Photo credit: Christine Stocke
In May, the RNA membership elects a slate of officers and at-large board members according to the directions set out in Section IV. D. of the RNA Bylaws. RNA committee chairs are put forward by the President and confirmed by the full board. In August 2017, the board adjusted its meeting schedule and will generally meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Meetings are currently held online via Zoom and were previously held at the Best Western InnTowner, at the corner of Highland Avenue and University Avenue, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Board meetings are open to the public. Agenda items are solicited through the RNA listserv or may be suggested to the RNA President. If you have questions, suggestions for agenda items, or are interested in serving on the Board, please contact the President.
Confirm and find meeting Minutes and Agendas at our Meetings page.
Confirm and find meeting Minutes and Agendas at our Meetings page.
Regent Neighborhood Association Board of Directors
| Officers | ||
|---|---|---|
| Samantha Crownover | President | samanthacrownover(AT)sbcglobal.net |
| Ronnie Hess | Vice-President | rlhess(AT)wisc.edu |
| Mary Czynszak-Lyne | Secretary / University Relations Chair | mczynsza(AT)wisc.edu |
| John Schlaefer | Treasurer | rnatreasurer(AT)yahoo.com |
| Committee Chairs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mary Sarnowski | Communications Chair | sarnowski(AT)mac.com |
| Stacy Schuman | Development & Preservation Chair | stacyschuman125(AT)gmail.com |
| OPEN | 4th of July 2026 Chair | |
| Jane McCarthy | Membership Chair | [email protected] |
| Megan Pohl | School Relations Chair | megpohl(AT)gmail.com |
| Eric Wiesman | Sustainability Chair | SustainableRNA(AT)gmail.com |
| Charlie Peters | Transportation Chair | capeters53(AT)gmail.com |
| Board Members | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ron Rosner | At Large | rosner7(AT)charter.net |
| Shiva Bidar | At Large | shivabidar(AT)tds.net |
Meet Your RNA Board Members
Samantha Crownover
Ronnie Hess
Mary Czynszak-Lyne
John Schlaefer
Mary Sarnowski
Stacy Schuman
Megan Pohl
Eric Wiesman
Charlie Peters
Ron Rosner
Shiva Bidar
|
Samantha Crownover, President
We’ve lived on Kendall for nearly twenty years—my husband, Bruce, and our daughter, Lilly, who has flown the coop—and are involved in the arts. I’m executive director of Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society, a lively chamber music festival and I am an arts consultant. I love historic preservation and manage historic buildings including my dream project, Brisbane House, a vacation rental on the National Register of Historic Places, in Arena, WI. Next to Madison, my favorite place I’ve lived has been Italy. I’ve served on many non-profit boards. Ronnie Hess, Vice President and Newsletter Editor
In addition to editing the RNA Newsletter, I’m a poet and journalist who came West from New York City for graduate study in history at UW–Madison. I’ve got award-winning collections of poetry and culinary travel guides (France and Portugal), the latter in company with the neighborhood’s Joan Peterson and Susan Chwae. When I’m not taking courses at UW–Madison as a lifelong learner, I take exercise classes (virtual and in indoor/outdoor pools) as well as raise hens in our backyard. I’ve lived in the neighborhood with my husband of 35 years, Ron Rosner. See ronniehess.com
John Schlaefer, Treasurer
I’m RNA's treasurer and I’ve been on the RNA Board for many years, serving two terms in the past as board president. Having grown up in the neighborhood, I attended Randall School and graduated from West High. I lived in other parts of Madison for twenty-six years, but moved back in 2009 to the apartment building on Kendall Avenue where I grew up. In 2015 my brother and sister and I inherited the building, which I now manage. I have a long-time interest, and activism, in development issues and historic preservation. I have a master's degree in urban and regional planning with a concentration in neighborhood planning from UW. I’ve had Mayoral appointments for two neighborhood planning projects; have served on the city's zoning board of appeals; boards of an eastside neighborhood association, and a neighborhood community development corporation. Neighborhoods and strong resident involvement are important components of a well-functioning city. Since I retired fifteen years ago, I have had more time to pursue my two favorite hobbies: architectural history and photography. Mary Sarnowski, Communications Chair and Graphic Designer
I’ve lived in the Regent Neighborhood since 1984, minus four years in Massachusetts. When we moved back to Madison, we chose our house on Kendall Avenue for the schools and for its proximity to work and play. I’m a freelance graphic designer with a BA in Fine Art from UW–Stevens Point, and graphic design training in the Communications Arts program at MATC. I’ve worked as a graphic designer with Welch Design Group (owned by Regent Neighbor Nancy Welch), Think Ink & Design, and the Rowland Reading Foundation. I joined the RNA Board in 2008 and serve as Communications Chair, moderating the RNA Listserv and maintaining the RNA website, and as graphic designer for the newsletter and member directory. Stacy Schuman, Development and Preservation Chair
