My career has been as a missionary/pastor in Brazil, Chicago, Los Angeles and Milwaukee.  I have worked with educators in starting and supporting elementary parochial schools in Brazil and Chicago.  I helped found congregations in Brazil (Portuguese), Los Angeles and Milwaukee (Spanish).  I serve as a regional instructor and mentor for the Theological Education by Extension (TEE) program of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO.  This is a program for students whose dominant language is Spanish.

I am a retired chaplain form the U.S. Air Force Reserves. My wife Vanna and I have been married for 39 years and we have 2 children and 2 grandchildren.

 Area Businessman

Born in 1965 in West Allis, WI.  I attended St. Mathias Grade School, Marquette University High School, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with Degree in Economics and Marquette Law School.  I have been in private practice for 12 years with my father, Marjan R. Kmiec, concentrating in personal injury and worker's compensation claims.  In 1996, I married Kathi J. Anderson, a farm girl who was raised in Plateville, WI and we now have children from A to Z, Abbie ( 6) and Zoie (2). 

S. Margaret LeClaire
Secretary

Dolly Mertens

I have lived in Milwaukee all of my adult life.  My husband Greg and I have been married for 34 years and have 2 sons, Jay and Josh.  We aslso have a granddaughter Brenda.

Ten years ago I had a vision to open a bakery.  Eight years ago we opened our first WildFlour Bakery, which is named after my mom because she loved wildflowers and it helped her feed 14 children.  I am number 13. I don't have a college degree, but rather a degree in life's lessons. A degree in baking, from my mother.  A degree in giving and sharing form working with the poor and under- privileged.  A degree in adversity from juggling four bakeries.  
A degree in joy because I love what I do.

I feel privileged to be asked to serve on the LBWN board as I am surrounded with great people who have the best interest of the community we serve.

Ana Perez

Esther has lived on the south side, owning a home in LBWN, for 40 years before moving into Boulevard Senior Apartments on Lapham St. in 1998.  Esther Hussey has long been an advocate for  Layton Blvd. West Neighbors' beginning by securing outside funds for our former playground programs, and by sponsoring field trips for area youth.  When a need arose Esther's question was always, "How can we get this done!" She challenges "we can't do that" responses with "why not?"  

Esther formed the Senior Warrior group when Ald. Donovan challenged her to start a senior citizen group so that their needs could be addressed.  The impact of that group began with the Stop light on Layton Blvd. and Lapham streets to assure senior safety when crossing the street. The senior influence continues to is seen in Candidate Forums, 6th District Summer Bike Patrols, Intergenerational Peacekeeping Circles, CCO/LBWN bus rides to local businesses and banking. She has been a member of the LBWN Board for 3 years.

Esther firmly believes that "in Unity there is Strength."  She urges other seniors to join in, to have a united voice, that can  bring about positive changes for the betterment of issues that face all seniors. 

S. Charlotte Smits

Sister Charlotte Smits has recently joined LBWN’s Board because she feels it is important to participate in your neighborhood. “I am a grassroots person who is involved in the neighborhood and I enjoy working with people for a cause”, says S. Charlotte.

Besides teaching at St. Rafael School, she enjoys cutting the grass and maintaining the plants at the School Sisters’ grounds. Through these experiences and 17 years of teaching, S. Charlotte has met many neighbors and learned the importance of knowing and working with one’s neighbors.

Dr. Perez LaBoy

I have been in education since 1972.  During that time I have spent many years in south side schools.  These include South Division, Kozy, Vieau, and my current assignment as Principal at Walker.

Being  in this community at least 60 hours a week, I live the belief that, "it is in the power of giving that one serves best", and the reason I decided to become a member of the LBWN family.  Furthermore, LBWN is concerned with providing quality living for its neighbors and many Walker families are beneficiaries of their efforts.

I hold a doctorate degree in Education from NOVA University and two degrees form the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.  I love instilling  in the young educator an appetite towards graduate school.  As an educator, I oftentimes struggle with the fact that the only hope hundreds of our children have in terms of their future is found in the surrounding community.

Sodi Nichols

Sodi is a Mortgage Loan Originator at M&I bank, located on 27th & National.  Sodi feels a special connection with the neighborhood because she grew up here.

Liberty Realty Company is Mark's current passion, specializing in residential house and condo sales.  The ownership and staff of Liberty have a strong success with finding new opportunities for all clients' real estate needs.  Mark has over two and a half decades of real estate experience working for and managing offices for Merrill Lynch, Prudential, Better Homes & Gardens, and Ogden Development, Inc.

He has worked closely with many neighborhood and community based organizations over the last 12 years. He has served the last 6 yrs. as a Commissioner with the Housing Authority (HACM) for the City of Milwaukee.

Mark is a leader in the Real Estate industry, serving on or chairing may active communities on the local, state, and national associations levels.  He received the 2000 Realtor of the year award from the Metro Association of Realtors.