Attorney Keith Pilger was presented with the Gerald M. O’Brien Leadership Award at the YMCA Annual Recognition Luncheon on February 18, 2016. The Gerald M. O’Brien Leadership Award has been established to recognize an individual or business that in any given year has provided exceptional leadership and service to the Stevens Point Area YMCA. Keith joined the YMCA Foundation Board in 2006. During that time he served on the Executive Committee first as Treasurer, then Chair-Elect, Chair and Past Chair. While in these leadership roles, he led the successful effort to solicit and evaluate RFPs to select a wealth management company to oversee the Foundation Trust Funds. He also served as Chair of the Golf Outing event, raising over $20,000 and as key counsel/advisor in negotiations to purchase Y Camp Glacier Hollow. He also provided in-kind services to update the YMCA Foundation bylaws, gift acceptance policy and investment policy. Keith has also worked on the YMCA Board Strategic Planning Committee.

The United Way of Portage County honored Attorney Jerry O’Brien for his decades of service to the United Way by presenting him with a special recognition award at its annual Recognition Luncheon on February 9, 2016. In 1967 Jerry was the Chair of the annual campaign. The campaign raised $79,500. This was a very large sum considering that in 1967 the average cost of a new house was $14,000 and the average income per year was $7,300 with a Federal minimum wage of $1.40 an hour. Jerry continues his involvement with the United Way by meeting with a group of past chairs twice a year.

Attorney Russ Golla was elected President of the Wisconsin Association for Justice (WAJ) on December 4, 2015. He is also a member of the Executive Committee, Legislative Task Force Committee, Membership Service Committee, and a member of the Board of Directors. WAJ is the largest voluntary bar association in Wisconsin and is dedicated to preserving the right to a jury trial and promoting a fair and equitable civil justice system.