Staff

Liz Kern - General Manager

Liz Kern, the 2010 Northwoods League Executive of the Year and 2010 Ballpark Digest Executive of the Year, enters her ninth season in the NWL, and third as General Manager of the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters. Prior to taking the helm for the Rafters, Kern worked for the Madison Mallards from 2004 to 2009, 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 where she was a member of the softball team.  She is originally from Beaver Dam, Wisconsin 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 fifteenth season in the NWL, and third as President of the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters and the Madison Mallards, after spending 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 eight seasons---including consecutive 200,000+ attendances from 2006 to 2011---and the Rafters ascending attendance from 2010 to 2011. 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 two children, daughter Chloe Mae, who turned four in September and newborn son Bode Axel. 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, and now Rafters baseball in Wisconsin Rapids. 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 finished at-least in the top-half of the division standings for every year but two since the Madison franchise's inception. 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 enters his fifth season in the NWL, and third as Assistant General Manager for the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters.  Before joining the Rafters, Fanta spent two summers as an intern for the La Crosse Loggers, overseeing their ticket sales operation.  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, spending time with family and friends, and is an avid Brewers fan.

John@raftersbaseball.com

 Kyle Kohls - Director of Group Sales and Marketing

Kohls enters his second season in the NWL and first as Director of Group Sales and Marketing for the Rafters.  Kohls spent the 2011 season interning with the Willmar Stingers as their Director of Hospitality.  Kohls received his bachelor's degree in Recreational Parks and Leisure Services from Minnesota State University Mankato.  Originally from Maple Grove, Minnesota, Kyle currently resides in Wisconsin Rapids.  He enjoys spending his free time with his niece and nephew, cheering on the Minnesota Gophers, and being outdoors.

Kyle@raftersbaseball.com