History of the Jaycees Organization

The Jaycees are an international organization of young professionals and entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 41. The purpose of the Jaycees is to “provide leadership development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change.” The Jaycees are active in more than 8,000 chapters in 180 nations and territories. All members of chapters in Wisconsin are part of JCI Wisconsin, JCI USA, and Junior Chamber International.

Established in 1915 to provide opportunities for young men to develop personal and leadership skills through service to others, the Jaycees later expanded to include women, reflecting the growing influence and leadership of women in America. For many years, Jaycees have been a force for good in America and around the world. Jaycees helped establish AirMail services in America with Jaycee Charles Lindbergh, and have raised millions of dollars for causes such as the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the March of Dimes. We have built parks, playgrounds, hospitals, ball fields, and housing for the elderly while conducting service and support programs in thousands of communities nationwide. Check out a more detailed history of our national milestones here.

Jaycees can be found in all walks of life: governmental leaders such as past Presidents Bill Clinton and Gerald Ford, business tycoons such as Domino’s Pizza mogul Tom Monaghan, registered nurse and former Miss America Kaye Lani Rae Rafko-Wilson, sports heroes like basketball great Larry Bird. Just name the field and Jaycees can be found at the forefront. With the focus of the nation on volunteerism, from the smallest towns to the largest cities, the Jaycees are enlarging areas of opportunity for young people.

About Our Chapter

JCI La Crosse, or La Crosse Junior Chamber of Commerce as it was then called, was formed in 1935.

Today the chapter continues to thrive, and we meet once a month on the first Thursday at 6:45pm. Our meetings are held in Suite A201 at 1501 Andrew Street in La Crosse. Chapter meetings are open to the public and we would love to have you join us!

The Jaycee Chapters are organized in the following manner: President, Secretary, Treasurer, State Director, Chairman of the Board, Rooster Liaison, and two areas, which promote the total Jaycee concept of developing people in every aspect, so they can be strong, positive community leaders. Each area has one vice-president and two directors. The two areas include the following:

MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT: The principal duties of the Management Development Vice President shall be to oversee the areas of planning, training, Civic Leadership Certification (CLC), leadership development, personal skills, membership renewals, new member hosting, and other duties as directed by the President.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: The principal duties of the Community Development Vice President shall be to oversee the areas of human services, community improvement, government involvement, community fundraising, recruitment, activation and retention activities of the Corporation, and other duties as directed by the President

2025 Board of Directors

President – Kari Siverhus –> Carolyn Swift

Management Vice President – Carolyn Swift

Community Vice President – Lexi Houston

State/Regional/National Director – Kayla Kenowski

Rooster Liaison – Marie Johnson

Treasurer & Secretary – Amanda Jones

Past Presidents

1940s

1939 – 1940 Phil Bigley
1940 – 1941 Cliff Johnson
1941 – 1942 Olaf Hoff
1942 – 1943 George Halverson
1943 – 1944 Fred Reiman
1944 – 1945 Richard Markos, Sr.
1945 – 1946 Russ Hetland
1946 – 1947 Harry Blair
1947 – 1948 Robert Mehren
1948 – 1949 Norman Biebel
1949 – 1950 Bob Grumar

1950s

1950 – 1951 Richard Perley
1951 – 1952 Jerry Moriarty
1952 – 1953 William Sauer
1953 – 1954 Howard Lllvog
1954 – 1955 Basil Reimers
1955 – 1956 Al Ryser
1956 – 1957 Jerome Klos
1957 – 1958 Al Prellwitz
1958 – 1959 Harvey Haskell
1959 – 1960 Ervin Albrecht

1950s

1950 – 1951 Richard Perley
1951 – 1952 Jerry Moriarty
1952 – 1953 William Sauer
1953 – 1954 Howard Lllvog
1954 – 1955 Basil Reimers
1955 – 1956 Al Ryser
1956 – 1957 Jerome Klos
1957 – 1958 Al Prellwitz
1958 – 1959 Harvey Haskell
1959 – 1960 Ervin Albrecht

1960s

1960 – 1961 Bruce Hines
1961 – 1962 Gib Chick
1962 – 1963 Richard Wrobel
1963 – 1964 Richard Jelen
1964 – 1965 John Miller
1965 – 1966 David Woodruff
1966 – 1967 Ton Schini
1967 – 1968 William Newburg
1968 – 1969 Lyle Quillin
1969 – 1970 Ron Ping

1970s

1970 – 1971 Al Schilling
1971 – 1972 John Wolff
1972 – 1973 David Growt
1973 – 1974 A.C. Stadthaus
1974 – 1975 Mike Skala
1975 – 1976 Marty Juel
1976 – 1977 Larry Frohmader
1977 – 1978 Dan Dibble
1978 – 1979 Dennis Baehr
1979 – 1980 David Gregory

1980s

1980 – 1981 Gary Schettle
1981 – 1982 Chuck Dockendorf
1982 – 1983 Mike Meunier, Dave Guepfer
1983 – 1984 Rich Wylie
1984 – 1985 Bill Klaas
1985 – 1986 Randy Puls
1986 – 1987 Jon Reynolds
1987 – 1988 Kay Dockendorf
1988 – 1989 Mike Schieber
1989 – 1990 Teresa O’Donnell

1990s

1990 – 1991 Joni Wittwer
1991 – 1992 Jana Secord
1992 – 1993 Angela Paul
1993 – 1994 Nick Nichols
1994 – 1995 Mark Flaten
1995 – 1996 Randy Flock
1996 – 1997 Randy Olson
1997 – 1998 Mike Byington
1998 – 1999 Laurie Sonsalla

2000s

2000 – Dan Bagniewski
2001 – Barb Frahm
2002 – Sarah Michel
2003 – Bill Klein
2004 – Becki Willers
2005 – Dan Bagniewski
2006 – Barb Frahm
2007 – Donella Sarauer
2008 – Kyle Olson
2009 – Laurie Sonsalla

2010s

2010 – Heather Suby
2011 – Kelly Goyette
2012 – Heather Suby
2013 – Alex Lueck
2014 – Alex Lueck
2015 – Katrina Rykal
2016 – Katrina Rykal
2017 – Brad Pitel
2018 – Amanda Olbrys
2019 – DJ Olbrys

2020s

2020 – Lyndsey Langer
2021 – Amanda Jones
2022 – Amanda Jones
2023 – January-September – Jason Bohlman
October-December – Nicole Rabe
2024 – Nicole Rabe – Kari Siverhus
2025 – Kari Siverhus –