13, 10, 6 and 4

Reason for seeking position: My experience as a member of the Lakewood School Board had been amazing and rewarding! I have been able to work alongside staff, administration and the community to complete external enhancements to our facilities as well as influence internal process change that will have a positive impact on Lakewood students for years to come! It would be a privilege to serve another term on the Board to support the success of initiatives that have been started, such as staff compensation reform, curriculum restructuring and CAFÉ grant. All of these initiatives will have a tremendous impact on our students, staff and culture! Great things are in store for Lakewood!

Nicholas Heckel

Address: 712 Maple St., Twin Lakes.

Age: 36.

Resident of district: 12 years.

Occupation Principal.

Education: BS in Elementary Education and Masters in Education Leadership and Administration.

Political experience: First experience running for an elected position.

Family: Married with two children.

Reason for seeking position: I have been in education for 14 years and I have spent the past eight years as a school administrator. I would like to use my knowledge and experience to help Lakewood School continue on the path that they are and become an even better school than it is now.

Kathy Ticha (Inc.)

Address: 2062 Meagans Way, Twin Lakes.

Age: 71.

Resident of district: 40 years.

Occupation: Self-employed.

Education: High school.

Political experience: Lakewood School Board since 1999. Member of Twin Lakes Board of Review.

Organizations: I am a charter member of the Lakewood PTO since 1978 – worked with all the moms while the kids were in Lakewood. Member of Twin Lakes Seniors.

Family: Married 51 years with four adult children.

Reason for seeking position: I feel we – the board – have made good decisions to benefit all. A diverse representation on the board leads to good discussions. As a representative for the taxpayers, I keep a good eye on the budget and make sure that the students always benefit. I am hoping for a chance to continue working for the students and you, the taxpayers of Twin Lakes. I am very comfortable with the administration and staff, and hope to continue that for the next three years.

Steve Turner

Address: 805 Hickory Road, Twin Lakes.

Age: 46

Resident of district: Eight years.

Occupation: Executive Vice President of Operations: Yunker Industries.
Prior: 20 years concluding as Senior Vice President – North America. Recognized for leading multiple business segments toward operational excellence.
Oversight of overall business performance including all financial aspects, human resources, learning and development strategy and execution.
Education: Triple major from Simpson University. BA’s in Business Administration, Psychology and Human Resource Management.

Political experience: Current Wilmot Union High School Board Member.

Organizations: Active basketball and baseball coach in the community since 2008; current coach of Wilmot Jr. Panthers fourth-grade basketball team.

Family: Married to Marcy for 23 years. Son: Trey, 19, attends Stanford University – Palo Alto, Cal. Daughter: Ellie, 18, senior at WUHS. Sons: Cy, 12, and Dane, 10, both attend Lakewood.

Reason for seeking position: I want to make a significant difference in our community and believe that the 20-plus years of leadership experience in organizational management will be a huge asset as a part of the Lakewood School Board. I have a real desire to help create a culture for community’s kids that is built on a ‘love of learning.’
I firmly believe I can make a difference through leveraging my passion for learning, leadership and sharing my expertise in organizational excellence. We have a great family anchored community that wants and expects the very best for their kids – I am no different (having two children at Lakewood) and am committed to bringing the very best leadership and support to our very own Lakewood Raiders.

Scott Whipple

Address: 1336 E. Lakeshore Drive, Twin Lakes.

Age: 35

Resident of district: 11 years.

Occupation: Elementary and Primary Assistant Principal.

Education: BS Biology (Teaching) and Health Education, MA in Education Leadership

Political experience: First experience running for elected position.

Family: Married to Amy Whipple; Sons Kie, 9, and Finn, 7.

Reason for seeking position: I see the great innovative work happening at Lakewood and would like to be a part of supporting those initiatives at the board level. I believe that a strong team needs diversity, each bringing their strengths and passions to the team. Looking at the makeup of the board there is not an individual who is currently working in the field of education. I believe that my experience as a current educator and my previous eleven years in education, both as a teacher and administrator, would help round out the team.

Barry Woods

Address: 109 Oak Lane, Twin Lakes.

Age: 36.

Resident of district: 11 years.

Occupation: Civil Engineer.

Education: Bachelor of Science – Electrical Engineering, Marquette University, 2001.

Political experience: First experience running for an elected position.

Organizations: Instructional Division Coach at Lakeland Little League. Instruction Soccer Coach at KASA.

Family: Married with three children, two currently attend Lakewood, with another soon.
Reason for seeking position: Test scores. Lakewood School has been underperforming for far too long and it is time for change. Our children need to be given the best education possible. I would rather help improve Lakewood School than school choice my children – Lakewood School is a vital part of the community and we need to reflect this in the care we give to the kids and staff. I’d like to ensure there is a common agreement between parent, the school board, and the staff in improving the education provided at Lakewood. I feel my determination and professional skills will help the board achieve positive results. We cannot let down our children for another year while hoping for change out of the same school board.


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