Elected Officials Day

Published on May 19, 2026

Celebrate Your Elected Officials Day in Outagamie County

Each year on May 19, communities across the United States observe Celebrate Your Elected Officials Day — a time to recognize the individuals chosen by voters to serve in public office and help lead our communities. From local government to the highest offices in the nation, elected officials play an important role in shaping public policy, delivering services, and representing the people who put their trust in them. Here in Outagamie County, Celebrate Your Elected Officials Day is an opportunity to recognize the dedicated local leaders elected by residents to serve the public and carry out the important work of county government.

Today, we celebrate and thank the elected officials who serve Outagamie County. Each office has distinct responsibilities, but all share a common purpose: serving the people of Outagamie County with leadership, accountability, and a commitment to the public good.

Get to Know Your Outagamie County Elected Officials

This year, we invited Outagamie County’s elected officials to answer a few questions so residents, employees, and community partners can get to know them a little better. From what inspired them to run for office to what public service means to them, their responses offer a more personal look at the people behind the titles.

We asked them a few questions — and here are their answers:

Thomas Nelson, County Executive / Elected 2011

What inspired you to run for public office?

Following my dad door to door when he started a mission church when I was four years old. The ideal of serving your community was formed then and has stayed with me.

What do you want residents to better understand about your role?

County Executive is a little-understood position, but it is one of the more consequential local and state positions. County government covers nearly every aspect of public policy except K-12 education and foreign policy. People may not know exactly what a county does, but our community could simply not function without the services we offer: law enforcement, public health, air travel, parks and recreation, long-term care, and more.

What are you most proud of accomplishing in your role?

Stewarding one of the best-run counties in the state. We are truly the envy of the state, especially among our immediate neighbors; I hear the praise in meetings with my peers. That we have been able to accomplish so much with such limited support beyond ourselves is one of the most rewarding parts of serving as County Executive.

How do you balance immediate community needs with long-term planning?

Never make a decision without knowing how it will be funded or whether it will still be needed three to five years down the road.

Dan Gabrielson, Board of Supervisors Board Chair / Elected 2016

What does public service mean to you personally?

I’m proud to live and work in such a great community. Public service is a way for me to help my community use our limited resources to improve the lives of as many people as possible. I try to learn as much as I can about an issue and work with other groups and individuals to support solutions.

What do you want residents to better understand about your role?

The big challenges we face are complex and interrelated. I think we would all like quick solutions, but those are often temporary and unsustainable. Lasting change takes work, collaboration, and an understanding of different perspectives.

If you could tell your first-day-in-office self one thing, what would it be?

You can’t make everyone happy. Keep your head in the game and keep moving the ball forward. Do the best you can for the most people, and that’s how you leave the world a little better than you found it.

Sarah Van Camp, Register of Deeds / Elected 2012

Why does accurate recordkeeping matter to residents and businesses?

The Outagamie County Register of Deeds office is the hub of the real estate market in Outagamie County. Without updated, accurate records, real estate transfers would not be able to happen and the financial structure of the county would be in jeopardy. My office takes great pride in taking the extra steps to ensure the documents being recorded provide the most accurate information now and for future generations.

What do you value most about the role your office plays in county government?

The Register of Deeds office is a public-facing office here to serve our constituents. My favorite saying, created by one of my ROD colleagues, is: “Live or die, sell or buy, you will need the Register of Deeds office.” I love the personal contact our office provides — seeing people at the best and worst times of their lives, listening to their stories, and helping them sort through the paperwork.

What inspired you to run for public office?

Honestly, it came to me very unexpectedly. A future colleague approached me and asked if I would be interested. I went home, thought about it, and it just seemed like a good fit. I love working with the public, and I understood real estate records after years in title insurance, so I said yes. Little did I know how many signs it would take to cover Outagamie County. It has truly been a gift, and I am grateful for it every day.

What has surprised you most about holding elected office?

The biggest surprise to me is the amount of contact and the personal relationships I have established with our legislators in Madison. The Register of Deeds Association works hand in hand on legislation that we feel will help our office and/or the people we serve. Walking into the Capitol the first time was very intimidating. Building those relationships has taken away that intimidation, although I admit it still gives me a bit of a thrill to be at a bill signing.

Rochelle Oskey, Treasurer / Elected 2025

What has surprised you most about holding elected office?

What has surprised me most about holding elected office — though it probably shouldn’t have — is the connection and camaraderie we have built with each other. We try to meet for lunch a few times a year and catch up.

What do you enjoy most about serving this community?

What I enjoy most about serving this community is being in a front-facing office that is open to the public, hearing people’s stories, and answering their many questions. There’s never a dumb question; people are simply asking because they don’t know the answer. I enjoy teaching people how to navigate our property tax system and helping them understand what a tax bill is made up of.

