Tourism Council
Mission Statement
Purpose
State Definition of Tourism
2021 Whitewater Tourism Council
Industry Representation:
- President Therese Kennedy – UWWW Recreation & Sports Facility
- Secretary Michelle Dujardin – City of Whitewater Parks & Rec
- Member Kae Shisler – Lodging Property
- Member Dave Saalsaa – Retail/Outdoor Sporting Goods
- Member Andy Whitney – Ice Age Trail Alliance
- Member Steve Johnson – Bicycling Advocate
- Member Katy Grady – Restaurant – Chamber Representative
Staff:
- Kellie Carper – Executive Director
- Kathleen Katy Wimer Fleming – Administrative Assistant
- Katy Wimer – Content Creator
Liaisons:
- DownTown Whitewater Inc,
- Chamber Board,
- Community Development Authority,
- Common Council
Our Blog
Get to Know Us
Therese Kennedy
President – UW Whitewater Recreation and Sports
Therese is the Associate Director of Recreation Sports & Facilities at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater. She has served the community since 1991. Therese is a member of the following groups and organizations: Downtown Whitewater Inc. Promotions Committee, UW- Whitewater Community Optimist Club Member and Past President, Tip Off Club Board Member, Quarterback Club Board Member, UW-Whitewater Women’s Sports Foundation Board Member, Whitewater High School Athletic Booster Club, and Whitewater Community foundation.
Michelle Dujardin
Secretary – Whitewater Park and Recreations
I have selected to be part of the Tourism Council so that I can invest in Whitewater and be allowed the chance to give back in an array of different capacities. I have enjoyed every minute of my commitment and I’m very excited to continue my passion of giving back.
Michelle is Recreation and Community Events Programmer for the Whitewater Parks and Recreation Department since October of 2007. Michelle is primarily responsible for programing oversight including; adult volleyball, preschool programs, youth sports, summer camp, and special events.
Kae Shisler
Council Member – Lodging
Kae lives in Milton with her Husband Mike and dog Harlo. Spending time with her immediate and extended
family is extremely important to Kae. Kae has been in the hotel business since 1977 working her way up from a desk clerk to a general manager. Kae has worked for mainly Holiday Inn Express hotels but had an opportunity to be closer to home and open a new hotel in Whitewater. It has been a great challenge opening a new hotel, working for a new brand all during COVID, but one Kae and her team have embraced. They are very happy to be part of the Whitewater community. Kae grew up in Black River Falls and worked at the Holiday Inn Express there when she first became involved with a Chamber of Commerce and found interest in how a community could grow tourism with the occupancy tax dollars the hotels would be collecting. Kae served on the Black River Chamber of Commerce Board for 6 years. Kae moved on from that hotel and community and has not had the opportunity, until now, to participate on a chamber or tourism board. Kae is happy to be part of the Whitewater Tourism Board and looks forward to learning more about Whitewater and finding new ways to bring people to this beautiful community.
Katy Grady
Council Member – Restaurant / Chamber of Commerce Rep
In January 2020, Katie Grady became the new co-owner of the Culver’s in Whitewater. Katie graduated from UW-Whitewater in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in business management. For the past 10 years, Katie has lived in the area with her husband and two daughters! She looks forward to being involved in the Whitewater Chamber of Commerce and Whitewater Tourism Council.
Andy Whitney
Council Member – Ice Age Trail Alliance, Walworth / Jefferson County Chapter
After I retired from Scot Forge I become an Ice Age trail Volunteer. Two years Later I accepted the Coordinator position of the Walworth/Jefferson County Chapter. I moved to the Whitewater area to be closer to the Ice age Trail & fell in love with Whitewater. The city of Whitewater soon became a Trail Community & I was honored when they asked me to sit on the Tourism Council to integrate the beauty & activities of Ice Age Trail with the responsibilities of the Tourism Council. I look forward to this lasting partnership. – Andy
Coming Soon:
Steve Johnson
Council Member – Cycling Advocate
Coming Soon:
Dave Saalsaa
Council Member – Retail
Kellie Carper
Executive Director
Kellie Carper brings to the chamber and tourism council a passion for building relationships and actively serving the communities she calls home. She grew up in the Geneva Lakes area spending time in Fontana and Lake Geneva as a youth. Her family left the area during her high school days, but as is with most Wisconsinites she happily returned with her family in 2004. She has been a resident of Walworth County for over 15 years returning home to Lake Geneva to raise her children. Her daughter is a student at UWW and her son will be following his sister’s footsteps to campus in the next couple of years. Kellie joins the chamber and the Whitewater community with a background in hospitality, higher education, and small business management. She enjoys being a tourist in her own state exploring all that it has to offer. Kellie looks forward to supporting the business community in Whitewater, fostering growth, and creating engaging opportunities for visitors and locals alike to enjoy its rich history and friendly culture
Kathleen Fleming
Past President /
Assistant Director
Kathleen Fleming, past owner/innkeeper Hamilton House Bed and Breakfast, moved to Whitewater in 2000 fulfilling a lifelong dream of being an innkeeper. Her passions are hospitality, great food, time well spent with family and friends, and being outside in nature. She enjoys sharing all she loves about the area with The Whitewater community and its visitors. Kathleen has served as Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast Association Board and member of area Tourism associations.
Kathleen now fulfills her passion for tourism and hospitality by assisting in the Discover Whitewater offices.
Katy Wimer
Content Creator
Katy Daixon Wimer is a writer, photographer, and healing artist who lives out by Whitewater Lake in a cozy home with her husband and two cats. Owner of local businesses katy daixon photography and Wise Moon Healing Arts, Katy enjoys writing about/capturing the natural world. She’s an avid hiker and a big fan of supporting local.
Katy serves as Content Creator and Blogger for Discover Whitewater because she wants to encourage others to explore the beauty and magic of Whitewater that she witnesses on a daily basis.