What's Inside:

• James Marshall 2026 Pillar of the Community
• MTCF Presents Grant to Rotary All-User Playground
• Spring 2026 Grants Awarded
• Ways to Give
• K9 Leo: Growing, Training, and Already Making an Impact
• New Mequon Community Pool
• Welcome New Legacy Club Members
• Bill Hughes IV Joins MTCF Board of Directors
• MTCF 2026 Event Sponsorships

James Marshall 2026 Pillar of the Community

Left to Right: Gentian Financial President and Founder Chris Doughty, 2026 Pillar of the Community James Marshall, and MTCF Board President Lori Lorenz. Photo courtesy Anthony Giacomino.

A sold-out crowd of family, friends, and community leaders gathered on June 2nd, at River Club of Mequon for MTCF’s Pillars of the Community Luncheon to recognize James (Jim) Marshall for his leadership, generosity, integrity and vision, having devoted 30+ years to enhancing Mequon and Thiensville. Jim has made significant contributions to the Mequon-Thiensville Chamber of Commerce, Ozaukee Economic Development (OED), and the Thiensville-Mequon Rotary Club, and strategically chose Mequon as the base for Spectrum Investment Advisors, which Jim, as the Chairman-Founder, has built into a values-driven company with deep community ties.

“Jim is the real deal!”, shared MTCF President Lori Lorenz. “His dedication to Mequon and Thiensville is extraordinary, and his lasting impact will no doubt ripple for generations to come.” According to Kathleen Cady Schilling, Executive Director of OED, “Jim leads by example - with humility, integrity, and a genuine commitment to giving back. In every sense, Jim Marshall embodies the spirit of a Pillar of the Community.”

In addition to recognizing Jim, the luncheon also serves as the primary annual fundraiser for MTCF. Thanks to the generosity of this year’s sponsors and attendees, the luncheon raised a record-breaking $100,000. Every dollar raised plays a vital role in helping MTCF fulfill its mission of enhancing the quality of life in Mequon and Thiensville.

MTCF would like to thank the many generous sponsors who made this event possible: Platinum/Presenting - Gentian Financial, Inc.; Gold - Port Washington State Bank; Silver - Sommer's Automotive and Spectrum Investment Advisors; and Bronze - Crux Commercial Partners, Richmond Investment Services, and Shaffer Development; and our many table, in-kind, and underwriting sponsors.

To see pictures from the event, view the videos shared at the event, or to learn more about Jim, go to www.mtcfgives.org/potc

MTCF Presents $150,000 Grant to Support Rotary All-User Playground

Pictured left to Right:

Rotarians: Jim Ott, Karl Hertz, Stan Smith, Kathleen Schneider, John Rosing, Mequon Rotary Park Playground Committee Co-Chair Jenne Hohn, Mequon Rotary Park Playground Committee Co-Chair Lynn Streeter, Mequon Rotary Park Playground Committee Co-Chair Sandy Custer, MTCF President Lori Lorenz, MTCF Executive Director Deb Turk, and MTCF Secretary Carey Bongard.

MTCF is proud to announce a $150,000 grant supporting the Ages 2–5 Play Area within the Rotary All‑User Playground at Rotary Park. This gift is part of MTCF’s three‑year pledge to the project—two years of which have already been fulfilled—with the full commitment to be completed in 2027.

The Rotary All‑User Playground, led by the Thiensville Mequon Rotary Foundation, Inc, is designed to welcome children and families of all abilities by incorporating features that support a wide range of physical, sensory, and cognitive needs. Once complete, it will serve as a vibrant, inclusive destination for the entire community.

“MTCF is honored to support a project that so clearly reflects our mission of enhancing the quality of life in our community,” said Lori Lorenz, MTCF President. “This playground will be a place where every child feels included, and every family feels welcome.”

The Thiensville‑Mequon Rotary Foundation continues to lead the charge in bringing this vision to life through fundraising and community engagement.



“This generous gift from MTCF brings us one step closer to making the Rotary All‑User Playground a reality,” said Jenne Hohn, Co‑Chair of the Mequon Rotary Park Playground Committee. “Our goal is to create a space where barriers are removed and joy is shared by all.”

Spring 2026 Grants Awarded 

The MTCF Board of Directors is pleased to announce the following grants that were awarded as part of their spring review cycle: 

• Southern Ozaukee Fire and EMS Department – $9,495 for iSimulate Medical Simulation Technology, Clinical Education Technology

• Village of Thiensville Historic Preservation Commission – $6,200 for Historical Marking Plaques

• Mequon Nature Preserve – $5,000 towards an Electric John Deere Gator

• Mequon Police Department - $3,000 for a Pop-Up Tent, Flag, and Signicade

K9 Leo at 4 months old

MTCF is thrilled to share an update on K9 Leo, the Mequon Police Department’s newest team member and therapy dog in training. Now six months old, Leo continues to charm everyone he meets while making steady progress in his development and certification journey.