I recently moved to Madison from Chicago and quickly found a sense of home in the Regent neighborhood, where my husband Dan and I have spent the past few years restoring our 1920s colonial house. I work in pharmaceutical marketing, leading digital strategy for healthcare professionals and I’m excited to bring my passion for clear communication and thoughtful innovation to my role on the neighborhood association. Outside of work, I enjoy historic home preservation, gardening, yoga, traveling, hanging out with our pup, Sam, and exploring Madison’s vibrant food scene. Pat McQuiddy, Directory Chair
I grew up in Evanston, Ill. and St. Louis, Mo. After earning a BA in math and economics from Duke University, I came to Madison for a MA in Zoology. I worked in cancer research at McArdle Laboratories in Madison until my retirement in 1997. Along the way I learned to play the cello, and met my future husband Jeremy Fox while playing in the Milton String Sinfonia, at Milton College. Jeremy’s mother still lived in the house Jeremy grew up in on Virginia Terrace in the Regent Neighborhood. One day while visiting, we noticed a “for sale” sign in front of a nearby house, walked in, “…let’s say we’re looking for a house and go see it.” Next thing we knew we were moving in and have lived there for 42 years. In retirement I wanted to help the neighborhood deliver the RNA directory. Instead, I wound up with the whole job of putting it together and have been doing it ever since. Jane McCarthy, Membership Chair
I came to Madison 26 years ago by way of Chicago and Boulder after growing up in Michigan. I’ve lived in the Regent neighborhood for the past 12 years. I love the walkability of our neighborhood as well as the good people who populate it. I work on campus in the Art History department, which is delightful because it combines two of my favorites: Art + History. I coordinate the department’s Partners In Giving campaign, as well as Fill the Hill and Day of the Badger. I also serve on the University Staff Issues Committee. Previous volunteer experience includes Meals on Wheels and serving as membership coordinator for the Madison chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals. I’m pleased to find myself recruited to work with the Regent Neighborhood Association. Please recruit your neighbors to join and, if you haven’t already, please join now! I’m looking forward meeting many more of you soon! Megan Pohl, School Relations Chair
I’ve lived on Rowley Ave. with my husband Matt since 2013. After a decade at Epic, I earned my master’s in education and worked as a high school English teacher. Now I’m a stay-at-home mom to our kids, Robin (2021) and Seamus (2023). When I can sneak away for a moment, I serve as board president for Middleton Players Theatre, lead a Dungeons & Dragons campaign, and write romantasy novels (as well as a blog about all these creative efforts). Eric Wiesman, Sustainability Chair
I am a USDA research technician with the Zalapa program in UW–Madison’s Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences. I am the Sustainability chair for the RNA. My wife, son, and I live on Commonwealth Avenue. We started living in the neighborhood as renters in 2014 and loved it so much we decided to buy our home here in 2017. We spend a lot of time outside in the neighborhood so if you see us, please say hi! Charlie Peters, Transportation Chair
For over 30 years my wife Leslie and I have lived across from the UW Chancellor’s backyard. We raised our two kids here and have always enjoyed the neighborhood. I retired from the US Geological Survey as a hydrologist in 2013 and then became the RNA streets and transportation chair. I’m an extrovert who enjoys my alone time, baseball, music, reading, friends, good food, walking, biking, and traveling. Ron Rosner, At-Large Board Member
As a resident of the Regent Neighborhood since the bombing of Sterling Hall, I’ve served in many posts on RNA's board over the past several decades. A New Yorker, I served in the Peace Corps in 1963, and then USAID. I’ve been active in environmental groups, including as State Chairman of the Sierra Club. A UW alumnus, I worked in tax policy for the Wisconsin Department of Revenue and served 18 years on Madison's Board of Review (assessment appeals). An active biker, canoeist, and X-C skier, I’ve now added chicken-rancher and gardener. I’m very cognizant of how fortunate we are to live in the Regent Neighborhood. Shiva Bidar, At-Large Board Member
I have served as an alder on the City of Madison Common Council representing the Regent Neighborhood from 2009 to 2021. I lead Social Impact and Belonging as UW Health Vice President and UW School of Medicine and Public Health Associate Dean. I also co-chair the Latino Health Council of Dane County and am a member of the Access Community Health Centers board. I’ve served on the Governor’s Health Equity Council and as a member of the Madison Community Foundation Board. As an established leader, I champion advancing social impact and belonging at the individual, organizational, and community levels. |