Board of Directors
Jerry Deschane | President
Jerry Deschane has served on public school boards in Wisconsin for over sixteen years, including service as one of the founding members of the Four Lakes Education, Inc. board. Deschane is the Executive Director of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities. He was the lead lobbyist for the Wisconsin Builders Association for 20 years, an association management consultant and writer. He is a 28-year veteran of government relations and association management and has served as board president since the establishment of the WIVA Charter with the McFarland School District in 2009.
Laura Cataldo | Vice President
Laura Cataldo specializes in management consulting for construction contractors, labor organizations and trade associations, with a focus on strategic planning, organizational effectiveness, business development strategy and workforce development. Laura is chair for the Workforce Development Board of South-Central Wisconsin and serves as co-chair for Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America’s Industry Recruiting Task Force. She is also an active thought leader for many industry publications and events.
Nick Cochart | Secretary
Nick Cochart, former Superintendent of Algoma, joined the Four Lakes Board in August 2022. Nick’s leadership extends beyond Algoma to regional and national initiatives. He was elected President of the Door/Kewaunee County insurance consortium; is community advisor for the Institute of Healthcare Improvement’s SCALE initiative with 100 Million Healthier Lives; is a Culture of Health Ambassador for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; and received the Northeast Wisconsin Manufacturing Alliance’s Educational Innovation Award. In 2022, he co-founded KinectM1, a consultant firm dedicated to community transformation. Nick and his family live in Casco, WI. Nick joined the board in August of 2022.
Robb Kahl | Treasurer
Robb serves as Chairman of Bank Holding Companies for Unity Bank, Executive Director of Construction Business Group and President and Partner of Generations Title Company, LLC. Robb previously served as a Wisconsin State Assembly Representative (47th Assembly District) for four years working on legislative, regulatory and constituent matters. He also served as Mayor of the City of Monona (2003-2011) responsible for overseeing city operations, staffing matters and establishing budget and policy. Rob became a member of the Four Lakes Education, Inc. Board of Directors in 2016.
Amy Sue Vruwink | Member
Amy Sue Vruwink is a former Democratic Party member of the Wisconsin State Assembly and represented the 70th Assembly District from 2002 to 2015. She joined the Four Lakes Board in August 2022.
Born in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, Vruwink graduated from Auburndale High School and then from Marian University. Vruwink was a former aide to Congressman David Obey and the area program director for the Minnesota Farm Bureau. Amy worked as a Legislative Liaison for Representative Ron Kind for several terms. She now works and supports her family farm in Wood County. Amy has a daughter and a son. Her son attended WIVA for a couple of months last spring. Amy joined the board in August of 2022.
Dr. Scott Brown | Member
Dr. Scott Brown has built a career in education, leadership, and school finance. He spent 23 years with the McFarland School District (WI), serving as Assistant Superintendent before becoming Superintendent in 2004, a role he held until retiring in 2015. He played a key role in developing the partnership between WIVA charter schools and McFarland.
A Wisconsin school finance expert, Dr. Brown has taught at UW-Madison, Edgewood College, and Cardinal Stritch University. At Edgewood, he led the Ed.D. K12 Educational Leadership and Superintendent Licensure Programs.
Since 2016, he has worked with Neola, Inc., guiding school districts in policy development. Recognized as Wisconsin’s Associate of the Year from 2018 to 2021, he was recently promoted to Vice President of Operations.
His civic leadership includes serving as President of the McFarland Chamber of Commerce and Optimist Club, co-chairing the McFarland Family Festival, and supporting educational initiatives. Dr. Brown holds an M.S. in School Finance from UW-Whitewater and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Edgewood College. He is licensed as a District Administrator, School Business Official, and K-12 Principal in Wisconsin.
John LeCloux | Member
John LeCloux serves as Global Director of Real Estate, Capex, & Strategic Initiatives at Multi-Color Corporation. With decades of leadership experience, he has held key roles, including Vice President of WS Packagingfor 23 years and Chairman, CEO, and President of RM LLC.
John’s expertise spans executive leadership, servant leadership philosophy, operations, procurement, quality management, real estate, business acquisitions, finance, and business integrations. His strategic approach has been instrumental in driving growth and operational excellence across industries.
Beyond his corporate roles, John has actively contributed to professional organizations. He currently serves on the Sustainability Committee for the Tag & Label Manufactures Institute. He previously served as Chairman on the Executive Board of Directors for the Great Lakes Graphics Associationand Treasurer on the Executive Board of Directors for Printing Industries of America, leading strategic initiatives to advance the print industry.
John and his wife reside in Grafton, WI. He joined the board in August 2025, bringing his expertise in strategic leadership and industry development.
Non-Voting Members
Bruce Fischer Appointed McFarland Board of Education
Retired McFarland Teacher and McFarland School District Board member.
List your past roles in your career and what helped shape your career?
- Taught for 40 years, in upstate New York, Chicago, and McFarland schools
- Taught one year in Scotland on a Fulbright exchange
- Coached cross-country and track at McFarland
Where are you from/ where do you live?
- I grew up in Rhode Island and graduated from Syracuse University
- I have lived in McFarland for 40 years
What are your passions or hobbies?
- I was a competitive runner, two-time state champion in track. I was on four national teams and competed twice in the U.S. Olympic Trials
- I also was awarded the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Award for Outstanding American History – Teacher in Dane County (1986) and DAR State Winner (2005)
What inspires you to serve on the board of education for McF?
- I am passionate about education and our community of McFarland