Karen V. Majkrzak
As Executive Director, Karen is responsible for the overall operation of the organization and reports directly to the nineteen-person Council. Karen has managed non-profits for many years and comes to us after having successfully developed ElderCare programs with in-home services provided by hundreds of volunteers. Familiar with vision impairment through family as well as professional experience, Karen moved to Madison from Illinois to become Executive Director in 2005. In her spare time, Karen enjoys reading, cycling, music, theater, and concerts. (Her name is pronounced “may-zak.”) E-mail Karen. Telephone: 608.237.8103
Marshall Flax
Marshall came to the Council in January of 1992 and is the Director of the Vision Rehabilitation Service. He is a Certified Low Vision Therapist and a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist. Marshall provides low vision services and orientation and mobility services to people who have lost or are losing their sight. He is nationally recognized for his work in these areas and has authored several articles and co-authored a book on the subject. Marshall’s professional affiliations include Honorary Associate with the University of Wisconsin Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Honorary Fellow with the Waisman Center at the UW-Madison, and he has served on the Board of Directors of the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (2001-06). He enjoys wilderness canoe trips in the Boundary Waters/Quetico, mountain biking and cross-country skiing. E-mail Marshall. Telephone: 608.237.8107
Betsy Gruba
Betsy joined the staff in May of 2002 as Director of Technology. She is responsible for the Council’s website and data management systems, as well as supporting the staff’s computing needs. She also assists people who are blind or visually impaired learn computer skills. In May of 2008 Betsy received "Venus" a 48 pound 20 inch tall black lab guide dog from Guide Dogs for the Blind in Boring, Oregon. Betsy says of the use of a service animal "I don't know why I waited so long" A “techno-geek,” Betsy’ enjoys knitting, beading and baseball. E-mail Betsy. Telephone: 608.237.8112
Deda Oatsvall
Deda joined the staff in December of 1997 as Finance and Benefits Coordinator. Her job duties include payroll, daily cash sales, accounts payable and receivable, bank reconciliations, assisting with annual reports, audits and general financial responsibility. In her spare time, Deda likes to go to the movies and play cards. E-mail Deda. Telephone: 608.237.8110
Kathi Koegle
Kathi serves as Director of Community Relations. She brings more than 20 years nonprofit experience in writing, editing, relationship building, communication and marketing. A former French teacher, Kathi “loves all things French.” In her free time, Kathi loves to bake, garden, read, volunteer and search for treasures at antique flea markets. E-mail Kathi. Telephone: 608.237.8111
Brent Perzentka
Brent has been a member of staff since 2003 and works in the Sharper Vision Store. Having grown up in Madison with two visually impaired parents, Brent brings first-hand experience to the job. An all-around athletic guy, he enjoys basketball and baseball and plays in leagues in the Madison area. E-mail Brent. Telephone: 608.237.8105
Heather Buggs
Heather joined the staff in August of 2007. Heather answers the phone, takes orders, and assists in the Sharper Vision Store. Heather grew up in Madison surrounded by many blind and visually impaired people; she brings knowledge and experience to the job. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time outside. E-mail Heather. Telephone: 608.237.8101
Connie Pagel
Connie Pagel grew up in a small town in central Wisconsin and moved to Madison about six years ago. She has a keen interest in addressing all kinds of diversities, making her especially well-suited for her position as a Program Assistant here at the WCB&VI and the Sharper Vision Store. Some of Connie’s life experiences include earning a diploma from Mid-State Technical College, attending the University of Wisconsin –Stevens Point, earning a certificate in Human Resources from MATC, and, for a number of years, working as a musician. She was a member of the Portage County Literacy Council and has helped raise money for the Habitat for Humanity. In her free time, Connie enjoys playing and listening to music, visiting antique shops, and going to museums, her favorite being The Rock and Roll Museum and Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. Connie and her spouse have two adult sons. E-mail Connie. Telephone: 608.237.8101
Ray Cubberly
Ray came to the Council in February of 2007 as a Program Assistant through Age Advantage, the Older Worker Program. He was hired as a permanent staff member in November of 2007. His duties include various database maintenance activities such as entering and acknowledging donations, keeping the newsletter mailing list current, recording and reporting monthly volunteer hours, and various spreadsheet projects. In his spare time Ray enjoys movies, music, nature trails, and day trips. E-mail Ray. Telephone: 608.237.8104
Virginia DeBlaey
Virginia works for the Council part-time each week in the areas of public relations and outreach. She was a member of the Council for nine years, serving as President and on its Board of Directors. Virginia also belongs to the Badger Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Midwest Association for the Blind. She was employed as a Rehabilitation Teacher for the blind by the state of Wisconsin in Milwaukee for 24 years. After retiring she worked at the Center for Deaf/Blind adults for four years. Virginia lives with her mischievous cat, AJ and enjoys working for the Council. E-mail Virginia. Telephone: 608.237.8116
Fredric B. Gluck
Fred joined the council in 2008 as a Computer and Network Support guru. Originally from California, Fred came to Madison via Massachusetts and Vermont. He brings 20+ years of technical experience, marketing experience and on-line retail experience to the Council. Besides having a fondness for teaching, and having finally embraced his "computer geekness", Fred is a avid bicycle rider and tries to "be green" by leaving the car at home most days. Fredric's job at the Council is to make sure the network, web-site, e-mail and computers perform flawlessly and to help the Council make sense of all its data. E-mail Fred. Telephone: 608.237.8119
Jean Kalscheur
Jean enjoys her work as a Vision Rehabilitation Teacher at the Council. She has been an occupational therapist for many years, and that knowledge base and skill set are serving her well. She was born and raised in southern Wisconsin and earned her undergraduate degree from UW-Madison and her graduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis, MO. She enjoys reading and beading. E-mail Jean. Telephone: 608.237.8106
Judith Rasmussen
She has studied French, Spanish and Arabic. She's a massage therapist, and she loves to get her hands dirty. Judith Rasmussen joined the Council staff in August of 2008. She's no stranger to our organization, as she has purchased items from the Sharper Vision Store, had a booth at a few of the macular degeneration symposia, and received orientation and mobility training over the years from Marshall Flax. Hers is the voice you'll often hear if you call the Council office. An avid flower enthusiast, she has eight orchid plants. Pottery is another pastime she has enjoyed. E-mail Judith. Telephone: 608.237.8101
Barb Weiss
Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Barb moved to Madison in 1990 after spending seven years in Wausau. She attended Cleveland State University and has a strong sales and marketing background. Barb served as Marketing Director at a materials handling company in Ohio. She has owned several businesses, ranging from a florist shop to an interior décor boutique, to a pressure sensitive paper manufacturing company. Her leisure activities and hobbies include: entertaining, baking, gardening, treasure hunting at antiques flea markets, and traveling. Barb joined the Council staff in March 2010. E-mail Barb. Telephone: 608.237.8115
Staff Members