Leadership in Service

Executive Director & President

Jeff Berard brings over 30 years of expertise as a corporate quality professional, showcasing exceptional leadership as a global program manager and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.

His dedication extends beyond the corporate world, encompassing 12 impactful years in the volunteer fire service, during which he held roles including NPFA Certified Fire Inspector, Fire Investigator, Hazmat Technician, Public Information Officer, and Deputy Chief (retired).

Since 2017, Jeff has served as the Director and founder of the Disaster Response Team, demonstrating his commitment to community resilience and emergency management. His compassionate nature has also been evident in his eight years of experience as a Chaplain at St. Luke’s Hospital Pastoral Care in Racine, WI. Overseeing and cared for staff, patients, and families in the NICU and ER departments.

Jeff’s unwavering commitment to volunteerism spans 25 years within this church, both locally and nationally. His impact has been recognized with numerous accolades, including the prestigious Sheriff’s Award from the Kenosha County Sheriff for his leadership and service to the community during the 2020 civil unrest in Kenosha. Jeff has also received several endorsements for his exemplary public and volunteer service.

Jeff Berard is a multifaceted leader, mentor, and pastor to those he serves, embodying dedication, expertise, organizational excellence, and commitment to the welfare of the community.

Vice President, Strategic Planning & HR Advisory

Lisa serves as Vice President of Strategic Planning & HR Advisory for the Disaster Response Team and has been actively involved with DRT alongside her family for more than five years. Her commitment to DRT brings together her passion for service, crisis response, leadership, and strengthening communities.

Professionally, Lisa has spent her career helping lead and scale organizations ranging from startups to Fortune 100 pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Her experience in talent acquisition, retention, organizational growth, and strategic leadership helps DRT continue building the people and systems needed to expand its impact.

Service is also deeply rooted in Lisa's family and community life. She is a Level 3 trauma-certified foster care provider and has fostered and adopted two children in addition to raising three biological children. She has also devoted significant time to youth mentorship, mission work, church ministry, and community outreach.

Whether serving families in crisis, developing leaders, or working behind the scenes, Lisa brings a servant's heart and a belief that strong organizations are built by people who are willing to step in wherever they're needed.

Secretary

Joe serves DRT as both a dedicated volunteer and Secretary of the Board of Directors. A resident of Lake Geneva, Joe brings extensive financial and corporate leadership experience to the organization, helping support DRT's commitment to strong governance and responsible stewardship.

Professionally, Joe is a Corporate Officer and Vice President of Taxes for Abbott Laboratories in Chicago, where he has worked for more than 20 years and has served in his current leadership role for the past eight years. Prior to joining Abbott, he worked with Deloitte in St. Louis.

Joe combines his professional expertise with a commitment to serving others, bringing thoughtful leadership, accountability, and a strong sense of responsibility to DRT's mission and the communities it serves.

Treasurer

With over 30 years of experience in accounting, tax, and finance, Joe enjoys working directly with business owners providing better clarity into their overall business while fulfilling their tax compliance needs. His professional background includes a variety of experiences, from business ownership to working for a Big 4 accounting firm and a publicly traded retail corporation. He was also a university accounting instructor. As a Tax Manager at Hawkins Ash CPAs, he uses his experience with sophisticated tax strategies to customize solutions that bring value to privately held businesses and their owners.  

Joe is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, earning his bachelor’s degree in finance and his master’s in taxation. As a lifelong learner he is currently working toward a bachelor’s degree in Chaplaincy through the Christianto  Leadership Institute. He is currently a chaplain with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team.

Joe is active in his church serving on the worship team and assisting with security at the Mount Pleasant campus.  His current and prior community service includes Journey Church, Second Chance Ministry, Journey DRT, Great Lakes Church, Salvation Army (advisory board). Riveredge Nature Center, Habitat for Humanity, Alzheimer’s Association, Junior Achievement, Racine Youth Sports, and several others.

Outside of work and community service, Joe enjoys working on his property in western Wisconsin, playing bass guitar, and being a disciple of Jesus. He and his wife are long-time Mount Pleasant/Caledonia residents and are proud of their two college-aged daughters.

Fundraising Chair

Arlene brings more than 30 years of financial industry experience to DRT, with expertise spanning business banking, commercial lending, commercial real estate, SBA financing, and access to capital. As the Founder of Martin Financial Resources, LLC, she is passionate about helping organizations and entrepreneurs build strong financial foundations and develop strategies for sustainable growth.

Throughout her career, Arlene has combined professional leadership with a deep commitment to strengthening her community. She serves on several business lending and advisory committees throughout Southeast Wisconsin and regularly mentors entrepreneurs through business incubators and accelerator programs. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Carthage College with a Bachelor of Arts in Business.

Arlene's commitment to nonprofit service spans more than 25 years and includes leadership and board positions with organizations focused on youth, community development, and human services. She brings that same experience and passion to DRT, helping strengthen the organization so it can continue serving people and communities when they need it most.

Arlene and her husband, Greg, live in Kenosha and are active members of their local community.

Marketing Chair

Tom has served with DRT since 2020 and is currently a member of the Executive Leadership Team. Throughout his time with the organization, he has taken on a variety of leadership responsibilities, including Logistics Leader, COAD Program Coordinator, and Grant Manager. His experience gives him a unique understanding of both the behind-the-scenes coordination and community partnerships that make disaster response possible.

Professionally, Tom brings a background in sales and marketing and holds an MBA from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. He currently works as a Sales Specialist with School Health Corporation and has also served in community leadership roles, including as an HOA President. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Southeast Wisconsin COAD.

At the heart of Tom's work with DRT is a simple goal: connecting people with the help they need while helping build stronger, more prepared, and more resilient communities.

Journey Liaison

Board Member

Horace brings nearly three decades of public safety, emergency response, and community leadership experience to DRT. During his career with the Kenosha County Sheriff's Department from 1995 to 2024, he served in numerous leadership roles, including Lieutenant of Patrol Field Operations, where he managed more than 130 sworn and civilian personnel.

Throughout his career, Horace led teams during critical incidents, high-risk operations, and multi-agency responses at the local, state, and federal levels. He spent 20 years with the Kenosha Sheriff's Tactical Response Team (SWAT), serving as a Hostage Negotiator, Assistant Commander, and ultimately Executive Officer. His experience also includes commanding a multi-agency drug operations unit and securing grant funding for local disaster relief efforts.

Beyond his public safety career, Horace has dedicated more than 25 years to educating future law enforcement professionals as an instructor with Gateway Technical College's Criminal Justice Program and Law Enforcement Academy. He holds a bachelor's degree from Lakeland University and a master's degree in Criminal Justice from Northcentral University.

Horace's commitment to service extends throughout the Kenosha community through numerous nonprofit, educational, faith-based, and civic leadership roles. He brings to DRT extensive experience in crisis leadership, emergency preparedness, collaboration, and a lifelong commitment to serving and protecting others.