What has been one of the most rewarding moments in your service so far?

One of the most rewarding parts of my service so far has been helping delinquent taxpayers through our step-by-step process, getting them on a monthly payment plan, and helping them become current again. Some conversations are very difficult for homeowners to have, but I believe communication is key to our success in helping them.

How does your office help protect the county’s financial health?

All county money goes through our office and is reconciled daily. Our office helps protect the county’s financial health by investing funds locally at the best rates available.

Clint Kriewaldt, Sheriff / Elected 2019

What inspired you to run for public office?

In the fall of 2017, former Sheriff Brad Gehring began making subtle comments about me becoming the next Sheriff after his retirement. At first, I thought he was joking, so I laughed it off and did not think much of it. One day, after he made another similar comment and I again laughed it off, he stopped me and said I needed to quit laughing because he was serious. He went on to explain why he believed I should strongly consider running for Sheriff. From that point on, Sheriff Gehring and I began having more in-depth conversations about the duties and responsibilities of the position. Being born and raised in Outagamie County, I have always loved this community and everything it represents. I also truly love serving with the Sheriff’s Office, so the decision to run for Sheriff ultimately became an easy one. In 2018, I was elected Outagamie County Sheriff and began serving my first term in January 2019.

What are you most proud of accomplishing in your role?

There are many accomplishments I am proud of, but the one that stands out most is the construction of the new 911 Communication Center. Early in my first term in 2019, it became clear that the old Communication Center was not a positive work environment and would not be able to support the county’s continued growth or future technological needs. Our team worked closely with County Board Supervisors to secure approval for the new facility. The new Communication Center has greatly improved morale among our telecommunicators and provides a modern, professional environment designed to meet the needs of Outagamie County for the next 20-plus years.

What values guide your decision-making as an elected official?

Prior to taking office in 2019, I worked to revamp the Sheriff’s Office mission and values statement. Our previous statement was lengthy, and I do not believe many staff members ever read it or fully understood the expectations it represented. Our current mission statement is short, clear, and meaningful: “Our mission is to work in partnership with our community and other public service agencies to protect and serve the citizens of Outagamie County with P.R.I.D.E.” The values that guide my decision-making are the same values our entire staff strives to demonstrate every day. In everything we do, we are committed to serving our community with P.R.I.D.E.: Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Dedication, and Excellence.

Melinda Tempelis, District Attorney / Elected 2020

What has been one of the most rewarding moments in your service so far?

In 1988, Betty Rolf was found assaulted and murdered in Grand Chute. Her case remained unsolved for more than 34 years, leaving her family without justice until July 2024, when an Outagamie County jury found Gene Meyer guilty of the sexual assault and murder of Betty Rolf. Being part of the prosecution team that helped Betty’s family seek justice and find closure after decades of grief and frustration while waiting for answers was one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.

How do you stay connected to the needs and concerns of the people you serve?

I enjoy engaging with the youth of our community and with various community organizations. I regularly speak on behalf of our women’s shelter and advocate for victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and child maltreatment. I also enjoy speaking to student groups and participating in school career days and government classes, where I hope to improve understanding of the criminal justice system and prosecution and inspire a commitment to serving the community.

What do you enjoy most about serving this community?

Our criminal justice and community partners are amazing. I am fortunate to have opportunities to train throughout the state and even nationally, which gives me a unique view into how other counties and communities work together. Every time I return to Outagamie County, I am even more proud of the work we do. Everyone is always willing to come together to discuss issues, have challenging conversations, collaborate on solutions, and find better ways to serve our residents. I am so proud to work with such dedicated, wonderful people.

Kelly Gerrits, County Clerk / Elected 2024

What inspired you to run for public office?

I ran for County Clerk because I enjoy serving my community, and I wanted to ensure residents know the County Clerk’s office is accountable, transparent, professional, and responsive to their needs. I enjoy being able to serve others each day while applying my elections knowledge and strong attention to detail in meaningful ways. The County Clerk role is very important, and I consider myself very lucky to fill that role to the best of my ability.

What values guide your decision-making as an elected official?

My decision-making as County Clerk is guided by integrity, transparency, and trust. As the County Clerk and Chief Election Official, it is important for the public to know that elections and records kept in our office are accurate, administered fairly, and impartial. My office staff and I operate with no political bias and keep all operations nonpartisan. Transparency is also very important to me. The public should know how decisions are made, that decisions and processes are consistent, and that everything is well documented. The County Clerk’s office is here to serve residents, municipalities, candidates, and voters. The public puts its trust in me to make decisions that are fair, in accordance with the law, and in the best interest of everyone we serve.

What has surprised you most about holding elected office?

