Contact Us
Shelly Strasser
Phone: 414-604-4937 | stram@wawmsd.org
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 while 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.
Ty Stahl
Phone: 414-604-4927 | stahlt@wawmsd.org
Ty is the Assistant Director for Community Services. Ty's career has been spent working in Higher Education at Western Michigan University, The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Northern Arizona University. Ty's work in a University setting include Residence Life, Event Services, Marketing, Admissions, Recruitment, Scholarships, Alumni Engagement and as a Director of Development in Fundraising. Ty holds a Bachelor of Arts in English, a Master of Science in Administrative Leadership, and is currently working on a dissertation for a Doctor of Education Degree in Educational Leadership. Outside of work Ty enjoys weightlifting, writing, tinkering with motorcycles, and honing his Mrs. Doubtfire impression.
Chad Larson
Phone: 414-604-4940 | larsonc@wawmsd.org
Chad is the Assistant Director of Facilities and Operations for the Recreation & Community Services Department. He has worked for the WAWM School District for over 10 years. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. His wife, Angie, is a teacher in the district and together they have 4 wonderful and extremely active boys! He was born and raised in West Allis and participated in WAWM RCS Department sports/programs as a child. In his free time Chad loves to spend time with his family, watch movies, and watch his kids participate in sports.
Linda Gritzmacher
Phone: 414-604-4911 | gritl@wawmsd.org
Linda is currently the Program Manager for the WAWM RCS Department overseeing the Early Childhood, Preschool, Adult Fitness programs, and Indoor Walking Track. She has worked for the department for over 20 years, having started as a Playground Instructor at General Mitchell. Linda enjoys spending time at the programs and getting to know all of the participants. She also spends most of her free time with family, her two wonderful grandchildren, and her puppy.
Bobby Foreman
Phone: 414-604-4968 | foremanr@wawmsd.org
Bobby is the Program Manager for Intermediate School Athletics, Youth Sports Leagues, and Youth Sports Instruction. 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. In his free time, Bobby loves to watch sports, spend time with his family, and cook.
Cassie Stanton
Phone: 414-604-4925 | stantonc@wawmsd.org
Cassie is the Office Manager but has worked in 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 | schwictenberga@wawmsd.org
Amanda 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. 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.
Maggie Obst
Phone: 414-604-4951 | obstm@wawmsd.org
Maggie is the Program Manager for Youth and Adult Enrichment Programs, Community Groups, Theater and Events. Maggie’s career has been spent working in Education and the Arts. Maggie has worked as a Public School Music Teacher, Community Partnerships Manager for a non-profit Music School, and as an Education Program Coordinator. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Music Education and Music Performance from the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, and a Graduate Certificate in Arts Management from the University of Massachusetts -Amherst. Outside of work Maggie enjoys outdoor adventures, reading, dancing and music making, over-analyzing films, and spending time with her family.
Robyn Versnik
Phone: 414-604-4912 | elliottr@wawmsd.org
Robyn is the Marketing & Communications Manager, a position created in 2022 for the WAWM RCS Department. Robyn attended UW-Oshkosh to earn a bachelor’s degree in Journalism. After graduation, Robyn returned to school to obtain her master's degree in Sport Management while working in the Parkside Athletic Department for UW-Parkside. She is a lifelong athlete and continues to stay active with CrossFit and walking her golden retriever, Phineas. In her free time, Robyn likes to workout and spend time with her family and dog.
Jake Wirsching
Phone: 414-604-4938 | wirschingj@wawmsd.org
Jake is the Program Manager for Aquatics, Facility Rentals, and Day Trips. He is from Waterford, WI and has always strived to live a fun, active, and healthy lifestyle. Jake attended Bemidji State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science and played collegiate football for the Beavers. He later attended Carroll University and earned a masters degree in Teaching Physical Education and English as a Second Language. Jake has held previous roles in fitness, coaching, teaching, athletic facility coordination, campus recreation, and is now finding his place in the field of community recreation. Outside of work, he enjoys connecting with friends and family, spending time outdoors with his dog, Kix, and staying active with various forms of fitness.
