People who care deeply for the Driftless Area often find their way here through different paths, but share a common commitment to stewardship, community, and the land itself. Rickey Chernik, Kathy Moody-Cefalu, and Gene Schriefer each bring unique experiences and perspectives shaped by their personal and professional lives, and by a shared belief in caring for this landscape.
Rickey Chernik grew up in southern Wisconsin and formed a deep connection to the Driftless Area through his family ties and life in Iowa County. As a trail runner and owner of Driftless Endurance, he creates events that highlight the region’s terrain and help people experience it firsthand. With a background in events, marketing, and operations, he is passionate about building trails, supporting the Driftless Trail, and connecting people to the outdoors. He lives in Middleton with his family and is grateful to be part of a community that cares for this place.
Kathy Moody-Cefalu brings a lifelong connection to the Driftless Area, where her family roots run deep and where she now helps care for prairie, woodland, and wildlife habitat alongside her husband and parents. She spent her career with TDS Telecom, retiring as Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, and holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin–Platteville and Edgewood College. Kathy and her husband live on Lake Wisconsin, enjoying time with their children and grandchildren and continuing their commitment to caring for the land.
Gene Schreifer’s passion for farming began on his grandmother’s small New Jersey farm and led him to the Midwest, where he and his family purchased land in Iowa County in 1984. Guided by a philosophy of improving the land while making a living, he restored the farm’s health, increasing soil resilience, wildlife, and productivity. Gene spent much of his career with University of Wisconsin Extension and as a grazing specialist, later serving as Executive Director of the Farm Service Agency. Today, he and his wife continue to raise sheep and grass-finished beef on their restored Driftless farm.
Together, these three new board members reflect the diverse experiences and shared dedication that sustain the Driftless Area. Through recreation, professional leadership, and agricultural stewardship, each contributes to a future where the land remains healthy, productive, and deeply connected to the people who call it home.