Kerry Kreuger, a longtime employee (most recently the Police Business Manager), is retiring today(March 15, 2024) after over 26 years of service to the City of De Pere. We appreciate and thank Kerry for her skill and dedication while serving our community for the past quarter century, and we wish her the very best in her next chapter in life!

With that said, here are Kerry’s thoughts, in her own words, regarding her tenure in De Pere:

  1. When did you first start your role with the City/how long have you worked here?

In 1998 I started working as Administrative/Legal Secretary for Mayor Michael Walsh, City Administrator Kevin Brunner,  and City Attorney Judith Schmidt-Lehman at City Hall.   Ater a couple of years, I was offered a new position at by Chief David Tellock of the De Pere Police Department as Administrative Assistant.  In 2004, I was appointed to another new position of Police Business Manager of the Administrative Services, by Chief of Police Derek Beiderwieden.  The position was created to replace the Captain of Administrative Services Division, Edwin Janz, upon his retirement in 2004.  I took on the responsibilities for business operations for the department, supervision of Administrative Services Division staff, managing computerized records, law enforcement specific computer systems, technical training and project management implementing several new technologies.  I also performed federal and state grant oversight and financial management.  I have worked in this role for the past 20 years.  I have been with the City of De Pere for 26 years in all.  

  1. What is your previous career experience/roles before this?

I studied Technology, Engineering and Management at UW-Stout.  I began my career in federal, state, and local government service receiving the appointment as Lead Purchasing Agent in 1991 with the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service in Madison, Wisconsin.   In 1994, I was hired as Financial Specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Division of Transportation Investment, Bureau of Transportation Aids, also in Madison, Wisconsin.  The position supported federal and state grant funding of millions of dollars in mass transit and local transportation aids to Wisconsin communities.  In 1996, after moving to De Pere, Wisconsin, I became the first employee to telecommute at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, working remotely from De Pere for one year.  I have a combined 32 years of service to federal, state, and local government agencies.  This service is something I am very proud of.

  1. What was your reason/inspiration for choosing this career path?

My family laid the foundation for public service by their example.  My father retired after 37 years with the United States Department of Agriculture.  My mother managed 6 children and after that, she retired after teaching for 14 years at Pulaski Schools. 

And with that foundation, I was lucky to have opportunities at key points in my life.  I was mentored in college by Professor George A. Morison, at UW-Stout.  He took my accounting and law interests and challenged me to incorporate technology to bring efficiency to repetitive tasks.  With his guidance, I developed my skills in technology, computer programming and management information systems.  He recommended me for projects involving local businesses, which focused on automation of their accounting processes.  What began back then as Management Information Systems, has evolved over the decades into being a Subject Matter Expert regarding law enforcement technologies.  Looking back, I never would have thought I would be ending my career in law enforcement, nor that I would have had so many unbelievable opportunities and experiences along the way.  

  1. What are your most memorable moment(s), favorite things or fondest memories serving in De Pere?

My most significant contributions have been in the implementation of software systems and the interfaces necessary to efficiently collect, maintain, and report the activities of our law enforcement agency.  In 2008 I recommended applying for a state-wide grant initiative to automatically transfer citation data to and from the various Municipal courts in the State.  That initiative gave over 100 municipal courts access to data which eliminated duplicate entries needing to be made by Police and Court personnel. 

  1. Any other overall thoughts on your career or items you’d like to touch on (people you’ve worked with, impact on yourself or the City, personal accomplishments, overall thoughts, etc.)

I think because I started working in the highest offices in the City, I learned invaluable knowledge and gained a tremendous understanding of  this community.  The visionaries who saw in me a value and worth, provided me with steppingstones for a wonderful career.  Schmidt-Lehman, Walsh, Brunner, Tellock, Janz, and Beiderwieden, gave me opportunities I am grateful for.  With that being said, I appreciate the commitment and selflessness of others who keep our community safe, welcoming, and enjoyable. 

I can honestly say that I am a proud De Pere resident of 28 years.  De Pere has become my hometown.  De Pere is the place where I have lived the longest in my entire life!  It is the community that my family is most connected to.  I guess I just feel proud to have been able to serve this community in a small and silent way.  I will miss the daily whirlwind, the challenges, and most definitely, the people I have worked with over the years.  Some who have come and gone already, and those I am saying goodbye to now.