Meet Brigade’s Staff…

A paid staff of five professionals direct and administer the various Brigade programs. The Brigade also employs a number of Support Staff to handle the administrative and maintenance tasks.

John Dery
Executive Director
(920) 725-8992, Ext. 23
Email John Dery

John Dery is the Executive Director of the Boys’ & Girls’ Brigade. Prior to this position John was executive director of Rawhide Boys Ranch in New London Wisconsin.

Originally from the Fox Valley area, John was raised in Neenah. He and his wife Cindy reside on a small hobby farm just west of Neenah where Cindy practices her equine therapy business, Freedom Reins, working with families and at risk youth. They have two children; Jessica is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and currently resides in Minneapolis. Emily is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh, and currently resides in Neenah.

Both John and Cindy have a long history of working with at-risk children through Rawhide, Freedom Reigns, and also as foster parents for Winnebago County.

John is dedicated to the Mission and Object of the Boys’ & Girls’ Brigade. Through his strong Christian beliefs and his passion for helping children he finds his assignment at the Brigade a privilege few people have the opportunity to experience. John recognizes the value of prevention and the positive action toward early detection of at risk behaviors through the Brigade program. To him, the Brigade is a wonderful opportunity to build a strong future for communities through our youth by growing in them the desire of positive influence.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose."
Romans 8:28

Marnie Spielbauer
Program Director
(920) 725-8992, Ext. 26
Email Marnie Spielbauer

My name is Marnie and I have been with Brigade since 2001. My degree is in Occupational Therapy, but I have decided that working for Brigade is a lot more fun. The best thing about my job is the huge number of people I have had the opportunity to get to know over the last 6 years. There are so many amazing people who walk through the door here everyday. I currently work closely with the 6th and 7th grade girls' and 7th grade boys' programs as well as Girls’ Camp 1 and 2 during the summer at Onaway. I was a Brigader and Onaway camper as a kid – I feel very blessed to be back!

When I’m not at work, my #1 passion is my dogs. Champ and Spencer (aka Dude) keep me company and run the house while I am away. I like to spend my free time working with local animal rescue groups, volunteering at Christ the Rock, and hanging out with friends.”

The highlight of my Brigade career so far has been working with the international program and spending 3 weeks traveling to the UK with a group of Brigaders!
Come join us, we can’t wait to meet you.

Kevin Willis
Program Leader
(920) 725-8992, Ext. 33
Email Kevin Willis

Welcome to Brigade! I have been a Program Leader with the Brigade since 2006; previously I have been involved since 6th grade as a Brigader, camper, and volunteer. As a Program Leader my focus is on the 6th grade boys’ program, 9th grade co-ed program, and two week-long summer camps (Boys’ 2 and Boys’ 3) at Camp Onaway in Waupaca. A little slice of heaven just 40 minutes from my office! The best part of my job no two days are ever the same. So many connections are made with our Brigaders, parents, and volunteers. There is always something new and exciting going on!

My wife Denise and I reside in Neenah with our son Cooper and twin boys. Denise is a stay at home mom, but also runs her interior design business, DK Designs, out of our house. Cooper keeps us plenty busy running laps around the house, swimming every chance he gets and reading book after book after book! We love spending time up north wakeboarding, fishing, and going to rummage sales.

Some interesting little notes about me is that I am a Parrothead and have spent time in exotic places like the Cook Islands, Tahiti, Montana, and Aspen so I relate w/ Jimmy Buffett pretty well. A good book will always keep me busy and right now am thoroughly enjoying Bill Bryson’s In a Sunburnt Country. I look forward to meeting you at Brigade or Camp Onaway and never fear because I’m always ready for FUN!

Katie Vatland
Program Leader
(920) 725-8992, Ext. 27
Email Katie Vatland

Hello Brigade family! My name is Katie and I have been volunteering at Brigade for a couple of years now. Just recently, I have been given the privilege of working with this great organization. During the school year, I will be gearing my efforts towards the 8th grade girls’ program as well as the 10th grade co-ed program. In the summer months at Camp Onaway, I will work with the Leadership Training Conference and Girls’ Camp 3!

I am a graduate of UW-LaCrosse. My degree is in Sociology with an emphasis in Child and Youth development. I am recently engaged and will be getting married next September! My fiancé, David, was an intern at Brigade in the spring of 2009. We love to go camping, hiking, biking and kayaking. We also love animals and will hopefully be welcoming a furry addition to our family very soon. I also have a great love for dancing and reading. As you may soon find out, I spend a lot of time doing both!

I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone who is already involved with Brigade and I encourage anyone new to come over and meet us!

Jason Pheifer
Program Leader
(920) 725-8992, Ext. 24
Email Jason Pheifer

This is who I am – I became a third generation Brigader in 1987 when I joined the organization as a sixth grader. Since then, I’ve been an Onaway Camper, Chore Boy, Winning Tribal Chief, 1994 Outstanding Brigader, Camp & Brigade Leader, and Camp Cook. Even though I’ve lived and worked out of town for most of the years since graduating from Neenah, I’ve always made time to be involved in the Brigade. This fall I’ve joined the staff as Program Leader for the 7th and 8th Grade Boys’. As such, here is my message to you:

“All you Brigaders out there – there is a bunch of neat stuff coming your way in Brigade this year. And for all the volunteers – we have a lot of good work cut out for us! I look forward to the months ahead and can’t wait to open up the Brigade building for you all on Tuesday and Thursday nights. If you stop down to visit, you’ll find me behind the second door on the right; my office is the one with the canoeing maps, paddles, snowboard, Brigade sweater, and Onaway Chore Staff paraphernalia littering the walls. You’ll find me to be devoted to Onaway, an avid student of Brigade History, a stickler for tradition, and an inspired thinker. Stop by and together we’ll find out what this place is capable of.”

See you at the BB in Neenah or on that pile of sand and rocks in Waupaca that we call home.

Pat Robinson
Development Leader
(920) 725-8992, Ext. 25
Email Pat Robinson

Hello everyone, my name is Pat Robinson. As Development Leader, my role is public relations and fundraising for the incredible youth at the Brigade and what an honor that is! Since joining the staff in October 2007, I have met some incredible youth, volunteers, and community members who support this amazing organization. I encourage you to stop and visit or take a tour. Help me spread the word about what a precious gem we have in the Fox Cities by telling your family, friends, and coworkers about the positive impact great staff and wonderful volunteers are having on the lives of youth at the Brigade. Join us by volunteering or making a financial contribution to help today’s youth become tomorrow's leaders.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,” Jeremiah 29:11.

Brigade Support Staff

Jean Evans
Office Manager
(920) 725-8992, Ext. 21
Email Jean Evans

Mary DeShaney
Administrative Assistant/Accounting
(920) 725-8992, Ext. 22
Email Mary DeShaney

Sandy DeRuyter
Receptionist
(920) 725-3983, Ext. 0
Email Sandy DeRuyter

Deb Lardinois
Custodian
(920) 725-8992, Ext. 40
Email Deb Lardinois

Mike Mabie
Assistant to Custodian