Born December 17, 2025, Leo was officially sworn in on March 17 and has been working closely with his handler, Sergeant Lindsay Graycarek, ever since. Together, they meet weekly with a trainer at the Mequon Safety Building, where Leo is currently mastering his basic obedience skills. On June 10th, Leo passed his very first test - the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Test.

Training Path: What’s Ahead for Leo

Leo’s training follows a structured, nationally recognized progression through the American Kennel Club (AKC):

• June 10: AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy test completed and passed.
• Next 12 Weeks: Intermediate Obedience, culminating in the AKC Canine Good Citizen test.
• Following 12 Weeks: Advanced Obedience leads to the AKC Urban Canine Good Citizen test.
• Final 12 Weeks: Formal Therapy Dog Training concludes with the AKC Community Canine test.

Once Leo completes all phases and passes each test, he will be fully certified as a therapy dog.

Community Support: A True Team Effort

Leo’s journey has been made possible thanks to extraordinary generosity from across the community:

• MTCF donors whose support launched and sustained this meaningful program.
• Heather Clark, owner of Blueberry Cottage Labradoodles in Osseo, WI, donated Leo.
• Fromm Foods for donating food.
• Thiensville‑Mequon Small Animal Clinic for health visits.
• Pet Supplies Plus (Mequon & Germantown) for grooming needs and supplies.
• Sunrise Rotary for all of Leo’s training.

This outpouring of support reflects the heart of our community and the shared belief in the power of connection, compassion, and service.

Looking Ahead

As Leo continues to grow—both in size and skill—he is already fulfilling his purpose: bringing comfort, building trust, and brightening the days of those he meets. Congratulations to Sgt. Graycarek, the Mequon Police Department, and everyone who has helped make this vision a reality.

Big things are happening in Mequon!

MTCF is thrilled to partner with the City of Mequon to help launch the initial major step in the new Mequon Commons Master Plan. Phase One includes the design and development of a brand-new aquatic complex — a long‑awaited replacement for the City’s beloved but aging pool, originally built in the 1930s and last renovated in the 1980s.



Design for the New Mequon Community Pool is now underway, with more details to be available later this fall.

As plans continue to develop, community contributions will complement the City’s investment. For local residents who are excited about the new aquatic complex and wish to play a role in bringing it to life, MTCF is accepting donations to the New Mequon Community Pool Fund. Together, we can ensure the new aquatic complex and civic campus enhancements reflect the pride, generosity, and high standards of the people who call Mequon home. This is a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity to shape a gathering place that will serve families for decades to come.

Welcome, New Legacy Club Members!

MTCF is pleased to announce that we have added new members to our ever-growing Legacy Club.

James and Judy Button

James and Joan Fall

Larry Kundinger

Andrew and Vanessa Nerbun

Tim and Joy Vertz

Membership in MTCF’s Legacy Club is open to anyone who makes a gift of $10,000 or more, or reaches a total of $10,000 in cumulative giving.

Bill Hughes IV Joins MTCF Board of Directors

MTCF has appointed Bill Hughes IV to our Board of Directors. Bill was raised in Mequon and attended St. Cecelia and St. James schools. He graduated from Marquette University High School. After graduating from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Bill returned to the Mequon area to start his career in Executive Search and Consulting, and currently works for Interim Professionals & Executive Search. 

In 2013, Bill married his wife, Laura. They have four children (ages 11, 10, 8, and 5), all attending Lumen Christi School in Mequon. Today, Bill spends most of his free time with his family. He is a baseball coach for the Junior Chinooks and a basketball coach for the Lumen Christi Saints. He is the Chair of the Lumen Christi School Commission and leads the Lumen Christi Dads' Bible Group.

Bill has a passion for bringing people together to accomplish greatness, and he is excited to help build upon the outstanding groundwork that MTCF has established in our special community. Bill looks forward to working alongside fellow community members to strengthen connections, support meaningful initiatives, and help ensure that Mequon and Thiensville continue to thrive for generations to come.

MTCF 2026 Event Sponsorships

The Mequon-Thiensville Community Foundation is pleased to offer event sponsorships to enhance community activities. Sponsorship funds are still available for 2026.

We look forward to seeing you at the following events this summer.

July 16th - Downtown Thiensville’s Eats and Beats

August 15th - Rotary Park Party for the Playground

August 27th - Chamber of Commerce Picnic

September 12th - Taste of Mequon

November 11th - Chamber of Commerce Veteran’s Day Celebration

Check out the MTCF Video Gallery

Current Board Members