Get to know: Steven Krueger
Attorney, Law Firm of Conway, Olejniczak & Jerry, S.C.
Attorney Steven Krueger of the Law Firm of Conway, Olejniczak & Jerry, S.C. in Green Bay was elected treasurer of the State Bar of Wisconsin following a tight statewide race in April.
Krueger, who took office July 1, credits his victory to his prior involvement with the State Bar, taking his first appointment in 2014 to the leadership development committee he now chairs. Krueger also chairs the State Bar’s lawyer referral service, which connects the public with legal representation from among its members.
Krueger, originally from Waupun, earned both his undergraduate and law degrees from Marquette University. His current practice focuses on representing businesses and financial institutions in general business, contracts and real estate law.
As treasurer, Krueger will provide financial oversight of the State Bar, a professional association serving more than 25,000 licensed Wisconsin attorneys. The role involves stewardship of member dues and earned revenue that funds legal education, public services and the advancement of the justice system in a way that’s valuable and relevant to members. One major initiative the State Bar is working to address, Krueger says, is northern Wisconsin’s “legal desert.”
“The more rural areas of Wisconsin are underserved by attorneys, and that makes it really challenging for folks to be able to find quality legal services,” he says. “There’s an initiative to really push good legal services to our rural communities so that our community has access to attorneys.”
Krueger’s election places him on the State Bar’s 53-member board of governors, which directs the association’s operations and long-term strategy. The board represents a wide range of legal professionals across the state, which is important to addressing the legal desert, Krueger says.
“If attorneys don’t feel like they’re well represented by the State Bar, if they’re in northern Wisconsin for example, it’s a disincentive to get involved — and we need attorneys from all over the state to be involved in the State Bar,” he says.
— Amelia Compton Wolff
Marking 1 million
The Monthlies Project has officially distributed 1 million period products across Northeast Wisconsin. The volunteer-led effort, which began in 2021, works with 165 distribution partners tMo provide free period supplies to school-aged students and bring awareness to the issue of period poverty and the educational inequity it creates. While schools supported by The Monthlies Project provide students with access to period products during the academic year, that access disappears once summer break begins. In May, The Monthlies Project distributed 2,000 summer kits across Northeast Wisconsin to 48 schools and organizations across 11 districts. Period poverty affects 1 in 5 students in the U.S., according to national surveys.
Building bridges
Ripon College recently unveiled its new on-campus esports arena. The space is housed in Bovay Hall and features 15 Alienware Aurora R16 computers, Nintendo Switches, Xboxes and Playstation 5s. Three rooms in Bovay Hall house the esports athletes. In addition to the arena, a locker room and conference room are also available. Director of Esports Andy Sotter will lead Ripon’s inaugural recruiting class of 13 incoming freshmen this fall. “The connections between this esports launch and our advances in STEM education and infrastructure confirm the campus’ commitment to innovation while leveraging institutional strengths,” said Ripon College President Victoria N. Folse. “This will signal to prospective students and families Ripon College’s willingness to adapt and remain relevant in the ever-evolving marketplace in higher education.”
Big cheese
Sargento plans to build a new, 384,000-square-foot manufacturing facility on State Highway 57 and County Road PP in Sheboygan County, marking the largest investment in the company’s 72-year history. Plans call for relocating manufacturing operations from Sargento’s current Plymouth campus. Pending approval by the city of Plymouth at its city council meeting this month, site preparation would begin this fall and construction in spring 2026. Completion and phased occupancy is anticipated to begin in 2027.“Over the last decade, our new product innovation has added a billion dollars of growth to the natural cheese category in America,” said Chief Operating Officer Michael Pellegrino. “Few companies in the consumer packaged goods industry innovate like Sargento, and we’re thrilled to continue our track record of success and partner with the city of Plymouth.”
