Propel Board 

Brittani Von Ruden, President

• What's your Occupation?  Marketing Manager, Oshkosh Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Why Propel?  It was something that was suggested for me to do and I've been hooked ever since!  It's been an awesome way to network and create great friendships that I probably would have never had otherwise. 
• Why Oshkosh?  I went to school at UWO and had a job here before I graduated.  Oshkosh has been a great place for me-it is central to many different cities and has a lot to offer as far as attractions, events and opportunities for young adults.
• What can't you live without?  My water pillow.
• What's something interesting about you?  I've never had a cavity...not sure how interesting that is, but it is true!

Annie Schuster, Secretary

• What’s your occupation?  Counselor, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.
• Why Propel?  Propel has offered me the opportunity to network, make new friends, and become more involved in the community. 
• Why Oshkosh?  Oshkosh is a progressive and thriving community with a reputation for being a great place to live, work and play.
• What can’t you live without?  My husband, family, friends and an ample supply of Diet Mt. Dew!
• What’s something interesting about you?  I started skiing at the age of 2. I had very tiny K2 skis and my parents had to put extra socks on my feet because they did not have ski boots small enough to fit.

Adam Fhlug, Treasurer

• What’s your occupation?  I am a CPA for Clifton Gunderson LLP and I work as an auditor.
• Why Propel?  I feel that one of the best things a business professional can do is connect with other professionals in the area.  Propel is a great way to network with people of the same age group that have professional jobs, which can only further yourself.  Everyone that I have met at Propel has been great and I look forward to all the events because I always have a great time. 
• Why Oshkosh?  I attended UW-Oshkosh from 2002 – 2007.  After graduating from college I obtained a career in Oshkosh and have lived here ever since.  I feel Oshkosh is a great place to live and a fun town.
• What can’t you live without?  My GTO
• What’s something interesting about you?  I never learned how to swim, I took classes when I was a kid but could just not get it!

Brian Binder, Chair of Membership  

• What's your Occupation?  Account Representative at J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. 
• Why Propel?  I joined Propel to meet other young professionals in town and to help make Oshkosh a more attractive place to live and work for people in our demographic. 
• Why Oshkosh? My family has lived here for generations, so I guess that makes me a townie.  Beyond that I do think Oshkosh is great place to live, we're big enough to have a lot to offer, yet still have that friendly small town feel. 
• What can't you live without? Music. 
• What's something interesting about you? I was an extra in Public Enemies for the scene at the airport.

Lori Renning, Chair of Programs 

• What's your Occupation?  Community Volunteer
• Why Propel?    Propel is a great opportunity to meet people from many different walks of life, while experiencing aspects of Oshkosh and the surrounding areas that I may have never had the opportunity or knowledge to do so without my membership.
• Why Oshkosh?  Oshkosh is where my husband makes his mark, and the Northwoods are so beautiful...so why not?
• What can't you live without?  I can't live without the outdoors.
• What's something interesting about you?  I hold a federal law enforcement commission, and before I got married I specialized in back-country search and rescue, and emergency medical services for the Department of Interior.

  Carrie Rule, Chair of Public Relations 

• What's your Occupation?  Sales Manager of business to business magazine New North B2B
• Why Propel?  Propel gives me the opportunity to network and meet interesting people.  Also, it provides a great opportunity to participate in fun and interesting events.
• Why Oshkosh?  Oshkosh is the best of many worlds.  The cost of living is reasonable, it's a safe place for my children to grow up and it’s a very short commute to work.  Oshkosh has so many hidden or not so hidden gems and it's also so close to Madison, Milwaukee and Chicago for a quick big city weekend get away!
• What can't you live without?  My children and husband.  I am so blessed to have kids that I am so proud of and think they have the greatest personalities (of course I know I'm a little biased.).  I feel so lucky to be married to my best friend, he makes me a better person.  Nothing is better than coming home to them all each evening.
• What's something interesting about you?  I was given the great honor of introducing President Obama when he came to speak at UWO.  I also had the opportunity to talk with him for a good 15 minutes before we went on stage.  I would not have had this opportunity if it wasn't for the friendships I had made with fellow Propel members Gordon Hintz and Lucinda Vette.  Thanks guys!

John St. Juliana, Director

• What's your Occupation?  Business Data Analyst, Miles Kimball Company
• Why Propel?  I was encouraged by my employer to join and it has been great connecting with people and getting involved.
• Why Oshkosh?  Like many people, my job brought me here.
• What can't you live without?  The best answer is my family.  Beyond that, chips and basketball :)
• What's something interesting about you?  I'm a Yooper...born and raised in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Karlene Grabner, Director

• What's your Occupation?  Development Director, Oshkosh Area Community Foundation
• Why Propel?    We need to continue to cultivate, engage and develop our young professionals and Propel helps do that.  Young professional bring a lot of value to our community and will continue to for years to come!  Propel is a great way to ensure we, as young professionals, stay involved and develop Oshkosh into what we want it to be.
• Why Oshkosh?  Simple, the people are wonderful!
• What can't you live without?  Family, friends and music!
• What's something interesting about you?  I LOVE board games.

