Current VNA Board
OFFICERS (2024)
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 2025
Rachel Bennett
Secretary
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. You may also see me walking our two little dogs, Fizzy and Louie, each of whom have one eye. I am a family medicine physician currently working at Marley Medical, a telemedicine clinic focused on hypertension. 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 2025
DAN
GRAFF
Treasurer
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
Chris Conrad
I live at 2115 Adams St with my wife Ruby and my daughter Naomi. We bought the house in July 2023. I grew up mostly in the Regent neighborhood, but spent my high school years living in the Vilas neighborhood in a house that faces Bear Mound. I’ve always loved the Vilas Neighborhood, and it’s great to be back.
Prior to the Adams St house, we lived in Monona for 5 years. I served on Monona’s Plan Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Sustainability Committee. We own a boutique real estate brokerage, property management, and development business. Ruby is also a Spanish teacher.
Some topics that interest me include: historic preservation, sustainable and responsible development, workforce housing, and auxiliary dwelling units. I’d like to help my fellow Vilas residents and the VNA Council find a pragmatic approach to growth, density, enjoyment, and preservation.
Term through 2025
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
AMIE GOLDMAN
Amie is the Executive Director of Hometown Smiles and has over 25 years experience in healthcare financing policy, strategy, administration and service delivery.
Amie has also been involved in the Madison community having served on the boards of the Rainbow Project, Pre-School of the Arts and Lussier Community Education Center. Currently, Amie serves on the boards of National Guardian Life Insurance, Forward Theater Company, Temple Beth El, Planned Parenthood and the Vilas Neighborhood Association.
When not working, Amie and her husband David enjoy sharing their love of theater with friends and family, traveling, cheering on their daughter’s rowing team and playing in Wisconsin’s northwoods. She and her family have lived on Madison St. since 2017.
Term through 2025
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
COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVES
Joint Campus Area Committee: doug carlson
edgewood LIAISON COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVES:
Craig Stanley
nOMINATING cHAIR FOR vna ELECTIONS AND VACANCIES: Bonnie Gruber
Election Chair: Mary CLare murphy
ZONING COMMITTEE CO-CHAIRS:
BENJAMIN BILTZ AND WENDY FEARNSIDE
Membership Chair: Mary CLare Murphy
SOCIAL CHAIR: Bethany Nelson
socialchairvilas@gmail.com