Name: Chris King – Board Chair
Member of PA Board of Directors since 2012, member of the Finance Committee
Educational background: Attended UW-Eau Claire and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree of Arts in Criminal Justice. While in college, Chris was a member of the track and field team. Chris also attended Chippewa Valley Technical College, obtaining his law enforcement standards board certification.
Employment: Began law enforcement in 2003 with the Chippewa Co Sheriff’s Dept as a reserve officer. Before being hired by the Menomonie Police Dept he also worked with the Chippewa Co Jail and Bloomer Police Dept. In December of 2007 Chris began working for the Menomonie Police Dept. He spent approximately 5 years on patrol, where he served as a Field Training Officer. Chris then served as the Youth Services Officer for the Department for 4 years, serving as school liaison officer and specializing in crimes involving children as suspects and victims. Currently, Chris is back serving as a patrol officer for the Department. Chris is also a MPD firearms instructor, field training officer, tactical response instructor, and is a member on the Eau Claire County Regional SWAT team.
Interests: When Chris is not working he enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, golfing, and attending dirt track races.
What interests you in PA, what excites you about PA, or some interesting fact about your relationship with PA: Never in a million years did I ever envision serving on a Board of Directors or becoming Board President of anything. The opportunity to join the Board of Directors was kind of by default when I took over as the Youth Services Officer for the Menomonie Police Department. I was familiar with PA based on my occupation, but I knew very little else about the organization. The experience has been truly rewarding and I have met some great people that do excellent work for Positive Alternatives!
Name: Jackie Steinhoff – Finance Committee
Member of PA Board of Directors since 2013
Educational background: I earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from UW-Eau Claire and a masters’ degree in special education and administration from the University of Minnesota.
Employment: Retired in 2022 from River Falls School District where I was Director of Student Services. Experience in education includes teaching regular and special education students as well as positions in administration.
Home: Home is in River Falls, Wisconsin with my family.
Interests: I enjoy spending time with my family, baking, watching movies, reading, following Wisconsin sports teams, and walking our dog, Cooper. Learning has always been a passion for me as I strive to continue to improve myself.
What interests you in PA, what excites you about PA, or some interesting fact about your relationship with PA: I am proud to be a member of Positive Alternatives (PA). PA provides a support and nurturing environment in which the organization strives to make a positive and hopeful outlook for students needing an alternative living environment. Is it an honor to work with a group who is committed to making this a reality for students in our state.
Name: Cynthia Welch – Policy & Procedure
Member of PA Board of Directors since 2011
Educational background: Graduated from UW-Stout with a major in Hotel and Restaurant Management and minors in Business Administration and English-Writing. Completed her graduate studies at UW-Stout in the Career and Technical Education Program in 2015; graduate thesis was Availability of Career Guidance for At-Risk Students in Wisconsin Licensed Group Foster Homes.
Employment: Mentor under the IRIS program for a young woman with cognitive and physical disabilities and substitute teacher for the Menomonie School District. Retired from the University of Wisconsin System, including UW-Stout and UW-Eau Claire. At time of her retirement, she was working with the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities and Student Support Services, a federal program for first-generation and low-income college students.
Family: Welch and her husband, Gary, have three sons, two daughters-in-law, and six grandchildren.
Interests: Cynthia loves reading, gardening, sports, fabric arts, and her animals–five horses, one goat, one dog, two house cats, one wild barn cat, two rats, a snake, and a tortoise. Her community involvement includes volunteering at St. Joseph Parish in multiple capacities, serving on the Ministry Inc. board, serving on the MHS Alumni Awards selection committee, and as secretary of the Menomonie Women’s Group.
What interests you in PA, what excites you about PA, or some interesting fact about your relationship with PA: A key interest of mine is working with youth, especially those who struggle to be successful or are at risk of failure. Positive Alternatives as an organization works to assist youth at risk and their families achieve a positive future. working with youth, especially those who struggle to be successful or are at risk of failure. Serving on the PA Board is a way I can help impact a positive future for all youth.
Name: Gretchen Niedbalski – Policy & Procedure
Member of PA Board of Directors since 2015
Educational background:
High School diploma – Stevens Point Area Senior High
Bachelors of Science in Psychology- Viterbo College
Masters of Science- Education and Counseling- University of Wisconsin-Superior
Employment:
1998-2001- The State of Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development- Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
2001-Present – Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools- School Counselor
Family: My husband Chris and I have 3 sons, Jacob, Joshua, and Henry.
Interests: Running, kayaking, biking, coaching youth sports and woodworking.
What interests you in PA, what excites you about PA, or some interesting fact about your relationship with PA:
I believe in helping make a difference in the lives of others. This being said, I have a strong interest in volunteering my time and embrace opportunities to serve others. I am active coaching middle school soccer and track and supporting my boys with sporting events. I love being in nature camping with family and friends and traveling to explore new places. Something that people may not know about me is that I collect tea cups and love having high tea with friends.
I am honored to have been asked to serve on the PA Board of Directors. I look forward to being part of a program that helps strengthen families and enhances the lives of youth at risk. I am particularly interested in helping breakdown barriers to mental health services and work together with Positive Alternatives to enhance and enrich the communities of Wood County.