Mike Scott, Director

• What's your Occupation?  Financial Advisor at Independence Financial, LLC 
• Why Propel?  Oshkosh needed a way to bring Young Professionals together so they have the opportunity to meet, network, form friendships, and work together to make Oshkosh a fun place to live, work, and play! 
• Why Oshkosh? I grew up here and moved away for 8 years.  My wife, Lisa, and I lived in Denver and when we started to think about having kids we decided to move to Oshkosh because we knew it would be a great place to raise our kids and allow them to be close to cousins & grandparents. 
• What can't you live without? My wife & kids! 
• What's something interesting about you?  Three random tidbits about me :When I was a kid a broke my finger while visiting someone in a hospital! I made a brief appearance on the David Letterman show. I enjoy rock climbing - My highest climb was 3000 ft to the top of Half Dome at Yosemite.

Philip Marshall, Director

• What's your Occupation? Principal, Emmeline Cook Elementary School 
• Why Propel? I have proudly been a member of Propel since its induction in 2004.  I enjoy the social interaction with friends, meeting and welcoming new people to Oshkosh, and connecting professionally.  
• Why Oshkosh? Oshkosh chose me.  I started my career in education here in 1993 and I never left.  
• What can't you live without? Great food, great friends, great music, and great drinks!  
• What's something interesting about you? I am very passionate about media and politics and I love to read about presidential history.  And...something else interesting...I've never had a cavity!

Tony Renning, Director

• What's your Occupation? Attorney, Davis & Kuelthau, S.C. 
• Why Propel?  Because Propel provides a fantastic opportunity to network with other young professionals - It is a progressive environment.
• Why Oshkosh? Why not? Mostly Geography - Oshkosh is the perfect size and has a number of great attributes but is not that far from a number of metropolitan areas.
• What can't you live without?  Indiana Basketball
• What's something interesting about you?  My eclectic taste in music -- I listen to almost anything!

Hallie Detjen, Director

• What’s your occupation?  I’m the Director of Human Resources for ImproMed, Inc.  We develop, sell and support software for Veterinarians all across the world.
• Why Propel?  It’s a great way to start networking.  As a young professional it’s important to start making connections with others in the community on a social and professional level.  Propel helps to do that.
• Why Oshkosh?  My family is what brought me back here recently, which is also my profession since I work for a family business.  Now that I’m back I’m starting to remember why this is such a great area to live.
• What can’t you live without?  Coffee, black. 
• What’s something interesting about you?  I grew up on what I call a Hobby Farm.  We had a lot of animals and some were a little stranger than others.  For example, we raised raccoons for a few summers.  I also had pet rats as a child.  Technically, I had one pet rat, but then she had babies!  Don’t judge me!

Maureen Lasky, Director

• What's your Occupation? Oshkosh Area Economic Development Cooperation (OAEDC) Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) Manager 
• Why Propel? I’m involved in Propel because I want to get involved with our community. 
• Why Oshkosh?  The University and my husband.  Thanks to Downtown Oshkosh, I’ve grown to LOVE this community. 
• What can't you live without? Sunshine
• What's something interesting about you?  I’m a twin.

Megan Lang, Director

• What's your Occupation?  Realtor, First Weber Group and Co-Owner, Black Teak Properties, LLC 
• Why Propel? Propel has been a great way for me to meet more people in the Oshkosh community. In many cases, the people I have met or gotten to know better through Propel have become good friends. I enjoy the Propel events and activities, there is always something new to look forward to. 
• Why Oshkosh?  I grew up in Oshkosh and really liked it and I also enjoy living here as an adult!  I like being an active member of the Oshkosh community; there are a lot of opportunities for younger people to get involved in groups and organizations.  Oshkosh has a lot to offer for "entertainment" and it's close to larger cities like Madison and Milwaukee for bigger events or concerts.  The outdoor activities in this area are endless; whatever you want to do is either right in your backyard or a short drive away! 
• What can't you live without? Chocolate 
• What's something interesting about you?  I really look forward to and enjoy the Wisconsin winters. I love to spend my free time downhill skiing!

   Kelli Karpinski, Chamber Staff

• What's your Occupation?  Director of Marketing and Communications, Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce
• Why Propel?  Propel is a great way to meet people and learn about Oshkosh.  Many of the friends I have today are people I met through Propel in the past five or six years.
• Why Oshkosh?  Jobs for both my husband and I brought us to Oshkosh, and this is where we decided to stay!
• What can't you live without?  Google or some type of search engine that answers my questions in life.
• What's something interesting about you?  I once spent a summer as a "flag girl" (and the only girl) on a road construction crew.

 Shelly Muza, Leadership Oshkosh Adjunct Board Member

• What's your Occupation? Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Oshkosh Area School District
• Why Propel? I am serving on the board as a Leadership Oshkosh participant; however, Propel is a wonderful opportunity for young professionals to meet and network. 
• Why Oshkosh? I was born and raised in Oshkosh and believe it is a great place to raise children and is close to both my husband and my family.   
• What can't you live without? Family and good friends
• What's something interesting about you? I am a Disney fanatic, my family has been going once or twice a year for the past 7 years.