Josh is an Associate Municipal Advisor who assists western Wisconsin municipalities with project financing and economic development needs. Prior to joining Ehlers in 2019, Josh served as an analyst for the City of San Francisco, where he specialized in capital improvement planning, implementation of special tax districts and legislative and policy analysis for the Board of Supervisors.

Casey is a Senior Financial Specialist with our Wisconsin Municipal Finance team, supporting our Municipal Advisors with debt planning and issuance, as well as tax incremental financing and utility rate studies. Prior to joining Ehlers, Casey served more than 13 years in administrative positions with Wisconsin municipalities. He was the first City Administrator for the City of Cudahy, and also served as the Village Administrator for Wind Point, Administrative Services Director for the Village of Sussex and Assistant Village Manager in the Village of Elm Grove.

Ariana is a Senior Financial Specialist with our Wisconsin Municipal Finance team, supporting our Municipal Advisors with debt planning and issuance, as well as tax incremental financing and utility rate studies. Prior to joining Ehlers in 2023, she gained nearly eight years of progressive experience in healthcare administration, earning advanced responsibilities and promotions along the way. Ariana holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Concordia University.

Paul is a Senior Financial Specialist with our Wisconsin Municipal Finance team, where he supports our Municipal Advisors with debt planning and issuance, tax incremental financing, and utility rate studies. Prior to joining Ehlers, he spent more than 20 years years in administration and leadership positions with Wisconsin municipalities. After beginning his career with Waukesha County, Paul served 14 years as the Deputy Clerk for the Village of Pewaukee before moving to the Village of Whitefish Bay, where he ultimately advanced into the role of Village Manager.

Tami joined Ehlers in 2016 on the Wisconsin Education team and was later named Senior Investment Adviser with our Investments team. She assists clients with the development and implementation of investment strategies for bond proceeds and general funds. Prior to joining Ehlers, Tami spent 14 years gaining expertise in the financial services industry.

Greg is a Senior Municipal Advisor with our Wisconsin Municipal team. He guides local governments and public agencies in the design and implementation of financial solutions that empower communities to advance their critical missions. Prior to joining Ehlers in 2005, Greg worked in municipal government as an administrator in Kansas, Illinois and Wisconsin. Clients depend on Greg for his ability to comprehensively analyze their financial landscapes and construct innovative debt issuance and economic development programs.

Stephen brings more than 13 years’ experience in providing arbitrage calculations and bond compliance training to his role as a Senior Arbitrage Consultant. Prior to joining the firm in 2018, Stephen managed the national arbitrage practice at Arbitrage Compliance Specialists, Inc. and spent an additional decade working in the financial services industry. His proactive approach to arbitrage compliance guides clients through the complexities of Internal Revenue Service reporting requirements and rebate analysis.

Todd is a Senior Municipal Advisor on our Wisconsin Municipal Finance team. He joined Ehlers in 2003 after serving eight years as the Administrator for the Village of Bellevue. He previously held positions with the Waukesha Housing Authority and the Village of Sussex. Todd’s previous experience gives him a first-hand understanding of how local governments operate and the challenges they face, along with an ability to relate with staff and officials on a more personal level. These insights all help him craft recommendations and plans tailored to his clients’ specific circumstances and needs.

Brian is a Senior Municipal Advisor and works with local units of government, special districts and authorities, and public agencies in the areas of debt issuance, fiscal planning, special studies, economic development and tax increment. He advises clients with billions of dollars in debt issuance and also has experience with non-profit and municipally owned healthcare financing. He currently leads Ehlers’ Minnesota Municipal Finance team as one of the firm’s Managing Directors and serves as the President of our Investment Management Team.

Brian is a Senior Municipal Advisor with our Wisconsin Municipal Finance team where he helps clients with fiscal studies, debt planning and issuance, and financial management planning. Since he joined the firm as an intern, Brian has quickly risen through the ranks due to his commitment to accuracy, dedication to customer service, and ability to break down complex financial concepts in a way that all client constituents can understand.

Ben W. Wood, P.E. is an engineer with Strand Associates, Inc., a firm that specializes in all facets of civil engineering, and specifically in their Milwaukee Office. Ben graduated from UW-Platteville in 2006 and was recently named as an Outstanding Alumni. His municipal engineering career has focused on drinking water and aging infrastructure. He has presented at over 100 official board meetings and is often tasked with interacting directly with the public to communicate technical and financial project implications.

Jake Lichter assists clients with taxable and tax-exempt debt offerings. He helps state and local governments with their financing needs while serving as bond counsel in connection with the issuance of general obligation and revenue backed debt. Jake works on a variety of matters, both large and small, ranging from infrastructure projects to the construction of convention centers and sports arenas. He also advises clients on tax incremental financing and development matters and serves as disclosure counsel to countless Wisconsin municipalities.

Harry is a Municipal Advisor with our Wisconsin Municipal team, helping clients with debt issuance and management, economic development and redevelopment, and financial management and planning. Prior to joining Ehlers, Harry worked for Baker Tilly, assisting counties and municipalities with tax increment creation/amendment, reporting and projections, incentive structuring and reporting, and debt issuance. Before that, he was Director of Research for the Council of Development Finance Agencies, where he ran technical assistance programs for federal, state and local economic development finance programs.

