Board of Directors

Alicia Schmitz

My personal mission statement is very simple and straight forward. Serve others before yourself. I try to live by that in everything I do both personally and professionally.

My job allows me the opportunity to server in a professional manor. Working with leaders and decision makers of organizations to partner with them to help them achieve their company’s goals through technology.

I also have the opportunity to serve my community through several non-profit organizations that I belong to. This allows me the opportunity to work to make a difference not just as an individual but a group.

My greatest passion is being a mother to my three children and a wife to my husband. Providing for them not just financially but also emotionally and spiritually. I do my very best to lead by example and not just words.

Cyndean Jennings - President

Cyndean Jennings is the Dean of Pre-College Division and Racine Campus Affairs at Gateway Technical College. Prior to Gateway Technical College - Cyndean served as a guidance counselor for Mary D. Bradford High School in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Cyndean has a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Wisconsin Green Bay and a Master of Science in Education - School Counseling from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.

Cyndean has been in education for over 25 years. She is dedicated to removing barriers for students so that they are able to pursue their education and career dreams.

Kate Trudell - Vice President

As Vice President, Wealth Fiduciary Advisor, Kate fosters and grows relationships with clients in order to provide the best products and services for every individual, family, and organization. She is passionate about helping people manage affairs that are both personal and important to them, their families, and their businesses.

As a former employment law attorney, Kate is skilled in working with multiple stakeholders to achieve satisfactory solutions to challenging problems. Through her collaborative approach and genuine curiosity for each person’s story, Kate grows strong client relationships built on transparency and trust.

Community Involvement

Kenosha Habitat for Humanity from 2010-2019
STEPP Expulsion program in RUSD from 2019-2020
ECLA Urban Outreach Clinic from 2016-2018
Kenosha County Small Claims Mediation from 2014-2018

Ed Egan

Ed Egan came to LCS via his involvement in the Leadership Kenosha Program and is the owner of the Business Consulting company Double E Workplace Solutions LLC. Before starting his own business, Ed spent 26 years at a Fortune 100 company and held roles that included Shop Floor Operations, Quality Control, Supply Chain, Continuous Improvement, and Learning and Development.

Ed has resided in Western Kenosha county his entire life and graduated from Cardinal Stritch University with a B.S. Degree in Management and a Certificate in Human Resources Management.

Ed has a passion for helping people enhance their Organizational Effectiveness, Talent Development, Continuous Improvement, and Training Systems and sees the LCS mission as a perfect fit to drive his personal and professional passions.

Barry Fries

Barry Fries began his career at Johnson Financial Group in 2010. In his current role as AVP, Commercial Banking, Barry generates and manages commercial relationships with current and prospective clients by providing financial solutions to help grow their business.

Barry is a lifelong resident of Racine and is a graduate of the Leadership Racine program (LR 19). He received his BA in Marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and his MBA from Cardinal Stritch University.

Prior to joining the Lakeside Curative Services Board of Directors, Barry served as the Chair for RCEDC’s Loan Advisory Committee. Throughout his career in banking, Barry has worked with several non-profit organizations and is eager to use his knowledge gained from managing these relationships to contributing to LCS’s mission and strategic plan.

Herb Katt- Secretary

My background is in commercial and industrial construction. I started during high school working for a residential contractor on weekends and after school. Prior to starting Katt Construction I worked for various local construction companies.

Han Zhang, Ph.D.

Han Zhang currently works as an Institutional Research Analyst at the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment, University of Wisconsin-Parkside. She received her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Otterbein University and Ph.D. in Evaluation and Measurement from Kent State University. Han’s main area of expertise includes quantitative data analysis, research methodology, measurement instrument development, and educational program evaluation and assessment. Her academic publication includes developing and cross-validating a home functioning scale for people with multiple sclerosis to help rehabilitation counselors and allied health practitioners in investigating the impact of receiving vocational rehabilitation services on competitive employment outcomes for young adults with disabilities.

Greg Waters

Greg works as a Client Success Manager at Watermark Insights, a software company that supports higher education institutions.

He is passionate about the important work nonprofits do and has worked with them for over 10 years serving in the areas of education, homelessness, substance use, vocational skills, and family services. He especially loves working with organizations serving vulnerable populations.

Greg, his wife, and two children have lived in southeastern Wisconsin for over 15 years.

Breanna Schwerke

Breanna Schwerke currently works at Educators Credit Union as a Branch Manager. She has worked at Educators Credit Union for close to nine years, and she has been in the banking industry for 13 years. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Finance at UW-Parkside. When she is not helping individuals with their finances, she enjoys her mini farm of chickens and rabbits, along with her two dogs.