Current VNA Board
OFFICERS (2026)
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 2027
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. 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 2027
DAN
GRAFF
Secretary
Dan Graff has lived in the Vilas Neighborhood since late 1999. He and his wife Doris Olander reside at 2016 Jefferson Street, the one with a screened-in front porch and a dog sculpture in front. Dan loves to sit on the porch and enjoy the traffic going by during the summer months. He also likes riding bicycles, walking his two somewhat barky dogs [although they are good boys!], volunteering and enjoying the amenities of living in a university town. He worked for the State of Wisconsin for 30 years, but recently retired.
Since May 2024, Dan has served on the Vilas Neighborhood Council as Secretary. His interests in the Council include encouraging new, younger residents of the neighborhood to become active in VNA, promoting good relations with Monroe Street businesses and the colleges on either side of Vilas, and getting an updated Vilas Neighborhood Member Directly published in 2025.
Term through 2026
NEIGHBORHOOD REPRESENTATIVES
Matt BrunneR
I moved along with my wife and two kids to 1911 Vilas Ave in April 2025. Prior to that, we had lived in the Midvale Heights Neighborhood since 2016. My wife and I moved to Madison in 2015 to start our medical residencies, and have stayed here since. I now work as a hematologist/cellular therapy doctor at the University of Wisconsin.
Moving to the Vilas neighborhood had been a long-term goal of ours: the natural beauty of the path and streets, the zoo, Monroe street, and all a walk away. As we’ve settled in, we’ve also grown to appreciate the warm and welcoming community. I hope to use my time on the council to sustain and enhance that community.
Term through 2027
ADAM SCHRAGER
My name is Adam Schrager and my wife, three teenagers, and I live on Campbell Street, about a block off of Bear Mound. I have a senior and a sophomore at West and an 8th grader at Hamilton. My wife teaches 2ndgrade at Franklin Elementary and likely knows your children if they’re younger.
We have lived at our home since 2011 having intentionally moved to this neighborhood in Madison to raise our children who have gone from regular play outings at Vilas, ZuZu’s, and the Zoo to working at Mystery to Me, getting their hair cut at Nogginz next to Mickie’s, and buying coffee/sweets at Barrique’s and Bloom.
I work at UW as a faculty member in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. I have also been the Treasurer of the Hamilton PTO for the last four years and I also served a term on the Camp Randall Rowing Club board. I also rotate as an announcer at Shorewood Swim Club meets and serve as the Social Media Coordinator for our youngest’s Madison 56ers soccer team.
Term through 2026
Tiffany Patton
Hi neighbors, my name is Tiffany Patton. My family and I have lived in Madison since 2013 and in the Vilas neighborhood for the past six years. We have two young kids, ages 6 and 4, who love growing up here and enjoying all that our community has to offer. In my free time, I enjoy skiing, swimming, running, and mountain biking — often with my family alongside me.
I work as an emergency veterinarian at Madison Veterinary Specialists, where I have been since 2019, and I’ve been practicing in Southern Wisconsin since 2013. In addition to my clinical work, I help train and mentor new veterinary graduates as the internship director at our hospital. Supporting others and working collaboratively are central to what I do every day, and I’d love to bring that same spirit to our neighborhood council.
I’m especially interested in community events for families with young children, neighborhood advocacy, and addressing issues such as traffic, parking, and speeding in our area. I also care deeply about supporting our local small businesses and ensuring that families with young kids have a strong voice on the council.
I’m excited about the opportunity to listen, connect, and work together with fellow residents to keep Vilas a safe, vibrant, and welcoming place for all of us.
Term through 2027
LEWIS LEAVITT
My wife and I are longtime residents of the Vilas neighborhood where we raised two now adult children. I am retired from a career as a professor of pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin and Medical Director of the Waisman Center. The Vilas neighborhood is a vibrant community because of its people and the resources within the neighborhood: Vilas Park, the Monroe Street Library, Monroe Street merchants , and a pedestrian and biking culture. I hope to be an advocate for all of these.
Term through 2026
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 2026