About BEP

BEP is a nonprofit organization dedicated to equipping students with the life and career skills they need to build a successful future. Started in 1989, the BEP is a group of local businesses and educators working to make a positive impact on the schools and community through various programs to better prepare students for the world of work.

Our Programs

The BEP programs continually evolve with the changing needs of the community and the business world. As active members of the community, you have first-hand knowledge of what is needed in the workplace. That is why we rely on your feedback to help shape and tailor our programs to ensure that they are responsive to current industry needs and demands. You let us know what you see in the workplace, and we work closely with both you and educators to develop initiatives that support our students in acquiring the skills and knowledge needed to meet your needs.

Building The Partnership

We are looking for long-term partners to create a volunteer base to help educate our students to become employment and life-ready through the various programs we implement and to contribute a modest annual membership fee to pay for the program expenses.

Board of Directors

The BEP is governed by a Board of Directors that has representatives for all facets of this partnership, in both the business and education communities. Elected officers lead this group, and it changes annually with the current vice president taking the presidency the following year, and with the offices of Vice President and President alternating between business/community representation and school representation.

2023-2024 Current Officers & Board Members

Craig Coulthart, Eastside Elementary, President
Lauri Isaacson, WPPI Energy, Vice President
Ray Koepcke, Park Bank, Co-Treasurer
Nancy Everson, SPASD, Co-Treasurer
Betsy Butler, SPHS–Retired, Secretary

2023-2024 Board Members

Kelsey Aleckson, Central Heights Middle School
Karen Bailey, Bank of Sun Prairie–Retired
Dave Batterman, North Central Utility of WI, Inc.
Barbara Behling, Sun Prairie Chamber of Commerce
Jason Benda, QBE North America
Pam Blattner, Bank of Sun Prairie
Sharlot Bogart, Teddy’s Place Child Care, Inc.
Sarah Chaja-Clardy, SPASD
Renee Coleman, Sun Prairie East High School
Joel Coyne, Sun Prairie East High School
Seth Degnan, Kicks Unlimited
Emersen Dennis, Prairie Phoenix Academy Student Rep

Lori Ewoldt, Sun Prairie Utilities
Greg Granberg, SPASD
Jacob Hamen, SPEHS Student Rep
Elizabeth Hardy, Central Heights Middle School
Katey Kamoku, Sun Prairie School Board
Jojo Knauss, SPWHS Student Rep
Laura Leja, Sun Prairie East High School
Stephanie Leonard, SPASD
Patrick Malinowski, Summit Credit Union
Jennifer Mead, Prairie Kids Club
Dianne Metz, Sacred Hearts School
Katie Mould, Creekside Elementary School

Jen Ploeger, Sun Prairie West High School
Deanna Popke, Bank of Sun Prairie
Nikole Sconiers, Prairie Phoenix Academy
Craig Smith, Sun Prairie East High School
Shirley Statz, Statz Bros., Inc.
Chris Swenson, Wisconsin Wealth Advisors
David Thwing, Day One Pizza
Christina Williams, Sun Prairie Chamber of Commerce
Christi Winchel, Sunny Nutrition
Tiffany Yapp, Wilde East Towne Honda
Rebecca Zahn, Patrick Marsh Middle School
Andrea Zawalich, Wilde East Towne Honda

BEP Members

The BEP is a partnership between the business and education communities in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, created to coordinate existing resources and create additional resources in support of programs that concentrate on the preparation of our youth for employment. Members are notified of BEP events and monthly board meetings, can serve as program volunteers, members of the board, elected officers, and or committee members, and provide valuable input to guide BEP programming.

2023-2024 BEP Member Listing

Business & Organization Members:

608 Family Dental
Ameriprint Apparel LLC
Bank of Sun Prairie
Birrenkott Surveying of WI, LLC
Buck & Honey’s
Burrachos
Cardinal Title, LLC
Colony Brands, Inc.
Culvers of Sun Prairie
Dairy Queen
Day One Pizza
Educated Mortgage Services, LLC
Elite Embroidery
Express Employment Professionals
Hallman/Lindsay Paints
Handy Appliance Center, Inc.
Harms Insurance / Tricor Insurance
Hausmann Group
Hebl & Hebl, LLP
Independent Pharmacy Cooperative
J.H. Findorff & Son, Inc.
Kicks Unlimited Karate
MCV Salon
North Central Utility of Wisconsin, LLC

Park Bank
Prairie Athletic Club
Prairie Kids Club
Prairie Veterinary Associates
ProAdSpec, Inc.
Pro Health+
QBE North America
Melissa Ratcliff, State Assembly Representative, District 46
Royle Printing
Sacred Hearts School
Specific Health Massage Therapy LLC
Statz Brothers, Inc.
Summit Credit Union
Sun Prairie Area School District
Sun Prairie Chamber of Commerce
Sun Prairie Utilities
Sunny Nutrition
Talent Insurance & Financial Solutions, Inc.
Teddy Place Childcare, Inc.
The UPS Store
Wilde East Towne Honda
Wisconsin Wealth Advisors, LLC
WPPI Energy

Individual/Retired Members:

Karen Bailey
Betsy Butler
Fred & Ginny McCormick
Jeff & Mary Taylor