Tami Francis
Phone: 414-604-4910 | francist@wawmsd.org
Tami started with the WAWM RCS Department as an Assistant Teacher for the Preschool Program over 12 years ago. She now works as an Office Operations Specialist. In her free time, Tami enjoys spending time with her family, attending Brewer games, watching sports of all types, and traveling.
Cassy Ramirez
Phone: 414-604-4930 | ramirezc@wawmsd.org
Cassy is the newest Office Operations Specialist and is excited to be a part of the WAWM RCS team. She brings 14 years of customer service to the department and is looking forward to working with the community. Cassy has also participated in recreation programs and enjoys learning new things and trying different activities. In her free time, she loves spending time with her niece, listening to music, watching movies, and taking her two dogs for long walks. She has also recently adopted a rescue dog!
Nichole Stewart
Phone: 414-604-4914 | stewartn@wawmsd.org
Nichole is an Out of School Time Program Specialist for the WAWM RCS Department and she will be overseeing the AM Action, Non-School Day and Summer Camp programs. She has a Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science from the University of Wisconsin-Superior. She grew up in Oak Creek and worked as a swim instructor and day camp counselor when she attended high school. She is very excited to start working with the programs and getting to know the students! In her free time, Nichole enjoys reading, swimming and spending time with her friends and family.
Brianna Pienkowski
Phone: 414-604-4959 | pienkowskib@wawmsd.org
Brianna is an Out of School Time Program Specialist for the WAWM RCS Department. She is overseeing the Action 330, Non-School Day and Summer Camp programs. She has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Global Perspectives from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Brianna has spent the past 15 years working with elementary-middle school students in education and youth serving organizations. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, playing/watching sports (esp. Green Bay Packers and Indiana Fever), outdoor activities, traveling, napping and researching topics of interest.
Katie Lindgren
Phone: 414-604-4935 | lindgrenk@wawmsd.org
Katie is the Adaptive Recreation & Inclusion Specialist, a new position for the WAWM RCS Department. Katie grew up in West Allis attending the WAWM School District. She went on to attend Cardinal Stritch University earning her bachelor's degree in Technical Theater and Communications in 2018. Recently, she completed her masters degree in Special Education with Autism and Transition Specialists Certificates from UW-Whitewater in 2022. Katie has previously worked in various roles in the WAWM RCS Department working in Camp Champions, Action Program, Office Operations Specialist, and most recently the Program Coordinator for RAD. In her free time, Katie enjoys hiking, visiting local coffee shops, and working with Pink Umbrella Theater Company.
Joel Irizarry
irizarryj@wawmsd.org
Joel is the new Head Custodian for the WAWM RCS Department and is very excited to be a part of our team. For the past three years, he worked in Maintenance and Security at St. Joseph Academy in Milwaukee. Previous to that, as a Manager at an automotive service center. Joel loves spending quality time with his daughter and girlfriend of 15 years. In his free time, he enjoys playing sports with his friends and is an avid collector of video games and shoes. He also loves cars! Joel is looking forward to learning new things and all the opportunities this will provide him and his family.
Mike Bruckner
Mike is one of the building cleaners at the WAWM RCS Department. He grew up in Milwaukee and has been a resident of West Allis for the last 20 years and has a young one child who keeps him and his mom pretty busy. If he has some free time, he enjoys riding his motorcycle and playing animal crossings (maybe a weird combo?) He considers himself a people person, so is excited to be on the RCS team and meet some more of his community.
Heidi Polczynski
Facility Support
Heidi is new to West Allis! She has an experienced background in custodial work, which includes working as the main Shift Lead Custodian at Slinger Elementary School in Slinger, WI for 5 years. She has also spent time being a caregiver for the elderly. Heidi is passionate about helping people, writing poetry and listening to music. Her favorite thing to do is spending time with her sisters, nieces and nephews.