Current VNA Board
OFFICERS (2024)
Doug Carlson
President
vnapresident@gmail.com
I've lived on Oakland Ave. since 2000 and served on the VNA Council from 2014-2018 and 2022-present. I've represented the VNA on the Joint Campus Area Committee since 2012, help with Camp Randall communications, coordinated VNA surveys in 2018 and 2021, and help with upkeep of the neighborhood rain garden. I am a small business owner and a UW alumni with a Masters' in Urban & Regional Planning and other degrees. Our family loves Vilas for the parks and small businesses in our area with the close proximity to UW and downtown.
I have sought compromise on many issues impacting the neighborhood including height & density of new developments, impacts from the UW & Edgewood, traffic, and sustainable development. I seek a balance of enabling growth and changes in the neighborhood to maintain its vibrancy while protecting the high quality of life and unique aspects that we all appreciate.
Term through 2025
Rachel Bennett
Treasurer
My name is Rachel Bennett and I have lived at 1119 Van Buren Street since 2012 with my husband, Dan, and 2 daughters, Susannah and Sarah. You may also see me walking our two little dogs, Fizzy and Louie, each of whom have one eye. I am a family medicine physician currently working at Marley Medical, a telemedicine clinic focused on hypertension. I have benefited from the time and energy of others who have made Vilas the vibrant neighborhood that it is and am happy to have an opportunity to give some of that back.
Term through 2025
tommy johnson
Secretary
My name is Tommy Johnson and I have lived on Oakland Ave since Spring of 2020. After moving to Madison to attend UW in 2010, it was an easy decision to want to stay around after graduating. Having lived in multiple areas around Madison, I feel so fortunate to have been able to find a home in our neighborhood. My wife Katherine and I love the proximity to so many great parks and amenities.
Since moving here, I've had tangential roles helping support the VNA: serving as a block captain in helping hand out VNA flyers, newsletters, etc. and assisting with annual maintenance in the neighborhood rain garden. I'm looking forward to taking on a more official role within the VNA to learn about and better support our neighborhood.
Term through 2025
NEIGHBORHOOD REPRESENTATIVES
Chris Conrad
I live at 2115 Adams St with my wife Ruby and my daughter Naomi. We bought the house in July 2023. I grew up mostly in the Regent neighborhood, but spent my high school years living in the Vilas neighborhood in a house that faces Bear Mound. I’ve always loved the Vilas Neighborhood, and it’s great to be back.
Prior to the Adams St house, we lived in Monona for 5 years. I served on Monona’s Plan Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Sustainability Committee. We own a boutique real estate brokerage, property management, and development business. Ruby is also a Spanish teacher.
Some topics that interest me include: historic preservation, sustainable and responsible development, workforce housing, and auxiliary dwelling units. I’d like to help my fellow Vilas residents and the VNA Council find a pragmatic approach to growth, density, enjoyment, and preservation.
Term through 2025
Bonnie Gruber
I have lived since 1962 at 1430 Drake Street, in the house my late husband’s grandparents bought in 1929.
I was president of what was then the 13th Aldermanic District Neighborhood Association in 1975-76 and represented the district on the Madison City Council from 1977 to 1979 and 1981 to 1985. After that I worked in various parks and recreation jobs for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for 26 years.
I’m a member of the Devil’s Head Ski Patrol and the Luther Memorial Church choir. I play fiddle in several folk groups and am learning to play the tenor viola a gamba. I share a chocolate Labrador retriever, Bongo, with my son Tim and grandchildren.
I hope to live here many more years and then hand the home over to my sons, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren. I care about the natural environment and want to help preserve our neighborhood as a good place to live.
Term through 2024
lEE LAZAR
Term through 2024
lEON MAURER
Term through 2024
MICHAEL REWEY
I have lived at 1921 Jefferson for about 5 years with my partner Rose Messina. She grew up in the home we live in.
I earned an Engineering degree from UW, then began my career with WisDOT where I was a transportation (all modes) planner and engineer. I was happy to return to Madison 35 years ago. My deceased wife (Pam) and I had 4 adult children and 9 grandchildren – 2 in college here. I have done my best to give back to Madison serving on a few committees, Board of Public Works, Planning Commission, and Urban Forestry Task Force to name some. I am an unabashed tree hugger, bike advocate, history buff and environmentalist. We both enjoy active travel.
Our Vilas Neighborhood is an exciting place to live and I hope to contribute to it as an active VNA council member while change evolves around us.
Term through 2024
COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVES
Joint Campus Area Committee: doug carlson
edgewood LIAISON COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVES:
Craig Stanley
nOMINATING cHAIR FOR vna ELECTIONS AND VACANCIES: Bonnie Gruber
Election Chair: Mary CLare murphy
ZONING COMMITTEE CO-CHAIRS:
BENJAMIN BILTZ AND WENDY FEARNSIDE
Membership Chair: Mary CLare Murphy
SOCIAL CHAIR: Bethany Nelson
socialchairvilas@gmail.com