Name: Nathan Ferris – Personnel Committee
Member of PA Board of Directors since 2015
Educational background: Graduate of Edina High School, BA from Luther College
Employment: Deputy Sheriff with Polk County Sheriff’s Office
Family: I’m married to my wife Linda and have three boys: Lincoln, Otto, and Roman.
Interests: Running, kayaking, biking, coaching youth sports and woodworking.
What interests you in PA, what excites you about PA, or some interesting fact about your relationship with PA: I was first introduced to PA when I responded to the Amery group home to investigate an incident there. I was impressed with the level of dedication and professionalism displayed by the staff towards me and the clients. I believe PA plays a much needed role in society today by providing a home with structure and consistency to young lives that desperately need it.
Name: Allyson Moore – Personnel Committee
Member of PA Board of Directors since 2017
Educational background: Bachelor of Science – University of Wisconsin La Crosse- Business Management / Human Resources Emphasis
Juris Doctor Degree – William Mitchell College of Law
Employment: Present: Attorney at Doar, Drill & Skow—based in New Richmond, WI Primary areas of practice: City Prosecutor for the City of Menomonie, WI, Private Attorney for Family Matters, Court Appointed Guardian ad Litem in juvenile and adult matters (Guardianships, CHIPS, Family Cases, etc.)
Previous: Associate Attorney at Schofield, Parent, Mayer & Huff, Judicial Assistant for the Dunn County Judges, Deputy Clerk of Court for the Dunn County Clerk of Courts
Family: Married with a son – two fur-babies (dogs☺)
Interests: I love going for hikes in the summers or snowshoeing in the winter (assuming we have snow of course). I am also experimenting with gardening, not a green-thumb yet but I’m working on it. I enjoy traveling to new places and boating.
What interests you in PA, what excites you about PA, or some interesting fact about your relationship with PA: I am excited to be joining such a well-established, and rapidly expanding, organization that gives back to the community in so many ways. I am particularly excited about the creative and collaborative initiatives offered by PA to assist families and youth through various challenges. I am looking forward to bringing my legal and business background to promote the values and services of PA.
Name: Jon Tomski
Member of PA Board of Directors since 2019
Educational background: B.A. History & Education from UW Stevens Point, M.A Educational Leadership from Marian University
Employment: Associate Principal – Wausau West High School
Family: Married to Olia summer of 2019. Step-daughter, Sophia
Interests: Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, Hunting, Fishing, Motorcycles, Hiking, Cooking, Being Lazy and Binging Netflix
What interests you or excites you in PA: I work closely with students who are, or have been, residents at PA. The issues these students struggle with are the same as most of the student population I work with in my position. Mental health, trauma, delinquency, truancy are aspects of our students that I experience and try to help daily.
I am excited to gain more insight into the services available to our struggling youth so I may better serve them in PA, Wausau West, and the greater Wausau community.
Name: Dr. Amy Zimmerman
Member of PA Board of Directors since 2022
Educational background: B.A. in Psychology, M.A. in Educational Psychology (school psychology track), Ph.D. in Educational Psychology (school psychology track)
Employment: University of Wisconsin-Stout
Family: My immediate family consists of me, my partner, our two kids, and a cat.
Interests: board games, word puzzles, and Greek mythology
What interests you in PA, what excites you about PA, or some interesting fact about your relationship with PA: providing much-needed services to youth living in rural locations
Name: Jason Mountin
Member of PA Board of Directors since 2021
Educational background:
M.S. – Educational Leadership, St. Mary’s University, M.S. – School Business Administration, St. Mary’s University, M.S. – School Counseling, University of Wisconsin – Stout, B.S. – Business/Marketing Education, University of Wisconsin – Stout
Employment: Middle School Dean of Students / School Counselor – School District of the Menomonie Area
Family: Renee, Remedy & Archer (our dog)
Interests: I love to be outdoors, especially archery hunting, turkey hunting or pheasant hunting. If I have free time, it is usually spent hunting or preparing for an upcoming season. I also enjoy snowmobiling, snowshoeing or sliding on the hill in the back yard with Renee, Remedy, and Archer.
What interests you in PA, what excites you about PA, or some interesting fact about your relationship with PA: PA has always sparked an interest with me. Working for the School District of the Menomonie Area, I’ve seen what it can do for students who have benefited from its services. As an educator I want nothing more than for students to be put in a position, where they can be successful and become productive, contributing members of society. Through my position with the school district, I have had the opportunity to see firsthand, the programs PA has to offer our youth and how they work with our community’s at-risk adolescent population. I have seen some truly remarkable work done by this organization that has impacted many children in such positive ways, while showing them there is so much more to life than what they have been accustom to in the past. I am extremely excited to begin my journey as a board member with this organization, and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for us all.
Name: Jim Embke
Member of PA Board of Directors since 2021
Educational background: Undergraduate degrees in Computer Science and Psychology from UW-Madison; MBA degree from UW-Eau Claire
Employment: Most recently was Managing Director/President of NBI, Inc.
Family: Two adult children
Interests: I enjoy fly fishing, woodworking, golfing, binging TV shows, reading, and playing Kubb, along with other hobbies. I’m currently active with the local Trout Unlimited chapter and was on the Board of Directors for the LE Phillips Career Development Center.
What interests you in PA, what excites you about PA, or some interesting fact about your relationship with PA: I’m excited to learn more and find ways I could help PA further its mission. I’m honored to be accepted to the Board and participate with an organization which provides such important assistance to the youth and families in Wisconsin.