Shawano resident Rick Stadelman, executive director of the Wisconsin Towns Association, last week was presented with the 2014 USDA Rural Development State Director Award at the Wisconsin Rural Partners Rural Summit in Stevens Point.
The award recognizes individuals who demonstrate leadership and dedication in the service of rural communities.
Stadelman was singled out because of the important contributions he has made in assisting rural communities improve infrastructure and services across Wisconsin, said Stan Gruszynski, state director of U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development.
“Rick’s tenure with the Wisconsin Towns Association has been exemplary and deserves recognition as a standard for public service,” Gruszynski said. “His dedication and steadfast commitment to support local government and protect the interest of rural communities across the state has set a high bar. His actions and initiative have promoted educational programs, expanded economic growth, and have made Wisconsin’s towns more viable and sustainable.
“Under Rick’s leadership, the Wisconsin Town’s Association has been a critical ally in building a viable future for Wisconsin’s rural communities.”
Gruszynski noted Stadelman has been a strong partner of USDA by including Rural Development staff in his association’s regional meetings, sharing community program information through workshops, and by providing training for Rural Development’s Community Program staff on townships and their authorities.
“During periods of economic change, the need for rural communities to utilize their resources to their fullest advantage is critically important,” Gruszynski said. “The purpose of the Rural Development’s Community Programs is to provide federal assistance for projects that allow communities to move forward. Working in partnership with the Wisconsin Towns Association has helped to ensure these communities are successful and positioned for the future.”
Stadelman has served as executive director since April 1987. He has worked with the association since 1979, first serving as general legal counsel, and in 1984 also becoming legislative representative for the association before filling the position of executive director.
He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School, Class of 1972. He served as assistant district attorney from 1973-1974 in Shawano and Menominee counties. He was twice elected district attorney of the counties, in 1974 and 1976.
After leaving the district attorney’s office, Stadelman practiced law in Shawano while working on a part-time basis with the association.
In his capacity as executive director of Wisconsin Towns Association, Stadelman served on several Legislative Council special study committees and several advisory committees for state agencies, including the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection Livestock Siting Advisory Committee, and Working Lands Committee in recent years.
The Wisconsin Towns Association is a statewide, voluntary, nonprofit and nonpartisan association of member town and village governments in the state. WTA’s twin purposes are to support local control of government and to protect the interest of towns through legislative lobbying efforts, educational programs and legal information.
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