Recreation Department Office Hours:

Monday-Thursday

8:00am-5:00pm

Fridays 
8:00am-4:00pm

Closed on some Holidays. Please call our office for further information.

Location:

1205 South 70th Street, 1st Floor

West Allis, WI 53214

General contact information:

(414) 604-4900
wawmrec@wawmsd.org

Meet The Team!

	Shelly Strasser Phone 414-604-4937 Shelly is the Director of Recreation and Community Services Department. She has been with the department for a total of 23 years, not including the years she worked in high school. She has a Bachelor of Science in Recreation Administration from the University of Wisconsin LaCrosse and a Master's in Education Professional Development also from the University of Wisconsin LaCrosse. As a child her parents provided her the opportunity to experience recreation programs and also helped develop her love of community and service. Shelly was then introduced officially to the recreation department by her sister where she started as a locker room attendant. She quickly was inspired by the staff and administrators at the time and decided to pursue it as a career.
	Linda Gritzmacher Phone 414-604-4911 Linda Gritzmacher is currently a Program Manager for the WAWM RCS Department overseeing the Early Childhood, Dance and Adult Fitness programs. She has worked for the department for almost 20 years having started as a Playground Instructor at General Mitchell. She enjoys spending time at the programs and getting to know all of the participants. She spends most of her free time with family and her adored grandson.
	Dustin Smith  Phone 414-604-4938 Dustin is a Program Manager and oversees the adult sports programs, facility rentals as well as outdoor fields and facilities. Dustin holds a Bachelor's Degree in Recreation Management and a Master's Degree in Education both from University of Wisconsin LaCrosse. He joined the team at WAWM RCS Department in 2003. Dustin stays busy coaching youth sports for his children, hunting, fishing and golfing.
	Cory Thompson Phone 414-604-4959 Cory Thompson is a Program Manager at the WAWM RCS Department and oversees youth sports, intermediate school athletics and assists with the Junior Feeder Programs for the high schools. Cory holds a Bachelor's Degree in Recreation Management from University of Wisconsin LaCrosse and he joined the recreation department in 2007. During his free time he enjoys hunting, fishing and being active outdoors whenever possible but his most important part of his life is his wife and two children.
	Kyle Holbach Phone 414-604-4951 Kyle has been the Aquatics, Adaptive Recreation and Young at Heart Program Manager since October of 2017, but started with the recreation department as a summer intern. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin LaCrosse in 2017 with a degree in Recreation Management. He got started in the recreation field by working as a sports official and intramural supervisor at the UW-LaCrosse Recreation Center and loved it. Kyle is a big sports fan (especially the Bucks), collector of lawn games and a grill enthusiast.
	Robert Foreman Phone 414-4968 Robert (or Bobby) is the newest member to the team at WAWM RCS Department. He has worked in recreation for the last 11 years. He also has a special education background working as a Special Education Aide from 2014-2018 with the School District of Waukesha. Currently he is the Out of School Time Program Manager overseeing all of the Action Programs, Non-School Day Camps and Summer Camps. On his free time, Bobby loves to watch sports, spend time with his family and cook.
	Cassie Stanton  Phone 414-604-4925 Cassie is the Office Manager but has worked many positions over the years including the summer playgrounds, after school programs and as an Office Assistant. She enjoys working at the WAWM RCS Department because she has participated in many of the same activities growing up in which she has very fond memories. In her free time, she enjoys trying new restaurants, hiking and kayaking.
	Amanda Schwichtenberg Phone 414-604-4963 Amanda Schwichtenberg started her journey with the WAWM RCS Department as a youth sports official, summer playground instructor and a grounds crew member. She is now a program manager overseeing Youth and Adult Enrichment programs and is also support for the high school athletic directors. During her youth, she participated in a variety of WAWM RCS programs such as Girls' Club, Summer Playground and even earned a starring role in the world renown Boys & Girls Club Plays. During her free time, she enjoys traveling, playing with her dog and discovering new and local attractions.
	Jill Ponzi Phone 414-604-4940 Jill Ponzi is a lifelong resident of West Allis. She worked for the WAWM RCS Department while attending University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. After staying home and raising a family, she returned to work at the WAWM RCS Department as the districts Facility Scheduler. During her free time, Jill enjoys quilting and spending time with her family.
	Katie Lindgren  Phone 414-604-4943 Katie just recently joined the front office staff as an Office Operations Specialist, however, she is no stranger to the WAWM RCS Department. She previously spent almost 10 years throughout her younger years and into college volunteering or working for the After School program and Camp Champion program. She recently graduated from Cardinal Stritch University with degrees in Theater and Communications. Katie has experience working with non-profits and in arts administration. In her free time, she works with theater companies in Milwaukee and enjoys painting and exploring new spots around the city.
	Tami Francis Phone 414-604-4930 Tami started with the WAWM RCS Department as an Assistant Teacher for the Preschool Program and has been doing that for the past 12 years. Tami also helps out as a part-time Office Operations Specialist, so you might see her up front from time to time. In her free time, Tami enjoys spending time with her family, attending Brewer games, watching sports of all types and traveling.
	Office Operations Specialist  Phone 414-604-4930