Gail Bast
Gail Bast, MBA, CAE has acquired a thorough understanding of association management by serving in leadership positions for international, national, regional, and local professional medical, trade and community development organizations. She has consulted to corporations and associations and has held a variety of board and committee positions. Her association management experience is complemented by marketing and public relations expertise, an advanced degree in business management and association executive certification. Gail’s organizational skills combine with her experience and education in management and administration, fund development, budget and finance.

Sarah Krause
Sarah Krause brings a broad knowledge of educational program development and management. She specializes in continuing medical education accreditation compliance, fund development, grants management and event planning. Sarah has led efforts to design and develop program content, speaker databases, evaluation processes and targeted promotions – including website design and electronic communications. Sarah provides leadership in committee management by preparing agendas, communications and summary reports that ensure continuity and momentum. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Business and Spanish.

Michelle Reed
Michelle Reed has effectively and profitably organized all aspects of meetings management for 20 to 9,000 attendees. Michelle is well versed in conducting site visits, preparing recommendations for leadership and negotiating with meeting sites to secure quality meeting space, audio visual and catering at the lowest cost to organizations. Michelle adeptly manages targeted promotions, abstract processes and online registrations. Her meeting management experience couples with formal education in public relations and communications to enhance member relations, retention and recruitment efforts.

Lynda J Patterson
Lynda J. Patterson, CAE has fifteen years experience in association management and consulting, taking on her first Executive Director role at the age of 25 and earning her CAE designation in 1998. Lynda brings knowledge of a variety of organizational experiences and cultures. She has served organizations in the CEO capacity as well as business development, marketing and communications. She has managed association budgets ranging from less than $500,000 up to $15 million. Her passion for non-profit membership associations comes through in her work with Boards of Directors, members and staff as she engages in member services, program development, partnerships, and growth strategy. Lynda’s strength in strategic planning with associations is an added plus for the groups she manages. In addition, Lynda has spoken and written nationally on the topic of strategic planning and communicating mission within associations and serves on several non-profit Boards. Lynda is a UW-Madison graduate and earned her Masters degree from UW-Milwaukee.

Elise Jaeger
Elise Jaeger efficiently organizes accounts payable, manages membership information, supports Board of Directors and Executive Committee activities, coordinates filing and bookkeeping, and assists in meeting planning and promotions.

Jeanne Rosen
Jeanne M. Rosen has 20 years of experience managing and supporting a wide variety of professional associations, both national and local. Along the way, she has honed a diverse set of skills essential for association management success. She has been responsible for developing and implementing marketing and communication strategies for such diverse groups as the National Christmas Tree Association and the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin. An award winning designer, she has extensive experience in designing and producing promotional materials ranging from simple two-panel brochures to full-color magazines. She is also adept in e-publishing and web management. She received a 2005 Society of National Association Publications Silver Award while managing editor, art director and contributing writer for her association’s bi-monthly journal. She also received a 1996 American Society of Association Executives Award recognizing her work on the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology’s monthly newsletter. As an event planner, Jeanne has planned conferences and trade shows for groups large and small, taking a meeting from idea to successful completion. Her full scope of meeting responsibilities ranges from programming development and venue selection, to exhibit management and event marketing. Jeanne has also executed results-oriented public relations and marketing initiatives. She specializes in membership development and the management of national media campaigns. Organizational Experience: Wisconsin Innkeepers Association (Communications and Marketing Specialist) – spearheaded a telemarketing program that increased membership by 8% in one year. National Christmas Tree Association (Public Relations Director) – reorganized the association’s public relations program and increased its media impact by 56%; organized and participated in the annual White House Christmas tree presentation. Executive Director, Inc. (Director of Creative Services) – head of staff for in-house publishing department serving 11 association clients within a full-service association management firm. Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin (Director of Communications and Conferences) – produced multiple communication products and managed meetings for up to 600; transitioned printed products into electronic format. Jeanne has earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree, Mount Mary College, Milwaukee.

Lori Rathje
Lori Rathje is an experienced association management professional, with specialized knowledge of continuing medical education and accreditation processes. She has experience liaising with volunteer committees to improve processes and procedures, and has broadened her interests to include the logistical aspects of meeting planning. Lori has managed the conflict of interest review and resolution process for meetings of more than 400 speakers. She uses here keen eye for detail in the preparation of copy writing, program development and print advertisements. Lori’s knowledge and experience help organizations establish and exceed goals. Along with her association management experience, Lori earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communication with emphasis in Journalism in 2005.

Maureen Sacho
Maureen Sacho has over 25 years of experience as an accountant/bookkeeper with a broad background in both corporate and non-profit accounting, auditing and taxes. She works closely with Executive Directors and has developed tools and systems to provide critical financial information to Association Acumen clients. Maureen has expertise in several accounting platforms including QuickBooks. Her responsibilities include financial management, human resources and facilities management.

Kimberly Striebel
Kimberly Striebel has over twenty years of experience in the accounting field. She is currently providing accounting and financial management for a number of associations and non-profits utilizing QuickBooks and Great Plains software. Working closing with the executive staff and volunteer leadership team, associations can expect comprehensive and transparent financial management, including detailed income and expense statements and strategic budgeting. Kim has an MBA in Finance from the University of Wisconsin business school.

Dave Bayer
Dave Bayer brings fifteen years of technical expertise to Association Acumen clients. His background in information technology provides a wide range of services including server and networking, programming, business software and security enforcement for Acumen clients. Dave’s experience in the computer industry combines with a proven track record to provide products of the best quality and backs them with outstanding service.

Scott Hartig
Scott Hartig’s creative talents combine strategy and technology to bolster branding, marketing and communication solutions across a wide variety of media. With 15 years experience in marketing, advertising and interactive development, Scott and his team help Association Acumen client’s design and develop cutting edge solutions for its interactive needs. Scott’s emphasis on strategies for emerging and changing organizations helps guide Acumen’s clients to best practice solutions, integrated applications and phased developments.

Oliver Reed
Oliver Reed joined Association Acumen in 2008 as CMO (Chief Morale Officer). Having grown up in the association management industry, Oliver has developed a broad repertoire for supporting the Acumen team.  He brings a healthy perspective to the office with humor and clever approaches to problem solving. Always exemplary in his life balance, Oliver consistently integrates rest and relaxation while striving for new heights.