What has surprised me most about holding elected office is how deeply people throughout our community care about making Outagamie County a great place to live and work. Serving as Clerk gives you an inside perspective on the great leaders and department heads throughout the county, the County Board, municipal clerks and boards, election officials and poll workers, and the many other volunteers who work hard for their community and neighbors.

Barb Bocik, Clerk of Circuit Courts / Elected 2015

What is one part of your role that people may not see, but is very important?

With a large staff, it is very important to keep everyone current and trained on constantly changing laws and processes.

What has been one of the most rewarding moments in your service so far?

One of the things I am most proud of is having an amazing staff. I have worked closely with my management team, and we have built a great group of individuals who truly do their best every day to help the public, even when the public is not always easy to help. We have built good working relationships with other departments, and working together really does make Outagamie County better.

What values guide your decision-making as an elected official?

I try to be empathetic. I realize people are stressed just walking into this building. It is an intimidating place, and big decisions are made here — decisions that affect family dynamics, people’s freedom, and their finances. I try to be fair and flexible with my staff. They are the experts in their fields, and I know that my success is contingent upon theirs.

What local issue or service are you especially passionate about, and why?

Our office began working with State Debt Collection (SDC) to collect old debts that are still owed. This helps bring money back into the county and holds people accountable to the sentences they were given. We had a case in which a party owed restitution to a victim, and my financial staff found the defendant, sent letters notifying that individual we were going to pursue collection efforts, and explained that it would cost them more money. The defendant then came in and paid. Efforts like these help fund other programs and help keep taxes down in Outagamie County. People who use the system pay for the system.

If you could tell your first-day-in-office self one thing, what would it be?

Breathe. There are going to be some very challenging days ahead. Focus on the four walls of your office and know what you can fix. There are going to be some things you have no control over.

What keeps you motivated during difficult decisions or challenging times?

Having the opportunity to pick up the phone and call another elected official in our county to discuss issues is very helpful. Having a great management staff to share ideas with also helps. Our Clerk of Courts Association has a fantastic listserv we can use to ask questions. Finally, having a friendly and knowledgeable staff makes a big difference.

What are some of the most important responsibilities of your office that the public may overlook?

We collect fines and fees and disburse this money to various local and state agencies. We provide access to the courts and often call ourselves the “welcome mat” to the courts. In order to access the courts, paperwork must be filed with our office; tickets, complaints, and other documents are filed here as well. Our office is responsible for opening the case, entering all relevant information, processing orders, maintaining exhibits, disposing of the case, and handling post-judgment matters. We are the keeper of the court record. We also summon jurors for jury trials and enter all relevant information related to those proceedings.

What do you enjoy most about serving residents through this role?

My favorite part of serving as Clerk of Courts is meeting people and helping them through difficult situations. We try to provide a welcoming atmosphere so individuals can feel at ease when they come to our office for help. It is always rewarding when someone follows up and says thank you for helping them understand the system and easing their stress.

Doug Bartelt, Coroner / Elected 2018

How does your office serve families and the community during very difficult moments?

Our office serves families and the community by conducting thorough, impartial investigations to determine the cause and manner of death with professionalism, dignity, and compassion. We work closely with law enforcement, healthcare providers, and families to provide accurate information, answer questions, and ensure transparency throughout the process. During difficult moments, our goal is to support families with respect and sensitivity while also fulfilling our responsibility to protect public health and safety.

What is one part of your work that is often misunderstood?

One aspect of our work that is often misunderstood is that the coroner’s role extends far beyond responding to death scenes. Our office is responsible for conducting objective investigations, reviewing medical and legal information, and ensuring accurate determinations that can provide answers for families and serve the broader community. Much of our work involves collaboration, attention to detail, and maintaining professionalism and compassion during very difficult circumstances.

What values are most important in carrying out this responsibility?

The most important values in carrying out this responsibility are integrity, compassion, professionalism, and accountability. Families and the community depend on our office to conduct fair, thorough, and impartial investigations while treating every individual with dignity and respect. Maintaining transparency and earning public trust are essential to serving effectively in this role.

The Important Role of the County Board

Outagamie County is governed by a 36-member County Board of Supervisors, elected to represent districts across the county. As the county’s legislative and policymaking body, the Board helps shape decisions affecting residents, services, departments, and long-term priorities. Through committee work and regular meetings, supervisors help keep county government responsive, accountable, and focused on community needs.

We recognize the service, leadership, and public commitment of the members of the Outagamie County Board. Their work helps guide decisions that directly affect residents’ daily lives, from public safety and infrastructure to health, human services, and community planning.

Thank You for Serving

On Elected Officials Day, Outagamie County thanks our elected leaders for their service, dedication, and commitment to the community. We also recognize the important role residents play in shaping local government through civic engagement and participation. Strong communities are built when public servants and the public work together, and today is a meaningful opportunity to learn more about the people who serve Outagamie County and to thank them for their work.