Kayla is an Associate Municipal Advisor with our Wisconsin Municipal Finance team, helping clients with public debt planning and issuance, project management, long-term financial management planning, economic development and redevelopment, and utility cash flow modeling. Kayla brings nearly 15 years of local and federal government experience to her role with the firm, most recently serving as the Administrator | Clerk for the Village of Butler, Wisconsin. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master of Business Administration degree.

Chad Brecklin serves as the City Administrator for the City of Fitchburg, Wisconsin, where he oversees the daily operations of a rapidly growing and diverse community. Prior to this role, Chad served in the Fitchburg Police Department, most recently as Police Chief.  In his various roles with Fitchburg, Chad has been involved in a wide variety of operational activities, including budget and project management, staffing and organizational analysis, strategic planning, and community engagement and outreach.  Through his involvement in operational activities, Chad has gained valuable experience in leadership and communications.

Joe began his career as a Municipal Advisor in 2007 and currently serves with our Wisconsin Municipal team. Prior to becoming an Advisor, he spent nearly 20 years working directly in local government for municipalities in Wisconsin, Michigan, Missouri, Kansas and Virginia. He served nine years as Village Manager for the Village of Greendale, Wisconsin. Joe’s first-hand experience in local government gives him valuable insight into the challenges our clients encounter every day. He combines that historical knowledge with exceptional listening skills and advisory expertise to create innovative and pragmatic financial solutions that help his clients complete projects and drive their community initiatives forward.

Hillary Mintz joined Waukesha County in 2023 as its Public Information Officer. Before Hillary joined the County, she spent more than a decade as a trusted journalist covering Southeastern Wisconsin at WISN 12 News. Hillary now works in the County Executive's Office, serving as the PIO and the Press Secretary for County Executive Paul Farrow. She oversees County communications across multiple departments with the goal to keep all residents informed.

Sean has over 30 years of public finance experience related to bond issues, financial planning and economic development. He serves Wisconsin and Minnesota cities, townships, counties and public utilities with project financing and economic development needs. Sean partners with staff and governing bodies in communities large and small to design and present financial options that help community leaders achieve their goals. Sean’s experience is especially valuable for his strategic perspective, market knowledge and relationships with underwriters and rating agencies.

Valeah Foy is the Division Administrator of the State and Local Finance Division (SLF) within the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR). SLF supports local governments with property assessment/taxation, distributes shared revenue and property tax relief, and trains local government officials. She has been with the DOR since 2011. Prior to her current role, Valeah was the SLF Deputy Administrator and Local Government Services Bureau Director. She has background in finance with a Master of Business Administration in Finance and International Management and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Valeah truly enjoys supporting Wisconsin local governments.

Phil is a Senior Municipal Advisor who has been in Ehlers’ Wisconsin office since 1996. He guides local governments and public agencies in creating financial solutions that support the growth and maintenance of vibrant and sustainable communities. Prior to joining Ehlers, he worked with the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission and the City of Ocala, Florida. Phil is passionate about building long-lasting relationships with clients and collaborating to create meaningful change.

Brian Doudna joined Sheboygan County as its Executive Director after six successful years as the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA), a statewide trade association that represents the interests of economic development professionals. He has run county-wide Economic Development Corporations for over 20 years including stops as the Executive Director of the Eau Claire Area Economic Development Corporation and the Portage County Business Council.

Josh Schoemann was elected County Executive of Washington County in April of 2020, after serving over six years as County Administrator and Administrative Coordinator (County Manager). He was elected to his second term in April of 2024. He also serves as the President of the Wisconsin County Executives & Administrators Association (2021- to present).

Jon is a Senior Municipal Advisor and Managing Director with our Wisconsin Municipal Finance team, where he advises local governments, public utilities and special districts on the design and implementation of custom financial solutions. Prior to joining Ehlers in 2013, Jon was an Economic Consultant with Municipal Economics and Planning, a Division of Ruekert/Mielke. He was also a founding member of Trilogy Consulting, LLC, as a Principal and Senior Consultant. Clients rely on Jon for his ability to present complex analysis in an easy-to-understand format

Jerry Deschane joined the League in 2014 and serves as Executive Director. He is the fifth League Executive Director since the organization was founded in 1898. Working with the League board and staff, Jerry is responsible for engaging appointed and elected city and village officials in the state legislative process and for motivating state policymakers to support vibrant Wisconsin communities. Jerry is a longtime lobbyist and association executive. He also has experience in state government and the news media.

Toni Herkert joined the League in January 2021 and serves as Government Affairs Director. Toni’s responsibilities include working with the legislature and state agencies to develop policies that are in the best interests of municipalities throughout the state, testifying at legislative committee hearings, serving on advisory committees and state boards to represent municipal interests, and interfacing with our members on policy and legislative related issues. Toni is the former long-time policy advisor for Wisconsin State Senator Robert Cowles (R-Green Bay) and most recently served as a Senior Policy Analyst and Clerk of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy and previously worked at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Lakes and NEW Water (formally Green Bay Metropolitan Sewerage District).