Staff

Liz Kern - General Manager

Liz Kern is the General Manager for the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters. Prior to taking the helm for the Rafters, Kern had worked for the Madison Mallards since 2004, overseeing the team’s ticket operation and customer service department. 

Kern received her bachelor’s degree in Sport Management and Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse in 2006.  She was a member of the softball team from 2003 to 2006.  She is originally from Beaver Dam, WI and currently resides in Wisconsin Rapids.  Her hobbies include canoeing, sports, and anything outdoors.


Liz@raftersbaseball.com

Vern Stenman - Owner / President

Stenman, the 2003 and 2005 Northwoods League Executive of the Year, enters his thirteenth season in the NWL, and first as President of the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters and the Madison Mallards, having spent the previous eight seasons as the Mallards General Manager. His innovative promotional ideas and steady vision have contributed to Madison's rising attendance each of the past seven seasons—including consecutive 200,000+ attendances from 2006 to 2009. Prior to Madison he was an intern and later Assistant GM for the St. Cloud River Bats from 1997 to 2000 before taking a corporate account position with the NHL's Minnesota Wild for a year. Stenman and wife Kallie have one child, daughter Chloe Mae, who turned two in September. He is originally from St. Cloud, MN.

Vern@raftersbaseball.com

Steve Schmitt - Owner

Schmitt's passion for the game and extraordinary attention to customer service are two big reasons why Mallards baseball has become a summertime mainstay in Madison. Since 2001 the Mallards have made the playoffs five times, including a Northwoods League Championship in 2004, and appearances in the Championship Series in 2005 & 2008. Schmitt's teams have accumulated 322 regular season wins since the franchise's inception and have finished at-least in the top-half of the division standings for every year but two. Also the owner of the Shoe Box and Rookies Sports Bar in Black Earth, WI, Steve is actively involved in the community and is a huge St. Louis Cardinals fan.

John Fanta - Assistant GM

Fanta is the Assistant GM for the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters.  Before joining the Rafters, Fanta spent two summers with the La Crosse Loggers, working closely with ticket sales and operations.
Fanta received his bachelor's degree in Sport Management and Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse in 2009.  During college he was an intern in the Viterbo University athletics department where he assisted the athletics director in events management.  Fanta is originally from Viroqua, WI and currently resides in Wisconsin Rapids.  In his free time he enjoys running, playing sports with friends, and is a huge Brewers fan.

John@raftersbaseball.com